ASC's Intersections Newsletter — December 8th, 2023
Nora's Note
Connecting communities through hybrid engagement. There’s been a steady drumbeat since the turn to social media during the pandemic amplified the voice of the public: communities want to be heard. They want to co-create civic planning projects and favor locally informed, inclusive processes—and they expect to participate from wherever they are. That’s why ASC’s engagement and digital specialists research, develop and test new technologies daily to connect projects with stakeholders online and in-person. At this week’s hybrid workshop on the Lower Esopus Creek, we turned to our Virtual Engagement Toolkit to build a structure that invited a large and diverse in-person and on-line audience to share ideas on plans to protect and enhance the Creek, a 65-mile Hudson River tributary downstream of the Ashokan Reservoir. Our public engagement and digital services teams bring a holistic view to meeting planning, ensuring hybrid arrangements and digital tools suit the key questions of each project and enhance inclusivity and access from start to finish. Connecting communities around shared issues can increase confidence in outcomes; a goal well worth the extra time and thought.
Transportation
Biden administration sets new rule for monitoring on road GHG emissions. The Federal Highway Administration issued a final rule on November 22nd requiring State DOT'S and MPO's to set decreasing CO2 emissions reduction targets, with more than $27 billion available to state and local government pollution reduction projects. The targets are in line with the Biden administration goals of 50% carbon pollution reduction by 2030, and work to specifically address a GAO report which found DOT and MPOs were not accurately monitoring road related green house gas emissions. Read more about Biden’s new direction. (Source: Smart Cities Dive)
Yahoo! News: Here's what we know about transportation funding for 16 Kansas roadways, rails and more
Mass Transit Mag: CA: UC Santa Cruz gets boost in Metro service with extra-long buses
AMNY: Miracle on 32nd Street: Making Penn Station, the nation’s busiest transit hub accessible to all
Climate
New federal grants will help Colorado groups address environmental injustices across the state. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently awarded 186 grants nationwide for initiatives that seek to address harm done to poor communities that bore the brunt of past infrastructure work. In Colorado, the grants, funded through the Inflation Reduction Act, are set to support a variety of community-driven initiatives that educate, provide fresh produce, and mitigate climate impacts in environmental justice communities that struggle with poor air quality, negligible tree canopies, and other negative public health impacts. Read more on the EPA's impact on these communities. (Source: CPR News)
LA Times: From decarbonization to electric cars, California hopes to showcase climate leadership at COP28
Smart Cities Dive: 4 US cities pledge to combat water woes driven by climate change
The Hill: Underserved communities benefiting most from Biden climate law: Treasury
Economic Development
City leaders fund childcare center with tax district typically used for roads, sewer. The Economic Development Director of Madison, South Dakota, Brooke Rollag, is leading funding for a childcare center using a tax increment financing (TIF), traditionally used for infrastructure like roads and sewers. This groundbreaking project, a first in South Dakota, aims to address the acute need for childcare facilities in the city and find creative solutions. The state-licensed center is accommodating up to 140 children and will cost around $4 million, opening in 2025. Read more on the significant shift in prioritizing childcare as essential infrastructure. (Source: South Dakota Searchlight)
Markets Insider: US GDP Growth In Q3 Tops Expectations, Highest Since Q4 2021
Route Fifty: Former coal towns get money for clean energy projects
Barron’s: Fed’s Waller Says the Economy Is Slowing. It’s a Positive Sign for Inflation.
Digital
Generative AI has ‘significant, beneficial’ uses for state government. According to a new report by the California Government Operations Agency, generative artificial intelligence (AI) could offer significant benefits for state governments. The report explores generative AI's potential to improve employee performance, analyze data, optimize coding, enhance environmental sustainability, and facilitate communication with residents. State governments are continuing to explore ways to use AI while weighing concerns related to accuracy, reliability, privacy, and potential workforce impacts. Read more about guidelines for generative AI use in state government. (Source: Route Fifty)
Government Technology: Building Resilience in State and Local Government IT
Tech Crunch: Amazon finally releases its own AI-powered image generator
Engadget: Google's first geothermal energy project is up and running
About Arch Street Communications
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