ASC's Intersections Newsletter — February 9th, 2024
Nora's Note
Women leading the way for a greener future. This Sunday marks the 9th annual International Day of Women and Girls in Science, and this year’s theme, “A New Era for Sustainability,” could not be more relevant. While women make up only 22% of the fossil fuel energy industry, they already make up 32% of the renewable energy industry. Yet women are still underrepresented in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) roles in renewable energy, with only 28% of women in the field occupying STEM related or technical roles. Research has shown that women and girls carry a greater environmental burden and tend to have less control over environmental decisions in society overall. As women across the world make strides towards a more sustainable future for us all, strong support for women and girls in STEM will be key to harnessing the many possibilities of environmental conservation and a just energy transition.
Transportation
Baltimore City Public Schools unveils fleet of 25 new electric school buses. 350 students in Baltimore will be bussed to school with electric vehicles starting in September. The program, funded by the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean School Bus Program, aims to improve air quality and reliability to student populations who suffer disproportionately high rates of asthma and other environmental diseases. Read more to learn about environmental policy improvements happening throughout the US. (Source: WBALTV)
Rhode Island Current: RIPTA approves contract with design-build team to start work on new bus hub
Bloomberg: More Than 1,000 New EV Stations Have Come Online in the US Since Summer
Transport Topics: Truck Makers Launch Zero-Emission Infrastructure Coalition
Climate
DOE invests $245M in industrial emissions cuts, decarbonizing technologies. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) released a plan to distribute $254 million to accelerate the decarbonization of hard-to-abate industrial sectors and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As part of the Biden Administration’s Investing in America Agenda, the DOE will allocate $171 million to 49 ongoing industrial decarbonization projects and the remaining $83 million for American industrial facilities looking to deploy decarbonization technologies. Read more on the transition to clean energy solutions. (Source: Utility Dive)
Inside Climate News: Green Energy Justice Cooperative Selected to Develop Solar Projects for Low Income, BIPOC Communities in Illinois
Inside Climate News: Electrified Transport Investment Soared Globally in ’23, Passing Renewable Energy
Grist: As summers grow ever hotter, OSHA appears ready to protect workers
Economic Development
SBA Revamps Federal Contracting Program for Small Disadvantaged Businesses. The Small Business Administration launched "Empower to Grow," a revamped program offering coaching and training to help small, disadvantaged businesses win federal contracts. This initiative focuses on boosting the number of contracts awarded to these businesses, promoting equal opportunities in government procurement. Read more about how this aims to ease tensions they often face and to increase their success rate in securing government contracts. (Source: Inc)
Commercial Observer: How Brooklyn’s ‘Innovation Coast’ Became a Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
Market Watch: Job openings in U.S. inch up to 9 million, showing a sturdy labor market
Afro: Baltimore City receives federal ‘Workforce Hub’ designatio
Digital
Vermont IT Modernization Takes a Relationship-First Focus. Vermont CIO Denise Reilly-Hughes leads a positive IT modernization drive, prioritizing user experience, standards enhancement, and risk assessment. Addressing aging systems, the state is exploring AI integrations as Reilly-Hughes emphasizes the need for data privacy and highlights the state's focus on cybersecurity through advisory councils. Despite upcoming elections, the IT agenda remains steadfast and forward-looking. Read more about Vermont’s IT modernization plans and AI integrations. (Source: GovTech)
Route Fifty: One state takes on youth mental health by streamlining access to services
Wired: Fiber Optics Bring You Internet. Now They’re Also Listening to Trains
Security Week: AI Companies Will Need to Start Reporting Their Safety Tests to the US Government
About Arch Street Communications
At ASC, we help government agencies, corporations and nonprofit organizations across the globe communicate issues that affect people’s lives. We’re the bold, nimble, women-owned small business (WBE) that has supported strategic communications programs to build stronger communities for 30 years.
Ready to find the “simple truth” solutions to build a better future? We want to hear from you! Get in touch to learn how our signature approach can work for you.
Subscribe to Arch Street Communications' Newsletter Intersections
