ASC's Intersections Newsletter — January 27
Nora's Note
Driving innovation for a cleaner future. The Offshore Wind Innovation Hub launched this week in Industry City. It announced its first call for applications to help promising start-ups develop and commercialize innovative solutions and products for the burgeoning offshore wind industry. The program is a $5MM community investment by Equinor, with participants including Urban Future Lab, the NYU Tandon School of Engineering, the National Offshore Wind Research & Development Consortium and the New York City Economic Development Corporation. The launch event was attended by nearly 100 guests and included an expert panel and keynote speeches from leaders in New York’s fast emerging offshore wind industry. As the US looks to increase renewable energy output through offshore wind, investments in innovation and workforce development are essential to meeting clean energy goals with both sustainability and equity in mind.
Transportation
Interborough Express Will Reduce Commute Times and Connect Queens to Brooklyn Using Light Rail. New York Governor Kathy Hochul has announced her support for the proposed Interborough Express project. If approved, the MTA would build a light rail transit line directly connecting Brooklyn and Queens. Advocates of the proposal applaud the affordability and unobtrusiveness of above-ground rail over new tunnel construction. The light rail line would connect 17 subway lines and transport 115,000 weekday riders by 2045. Read more on the future of interborough transit. (Source: BK Reader)
Transport Topics: DOT Unveils Strategic Safety Plan
Planetizen: New York Speed Limiting Pilot Shows Promising Results
Smart Cities Dive: Micromobility could see growth in 2023, industry experts say
Roads & Bridges: Oregon Will Be Getting New Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
Energy/Environment
Community-solar industry shoots for 30GW by 2030. A national coalition of nonprofits and energy companies has announced a goal of 30GW of community solar in the US by 2030, nearly six times the amount currently installed. Community solar enables individuals to benefit from solar power without installing solar panels, reducing economic barriers in the energy transition. The coalition aims to get at least 10 new states to adopt policies increasing access to community solar. Read more to learn how community solar can help the US reach renewable energy goals. (Source: Canary Media)
Inside Climate News: Renewables Projected to Soon Be One-Fourth of US Electricity Generation
Utility Dive: Solar expected to see demand boom from Inflation Reduction Act in 2023 as supply chain remains uncertain
Clean Technica: Increasing Renewables Likely To Reduce Coal & Natural Gas Generation Over Next Two Years
Energy News Network: Which states could gain the most from energy-saving building codes?
Economic Development
NYC Council bills aim to reduce wait times for New Yorkers seeking to secure permanent housing. The NYC Committee on General Welfare met recently to discuss expanding the City Fighting Homelessness and Eviction Prevention Supplement (CityFHEPS), a rental assistance program. Proposals included eliminating the employment requirement, changing income eligibility to 50% of area median income, and removing the rule that applicants reside in a shelter for 90 days before applying. Since early 2022, shelter occupancy has risen by 51 percent to 70,000 people. Read more about the challenges and potential solutions for the CityFHEPS program. (Source: Gothamist)
Transportation Today: FHWA awards $10M for small businesses nationwide
Spectrum News 1: New York's unemployment rate stayed flat in December
Smart Cities Dive: Transit agencies agree to share certification of minority contractors
Pix 11: State to help 500K New Yorkers pay off overdue utility bills
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