ASC's Intersections Newsletter — Week of July 11, 2022
Nora's Note
Maximize Your Social. We test every engagement solution before bringing them to clients, and this month, we have a winner for your outreach toolbox. Using our own resources to find the best ways to connect policy and civic planning messages to the right audiences, we grew our Instagram reels engagement rate by 1050% in less than one month! When a post on how people like to work drew attention from over 6,000 viewers on Instagram, we knew we were onto something. Joining forces with the environmental community, we created a reel for World Ocean Day—it generated just shy of 9,000 views. In less than 30 days, we were reaching over 18,000 accounts, catapulting our numbers over any previous month. Good public engagement helps shape good policy—with so many initiatives in clean energy, transportation, equity, and the economy rolling out, the time couldn’t be better to leverage social platforms in new ways to increase and diversify your audience
Transportation
Cities require more data to improve micromobility projects. To plan for new micromobility projects and expand pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, cities are looking to gather more road safety and traffic data. Policymakers want to use this data to get a better understanding of what modes community members are using most often, users’ demographics, and other details that will help transportation planners create better systems. Read more for insights into how experts are using this data. (Source: Governing)
Smart Cities Dive: New York’s congestion pricing plan back on track after federal slowdown
Gothamist: It's back! Alternate side parking is in full effect starting Tuesday
CNBC: U.S. flight disruptions finally ease as the holiday weekend winds down
Freight Waves: Transportation capacity up again in June, pricing growth slows
Transportation Today: NHTSA issues new safety mandates for underride protection on truck trailers
NJ.com: N.J.’s ‘safe passing’ law to protect bikers, pedestrians faces education challenge
NPR: Examining commuters' sluggish return to mass transit
Mass Transit: Biden Administration announces first-ever funding program dedicated to reconnecting American communities
Energy/Environment
Hochul Signs Bill Raising Standard for Energy Efficiency in Buildings. Last week, Gov. Hochul signed the Advanced Building Codes, Appliance and Equipment Efficiency Standards Act of 2022, which allows state officials to determine which buildings require efficiency upgrades. The law also increases efficiency standards for in-home appliances, which lawmakers expect will save consumers billions in additional energy costs. Read more to learn how the new efficiency standards will impact New Yorkers. (Source: Commercial Observer)
Utility Dive: DOE seeks input on how to divide $630M in infrastructure law hydropower funding
Grist: A lethal tick-borne disease is spreading in the US, driven by climate change
Protocol: The West’s drought could bring about a data center reckoning
E&E News: Treasury examines climate effect on insurance availability
Forbes: Wind And Solar Provided A Record 10% Of The World’s Power Generation In 2021
NY Times: Nuclear Power Gets New Push in U.S., Winning Converts
CleanTechnica: The Race To Floating Offshore Wind Energy
E&E News: Why the Supreme Court ruling won’t help coal
Economic Development
Governments Begin Pushing Back on Investors Snatching Up Homes. A recent report found that institutional investors bought 18.4% of U.S. homes purchased in the fourth quarter of 2021. Because of this trend, members of Congress, homeowner associations and other stakeholders are calling for regulation to protect the affordability and availability of housing stock for community members. Read more to learn what other approaches government institutions are implementing to maintain housing affordability. (Source: Route Fifty)
CityLab: Does the White House Need a ‘Zoning Czar’?
Pew Stateline: Without Housing, Communities Struggle to Attract Summer Workers
NJ.com: N.J. aims to protect kids from lead paint poisoning with $170M plan to safeguard thousands of homes
Cities Today: Federal funds are building long-term data capacity in US cities
The City: Mayor Eric Adams to Allow First Responders to Moonlight as Lifeguards
Boston Globe: Inflation and supply chain problems blunt efforts to ramp up renewable energy
GovTech: The Results Are In—U.S. Moves Toward Paper-Based Elections
Auburn Citizen: Restore New York—State launching $250M program to redevelop vacant properties
About Arch Street Communications
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