ASC's Intersections Newsletter — Week of July 23, 2021
Nora's Note
Will underserved communities be left behind in the equity race? The news of another company, state or agency creating a new policy, program or fund to rebalance energy equity is constant. Sustainable investments are a new asset class, we’re rushing to shrink our carbon footprints and sustainability initiatives are catalyzing business growth—all with promises to prioritize environmental justice communities. But how will we define those communities, and can we do so fast enough to ensure the benefits of widespread climate action reach those left out in the past? Outreach teams should be wrestling with this question now. If you’ve not been asked about it yet, you surely will be.
Transportation
How Hawaii Used Technology to Improve Traffic and Reduce Emissions. Recently, Hawaii has shown how other states might reduce the impact of transportation on climate change with emerging technologies and data collection. By implementing a new traffic monitoring system, the Hawaii Department of Transportation identified areas of the state's roads with disproportionate levels of traffic. The state used the information to modify traffic signal times, which shaved seven minutes from the average individual's daily commute and reduced transportation-related emissions. Read on to learn more about how the system will contribute to the state's carbon neutrality goals.
FHWA Public Roads: Monitoring Scour Using Unmanned Vehicle Technology
CNY Central: NYSDOT releases report on I-81 project in Syracuse, chooses the Community Grid
CNET: How you charge an EV has huge environmental impacts, study shows
Bloomberg: NYC Subway Seen Likely to Flood as Storms Rise on Climate Change
PlanPhilly: Designers offer a kinder Ben Franklin Parkway
Politico: California truck rules facing a test — in New Jersey
Transportation Today: Airline industry continues to be impacted by COVID pandemic
Washington Post: Hey, DMV – It’s time to get back on the bus
NJ.com: Inside the $117B plan to make the Northeast Corridor a high-speed rail contender
Energy/Environment
A Study Predicts Record Flooding In The 2030s. It's Partly Because Of The Moon. Coastal areas across the United States may see significantly more high-tide flooding by the mid-2030s, according to a new NASA Sea Level Change team study. Regular changes in the moon’s orbit will likely intensify existing climate change-related sea level rises, leading to higher and more frequent flooding in the next decade. As cities prepare their coastlines for the future, the team urges communities to plan for changes that may come sooner than previously estimated. Read on to learn more about NASA’s report.
Albany Times-Union: Troy consultants will explore the use of energy-saving heat pumps
National Geographic: Nearly half of Americans say climate change has become a bigger threat
TIME: How Climate Change Science Has Changed Due to COVID-19 Restrictions
Grist: Be very careful where you build that seawall
Utility Dive: DOE initiative seeks to drop long-duration storage cost 90% in a decade
Bloomberg CityLab: The High Price of Losing the War Against Urban Heat
Reuters: U.S. seeks to speed rooftop solar growth with instant permits
PBS Newshour: Floating wind farms offshore could boost California’s power supply – here’s how they work
Economic Development
NYC Restaurants Cooking Up a Comeback, but Simmering Problems Remain. As New York City continues its economic recovery, its restaurant and hospitality industry faces unique challenges in the post-COVID economy. The sector, which was deeply impacted by the pandemic, has grown quickly over the past few months and has brought back two-thirds of its pre-pandemic workforce. This growth is slower than the city’s overall recovery, though, and many business owners have identified challenges accessing small business loans and hiring new employees. Read on for more details about the road ahead for economic recovery.
StateScoop: Report tells counties how to close the digital divide
Government Technology: N.J. Proposal Aims to Jumpstart Emerging Tech Businesses
Marketplace: Consumer sentiment offers another window into economic recovery
News Channel 34: New York Manufacturing Extension Partnership Generated Nearly $1 Billion in Economic Impact, Supported Over 6,600 Jobs
CT Mirror: Getting back to the river
Governing: A Unique Opportunity for Racial Equity in Downtown Development
CNBC: Jobless claims hit new pandemic low, while New York manufacturing notches record high
Smart Cities Dive: Global cities still falling short on governance of smart city tech
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