ASC's Intersections Newsletter — Week of June 20, 2022
Nora's Note
Keep Pride Going. This LGBTQ+ Pride Month, ASC applauds ongoing steps taken by the U.S. Census Bureau to create a more equitable count of the American public. Over this past decade, the Census Bureau has added new inclusive questions to its surveys, allowing the enumeration process to count same-sex couples as partners. Moving forward, the Census Bureau is investing $10 million over the next several years on how best to inclusively ask Americans questions on gender identity. The Bureau’s efforts will hopefully paint a more vivid and accurate picture of America’s diverse LGBTQ+ community—helping decision-makers make inclusive, representative plans for the future.
Transportation
School Districts to Receive $500M in Federal Funds to Buy Electric Buses. Recently, the U.S. EPA announced that school districts can now apply for $500 million in grants to buy electric buses. This round of funding is part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which has set aside $5 billion toward electric school bus investments over the next five years and prioritizes investments in low-income and rural school districts. Presently, fewer than 1% of school buses are electric. Read more for details on this clean energy school bus initiative. (Source: Route Fifty)
Transportation Today: Democratic senators urge action to curb motor vehicle fatalities
Protocol: Biden’s EV charging standards still need cash to back them up
Mass Transit: Metro Bus to launch free, Saturday service to area parks
CNN: New report offers insight into autonomous vehicle crashes
Transport Topics: Gig Work Vote in Massachusetts Blocked by Court
AmNY: DOT to test new barriers for New York City bike lanes with new pilot program
Smart Cities Dive: Transit advocates create NYC subway safety plan to address root causes of crime
Fleet Owner: Fleets and their customers are driving decarbonization
Energy/Environment
To Get to Net Zero, This City is Making a Map. Researchers at Cornell University are creating a 3-D digital map of Ithaca, New York, as a planning tool to decarbonize the entire city by 2030. The map calculates each building’s carbon footprint, as well as the cost of retrofitting it with green technology. If scaled up, researchers anticipate this type of digital model could help plan the cost-effective decarbonization of other cities. Read here for more details of the digital map and how it connects to Ithaca’s climate goals. (Source: Bloomberg)
Grist: The world’s climate plans overlook people with disabilities
Utility Dive: Proposed gas furnace efficiency rule expected to move 9% of customers toward electric heat
Canary Media: Why we need to recycle clean energy technologies — and how to do it
Clean Technica: US Army Tests Floating Solar Waters, US Navy Floats Nature-Based Climate Action
Forbes: And Suddenly, The Race For Carbon Capture Is On
Pew: U.N. Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue Explores Ways to Advance Climate and Biodiversity Goals
NY Times: How Extreme Heat Kills, Sickens, Strains and Ages Us
E&E News: EPA eyes closure plans for 160 coal ash ponds
Economic Development
After a Year of Missed Opportunity, New York Revises Sputtering Hotel-to-Housing Plan. Last year, New York established the Housing Our Neighbors with Dignity Act (HONDA) to convert hotels left vacant by COVID-19 into affordable housing for those experiencing homelessness. Since ratification, however, zoning regulations and certification restrictions have prevented hotels from acting on the initiative. To jumpstart HONDA conversions, New York has revised the law to revitalize the program. Read more for insights on New York’s new affordable housing program. (Source: City Limits)
Pew Stateline: Sun Belt States See the Highest Inflation
Route Fifty: The 'Impossible' Federal Standard States Can't Meet as They Work to Assist Low-Income Families
Gothamist: Tenants, landlords press rent board on pending hikes as final vote approaches
Marketplace: New York State expected to enact pay transparency law
The City: New York Office Occupancy Hits Pandemic Era Milestone at More Than 40% Full
NY 1: City Council redistricting commission seeks community input
CNBC: Inflation rose 8.6% in May, highest since 1981
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