ASC's Intersections Newsletter — June 21st, 2024
Nora’s Note
Celebrating Freedom. On June 19, 1865, the Emancipation Proclamation went into full legal effect across Texas, freeing the remaining slaves and in 2021, President Biden called for a national pause for communities around the country to recognize Juneteenth, celebrate Black identity and freedom and issue a call to action on the disparities still faced by the Black community. More than 85 anti-DEI bills have been introduced in the US over the last year, restricting everything from workforce opportunities to the teaching of history in public schools. For all of us working in public engagement and social issue communication, Juneteenth is a reminder of our responsibility to center equity in inclusive, meaningful outreach that considers all, and recognizes the struggle for freedom and a representative voice continues.
Transportation
Baltimore Shipping Channel Fully Reopens. On June 10, the shipping channel that leads to the Port of Baltimore fully reopened for the first time since the March 26 collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. The channel was partially opened just a few weeks after the disaster, and the remarkable cleanup continues. Experts hope the bridge will be rebuilt by 2028, and that this latest milestone will ease the economic impacts for thousands whose livelihoods depend on the port. Read more to learn about major infrastructure projects throughout the country. (Source: Transportation Topics)
Gothamist: How should NYC fix Cross Bronx Expressway pollution and 'Asthma Alley' issues?
Trib Total Media: Golf cart confusion and the rise of neighborhood electric vehicles
Associated Press: Real-world mileage standard for new vehicles rising to 38 mpg in 2031 under new Biden rule
Climate
Mass. aims to reserve 10% of forest land as part of climate plan. To mitigate climate change, Massachusetts hopes to set aside 10% of its total 3.1 million acres of forest across the state. The state plans to work with private, non-profit, and municipal landowners to designate and protect forested land to maximize its climate benefits and carbon sequestration. This initiative is part of Governor Healey’s plan to reduce the state’s emissions by at least 75% by 2040. Learn more about Massachusetts’s plan and execution to support climate action. (Source: WBUR)
CNHI News: New York state eyes Love Canal site for large scale renewable energy project
Bronx Times: NYC Parks plants most trees since 2018, with emphasis on city’s hottest neighborhoods
Canary Media: Southern California adopts landmark rule to electrify industrial heat
Economic Development
What happens when sheep meet solar panels? A ‘beautiful symbiotic relationship.’ The combination of farmland and solar power has yielded mutual benefits as sheep grazing has prevented plants from blocking sunlight, maintaining panel efficiency, and enhances soil health, boosting plant biodiversity and benefiting other animals. The sheep are more productive with solar panels protecting from weather and serving as scratching posts during shedding season. Read more to learn more about the Robertson-Dubois family and the practices of solar sheep grazing. (Source: The Boston Globe)
Grist: A labor win at Georgia school bus factory shows a worker-led EV transition is possible
E&E News: Warning labels for gas stoves? A lawsuit is trying to make it happen.
New York Focus: Could New York Force Insurance Companies to Drop Fossil Fuels?
Digital
New York moves to limit kids’ access to ‘addictive feeds’. In accordance with the Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation (SAFE) for Kids Act, New York is taking appropriate strides to pass a law prohibiting social media platforms from advertising addictive content to children under the age of 18. This new bill stems from the need to protect children from the dangers associated with the digital era, i.e., private data selling through cookies, unsuitable content, cyberbullying, and more. Read more about how state leaders are fighting to get this bill passed. (Source: TechCrunch)
Mass Transit Mag: SUNY Poly launches AI lab
NextGov: Bipartisan House bill offers NIST help
GovTech: Pennsylvania Bill Would Prohibit AI in Political Campaigns
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