ASC's Intersections Newsletter — Week of March 21, 2022
Nora's Note
"When women thrive, humanity thrives.” Now in the second half of Women’s History Month, we highlight a program that helps female entrepreneurs improve lives worldwide. Research has shown that women-owned businesses support 9.4 million jobs in the United States; more than 270 million women run businesses in their communities around the world. The Cartier Women’s Initiative awards fellowships to women who leverage business as a force for social and environmental good. Now in its 15th year, graduates include 260+ women from 62 countries who are using what they learned to support all 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. Applications for this year’s program will open later this spring.
Transportation
Buckle up, autonomous vehicles finally get federal safety standards. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has created a new set of safety requirements for autonomous vehicles (AVs). Safety officials hope the first-of-their-kind regulations will drive car manufacturers to develop AVs with safety as a top priority, ensuring that cars offering automated driving features are just as safe as traditional vehicles. Read more for details on how NHTSA is updating its safety standards to account for new AV technologies.
Freight Waves: Women in Trucking Association names Top Women to Watch in Transportation
CityLab: It's Time to Treat E-Bikes Like Vehicles
Mass Transit: FTA awards $409.3 million to bus and bus facility projects
Transport Topics: $1.5 Trillion Funding Bill Backs Freight Programs
CNBC: U.S. extends airplane mask mandate through April 18
AmNY: After 24 tough months, uncertainty remains in NYC Transit system as ridership climbs back up
NJ.com: Federal COVID cash will keep NJ Transit running, but there’s a $549M hole ahead
Spectrum NY: Relief at the gas pump could come in the New York state budget
Energy/Environment
Lawmakers urge clean energy investment in Queens. Last week, Federal legislators and local advocates met in Queens to discuss how green policies can help combat environmental injustice’s impacts. Spotlighting local environmental justice (EJ) organizations like UPROSE and Lawyers for the Public Interest, as well as the Biden Administration’s Justice 40 initiative, local leaders discussed the need to ensure the equitable allocation of resources to protect at-risk communities from the growing dangers posed by climate change. Read more to learn how green policies could benefit Queens communities.
LocalSyr: Advanced recycling could soon come to Central New York
Utility Dive: EPA plans sweeping regulatory strategy for power plants covering air, water and land pollution
Grist: Inflation is at a 40-year high. Is clean energy the solution?
CNN: Gravity could solve renewable energy's biggest problem
E&E News: Want more solar panels? Good luck connecting to the grid
Energy Monitor: Covid’s effect on long-haul flights will have a big impact on aviation emissions
Energy + Environment Leader: 93 US Manufacturing Plants Earned Energy Star Certification from the EPA in 2022
Roll Call: Spending deal undercuts Biden’s UN climate pledge
Economic Development
Women lost jobs at a higher rate in the pandemic. Many still haven't returned. According to recent U.S. Department of Labor data, only a small portion of the 6.6 million jobs created over the last year have gone to women. As of February 2022, there are 1.4 million fewer employed adult women in the workforce compared to 500,000 fewer men. Black women have been particularly impacted, with an unemployment rate almost double that of white women. Read more to learn what factors experts believe have contributed to today’s unemployment gender disparities.
AP News: Gas prices hit record highs in Pennsylvania, New Jersey
CityLab: The Irresistible Appeal of the ‘Post-Industrial Park’
Governing: The Case for More Backyard Bodegas and Sidewalk Salons
NY Times: Push for Language Access After Ida Highlights a Greater Need in N.Y.
HuffPost: For These Hotel Workers, The Pandemic Recession Still Hasn’t Ended
AmNY: Excluded workers march over Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges for more funding
The City: Retired NYC Workers Celebrate Medicare Coverage Switch Court Win
GovTech: Report Outlines Broadband Fixes for State, Local Governments
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