ASC's Intersections Newsletter — March 14th, 2025
Nora’s Note
Dr. Hazel N. Dukes was a force of nature. We met several times on initiatives related to clean energy workforce development in disadvantaged communities. She spoke with clarity, acted with purpose, and expected the same from anyone who walked into a meeting with her. She made it very clear that I was to rise to her standard and stay there. I was more than a little starstruck in her presence, and you can be sure I prepared carefully for those meetings.
As President of the NAACP New York State Conference, she fought for civil rights with a strength that never faded. She supported Arch Street’s NYCCEE initiative and believed in the work we were doing to build career pathways in underserved communities.
Her memorial service in Harlem was packed, the line stretching around the block. So many people showed up because she showed up for so many. She lifted voices, built movements, and never backed down. She was, simply, not one to mess with.
ASC has made a donation to the NAACP College Fund in her name, a small gesture to honor someone who made an outsized impact and help ensure her commitment to education and justice lives on.
Transportation
G’ as in ‘gangway’: MTA unveils new walkthrough subway cars on Brooklyn-Queens train line. In a significant modernization effort, the MTA unveiled its new open-gangway R211T trains on Brooklyn's G line (weekday ridership of 160,000 people) at Church Avenue station. These accordion-style five-car trains feature open interiors, wider doors, enhanced lighting, and digital information screens, aiming to improve passenger comfort and safety. Read more about the G line's new open-gangway trains and their impact on commuters. (Source: AMNY)
Gothamist: NYC to overhaul Central Park loop to limit conflicts between bikers, walkers and runners
Mass Transit: CA: Need a ride? Sunnyvale wheels out free car service
Daily News: Overweight trucks on BQE stretch down 60% with new weight sensors
Climate
Feds restore Maine solar for all grant funding. Maine regains access to Solar for All funds, an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grant program intended to expand accessibility to clean energy for low- and moderate-income Americans. Access to the Solar for All grant funds was disrupted following a White House-issued executive order freezing funding from the Inflation Reduction Act. Maine energy officials are pending further guidance from the EPA since the announcement of restored access. Read more to learn about the nationwide program and its 60 recipients. (Source: Maine Public)
Grist: Utilities may soon pay you to help support a greener grid
Canary Media: New York gets closer to implementing gas ban in new buildings
Inside Climate News: Texas Leads U.S. Renewable Energy Generation by a Country Mile
Economic Development
New law ensures youth have a greater say in city government. In New York City, 16 to 24-year-olds may soon play a larger role in shaping city-funded programming. The NYC City Council passed a bill in February to include at least 3 young people in the City’s Board within Department of Youth and Community Development, which informs programs like the Summer Youth Employment Program and City-run after-school activities. Read more to learn about how future leaders will benefit if the bill is signed into law. (Source: Bronx Times)
Gothamist: New state order could spare 1 million rent-stabilized tenants from water fees
Newsweek: California Could See Another Minimum Wage Boost
Housing Wire: A new source of affordable housing inventory: Private seller auctions
Digital
New sensor detects airborne bird flu in minutes. Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have developed a rapid biosensor to detect airborne H5N1 avian flu, which is spreading across U.S. dairy and poultry farms. Unlike traditional testing that takes over 10 hours, this new device identifies the virus in just five minutes. The sensor, designed for easy deployment and mass production, uses electrochemical biosensors and aptamer technology to capture viral particles. Read more about this crucial tool for real-time outbreak prevention. (Source: Futurity)
Route Fifty: New Hampshire’s benefits program embraces AI amid modernization push
Engadget: Utah is poised to pass an age verification law for app stores
GovTech: Arkansas’ Employment Portal Uses AI to Match Seekers, Jobs
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