ASC's Intersections Newsletter — Week of May 30, 2022
Nora's Note
Protecting Our Oceans. Swimming toward World Ocean Day on June 8th, ASC applauds the actions being taken on the local, State, and Federal levels to protect our oceans. On a global scale, over 90 nations have committed to protecting at least 30% of their seas by the year 2030—a promising step toward cleaner, healthier oceans. As the source of over 50% of the Earth’s oxygen, the home of scores of plant and animal life, and the driving force behind nearly 30 million jobs in ocean-based industries, it’s crucial for for everyone to sign onto the 30X30 movement to preserve and protect lands, waters, and ocean.
Transportation
Traffic at NYC-Area Bridges and Tunnels Hits Pre-Pandemic Levels. According to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s Executive Director Rick Cotton, traffic in the bridges and tunnels under the agency’s jurisdiction has returned to pre-pandemic levels. Meanwhile, PATH train ridership is hovering around 50% of pre-pandemic levels—an indication that commuters may continue to be more comfortable driving rather than using public transit. Read more for deeper insights into the trends shaping commuting patterns in NYC. (Source: Bloomberg)
Gothamist: New NYC Transit president is bringing back Byford-era program
Canary Media: EV-charging microgrids are worth more than the sum of their parts. Here’s why.
Mass Transit: Regional transportation agencies pilot innovative tech to restore confidence in public transit, meet clean energy goals
CleanTechnica: Electric Ride Hailing, Taxis, & EV Fast Charging in NYC
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Southwestern Pa. transportation funding plan includes millions more for Pittsburgh-area bridges.
Transportation Today: Rhode Island begins construction of electric bus charging station
Electrek: Maine’s first electric public transit buses hit the road in Portland
NorthJersey.com: NJ hiring managers are getting creative to find bus drivers amid shortage. Here's how.
Energy/Environment
Pennsylvania schools have doubled their solar power use since 2020. The number of solar panels installed at Pennsylvania's K-12 schools has nearly doubled over the last two years, according to a report by clean energy non-profit Generation 180. Currently, only 2% of Pennsylvania schools generate solar power. However, clean energy activists hope that private and federal funding opportunities for solar installations at schools will increase that number in the coming years. Read more to learn about the many financial and public health benefits of solar installation. (Source: Pennsylvania Capital Star)
The Hill: Energy Department launches $3.5 billion carbon removal program
Bloomberg: Better Housing Policy Might Be the Best Climate Policy for the US
Popular Science: The NY Bight could write the book on how we build offshore wind farms in the future
Scientific American: Climate-Fueled Heat Waves Will Hamper Western Hydropower
Eos: Quantifying the Health Benefits of a U.S. Clean Energy Transition
Boston Business Journal: New Englanders support offshore wind power – just don’t send it to NY
NJ.com: Biden infrastructure law sends $6.5M to N.J. to clean up brownfields
Utility Dive: New York utilities fear ‘potentially unlimited’ obligation under proposed refund rules for prolonged outages
Economic Development
Infrastructure coordinators help cities pursue funding, evaluate projects. Twenty-five states have recently appointed infrastructure coordinators to ensure efficient spending of federal infrastructure funds. These coordinators will facilitate and prioritize projects, help ensure projects meet their goals, improve internal and external stakeholder coordination and apply for the roughly $550 billion in funding that has been made available through the Infrastructure Law. Read more to learn about how infrastructure coordinators can help cities and states maximize the benefits of new public works projects. (Source: Smart Cities Dive)
CNBC: The US economy is ‘nowhere near a recession this year,’ says an economist—but 2023 is a different story
Pew Stateline: Cities Support Community Land Trusts to Protect Affordable Housing
Business Facilities: NY State Opens $11.4M Finger Lakes Workforce Development Center
13 ABC WHAM: Gov. Hochul stops in Rochester to talk economic development
World Economic Forum: Why the circular economy is the business opportunity of our time
The City: Is NYC on the Local or Express Track to Regaining Lost Jobs?
Market Watch: Jobs from Washington’s big infrastructure law will be ‘more fairly distributed’ thanks to this one provision
Route Fifty: Biden Administration Official Offers Tips For Tapping Broadband Funds
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