ASC's Intersections Newsletter — October 13th, 2023
Nora's Note
Investing in innovation and equity. This week officials from Equinor and bp, in partnership with the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), gathered at Sunset Park Brooklyn Grange Rooftop to award $5 million from the Offshore Wind Ecosystem Fund to eight New York organizations promoting workforce development, empowerment of underserved communities, and climate justice in New York City. Recipients include City Growers, the Electrical Industry Educational and Cultural Trust Fund, the Jewish Community Center of Staten Island, the New York Academy of Sciences, the New York City District Council of Carpenters, the City University of New York, the Southwest Brooklyn Industrial Development Corporation, and Uprose. The grants aim to create renewable energy career pathways, support marginalized communities, and advance the local supply chain ecosystem in support of New York’s fast growing offshore wind industry. The initiative enhances New York's role as a national hub for offshore wind while ensuring equity and innovation in the growing industry. Equinor’s Empire Wind and Beacon Wind projects are set to provide renewable energy to millions of New York homes and provide clean air and jobs in a growing industry, a significant step toward a just energy transition.
Transportation
MTA fare-free buses pilot coming to five routes. On September 24, 2023, the MTA launched a limited fare-free buses pilot on five routes, a first for the agency. Made possible through funding from the New York State FY2024 budget, passengers can board a fare-free bus without paying, but if they transfer to another bus or the subway, they must pay the fare at the transfer point. This program allows the MTA to better understand the needs of riders and identify opportunities to improve service. Read more to learn how fare-free service affects ridership, access, equity, and fare evasion. (Source: AMNY)
Baltimore Sun: Annapolis to launch pilot trolley service in Eastport in effort to expand public transit options
Mass Transit Mag: FTA awards $8.9 million in Tribal Transit Program grants
Maine Public: Electric buses are now helping to transport people around Acadia National Park
NY Post: It’s back to the office as key NYC subway stations reveal big ridership gains
Climate
Federal Government Announces National Climate Resilience Framework. Addressing climate change at a national scale, the newly unveiled "National Climate Resilience Framework" sets ambitious goals for a sustainable future. The framework emphasizes locally tailored solutions, aiming to embed climate resilience in planning and bolstering the built environment against climate shocks. Furthermore, it seeks to equip communities with the tools to assess and address their unique climate risks. This federal initiative, backed by a $500 million investment, aims to transform traditional disaster response and foster resilience in communities nationwide. Read more to discover how the U.S. plans to fights climate change. (Source: Planetizen)
Issaquah Reporter: Dept. of Commerce awards $35.4 million for solar power projects across the state
The Hill: California and Newsom prep for the future with climate rules
Business Green: ‘Diversify and future proof’: COP28 President urges oil and gas firms to decarbonize faster
Canary Media: Grid batteries have never been more abundant – or more useful
Economic Development
Cities turn to GIS mapping to find housing for the homeless. Cities like Denver and Los Angeles are looking for publicly owned land that can be converted into housing. Through Geographic Information Systems (GIS), the programs identify parcels of land based on factors such as proximity to schools and city services, accessibility to public transit, and ecological features. GIS enables city governments to analyze potential housing sites faster and thoroughly. Read more about data-driven approaches being taken to address the housing crisis. (Source: Route Fifty)
The Hill: Biden administration updates furnace efficiency standards for first time in 16 years
Gothamist: NYC students improve math, reading scores after ‘realignment to new standards’
Spectrum News 1: USDA announces funding for agricultural employers to assist with labor challenges
CNBC: August job openings top 9.6 million, more than expected as labor market remains strong
Digital
Wisconsin puts citizen engagement first with AI-enabled tools. At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) turned to AI tools to manage a surge in unemployment claims. In partnership with Google, DWD deployed an AI adjudicator to swiftly process claims and improve accessibility. A multilingual chatbot available at all times helped users get answers to questions as they process claims. DWD is now expanding its research into the potential uses of AI tools and examining key issues such as potential bias in AI systems. Read more about Wisconsin’s plans to harness AI strategies while maintaining workforce stability. (Source: StateScoop)
Yahoo Finance: Will U.S. states figure out how to regulate AI before the feds?
Computer World: With AI, there’s a trust gap based on gender, age
Cryptopolitan: Exploring the Potential of AI in the Public Sector
Government Technology: New York Governor Signs Deepfake Likeness Bill into Law
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