ASC's Intersections Newsletter — September 13th, 2024
Nora’s Note
Fueling the energy transition. Clean energy infrastructure projects deliver a more resilient future—and opportunity for small business in everything from construction to local purchasing. Equinor will offer 100+ minority-, women-, and veteran-owned NYC small businesses a Day of Opportunity in Action next week in Brooklyn, NY for those wanting to test the waters of offshore wind, with panels, resources, and guidance along with customized business assessments by A.L. Consulting, a specialist in compliance, and themselves an MBE. Local minority-owned restaurants, including Daily Dose Juice Bar, Gumption Coffee, Reggae Town Cafe, Sahadi’s, Taza MKT, Yemen Café & Restaurant, and La Familia Restaurant will serve up lunch at the event day Equinor Marketplace, just down the street from Equinor’s South Brooklyn Marine Terminal (SBMT), under construction and soon to become the nation’s largest offshore wind hub. Clean energy development accounted for 10% of global GDP growth in 2023, adding $320+ billion to the world economy and opening economic opportunities for businesses in host communities. The ASC team is proud to play a role in outreach programs that inform, engage, and celebrate our fellow minority owned firms in NYC and across the country.
News at ASC
Join us this Climate Week! ASC is co-hosting NYC Offshore Wind Drinks, an evening of networking, socializing, and insightful discussions with offshore wind professionals. Come to connect, share ideas, and explore trends and observations shaping NYC's renewable energy transition.
Date: September 25, 2024
Time: 6-8:30 PM
Location: Brooklyn Army Terminal Building B Atrium (RSVP for additional directions)
Transportation
US DOT proposes rule on pedestrian accessibility standards. The U.S. Department of Transportation is proposing a rule to clarify how the Americans with Disabilities Act applies to pedestrian facilities, such as sidewalks, crosswalks, and transit stops. The new rule would incorporate accessibility guidelines issued by the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board. Learn more about how this is expected to improve pedestrian accessibility for people with disabilities. (Source: Smart Cities Dive)
Streetsblog: Plugging Away: City Gets Big Biden Bucks for More EV Fueling Stations at the Curb
WBUR: Tens of thousands of MBTA riders to qualify for half-price fares
AMNY: City high school students can now ride the NYC Ferry for less than $2
Climate
South Carolina is considered a model for ‘Managed Retreat’ from coastal areas threatened by climate change. South Carolina’s 2023 resiliency plan offers a national model for managed retreat, a voluntary buyout program where the state pays homeowners market value for flood damaged property. Their comprehensive program uses a matrix to prioritize equity, mapping multiple risks against community demographics like race and income. Still, the system is vulnerable to brokers looking to exploit loopholes in flood disclosure laws. Read more about this innovative program and the advocates fighting to strengthen it. (Source: Inside Climate News)
Energy News Network: Massachusetts cities are quickly embracing new emission-slashing building code option
Canary Media: The country’s biggest electric school-bus fleet will also feed the grid
Grist: Midwest grid operators submit $1.7 billion plan to build cross-border power lines
Economic Development
No longer a niche, Passive House standards are becoming a solution for highly efficient affordable housing. Developers are increasingly improving the energy efficiency of their buildings to both reduce costs for residents and mitigate climate change. By better sealing their buildings, developers can create a building envelope so secure that cooling and heating may not be needed at all. These Passive House standards are paving the way for increased cost accessibility of energy-efficient homes. Read more about how these Passive House standards are paving the way for increased cost accessibility of energy-efficient homes. (Source: Energy News Network)
The Cool Down: Department of Energy announces over $100M in funding to develop new wave energy technology
Transport Topics: FMCSA Grants $3.5 Million for CDL Training at 27 Schools
Smart Cities Dive: California tackles housing shortage, homelessness with 2 new laws
Digital
Digital curb data deepens understanding of urban activity. An AI software gathers data on curb usage to inform dynamic pricing models to better understand and manage curb space for urban spaces, allowing for flexible rates based on demand. Portland, OR is using this data to optimize delivery systems and encourage “zero-emission delivery zones”. Gathering curb data could help cities optimize public spaces and encourage a sustainable, pedestrian-friendly urban landscape. Read more about how this initiative aims to create data-driven transportation policies that enhance urban mobility and sustainability. (Source: GovTech)
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