ASC's Intersections Newsletter — Week of September 22, 2022
Nora's Note
Crossing state lines for a cleaner future. Climate Week NYC may not end until September 25, but the week is already underscored by major announcements on both sides of the Hudson. NY Gov. Kathy Hochul and NJ Gov. Phil Murphy solidified their collaborative commitment to build a more sustainable future for the region. Gov. Hochul announced NY’s sixth competitive solicitation for large-scale renewables, and Gov. Murphy will sign an executive order increasing the NJ target for power from offshore wind. Gov. Hochul heralded the announcements as massive job creators that will continue the shift from smokestack jobs of the past to clean energy jobs of today and tomorrow. In the push towards critical net-zero emissions goals, the “Getting It Done,” theme of the week underscores the urgency of climate action and the steps needed to ensure a just transition to ensure equity and opportunity for all in the shift to clean energy.
Transportation
More spacious LIRR Concourse at NY Penn Station unveiled. New York City’s busiest transit hub has undertaken a major renovation. NY Gov. Kathy Hochul and MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber announced the completion of the first portion of work to widen the Long Island Railroad (LIRR) 33rd street concourse at New York's Penn Station. Commuters will now have access to more retail and dining options, intuitive wayfinding, and an enhancement in accessibility. Read more on the completed and future updates to Penn Station. (Source: Mass Transit)
The Philadelphia Inquirer: Are community colleges accessible enough to students without cars? A national group tracks proximity to public transportation.
Construction Dive: Construction begins on $9.5B JFK Airport Terminal One
Transport Topics: Work Progresses on Two Projects at Maine-Canada Border
Smart Cities Dive: Cities turn to microtransit to fill gaps in public transportation
Transport Topics: Number of Female Technicians in Transportation Remains Low
Transportation Today: Pittsburgh to transition to zero-emission bus fleet
Energy/Environment
Geothermal Bubbles Up as Another Way to Fight Climate Change. Experts across the US have renewed focus on geothermal energy as an alternative energy source to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Department of Energy (DOE) recently announced federal funding to cut the cost of geothermal power and funded expanded research into the ways geothermal energy can be used to facilitate the clean energy transition. Policymakers hope to use existing oil and gas infrastructure, skilled labor, and new and existing techniques to increase geothermal energy output. Read more on the ways geothermal energy use may be increased in the US. (Source: Pew Research Center)
Utility Dive: To decarbonize industry, DOE road map focuses on efficiency, electrification and low-carbon fuels
The Hill: Drying lakes exacerbate air quality problems
Forbes: Research Shows That Renewable Jobs Can Replace Those From Coal
Utility Dive: Coal plant sites could host 265 GW of advanced nuclear, costing 35% less than greenfield projects
Reuters: White House unveils $2 billion biotech spending plan ahead of industry summit
E&E News: What the Western drought reveals about hydropower
Economic Development
$475 million in tax relief to be distributed to low-income New Yorkers to combat inflation. NY Gov. Kathy Hochul and legislative leaders have announced direct financial assistance for low-income New Yorkers and families as part of the state's effort to combat inflation and improve affordability. A total of 1.75 million New Yorkers who claimed the Empire State Child Credit and/or the Earned Income Credit on their 2021 state tax returns will receive checks from the state's Department of Taxation and Finance. Payments to New York residents are slated for distribution late this fall. Read more on the details of this tax relief plan and who will be eligible. (Source: CNY Central)
Route Fifty: Community Colleges Emerge as Key Players in $1B Build Back Better Regional Challenge
Immigration Impact: Biden Administration Close to Reaching Increased Cap on Employment-Based Green Cards
Politico: New York seeks to revive Hudson River's industrial past with offshore wind
Bloomberg: Rail Strike Threatens to Slow US Supply-Chain Recovery
E&E News: Inside America’s offshore wind hub: Boats, cables and elation
AP News: US inflation still stubbornly high despite August slowdown
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