ASC's Intersections Newsletter — Week of September 14, 2020
Nora's Note
I don’t know about you, but I think it’s time to retire “pivot." ASC operations, like those of thousands of businesses around the globe, look nothing like they did just six months ago. We “pivoted,” “twisted,” “evolved” and a whole bunch of other new trendy biz terms—all language for work from home. But once we got over the whiplash of trying to keep up with constant change, we found something we already knew: Good business is about people first. So, the biggest turn of all has been toward building workplaces that keep us connected, healthy, safe and purposeful – wherever we are. It’s not a pivot anymore. It’s how we work. Let’s get to it.
Coming Soon
We're putting the finishing touches on a live webinar to share virtual solutions to tough public engagement problems. We'll be introducing ascRemote—a suite of tools and ideas to keep meaningful dialogue open from a distance. Sign up for updates at asc-remote.com.
Transportation
Experts Stress Public Trust in AV Tech as E-Commerce Rises. Demand for contactless delivery and substantial increases in online shopping have primed automated vehicles (AVs) for the spotlight, but first, communities must develop trust in AV technology. A survey from last year shows that only four in 10 respondents would be comfortable with delivery by AVs. In a recent webinar, AV leaders acknowledged that significant community outreach will be essential to the successful launch of AV delivery operations. Read on to learn more about other considerations for how AV delivery operations may be rolled out in the future.
The Trucker: FMCSA extends emergency declarations for drivers providing relief to California, Oregon, Washington State due to wildfires
Spectrum News NY 1: MTA to Begin Repairs on Hurricane Sandy-Damaged F Train Tunnel
ABC 7 NY: Pay up, NJ! Toll hikes take effect on state's 3 major highways
Mercury News: All BART stations back online after computer issue canceled Sunday morning service
NGT News: NJ TRANSIT Board Approves Electric Bus Infrastructure Project
The City: MTA Targets Transit Mask Evaders With Fines Under Cuomo Order
SI Live: Cuomo urges return to public transit as summer winds down
StateScoop: Delaware city to pilot all-in-one public transit app in 2021
Energy/Environment
IEA calls for ‘dramatic’ scaling up of clean energy tech to meet climate goals. It will take some significant changes to continue the diminished carbon emissions of 2020 and permanently reduce emission levels. One change that the International Energy Agency (IEA) sees as crucial to reaching climate goals is the acceleration of clean energy technologies— and not just in the energy sector. Last week, the IEA released the report Energy Technology Perspectives 2020, which finds that moving the energy sector to clean energy will only address a third of future emissions. Moving other sectors like transportation and industry to clean energy will be critical, as will the continued development of clean energy technologies. Read on to see which technologies IEA is particularly interested in advancing to reach its goal of near-zero emissions by 2070.
PBS NewsHour: UN report – Increased warming closing in on agreed upon limit
Reuters: Google aims to run on carbon-free energy by 2030
Greentech Media: BP Makes Offshore Wind Debut, Partnering With Equinor in US Market
Guardian: US wildfires could spark financial crisis, advisory panel finds
World Economic Forum: 7 innovative projects making cities more sustainable
Utility Dive: Public power leaders see lasting effects from 2020 disruptions with new approaches to resilience, equity
Bloomberg CityLab: Amateur Air Pollution Trackers Are Mapping Western Wildfire Smoke
City Limits: By Design and Democracy, NYC Must Move Toward Equitable Waterfronts
Economic Development
$9 million awarded as part of New York's Historic Workforce Development Initiative. With a 16 percent unemployment rate, many across New York State are currently seeking new employment opportunities following the COVID-19 shutdown. On Monday, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that the State’s Workforce Development Initiative will support more than 3,600 New Yorkers in preparing for new careers by providing nearly $9 million in grants for job training programs across the State. With guidance from Regional Economic Development Councils, 66 training programs were selected to receive the grant, including those offered by AlbanyCanCode, the Buffalo Center for Arts and Technology and LaGuardia Community College. Read on to learn more about how New York is preparing its economy to adapt to the changes brought on by COVID-19.
Desert Sun: Wildfires intensify 'unbearably high' economic pain in the West, particularly rural towns
NPR: New York City To Resume Indoor Dining, With Restrictions, Later This Month
The City Fix: What Makes a Child-Friendly City? Redesigning Safer and Healthier Urban Spaces for Young People
amNY: Retirements, layoffs, labor force flight may leave scars on U.S economy
Cities Today: COVID-19 set to curb US smart city projects
Next City: Legal Aid to Level the Playing Field for Small Businesses in New York
Philadelphia Inquirer: New York’s Durst selected to develop Penn’s Landing over 76ers arena proposal
NY TImes: The Service Economy Meltdown
Westfair Communications: Charting the future of the Mid-Hudson economy
We want to hear from you and work with you! ASC delivers communication solutions that help communities see the possibilities.
Coming Soon: ASC will soon launch ascRemote—a suite of tools and ideas to keep a meaningful dialogue open from a distance. Sign up for updates at asc-remote.com.
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