ASC's Intersections Newsletter — September 29, 2023
Nora's Note
Experiencing change, first-hand. ASC staff recently joined forces with Equinor and Operation SPLASH to participate in National Cleanup Month. Together, they cleaned the Western Bays of Long Island's South Shore, removing microplastics, Styrofoam, and other debris from local marshes. Participating in local waterway cleanups is one way ASC turns our work in community planning for coastal resilience into action. Last year, Operation SPLASH collected over 23,000 plastic bottles and 11,000 plastic bags through 6,015 volunteer hours. Environmental cleanups are important contributors to protecting marine ecosystems, which are critical resources in combatting the effects of climate change. As we move on from National Cleanup Month, let's continue to explore the many ways we can support environmental conservation in our communities.
Transportation
New York helps schools transition to zero-emission bus fleets. Governor Kathy Hochul introduced the New York State Electric School Bus Roadmap and The Electric School Bus Guidebook aimed to facilitate the transition of New York P-12 school buses to zero-emission vehicles. While the roadmap details the feasibility of electric school buses through state and federal initiatives, the guidebook details information and strategies to navigate stakeholders with topics such as benefits, purchasing, and workforce training. Read more to learn about this transition and other New York State zero-emission goals. (Source: InformNNY)
AMNY: Lawmakers seek to ban cruise ships from spewing dirty fumes at NYC ports
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Traffic camera programs in Pa. are reducing fatalities and speeding, officials say
DCist: Pilot Project Teaches Northern Virginia Residents To Navigate Public Transportation
Mass Transit Mag: NJ: County deploys electric transit vehicles — a 1st in N.J.
Climate
New Roadmap to accelerate offshore wind in the US. The Departments of Energy and Interior have unveiled an Action Plan for Offshore Wind Transmission Development in the Atlantic Region, aligning with President Biden's goal of 30 GW of offshore wind energy by 2030. The plan outlines immediate steps to connect the first wave of Atlantic offshore wind projects to the electric grid, while also charting a long-term strategy for enhanced transmission over the next few decades. Read more to learn about timelines, costs, and reliability. (Source: Clean Technica)
QNS: NYC Parks receives nearly $10 million in funding to restore, update Forest Park
Inside Climate News: Electrifying a Fraction of Vehicles in the Lower Great Lakes Could Save Thousands of Lives Annually, Studies Suggest
BillyPenn: Philadelphia just received the ‘largest investment’ in its urban forest in decades
Utility Dive: DOE makes $400M available to assist states, territories in adopting energy-efficient building codes
Economic Development
Biden launches American Climate Corps. President Joe Biden is launching the American Climate Corps, aiming to employ over 20,000 young people in renewable energy and climate change-related jobs. Modeled after the New Deal's Civilian Conservation Corps, the initiative seeks to provide training for careers in clean energy and the resilience economy. The White House plans to formalize the effort through agreements and partnerships with federal agencies and the private state and local sectors. Read more about how this initiative addresses climate change and sustainability. (Source: E&E News)
Route Fifty: A $10K incentive opens the door to homeownership for city employees
Delaware Business Times: Installing Charging Stations, Rehabilitating Homes: Delaware’s Vo-Tech Schools Teach In-Demand Skills
Route Fifty: Job opportunities targeting workers with ADHD and autism gain traction
CNBC: Biden administration forgives $37 million in student debt for defrauded borrowers
Digital
New website makes renewable energy more accessible. Four Penn State graduates built GreenEnergyPA, a website to help Pennsylvanians transition to renewable energy at more affordable prices with a simpler process. The website compares the most straightforward renewable energy rates and filters out all the energy plans that are indirect or non-renewable. Modifications are continually being made to the user interface and other parts of the website to improve usability. Read more to stay updated on the latest on GreenEnergyPA. (Source: Technical.ly)
GovTech: Risk, Reward and Regulation: Experts Consider a Path Forward on AI
GovTech: States Sweeten Their Offers to Chipmakers to Outdo One Another
Forbes: Unlocking Efficiency And Resilience: The Power Of Smarter Data Capture For Frontline Workers
Axios: A digital assistant will help immigrants in Amarillo, Texas
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