ASC's Intersections Newsletter — August 7, 2025
Nora’s Note
Critical Moment in Clean Energy. The New York Power Authority just unveiled an updated, ambitious plan to more than double its renewable energy capacity, scaling up to 7 gigawatts of clean power through new solar, wind, and energy storage projects. It’s a bold vision for a greener grid and a major step toward a more resilient New York. We’re excited to see the renewed, expanded commitment to New York’s energy future, and look forward to playing a supporting role in stakeholder engagement, workforce development, and supply chain capacity building to support the projects ahead. Meanwhile, the draft plan is open for public comment on this vision for New York’s collective future. Want to take a closer look or share your thoughts? Read more here.
Transportation
The new IBX rail line from Queens to Brooklyn is now one step closer to reality. This represents a major advancement in New York City's public transit system. The project, which will create a 14-mile light-rail line connecting Brooklyn and Queens, has officially entered its engineering and design phase. This will be the first new rapid transit line built entirely within New York City in nearly a century, and it is expected to reduce travel times by up to 30 minutes for daily commuters. Read more to learn about the project's funding, timeline, and impact on local communities. (Source: AMNY)
Gothamist: Fewer cars or expanded highways? A battle for New York’s future on the road
Mass Transit Mag: Clean Energy Fuels Corp. to help transit fleets across the U.S. transition to CNRG vehicles
Transport Topics: Defense bill would prioritize restroom access for truckers
Climate
Hundreds of old EV batteries have new jobs in Texas, stabilizing the grid. A California company is pioneering a system in which repurposed car batteries capture energy from excess solar production and deliver it to Texas homes throughout the night and other times of low renewable power production. With 58 million electric cars being driven in 2024, the market for secondhand batteries is growing quickly, as is the chance to put them to good use. Read more about repurposing vehicle batteries here. (Source: Inside Climate News)
Canary Media: New York becomes first state to commit to all-electric new buildings
Happy Eco News: Food waste to fertilizer system turns scraps into plant fertilizer
Times Union: NYPA doubles renewable energy projects in new plan
Economic Development
New commute, new demand: NYC Ferry fuels housing boom on the waterfront. Since its launch in 2017, the NYC Ferry has significantly reshaped demand along the city’s waterfronts, transforming previously underinvested neighborhoods like Red Hook, the Rockaways, and Greenpoint into attractive commuter enclaves. As NYCEDC rolls out plans for route upgrades aimed at faster commutes and wider ridership, the resulting infrastructure improvements are expected to further stimulate economic development and spur additional housing projects along the ferry lines. Read more to learn about the ferry-inspired housing boom. (Source: 6sqft)
The City: City commits $45 million to redo dangerous three-way intersection in The Bronx
Time Out: A long-abandoned Queens airport is being transformed with 3,000 new homes
NYC Health + Hospitals: As part of housing for health initiative, NYC Health + Hospitals announces major step forward with Morrisania River Commons housing development
Digital
Cities and waste facility operators turn to AI for recycling education revamp. In Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle, local governments are implementing AI to help their citizens understand the varying recycling categories, as well as to organize waste once in facilities. In recent years nationwide, inbound contamination rates have increased, and these AI pilot programs are intended to address that. Professor Green, an AI chatbot that teaches you which waste goes where, is in select Los Angeles neighborhoods. In San Francisco and Seattle, Oscar Sort, a camera-based AI voice that engages with the user in real time and guides users to the correct bin. Both pilot programs signal a commitment to a greener future. For more information on the tools, read here. (Source: Smart Cities Dive)
GovTech: Oregon names inaugural chief privacy officer, AI strategist
Route Fifty: To connect residents with nature, one Georgia town is turning to tech
Forbes: Exploring the human side of AI
About Arch Street Communications
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