ASC's Intersections Newsletter — July 18, 2025
Nora’s Note
This week Governor Hochul unveiled a $150 million clean energy grant program aimed at decarbonizing SUNY and CUNY campusesacross New York. With $100 million dedicated to SUNY and $50 million to CUNY, the funding will support thermal-energy systems, solar arrays, heat pumps, EV chargers and geothermal infrastructure.
These investments not only tackle operational costs, they embed clean energy into facility upgrades and give students hands‑on exposure to emerging green technologies. With green infrastructure and real-world training wrapped into one package, New York is investing in climate-smart technologies that will serve communities now and for generations to come.
Transportation
NYC DOT begins construction on new bus lanes on Hillside Avenue in Queens. The new lanes aim to improve commute times and traffic flow for 194,000 daily riders and speeding service for 17 MTA routes. The project, which is a part of NYC’s Better Busses Action Plan will extend bus lanes by over two miles, including a mix of offset and curbside lanes, improved signal timing, and turn restrictions at key intersections. Citywide, the MTA is working to improve bus service. Learn more about how these improvements aim to reduce congestion and improve transit equity. (Source: Mass Transit Magazine)
Smart Cities Dive: NYPA set to begin work on $1.7B bus terminal facility
AMNY: Subway station in Brooklyn’s Bay Ridge is now fully accessible for the first time
Construction Dive: Massachusetts dedicates $8B to transportation in FY2026 budget
Climate
Williamsburg battery energy storage hub supercharges local grid. A new battery energy storage system in Williamsburg is helping New York meet clean energy goals while supporting the local grid during peak demand. The facility can power more than 10,000 homes for four hours and is one of many projects backed by state climate mandates, an investment New York is making. Read more about the hub’s role in New York’s energy future. (Source: Brooklyn Paper)
Canary Media: Rural North Carolina town forges ahead on clean energy, despite headwinds
Happy Eco News: Making the LA car-free Olympics a reality
Anthropocene Magazine: Treating empty bottles like lottery tickets could transform recycling
Economic Development
NYC ended most broker fees last month. What has the new law done to rents? Early rental data suggests the law may be reshaping NYC’s housing market without the rent shock some predicted. By shifting broker fee costs from renters to landlords, the legislation reduces upfront costs—often a major barrier to mobility and housing access. StreetEasy data shows only marginal rent increases, raising important questions about price elasticity and landlord behavior. Read more about the law’s early effects. (Source: Gothamist)
6sqft: 283-unit affordable housing and cultural arts center moves ahead in Brownsville
Parkersburg News and Sentinel: Grow West Virginia: Morrisey announces new economic initiative
Multi Housing News: How these towers are adding VITAlity into Hell’s Kitchen
Digital
AI can help limit the spread of misinformation during natural disasters; studies find. In crises such as Hurricane Katrina, 2018 wildfires in California, and the COVID-19 pandemic, widespread misinformation exploded to a point in which some efforts to combat disaster were postponed. In the wake of the ever-expanding implementation of AI, chat bots are coming to the surface as one of the largest defenses of false claims and propaganda when disaster strikes. Learn more about what researchers are finding, here. (Source: Inside Climate News)
GovTech: What’s new in digital equity: Brooklyn’s laptop fix-a-thon
Route Fifty: Louisiana becomes third state to pass app store accountability law
Mobi Health News: HIMSS AI forum: Role of AI in digital health
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