ASC's Intersections Newsletter — June 13th, 2025
Nora’s Note
Ready. Set. Rethink the rent. Starting this week, New York City renters are getting some long-overdue relief. Thanks to the Fairness in Apartment Rental Expenses (FARE) Act, tenants are no longer responsible for paying broker fees when the landlord hires a broker. That change means fewer thousand-dollar surprises and a little more financial breathing room for New Yorkers trying to secure housing without draining their savings. For decades, the city’s rental market placed the burden of broker fees on tenants, even in when the broker worked for the landlord. That practice has now ended. While some landlords may raise rents slightly to offset costs, early signs suggest the overall impact will be modest. Renters will benefit from a more transparent, predictable process. This is policy change that puts people first. It reduces financial barriers, increases accountability, and restores a bit of balance to one of the country’s toughest housing markets.
Transportation
More mobility: NYC taxis reach historic milestone as 50% of fleet now wheelchair accessible. This progress follows years of advocacy and policy reforms, even as the MTA’s Access-A-Ride program continues to face widespread criticism of unreliability. At the same time, rideshare giants like Uber and Lyft are under pressure to improve their accessibility services. Advocates say this is a step forward—but call for broader investment in transit infrastructure that works for everyone. Read more to learn about the equity initiatives happening in New York. (Source: AMNY)
Mass Transit Magazine: Pennsylvania governor highlights need to invest in transit during visit at Rabbittransit
Streetsblog: DOT proposes protected bike land for court street this summer
Ohio.gov: Governor DeWine announces nearly $52 million to local communities to improve bike & pedestrian infrastructure
Climate
Council President LaCava joins climate, youth activists in backing state pollution legislation. Youth climate activists and San Diego officials gathered to support California legislation that aims to hold major polluters accountable and fund climate resilience projects. Dubbed the Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act, the legislation would require fossil fuel companies to contribute funds toward projects that enhance climate resilience, such as bolstering infrastructure or supporting underserved communities. Read more to learn about industry reactions and similar bills passed across the country. (Source: Times of San Diego)
Happy Eco News: Cleaning up great lake fisheries: how fishers are turning waste into opportunity
Canary Media: Chicago program to light up dark streets is gateway to energy efficiency
Inside Climate News: How Nantucket is preparing for rising seas
Economic Development
New York bets big on green economy with Brooklyn climate innovation hub. New York City is launching BATWorks, a 200,000-square-foot climate innovation hub at the Brooklyn Army Terminal to support 150 cleantech startups, create 600+ green jobs, and deliver $2.6B in economic benefit. BATWorks will offer R&D space, workforce training, and live tech pilot support. The initiative will bolster progress on NYC’s Green Economy Action Plan and accelerate progress towards the city’s clean energy goals. Opening is slated for 2028. Read more about the Climate Innovation Hub. (Source: Smart Cities Dive)
Digital
AI-backed camera outside Santa Fe, NM to spot wildfires. A new AI-powered camera installed near Santa Fe can scan up to 25 miles during the day—and 50 at night—for signs of smoke, feeding real-time footage to a 24/7 monitoring center in California. This system, funded by local nonprofits and conservation groups, is part of a broader push to modernize wildfire response across the West. Similar AI camera networks in California have already identified hundreds of fires, while Texas utilities are piloting comparable systems. Read more about wildfire detection. (Source: GovTech)
Forbes: How women’s unique evaluation of AI tools influences corporate culture
Route Fifty: As food insecurity creeps up, data helps food banks cater to those in need
Cardinal News: Digital dashboard dives into rural demographics, housing, health, and more
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