Infra Views

View the newest Infra Views posts »

Peak Energy Demand Reduction Strategy

Tuesday, October 27th, 2015
Table 1.1 Massachusetts Peak Demand Benefit/Cost: 2014

After launching a project assessing peak demand and demand response (DR) standards at the state level, Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) discovered that no currently existing study examined existing DR programs or made recommendations on best practices for structuring a DR/peak demand initiative. AEE engaged Navigant to perform quantitative and qualitative analysis in order to gain an understanding of peak demand reduction standards, their potential benefits, and how such standards should be designed.

View this complete Infra Views post...

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Energy, Funding, Infra Views, Local, National, Sustainability

Comments Off on Peak Energy Demand Reduction Strategy

The Decisions We Make Today Will Shape Tomorrow

Monday, October 26th, 2015
Figure 1: Business-as-usual urban contribution to the remaining carbon budget

C40 CITIES CLIMATE LEADERSHIP GROUP
The world is becoming ever more urban, with 1.5 million people moving into towns and cities every week, all requiring infrastructure like homes, roads, electricity and water supplies. As a result, the approach taken to urban infrastructure construction, renewal and refurbishment will play a substantial role in avoiding or locking in future emissions. For example, hundreds of millions of new homes will either produce large quantities of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through poor energy performance, or avoid emissions through sensible and efficient design.

View this complete Infra Views post...

Tags: ,
Posted in Climate Change, Environment, Global, Infra Views, Smart Growth, Sustainability, Urban Planning

Comments Off on The Decisions We Make Today Will Shape Tomorrow

Bikeshare Planning in Baton Rouge

Friday, October 23rd, 2015
UPGRADES SURROUNDING THE LAKES AREA ARE AN EMERGING OPPORTUNITY TO LINK A BIKESHARE SYSTEM INTO INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS (CREDIT: KOSTELEC PLANNING)

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
This memo documents the key outcomes of the technical assistance for Baton Rouge, Louisiana with the Bikeshare Planning tool, and identifies key community issues, prioritized goals, and specific actions. Bikeshare is a network of bicycles distributed around an area that allows and encourages non-motorized trips from one location to another. In Baton Rouge, the overarching goal is to achieve a bikeshare system in a bike-friendly community that boosts tourism and improves quality of life.

View this complete Infra Views post...

Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Biking, Infra Views, Local, Smart Growth, Urban Planning

Comments Off on Bikeshare Planning in Baton Rouge

2015 State Energy Efficiency Scorecard

Thursday, October 22nd, 2015
Figure ES1. 2015 State Scorecard rankings

AMERICAN COUNCIL FOR AN ENERGY-EFFICIENT ECONOMY
In this ninth edition of our State Energy Efficiency Scorecard, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) ranks states on their policy and program efforts and recommends ways that states can improve their energy efficiency performance in various policy areas. The State Scorecard provides an annual benchmark of the progress of state energy efficiency policies and programs. It encourages states to continue strengthening their efficiency commitments in order to promote economic growth, secure environmental benefits, and increase their communities’ resilience in the face of the uncertain cost and supply of the energy resources on which they depend.

View this complete Infra Views post...

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Energy, Environment, Infra Views, National, Sustainability, Technology

Comments Off on 2015 State Energy Efficiency Scorecard

Mississippi River Watershed Report Card

Wednesday, October 21st, 2015
The Report Card was built in the five basins

AMERICA’S WATERSHED INITIATIVE
The Mississippi River Watershed has diminished as a healthy and sustaining water resource over the last several decades. To raise the grade, we need integrated management to reflect the relationships between the different goals and basins, and increased participation by partners and stakeholders working together on specific actions to improve the watershed.

View this complete Infra Views post...

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Aging Infrastructure, Infra Views, Inland Waterways, National

Comments Off on Mississippi River Watershed Report Card

Rhode Island: The Economic Impact of RhodeWorks

Monday, October 19th, 2015
Scenario Key:

RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF REVENUEREGIONAL ECONOMIC MODELS, INC. Executive Summary Rhode Island ranks last in the nation for overall bridge condition. The RhodeWorks accelerated transportation plan seeks to achieve a goal of 90% structurally sufficient bridges, the federally mandated minimum, by 2025, with the intention of improving safety, making Rhode Island more attractive for businesses […]

View this complete Infra Views post...

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Aging Infrastructure, Bridges, Funding, Infra Views, Local, Policy

Comments Off on Rhode Island: The Economic Impact of RhodeWorks

Where We Ride: Analysis of Bicycle Commuting in American Cities

Friday, October 16th, 2015
bicycle commuting growth by state A

THE LEAGUE OF AMERICAN BICYCLISTS
Every year, the U.S. Census Bureau studies Americans’ commuting habits, including how many people commute by bike. While commuting is only part of the bicycling story, the American Community Survey provides valuable insight into changing commuting patterns and transportation choices.

View this complete Infra Views post...

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Biking, Infra Views, National, Public Parks & Recreation

Comments Off on Where We Ride: Analysis of Bicycle Commuting in American Cities

Shared Solar: Current Landscape, Market Potential, and the Impact of Federal Securities Regulation

Wednesday, October 14th, 2015
Figure ES-1. Estimated PV market potential of onsite and shared solar distributed PV capacity

NATIONAL RENEWABLE ENERGY LABORATORY
This report provides a high-level overview of the current U.S. shared solar landscape and the impact that a given shared solar program’s structure has on requiring federal securities oversight, as well as an estimate of market potential for U.S. shared solar deployment. Shared solar models allocate the electricity of a jointly owned or leased system to offset individual consumers’ electricity bills, allowing multiple energy consumers to share the benefits of a single solar array. Despite tremendous growth in the U.S. solar market over the last decade, existing business models and regulatory environments have not been designed to provide access to a significant portion of potential PV system customers.

View this complete Infra Views post...

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Energy, Environment, Funding, Infra Views, National, Policy, Sustainability, Technology

Comments Off on Shared Solar: Current Landscape, Market Potential, and the Impact of Federal Securities Regulation

Entering the Pipeline: Engaging Disconnected Workers in the New Orleans Regional Economy

Monday, October 12th, 2015
Recommendations

CENTER FOR PLANNING EXCELLENCE
Residents who don’t have access to an automobile are often stranded, and this applies disproportionately to disconnected workers in the Capital Region. According to 2010 data, Baton Rouge has a high percentage of households without vehicles – 11% compared to 9% nationwide. These residents, the majority of whom are low-income, have limited access to transit services that could connect them to the education, training and jobs they need to get ahead.

View this complete Infra Views post...

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Employment, Equity, Infra Views, Jobs, Local, Policy, Smart Growth

Comments Off on Entering the Pipeline: Engaging Disconnected Workers in the New Orleans Regional Economy

« More Infra Views posts
View the newest Infra Views posts »
Follow InfraUSA on Twitter Facebook YouTube Flickr

CATEGORIES


Show us your infra! Show us your infra!

Video, stills and tales. Share images of the Infra in your community that demands attention. Post your ideas about national Infra issues. Go ahead. Show Us Your Infra!  Upload and instantly share your message.

Polls Polls

Is the administration moving fast enough on Infra issues? Are Americans prepared to pay more taxes for repairs? Should job creation be the guiding determination? Vote now!

Views

What do the experts think? This is where the nation's public policy organizations, trade associations and think tanks weigh in with analysis on Infra issues. Tell them what you think.  Ask questions.  Share a different view.

Blog

The Infra Blog offers cutting edge perspective on a broad spectrum of Infra topics. Frequent updates and provocative posts highlight hot button topics -- essential ingredients of a national Infra dialogue.

Dear Friends,

 

It is encouraging to finally see clear signs of federal action to support a comprehensive US infrastructure investment plan.

 

Now more than ever, our advocacy is needed to keep stakeholders informed and connected, and to hold politicians to their promises to finally fix our nation’s ailing infrastructure.

 

We have already engaged nearly 280,000 users, and hoping to add many more as interest continues to grow.

 

We require your support in order to rise to this occasion, to make the most of this opportunity. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to InfrastructureUSA.org.

 

Steve Anderson

Managing Director

 

SteveAnderson@InfrastructureUSA.org

917-940-7125

InfrastructureUSA: Citizen Dialogue About Civil Infrastructure