A dozen design firms are targeted to recover Big Dig overuns that total up to $102 million.
A Boston Globe analysis and a report by the Federal Highway Commission indicate that state officials are targeting "a dozen design firms in the first phase of an effort to recover as much as $102 million of the Big Dig's massive cost overruns...." The action is part of "the state's most concerted effort so far at recovering the cost of design or management mistakes on the $14.6 billion project." In the report, the cost-recovery team requires "scrutiny of evidence by independent engineers hired by the state and the exchange of detailed information between state officials and design firm representatives." The Federal Highway Administration report also includes "an inventory of 396 project cost increases attributed to possible error or omission in project design or management."
Thanks to Connie Chung
FULL STORY: Designers targeted in Big Dig overruns

Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing
Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?

Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?
Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

Updating LA’s Tree Rules Could Bring More Shade to Underserved Neighborhoods
A new USC study finds that relaxing Los Angeles’ outdated tree planting guidelines could significantly expand urban tree canopy and reduce shade disparities in lower-income neighborhoods, though infrastructure investments are also needed.

California's Canal Solar Projects Aim to Conserve Resources and Expand Clean Energy
California’s Project Nexus has begun generating electricity from solar panels installed over irrigation canals, with researchers and state agencies exploring statewide expansion to conserve water and boost clean energy production.

HHS Staff Cuts Gut Energy Assistance Program
The full staff of a federal program that distributes heating and cooling assistance for low-income families was laid off, jeopardizing the program’s operations.
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