Texas is planning a behemoth, statewide transit system that raises more questions than it answers.
"The TTC, a 4,000-mile network of asphalt, would consist of corridors a quarter of a mile across. Picture a total of six lanes for cars and four lanes for trucks. Then add six tracks for rail, and throw in room for oil and gas pipelines and utility lines, with high-voltage towers to boot.
...What are the environmental effects of such a mammoth road network on various ecosystems, such as wetlands and prairies? Even Texas cattle ranchers aren't so keen - they'd lose lots of grazing land. How will security issues be addressed on such a mammoth transit route? And what happens at the border of say, Oklahoma, as this giant corridor connects to an ordinary-sized interstate?"
Thanks to Chris Steins
FULL STORY: Supersized Highways

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.

Poorest NYC Neighborhoods Pay Price for Delivery Boom
The rise of ‘last-mile’ e-commerce warehouses — and their attendant truck traffic and air pollution — is disproportionately impacting the most historically disadvantaged parts of the city.

Greening Oakland’s School Grounds
With help from community partners like the Trust for Public Land, Oakland Unified School District is turning barren, asphalt-covered schoolyards into vibrant, green spaces that support outdoor learning, play, and student well-being.

California Governor Suspends CEQA Reviews for Utilities in Fire Areas
Utility restoration efforts in areas affected by the January wildfires in Los Angeles will be exempt from environmental regulations to speed up the rebuilding of essential infrastructure.
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