New Jersey Chris Christie announced the competition of a $143 million levee system in Somerset County. Gov. Christie now hopes that residents can drop flood insurance.
"Governor Christie announced Monday that 17 years of work to control flooding in a perilous area of Somerset County is complete," reports Dustin Racioppi, "allowing most residents to drop flood insurance coverage and possibly ushering in a new phase of economic activity."
The Green Brook project required a total of $143 million to install "flood gates, levies and pump stations to protect about 500 structures from the swelling Raritan River." The project began in 1999, the same year "Tropical Storm Floyd's floodwaters tore apart buildings, killed two people and caused more than $80 million in damage in Bound Brook…"
According to Racioppi, there is another $200 million investment needed to protect 13 towns in Middlesex, Somerset and Union counties.
FULL STORY: Christie unveils $143 million system of levees in Somerset County
New York City Announces $100 Million Resilience Program for Lower Manhattan
New York City is launching a program that will spend $100 million in capital funding on storm protection infrastructure in lower Manhattan.
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Infrastructure built to mitigate flooding a century ago no longer serves current needs.
Louisiana Coastal Protection Agency Under Threat
The state’s new governor wants to shrink the power of the agency, which has spearheaded essential flood protection and mitigation efforts since the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25,% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
North Texas Transit Leaders Tout Benefits of TOD for Growing Region
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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.
Santa Barbara Could Build Housing on County Land
County supervisors moved forward a proposal to build workforce housing on two county-owned parcels.
San Mateo Formally Opposes Freeway Project
The city council will send a letter to Caltrans urging the agency to reconsider a plan to expand the 101 through the city of San Mateo.
A Bronx Community Fights to Have its Voice Heard
After organizing and giving input for decades, the community around the Kingsbridge Armory might actually see it redeveloped — and they want to continue to have a say in how it goes.
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