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☆ Making the power grid 'smart' could save us all money and prevent blackouts. Chattanooga made the $280 million investment.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( Morgan Mcfall-Johnsen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

Chattanooga's utility built a $280 million smart grid, creating $2.7 billion in economic value. The local utility, called EPB of Chattanooga, spent $280 million to refurbish its power system with smart technologies to make a "smart grid." The traditional power grid carries electricity from a power plant to homes and commercial buildings. Smart grids can bring huge economic benefitsEven Congress knows the nation needs a smart grid. Though a smart grid requires a big up-front investment, it can save a lot of money down the line.

Persons: —, That's, Tiago Majuelos, Monika Skolimowska, Kevin Schneider, Schneider, Joshua Rhodes, David Wade, EPB, Wade, Taylor, David Swanson, We're Organizations: Infrastructure, Service, Chattanooga Smart, US Department of Energy, Wall Street, Getty, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, American Society of Civil Engineers, University of Texas, Department of Energy, C Electric Company, BI, Reuters, Nationwide Locations: Chattanooga , Tennessee, Chattanooga, Tennessee, EPB, California, Austin, Hamilton County, Palm Springs , California, Columbia, Southern California

☆ 1 in every 13 bridges in America is in ‘poor’ condition. Thousands could collapse from a collision
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-30 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

A container ship colliding into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore is drawing attention to potential vulnerabilities among some of America’s more than 600,000 bridges. The Key Bridge stood for 47 years, and in that time it never received the sort of jolt that anyone could have thought would bring it down. Extreme weather events, increasingly heavy trucks and collisions from larger container ships pose significant risks to US bridges, engineers and other infrastructure experts say. The Key Bridge was “fracture critical,” the National Transportation Safety Board said Wednesday. To minimize the potential of ships bringing down bridges, bridges need to be built with what are known as redundancies— protections around bridges’ danger points.

Persons: Francis Scott Key, Dali, Ananth Prasad, Prasad, ”, Jessie Yeung, Curt Devine, Casey Tolan, Isabelle Chapman Organizations: American Society of Civil Engineers, Congressional Research Service, National Transportation Safety, World Association, Transport Infrastructure, Florida Transportation Builders ’ Association, CNN Locations: Baltimore, America, United States, China, Argentina, Florida

☆ Bridge accidents: Three ships have hit bridges in Argentina, China and Baltimore in just three months
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( Jessie Yeung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

These events all happened within the first three months of this year – and all after collisions with large commercial ships. And a month earlier, a large cargo ship collided with the Zárate–Brazo Largo Bridges crossing the Prana River in Argentina, according to now-shuttered government-run news agency Télam – severely damaging the ship, though the bridge remained intact. By contrast, in the Baltimore example, the water channel and bridge are wide and tall enough to accommodate large vessels – and the cargo ship hit the bridge pier, not the bridge itself, Andrawes said. But even these measures can only do so much in the event of a large cargo ship collision, Mercogliano said, pointing to the Baltimore collapse. “And even when the ship hit those dolphins, the ship was so large it towered over them and actually struck the bridge itself.

Persons: Francis Scott Key, DALI, ”, Sal Mercogliano, Télam, Bassem, Andrawes, it’s, Mercogliano, Baltimore Steve Helber, there’s, Jerome Hajjar Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, University of Illinois, Sunshine Skyway, Coast Guard, Structural Engineering, American Society of Civil Engineers Locations: Hong Kong, Baltimore, China, Argentina, Patapsco, Guangzhou, –, Largo Bridges, Urbana, Champaign, Florida

☆ Biden's laws are pouring billions into new infrastructure and it could be a rare opportunity to make communities safer and more sustainable
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-11 | by ( Eliza Relman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

The American Society of Civil Engineers gave it a C-minus in 2021 and said the US needed about $2.6 trillion in infrastructure investment over a decade. These include nonvehicle transportation projects such as pedestrian bridges and urban bike paths and neighborhood-level projects like park improvements. Inflation, worker shortages, and other obstaclesAcross the country, there are some key practical challenges to implementing infrastructure projects. Overcoming barriersLocal governments and employers across the country recognize many of the challenges to building and maintaining major projects. Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act alone, 72 programs "emphasize or allow some type of workforce development activity," a Brookings report found.

Persons: —, Joe Biden, Joseph Kane, Charles Marohn, Marohn, Kane, Drew Angerer, it's, Biden, It's, Greg Gianforte Organizations: Service, American Society of Civil Engineers, Infrastructure Investment, Jobs, Business, Transportation, Brookings Institution, Rail, Potomac, White House, Texas Department, US Department of Transportation, Michigan's, Grant, they're, Biden, Builders and Contractors, Congress, Jobs Act, Brookings Locations: Washington, Strong, Baltimore, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Long, New York, Austin, Austinites, America, Detroit, Brookings, Montana

The East Coast Is Sinking New satellite-based research reveals how land along the coast is slumping into the ocean, compounding the danger from global sea level rise. SINKING BY 2050 RISING –5 +5 cm –20 –15 –10 0 Atlantic City is sinking up to 4 centimeters per decade. SINKING BY 2050 RISING –5 +5 cm –20 –15 –10 0 Several hotspots in Maryland are sinking over 10 centimeters per decade, while other areas are rising. SINKING BY 2050 RISING –5 +5 cm –20 –15 –10 0 Charleston, S.C., which is affected by groundwater pumping, is sinking up to 5.7 centimeters per decade. Portland, Maine 47.0 cm 45.8 cm +40 cm 40.6 cm Relative sea level rise 33.8cm +30 cm +20 cm SUBSIDENCE +10 cm Change since 1925 Global sea level rise 1925 2023 1925 2023 1925 2023 1925 2023 Sources: Dangendorf (2019) and the National Oceanography Centre.

Persons: ”, Leonard Ohenhen, Kenneth Miller, Inner Harbor BOSTON Charles, “, Miller, “ We’ve, Sandy, we’ve, Sandy Hertz, Hertz Organizations: Virginia Tech, U.S . Geological Survey, NASA, Rutgers University ., Places New, National Oceanography, The New York Times, East Boston Charleston East Cambridge Airport, Inner, Pleasure, Roxbury, Boston City Archives, Boston Public Library, Boston Groundwater Trust, PNAS, Rutgers University, American Society of Civil Engineers, Army Corps of Engineers, Maryland Department of Transportation Locations: Boston, New York City, Long, Maryland, Hampton, Va, Charleston, S.C, Florida, Miami, Places New York City, N.Y, Atlantic City, N.J, Mass, Portland , Maine, York City, New Jersey, East, Inner Harbor BOSTON, Pleasure Bay, Savin, Roxbury Grove, Shirzaei, Cape Canaveral, exurbs, Delaware, Atlantic, East Coast

TUSTIN, Calif. (AP) — Fire raged Tuesday in a massive World War II-era wooden hangar that was built to house military blimps based in Southern California. The Orange County Fire Authority said in a social media post that allowing the structure to collapse was the only way to fight the fire. The historic hangar was one of two built in 1942 for the U.S. Navy in the city of Tustin, about 35 miles (56 kilometers) southeast of Los Angeles. At the time, the Navy used lighter-than-air ships for patrol and antisubmarine defense. “With all that in mind, it’s a sad day for the city of Tustin and all of Orange County,” Fennessy said.

Persons: Brian Fennessy, Fennessy, they've, ” Fennessy Organizations: The Orange County Fire Authority, Fire, U.S . Navy, Navy, Marine Corps, American Society of Civil Engineers Locations: TUSTIN, Calif, Southern California, The Orange County, Tustin, Los Angeles, Orange County

☆ As Devastated Acapulco Rebuilds, Other Mexico Resorts Urged to Heed Its Lessons
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +5 min

By Cassandra Garrison and Dave GrahamMEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Hurricane Otis not only devastated Acapulco, but also exposed fatal weaknesses in ageing infrastructure, teaching hard lessons that coastal cities throughout Mexico must draw on. As Acapulco rebuilds after the deadly Category 5 hurricane, climate experts, architects, engineers and politicians recommended steps Mexico should take. He noted that after the 1985 Mexico City earthquake killed thousands, the capital imposed tougher building standards. While Mexico City must update its standards for structural design every six years, Mexico lets other individual municipalities issue their own construction regulations. After Odile, Baja California's building standards reflected new guidance on areas of weakness identified, such as roofs.

Persons: Cassandra Garrison, Dave Graham MEXICO, Otis, Enrique de la, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Adrian Pozos, Hurricane Odile, Odile, Pozos, Lopez Obrador, David Waggonner, Waggonner, Waggoner, Dave Graham, Daina Beth Solomon, David Gregorio Organizations: Dave Graham MEXICO CITY, Mexican Tourism, National Autonomous University of Mexico, American Society of Civil Engineers Locations: Acapulco, Mexico, Enrique de la Madrid, Oaxaca, Tamaulipas, Guerrero, Baja California, Baja, Puerto Vallarta, Cancun, Miami, New Orleans

The suits allege that downed power lines operated by the company contributed to the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century. The wildfire risk posed by aboveground power lines is well documented. Lives lost, billions in damagesThe Maui fires have killed at least 115 people with hundreds still missing. But Mitchell said insulating aboveground power lines with a protective covering is also an effective solution that is cheaper and can be rolled out more quickly. There is also technology coming to market that can de-energize power lines automatically when there's a problem, he said.

Persons: Mike Blake, Fitch, Berkshire Hathaway's, Paul Starita, They're, Singleton Schreiber, Alexandra von Meier, von Meier, Marshall, Michael Dougherty, Bob Frenzel, Xcel, Berkshire Hathaway, PacifiCorp, aboveground, Scott Aaronson, Aaronson, Joseph Mitchell, Mitchell Organizations: Reuters Electric, Hawaiian Electric, National Weather Service, Hawaii Electric, . Pacific Gas & Electric, PG, Xcel Energy, U.S . Forest Service, University of California, Moody's, Fitch, Electric, Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, Explosives, Xcel, Marshall Fire, Marshall, Boulder, Labor, Fire, American Society of Civil Engineers, ASCE, The Edison Electric Institute, California Public Utilities Commission Locations: Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, U.S, Maui County, Hurricane, California, Berkshire, Berkshire Hathaway's PacifiCorp, Oregon, Colorado, Berkeley, Minnesota, Boulder County, Paradise, Golden

☆ How the Brooklyn Bridge went from being a 'wild experiment' in architecture to becoming designated a historical landmark 140 years later
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-30 | by ( Elias Chavez | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The history of the Brooklyn Bridge is filled with death, disease, and controversy. The main architect died before the bridge was even built, and several workers died in the process. Tools and techniques used to build the bridge — then thought to be a "wild experiment" — are commonly used today. The Brooklyn Bridge, one of New York City's famous landmarks, turned 140 this year, and its history has been wrought with death, disease, and controversy. During the bridge's construction, over a dozen people died, while countless others were bedridden with a then mysterious illness, including the bridge's architect Washington Roebling.

Persons: Washington Roebling, John Augustus Roebling Organizations: Morning, American Society of Civil Engineers, Washington Locations: Brooklyn, New York, Manhattan

☆ Philadelphia I-95 highway collapse may snarl morning commutes
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-12 | by ( Jarrett Renshaw | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/4] A view of the aftermath of the collapse of a part of I-95 highway after a fuel tanker exploded beneath it, in Philadelphia, U.S. June 11, 2023 in this still image obtained from a social media video. Courtesy of Billy Kyle/via REUTERSPHILADELPHIA, June 12 (Reuters) - Philadelphia residents were bracing for a brutal morning commute on Monday after a tanker truck fire caused an overpass to collapse on Interstate 95. The major highway is closed in both directions in Philadelphia after the tanker trunk carrying gasoline caught fire for reasons that were not yet clear. The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said the tanker was carrying gasoline and that it had sent a team to investigate. "I mean, they're looking to maintain the basic safety of the bridges due to deterioration," he said.

Persons: Billy Kyle, Leslie Richards, Josh Shapiro, Andy Herrmann, Herrmann, Jarrett Renshaw, Brad Brooks, Andrea Shalal, Donna Bryson, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: REUTERS, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, Pennsylvania, U.S . National Transportation Safety Board, American Society of Civil Engineers, Thomson Locations: Philadelphia , U.S, REUTERS PHILADELPHIA, Philadelphia, East Coast, Miami, Maine, U.S, Lubbock , Texas, Washington

☆ Why Blackouts, Power Outages Are Becoming More Common
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( Taylor Dorrell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +14 min

Power outages have increased 64% from the early 2000s, and weather-related outages — many driven by the worsening climate crisis — have increased 78%. A record-breaking blizzard in Buffalo, New York, this winter caused power outages throughout the city, resulting in the deaths of 47 residents. In 2021, a heat wave led to power outages and the deaths of hundreds in the Pacific Northwest. While regional organizations might use fees to penalize companies for power outages, it's now much harder to pinpoint and hold a person or entity responsible. In the meantime, the climate crisis will continue to wreak havoc on an aging grid system that puts profits over reliability.

☆ Global water systems will require 'huge' investment. Here are HSBC's stocks to play the theme
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-27 | by ( Pippa Stevens | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The climate crisis is fueling extreme weather events including record droughts, and with stress growing on global water systems HSBC said investors should own stocks with exposure to water infrastructure. In a recent note to clients, the firm said water systems are a "huge investment" theme over the coming years, identifying key players in various sub-sectors of the over-arching theme. "We think companies that offer water management solutions across various industries could gain from rising awareness about addressing the global water scarcity issues," HSBC added. HSBC also pointed to water treatment company Ecolab and water solutions company Xylem as beneficiaries of increasing investments in water infrastructure. Smart solutions, like those that Xylem provide, are a growing area of focus as municipalities look to upgrade their water systems.

☆ Time to demolish old ideas about infrastructure
▼ + stars: | 2021-08-10 | by ( Gina Chon | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

WASHINGTON, Aug 10 (Reuters Breakingviews) - A once-in-a-generation vote on U.S. infrastructure means it might finally be time to stop talking about infrastructure – or think more creatively about what the word means. Democrats will now turn to a $3.5 trillion splurge on healthcare, schools and the environment that Republicans resisted in the smaller plan. One problem is an outdated idea of what infrastructure really means. If infrastructure is a priority, anything that gets more output out of Americans deserves the label. It includes $110 billion for roads and bridges, $65 billion to expand broadband access and $55 billion for water supplies.

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