Maryland Transit Administration to Offer Free Public Transportation This Weekend

The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration is turning the annual World Car Free Day, September 22, into a weekend-long celebration by offering free rides on Local Bus, Light Rail, Metro Subway, MARC, Commuter Bus, and Mobility service on Friday, September 22, through Sunday, September 24. As people around the world help to improve air quality and reduce road congestion by leaving their cars at home, the Maryland Transit Administration is making it as…

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Baltimore City Receives $4M for Solar Powered Composting Facility

The EPA awarded Baltimore City $4 million to develop a solar-powered, scalable composting facility.  With the help of a $4 million award from the EPA, City of Baltimore will develop a solar-powered, scalable composting facility co-located with the new East Side Transfer Station at Bowley’s Lane. The proposed development leverages funds from the transfer station development project and from a partnership with Baltimore’s Department of Parks and Recreation. This project will result in 12,000 tons…

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Feds Open $19M to Improve Water Infrastructure Climate Resilience

The EPA has opened $19 million in competitive grants to help improve the climate resilience of the drinking water infrastructure.  Earlier this month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $19 million in new grant funding that will work to improve the climate resilience of the nation’s water infrastructure. EPA’s Drinking Water System Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability grant program will support drinking water systems in underserved, small, and disadvantaged communities that are working to prepare…

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Walktober 2023 Update: Registration Now Open!

In Maryland, planning has already begun for Walktober 2023, a month-long celebration of Maryland’s official state exercise, and promises an exciting lineup of events and speakers. October is National Pedestrian Safety Month, as designated by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The Governor’s administration wants to transform our transportation system and provide Marylanders with accessible, equitable, and sustainable options across the state – including walking…

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FHWA Opens $100M to Repair/Replace Non-Operational EV Chargers

The FHWA recently released a NOFO for a $100 million program aimed at repairing existing non-operational EV chargers.  The Federal Highway Administration FHWA announced a $100m Notice of Funding Opportunity(NOFO), utilizing a 10% set-aside from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) formula program, for the Electric Vehicle Charger Reliability and Accessibility Accelerator. The funding can be utilized to repair and replace existing, but non-operational, EV charging infrastructure. Non-functional or broken EV charger sites will be…

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Apply for USDOT’s Thriving Communities Program

The USDOTs Thriving Communities Program opened applications for FY 2023.  The USDOT is now accepting applications for its fiscal year (FY) 2023 Thriving Communities Program (TCP). TCP offers two separate response opportunities for potential applicants: a Letter of Interest and a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), which are described below. Under the NOFO, DOT is accepting applications for both the Thriving Communities National Capacity Builder Program and a new Regional Pilot Program. What is the TCP? TCP provides technical assistance, planning,…

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MD State Highway Administration and Maryland Transportation Authority Begin Ramp Management Pilot on Eastern Shore

In a joint effort with the Maryland State Highway Administration and Maryland Transportation Authority, Queen Anne's County has announced a new initiative to help keep summer beach traffic on US 50/301.  This new pilot program is aimed at enhancing traffic flow and ensuring the safety and mobility of local services by reducing congestion on MD Route 18 and other adjacent local roadways. Following the success of a similar program in Anne Arundel County earlier this…

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FREE NACo Webinars on Civic Engagement, ARPA, Disaster Mitigation, Summer Hunger, Housing, and Ransomware

The National Association of Counties (NACo) hosts free webinars every month to provide county leaders and professionals with knowledge on best practices and hot topics in various areas. Join NACo for the following webinars September 18th through September 28th. Empowering Tomorrow's Leaders: The Junior Commissioner Program and Civic Engagement for Youth SEPTEMBER 18, 2023, 2:00 P.M. TO 3:00 P.M.          REGISTRATION Are you interested in engaging the next generation in civic participation…

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Carbon Capture – What is It, and Can it Solve Our Climate Woes?

This article is part of MACo’s Deep Dive series, where expert analysts explore and explain the top county issues of the day. A new article is added each week – read all of MACo’s Deep Dives. Long-time readers of Conduit Street will know that climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our generation. From more violent weather patterns to rising sea levels, Maryland is being forced to contend with the consequences of fossil fuels…

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Road Weight Restrictions Pose Issues for EV Rollout

As the United States pushes for a faster conversion to EVs, road weight restrictions pose an unexpected barrier.  In the fight against climate change, the United States has placed a hefty bet on converting the nation's cars from gas to electric. As previously covered on Conduit Street, one of the main barriers to this conversion is infrastructure - specifically road weight limits. Electric vehicles (EVs) can weigh one or more tons heavier than their internal…

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