2021 Texas Power Grid Failure – a preventable disaster

In 2021, Winter Storm Uri brought record-breaking low temperatures to the people of Texas, overwhelming the under-designed Texas power grid. 4.5 million homes and businesses lost power, over $16 billion in electricity costs were overcharged, and over 240 people died due to freezing temperatures and complications from the storm. This case study discusses what went wrong that causes the lights to go out, including a summary of the key players responsible for the disaster.

Mitigating the Toxic Remnants of the Berkeley Pit Mine

The Berkeley Pit in Butte, Montana is a former open-pit copper mine that has transitioned from an engine of economic prosperity to a site of environmental and humanitarian concern due to its transformation into a toxic lake following the closure of mining operations. The Berkeley Pit illustrates the pressing need for sustainable mining practices and robust post-mining strategies to address environmental degradation and pollutant exposure to local communities.

Detroit’s Far West Neighborhood Stormwater Infrastructure Upgrade

Detroit is undertaking a $40 million stormwater management endeavor in the Far West neighborhood and Rouge Park. The project includes the creation of two new detention basins and major sewer system upgrades aimed at reducing flood risk for 1,200 homes, minimizing the number of CSO events in the Rouge River, improving local water quality, and enhancing recreational spaces.

Big Dig, Central Artery/Tunnel Project (CA/T)

Big dig, or the Central Artery/Tunnel Project (CA/T) is a mega-project in Boston, Massachusetts and it’s considered one of the biggest civil engineering projects in USA. It consist of several project tasks, including the depression of Boston’s Central Artery (I-93) and the construction of a 3rd tunnel to Logan Airport under the Boston Harbor. It mainly aims to alleviate the pressure of I-93 traffic.

Willowtree Oil Drilling Project

In an attempt to stabalize energy market and boost domestic energy production, Biden administration decided to push forward the construction of willowtree oil drilling project. However, this approval is a betrayal of Biden's stopping oil and gas drilling compaign promise and raises huge objection from public. The tension also lies within the Alaska residents, some think it would foster racial justice, by creating job opportunities and increasing revenues, while other concerns more about environmental impacts. Last but not the least, there's debate over the environmental consequences of the project itself: will it actually lead to more emission?

Lowndes County Sanitation Disparity

Lowndes County in rural Alabama faces inadequate sanitation practices resulting in 90% of community members having failing sewage systems polluting their living spaces. Current policies in place further exacerbate the problem. A hopeful solution to the issue is a USDA fund to help the community replace the current septic tanks.

Jackson Square Redevelopment Initiative

The Jackson Square Redevelopment Initiative is a community led project to develop an abandoned piece of land with affordable housing and community resources in a minority and income impacted neighborhood in Boston, MA. The land Jackson Square resides on was demolished for an interstate that was never built in the 1970s. Today, the project is one of the largest , and most successful, community driven developments in the country.

Detroit’s I‑375 Removal

Detroit's I-375 has received initial funding towards replacing the freeway with a boulevard to provide safer transportation and increased community support. The I-375 has had historical impacts on downtown Detroit with its construction in the 1950s and 1960s resulting in demolishing predominantly black communities. This proposal led by the State of Michigan and the City of Detroit aims to repair the community, but some have concerns if DEI issues will be effectively addressed.

Philly’s Chinatown Stitch

Philly's Chinatown has been divided by a sunken highway for the past three decades which has resulted in social and economic disconnects in its community. Despite this challenge, community leaders have gained public support for a change and have been granted funding through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program to reshape the transportation infrastructure for more beneficial use. The project will emphasize community input throughout the planning process.

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