Increasing Revenue for Sustainable Water Systems
Water and drainage management in New Orleans faces significant challenges due to outdated metering systems, insufficient staffing, and many delinquent accounts. The Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO) relies on revenue from water bill payments to upgrade and expand the necessary infrastructure. However, revenue collection has been difficult,... Read more
Addressing Extreme Heat Through Urban Forestry
The City of Jacksonville, FL, is experiencing the devastating effects of climate change and urban heat island (UHI), leading to more frequent and intense heat waves. These heat waves significantly threaten public health and infrastructure stability, especially in historically disinvested communities that face intersecting vulnerabilities. Jacksonville is partnering with FUSE... Read more
Building a Carbon Footprint Reduction Strategy
DeKalb County in Georgia is a diverse county within the Atlanta metro area, with a population exceeding 750,000 people. It is renowned for institutions like Emory University and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as its natural sites and historical landmarks. However, due to ongoing development,... Read more
Affordable Housing, Energy Efficiency, and Climate Resilience
The Durham Housing Authority recognizes the ongoing challenge of preserving affordable housing and aims to address it by incorporating climate resilience and sustainable design principles. By partnering with FUSE, they seek to assess funding opportunities, improve the health and energy efficiency of existing and new affordable housing, and develop a... Read more
Vehicle Electrification for Health and Equity
The community of Durham aims to address the challenge of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and promoting environmental justice for historically disinvested communities. By partnering with FUSE, Durham plans to develop and execute a strategic plan to equitably electrify the city's fleet and personal vehicles, focusing on expanding access to... Read more
Energy Efficiency in Water Utilities
The community strives to address the high energy consumption issue within the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO). Despite previous efforts to improve energy efficiency, there is still untapped potential for energy savings within SWBNO's facilities. The community is dedicated to reducing energy consumption to operate more cost-effectively... Read more
Economic and Environmental Resilience in a Historic Black Community
The Jackson, Mississippi, community faces two interconnected challenges: the decline of the Farish Street Historic District and the impact of climate change exacerbating the underinvestment in the area. Once a thriving Black Wall Street, the district has suffered from a loss of businesses and infrastructure due to White Flight and... Read more
Advancing Equitable Strategies for Vehicle Electrification
The City of New Orleans has set an ambitious goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2035 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Since transportation is responsible for 44% of the city's GHG emissions, the City aims to transition 75% of its fleet to low- or no-emission vehicles... Read more
Designing a Sustainable Solution to Waste Management
The City of Durham is committed to investing in and engaging with historically excluded low-wealth and communities of color through the Equitable and Green Infrastructure Program (EGI). The City plans to deploy infrastructure solutions that address disparities and promote environmental justice, including $50 million worth of potential projects in 2021.... Read more
Building Resilience Across City Operations
In 2020, the City of Nashville and Davidson County (Metro) endured multiple disasters, including an EF3 tornado in early March, a derecho in May, and the Christmas Day bombing. All of this occurred during the Covid-19 pandemic, which had immediate negative effects on the Metro’s economy and public health. For... Read more