-
A former landfill is Maryland’s first community solar farm
Scott E. Rupp Facilities & GroundsA hole in the ground that recently contained nothing but our post-consumable unmentionables is receiving a new life as an energy production facility in Maryland. In Fort Washington, a landfill has been transformed into the state’s first large-scale community solar farm, NPR affiliate WAMU-FM reports. Conceived in 2017, the transformation is the result of a pilot running through next year, which is designed to "expand accessibility to solar energy for state residents," WAMU-FM says.
-
The cities of the future, here today
Dave G. Houser Construction & Building MaterialsAbout 12,000 years ago, the Neolithic Revolution marked the transition in human history from nomadic hunting and gathering to settling in permanent communities. In all probability, from that time forward mankind has fantasized about a city of the future. Today, we've discovered a number of real-life brick-and-mortar — or rather, glass, steel, ashcrete and carbon fiber — developments that suggest that the cities of the future may be nearer at hand than we think.
-
Will convenience outweigh privacy when it comes to using facial recognition…
Linchi Kwok Travel, Hospitality & Event ManagementFacial recognition technology is convenient. Many of us use it numerous times a day to unlock our smartphones. Although people often access their phones with Face ID or fingerprints, many still worry about their privacy when their biometric data are used in the public space. There is a fine line between consensual identity verification and non-consensual surveillance. Here are some examples.
-
Is there a public utility option for California’s PG&E?
Michelle R. Matisons Waste Management & EnvironmentalDamage from 13 different wildfires has affected California during the past week. Sonoma County’s Kincade fire grew to 77,000 acres, ravaging large land swaths, whole neighborhoods, and grape-ripening vineyards. At 80% contained, it is nowhere near the size of 2017’s Thomas fire, which caused $2.2 billion in damages and heated debate about fire prevention. But all the fires combined will yield more damages incurred for the already embattled energy industry in the state. Poor air quality is now commonplace in the health-focused state, and this issue alone may press more people to consider radical solutions.
-
Top winter destinations for snowbirds
Connie Ulman Recreation & LeisureIt is that time of year again when snowbirds take to the road in search of the perfect winter destination. In this article, we will look at a few of the possible options, where I have been, and where my friends have been. I remember our first year of snow birding. We did some research and made some plans, only to learn that plans change quickly. For instance, we thought that by going to Texas it would be all fun and games — no snow, no cold days, swimming every day. We learned rather quickly that what we thought would happen did not.
-
Study: Groundwater supplies in peril as irrigation, pumping decimate aquifers
Scott E. Rupp Waste Management & EnvironmentalAccording to a recent study published in the journal Nature, water stored in aquifers underground makes up the vast majority of accessible freshwater on Earth. Its abundance has fueled forays into drier locales, enabling a boom in crop production. People and livestock are not the only things relying on aquifers. While about 70% of all groundwater used worldwide goes to agriculture, surface waterways, including rivers and streams, need groundwater, too. The Nature study shows the water is at an "ecological tipping point" that scientists call the "environmental flow limit."
-
Home sales lose momentum despite falling prices
Michael J. Berens Construction & Building MaterialsHousing activity in September softened across the board and across the country. Low mortgage rates and reductions in home prices were not enough to offset a shortage of more affordable properties. Sales of both new and existing homes slid from the previous month. New home starts and completions dropped substantially. While inventory of existing homes remained stable, those at lower price points were harder to find.
-
Doha Hamad International plans two-phase expansion
Matt Falcus Transportation Technology & AutomotiveDoha’s Hamad International Airport, currently ranked fourth-best in the world by Skytrax, is set to continue its push for dominance in the Gulf region following the announcement of the next stage of its expansion at the Cityscape Qatar event held near the end of October. Despite the ongoing blockade of flights between Qatar and both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, which were among the busiest out of Doha, the airport is ready to increase its capacity and add major passenger-pleasing amenities to help it stand out from the crowd.
-
UAW strike ends with ratified agreement, but 3 GM plants close
Michelle R. Matisons Transportation Technology & AutomotiveOn Oct. 25, the United Automobile, Aerospace, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) achieved a new, four-year contract with General Motors (GM) in a vote of 57% to 43%. During this time, UAW also ratified an Aramark janitorial contract at five GM Ohio and Michigan locations. This latest strike produced mixed results that were highly dependent on workers’ locations. While outsourcing and plant downsizing keep manufacturing jobs below optimal national levels, GM workers will largely enjoy improvements in labor conditions.
-
Biking on San Antonio’s River Walk
Cindy Belt Recreation & LeisureEveryone has heard about the River Walk in San Antonio. Walking along the river to see the people, enjoy the restaurants or bars, or watch the boats sailing by can all be fun. But there are also miles of the River Walk through the rest of San Antonio that are perfect for a bike ride and don’t have the crowds you see downtown. This can be done in one bike trip but there is so much to see that it is best to split this into multiple trips. Bikes are available for rent for only $12 a day at many locations. Here are some highlights of the trail.
All Facilities & Grounds Articles