Headline: FEMA Extends Renewal Period for Flood Insurance Policyholders in Seven States Affected by Helene
FEMA Extends Renewal Period for Flood Insurance Policyholders in Seven States Affected by Helene
Flood insurance policyholders can receive advance payments to receive up to $20,000 for their recovery
WASHINGTON – FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program is taking immediate actions to help policyholders throughout the seven states recently affected by Helene.
While renewal dates have passed for some National Flood Insurance Program policyholders in states affected by Helene may be able to take steps that will renew their policy and receive immediate help.
Policyholders who received flood damage from Helene should be sure to ask their insurance agent or company about advance claims payments to help start their recovery. Advance payments may be available of up to $20,000 prior to a visit from an adjuster.
Certain policyholders in seven states impacted by Helene now have a limited opportunity to renew their policies without a consequence of a lapse in coverage. Policyholders in Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia who had flood damage now have until Nov. 26, 2024, to renew their policies, an increase from the standard 30-day renewal grace period.
“I am deeply committed to helping our policyholders prioritize financial resources to help speed their recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricane Helene’s destruction,” said Jeff Jackson, the interim Senior Executive of the program. “By extending the grace period for renewing policies, we are giving our policyholders some breathing room and demonstrating that the National Flood Insurance Program stands with them at time of tremendous heartache and difficulty.”
The extension applies to policies with policy expiration dates beginning Aug. 28, 2024, as follows:
If the policy term ended on:
The grace period would have ended:
But now runs until:
Aug. 28, 2024
Sept. 26, 2024
Nov. 26, 2024
Sept. 26, 2024
Oct. 25, 2024
Nov. 26, 2024
Oct. 15, 2024
Nov. 13, 2024
Nov. 26, 2024
Nov. 1, 2024
Nov. 30, 2024
Nov. 30, 2024
Nov. 15, 2024
Dec. 14, 2024
Dec. 14, 2024
Policyholders whose policy renewal date is within this range should contact their agent or insurance company.
For example, if the original policy expiration date was Aug. 28, 2024, the policy may be renewed on or before Nov. 26, 2024. Holders of active policies can file claims for damage received from Helene if premium is paid.
Other Actions to Help Policyholders
The program has extended the proof of loss requirement for policyholders who suffered flood damage from Hurricane Helene from the standard 60 days to 120 days from the date of loss.
FEMA also authorized its Write Your Own insurance company partners and the direct to pay claims based on the adjuster’s report without requiring policyholders to sign a proof of loss. When a policyholder seeks additional payment for any reason or disagrees with the adjuster report, they may still submit a signed proof of loss to the insurer along with supporting documentation, such as a contractor’s estimate, bills, receipts, photographs and other related documents.
Anyone affected by Helene who has a National Flood Insurance Program flood insurance policy and has suffered flood damage should begin filing their claim now. Evacuated policyholders can still start their claim and provide specifics later once local officials say it’s safe to return home.
Policyholders who wish to take advantage of the grace period should contact their agent or insurance company. Those who don’t have their insurance agent or company’s contact information should call 877-336-2627 for assistance.
To learn more about how to file a flood insurance claim visit floodsmart.gov.
The imaging spectrometer aboard the Carbon Mapper Coalition’s Tanager-1 satellite identified methane and carbon dioxide plumes in the United States and internationally. Using data from an instrument designed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, the nonprofit Carbon Mapper has released the first methane and carbon dioxide detections from the Tanager-1 satellite. The detections highlight methane plumes in Pakistan and Texas, as well as a carbon dioxide plume in South Africa. The data contributes to Carbon Mapper’s goal to identify and measure greenhouse gas point-source emissions on a global scale and make that information accessible and actionable. Enabled by Carbon Mapper and built by Planet Labs PBC, Tanager-1 launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on Aug. 16 and has been collecting data to verify that its imaging spectrometer, which is based on technology developed at NASA JPL, is functioning properly. Both Planet Labs PBC and JPL are members of the philanthropically funded Carbon Mapper Coalition. “The first greenhouse gas images from Tanager-1 are exciting and are a compelling sign of things to come,” said James Graf, director for Earth Science and Technology at JPL. “The satellite plays a crucial role in detecting and measuring methane and carbon dioxide emissions. The mission is a giant step forward in addressing greenhouse gas emissions.” The data used to produce the Pakistan image was collected over the city of Karachi on Sept. 19 and shows a roughly 2.5-mile-long (4-kilometer-long) methane plume emanating from a landfill. Carbon Mapper’s preliminary estimate of the source emissions rate is more than 2,600 pounds (1,200 kilograms) of methane released per hour. The image collected that same day over Kendal, South Africa, displays a nearly 2-mile-long (3-kilometer-long) carbon dioxide plume coming from a coal-fired power plant. Carbon Mapper’s preliminary estimate of the source emissions rate is roughly 1.3 million pounds (600,000 kilograms) of carbon dioxide per hour. The Texas image, collected on Sept. 24, reveals a methane plume to the south of the city of Midland, in the Permian Basin, one of the largest oilfields in the world. Carbon Mapper’s preliminary estimate of the source emissions rate is nearly 900 pounds (400 kilograms) of methane per hour. In the 1980s, JPL helped pioneer the development of imaging spectrometers with AVIRIS (Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer), and in 2022, NASA installed the imaging spectrometer EMIT (Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Investigation), developed at JPL, aboard the International Space Station. A descendant of those instruments, the imaging spectrometer aboard Tanager-1 can measure hundreds of wavelengths of light reflected from Earth’s surface. Each chemical compound on the ground and in the atmosphere reflects and absorbs different combinations of wavelengths, which give it a “spectral fingerprint” that researchers can identify. Using this approach, Tanager-1 will help researchers detect and measure emissions down to the facility level. Once in full operation, the spacecraft will scan about 116,000 square miles (300,000 square kilometers) of Earth’s surface per day. Methane and carbon dioxide measurements collected by Tanager-1 will be publicly available on the Carbon Mapper data portal. More About Carbon Mapper Carbon Mapper is a nonprofit organization focused on facilitating timely action to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. Its mission is to fill gaps in the emerging global ecosystem of methane and carbon dioxide monitoring systems by delivering data at facility scale that is precise, timely, and accessible to empower science-based decision making and action. The organization is leading the development of the Carbon Mapper constellation of satellites supported by a public-private partnership composed of Planet Labs PBC, JPL, the California Air Resources Board, Arizona State University, and RMI, with funding from High Tide Foundation, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Grantham Foundation for the Protection of the Environment, and other philanthropic donors. News Media Contacts Andrew Wang / Jane J. LeeJet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.626-379-6874 / 818-354-0307andrew.wang@jpl.nasa.gov / jane.j.lee@jpl.nasa.gov 2024-136
Headline: Disaster Recovery Center in Tazewell, Va. will Open on Oct. 11
Disaster Recovery Center in Tazewell, Va. will Open on Oct. 11
BRISTOL, Va.– A Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) will be opening in Tazewell County at the County Administration Building at 197 Main Street in Tazewell, Va. Friday, Oct. 11, at 8 a.m.
The center is located at:
Tazewell County
County Administration Building
197 Main Street
Tazewell, VA 24651
Hours of operation:
Monday – Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Closed Sundays
Disaster survivors can visit any DRC to receive assistance. Additional DRCs will be opening in the coming weeks throughout southwest Virginia.
Survivors do not have to visit a DRC to register with FEMA. You can call 800-621-FEMA (3362). The toll-free telephone line operates seven days a week. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service. You can also register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or through the FEMA App on your phone.
The deadline to apply for FEMA disaster assistance is Dec. 2, 2024.
If you have received a letter from FEMA about your application status, visit a DRC to learn more about next steps. DRC staff can help you submit additional information or supporting documentation for FEMA to continue to process your application and answer any questions you may have.
FEMA staff member at a Disaster Recovery Center in Damascus, Va. assists a survivor on Oct. 7, 2024 (FEMA photo by Nicholas Monteleone)
FEMA has set up a rumor response webpage to clarify our role in the Helene response. Visit Hurricane Helene: Rumor Response.
For more information on Virginia’s disaster recovery, visit vaemergency.gov, the Virginia Department of Emergency Management Facebook page , fema.gov/disaster/4831 and facebook.com/FEMA.
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FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during and after disasters. FEMA Region 3’s jurisdiction includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. Follow us on X at x.com/FEMAregion3and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/femaregion3.
To apply for FEMA assistance, please call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362, visit https://www.disasterassistance.gov/, or download and apply on the FEMA App. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service. Multilingual operators are available (press 2 for Spanish and 3 for other languages). Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency, or economic status.
On June 10, 2023, the Operational Land Imager on Landsat 8 acquired this image of Mount Taranaki, a snow-capped mountain in New Zealand that is ringed by a dark green forest. Two older and extinct volcanoes, Kaitake and Pouakai, lie to the northwest of its peak. Learn more about Mount Taranaki. Image Credit: NASA/Wanmei Liang, USGS
How Modeling Feedback Loops Informs Analysis and Decisions Across Decarbonization Technologies
NREL researchers Swaroop Atnoorkar (right), Shubhankar Upasani (center), and Guilherme Castelao look at data analysis. Photo by Agata Bogucka, NREL
“When you look at renewable energy, not everything is linear,” said Swaroop Atnoorkar, an analyst at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). “Technologies often operate in complex systems with many moving parts in the background.”
Atnoorkar relies on understanding the intricacies of clean energy systems in her research on biofuel economics and supply chains. Research like hers is a vital step in understanding how each decision made with any given technology could impact its evolution.
But how do researchers examine the relationships between various factors within a given system, how they could change, and how those changes ultimately lead to different behaviors in the system over longer periods of time? And what exactly does this type of research inform?
The answers to those questions may lie within a sophisticated modeling method known as system dynamics.
Brief History of System Dynamics
Since its creation in the 1950s by Jay W. Forrester, a professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, system dynamics has become a tried-and-true method for understanding the behaviors of complex systems in terms of stocks, flows, and the feedback loops that connect them.
A simplified and generic example of a system dynamics model illustrates the complex interactions that could occur within a biofuel supply and production chain, featuring a feedstock, conversion pathway, and biofuel supply module. Graphic by Liz Craig, NREL
Think of this relationship like planting crops such as corn. The growth of corn in the field—a flow—is controlled by feedback processes including watering and nutrient availability. When the stock of corn is harvested, other feedback loops control the decomposition of residues and the return of nutrients to the soil.
At the time Forrester developed it, system dynamics research was applied to corporate managerial questions at General Electric’s plants. Studying corporate managerial problems remained its primary application through the 1960s, until researchers broadened its uses to examine other larger-scale societal questions. Initially, these simulations of stock-flow feedback structures were conducted with command-line programs, visualized with hand-drawn diagrams, and showed how internal management decisions impacted the dynamics of inventory and human resource systems. Now, its applications include examining everything from public health to renewable energy systems.
“Many of the early users of system dynamics knew its potential was far greater than its original business management use,” said Bobby Jeffers, acting laboratory program manager in NREL’s Energy Systems Integration directorate. “We are always trying to answer the question: ‘What are the feedback loops that really take hold of the system and cause it to go on some trajectory?’ We’re trying to encourage virtuous cycles that build on themselves while finding dampening cycles that allow things to grow sustainably.”
Jeffers specializes in system dynamics research. He and other researchers at NREL, like Atnoorkar, now use computer modeling to explore the complex relationships between various elements of system structures.
NREL program manager Bobby Jeffers leads a session during a workshop put together by the Energy Security and Resilience Program Office. Photo by Joe DelNero, NREL
Snapshot of System Dynamics at NREL
Atnoorkar is among the newer members of the research team working to find new ways to approach biofuel development at NREL.
For the last decade, much of the work being done to gain insights into the biofuel market has utilized NREL’s Bioenergy Scenario Model (BSM), which is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO). The System Dynamics Society Award-winning model tracks biofuel deployment and the effects of various influences on the biofuel market, such as changes in consumer demand, government policies, and land availability for feedstock. It dynamically models these elements as part of the U.S. domestic biofuels supply chain.
“Factors like oil prices, biofuel demand, and the costs of resources are always fluctuating—sometimes unpredictably—and changes in each one creates different outcomes, especially at the national scale,” Atnoorkar said.
NREL and BETO have historically used BSM to develop deployment strategies for advanced biofuels. Currently, it helps researchers like Atnoorkar develop insights into U.S. biofuels market growth and examine potential barriers to broader expansion of biofuel technologies. Among those technologies are those that create sustainable aviation fuels.
System dynamics research at NREL helps inform development and policies surrounding sustainable aviation fuel that is used at airports across the United States. Photo from Getty Images
“Many airports nowadays have sustainability goals, and they want to determine if those goals are feasible,” Atnoorkar said. “While the BSM does analysis for potential biofuels supply at the national scale, the analysis we do at the regional scale can also help ports and airports make decisions about their biofuel sourcing.”
To that end, the system dynamics research being done at NREL has ultimately helped inform policy strategies surrounding low-carbon fuel standards. A major part of that research is the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Grand Challenge—a plan set forth by DOE, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Transportation, and other federal agencies that aims to spur the expansion of commercial SAF production technologies.
Critically, the SAF Grand Challenge is targeting at least a 50% reduction in life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions and ramping up SAF supply to meet 100% of aviation fuel demand by 2050.
“The BSM is now being used to investigate how we could reach those goals and what kinds of roadblocks may need to be overcome,” said Emily Newes, the NREL Strategic Energy Analysis Center’s Integrated Modeling and Economic Analysis Group manager.
NREL Integrated Modeling and Economic Analysis Group Manager Emily Newes leads the teams studying supply chain and policy questions for aviation and maritime biofuels. Photo by Dennis Schroeder, NREL
Newes works extensively with the system dynamics models informing potential biofuel deployment, specifically the SAF Grand Challenge and biofuels for maritime applications. These models are answering questions about how changes in everything from the resources needed to build refineries to the different types of potential feedstocks ultimately affect the policies and decisions being made.
“It helps inform us about what barriers there could be so that we can help find solutions—either through policy or the industry—to overcome them,” Newes said.
System dynamics models are also informing NREL’s research in battery energy storage. A key modeling framework used in this space is the Lithium-Ion Battery Resource Assessment, or LIBRA, model. LIBRA is vital in NREL’s work in understanding the supply chain of lithium-ion batteries, which have become a key component to a future with more electric vehicles (EVs) on the road.
“When we’re talking about the needs for manufacturing in this country and globally, you can’t just look at one technology at a time,” NREL’s supply chain analytics lead Maggie Mann said. “When we talk about batteries, we’re looking at how much cobalt, nickel, and lithium are needed to manufacture them, as well as the demand for those same materials for other technologies.”
NREL’s system dynamics modeling examines supply chains for raw materials like the lithium used in electric vehicle batteries. Photo from Getty Images
Mann was on the team that pioneered and developed the LIBRA model. It gives users the means to examine the long-term effects of changes in the battery supply chain for multiple EV battery types, consumer electronics, and utility-scale storage systems.
Through examining elements such as the costs, raw materials, and changing policies at both the domestic and international scales, LIBRA is providing invaluable insights into the U.S. battery recycling supply chain. Those insights then inform manufacturing and industry practices as well as policy decisions in the clean energy sector.
Along with the LIBRA model, supply chain researchers at NREL, like Mann, are also developing the Recursive Integrated Networks for Growth (RING) model, which supports NREL’s Mapping, Modeling, and Analysis Consortium (MMAC). This model, designed specifically for DOE’s Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (MESC) office, calculates how each output can be cycled back into the supply chain itself. What does that mean?
“Say you want to look at how many batteries are manufactured, then go through their life, hit the end of their life, and you want to recycle them, so the raw materials and battery components go back into manufacturing,” Mann said. “System dynamics can allow for those types of recursive calculations and help us look out 10 to 12 years to see the total demand for manufactured batteries minus the raw materials that are recycled.”
Both the RING and LIBRA models help researchers answer the critical question of “How much could recycling batteries affect the amount of new material we need to produce?” Each model helps inform the decisions behind battery production and policies through 2050 and quantify the impact that recycling can have on decreasing the United States’ dependence on foreign resources.
NREL Decision Support Analysis Group Manager Maggie Mann presents about her research to a group at the Coordinating Research Council’s Sustainable Mobility Workshop. Photo by Werner Slocum, NREL
How Is System Dynamics Evolving at NREL?
Much of the research Atnoorkar, Jeffers, Mann, Newes, and others do in supply chains is centered around system dynamics. Because of their broad lenses, models like BSM, LIBRA, and RING are often used to develop strategies for new technology deployment.
In the case of BSM, bioenergy’s large, comprehensive nature makes it tougher to focus on smaller-scale system dynamics. That is why the team is working to modify it for limited-case, regional scenarios, using a new BETO-funded model called the Regional Bio-Economy Model (RBEM).
“The main structure is the same,” Atnoorkar said. “But with RBEM, we are able to focus on biorefinery investment decisions in specific regions, such as marine biofuel production in coastal areas or aviation biofuel production in the immediate area around a major airport.”
RBEM will enable researchers to examine the logic behind the feedback loops in those smaller systems. The team aims to publicly release this model in the next year or two.
And while Atnoorkar and Newes are helping with the development of RBEM, Jeffers says NREL could look to system dynamics as a unique lens to broaden the scope of NREL’s research into a low-carbon energy system future.
“I think we lead the world in showing what a decarbonized energy system could look like,” Jeffers said. “But system dynamics can help us realize this future by giving us a means to think about all the complex elements of economic, social, and environmental systems that influence the pathway to affordable, resilient, and secure decarbonization.”
Form EIA-861, Annual Electric Power Industry Report, and Form EIA-861S (the shortform) collect data from distribution utilities and power marketers of electricity. This survey is a census of all United States electric utilities. The short form is intended for smaller bundled-service utilities and has less detailed responses. This survey collects more data than the monthly counterpart, Form EIA-861M. Data are the individual surveys responses and are included in the files described below.
Our survey page contains the current survey form, instructions, respondent portal, and frequently asked questions. Data from these files can be found throughout our publications, usually in aggregated form in our Electric Power Annual (EPA) report; State Electricity Profiles (SEP); Electric Sales, Revenue, and Average Price (ESR) report; Electricity Data Browser; and in some Today in Energy articles.
Please refer to our Guide to EIA Electric Power Data and send any questions to InfoElectric@eia.gov.
In 2012, we created Form EIA-861S to reduce respondent burden and to increase our processing efficiency; that year, about 1,100 utilities initially reported on this form instead of Form EIA-861. In 2020, the number of utilities increased to about 1,700 utilities. We reformatted the files for the years 1990–2011, but we didn’t change or update any data files. We reformatted the files to make them easier to understand and to match the format and titles of the current files.
Frame
Surveys: Form EIA-861 and Form EIA-861S
Time frame: 2016 to present
Description: The data contain a complete list of all respondents from both forms and which files they have data in.
Advanced Metering
Surveys: Form EIA-861 and Form EIA-861S
Time frame: 2007 to present
Description: The data contain number of meters from automated meter readings (AMR) and advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) by state, sector, and balancing authority. The energy served (in megawatthours) for AMI systems is provided. Form EIA-861 respondents also report the number of standard meters (non AMR/AMI) in their system.
Historical Changes: We started collecting the number of standard meters in 2013. The monthly survey collected these data from January 2011 to January 2017.
Balancing Authority
Surveys: Form EIA-861 and Form EIA-861
Time frame: 2012 to present
Description: The data contain the list of balancing authorities and the states they operate in.
Delivery Companies
Survey: Form EIA-861
Time frame: 2020 to present
Description: The data contain revenue, sales, and customer count by sector from utilities that deliver energy in Texas.
Demand Response
Survey: Form EIA-861
Time frame: 2013 to present
Description: The data contain energy demand response programs by state, sector, and balancing authority. We collect data for the number of customers enrolled, energy savings, potential and actual peak savings, and associated costs.
Distribution Systems
Survey: Form EIA-861
Time frame: 2013 to present
Description: The data contain the number of distribution circuits and circuits with voltage optimization by state.
Dynamic Pricing
Survey: Form EIA-861
Time frame: 2013 to present
Description: The data contain the number of customers enrolled in dynamic pricing programs by state, sector, and balancing authority. Respondents check if one or more customers are enrolled in time-of-use pricing, real time pricing, variable peak pricing, critical peak pricing, and critical peak rebates.
Energy Efficiency
Survey: Form EIA-861
Time frame: 2013 to present
Description: The data contain incremental energy savings, peak demand savings, weighted average life cycle, and associated costs for the reporting year and life cycle of energy efficiency programs.
Mergers
Survey: Form EIA-861
Time frame: 2007 to present
Description: The data contain information on mergers and acquisitions.
Net Metering
Survey: Form EIA-861
Time frame: 2001 to present
Description: The data contain cumulative installation count and capacity of generators that are net metered by technology, state, sector, and balancing authority. If available, the energy sold back to the grid is also reported. Technology types include photovoltaic (standard, virtual less than 1 megawatt, and virtual 1 megawatt or greater), wind, and other. Storage systems that are paired with net-metered photovoltaic (PV) are also captured. We make a state-level adjustment for missing PV capacity and to convert state total capacity to AC units for those respondents who report data in DC units; we use 0.8256 as a conversion factor to change DC to AC. For other energy sources, we have not established imputation procedures.
Historical Changes: Initially, data contained only the customer count. In 2007, energy displaced was added (later renamed to energy sold back). We added capacity of systems in 2010, and we divided this category by technology type: PV, wind, and other. In 2016, we added a question to the survey about whether the megawatts reported for the PV systems were in AC or DC units). Also in 2016, the survey divided PV to include virtual systems and storage systems paired with PV. Starting in 2020, Form EIA-861S respondents were imputed.
Non-Net Metering Distributed
Survey: Form EIA-861
Time frame: 2010 to present
Description: The data contain cumulative values of generators that are not net metered and are under 1 megawatt in size (and not reported on Form EIA-860). Installations, total capacity, capacity owned, and capacity backup are reported in aggregate by state, sector, and balancing authority. Capacity is also reported by technology, state, sector, and balancing authority. Technology types include combustion turbine, internal combustion engine, fuel cells, hydroelectric, photovoltaic (PV), steam turbine, storage, wind, and other. Form EIA-861S respondents do not provide non-net-metering distributed data. A state-level adjustment is made for missing PV capacity and to convert state total capacity to AC units for those respondents who report data in DC units; we use 0.8256 as a conversion factor to change DC to AC, which uses the responses from the net-metering schedule. For other energy sources, we have not established imputation procedures.
Historical Changes: This schedule was referred to as distributed generation, and we renamed it to prevent double counting from net-metered systems (2016). Data on dispersed systems (systems not connected to the grid) were collected up to 2015. In 2016, we added data on fuel cells. Starting in 2016, these data were broken out by sector, and an adjustment to convert state total capacity to AC units for those respondents who report data in DC units; we use 0.8256 as a conversion factor to change DC to AC. Starting in 2020, Form EIA-861S respondents were estimated.
Operational Data
Survey: Form EIA-861
Time frame: 1990 to present
Description: The data contain aggregate operational data for the source and disposition of energy and revenue information from each electric utility.
Reliability
Survey: Form EIA-861
Time frame: 2013 to present
Description:The data contain information on non-momentary electrical interruptions. If collected, utilities report the system average interruption duration index (SAIDI), the system average interruption frequency index (SAIFI), and the conditions under which these metrics are collected. We allow respondents to use IEEE standards or any other method. We created a short video to describe what is collected.
Sales to Ultimate Customers
Surveys: Form EIA-861 and Form EIA-861S
Time frame: 1990 to present
Description: The data contain revenue, sales (in megawatthours), and customer count of electricity delivered to end-use customers by state, sector, and balancing authority. A state, service type, and balancing authority-level adjustment is made for non-respondents and for customer-sited respondents.
Historical Changes: In 2003, we created the transportation sector and removed the other sector. We made this change to separate the transportation sales and reassign the other activities to the commercial and industrial sectors as appropriate. Non-transportation customers previously reported under other, including street and highway lighting, are now included in the commercial sector. Previously, we referred to this file as retail sales.
Sales to Ultimate Customers, Customer-Sited
Time frame: 2002 to present
Description: The data contain revenue, sales (in megawatthours), and customer count of electricity delivered to end-use customers by state, sector, and balancing authority. These data aren’t collected on Form EIA-861; however, they are included in the state adjustments totals in the sales to ultimate customers file.
Service Territory
Surveys: Form EIA-861 and Form EIA-861S
Time frame: 2001 to present
Description: The data contain names of counties and states in which the utility has equipment to distribute electricity to ultimate customers.
Short Form
Surveys: Form EIA-861 and Form EIA-861S
Time frame: 2001 to present
Description: The data contain revenue, sales (in megawatthours), and customer count of electricity delivered to end-use customers, by state and balancing authority. Respondents answer whether they have net metering, demand side management, and time-based programs.
Utility Data
Survey: Form EIA-861
Time frame: 1990 to present
Description:The data contain information on a utility’s North American Electric Reliability (NERC) regions of operation. The data also indicate a utility’s independent system operator (ISO) or regional transmission organization (RTO) and whether that utility is engaged in any of the following activities: generation, transmission, buying transmission, distribution, buying distribution, wholesale marketing, retail marketing, bundled service, or operating alternative-fueled vehicles.
Historical Changes: In 2010, we added the independent system operator (ISO) and regional transmission organization (RTO) regions.
Demand-Side Management (DSM)
Survey: Form EIA-861
Time frame: 2001 to 2012
Description: The data contain energy efficiency incremental data, energy efficiency annual data, load management incremental data, load management annual data, annual costs, and the customer counts of price response and time response programs by sector.
Historical Changes: In 2007, we added the customer counts of price response and time response programs.
Green Pricing
Survey: Form EIA-861
Time frame: 2001 to 2012
Description: The data contain revenue, sales, and customer count by sector and state.
Historical Changes: Initially, data contained only the customer count. In 2007, revenue and sales were added.
Students receiving instruction in an advanced manufacturing lab at Palo Alto College, one of the community colleges in the Alamo Colleges District, which is among this year’s Baldrige Award recipients.
Credit: Alamo Colleges District
WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) announced that five organizations will receive the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, the nation’s only presidential award for performance excellence. Among the recipients of the newly redesigned national quality award are a pair of two-time winners.
The Baldrige Award was redesigned earlier this year to focus on organizational resilience. The new criteria are intended to help organizations adapt, innovate and thrive in a dynamic environment where change and disruption are constant. To win the award, in addition to demonstrating organizational resilience, recipients also must show long-term success through favorable performance levels and trends, comparisons to competitors and appropriate benchmarks, and relevant metrics.
“The 2024 Baldrige Award recipients are role-model organizations that are helping us address some of our nation’s most critical needs, and they demonstrate the resilient spirit of the American people,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “These five awardees are bettering the lives of American workers, strengthening our infrastructure, and improving the quality of life in communities across the nation. Each awardee demonstrates how the Baldrige process makes it possible for any type of organization to achieve excellence on behalf of the people and communities they serve.”
The 2024 honorees and some of their achievements are:
Alamo Colleges District(ACD) (Texas)provides affordable or tuition-free education to eligible students in an effort to help end poverty, enhance economic and social mobility, and meet workforce demands. Founded in 1945, the district includes five community colleges in the San Antonio area.In 2018, ACD won the Baldrige Award in education, and it now becomes the first higher education institution to win twice.
Chickasaw Nation Department of Health(CNDH) (Oklahoma) provides many types of inpatient, outpatient and population health services across a 13-county service area in southern Oklahoma. CNDH received a five-star (highest) rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, placing it among the top 10% nationally among health care organizations so rated. CNDH also ranks within the top 10% nationally both for patients’ willingness to recommend it and for low workforce turnover.
The City of Henderson(Nevada), founded in 1953 and named a “city of destiny” by President John F. Kennedy, ranks in the top 10% nationally for police and fire services, emergency preparedness, parks and overall city services. Bloomberg Philanthropies awarded it a “What Works Cities Gold Certification” for data-driven, well-managed local governance. Nearly 100% of the city’s employees indicate that they like the kind of work they do.
Freese and Nichols Inc.(Texas) is a privately owned engineering, planning and consulting firm with offices in 12 states. Its projects range from water supply reservoirs and wastewater treatment plants to state highways and flood risk reduction programs. In 2010, Freese and Nichols Inc. won the Baldrige Award in the small business category, and it now becomes the first two-time engineering firm winner. The firm showed total revenue growth from $200 million in 2019 to $325 million in 2023.
Northeast Delta Dental (New Hampshire) provides prepaid dental insurance coverage and benefits to employers (including associations and union groups) and to individuals. Founded in 1961, Northeast Delta Dental comprises the Delta Dental Plans of Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. Northeast Delta Dental’s “March to a Million” journey to a million covered lives has insured 1,091,563 people out of a population of 3 million, with a retention rate of 99%.
Additionally, several organizations were designated as finalists for the award and received site visits from the Baldrige examiners. These organizations were: the City of Pharr, Texas; the Community Hospital Association of McCook, Nebraska; the Nor-Lea Hospital District, New Mexico; and Southcentral Foundation, Alaska.
The Baldrige judges may offer special recognition to finalists for having impact in areas of importance to their organizations, the nation or both. This year, the judges recognizeSouthcentral Foundationfor best practices in its integrated health care system, workforce development, and data and information management approaches.
Baldrige Award recipients will be recognized during a formal ceremony in Baltimore, Maryland, in the spring of 2025. The ceremony will be followed by the Quest for Excellence Conference, where Baldrige Award recipients and other leading organizations share best practices and innovations that can help any organization improve.
The Baldrige Performance Excellence Program is a public-private partnership within the National Institute of Standards and Technology, which is dedicated to promoting U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards and technology. The program has fostered the adoption of proven leadership, management and operational best practices, and supported a global community that values people, organizational learning, continuous improvement and striving for sustained excellence.
The program is funded in part through user fees. Key partners include the nonprofit Alliance for Performance Excellence, a network of Baldrige-based regional and state award programs, and the Baldrige Foundation, which provides advocacy but does not have a role or influence in the annual Baldrige Award process.
Police have made further arrests over a recent spate of offending across the Kaipara and Whangārei regions.
Four recent arrests will see offenders held to account over the majority of recent aggravated robberies and burglaries at various businesses.
Combined efforts between frontline staff and the Tactical Crime Unit have resulted in dozens of charges being laid, Area Commander Inspector Maria Nordstrom says.
“Late on Saturday night, frontline staff stopped a vehicle a Te Kamo petrol station forecourt which was sought in connection with an earlier road rage incident in Auckland.
“The occupants were arrested without further incident and a firearm was located following a search of the vehicle.”
A 17-year-old in the vehicle was sought in connection with an aggravated robbery at an Otaika dairy in early July.
He will face the Whangārei Youth Court for that offence, as well as charges for unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.
“The Tactical Crime Unit has also charged him over numerous burglaries and theft of motor vehicles across the region between late June and July,” Inspector Nordstrom says.
This follows an arrest made by local Dargaville staff days earlier of a prolific offender.
Inspector Nordstrom says the 44-year-old man is allegedly responsible for some 20 offences across the Dargaville and Whangārei areas over the past month.
“Our staff located a stolen vehicle travelling near Tangowahine, and later arrested the man.
“He’s since had an initial appearance in the Whangārei District Court on burglary charges where he allegedly targeted clothing, food and jewellery.”
Police successfully opposed the man’s bail, and he has been held in custody until next appearance on 21 October.
“Dargaville staff have been working incredibly hard in investigating these offences, and it was a great result for the community that he is remanded in custody.”
Late last month Police also caught up with a 15-year-old male who had also committed offending alongside another youth, who was arrested in late August.
Police colleagues in Hutt Valley spoke with the male, and he has since been referred to Youth Aid over a series of aggravated robberies and burglaries.
“I acknowledge the dedication of our staff working right across this region, who have diligently been piecing together the offences leading to arrests,” Inspector Nordstrom says.
The Government has broadly accepted the findings of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care whilst continuing to consider and respond to its recommendations.
“It is clear the Crown utterly failed thousands of brave New Zealanders. As a society and as the State we should have done better. This Government is determined to do better,” Lead Coordination Minister Erica Stanford says.
“We broadly accept the findings of the report. Further work is required to respond to those findings that are legal in nature. In the meantime, we are focused on delivering a considered and comprehensive response to the recommendations.”
The Government is currently working through the 138 recommendations and the 95 recommendations from the 2021 interim report on redress.
“Since the tabling of Whanaketiaon 24 July, we acknowledged some children and young people experienced torture at the Lake Alice Unit and set up urgent financial assistance to those survivors who are terminally ill.
“A Crown Response Office has also been established to drive the Government’s ongoing responseand the Prime Minister will publicly apologise to abuse in care survivors in Parliament on 12 November,” Ms Stanford says.
“The abuse perpetuated on survivors for decades is a debt that can never be repaid. I acknowledge the Royal Commission process has spanned six years and survivors would like to see action. The recommendations are complex and it’s important they are considered carefully and respectfully.”
MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –
10.10.2024 10:31
In accordance with the Methodology for determining the risk parameters of the stock market and the deposit market of Moscow Exchange PJSC by NCO NCC (JSC) on 10.10.2024, 10-31 (Moscow time), the values of the upper limit of the price corridor (up to 105.7) and the range of market risk assessment (up to 1132.96 rubles, equivalent to a rate of 9.38%) of the security RU000A105666 (Sber Sb40R) were changed
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –
10.10.2024 12:08
In accordance with the Methodology for determining the risk parameters of the stock market and the deposit market of Moscow Exchange PJSC by NCO NCC (JSC), on 10.10.2024, 12-08 (Moscow time), the values of the upper limit of the price corridor (up to 102.35) and the range of market risk assessment (up to 1140.26 rubles, equivalent to a rate of 9.38%) of the security RU000A0JW6P7 (VEB PBO1R1) were changed
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –
10.10.2024 10:44
In accordance with the Methodology for determining the risk parameters of the stock market and the deposit market of Moscow Exchange PJSC by NCO NCC (JSC) on 10.10.2024, 10-44 (Moscow time), the values of the upper limit of the price corridor (up to 101.83) and the range of market risk assessment (up to 1126.21 rubles, equivalent to a rate of 10.0%) of the security RU000A0JVYG8 (ROSEXIMB1) were changed
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –
Application selection parameters
Date of the selection of applications
10/11/2024
Unique identifier of the application selection
22024518
Deposit currency
rubles
Type of funds
funds of the single treasury account
Maximum amount of funds placed in bank deposits, million monetary units
670,000
Placement period, in days
4
Date of deposit
10/11/2024
Refund date
10/15/2024
Interest rate for placement of funds (fixed or floating)
FIXED
Minimum fixed interest rate for placement of funds, % per annum
18.14
Basic floating interest rate for placement of funds
–
Minimum spread, % per annum
–
Terms of conclusion of a bank deposit agreement (fixed-term, replenishable or special)
Urgent
Minimum amount of funds placed for one application, million monetary units
1,000
Maximum number of applications from one credit institution, pcs.
5
Application selection form (open or closed)
Open
Application selection schedule (Moscow time)
Venue for the selection of applications
PAO Moscow Exchange
Applications accepted:
from 09:30 to 09:40
Pre-applications:
from 09:30 to 09:35
Applications in competition mode:
from 09:35 to 09:40
Formation of a consolidated register of applications:
from 09:40 to 09:50
Setting a cut-off percentage rate and/or recognizing the selection of applications as unsuccessful:
from 09:40 to 10:00
Submission of an offer to credit institutions to conclude a bank deposit agreement:
from 10:00 to 11:00
Receiving acceptance of an offer to conclude a bank deposit agreement from credit institutions:
from 10:00 to 11:00
Deposit transfer time
In accordance with the requirements of paragraph 63 and paragraph 64 of the Order of the Federal Treasury dated 04/27/2023 No. 10n
Application selection parameters
Date of the selection of applications
10/11/2024
Unique identifier of the application selection
22024519
Deposit currency
rubles
Type of funds
funds of the single treasury account
Maximum amount of funds placed in bank deposits, million monetary units
30,000
Placement period, in days
91
Date of deposit
10/14/2024
Refund date
01/13/2025
Interest rate for placement of funds (fixed or floating)
FLOATING
Minimum fixed interest rate for placement of funds, % per annum
–
Basic floating interest rate for placement of funds
RUONmDS
Minimum spread, % per annum
0.00
Terms of conclusion of a bank deposit agreement (fixed-term, replenishable or special)
Urgent
Minimum amount of funds placed for one application, million monetary units
1,000
Maximum number of applications from one credit institution, pcs.
5
Application selection form (open or closed)
Open
Application selection schedule (Moscow time)
Venue for the selection of applications
PAO Moscow Exchange
Applications accepted:
from 15:30 to 15:40
Preliminary applications:
from 15:30 to 15:35
Applications in competition mode:
from 15:35 to 15:40
Formation of a consolidated register of applications:
from 15:40 to 15:50
Setting a cut-off percentage rate and/or recognizing the selection of applications as unsuccessful:
from 15:40 to 16:00
Submission of an offer to credit institutions to conclude a bank deposit agreement:
from 16:00 to 17:00
Receiving acceptance of an offer to conclude a bank deposit agreement from credit institutions:
from 16:00 to 17:00
Deposit transfer time
In accordance with the requirements of paragraph 63 and paragraph 64 of the Order of the Federal Treasury dated 04/27/2023 No. 10n
RUONmDS = RUONIA – DS, where
RUONIA – the value of the indicative weighted rate of overnight ruble loans (deposits) RUONIA, expressed in hundredths of a percent, published on the official website of the Bank of Russia on the Internet on the day preceding the day for which interest is accrued. In the absence of a publication of the RUONIA rate value on the day preceding the day for which interest is accrued, the last of the published RUONIA rate values is taken into account.
DS – discount – a value expressed in hundredths of a percent and rounded (according to the rules of mathematical rounding) to two decimal places, calculated by multiplying the value of the Key Rate of the Bank of Russia by the value of the required reserve ratio for other liabilities of credit institutions for banks with a universal license, non-bank credit institutions (except for long-term ones) in the currency of the Russian Federation, valid on the date for which interest is accrued, and published on the official website of the Bank of Russia on the Internet.
Application selection parameters
Date of the selection of applications
10/11/2024
Unique identifier of the application selection
32024021
Deposit currency
rubles
Type of funds
funds of the Social Fund of Russia (ROPS)
Maximum amount of funds placed in bank deposits, million monetary units
3 300
Placement period, in days
66
Date of deposit
10/11/2024
Refund date
12/16/2024
Interest rate for placement of funds (fixed or floating)
FLOATING
Minimum fixed interest rate for placement of funds, % per annum
–
Basic floating interest rate for placement of funds
RUONmDS
Minimum spread, % per annum
0.00
Terms of conclusion of a bank deposit agreement (fixed-term, replenishable or special)
Special
Minimum amount of funds placed for one application, million monetary units
1
Maximum number of applications from one credit institution, pcs.
5
Application selection form (open or closed)
Open
Application selection schedule (Moscow time)
Venue for the selection of applications
PAO Moscow Exchange
Applications accepted:
from 12:30 to 12:40
Pre-applications:
from 12:30 to 12:35
Applications in competition mode:
from 12:35 to 12:40
Formation of a consolidated register of applications:
from 12:40 to 12:50
Setting a cut-off percentage rate and/or recognizing the selection of applications as unsuccessful:
from 12:40 to 13:00
Submission of an offer to credit institutions to conclude a bank deposit agreement:
from 13:00 to 14:00
Receiving acceptance of an offer to conclude a bank deposit agreement from credit institutions:
from 13:00 to 14:00
Deposit transfer time
In accordance with the requirements of paragraph 63 and paragraph 64 of the Order of the Federal Treasury dated 04/27/2023 No. 10n
RUONmDS = RUONIA – DS, where
RUONIA – the value of the indicative weighted rate of overnight ruble loans (deposits) RUONIA, expressed in hundredths of a percent, published on the official website of the Bank of Russia on the Internet on the day preceding the day for which interest is accrued. In the absence of a publication of the RUONIA rate value on the day preceding the day for which interest is accrued, the last of the published RUONIA rate values is taken into account.
DS – discount – a value expressed in hundredths of a percent and rounded (according to the rules of mathematical rounding) to two decimal places, calculated by multiplying the value of the Key Rate of the Bank of Russia by the value of the required reserve ratio for other liabilities of credit institutions for banks with a universal license, non-bank credit institutions (except for long-term ones) in the currency of the Russian Federation, valid on the date for which interest is accrued, and published on the official website of the Bank of Russia on the Internet.
Contact information for media 7 (495) 363-3232PR@moex.com
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Central Bank of Russia –
In the new season, participants will have 5 webinars with representatives of the Bank of Russia and financial market experts. “Fintrek” is a unique opportunity to learn first-hand why inflation occurs, what generative artificial intelligence is, who are drops and what should a person do who is involved in droppering. They will also tell you where to start your career path and how to achieve success. The topics were selected taking into account the feedback from participants of the last season of “Fintrek”.
Alexander Auzan, Dean of the Faculty of Economics at Lomonosov Moscow State University, speaker of the 2023 Fintrek fall season, notes: “The financial market is a puzzle of a thousand pieces that can only be assembled by understanding how these pieces are interconnected. The Fintrek webinar series will help students discover these connections with the help of experts who see every detail from the inside, find common ground between them, and assemble them into a single picture.”
Classes will be held on Wednesdays at 10:00 Moscow time. It is no longer necessary to adjust your plans to the webinar schedule – the recordings will be posted on the Fintrek platform, and you can watch them at any convenient time. You only need to register onproject website.
Every week, registered participants will be given away a prize of branded merch.
Upon completion of the classes, students will be able to receive a personal certificate, which will be useful for a personal portfolio. To do this, you need to pass the entrance test until October 23 inclusive, watch all the webinars and successfully pass the final test.
The autumn season will last until November 20. All information will be posted in the project community VKontakteAndtelegram channelHere you can also send a question to the speakers and receive an answer.
Students from 1,500 universities from 89 regions of Russia took part in the last season of Fintrek, which took place in the spring of 2024. The most popular topics were “Investment Trends 2024”, “Loans and Installments”.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – October 10, 2024 – Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro addressed a gathering of small business leaders during San Francisco Fleet Week, emphasizing the vital role they play in supporting the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps today.
The event, titled “Breaking Barriers: A Department of the Navy & SBA Partnership for Small Business Success,” was held at the San Francisco SBA Business Office and brought together representatives from the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, regional APEX Accelerators, the National Defense Industrial Association, and other key stakeholders.
Secretary Del Toro highlighted the Department of the Navy’s commitment to small business partnerships, noting that contracts worth $526 million have been awarded to small businesses located within 50 miles of San Francisco. He cited examples of successful collaborations, such as a $2.89 million contract with Atomic, a Pleasanton-based small business, for the development of advanced tactical atomic clocks, and a $451,000 contract with Arize AI, a Berkeley-based small business, for AI machine learning technology to enhance underwater threat detection.
“From my vantage point as Secretary of the Navy, a healthy, diverse industrial base made up of companies of all sizes—founded by American entrepreneurs from all walks of life—is absolutely crucial to the success of our Navy and our Marine Corps,” said Secretary Del Toro.
The Secretary underscored the importance of small businesses in providing critical capabilities and services to support Sailors, Marines, and civilians stationed around the globe. He emphasized the need for innovation and technological advancements in areas such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, cybersecurity, and unmanned systems to maintain the Navy’s maritime dominance.
“We—along with our international partners and allies—are facing challenges across the globe,” said the Secretary. “Addressing these threats requires a whole-of-nation commitment to ensuring we have a strong Navy and Marine Corps that can defend our interests on a global scale.”
The Secretary’s remarks were followed by a small business roundtable discussion, where he engaged with entrepreneurs and industry leaders to discuss opportunities for collaboration and address the unique needs of small businesses in the defense sector. He encouraged businesses to connect with the Department of the Navy’s Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP) for guidance and support in navigating the federal procurement process.
In the evening, Secretary Del Toro attended the “Honor Our Fallen” concert at the Herbst Theater in the San Francisco War Memorial Building. The concert, hosted by The Center for Humanitarian Assistance, featured a performance by the U.S. Marine Corps 1st Marine Division Band and honored the fallen service men and women of the Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts. A private reception followed to thank attending Gold Star families.
About the U.S. Department of the Navy Office of Small Business Programs:
The U.S. Department of the Navy Office of Small Business Programs maximizes opportunities for small businesses in Navy contracts, ensuring they are integrated into the Navy’s acquisition process.
MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Central Bank of Russia –
The Board of Directors of the Bank of Russia adopted solution from October 10, 2024 to March 31, 2025, there will be no restrictions for credit institutions total cost of credit (TCC) for mortgage consumer loans for the purchase (construction) of housing or land.
This decision will allow banks to reflect in mortgage rates the latest changes in the situation in the main segments of the financial market, including those that have developed under the influence of decisions on the key rate, without the risk of violating the requirements of the law on the maximum level of the APR. Thus, the possibility of obtaining mortgage loans by borrowers will remain – albeit at higher rates, but without an additional increase in the cost of housing.
The risks of increasing the debt burden of mortgage borrowers will be limited by the macroprudential surcharges already in effect.
To enable mortgage lenders to better adapt to changing market conditions, the Bank of Russia is considering the possibility of permanently lifting the limit on the APR in mortgages.
For other products of credit institutions and all loans of microfinance institutions, credit consumer cooperatives (including agricultural ones) and pawnshops, the limitation of the APR remains.
When using the material, a link to the Press Service of the Bank of Russia is required.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: United Kingdom – Prime Minister’s Office 10 Downing Street
Thousands of jobs in green industries announced as the UK Government welcomes more than £24 billion of private investment for pioneering energy projects ahead of the International Investment Summit on 14th October.
Thousands of jobs in energy sector to be created across the UK up to £24 billion worth of investment secured ahead of International Investment Summit.
Boost for clean energy industries demonstrates vote of confidence in UK and government’s growth mission.
Comes as Prime Minister puts investment and growth at heart of first Council of Nations and Regions meeting in Scotland today.
Thousands of jobs in green industries announced as the UK Government welcomes more than £24 billion of private investment for pioneering energy projects ahead of the International Investment Summit on 14th October.
The investments confirmed by private investors today will deliver growth in the clean energy sector across our nations and regions, from Yorkshire to Suffolk and Aberdeen to Stow, representing a huge vote of confidence in the UK and long-term growth.
Driven by the government’s clear path to growth creating the conditions for businesses to thrive, the billions worth of investments from leading companies include Iberdrola – one of the biggest energy companies in Europe – doubling their investment in the UK, Orsted unlocking £8bn and GreenVolt £2.5bn of investment in offshore wind farms, and SeAh Wind UK announcing a £225 million expansion of their investment in the North East to build a state-of-the-art wind technology manufacturing facility in Teesside, solidifying the UK’s position as a world leader in the wind power industry.
In only 100 days, the government has overturned the nine-year onshore wind ban in 72 hours, consented more solar than ever before, secured the most successful renewable auction round in history, and launched Great British Energy.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:
Today’s investments are a huge vote of confidence in this government and our relentless focus to drive growth across the UK.
Whether you’re in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland or England – we are creating the conditions for businesses to thrive, and our International Investment Summit will be a springboard for every part of the UK to be an engine of innovation and investment.
Today I’m convening the first ever Council of Nations and Regions, because it is when we work together in the spirit of genuine partnership, that we can deliver the real change people want to see and improve opportunities for all.
Iberdrola Executive Chairman Ignacio Galán said:
After having invested more than £30bn in the last 15 years, the clear policy direction, stable regulatory frameworks and overall attractiveness of the UK are leading us to double our investments for 2024-28, reaching up to £24bn.
This is a vote of confidence in the UK’s clear and stable policies and is a major boost to the economy and the path towards green energy security and Net Zero. The benefits of electrification in terms of energy security, industrial development, jobs and decarbonisation are shared ambitions of the UK and Iberdrola.
The investments demonstrate further progress on the government’s clean energy mission and a major boost to the UK economy three days before the first International Investment Summit on 14 October, which will gather UK leaders, high-profile investors and businesses from across the world to deepen our partnership to drive investment and growth.
It also comes as the Prime Minister today convenes the first Council of the Nations and Regions, delivering on a manifesto promise to rewire the way UK Government operates. Focussed on investment and growth, the Council will see First Ministers and Deputy First Minister from the Devolved Governments come together with regional mayors to collaborate and seize opportunities to secure long-term investment and boost growth. The agenda, agreed with attendees, includes discussion on how to boost growth and inward investment across the UK, including through an industrial strategy and the Investment Summit.
The Prime Minister will also hold bilateral meetings and a joint meeting with the Devolved Government First Ministers and Deputy First Minister focussed on supporting intergovernmental relations as we continue to reset our relationship and work together to deliver for people across the UK.
Today’s investments include:
Iberdrola doubling their investment in the UK, through Scottish Power, from £12bn to £24bn over the next 4 years, which includes £4bn for the East Anglia 2 wind farm off the Suffolk coast which was unlocked by this Government’s expanded allocation at the most recent wind auction round. Iberdrola Executive Chairman Ignacio Galan has also today confirmed that the UK has become their largest Investment destination.
Orsted and Greenvolt confirming that the Government’s recent expanded offshore wind auction means their projects will unlock £8bn (Orsted) and £2.5bn (Greenvolt) of investment respectively in their planned offshore wind farms. Orsted says its commitment will see thousands of jobs for local people, while Greenvolt says it will create up to 2800 construction jobs.
SeAH Wind has made an additional £225 million investment into wind technology manufacturing in Teesside, thanks to new backing from UK Export Finance, which expects to create 750 direct jobs by 2027. This brings their total investment into the site at Teesworks up to £900 million and will help them make their ongoing factory build – one of the biggest facilities of its kind worldwide – even bigger.
Macquarie supporting investment of £1.3bn into new green infrastructure including its Island Green Power solar farm in Stow, as a result of planning consents having been granted by the Government, and its Roadchef portfolio company installing electric car ultra-fast charging points across its sites along the UK motorway network.
BW Group proceeding with a £300m investment into a new battery energy storage project in Birmingham.
Holtec, a major US advanced nuclear engineering company, has confirmed a significant investment of £325 million in a new factory in South Yorkshire which will supply materials for Hinkley Point C and likely Sizewell C power stations. They say this will create up to 490 direct and 280 indirect jobs annually during the construction phase and 1,200 direct engineering jobs created over 20 years.
Mads Nipper, CEO of Ørsted A/S said:
The reason we are investing in the UK is that alongside the targets for clean energy, we also see the commitment to creating the policy frameworks required to deliver those targets and a government who wants to work with businesses to enable the investments required.
Lord Nicol Stephen, Chief Executive of Flotation Energy said:
Green Volt is a trailblazing, multibillion pound floating offshore wind project which will kickstart jobs and investment by companies right across the UK offshore supply chain. The choice of our HQ in Aberdeen is clear evidence of our strong commitment to support local jobs and businesses wherever possible.
Chris Sohn, Chief Executive of SeAH Wind, said:
With the proactive support of UKEF, our project is progressing smoothly. As we approach the completion of the factory construction, we are committed to ensuring its successful finalization. We aim to become the first monopile manufacturing company in the UK and make a significant contribution to the UK economy.
Andreas Sohmen-Pao, Chairman of BW Group, said:
BW Group is delighted to announce that its subsidiary BW ESS intends to shortly begin construction on two large battery projects in the Midlands – Hams Hall and Berkswell – with a combined capacity of 600 MW. These projects represent a major step forward in enhancing the UK’s energy infrastructure and supporting the transition to renewables.
I am encouraged by the UK government’s commitment to the clean energy transition and our announcement today highlights BW Group’s commitment to strengthening our presence in the UK and contributing to the growth of the clean energy sector.
Shemara Wikramanayake, Chief Executive Officer of Macquarie Group, said:
We believe that infrastructure investment helps create strong foundations for economic growth, job creation, better services for the public and stronger communities. We are fully invested in the UK’s success and look forward to playing our part in delivering the investment the country needs.
Dr Rick Springman, Holtec’s President of Global Clean Energy Opportunities, said:
Holtec has been part of the UK’s nuclear fabric for over 30 years. We recognise the UK’s long-term commitment to nuclear energy to drive forward government missions on clean energy and economic growth.
Our planned advanced manufacturing factory in South Yorkshire will bring thousands of skilled, highly-paid engineering jobs to the region while supporting tens of thousands more in the UK’s wider manufacturing supply chains.
The potential size of the prize of this investment is significant. Depending on future SMR order books it could open up a £30bn export market over ten years adding billions of pounds to the UK economy. Over the coming months Holtec will be finalising its full factory plans and designs based on its UK and international order book.
This follows the announcement earlier this week that up to 500 UK manufacturing jobs are set to be supported as bus operator Go Ahead confirms a major £500 million investment to decarbonise its fleet including. This includes creating a new dedicated manufacturing line and partnership with Northern Ireland-based UK bus manufacturer Wrightbus.
Yesterday, the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero gave the green light for a new scheme to help unlock billions in investment in energy storage infrastructure. This could see the first significant long duration energy storage facilities in nearly 4 decades, helping to create back up renewable power and bolster the UK’s energy security.
And it also builds on the Government confirming funding to launch the UK’s first carbon capture sites in Teesside and Merseyside. Two new carbon capture and CCUS enabled hydrogen projects will create 4,000 new jobs, in a boost for the economy and British industry, helping remove over 8.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions each year – the equivalent of taking around 4 million cars off the road.
VENICE, Italy – Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti met Admiral Danish Fleet Rear Adm. Henrik Ryberg for a formal bilateral engagement during the 14th Trans-Regional Seapower Symposium in Venice, Italy, today.
During the meeting the leaders expressed their shared commitment to maritime security in the High North, Baltic Sea, Red Sea, and Atlantic region. They discussed future opportunities to strengthen their naval partnership and increase interoperability with an emphasis on anti-submarine warfare.
Franchetti thanked Ryberg for the Royal Danish Navy’s support to recent U.S. Navy submarine and destroyer visits to ports within the Kingdom of Denmark, as well as Royal Danish Navy participation in multilateral exercises, including Steadfast Defender.
The CNO also discussed her recently-released strategic guidance: the Navigation Plan for America’s Warfighting Navy, specifically stressing capability development for long-term advantage and the integrated warfighting ecosystem. The leaders noted the importance exchange opportunities to train together in the future.
The U.S. and Denmark are founding members of NATO, and the alliance between the two nations is critical to the security and stability in Europe and across the globe.
VENICE, Italy – Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Lisa Franchetti, attended the 14th Trans-Regional Seapower Symposium (TRSS) in Venice, Italy, Oct. 8-10, 2024.
This year’s TRSS brought together Heads of Navy and Coast Guard from 67 countries with experts and professionals from around the world to discuss critical maritime issues and foster collaboration. The symposium, themed “A Spotlight on the Depths: the Underwater as a New Frontier for Humankind,” aimed to address the growing importance of the underwater through panel discussions, presentations, and interactive sessions that allowed participants to explore innovative approaches and strategies for maritime cooperation.
“It is great to be here among friends who are united by our shared values, our shared commitment, and our shared stake in the continued stability, security, and prosperity of the entire global maritime commons, especially in the undersea domain,” said Franchetti. “We’ve all scanned the horizon and see the forces that are threatening to make the world more unstable and more dangerous. And we’ve witnessed the vulnerabilities of our critical undersea infrastructure, like gas pipelines, fiber optic cables, which are so critical to our economies, our shared security, our prosperity, and our peoples’ way of everyday life.”
During the symposium, Franchetti participated in a panel titled “Safeguarding the Underwater: New Solutions and Technologies for new Challenges,” where she discussed how U.S. Navy is leveraging modern technology, like robotic autonomous systems, underwater command and control networks, and sensing and detection systems; is integrating these systems into the fleet and adopting the new technology, getting the innovation into the hands of Sailors as quickly as possible; and building relationships and having conversations with Allies and partners.
“Integrating robotic and autonomous systems into the daily business of our operations is a critical part of my recently released Navigation Plan for America’s War Fighting Navy,” said Franchetti. “It’s one of my seven Project 33 targets, areas where I will invest my personal time and my resources, where I’m going to put my thumb on the scale to raise the baseline level of readiness of the American Navy in the fastest time possible.”
She went on to say, “we are continuing to closely collaborate with you, all of our allies and partners, and your respective innovation bases to advance our capabilities in the undersea domain. And I see us doing this together as part of a broader warfighting ecosystem. It’s another component in my Navigation Plan, which is fundamental to my vision of how we will deter and, if necessary, fight and win future wars.”
While at the symposium Franchetti also held bilateral engagement with her counterparts from Denmark, Germany, Greece, Italy, Nigeria, Portugal, Romania, Spain, and Sweden; and conducted over 40 meaningful discussions with TRSS Head of Navy participants about the importance of increasing interoperability with Allies and partners.
Franchetti also conducted her second trilateral meeting with her Australian and United Kingdom counterparts as part of the AUKUS partnership. Their first meeting occurred earlier this summer at HMAS Stirling in Perth, Australia.
“In three years of the AUKUS agreement we have made significant progress in integrating the exceptional undersea capabilities of Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States,” said Franchetti. “Our navies will continue to build on our relationships, strengths, and interchangeability to provide security and stability, and maintain the rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific and around the globe.
The CNO wrapped up her time at TRSS with a multilateral meeting with Heads of Navy from the Group of Seven (G7: U.S., Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom) and a meeting with the chiefs of carrier strike group navies.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Thousands of jobs in green industries announced as the UK Government welcomes more than £24 billion of private investment for pioneering energy projects ahead of the International Investment Summit on 14th October.
Thousands of jobs in energy sector to be created across the UK up to £24 billion worth of investment secured ahead of International Investment Summit.
Boost for clean energy industries demonstrates vote of confidence in UK and government’s growth mission.
Comes as Prime Minister puts investment and growth at heart of first Council of Nations and Regions meeting in Scotland today.
Thousands of jobs in green industries announced as the UK Government welcomes more than £24 billion of private investment for pioneering energy projects ahead of the International Investment Summit on 14th October.
The investments confirmed by private investors today will deliver growth in the clean energy sector across our nations and regions, from Yorkshire to Suffolk and Aberdeen to Stow, representing a huge vote of confidence in the UK and long-term growth.
Driven by the government’s clear path to growth creating the conditions for businesses to thrive, the billions worth of investments from leading companies include Iberdrola – one of the biggest energy companies in Europe – doubling their investment in the UK, Orsted unlocking £8bn and GreenVolt £2.5bn of investment in offshore wind farms, and SeAh Wind UK announcing a £225 million expansion of their investment in the North East to build a state-of-the-art wind technology manufacturing facility in Teesside, solidifying the UK’s position as a world leader in the wind power industry.
In only 100 days, the government has overturned the nine-year onshore wind ban in 72 hours, consented more solar than ever before, secured the most successful renewable auction round in history, and launched Great British Energy.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:
Today’s investments are a huge vote of confidence in this government and our relentless focus to drive growth across the UK.
Whether you’re in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland or England – we are creating the conditions for businesses to thrive, and our International Investment Summit will be a springboard for every part of the UK to be an engine of innovation and investment.
Today I’m convening the first ever Council of Nations and Regions, because it is when we work together in the spirit of genuine partnership, that we can deliver the real change people want to see and improve opportunities for all.
Iberdrola Executive Chairman Ignacio Galán said:
After having invested more than £30bn in the last 15 years, the clear policy direction, stable regulatory frameworks and overall attractiveness of the UK are leading us to double our investments for 2024-28, reaching up to £24bn.
This is a vote of confidence in the UK’s clear and stable policies and is a major boost to the economy and the path towards green energy security and Net Zero. The benefits of electrification in terms of energy security, industrial development, jobs and decarbonisation are shared ambitions of the UK and Iberdrola.
The investments demonstrate further progress on the government’s clean energy mission and a major boost to the UK economy three days before the first International Investment Summit on 14 October, which will gather UK leaders, high-profile investors and businesses from across the world to deepen our partnership to drive investment and growth.
It also comes as the Prime Minister today convenes the first Council of the Nations and Regions, delivering on a manifesto promise to rewire the way UK Government operates. Focussed on investment and growth, the Council will see First Ministers and Deputy First Minister from the Devolved Governments come together with regional mayors to collaborate and seize opportunities to secure long-term investment and boost growth. The agenda, agreed with attendees, includes discussion on how to boost growth and inward investment across the UK, including through an industrial strategy and the Investment Summit.
The Prime Minister will also hold bilateral meetings and a joint meeting with the Devolved Government First Ministers and Deputy First Minister focussed on supporting intergovernmental relations as we continue to reset our relationship and work together to deliver for people across the UK.
Today’s investments include:
Iberdrola doubling their investment in the UK, through Scottish Power, from £12bn to £24bn over the next 4 years, which includes £4bn for the East Anglia 2 wind farm off the Suffolk coast which was unlocked by this Government’s expanded allocation at the most recent wind auction round. Iberdrola Executive Chairman Ignacio Galan has also today confirmed that the UK has become their largest Investment destination.
Orsted and Greenvolt confirming that the Government’s recent expanded offshore wind auction means their projects will unlock £8bn (Orsted) and £2.5bn (Greenvolt) of investment respectively in their planned offshore wind farms. Orsted says its commitment will see thousands of jobs for local people, while Greenvolt says it will create up to 2800 construction jobs.
SeAH Wind has made an additional £225 million investment into wind technology manufacturing in Teesside, thanks to new backing from UK Export Finance, which expects to create 750 direct jobs by 2027. This brings their total investment into the site at Teesworks up to £900 million and will help them make their ongoing factory build – one of the biggest facilities of its kind worldwide – even bigger.
Macquarie supporting investment of £1.3bn into new green infrastructure including its Island Green Power solar farm in Stow, as a result of planning consents having been granted by the Government, and its Roadchef portfolio company installing electric car ultra-fast charging points across its sites along the UK motorway network.
BW Group proceeding with a £300m investment into a new battery energy storage project in Birmingham.
Holtec, a major US advanced nuclear engineering company, has confirmed a significant investment of £325 million in a new factory in South Yorkshire which will supply materials for Hinkley Point C and likely Sizewell C power stations. They say this will create up to 490 direct and 280 indirect jobs annually during the construction phase and 1,200 direct engineering jobs created over 20 years.
Mads Nipper, CEO of Ørsted A/S said:
The reason we are investing in the UK is that alongside the targets for clean energy, we also see the commitment to creating the policy frameworks required to deliver those targets and a government who wants to work with businesses to enable the investments required.
Lord Nicol Stephen, Chief Executive of Flotation Energy said:
Green Volt is a trailblazing, multibillion pound floating offshore wind project which will kickstart jobs and investment by companies right across the UK offshore supply chain. The choice of our HQ in Aberdeen is clear evidence of our strong commitment to support local jobs and businesses wherever possible.
Chris Sohn, Chief Executive of SeAH Wind, said:
With the proactive support of UKEF, our project is progressing smoothly. As we approach the completion of the factory construction, we are committed to ensuring its successful finalization. We aim to become the first monopile manufacturing company in the UK and make a significant contribution to the UK economy.
Andreas Sohmen-Pao, Chairman of BW Group, said:
BW Group is delighted to announce that its subsidiary BW ESS intends to shortly begin construction on two large battery projects in the Midlands – Hams Hall and Berkswell – with a combined capacity of 600 MW. These projects represent a major step forward in enhancing the UK’s energy infrastructure and supporting the transition to renewables.
I am encouraged by the UK government’s commitment to the clean energy transition and our announcement today highlights BW Group’s commitment to strengthening our presence in the UK and contributing to the growth of the clean energy sector.
Shemara Wikramanayake, Chief Executive Officer of Macquarie Group, said:
We believe that infrastructure investment helps create strong foundations for economic growth, job creation, better services for the public and stronger communities. We are fully invested in the UK’s success and look forward to playing our part in delivering the investment the country needs.
Dr Rick Springman, Holtec’s President of Global Clean Energy Opportunities, said:
Holtec has been part of the UK’s nuclear fabric for over 30 years. We recognise the UK’s long-term commitment to nuclear energy to drive forward government missions on clean energy and economic growth.
Our planned advanced manufacturing factory in South Yorkshire will bring thousands of skilled, highly-paid engineering jobs to the region while supporting tens of thousands more in the UK’s wider manufacturing supply chains.
The potential size of the prize of this investment is significant. Depending on future SMR order books it could open up a £30bn export market over ten years adding billions of pounds to the UK economy. Over the coming months Holtec will be finalising its full factory plans and designs based on its UK and international order book.
This follows the announcement earlier this week that up to 500 UK manufacturing jobs are set to be supported as bus operator Go Ahead confirms a major £500 million investment to decarbonise its fleet including. This includes creating a new dedicated manufacturing line and partnership with Northern Ireland-based UK bus manufacturer Wrightbus.
Yesterday, the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero gave the green light for a new scheme to help unlock billions in investment in energy storage infrastructure. This could see the first significant long duration energy storage facilities in nearly 4 decades, helping to create back up renewable power and bolster the UK’s energy security.
And it also builds on the Government confirming funding to launch the UK’s first carbon capture sites in Teesside and Merseyside. Two new carbon capture and CCUS enabled hydrogen projects will create 4,000 new jobs, in a boost for the economy and British industry, helping remove over 8.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions each year – the equivalent of taking around 4 million cars off the road.
Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)
Recovery efforts in the aftermath of a hurricane can be immense and require close coordination at both the federal and the state levels. The airspace around the recovery efforts have high levels of aviation activity, including small airplanes, helicopters, and drones. The FAA’s goal at all times is to ensure safety and help facilitate this critical work.
Source: Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF)
Beirut, Lebanon, 11 October 2024 – As Israeli attacks intensify in Lebanon, healthcare facilities in areas most affected by airstrikes are being forced to close. This is leading to devastating consequences for civilians and their access to healthcare.
Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) teams are working tirelessly to ensure the continuation of care in our existing facilities, while also scaling up our activities to address the needs emerging from the ongoing conflict. However, due to the intense Israeli airstrikes, we were forced to suspend some activities in highly affected areas. We continue to adapt our activities to provide people with much needed healthcare.
MSF urges all warring parties to spare civilians, medical facilities, and medical personnel in Lebanon to ensure that vital healthcare services can adequately address people’s urgent medical needs.
“Given the intensity of the violence, road damage, and the lack of guaranteed safety, we are currently unable to reach all affected areas in Lebanon despite the increasing medical and humanitarian needs,” says François Zamparini, emergency coordinator for MSF in Lebanon.
Last week, MSF was forced to completely close its clinic in the Palestinian camp of Burj el Barajneh in the southern suburbs of Beirut. We also had to temporarily stop our activities in Baalbek-Hermel, northeast Lebanon. These are both areas heavily affected by the strikes.
“We partially reopened our clinic in Hermel this week to ensure that patients receive their medications, providing them with a two-to-three-month stock of essential drugs, depending on the severity of their condition and medical risks,” adds Zamparini.
Patients in these areas are already vulnerable, struggling to access the healthcare they desperately need. The closure of medical facilities has left them, specifically people living with chronic diseases, without the essential services they need.
MSF medical teams also remain unable to operate properly in southern Lebanon due to a lack of safety guarantees for our medical personnel.
“One of the hospitals we planned to support and had donated medications and trauma kits to, in Nabatiyeh, only a few kilometres away from the active frontlines, was hit on 5 October,” explains Zamparini.
An MSF mobile medical team, which had been actively supporting general healthcare centres in Nabatiyeh and other areas closer to the Lebanese border since November 2023, has been forced to stop its activities. The team, which was once able to reach areas near the border, can no longer do so and is currently limited to operating only as far as Saida, which is about 50 kilometres north of the southern border, where needs are highest.
In the last two weeks, Israeli strikes have claimed the lives of at least fifty paramedics. This brings the total number of healthcare workers killed since October last year to over a hundred, as reported by the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health[1]. The heavy Israeli bombardments have also severely disrupted access to medical care across Lebanon. As of 1 October 2024, six hospitals and 40 general healthcare centres have closed their doors as the intensity of the fighting made it impossible to work without safety guarantees, according to OCHA. [2]
The armed conflict is worsening an ongoing humanitarian crisis, aggravating existing needs. Lebanon’s healthcare system was already overburdened by the country’s economic crisis, which has caused the emigration of many medical staff and strained the capacity and resources of medical facilities. Local health centres, already at capacity, are now facing increasing pressure as they try to meet the growing medical needs of displaced people.
The scale of displacement in Lebanon significantly surpasses the country’s ability to provide adequate shelter, with over a million people displaced according to UNHCR[3]. The majority of shelters people are seeking safety in are in dire conditions. To respond, MSF deployed 12 mobile medical teams across various regions of the country, including Beirut, Mount Lebanon, Saida, Tripoli, Bekaa, and Akkar. These teams are providing psychological first aid, general medical consultations, and mental health support, in addition to donating mattresses, hygiene kits, hot meals, and clean water. Nevertheless, people’s needs are far greater than what we are able to cover.
“We must ensure the continuation of care for those in need,” emphasises Zamparini. “We urge all parties to respect international humanitarian law. Civilians and civilian infrastructure, medical facilities and medical personnel must not be targeted. Their safety must be guaranteed.”
MSF response to the humanitarian crisis in Lebanon: In response to the ongoing escalation of conflict and intense Israeli bombing in Lebanon, MSF has deployed 12 mobile medical teams across various regions of the country, including Beirut, Mount Lebanon, Saida, Tripoli, Bekaa, and Akkar. These teams are providing psychological first aid, general medical consultations, medication, and mental health support. MSF is also distributing essential items such as blankets, mattresses, and hygiene kits, as well as supplying water by trucks to schools and shelters where displaced people have gathered. Additionally, we are offering hot meals and drinking water to hundreds of displaced families. MSF has also donated fuel and trauma kits to several hospitals, prepositioned 10 tons of medical supplies and trained over 100 healthcare workers in trauma care and mass casualty management across the country.
MSF first began to work in Lebanon in 1976, and its teams have worked in the country without interruption since 2008. In 2023, MSF teams worked in six locations across Lebanon, providing 13,609 free medical consultations for vulnerable communities, including Lebanese citizens, refugees, and migrant workers. MSF’s services include mental healthcare, sexual and reproductive healthcare, paediatric care, vaccinations, and treatment for non-communicable diseases such as diabetes. In the past years and as a result of the country’s ongoing economic collapse, people’s humanitarian needs have drastically increased, and we have adapted our projects accordingly. Moreover, we have responded to various types of medical emergencies, and in 2023 we increased our support to respond to the needs resulting from the armed clashes.
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[1] Health workers in Lebanon describe deadly Israeli attacks on colleagues and fear more | AP News
[3] UNHCR’s Grandi appeals for urgent humanitarian support and an end to the bloodshed in Lebanon | UNHCR
MSF Australia was established in 1995 and is one of 24 international MSF sections committed to delivering medical humanitarian assistance to people in crisis. In 2022, more than 120 project staff from Australia and New Zealand worked with MSF on assignment overseas. MSF delivers medical care based on need alone and operates independently of government, religion or economic influence and irrespective of race, religion or gender. For more information visit msf.org.au
End-of-Mission press releases include statements of IMF staff teams that convey preliminary findings after a visit to a country. The views expressed in this statement are those of the IMF staff and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF’s Executive Board. Based on the preliminary findings of this mission, staff will prepare a report that, subject to management approval, will be presented to the IMF’s Executive Board for discussion and decision.
IMF staff and the Jordanian authorities have reached a staff level agreement on the second review under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF). All commitments for the second review under the program have been met, demonstrating the authorities’ steadfast commitment to sound macro-economic policies and continued progress on reforms.
Jordan continues to show resilience and maintain macro-economic stability, despite the headwinds caused by the intensifying conflict in the region. Jordan’s economy is expected to grow by 2.3 percent in 2024 and 2.5 percent in 2025. However, strong and timely international support remains important to help Jordan face the external headwinds, and to continue to shoulder the cost of hosting a large number of Syrian refugees.
Bringing the Jordanian economy onto a higher growth trajectory is essential to create more jobs and raise prosperity. This requires accelerating structural reforms, while maintaining macro-economic stability, and making significant progress in implementing the authorities’ Economic Modernization Vision.
Amman: A staff team from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), led by Ron van Rooden, visited Amman during September 30–October 10, 2024, for discussions on the 2024 Article IV consultation and the second review under the arrangement under the IMF’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF), which was approved by the IMF’s Executive Board on January 10, 2024 (Press Release).
At the conclusion of the mission, Mr. van Rooden issued the following statement:
“We are pleased to announce that the IMF team and the Jordanian authorities reached a staff-level agreement on the second review of the authorities’ economic reform program supported by the EFF arrangement, approved in January of this year. Program performance continues to be strong, despite a challenging external environment. All quantitative performance criteria and structural benchmarks for the second review were met and steady progress is being made toward achieving the program’s overall objectives, including good progress toward meeting benchmarks for future reviews. The agreement is subject to approval by the IMF’s management and the Executive Board. The completion of this review will make another SDR 97.784 million (about US$131 million) available, out of the previously approved program size of SDR 926.370 million (about US$1.2 billion).
“Jordan continues to show resilience and maintain macro-economic stability, despite the headwinds caused by the intensifying conflict in the region. This resilience is the result of the authorities’ continued pursuit of sound macro-economic policies and reform progress. The recent upgrades to Jordan’s credit ratings, the first in over 20 years, testify to the credibility of the authorities’ economic policies.
“Nonetheless, as the conflict continues and widens, it is having a larger impact on Jordan’s economy than anticipated at the outset of the program. The economy is projected to grow by 2.3 percent this year, with weaker domestic demand offset by a stronger performance in net exports. Growth is projected at 2.5 percent for 2025. Inflation remains low, at 2 percent, thanks to the Central Bank of Jordan’s (CBJ) firm commitment to monetary stability and safeguarding the exchange rate peg. The financial sector remains healthy and well capitalized. The current account deficit is projected to narrow to 4.4 percent of GDP this year, helping to further build the CBJ’s reserve buffers, and to widen slightly to 4.7 percent of GDP in 2025.
“Government revenues have been adversely affected this year by the weaker domestic demand, as well as a sharper-than-expected drop in the prices of key export commodities. The authorities have taken strong actions to offset the revenue shortfall to contain this year’s central government budget deficit. With this, the authorities are committed to limit this year’s central government primary deficit (excluding grants and transfers to public utilities) to 2.9 percent of GDP, up slightly from 2.7 percent of GDP in 2023. Together with measures taken to limit the operational losses of the utility companies and continued surpluses of the social security system, the overall general government primary deficit (excluding grants) is expected to remain broadly unchanged this year, at 1.3 percent of GDP, compared to 1.4 percent in 2023, and public debt to be contained at just over 90 percent of GDP by end-2024.
“The authorities are firmly committed to continue to implement sound macro-economic policies to maintain stability and to advance structural reforms needed to further strengthen the resilience of Jordan’s economy and to improve people’s living standards, as envisaged also in their Economic Modernization Vision. Notably, fiscal policy aims to reduce public debt to 80 percent of GDP by 2028 to ensure fiscal sustainability, by advancing a gradual fiscal consolidation, including limiting the central government primary deficit (excluding grants and transfers to the public utilities) to 2 percent of GDP in 2025. With further efforts to improve the finances of the public utilities and continued surpluses of the social security system, the overall general government primary deficit (excluding grants) will be reduced by 1.1 percent of GDP to 0.2 percent of GDP. The CBJ’s monetary policy will continue to be underpinned by its firm commitment to the exchange rate peg to the US dollar and to maintain low inflation, and the CBJ stands ready to undertake policy adjustments as necessary to credibly safeguard monetary and financial stability.
“The authorities are determined to step up the pace of structural reforms to achieve stronger growth and generate more jobs, which is particularly important given that unemployment remains high, particularly among the youth and women. Reforms will focus on improving the business environment, to attract more investment, by enhancing competition and labor market flexibility, while further strengthening the social safety net. Efforts will also focus on streamlining regulation and digitalization of government services, including tax and customs administration.
“The staff team is grateful to the authorities for the candid and constructive discussions. The team met with Prime Minister Hassan, Minister of Finance Shibli, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Toukan, Minister of Economic Affairs Shehadeh, Governor of the Central Bank of Jordan Al-Sharkas; and other Ministers and senior government and CBJ officials.”
Made up of more than 700 volunteers from brigades across the state, CFA’s Planned Burn Taskforce (PBTF) is a critical initiative to reduce the severity of bushfire, and protect lives, properties and the environment.
Taskforce members have a variety of skills sets. Some have extensive burning experience and years of membership under their belts; others are newer CFA members who have recently completed their General Firefighter training.
At its core, the taskforce’s efforts aim to reduce fuel loads. However, the proactive, coordinated approach to the burns not only helps safeguard communities, but also preserves natural habitats and biodiversity, promoting rejuvenation and resilience.
Members interested in joining the PBTF must complete General Firefighter, Entrapment Drill and Tree Hazard Awareness and have their captain’s approval. For more information visit Members Online.
We spoke to three members of the taskforce to find out their motivations for joining and why they believe the taskforce is important.
Michelle Tie, Rowville Brigade
Rowville brigade firefighter Michelle Tie said being a member of the PBTF gave her the opportunity to be active across wider sections of the community.
A CFA member for five years and in the Planned Burn Taskforce for three, Michelle saw joining the group as an opportunity to get hands-on experience with fire after completing her General Firefighter training.
“I hadn’t done any planned burning prior to joining the taskforce. It’s a fantastic way to learn and build experience, and I have learned so much ‘on the job’.”
Michelle said she was initially nervous attending her first burn with the taskforce because she was the only member from her brigade, but she found the group to be incredibly supportive.
“By stepping outside of my comfort zone, I have learned so much about fire behaviour especially across different environments which are often very different to the usual callouts we get at Rowville,” Michelle said.
“I came away from that first burn a much more confident firefighter.
“I love working with different brigades and members from across the state – the camaraderie makes me incredibly proud to be a part of CFA.”
Michelle believes that the success of the PBTF lies in its ability to support brigades to achieve local and state goals.
“It’s so vital that brigades have access to the support, skills and experience of the wider CFA community to manage their fire risk,” she said.
“At the end of the day, this makes Victoria safer for everyone.”
Tully Machtynger, Kalorama and Mt Dandenong Brigade
“Joining the taskforce is a great opportunity to get hands-on experience and training on the tools especially for members of smaller brigades who may not get close to, and experience, fire prior to a campaign season,” Tully Machtynger said.
“It also provides the opportunity to network with the broader CFA community, talk to people from other brigades and learn how they operate and train.”
A firefighter and Junior leader, Tully has been a member of Kalorama and Mt Dandenong brigade for two years and a member of the PBTF for one.
“Being fairly new to CFA and the area, joining the taskforce was recommended by one of my assessors when I was going through General Firefighter as a great way to see and get used to fire in a controlled way,” Tully said.
“I’ve been to six or seven burns across the state, predominantly in West Region. I hadn’t done any planned burning prior to joining the taskforce, only responding with my brigade to a couple of escaped burn-offs conducted by local residents.”
The taskforce is activated when districts are unable to fulfil needs locally. While it’s a role that requires flexibility and the time commitment varies, Tully said she has learned so much working alongside experienced taskforce members.
“It’s psychologically beneficial to know what you can face in practice, and the taskforce has definitely value-added to my volunteer experience,” Tully said. “My sense of my own capability has completely changed. By my third burn I felt more confident turning out and in my ability to support my own brigade on the fireground.”
Elvis Crook, Bulla Brigade
With 21 years of membership under his belt, a change in career gave Bulla Captain Elvis Crook more flexibility in his availability so he put himself forward for the PBTF.
“I’ve participated in a number of planned burns over the years. I thought the taskforce would be a good opportunity to network with members from across the state as well as keep my fireground skills sharp,” he said.
“There is no better means of observing fire behaviour in a controlled environment which ultimately benefits your skills throughout an active fire season.
“An added benefit of having such a broad group of members together from across the state is being able to informally share information and ideas.”
Elvis said that without the taskforce many critical burns wouldn’t go ahead as regularly.
“I remember a burn earlier in the year where I was on a local truck with the brigade captain. The rest of the crew was from the PBTF.
“He was very thankful that we were there to crew the truck as the burn we were doing would help protect his land and that of other community members.”
Elvis says that if you are thinking of joining the taskforce – do it!
“The thing I enjoy the most is the camaraderie. The taskforce is like a family; I have made connections with other members who I now call friends.
“Attending a burn is also training in itself. I’d highly recommend any newer members who have not had a lot of fireground experience or might be with a brigade with low call numbers to join to build on their experience.
“I’ve been in the CFA a long time and haven’t immediately felt so at home like I do with this crew.”
A group of Tribesman gang members face charges after being observed driving dangerous across south Auckland last night.
Five arrests were made, infringements issued, and six prized motorbikes have been impounded and are now off the road for six months.
Earlier on Thursday evening, Police observed a group of gang members speeding on State Highway 1 near Pōkeno at around 6pm.
“They were driving dangerously at high speeds and intimidating over road users with their reckless behaviour,” Counties Manukau Road Policing Manager, Inspector Tony Wakelin, says.
“The Police Eagle helicopter was deployed and provided commentary to ground units, as the group exited the motorway at East Tāmaki Road.”
Inspector Wakelin says Police units had gathered to intercept the group and signalled for the riders to stop.
“Disappointingly the group disregarded this, and they fled from Police towards Ōtara, travelling at well over twice the legal speed limit and through a red light.”
Eagle followed the group to an address on Berrett Place, before Police entered the address to conduct further enquiries.
“We were then able to identify some the motorbikes and the alleged riders involved in the earlier offending.”
As a result, three patched members aged 24, 28 and 38, have been summoned to appear in the Manukau District Court at a later date for failing to stop and dangerous driving.
Two youths at the address were arrested over breaching of bail conditions and obstructing Police.
“Further enquiries are continuing to locate the other motorbikes and riders involved,” Inspector Wakelin says.
“This was great work from Police staff to manage a potentially volatile situation and bring it to a safe and satisfying conclusion.
“Other road users should not expect to have their safety put at risk as it was last night. The behaviour of these gang members was completely unacceptable.”
As a result of a number of non-compliances involving unsupervised children, Willowbrae Academy West Point Centre, a child-care program in Edmonton, was suspended and placed on a probationary licence with a term that expired on Oct. 9. Since the probationary license was issued, Child Care Licensing has worked with the program through enhanced monitoring to support them in returning to compliance.
Due to ongoing concerns and unaddressed non-compliances involving unsupervised children, Willowbrae Academy’s suspended licence was not reinstated. The closure of this program affects about 187 children.
Families affected by the closure of the program were notified in person on Oct. 9. Families not informed in person will be notified by email as soon as the contact information is provided by the child-care program. In addition, a notice confirming closure of the program, which describes the reason for closure, has been posted on the door of the facility.
Jobs, Economy and Trade will continue to provide support, information and assistance to families looking for alternative child-care options.
Anyone with concerns about a child-care program in their community or needing to report an incident is encouraged to call Child Care Connect toll-free at 1-844-644-5165.
Information on child-care program closures can be found on the Finding and Choosing Child Care webpage (link below).
Quick facts
Jobs, Economy and Trade monitors licensed child-care programs across the province and takes appropriate actions to ensure safety and compliance with the Early Learning and Child Care Act and the Early Learning and Child Care Regulation.
A licence holder who is subject to a decision respecting their licence may request, within 30 days of the decision, an administrative review, alternative dispute resolution or an appeal to bring forward concerns regarding a licencing decision, up to and including cancellation.
Alternative child-care options can be found online through the Child Care Lookup Tool.
Access to justice is a fundamental value of the Canadian justice system, in line with our country’s respect for the rule of law.
October 10, 2024 – Ottawa, Ontario – Department of Justice Canada
Access to justice is a fundamental value of the Canadian justice system, in line with our country’s respect for the rule of law. Justice Canada remains committed to playing a leadership role in advancing a people-centred approach to justice and the law, including through its international relationships.
The Honourable Arif Virani, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) joined delegates from around the globe as Justice Canada co-hosted, in collaboration with Canada’s International Development Research Centre, the 2024 OECD Global Roundtable of Access to Justice.
The two-day roundtable included more than 100 delegates from OECD member and partner countries, academia, and civil society as well as representatives from international, regional, and legal academic organizations. Discussions supported the implementation of the 2023 OECD Recommendation on Access to Justice and People-Centred Justice Systems and its core components, which include: building a purpose and culture in the justice sector that puts consideration of the individual at the heart of justice responses; designing and delivering people-centred justice services; establishing an enabling governance infrastructure; empowering people to be informed and to participate; and committing to evidence-based planning, monitoring, evaluation and accountability.
The Global Roundtable on Access to Justice is part of a series for knowledge-sharing on people-centered justice at the highest level of government. As part of the OECD Reinforcing Democracy Initiative, the 2024 OECD Roundtable seeks to advance people-centred justice, to strengthen democracy and public trust, to foster prosperity and to contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16 on promoting the rule of law and ensuring equal access to justice for all. Building on the momentum of the previous Roundtables, this event explored measures and strategies to bring justice closer to communities in practical, inclusive and compassionate manner. To achieve this, participants shared experiences and challenges related to the implementation of different justice pathways and innovation to reach people and enable them to resolve their everyday justice problems.
Quotes
“Access to justice is a fundamental element of any healthy justice system, and an important pillar of democracy. This Roundtable helps advance our understanding of the role of justice and the rule of law in advancing these key principles. Canada will continue to focus on making our justice systems more responsive and more inclusive, while ensuring the justice sector can respond to global challenges. We are moving in the right direction to achieve our access to justice goals, including the full realization of Sustainable Development Goal 16.”
The Honourable Arif Virani, P.C., M.P. Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
“The discussions over the past two days reaffirmed the critical importance of the rule of law and people-centred justice, of which Canada is a champion, particularly in the context of increasing pressures on democracy. The OECD, notably through its Reinforcing Democracy Initiative, has been instrumental in supporting countries to make justice systems more responsive, accessible, and people-centred. The outcomes from this Roundtable will inform the development of a toolkit to help policymakers implement the OECD Recommendation and will contribute to global efforts, including the forthcoming OECD Global Forum on Building Trust and Reinforcing Democracy and the 2025 UN High-Level Political Forum, as we work towards creating a future where justice serves everyone.”
Elsa Pilichowski, Director for Public Governance, OECD
Quick facts
The annual OECD Roundtable is the premier international meeting of governments, justice sector stakeholders and partners to share information and insights in justice globally.
The OECD Recommendation on Access to Justice is an important tool to support countries in their efforts to promote transparent, responsive and inclusive justice systems. The efforts that flow from their work will promote justice-related commitments and peer learning to advance open government, open justice and equal access to justice.
Following the adoption of the Recommendation in 2023, the OECD and its partners are developing practical tools, including concrete examples of initiatives and promising practices, that countries could use in support of their implementation of the Recommendation on access to justice.
Associated links
Contacts
For more information, media may contact:
Chantalle Aubertin Deputy Director, Communications Office of the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada 613-992-6568 Chantalle.Aubertin@justice.gc.ca
Media Relations Department of Justice Canada 613-957-4207 media@justice.gc.ca
Source: United States Senator for Arkansas Tom Cotton
Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today wrote a letter to Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Chairwomen Jessica Rosenworcel concerning the purchase of more than 200 radio stations by Soros Fund Management (SFM). The rushed approval of SFM’s purchase of Audacy raises concerns about the FCC’s process, its impartiality, and the risks to our national security.
In part, Senator Cotton wrote:
“The FCC’s approval process for large acquisitions of radio stations generally takes a year or more to complete and is subject to a national-security review if foreign-company ownership exceeds 25 percent. In this case, however, the FCC reportedly attempted to approve the SFM transaction with only 48 hours’ notice. Reports also indicate that no other commissioners aside from you were invited to opine on the issue before staff handled it on the Commission’s behalf. Moreover, SFM requested to bypass the traditional national-security review, despite raising $400 million for the purchase with foreign investments.”
Full text of the letter may be found here and below.
October 10, 2024
Jessica Rosenworcel Chairwoman Federal Communications Commission 45 L Street NE Washington, DC 20554 Dear Chairwoman Rosenworcel,
I write regarding the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) decision to expedite Soros Fund Management’s (SFM) purchase of more than two hundred radio stations just weeks before a critical presidential election.
The FCC’s approval process for large acquisitions of radio stations generally takes a year or more to complete and is subject to a national-security review if foreign-company ownership exceeds 25 percent. In this case, however, the FCC reportedly attempted to approve the SFM transaction with only 48 hours’ notice. Reports also indicate that no other commissioners aside from you were invited to opine on the issue before staff handled it on the Commission’s behalf. Moreover, SFM requested to bypass the traditional national-security review, despite raising $400 million for the purchase with foreign investments.
This decision affects over 165 million monthly listeners on Audacy—a network that includes conservative programming like Sean Hannity, Dana Loesch, Mark Levin, Glenn Beck, and Erick Erickson. It would be naive to think the timing is coincidental, or that a Soros-funded network would impartially manage conservative talk shows in the weeks before the election. The FCC’s rushed approval of SFM’s purchase raises significant concerns about the FCC’s process, its political impartiality, and the risks to our national security.
I urge the FCC to use its traditional process outlined by Section 310 of the Communications Act. Accordingly, please respond to the below questions by ___
Under existing FCC rules, foreign-company ownership of U.S. radio stations should not exceed 25 percent. Did SFM request to bypass the national-security evaluation? If so, did you approve it?
What other exceptions to the existing rule regarding foreign-ownership of U.S. radio stations have occurred during your tenure as Chairwoman?
Who was invited to opine on SFM’s purchase of Audacy?
What efforts were made to undergo a legitimate public-interest analysis?
Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim, on the margins of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit.
The prime ministers discussed the dynamic bilateral relationship between Canada and Malaysia, which is further being strengthened through the implementation of Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy. They welcomed co-operation on a variety of issues, including bolstering trade and investment, deepening defence partnerships, strengthening democratic institutions, and protecting cybersecurity. The leaders also highlighted recent examples of this mutually beneficial co-operation, including this year’s Team Canada Trade Mission to Malaysia and the opening of BlackBerry’s Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence in Malaysia, in March.
Prime Minister Trudeau and Prime Minister Anwar discussed their interest in expanding co-operation on energy security and renewables.
The leaders exchanged views on pressing geopolitical issues. They discussed the impact that multiple crises around the world are having on social cohesion and agreed to work together to explore ways to manage their effects.
Prime Minister Trudeau and Prime Minister Anwar agreed to stay in close contact and looked forward to ongoing collaboration.