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Category: Energy

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Prime Minister secures thousands of British jobs and £6 billion in investment and export wins as historic trade deal with India signed

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Prime Minister secures thousands of British jobs and £6 billion in investment and export wins as historic trade deal with India signed

    Today, the Prime Minister will welcome nearly £6 billion in new investment and export wins.

    • Thousands of jobs created for Brits through new Indian investment and export wins worth almost £6 billion
    • New figures show that £4.8bn trade deal will unlock economic growth for each region and nation of the UK – delivering on the government’s Plan for Change
    • UK and India also agree to ramp up joint efforts against organised crime and illegal migration with new framework to tackle trafficking, document fraud and remove barriers to return

    Today, the Prime Minister will welcome nearly £6 billion in new investment and export wins, which will create over 2,200 British jobs across the country as Indian firms expand their operations in the UK and British companies secure new business opportunities in India. These deals will drive jobs in high-growth sectors like aerospace, technology and advanced manufacturing – supporting engineers, technicians and supply chain workers, in every corner of the UK.

    It comes as the Prime Minister is set to meet the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, today for the signing of the landmark UK-India trade deal. From Coventry to Carlisle, new analysis shows communities across every region of the UK will benefit from its £4.8 billion increase to UK GDP each year.

    Thanks to the deal, British workers will enjoy a collective uplift in wages of £2.2 billion each year and could also see cheaper prices and more choice on clothes, shoes, and food products.

    The UK already imports £11 billion in goods from India, but liberalised tariffs on Indian goods will make it easier and cheaper to buy their best products. For businesses, this could mean potential savings when importing components and materials used in areas such as advanced manufacturing or luxury and consumer goods.

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

    Our landmark trade deal with India is a major win for Britain. It will create thousands of British jobs across the UK, unlock new opportunities for businesses and drive growth in every corner of the country, delivering on our Plan for Change.

    We’re putting more money in the pockets of hardworking Brits and helping families with the cost of living, and we’re determined to go further and faster to grow the economy and raise living standards across the UK.

    India’s average tariff on UK products will drop from 15% to 3% which means British companies selling products to India from soft drinks and cosmetics to cars and medical devices will find it easier to sell to the Indian market.

    Whisky producers will benefit from tariffs slashed in half, reduced immediately from 150% to 75% and then dropped even further to 40% over the next ten years – giving the UK an advantage over international competitors in reaching the Indian market.

    Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:

    The billions brought to our economy from the trade deal signed today will reach all regions and nations of the UK so working people in every community can feel the benefits.

    The almost £6 billion in new investment and export wins announced today will deliver thousands of jobs and shows the strength of our partnership with India as we ensure the UK is the best place in the world to invest and do business.

    This government is proving time and again that we can deliver on our mission to grow the economy, put more money in pockets and boost living standards under our Plan for Change.

    The two Prime Ministers have also signed a renewed Comprehensive and Strategic Partnership, which will see closer collaboration on defence, education, climate, technology and innovation. This comes exactly one year since the countries signed the landmark UK-India Technology Security Initiative, which sees joint work on telecoms security and unlocking investment across emerging technologies – telecoms, critical minerals, AI, quantum, health/bio tech, advanced materials and semiconductors.

    The UK and India have also agreed to strengthen cooperation in tackling corruption, serious fraud, organised crime, and irregular migration through enhanced intelligence sharing and operational collaboration. This includes committing to finalising a groundbreaking new criminal records sharing agreement, facilitating the exchange of criminal records to support criminal proceedings, maintain accurate watchlists and enable the enforcement of travel bans. These measures represent a significant step forward in joint efforts to combat organised immigration crime.

    Aligned with the UK’s recent Industrial and Trade Strategies, the deal will support the sectors which drive the most growth for the economy. The UK’s large and varied manufacturing sectors will benefit from tariffs cut on aerospace (as high as 11% reduced to 0%), automotives (up to 110% down to 10% under a quota) and electrical machinery (from up to 22% down to either 0% of a 50% reduction).

    A reduction in tariffs, combined with a reduction in regulatory barriers to trade between the UK and India are estimated to:

    • Increase UK exports to India by nearly 60% in the long run – this is equivalent to an additional £15.7 billion of UK exports to India when applied to projections of future trade in 2040.

    • Increase bilateral trade by nearly 39% in the long run, equivalent to £25.5 billion a year, when compared to 2040 projected levels of trade in the absence of an agreement

    The clean energy industry will have brand new, unprecedented access to India’s vast procurement market as the country makes the switch to renewable energy and continues to see growing energy demand.  

    For financial and professional business services, locked in access will offer certainty to expand in India’s growing market and measures such as binding India’s foreign investment cap for the insurance sector, ensuring UK financial services companies are treated on an equal footing with domestic suppliers. 

    Meanwhile, 26 British companies have secured new business in India. Airbus & Rolls-Royce will soon begin delivering Airbus aircraft – with over half powered by Rolls-Royce engines – to major Indian airlines as part of around £5 billion worth of contracts recently agreed. These orders will help sustain hundreds of jobs across their respective sites in Filton, Broughton and Derby. 

    18 firms have confirmed new investment including Zerowatt Energy, AI powered energy intelligence platform is setting up its Global HQ in Leicester. The firm will invest £10m and create 50 new jobs across Leicester, Manchester, Edinburgh and London over the next three years. 

    Other UK and Indian businesses who have confirmed almost £6 billion in new investments and export deals today creating over 2,200 jobs across the UK includes:  

    • Carbon Clean, a UK-based leader in carbon capture, with projected UK export contributions of £83 million over the next five years, has invested £7.6 million in a Global Innovation Centre in Mumbai. This ODI and export wins will unlock 250 jobs across London, Glasgow and Huddersfield as well as 100 jobs in Mumbai. 
    • AI and data services company, DCube AI, is investing £5 million in the UK, unlocking 50 jobs across Manchester and London in the next three years to strength its technology offering to UK customers.
    • Occuity, an innovative UK AI healthcare company has partnered with Remidio Innovative Solutions Pvt. Ltd., a leading Indian manufacturer and distributor of ophthalmic medical devices to bring Occuity’ s cutting-edge ophthalmic screening technologies to India, improving access to innovative and non-invasive eye screening and leading to an export value of £74.3 million over 5 years. 
    • Johnson Matthey, a UK-based leader in chemicals and sustainable technologies, has secured recent contracts of over £20 million for process licensing, engineering, and catalysts supply in India. The company will also invest £4 million in a new plant at Taloja (Maharashtra) and in doubling its capacity at an existing site in Panki, Uttar Pradesh, with contracts are helping to create up to 20,000 jobs in India during the construction phase of these projects.
    • Marcus Evans Group, a global business intelligence and summits business company established its new Global Technology office in Mumbai to serve its 59 offices worldwide and has confirmed a combined Export (£42mn) and ODI (£27mn) win of £69 million over the next five years from India. 
    • LTIMindtree , a global technology consulting and digital solutions company plans to further expand its London operations by adding over 300 highly skilled jobs, investing £1m. This includes a state-of-the-art AI innovation studio and showcase lab. 
    • Aurionpro, a global enterprise technology leader in Banking, Payments, Insurance, Data Centers, and Public Sector technology is investing over £20M to launch its UK HQ, creating 150+ high-value jobs in multiple locations across UK over 3 years. It will also open AI-powered R&D labs in collaboration with top UK universities to develop next-gen transport technology and lead the global Safe Superintelligence (SSI) movement, ensuring AI is built safely and ethically.

    Tufan Erginbiligic, Rolls-Royce CEO, said:

    India is an important market for our business, with over 90 years of partnership with Indian industry and the Indian Government. We welcome the provisions in this Free Trade Agreement, including those that bring closer alignment with international standards for trade in civil aerospace. These agreements will benefit Rolls-Royce and our customers, paving the way for future aerospace growth in India.

    Nik Jhangiani, Interim Chief Executive, Diageo, said:

    This agreement marks a great moment for both Scotch and Scotland, and we’ll be raising a glass of Johnnie Walker to all those who have worked so hard to get it secured.

    William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said:

    The signing of this agreement is a clear signal of the UK’s continuing commitment to free and fair trade. It will open a new era for our businesses and boost investment between two of the world’s largest economies.   

    Currently around 16,000 UK companies are trading goods with Indian companies, and there is high interest in our Chamber Network to grow that.  This deal will create new opportunities in the transport, travel, creative and business support sectors alongside traditional strengths in finance and professional services.

    Jean-Etienne Gourgues, Chivas Brothers Chairman and CEO, said:

    Signature of the UK-India FTA is a sign of hope in challenging times for the spirits industry.  India is the world’s biggest whisky market by volume and greater access will be an eventual game changer for the export of our Scotch whisky brands, such as Chivas Regal and Ballantine’s.  

    The deal will support long term investment and jobs in our distilleries in Speyside and our bottling plant at Kilmalid and help deliver growth in both Scotland and India over the next decade. Let’s hope that both governments will move quickly to ratification so business can get to work implementing the deal!

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    Published 23 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    July 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Allen Introduces Bill Preserving Consumer Choice

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Rick Allen (R-GA-12)

    Today, Congressman Rick W. Allen (GA-12) introduced the Don’t Mess with My Home Appliances Act. Following the Biden-Harris Administration’s four-year assault on consumer choice, this legislation implements necessary reforms to the Energy Policy Conservation Act (EPCA) to prevent future administrations from prioritizing a radical rush-to-green agenda over the affordability and availability of reliable household appliances that Americans rely on every day.

    Following the bill’s introduction, Congressman Allen issued the statement below:

    “Under the guise of energy efficiency, the Biden-Harris Administration waged a four-year war on domestic energy and consumer choice, and it was American families that paid the price. From gas stoves, refrigerators, and freezers, to washers, dryers, dish washers, and air conditioners—no household appliance was off limits in their pursuit of a radical rush-to-green agenda. We cannot allow that to happen again,” said Congressman Allen.

    “The Don’t Mess with My Home Appliances Act is a necessary measure to prevent future administrations from issuing burdensome standards on household appliances that would drive up costs and reduce availability. I am grateful for Chairman Guthrie’s and Chairman Latta’s support as we preserve consumer choice and ensure the federal government does not tilt the scales on what appliances Americans should buy.” 

    “Families should have the freedom to choose what home appliances they buy and use. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, heavy-handed mandates created unworkable regulations that led to higher prices,” said Chairman Guthrie. “The Don’t Mess with My Home Appliances Act would reform the Department of Energy’s energy efficiency standards process to protect consumer choice and ensure American companies can continue to innovate. Thank you to Congressman Allen for leading this important legislation that stands up for working Americans.” 

    “American families should have the right to choose the appliances that work best for their homes and needs. This commonsense bill puts consumers first by restoring flexibility, encouraging innovation, and ensuring there are not one-size-fits-all federal regulations. I thank Congressman Allen for his leadership on this effort to protect American families and businesses,” said Rep. Bob Latta, Chairman of the Energy Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

    BACKGROUND: Enacted in 1975, the EPCA provides specific criteria the Department of Energy (DOE) must follow in order to propose a new appliance efficiency standard. The DOE may only propose a new standard if it results in a significant conservation of energy, is technologically feasible, and economically justified. The Biden-Harris Administration consistently ignored these critical consumer protections by proposing and finalizing standards that violate the statute. The Don’t Mess with my Home Appliances Act would prevent future abuses by:

    • Eliminating unnecessary and duplicative rulemaking requirements 
    • Authorizing the Secretary of Energy to amend or revoke a standard if it increases costs for consumers, does not result in significant energy or water savings, is not technologically feasible, or results in the unavailability of product 
    • Protecting affordability by requiring the DOE to consider the cost to low-income households and the full-life cycle cost of appliances when determining if the new standard is economically justified 
    • Establishing minimum thresholds for energy or water savings that must be achieved before imposing new standards 
    • Prohibiting the Secretary of Energy from banning products based on the type of fuel that product uses (no natural gas bans) 

    Full bill text can be viewed HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Gran Tierra Energy Inc. Provides Release Date for its 2025 Second Quarter Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CALGARY, Alberta, July 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Gran Tierra Energy Inc. (“Gran Tierra” or the “Company”) (NYSE American:GTE)(TSX:GTE)(LSE:GTE) announces that the Company will release its 2025 second quarter financial and operating results on Wednesday July 30, 2025, post-market. Gran Tierra will host its second quarter 2025 results conference call on Thursday, July 31, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. Mountain Time, 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time.

    How to Participate in the 2025 Second Quarter Conference Call

    Interested parties may register for the 2025 second quarter conference call by clicking on this link. Please note that there is no longer a general dial-in number to participate, and each individual party must register through the link provided. Once parties have registered, they will be provided with a unique PIN and call-in details. There is also a new feature that allows parties to elect to be called back through the “Call Me” function on the platform.

    Interested parties can also continue to access the live webcast from their mobile or desktop devices by clicking on this link, which is also available on Gran Tierra’s website at https://www.grantierra.com/investor-relations/presentations-events/. An audio replay of the conference call will be available at the same webcast link for two hours following the call and will be available until July 31, 2026.

    Contact Information

    For investor and media inquiries please contact:

    Gary Guidry
    President & Chief Executive Officer

    Ryan Ellson
    Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
    +1-403-265-3221
    info@grantierra.com

    About Gran Tierra Energy Inc.

    Gran Tierra Energy Inc. together with its subsidiaries is an independent international energy company currently focused on oil and natural gas exploration and production in Canada, Colombia and Ecuador. The Company is currently developing its existing portfolio of assets in Canada, Colombia and Ecuador and will continue to pursue additional new growth opportunities that would further strengthen the Company’s portfolio. The Company’s common stock trades on the NYSE American, the Toronto Stock Exchange and the London Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol GTE. Additional information concerning Gran Tierra is available at www.grantierra.com. Except to the extent expressly stated otherwise, information on the Company’s website or accessible from our website or any other website is not incorporated by reference into and should not be considered part of this press release. Investor inquiries may be directed to info@grantierra.com or (403) 265-3221.

    Gran Tierra’s Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) filings are available on the SEC website at http://www.sec.gov. The Company’s Canadian securities regulatory filings are available on SEDAR+ at http://www.sedarplus.ca and UK regulatory filings are available on the National Storage Mechanism website at https://data.fca.org.uk/#/nsm/nationalstoragemechanism.

    The MIL Network –

    July 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: WHAT THEY ARE SAYING: U.S.-Indonesia Trade Deal Is Another America First Win

    US Senate News:

    Source: US Whitehouse
    President Donald J. Trump’s landmark reciprocal trade agreement with Indonesia is another critical step forward in the Trump Administration’s relentless pursuit of trade policy that finally puts America First. The deal eliminates ~99% of tariff barriers for a full range of U.S. industrial, food, and agricultural exports, unlocks new market access, and breaks down non-tariff barriers — and represents the latest victory for American workers, farmers, and manufacturers.
    The trade deal was immediately hailed across American industry:
    American Iron and Steel Institute President and CEO Kevin Dempsey: “AISI is encouraged by today’s announcement of a framework for negotiating an agreement with Indonesia to remove Indonesia’s existing export restrictions on critical minerals, such as nickel, which is critical to stainless steel production. Indonesia’s existing export ban and other restrictions on nickel, together with its close ties to Chinese steel producers that have invested in that country as a result of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, have resulted in significant distortions in the global market for nickel to the detriment of steel producers in the United States. We look forward to working with USTR to address the Indonesian nickel export restrictions and other trade-distorting policies as these negotiations move forward.”
    Association for Competitive Technology President Morgan Reed: “This is another win for U.S. small tech developers. For years the App Association and our members have raised concerns with the U.S. Trade Representative regarding Indonesia’s inclusion of software and other digital goods in their tariff system, among several other digital trade barriers. We thank USTR and the Administration for their tireless work on behalf of small tech companies and look forward to our continued work strengthening American competitiveness globally. Further, we commend the Indonesian government for joining the United States in committing to support a World Trade Organization agreement that ensures countries will not apply taxes or customs duties to digital service transmissions.”
    Business Software Alliance SVP Aaron Cooper: “The US-Indonesia trade agreement is a breakthrough in digital trade policy. The agreement’s provisions to eliminate tariffs on intangible digital products, guaranteeing cross-border data transfers, and supporting the permanent extension of the moratorium on digital customs duties expands access to digital services and supports the adoption of technology. This agreement sends a strong signal to the global economy and many industries that rely on open and secure digital trade, and reflects key reforms that have been core BSA priorities for nearly a decade.”
    American Soybean Association President Caleb Ragland: “We appreciate President Trump and his administration’s efforts in maintaining market access for U.S. soybeans into Indonesia, and the commitment from USTR to address non-tariff barriers in that market. We look forward to future deals like this that reduce tariffs and ensure continued and increased market access for U.S. agriculture.”
    Computer and Communications Industry Association VP Jonathan McHale: “The announced Framework agreement for addressing Indonesia’s many trade barriers, including tariff regimes targeting digital products, restrictions on cross-border data flows, and local content requirements for communications devices, is an important and encouraging step in reforming what has long been one of the most challenging markets for U.S. suppliers. We look forward to a binding agreement addressing not only these restrictions, but a path to resolving all outstanding barriers that remain in this important market.”
    Consortium for Common Food Names Executive Director Jaime Castaneda: “The prospect of having Indonesia commit to a more transparent and balanced approach to GIs would be a meaningful advance in the global fight to preserve the use of common food names like parmesan and feta. We commend the U.S. negotiators for prioritizing this issue, particularly at a time when European Union is attempting to expand their GI abuse in growing dairy markets and shut out the United States. We will work diligently with the U.S. government to hold Indonesia accountable to their commitments on common names.”
    International Dairy Foods Association SVP Becky Rasdall Vargas: “We could not be more enthusiastic and energized about today’s announcement for improved access for U.S. dairy exports to Indonesia. Indonesia is an important trading partner in a region that is critical to U.S. dairy exports, and growing. Today’s announcement represents the largest improvement of access U.S. dairy exporters have seen in the region in over a decade and will be a timely step towards keeping U.S. dairy exporters globally competitive. We express our sincere appreciation to the Administration and the negotiators for achieving this positive outcome for U.S. dairy.”
    National Grain and Feed Association President and CEO Mike Seyfert: “America’s grain and feed industry appreciates President Trump and his negotiating team for advancing a bold and strategic trade framework with Indonesia that delivers meaningful wins for U.S agriculture. This agreement opens the door to billions in new exports – including soybeans, wheat, and other key commodities – while eliminating tariffs and cutting red tape that have long held back U.S. producers. We look forward to swift finalization and implementation of this deal and stand ready to work with the Trump Administration open new markets and tear down unfair trade barriers.”
    National Milk Producers Federation President and CEO Gregg Doud: “This looks like it will be a significant win for U.S. dairy. We commend the Trump Administration for securing an agreement that should deliver real benefits for our dairy farmers. We are pleased to hear this framework removes roadblocks to trade and will help grow dairy sales in one of the world’s most populous markets. NMPF looks forward to reviewing the details of the agreement and working with the Administration to ensure Indonesia upholds its end of the bargain.”
    National Oilseed Processors Association President and CEO Devin Mogler: “We commend the Trump Administration for prioritizing U.S. farmers in this trade deal with Indonesia, and specifically for including soybean meal purchases. NOPA members have invested over $6 billion to expand U.S. soybean crushing capacity by over 25% since 2023 levels to meet growing demand for food, feed and biofuel use, adding value to the crops our great U.S. farmers produce. Ensuring we have access to growing soybean meal markets like Indonesia ensures our farmers remain competitive relative to global competitors.”
    Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper: “We’re grateful to President Trump and his team for ensuring U.S. agriculture and renewable fuels are prominently included in these framework agreements. These deals will ultimately help open important Asian markets and allow greater access for American farm products, renewable fuels, and co-products like distillers grains. This administration clearly understands the leading role American farmers and renewable fuel producers can play when it comes to feeding and fueling the world, and we salute President Trump’s efforts to secure fair and reciprocal agreements around the globe. Breaking down barriers to fair trade strengthens our rural economy and the United States as a whole.”
    The Meat Institute: “The Meat Institute’s members celebrate @realdonaldtrump and @USTradeRep’s work on a deal with Indonesia opening up this important market for meat & poultry. We look forward to seeing the details of the deal & to continued efforts to remove remaining barriers to trade in other SE Asian markets.”
    U.S. Dairy Export Council President and CEO Krysta Harden: “Yesterday’s announcement is an important step forward in advancing opportunities for U.S. dairy exporters. This deal is poised to strengthen our long-term partnership with Indonesia while giving U.S. dairy companies a better shot at competing fairly. While verification that Indonesia honors its commitments will be necessary, the removal of both tariff and nontariff barriers is precisely what our industry needs to create new momentum for U.S. dairy exports and deeper collaboration with a key Southeast Asian partner.”
    U.S. Grains Council President and CEO Ryan LeGrand: “The U.S. Grains Council commends the Trump Administration on its historic trade deal with Indonesia, that will enhance trade for both countries and places a zero tariff on the products the Council represents. In the 2023-24 marketing year, Indonesia was the fourth largest importer for U.S. distillers dried grains with solubles at 1,024,000 metric tons. That translates into a nearly $299 million market, and we hope the deal announced today will not only help see those numbers increase but open doors wider to the full range of products we have to offer.”
    U.S. Meat Export Federation President and CEO Dan Halstrom: “USMEF thanks USTR for its tireless efforts to negotiate a meaningful agreement with Indonesia, tackling many challenging issues. Indonesia is a market with incredible potential, in which the opportunity for U.S. beef is estimated at $250 million annually. But today, exports are minimal due to numerous trade barriers. We are encouraged to see that the highlights detailed in the U.S.-Indonesia joint statement include resolving key issues such as import licensing, the commodity balance policy, and Indonesia’s onerous plant-by-plant approval process. For both U.S. beef and U.S. pork, these longstanding restrictions have limited exports to Indonesia. Indonesian importers and consumers are demanding U.S. red meat and we look forward to the swift conclusion of these negotiations and expanded export opportunities.”
    U.S. Wheat Associates President and CEO Mike Spier: “We are excited and grateful to track this wide-reaching government commitment that includes the agreement signed earlier this month between Indonesian flour millers and the U.S. wheat industry. We thank the Trump Administration, the U.S. Trade Representative and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA-FAS) for their continued work on behalf of American wheat farmers.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Northrim BanCorp Earns $11.8 Million, or $2.09 Per Diluted Share, in Second Quarter 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ANCHORAGE, Alaska, July 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Northrim BanCorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:NRIM) (“Northrim” or the “Company”) today reported net income of $11.8 million, or $2.09 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2025, compared to $13.3 million, or $2.38 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2025, and $9.0 million, or $1.62 per diluted share, in the second quarter a year ago. The increase in second quarter 2025 profitability as compared to the second quarter a year ago was primarily the result of an increase in net interest income, higher purchased receivable income, and increased mortgage banking income, which were partially offset by a higher provision for credit losses, higher other operating expenses, and a higher provision for income taxes. Net interest income increased primarily due to higher loan balances and higher yields on earning assets. Purchased receivable income increased primarily due to the Company’s acquisition of Sallyport Commercial Finance, LLC (“Sallyport or SCF”), which was completed on October 31, 2024. Sallyport and its direct and indirect subsidiaries provide services and products related to purchased receivable factoring and asset-based lending in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

    Dividends per share in the second quarter of 2025 remained consistent with the first quarter of 2025 at $0.64 per share as compared to $0.61 per share in the second quarter of 2024.

    “Strong loan growth, increasing asset yields, and stable funding costs drove record net interest income in the second quarter of this year,” said Mike Huston, Northrim’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “We continue to attract new customers to Northrim and believe we have an opportunity to steadily increase our market share over the next few years.”

    Second Quarter 2025 Highlights:

    • Net interest income in the second quarter of 2025 increased 7% to $33.6 million compared to $31.3 million in the first quarter of 2025 and increased 24% compared to $27.1 million in the second quarter of 2024.
    • Net interest margin on a tax equivalent basis (“NIMTE”)* was 4.72% for the second quarter of 2025, up 11-basis points from the first quarter of 2025 and up 42-basis points from the second quarter a year ago.
    • Return on average assets (“ROAA”) was 1.48% and return on average equity (“ROAE”) was 16.37% for the second quarter of 2025 compared to ROAA of 1.76 and ROAE of 19.70 in the prior quarter and ROAA of 1.31% and ROAE of 14.84% for the second quarter of 2024.
    • Portfolio loans were $2.20 billion at June 30, 2025, up 4% from the preceding quarter and up 17% from a year ago, primarily due to new customer relationships and expanding market share, as well as retaining certain mortgages originated by Residential Mortgage, a subsidiary of Northrim Bank (the “Bank”). The Company sold $61 million in consumer mortgages in the second quarter of 2025 that were included in loans held for investment as of the end of 2024 to reduce the concentration of residential real estate loans and to provide additional liquidity for future commercial and construction loan growth.
    • Total deposits were $2.81 billion at June 30, 2025, up 1% from the preceding quarter, and up 14% from $2.46 billion a year ago. Non-interest bearing demand deposits increased 5% from the preceding quarter and increased 10% year-over-year to $777.9 million at June 30, 2025 and represent 28% of total deposits.
    • The average cost of interest-bearing deposits was 2.04% at June 30, 2025, up slightly from 2.01% at March 31, 2025 and down from 2.21% at June 30, 2024.
    • Mortgage loan originations were $277.1 million in the second quarter of 2025, up from $121.6 million in the first quarter of 2025 and up from $181.5 million in the second quarter a year ago. Mortgage loans funded for sale were $249.7 million in the second quarter of 2025, compared to $108.5 million in the first quarter of 2025 and $152.3 million in the second quarter of 2024.
    Financial Highlights Three Months Ended
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) June 30, 2025 March 31, 2025 December 31,
    2024
    September 30,
    2024
    June 30, 2024
    Total assets $ 3,243,760   $ 3,140,960   $ 3,041,869   $ 2,963,392   $ 2,821,668  
    Total portfolio loans $ 2,202,115   $ 2,124,330   $ 2,129,263   $ 2,007,565   $ 1,875,907  
    Total deposits $ 2,809,170   $ 2,777,977   $ 2,680,189   $ 2,625,567   $ 2,463,806  
    Total shareholders’ equity $ 290,219   $ 279,756   $ 267,116   $ 260,050   $ 247,200  
    Net income $ 11,778   $ 13,324   $ 10,927   $ 8,825   $ 9,020  
    Diluted earnings per share $ 2.09   $ 2.38   $ 1.95   $ 1.57   $ 1.62  
    Return on average assets   1.48 %   1.76 %   1.43 %   1.22 %   1.31 %
    Return on average shareholders’ equity   16.37 %   19.70 %   16.32 %   13.69 %   14.84 %
    NIM   4.66 %   4.55 %   4.41 %   4.29 %   4.24 %
    NIMTE*   4.72 %   4.61 %   4.47 %   4.35 %   4.30 %
    Efficiency ratio   64.68 %   63.54 %   66.96 %   66.11 %   68.78 %
    Total shareholders’ equity/total assets   8.95 %   8.91 %   8.78 %   8.78 %   8.76 %
    Tangible common equity/tangible assets*   7.50 %   7.41 %   7.23 %   8.28 %   8.24 %
    Book value per share $ 52.55   $ 50.67   $ 48.41   $ 47.27   $ 44.93  
    Tangible book value per share* $ 43.35   $ 41.47   $ 39.17   $ 44.36   $ 42.03  
    Dividends per share $ 0.64   $ 0.64   $ 0.62   $ 0.62   $ 0.61  
    Common stock outstanding   5,522,271     5,520,892     5,518,210     5,501,943     5,501,562  
                                   

    * References to NIMTE, tangible book value per share, and tangible common equity to tangible common assets, (both of which exclude intangible assets) represent non-GAAP financial measures. Management has presented these non-GAAP measurements in this earnings release, because it believes these measures are useful to investors. See the end of this release for reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to GAAP financial measures.

    Alaska Economic Update
    (Note: sources for information included in this section are included on page 14.)

    The Alaska Department of Labor (“DOL”) has reported Alaska’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in May of 2025 was 4.7% compared to the U.S. rate of 4.2%. The rate has held steady in Alaska at 4.7% for eight consecutive months. The total number of payroll jobs in Alaska, not including uniformed military, increased 1.1% or 3,800 jobs between May of 2024 and May of 2025.  

    According to the DOL, the Oil and Gas sector had the largest growth rate in new jobs of 8.8% through May of this year compared to the prior year, up 700 direct jobs. The Construction sector added 700 positions for a year-over-year growth rate of 3.7% through May of 2025. The larger Health Care sector grew by 1,200 jobs for an annual growth rate of 2.9%. Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities added 600 jobs for a 2.3% growth rate over the same period. Professional and Business Services increased 500 jobs year-over-year through May of 2025, up 1.7%.

    The Government sector grew by 200 jobs for 0.2% growth, adding 400 State positions while losing 200 Federal jobs in Alaska over the same period. Declining sectors between May 2024 and May 2025 were Information down 100 jobs or (-2.3%), Manufacturing (primarily seafood processing) shrinking 200 positions (-2.1%), Wholesale Trade lost 100 jobs (-1.5%) and Financial Activities, down 100 jobs (-0.9%).

    Alaska’s seasonally adjusted personal income was $57.4 billion in the first quarter of 2025 according to the Federal Bureau of Economic Analysis (“BEA”). This was an annualized improvement in the first quarter of 6.4% for Alaska, compared to the national average of 6.7%. Alaska enjoyed an annual personal income improvement of 6% in 2024 compared to the U.S. increase of 5.4%, ranking Alaska 6th best in the nation. The $885 million increase in personal income in the first quarter of 2025 in Alaska came from a $352 million increase in net earnings from wages, $440 million growth in government transfer receipts, and a $92 million increase in investment income.

    Alaska’s Gross State Product (“GSP”) in the first quarter of 2025 reached $72 billion according to the BEA. Alaska’s inflation adjusted “real” GSP increased 1.5% in 2024 and decreased -1.8% annualized in the first quarter of 2025. The average U.S. GDP growth rate was 2.8% for 2025 and -0.5% in the first quarter of 2025. Alaska’s real GSP decrease in the first quarter of 2025 was primarily caused by a decrease in the Mining, Oil & Gas sector, somewhat offset by improvements in the Construction sector.

    Alaska exported $5.9 billion in goods to foreign countries in 2024 according to the U.S. International Trade Administration. China is the largest importer of Alaska’s products at $1.5 billion, followed by Australia at $804 million, Japan at $674 million and South Korea at $634 million in 2024. Fish and related maritime products accounted for the largest volume at $2.1 billion, followed by minerals and ores at $2 billion, and primary metals at $992 million in 2024. Oil & Gas exports are $380 million because the majority of Alaska’s production is refined and consumed in the United States. Chief Credit Officer and Bank Economist Mark Edwards stated, “President Trump’s significant changes to international tariffs has created uncertainty in trade markets. At this time, it is unknown how each country will respond. Alaska’s natural resources are highly valued commodities throughout the world. If issues arise with one country, such as China, it is most likely that Alaska’s products will be redirected to other markets like Japan and South Korea or sold domestically in the United States. Canada is the largest long-term investor in Alaska’s mining industry. This involves significant fixed capital investments made over decades that are unlikely to shift dramatically in the short-run. Alaska’s Legislature just passed a bill HJR-11 with an approval vote of 33-4 titled, Recognizing and honoring the relationship between Canada and Alaska. It highlights the deeply interconnected friendship between Alaska and Canada culturally, economically, and militarily.”

    According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Consumer Price Index (“CPI”) for the U.S. increased 2.7% between June of 2024 and June of 2025. In Alaska, the rate of CPI increase was lower at 1.6% for the same time period.   Food and beverage, housing costs, and medical care costs were the largest causes for inflation. Declining motor fuel prices, transportation, recreation and household furnishing costs have helped moderate inflationary pressures in Alaska.

    The monthly average price of Alaska North Slope (“ANS”) crude oil has ranged between $76.39 a barrel in January of 2025 and $67.07 in May of the prior year. The June 2025 average was $72.62. The Alaska Department of Revenue (“DOR”) calculated ANS crude oil production was 461 thousand barrels per day (“bpd”) in Alaska’s fiscal year ending June 30, 2024.   Production rose to 469 thousand bpd in fiscal year ending June 30, 2025.   In the Spring 2025 Revenue Forecast published March 12, 2025, the DOR expects production to continue to grow to 663 thousand bpd by fiscal year 2034. This is primarily a result of new production coming on-line in and around the NPR-A region west of Prudhoe Bay. A partnership between Santos and Repsol is constructing the new Pikka field and ConocoPhillips is developing the large new Willow field. There are also a number of smaller new fields in the ANS that are contributing to the State of Alaska’s production growth estimates.

    The Alaska Permanent Fund is seeded annually by the oil wealth the State continues to save each year and has grown significantly over 40 years of successful investment. As of May 31, 2025 the fund’s value was $83.13 billion. According to the DOR it is scheduled to contribute $3.7 billion to Alaska General Fund in fiscal year 2025 for general government spending and to pay the annual dividend to Alaskan residents.

    According to the Alaska Multiple Listing Services, the average sales price of a single family home in Anchorage rose 6.2% in 2024 to $510,064, following a 5.2% increase in 2023. This was the seventh consecutive year of price increases. Through June of 2025 prices have continued to increase on average 2.6% to $523,059.

    The average sales price for single family homes in the Matanuska Susitna Borough rose 3.8% in 2024 to $412,859, after increasing 4% in 2023. This continues a trend of average price increases for more than a decade in the region. Through June of 2025 prices have continued to increase on average 6.9% to $441,463. These two markets represent where the vast majority of the Bank’s residential lending activity occurs.

    The Alaska Multiple Listing Services reported a 3.4% increase in the number of units sold in Anchorage when comparing 2024 to 2023. The first six months of 2025 has seen a 4.8% increase in home sales compared to the first half of 2024 in Anchorage.  

    There was virtually no change in the number of homes sold in the Matanuska Susitna Borough, with only four fewer homes sold in 2024 than in 2023 or -0.2%. In the first six months of 2025 the number of units sold has increased 13.1% in the Matanuska Susitna Borough compared to the first half of 2024.

    Northrim Bank sponsors the Alaskanomics blog to provide news, analysis, and commentary on Alaska’s economy. Join the conversation at Alaskanomics.com, or for more information on the Alaska economy, visit: www.northrim.com and click on the “Business Banking” link and then click “Learn.” Information from our website is not incorporated into, and does not form, a part of this earnings release.

    Review of Income Statement

    Consolidated Income Statement

    In the second quarter of 2025, Northrim generated a ROAA of 1.48% and a ROAE of 16.37%, compared to 1.76% and 19.70%, respectively, in the first quarter of 2025 and 1.31% and 14.84%, respectively, in the second quarter a year ago.

    Net Interest Income/Net Interest Margin

    Net interest income increased 7% to $33.6 million in the first quarter of 2025 compared to $31.3 million in the first quarter of 2025 and increased 24% compared to $27.1 million in the second quarter of 2024.   Interest expense on deposits increased to $10.3 million in the second quarter of 2025 compared to $9.9 million in the first quarter of 2025 and compared to $9.5 million in the second quarter of 2024.

    NIMTE* was 4.72% in the second quarter of 2025 up from 4.61% in the preceding quarter and 4.30% in the second quarter a year ago. NIMTE* increased 42 basis points in the second quarter of 2025 compared to the second quarter of 2024 primarily due to a favorable change in the mix of earning-assets towards higher loan balances as a percentage of total earning-assets, higher yields on those assets as variable rate loans reset at higher rates which were only partially offset by an increase in borrowings. The weighted average interest rate for new loans booked in the second quarter of 2025 was 7.27% compared to 7.30% in the first quarter of 2025 and 7.90% in the second quarter a year ago. The yield on the investment portfolio in the second quarter of 2025 increased to 3.07% from 2.97% in the first quarter of 2025 and 2.82% in the second quarter of 2024. “We are continuing to see some benefits from the repricing of our loan portfolio and new production increasing our margin” said Jed Ballard, Chief Financial Officer. Northrim’s NIMTE* continues to remain above the peer average of 3.26% posted by the S&P U.S. Small Cap Bank Index with total market capitalization between $250 million and $1 billion as of March 31, 2025.

    Provision for Credit Losses

    Northrim recorded a provision for credit losses of $2.0 million in the second quarter of 2025, which was comprised of a provision for credit losses on loans of $1.8 million, a $157,000 provision for credit losses on unfunded commitments, and a provision for credit losses on purchased receivables of $18,000. This compares to a benefit to the provision for credit losses of $1.4 million in the first quarter of 2025, which was comprised of a benefit to the provision for credit losses on loans of $1.1 million, a $322,000 benefit for credit losses on unfunded commitments, and a provision for credit losses on purchased receivables of $46,000. In the second quarter a year ago, Northrim recorded a benefit to the provision for credit losses of $120,000 which was comprised of a $134,000 provision for credit losses on loans and a $254,000 benefit to the provision for credit losses on unfunded commitments.

    The increase to the provision for credit losses on loans in the second quarter of 2025 as compared to the prior quarter and the same quarter a year ago was primarily a result of increased loan balances as well as an increase in estimated loss rates due to less favorable economic forecasts and trends in qualitative factors. The increase to the provision for unfunded commitments in the second quarter of 2025 was primarily due to an increase in estimated loss rates which was only partially offset by changes in mix of unfunded commitments.

    Nonperforming assets, net of government guarantees, decreased during the quarter to $11.9 million at June 30, 2025, compared to $12.3 million at March 31, 2025, and increased compared to $5.1 million at June 30, 2024. The increase in nonperforming assets, net of government guarantees at June 30, 2025 compared to June 30, 2024 is primarily the result of the acquisition of Sallyport in the fourth quarter of 2024.

    The allowance for credit losses on loans was 290% of nonperforming loans, net of government guarantees, at the end of the second quarter of 2025, compared to 262% three months earlier and 365% a year ago.

    Other Operating Income

    In addition to home mortgage lending, Northrim has interests in other businesses that complement its core community banking activities, including purchased receivables financing and wealth management. Other operating income contributed $16.6 million, or 33% of total second quarter 2025 revenues, as compared to $13.0 million, or 29% of revenues in the first quarter of 2025, and $9.6 million, or 26% of revenues in the second quarter of 2024. The increase in other operating income in the second quarter of 2025 as compared to the second quarter of 2024 was primarily the result of increased purchased receivable income due to the Company’s acquisition of Sallyport on October 31, 2024. Mortgage banking income in the second quarter of 2025 increased as compared to the first quarter of 2025 and second quarter of 2024 due to a higher volume of mortgage activity. See further discussion regarding mortgage activity contained under “Home Mortgage Lending” below.  

    Other Operating Expenses

    Operating expenses were $32.5 million in the second quarter of 2025, compared to $28.2 million in the first quarter of 2025, and $25.2 million in the second quarter of 2024. The increase in other operating expenses in the second quarter of 2025 compared to the first quarter of 2025 was primarily due to an increase in salaries and other personnel expense, including $980,000 in higher mortgage commissions expense due to higher mortgage volume, $763,000 in higher salary expense, a $760,000 increase in group medical expenses, and increases in profit share expense and payroll taxes. Additionally, marketing expense increased due to timing of annual charitable contributions. The increase in total other operating expenses in the second quarter of 2025 compared to the second quarter a year ago was primarily due to an increase in salaries and other personnel expense, the increase in compensation expense for Sallyport acquisition payments, and an increase in data processing expense. Total other operating expense increased $2.1 million in the Specialty Finance segment in the second quarter of 2025 compared to the second quarter of 2024 due to the acquisition of Sallyport on October 31, 2024.

    Income Tax Provision

    In the second quarter of 2025, Northrim recorded $4.0 million in state and federal income tax expense for an effective tax rate of 25.3%, compared to $4.3 million, or 24.2% in the first quarter of 2025 and $2.5 million, or 21.9% in the second quarter a year ago. The increase in the tax rate in the second quarter of 2025 as compared to the first quarter of 2025 and second quarter of 2024 is primarily the result of a decrease in tax credits and tax exempt interest income as a percentage of pre-tax income in 2025 as compared to 2024.

    Community Banking

    Northrim is committed to meeting the needs of the diverse communities in which it operates. As a testament to that support, the Bank has branches in four regions of Alaska identified by the Federal Reserve as ‘distressed or underserved non-metropolitan middle-income geographies’.

    Net interest income in the Community Banking segment totaled $30.0 million in the second quarter of 2025, compared to $28.2 million in the first quarter of 2025 and $24.3 million in the second quarter of 2024. Net interest income increased $5.7 million or 23% in the second quarter of 2025 as compared to the second quarter of 2024 mostly due to higher interest income on loans. This increase was only partially offset by lower interest income on investments and higher interest expense on deposits and borrowings.

    The provision for credit losses in the Community Banking segment was $1.3 million in the second quarter of 2025 compared to a benefit to the provision for credit losses of $1.8 million in the first quarter of 2025 and a benefit to the provision for credit losses of $184,000 in the same quarter a year ago. The increase to the provision for credit losses in the Community Banking segment in the second quarter of 2025 as compared to the prior quarter and the same quarter a year ago was primarily a result of increased loan balances as well as an increase in estimated loss rates due to less favorable economic forecasts and trends in qualitative factors. In the first quarter of 2025, the Company recorded a net benefit for credit losses in the Community Banking segment primarily due to changes in the Company’s loss rate regression models for commercial, commercial real estate, and construction loans. These decreases in the provision were only partially offset by increases in estimated loss rates for management’s assessment of economic conditions and an increase for higher loan balances.

    Other operating expenses in the Community Banking segment totaled $21.8 million in the second quarter of 2025, up $3.2 million or 17% from $18.6 million in the first quarter of 2025, and up $3.7 million or 20% from $18.1 million in the second quarter a year ago. The increase in the second quarter of 2025 as compared to the prior quarter and compared to the same quarter a year ago was primarily due to increases in salaries and other personnel expense, including $667,000 in higher salary expense, an $873,000 increase in group medical expenses, as well as increases in profit share expense and payroll taxes. Additionally, marketing expense increased due to timing of annual charitable contributions.

    The following tables provide highlights of the Community Banking segment of Northrim:

      Three Months Ended
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) June 30, 2025 March 31, 2025 December 31,
    2024
    September 30,
    2024
    June 30, 2024
    Net interest income $ 29,971 $ 28,151   $ 27,643 $ 25,928 $ 24,318  
    (Benefit) provision for credit losses   1,319   (1,768 )   771   1,492   (184 )
    Other operating income   3,268   2,703     2,535   3,507   2,451  
    Other operating expense   21,764   18,581     19,116   18,723   18,069  
    Income before provision for income taxes   10,156   14,041     10,291   9,220   8,884  
    Provision for income taxes   2,413   3,253     1,474   2,133   1,786  
    Net income $ 7,743 $ 10,788   $ 8,817 $ 7,087 $ 7,098  
    Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted   5,611,558   5,608,102     5,597,889   5,583,055   5,558,580  
    Diluted earnings per share attributable to Community Banking $ 1.37 $ 1.93   $ 1.58 $ 1.26 $ 1.27  
      Year-to-date
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) June 30, 2025 June 30, 2024
    Net interest income $ 58,122   $ 48,533
    (Benefit) provision for credit losses   (449 )   13
    Other operating income   5,971     4,919
    Other operating expense   40,345     35,247
    Income before provision for income taxes   24,197     18,192
    Provision for income taxes   5,666     3,752
    Net income Community Banking segment $ 18,531   $ 14,440
    Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted   5,611,734     5,562,025
    Diluted earnings per share $ 3.30   $ 2.59


    Home Mortgage Lending

    During the second quarter of 2025, mortgage loans funded for sale were $249.7 million, compared to $108.5 million in the first quarter of 2025, and $152.3 million in the second quarter of 2024.

    During the second quarter of 2025, the Bank purchased loans of $27.5 million from its subsidiary, Residential Mortgage, of which approximately half were jumbos, one-quarter were mortgages for second homes, and one-quarter were adjustable rate mortgages, with a weighted average interest rate of 6.71%, as compared to $13.1 million and 6.39% in the first quarter of 2025, and $29.2 million and 6.82% in the second quarter of 2024. Net interest income contributed $3.5 million to total Home Mortgage Lending revenue in the second quarter of 2025, up from $3.0 million in the prior quarter, and up from $2.8 million in the second quarter a year ago.

    The Company reclassified $100 million in consumer mortgages held for investment to held for sale in the first quarter of 2025 and recorded unrealized losses of $1.2 million related to this portfolio in the first quarter of 2025. In the second quarter of 2025, the Company sold $61 million of the $100 million that was reclassified to loans held for sale in the first quarter of 2025 for a total realized loss of $545,000.

    The Arizona, Colorado, and Pacific Northwest mortgage expansion markets were responsible for 22% of Residential Mortgage’s $216 million total production in the second quarter of 2025 (excluding the $61 million in mortgages sold noted above), 20% of $122 million total production in the first quarter of 2025, and 22% of $182 million total production in the second quarter of 2024.

    The provision for credit losses in the Home Mortgage Lending segment was $639,000 in the second quarter of 2025 compared to a benefit to the provision for credit losses of $307,000 in the first quarter of 2025 and a provision for credit loses of $64,000 in the second quarter of 2024. The increase in the provision for credit losses in the second quarter of 2025 in the Home Mortgage Lending segment as compared to the prior quarter and the same quarter a year ago was primarily a result of increased loan balances. The benefit to the provision for loan losses in the Home Mortgage Lending segment in the first quarter of 2025 was primarily the result of the reclassification of $100 million in mortgage loans to loans held for sale, which was only partially offset by an increase in the provision for loan losses due to changes in the Company’s loss rate regression models for home mortgage loans.

    The net change in fair value of mortgage servicing rights decreased mortgage banking income by $818,000 during the second quarter of 2025 compared to a decrease of $855,000 for the first quarter of 2025 and a decrease of $81,000 for the second quarter of 2024. Mortgage servicing revenue increased to $3.0 million in the second quarter of 2025 from $2.7 million in the prior quarter and increased from $2.2 million in the second quarter of 2024 due to an increase in production of Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) mortgages, which contribute to servicing revenues at origination. In the second quarter of 2025, the Company’s servicing portfolio increased $69.3 million compared to a $24.0 million increase in the first quarter of 2025, and an increase of $41.8 million in the second quarter of 2024.

    As of June 30, 2025, Northrim serviced 6,458 loans in its $1.55 billion home-mortgage-servicing portfolio, a 5% increase compared to the $1.48 billion serviced as of the end of the first quarter of 2025, and a 41% increase from the $1.10 billion serviced a year ago.

    The following tables provide highlights of the Home Mortgage Lending segment of Northrim:

      Three Months Ended
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) June 30,
    2025
    March 31,
    2025
    December 31,
    2024
    September 30,
    2024
    June 30,
    2024
    Mortgage commitments $ 73,198   $ 68,258   $ 32,299   $ 77,591   $ 88,006  
               
    Mortgage loans funded for sale $ 249,680   $ 108,499   $ 162,530   $ 209,960   $ 152,339  
    Mortgage loans funded for investment   27,455     13,061     23,380     38,087     29,175  
    Total mortgage loans funded $ 277,135   $ 121,560   $ 185,910   $ 248,047   $ 181,514  
    Mortgage loan refinances to total fundings   10 %   11 %   11 %   6 %   6 %
    Mortgage loans serviced for others $ 1,553,987   $ 1,484,714   $ 1,460,720   $ 1,166,585   $ 1,101,800  
               
    Net realized and unrealized gains on mortgage loans sold and held for sale $ 5,091   $ 1,580   $ 3,747   $ 5,079   $ 3,189  
    Change in fair value of mortgage loan commitments, net   (110 )   660     (665 )   60     390  
    Total production revenue   4,981     2,240     3,082     5,139     3,579  
    Mortgage servicing revenue   2,957     2,696     2,847     2,583     2,164  
    Change in fair value of mortgage servicing rights:          
    Due to changes in model inputs of assumptions1   (355 )   (322 )   1,372     (566 )   239  
    Other2   (463 )   (533 )   (499 )   (402 )   (320 )
    Total mortgage servicing revenue, net   2,139     1,841     3,720     1,615     2,083  
    Other mortgage banking revenue   280     170     238     293     222  
    Total mortgage banking income $ 7,400   $ 4,251   $ 7,040   $ 7,047   $ 5,884  
               
    Net interest income $ 3,507   $ 3,046   $ 3,280   $ 2,941   $ 2,775  
    Provision (benefit) for credit losses   639     (307 )   305     571     64  
    Mortgage banking income   7,400     4,251     7,040     7,047     5,884  
    Other operating expense   7,593     6,490     7,198     7,643     6,697  
    Income before provision for income taxes   2,675     1,114     2,817     1,774     1,898  
    Provision for income taxes   746     310     842     497     532  
    Net income $ 1,929   $ 804   $ 1,975   $ 1,277   $ 1,366  
               
    Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted   5,611,558     5,608,102     5,597,889     5,583,055     5,558,580  
    Diluted earnings per share attributable to Home Mortgage Lending $ 0.34   $ 0.14   $ 0.35   $ 0.23   $ 0.25  

    1Principally reflects changes in discount rates and prepayment speed assumptions, which are primarily affected by changes in interest rates.
    2Represents changes due to collection/realization of expected cash flows over time.

      Year-to-date
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) June 30, 2025 June 30, 2024
    Mortgage loans funded for sale $ 358,179   $ 236,663  
    Mortgage loans funded for investment   40,516     46,578  
    Total mortgage loans funded $ 398,695   $ 283,241  
    Mortgage loan refinances to total fundings   10 %   6 %
         
    Net realized and unrealized gains on mortgage loans sold and held for sale $ 6,671   $ 5,168  
    Change in fair value of mortgage loan commitments, net   550     777  
    Total production revenue   7,221     5,945  
    Mortgage servicing revenue   5,653     3,725  
    Change in fair value of mortgage servicing rights:    
    Due to changes in model inputs of assumptions1   (677 )   528  
    Other2   (996 )   (634 )
    Total mortgage servicing revenue, net   3,980     3,619  
    Other mortgage banking revenue   450     351  
    Total mortgage banking income $ 11,651   $ 9,915  
         
    Net interest income $ 6,553   $ 5,007  
    Provision for credit losses   332     16  
    Mortgage banking income   11,651     9,915  
    Other operating expense   14,083     12,783  
    Income before provision for income taxes   3,789     2,123  
    Provision for income taxes   1,056     595  
    Net income Home Mortgage Lending segment $ 2,733   $ 1,528  
         
    Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted   5,611,734     5,562,025  
    Diluted earnings per share $ 0.48   $ 0.28  

    1Principally reflects changes in discount rates and prepayment speed assumptions, which are primarily affected by changes in interest rates.
    2Represents changes due to collection/realization of expected cash flows over time.

    Specialty Finance

    The Company’s Specialty Finance segment includes Northrim Funding Services and Sallyport. Northrim Funding Services is a division of the Bank and has offered factoring solutions to small businesses since 2004. Sallyport is a leading provider of factoring, asset-based lending and alternative working capital solutions to small and medium sized enterprises in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom that the Company acquired on October 31, 2024 in an all cash transaction valued at approximately $53.9 million. The composition of revenues for the Specialty Finance segment are primarily purchased receivable income, but also includes interest income from loans and other fee income.

    The acquisition of Sallyport included $1.1 million in one-time deal related costs which are reflected in other operating expenses for the fourth quarter of 2024 in the tables below. Total pre-tax income for Sallyport for the second quarter of 2025 was $1.3 million compared to $1.3 million in the first quarter of 2025 and $945,000 for the two months of operations in the fourth quarter of 2024, excluding transaction costs.

    Average purchased receivables and loan balances at Sallyport were $71.0 million for the second quarter of 2025 with a yield of 27.23% compared to average balances of $59.9 million for the first quarter of 2025 and a yield of 35.8%. The yield in the first quarter of 2025 included the recognition of $899,000 in nonaccrual fee income collected during the quarter related to two nonperforming receivables and the collection of a $350,000 line termination fee. The yield excluding these items for the first quarter of 2025 was 27.4%.

    The following tables provide highlights of the Specialty Finance segment of Northrim:

      Three Months Ended
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) June 30,
    2025
    March 31,
    2025
    December 31,
    2024
    September 30,
    2024
    June 30,
    2024
    Purchased receivable income $ 5,897 $ 6,150   $ 3,526   $ 1,033 $ 1,242
    Other operating income   75   (64 )   (68 )   —   —
    Interest income   782   596     407     158   170
    Total revenue   6,754   6,682     3,865     1,191   1,412
    Provision for credit losses   18   666     125     —   —
    Compensation expense – SCF acquisition payments   600   600     —     —   —
    Other operating expense   2,531   2,500     3,063     362   428
    Interest expense   668   496     489     185   210
    Total expense   3,817   4,262     3,677     547   638
    Income before provision for income taxes   2,937   2,420     188     644   774
    Provision for income taxes   831   688     53     183   218
    Net income Specialty Finance segment $ 2,106 $ 1,732   $ 135   $ 461 $ 556
    Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted   5,611,558   5,608,102     5,597,889     5,583,055   5,558,580
    Diluted earnings per share attributable to Specialty Finance $ 0.38 $ 0.31   $ 0.02   $ 0.08 $ 0.10
      Year-to-date
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) June 30, 2025 June 30, 2024
    Purchased receivable income $ 12,047 $ 2,587
    Other operating income   11   —
    Interest income   1,378   382
    Total revenue   13,436   2,969
    Provision for credit losses   684   —
    Compensation expense – SCF acquisition payments   1,200   —
    Other operating expense   5,031   802
    Interest expense   1,164   422
    Total expense   8,079   1,224
    Income before provision for income taxes   5,357   1,745
    Provision for income taxes   1,519   494
    Net income Specialty Finance segment $ 3,838 $ 1,251
    Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted   5,611,734   5,562,025
    Diluted earnings per share $ 0.69 $ 0.23


    Balance Sheet Review

    Northrim’s total assets were $3.24 billion at June 30, 2025, up 3% from the preceding quarter and up 15% from a year ago. Northrim’s loan-to-deposit ratio was 78% at June 30, 2025, up from 76% at both March 31, 2025 and June 30, 2024.

    At June 30, 2025, liquid assets, investments, and loans maturing within one year were $1.15 billion and our funds available for borrowing under our existing lines of credit were $507.9 million. Given these sources of liquidity and our expectations for customer demands for cash and for our operating cash needs, we believe our sources of liquidity to be sufficient for the foreseeable future.

    Average interest-earning assets were $2.89 billion in the second quarter of 2025, up 4% from $2.78 billion in the first quarter of 2025 and up 12% from $2.57 billion in the second quarter a year ago. The average yield on interest-earning assets was 6.27% in the second quarter of 2025, up from 6.10% in the preceding quarter and up from 5.83% in the second quarter of 2024.

    Average investment securities decreased to $515.9 million in the second quarter of 2025, compared to $523.8 million in the first quarter of 2025 and $640.0 million in the second quarter a year ago. The average net tax equivalent yield on the securities portfolio was 3.07% for the second quarter of 2025, up from 2.97% in the preceding quarter and up from 2.82% in the year ago quarter. The average estimated duration of the investment portfolio at June 30, 2025, was approximately 2.4 years compared to approximately 2.5 years at June 30, 2024. As of June 30, 2025, $55.7 million of available for sale securities with a weighted average yield of 1.40% are scheduled to mature in the next six months, $106.8 million with a weighted average yield of 1.28% are scheduled to mature in six months to one year, and $145.0 million with a weighted average yield of 1.96% are scheduled to mature in the following year, representing a total of $307.5 million or 11% of earning assets that are scheduled to mature in the next 24 months.

    Total unrealized losses, net of tax, on available for sale securities decreased by $1.9 million in the second quarter of 2025 resulting in total unrealized loss, net of tax, of $3.6 million compared to $5.5 million at March 31, 2025, and $15.2 million a year ago. The average maturity of the available for sale securities with the majority of the unrealized loss is 1.3 years. Total unrealized losses on held to maturity securities were $711,000 at June 30, 2025, compared to $1.1 million at March 31, 2025, and $3.0 million a year ago.

    Average interest bearing deposits in other banks decreased to $27.2 million in the second quarter of 2025 from $38.0 million in the first quarter of 2025 and increased from $17.4 million in the second quarter of 2024, as cash was used to fund loan growth and provide liquidity.

    Loans held for sale decreased to $127.1 million at June 30, 2025, compared to $159.6 million at March 31, 2025, largely due to the sale of $61 million consumer mortgage loans in the second quarter of 2025 that had been reclassified to loans held for sale from portfolio loans in the first quarter of 2025, and increased from $85.9 million a year ago, due to higher loan production by Residential Mortgage.

    Portfolio loans were $2.20 billion at June 30, 2025, up 4% from the preceding quarter and up 17% from a year ago. Portfolio loans, excluding consumer mortgage loans, were $2.00 billion at June 30, 2025, up $59.1 million or 3% from the preceding quarter and up 21% from a year ago. This increase in the second quarter of 2025 was diversified throughout the loan portfolio including consumer mortgage loans increasing by $19 million, construction loans increasing by $31.2 million, commercial real estate owner-occupied loans increasing $17.1 million, and nonowner-occupied commercial real estate and multi-family loans increasing by $6.5 million from the preceding quarter. These increases were partially offset by a $3.8 million decrease in commercial loans. Average portfolio loans in the second quarter of 2025 were $2.17 billion, which was consistent with the preceding quarter after the sale of $61 million in consumer mortgage loans, and up 18% from a year ago. Yields on average portfolio loans in the second quarter of 2025 increased to 6.99% from 6.89% in the first quarter and increased from 6.87% in the second quarter of 2024. The yield on new portfolio loans, excluding consumer mortgage loans, was 7.45% in the second quarter of 2025 as compared to 7.43% in the first quarter of 2025 and 8.26% in the second quarter of 2024.

    Northrim’s loans and credit lines are subject to approval procedures and amount limitations. These limitations apply to the borrower’s total outstanding indebtedness and commitments to us, including the indebtedness of any guarantor. Generally, Northrim is permitted to make loans to one borrower of up to 15% of the unimpaired capital and surplus of the Bank. The legal lending limit was $39.4 million at June 30, 2025. At June 30, 2025, Northrim had 22 relationships totaling $504.0 million in portfolio loans whose total direct and indirect commitments were greater than 50% of the legal lending limit.

    Alaskans continue to account for substantially all of Northrim’s deposit base. Total deposits were $2.81 billion at June 30, 2025, up 1% from $2.78 billion at March 31, 2025, and up 14% from $2.46 billion a year ago. “The increase in deposits in the second quarter of 2025 was consistent with our customers’ normal business cycles which typically result in increases in deposit balances in the second and third quarters and decreases in the first and fourth quarters,” said Ballard. At June 30, 2025, 75% of total deposits were held in business accounts and 25% of deposit balances were held in consumer accounts. Northrim had approximately 34,000 deposit customers with an average balance of $60,000 as of June 30, 2025. Northrim had 27 customers with balances over $10 million as of June 30, 2025, which accounted for $731.1 million, or 27%, of total deposits. Demand deposits increased by 5% from the prior quarter and increased 10% from the prior year to $777.9 million at June 30, 2025. Demand deposits were 28% of total deposits at June 30, 2025 up from 27% at March 31, 2025 and were down from 29% of total deposits at June 30, 2024. Average interest-bearing deposits were up 1% to $2.03 billion with an average cost of 2.04% in the second quarter of 2025, compared to $2.00 billion and an average cost of 2.01% in the first quarter of 2025, and up 18% compared to $1.73 billion and an average cost of 2.21% in the second quarter of 2024. Uninsured deposits totaled $1.02 billion or 36% of total deposits as of June 30, 2025 compared to $1.08 billion or 40% of total deposits as of December 31, 2024.

    Shareholders’ equity was $290.2 million, or $52.55 book value per share, at June 30, 2025, compared to $279.8 million, or $50.67 book value per share, at March 31, 2025 and $247.2 million, or $44.93 book value per share, a year ago. Tangible book value per share* was $43.35 at June 30, 2025, compared to $41.47 at March 31, 2025, and $42.03 per share a year ago. The increase in shareholders’ equity in the second quarter of 2025 as compared to the first quarter of 2025 was largely the result of earnings of $11.8 million and an increase in the fair value of the available for sale securities portfolio, which increased $1.9 million, net of tax, which were only partially offset by dividends paid of $3.6 million. The Company did not repurchase any shares of common stock in the second quarter of 2025 and currently has no plans to repurchase shares this year. Tangible common equity to tangible assets* was 7.50% as of June 30, 2025, compared to 7.41% as of March 31, 2025 and 8.24% as of June 30, 2024. Northrim continues to maintain capital levels in excess of the requirements to be categorized as “well-capitalized” with Tier 1 Capital to Risk Adjusted Assets of 9.80% at June 30, 2025, compared to 9.76% at March 31, 2025, and 11.68% at June 30, 2024.

    Asset Quality

    Northrim believes it has a consistent lending approach throughout economic cycles, which emphasizes appropriate loan-to-value ratios, adequate debt coverage ratios, and competent management.

    Nonperforming assets (“NPAs”) net of government guarantees were $11.9 million at June 30, 2025, down from $12.3 million at March 31, 2025 and up from $5.1 million a year ago. Of the NPAs at June 30, 2025, $4.2 million are attributable to the Community Banking segment and $7.5 million are attributable to the Specialty Finance segment.

    Net adversely classified loans were $35.8 million at June 30, 2025, as compared to $20.4 million at March 31, 2025, and $7.1 million a year ago. Adversely classified loans are loans that Northrim has classified as substandard, doubtful, and loss, net of government guarantees. The increase in adversely classified loans, net of government guarantees, at June 30, 2025 as compared to the prior quarter is mostly attributable to two commercial relationships totaling $16.0 million. Net loan charge-offs were $140,000 in the second quarter of 2025, compared to net loan recoveries of $34,000 in the first quarter of 2025, and net loan recoveries of $26,000 in the second quarter of 2024. Additionally, Northrim had 13 loan modifications to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty totaling $3.3 million, net of government guarantees that had been modified in the last twelve months as of June 30, 2025.

    Northrim had $141.2 million, or 6% of portfolio loans, in the Healthcare sector, $127.2 million, or 6% of portfolio loans, in the Tourism sector, $121.0 million, or 5% of portfolio loans, in the Accommodations sector, $93.4 million, or 4% of portfolio loans, in the Retail sector, $84.2 million, or 4% of portfolio loans, in the Aviation (non-tourism) sector, $76.2 million, or 3% of portfolio loans, in the Fishing sector, and $59.5 million, or 3% in the Restaurants and Breweries sector as of June 30, 2025.

    Northrim estimates that $105.9 million, or approximately 5% of portfolio loans, had direct exposure to the oil and gas industry in Alaska, as of June 30, 2025, and $1.5 million of these loans are adversely classified. As of June 30, 2025, Northrim has an additional $76.9 million in unfunded commitments to companies with direct exposure to the oil and gas industry in Alaska, and no unfunded commitments on adversely classified loans. Northrim defines direct exposure to the oil and gas sector as loans to borrowers that provide oilfield services and other companies that have been identified as significantly reliant upon activity in Alaska related to the oil and gas industry, such as lodging, equipment rental, transportation and other logistics services specific to this industry.

    About Northrim BanCorp

    Northrim BanCorp, Inc. is the parent company of Northrim Bank, an Alaska-based community bank with 20 branches throughout the state and differentiates itself with its detailed knowledge of Alaska’s economy and its “Customer First Service” philosophy. The Bank has two wholly-owned subsidiaries, Sallyport Commercial Finance, LLC, a specialty finance company and Residential Mortgage Holding Company, LLC, a regional home mortgage company. Pacific Wealth Advisors, LLC is an affiliated company.

    www.northrim.com

    Forward-Looking Statement

    This release may contain “forward-looking statements” as that term is defined for purposes of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements are, in effect, management’s attempt to predict future events, and thus are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect management’s views only as of the date hereof. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, regarding our financial position, business strategy, management’s plans and objectives for future operations are forward-looking statements. When used in this report, the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” and “intend” and words or phrases of similar meaning, as they relate to Northrim and its management are intended to help identify forward-looking statements. Although we believe that management’s expectations as reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot assure readers that those expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements, are subject to various risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results to differ materially and adversely from our expectations as indicated in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include: descriptions of Northrim’s and Sallyport’s financial condition, results of operations, asset based lending volumes, asset and credit quality trends and profitability and statements about the expected financial benefits and other effects of the acquisition of Sallyport by Northrim Bank; expected cost savings, synergies and other financial benefits from the acquisition of Sallyport by Northrim Bank might not be realized within the expected time frames and costs or difficulties relating to integration matters might be greater than expected; the ability of Northrim and Sallyport to execute their respective business plans; potential further increases in interest rates; the value of securities held in our investment portfolio; the impact of the results of government initiatives, including tariffs, on the regulatory landscape, natural resource extraction industries, and capital markets; the impact of declines in the value of commercial and residential real estate markets, high unemployment rates, inflationary pressures and slowdowns in economic growth; changes in banking regulation or actions by bank regulators; potential further increases in inflation, supply-chain constraints, and potential geopolitical instability, including the war in Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East; financial stress on borrowers (consumers and businesses) as a result of higher rates or an uncertain economic environment; the general condition of, and changes in, the Alaska economy; our ability to maintain or expand our market share or net interest margin; the sufficiency of our allowance for credit losses and the accuracy of the assumptions or estimates used in preparing our financial statements, including those related to current expected credit losses accounting guidance; our ability to maintain asset quality; our ability to implement our marketing and growth strategies; our ability to identify and address cyber-security risks, including security breaches, “denial of service attacks,” “hacking,” and identity theft; disease outbreaks; and our ability to execute our business plan. Further, actual results may be affected by competition on price and other factors with other financial institutions; customer acceptance of new products and services; the regulatory environment in which we operate; and general trends in the local, regional and national banking industry and economy. In addition, there are risks inherent in the banking industry relating to collectability of loans and changes in interest rates. Many of these risks, as well as other risks that may have a material adverse impact on our operations and business, are identified in the “Risk Factors” section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, and from time to time are disclosed in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. However, you should be aware that these factors are not an exhaustive list, and you should not assume these are the only factors that may cause our actual results to differ from our expectations. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of this release, and Northrim does not undertake any obligation to release revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or conditions after the date of this release.
    References:

    https://www.bea.gov/

    http://almis.labor.state.ak.us/

    http://www.tax.alaska.gov/programs/oil/prevailing/ans.aspx

    http://www.tax.state.ak.us/

    https://www.bls.gov/regions/west/news-release/consumerpriceindex_anchorage.htm

    https://www.alaskarealestate.com/MLSMember/RealEstateStatistics.aspx

    https://www.akleg.gov/basis/Bill/Text/34?Hsid=HJR011C

    https://www.trade.gov/data-visualization/tradestats-express-trade-partner-state

    https://tax.alaska.gov/programs/programs/reports/RSB.aspx?Year=2025&Type=Spring

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    https://www.capitaliq.spglobal.com/web/client?auth=inherit&overridecdc=1&#markets/indexFinancials

    Contact: Mike Huston, President, CEO, and COO
      (907) 261-8750
      Jed Ballard, Chief Financial Officer
      (907) 261-3539
       
    Income Statement            
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) Three Months Ended   Year-to-date
    (Unaudited) June 30, March 31, June 30,   June 30, June 30,
        2025   2025     2024       2025   2024  
    Interest Income:            
    Interest and fees on loans $ 40,519 $ 37,470   $ 32,367     $ 77,989 $ 62,817  
    Interest on portfolio investments   3,765   3,675     4,310       7,440   8,830  
    Interest on deposits in banks   515   416     232       931   1,070  
    Total interest income   44,799   41,561     36,909       86,360   72,717  
    Interest Expense:            
    Interest expense on deposits   10,304   9,935     9,476       20,239   18,656  
    Interest expense on borrowings   903   329     380       1,232   561  
    Total interest expense   11,207   10,264     9,856       21,471   19,217  
    Net interest income   33,592   31,297     27,053       64,889   53,500  
                 
    Provision (benefit) for credit losses   1,976   (1,409 )   (120 )     567   29  
    Net interest income after provision for credit losses   31,616   32,706     27,173       64,322   53,471  
                 
    Other Operating Income:            
    Mortgage banking income   7,400   4,251     5,884       11,651   9,915  
    Purchased receivable income   5,897   6,100     1,242       12,047   2,587  
    Bankcard fees   1,153   1,074     1,105       2,227   2,022  
    Service charges on deposit accounts   726   677     572       1,403   1,121  
    Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable equity securities   78   (50 )   (60 )     28   254  
    Other income   1,386   988     834       2,324   1,522  
    Total other operating income   16,640   13,040     9,577       29,680   17,421  
                 
    Other Operating Expense:            
    Salaries and other personnel expense   20,854   17,223     16,627       38,077   32,044  
    Data processing expense   3,366   3,104     2,601       6,470   5,260  
    Occupancy expense   2,104   1,889     1,843       3,993   3,805  
    Professional and outside services   1,113   1,115     726       2,228   1,481  
    Marketing expense   1,042   672     690       1,714   1,203  
    Insurance expense   756   1,017     692       1,773   1,471  
    Compensation expense – SCF acquisition payments   600   600     —       1,200   —  
    OREO expense, net rental income and gains on sale   2   3     2       5   (389 )
    Other expense   2,651   2,548     2,013       5,199   3,957  
    Total other operating expense   32,488   28,171     25,194       60,659   48,832  
                 
    Income before provision for income taxes   15,768   17,575     11,556       33,343   22,060  
    Provision for income taxes   3,990   4,251     2,536       8,241   4,841  
    Net income $ 11,778 $ 13,324   $ 9,020     $ 25,102 $ 17,219  
                 
    Basic EPS $ 2.13 $ 2.41   $ 1.64     $ 4.54 $ 3.13  
    Diluted EPS $ 2.09 $ 2.38   $ 1.62     $ 4.47 $ 3.10  
    Weighted average shares outstanding, basic   5,521,811   5,519,998     5,500,588       5,520,905   5,500,083  
    Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted   5,611,558   5,608,102     5,558,580       5,611,734   5,562,025  
    Balance Sheet      
    (Dollars in thousands)      
    (Unaudited) June 30, March 31, June 30,
        2025     2025     2024  
           
    Assets:      
    Cash and due from banks $ 43,734   $ 29,671   $ 33,364  
    Interest bearing deposits in other banks   97,549     35,852     21,058  
    Investment securities available for sale, at fair value   429,421     463,096     584,964  
    Investment securities held to maturity   36,750     36,750     36,750  
    Marketable equity securities, at fair value   8,747     8,669     12,381  
    Investment in Federal Home Loan Bank stock   8,343     5,342     4,929  
    Loans held for sale   127,116     159,603     85,926  
           
    Portfolio loans   2,202,115     2,124,330     1,875,907  
    Allowance for credit losses, loans   (22,585 )   (20,922 )   (17,694 )
    Net portfolio loans   2,179,530     2,103,408     1,858,213  
    Purchased receivables, net   109,098     95,489     25,722  
    Mortgage servicing rights, at fair value   27,506     26,814     21,077  
    Other real estate owned, net   —     —     —  
    Premises and equipment, net   36,501     37,070     40,393  
    Lease right of use asset   7,033     7,632     8,244  
    Goodwill and intangible assets   50,824     50,824     15,967  
    Other assets   81,608     80,740     72,680  
    Total assets $ 3,243,760   $ 3,140,960   $ 2,821,668  
           
    Liabilities:      
    Demand deposits $ 777,948   $ 742,560   $ 704,471  
    Interest-bearing demand   1,196,048     1,187,465     906,010  
    Savings deposits   248,141     256,650     238,156  
    Money market deposits   196,166     193,842     195,159  
    Time deposits   390,867     397,460     420,010  
    Total deposits   2,809,170     2,777,977     2,463,806  
    Other borrowings   63,026     13,136     43,961  
    Junior subordinated debentures   10,310     10,310     10,310  
    Lease liability   7,077     7,682     8,269  
    Other liabilities   63,958     52,099     48,122  
    Total liabilities   2,953,541     2,861,204     2,574,468  
           
    Shareholders’ Equity:      
    Total shareholders’ equity   290,219     279,756     247,200  
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 3,243,760   $ 3,140,960   $ 2,821,668  
           

    Additional Financial Information
    (Dollars in thousands)
    (Unaudited)

    Composition of Portfolio Loans                        
      June 30, 2025   March 31, 2025   December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      June 30, 2024
      Balance % of
    total
      Balance % of
    total
      Balance % of
    total
      Balance % of
    total
      Balance % of
    total
    Commercial loans $ 569,753   27 %   $ 573,593   27 %   $ 518,148   24 %   $ 492,414   24 %   $ 495,781   26 %
    Commercial real estate:                            
    Owner occupied properties   447,561   20 %     430,442   20 %     420,060   20 %     412,827   20 %     383,832   20 %
    Nonowner occupied and                            
    multifamily properties   696,766   31 %     690,277   32 %     619,431   29 %     584,302   31 %     551,130   30 %
    Residential real estate:                            
    1-4 family properties                            
    secured by first liens   206,905   9 %     188,219   9 %     270,535   13 %     248,514   12 %     222,026   12 %
    1-4 family properties                            
    secured by junior liens &                            
    revolving secured by first liens   60,118   3 %     53,836   3 %     48,857   2 %     45,262   2 %     41,258   2 %
    1-4 family construction   36,005   2 %     34,017   2 %     39,789   2 %     39,794   2 %     29,510   2 %
    Construction loans   187,442   8 %     156,211   7 %     214,068   10 %     185,362   9 %     154,009   8 %
    Consumer loans   7,570   — %     7,424   — %     7,562   — %     7,836   — %     6,679   — %
    Subtotal   2,212,120         2,134,019         2,138,450         2,016,311         1,884,225    
    Unearned loan fees, net   (10,005 )       (9,689 )       (9,187 )       (8,746 )       (8,318 )  
    Total portfolio loans $ 2,202,115       $ 2,124,330       $ 2,129,263       $ 2,007,565       $ 1,875,907    
                                 
    Composition of Deposits                        
      June 30, 2025   March 31, 2025   December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      June 30, 2024
      Balance % of total   Balance % of total   Balance % of total   Balance % of total   Balance % of total
    Demand deposits $ 777,948 28 %   $ 742,560 27 %   $ 706,225 27 %   $ 763,595 29 %   $ 704,471 29 %
    Interest-bearing demand   1,196,048 42 %     1,187,465 43 %     1,108,404 41 %     979,238 37 %     906,010 36 %
    Savings deposits   248,141 9 %     256,650 9 %     250,900 9 %     245,043 9 %     238,156 10 %
    Money market deposits   196,166 7 %     193,842 7 %     196,290 7 %     204,821 8 %     195,159 8 %
    Time deposits   390,867 14 %     397,460 14 %     418,370 16 %     435,870 17 %     420,010 17 %
    Total deposits $ 2,809,170     $ 2,777,977     $ 2,680,189     $ 2,628,567     $ 2,463,806  


    Additional Financial Information

    (Dollars in thousands)
    (Unaudited)

    Asset Quality June 30,   March 31,   June 30,  
        2025     2025     2024  
    Nonaccrual loans – Community Banking $ 4,180   $ 4,274   $ 4,233  
    Nonaccrual loans – Home Mortgage Lending   197     221     253  
    Nonaccrual loans – Specialty Finance   3,484     3,573     344  
    Nonaccrual loans – Total   7,861     8,068     4,830  
    Loans 90 days past due and accruing – Community Banking   —     —     17  
    Loans 90 days past due and accruing – Total   —     —     17  
    Total nonperforming loans – Community Banking   4,180     4,274     4,250  
    Total nonperforming loans – Home Mortgage Lending   197     221     253  
    Total nonperforming loans – Specialty Finance   3,484     3,573     344  
    Total nonperforming loans – Total   7,861     8,068     4,847  
    Nonperforming loans guaranteed by gov’t – Community Banking   70     80     —  
    Nonperforming loans guaranteed by gov’t – Total   70     80     —  
    Net nonperforming loans – Community Banking   4,110     4,194     4,250  
    Net nonperforming loans – Home Mortgage Lending   197     221     253  
    Net nonperforming loans – Specialty Finance   3,484     3,573     344  
    Net nonperforming loans – Total   7,791     7,988     4,847  
                 
    Repossessed assets – Community Banking   50     297     297  
    Repossessed assets – Total   50     297     297  
                 
    Nonperforming purchased receivables – Specialty Finance   4,017     4,007     —  
                 
    Net nonperforming assets – Community Banking   4,160     4,491     4,547  
    Net nonperforming assets – Home Mortgage Lending   197     221     253  
    Net nonperforming assets – Specialty Finance   7,501     7,580     344  
    Net nonperforming assets – Total $ 11,858   $ 12,292   $ 5,144  
                 
    Adversely classified loans, net of gov’t guarantees – Community Banking $ 32,128   $ 16,592   $ 6,006  
    Adversely classified loans, net of gov’t guarantees – Home Mortgage Lending   223     252     718  
    Adversely classified loans, net of gov’t guarantees – Specialty Finance   3,484     3,573     344  
    Adversely classified loans, net of gov’t guarantees – Total $ 35,835   $ 20,417   $ 7,068  
                 
    Special mention loans, net of gov’t guarantees – Community Banking $ 3,966   $ 14,496   $ 8,902  
    Special mention loans, net of gov’t guarantees – Home Mortgage Lending   790     637     —  
    Special mention loans, net of gov’t guarantees – Total $ 4,756   $ 15,133   $ 8,902  
    Asset Quality, Continued June 30,   March 31,   June 30,  
        2025       2025       2024    
    Nonperforming loans, net of government guarantees / portfolio loans   0.35   %   0.38   %   0.26   %
    Nonperforming loans, net of government guarantees / portfolio loans,            
    net of government guarantees   0.38   %   0.40   %   0.28   %
    Nonperforming assets, net of government guarantees / total assets   0.37   %   0.39   %   0.18   %
    Nonperforming assets, net of government guarantees / total assets            
    net of government guarantees   0.38   %   0.41   %   0.19   %
                 
    Loans 30-89 days past due and accruing, net of government guarantees /       %    
    portfolio loans   0.06   %   0.04   %   0.03   %
    Loans 30-89 days past due and accruing, net of government guarantees /            
    portfolio loans, net of government guarantees   0.06   %   0.04   %   0.04   %
                 
    Allowance for credit losses for loans / portfolio loans   1.03   %   0.98   %   0.94   %
    Allowance for credit losses for loans / portfolio loans, net of gov’t guarantees   1.10   %   1.06   %   1.01   %
    Allowance for credit losses for loans / nonperforming loans, net of            
    government guarantees   290   %   262   %   365   %
                 
    Gross loan charge-offs for the quarter – Community Banking $3     $50     $—    
    Gross loan charge-offs for the quarter – Specialty Finance   152       —       —    
    Gross loan charge-offs for the quarter – Total   155       50       —    
                 
    Gross loan recoveries for the quarter – Community Banking   (15 )     (84 )     (26 )  
    Gross loan recoveries for the quarter – Home Mortgage Lending   —       —       —    
    Gross loan recoveries for the quarter – Specialty Finance   —       —       —    
    Gross loan recoveries for the quarter – Total ($15 )   ($84 )   ($26 )  
                 
    Net loan (recoveries) charge-offs for the quarter – Community Banking ($12 )   ($34 )   ($26 )  
    Net loan (recoveries) charge-offs for the quarter – Specialty Finance   152       —       —    
    Net loan (recoveries) charge-offs for the quarter – Total $140     ($34 )   ($26 )  
                 
    Net loan charge-offs (recoveries) year-to-date – Community Banking ($46 )   ($34 )   ($68 )  
    Net loan charge-offs (recoveries) year-to-date – Specialty Finance   152       —       —    
    Net loan charge-offs (recoveries) year-to-date – Total $106     ($34 )   ($68 )  
                 
    Net loan charge-offs (recoveries) for the quarter / average loans, for the quarter   0.01   %   —   %   —   %
                 
    Net loan charge-offs (recoveries) year-to-date / average loans,            
    year-to-date annualized   0.01   %   (0.01 ) %   (0.01 ) %
                 
    Allowance for credit losses for purchased receivables / purchased receivables   3.05   %   3.72   %   —   %
                 
    Net purchased receivable charge-offs (recoveries) for the quarter $281     $—     $—    
                 
    Net purchased receivable charge-offs (recoveries) year-to-date $281     $—     $—    
                 
    Net purchased receivable charge-offs (recoveries) for the quarter /            
    average purchased receivables, for the quarter   0.27   % NA   NA  
                 
    Net purchased receivable charge-offs (recoveries) year-to-date / average            
    purchased receivables, year-to-date annualized   0.61   % NA   NA  


    Additional Financial Information

    (Dollars in thousands)
    (Unaudited)

    Average Balances, Yields, and Rates                
      Three Months Ended
      June 30, 2025   March 31, 2025   June 30, 2024
        Average     Average     Average
      Average Tax Equivalent   Average Tax Equivalent   Average Tax Equivalent
      Balance Yield/Rate   Balance Yield/Rate   Balance Yield/Rate
    Assets                
    Interest bearing deposits in other banks $ 27,216   7.60 %   $ 37,969   4.44 %   $ 17,352   5.27 %
    Portfolio investments   515,916   3.07 %     523,753   2.97 %     639,980   2.82 %
    Loans held for sale   173,675   6.50 %     46,223   5.86 %     65,102   6.08 %
    Portfolio loans   2,172,482   6.99 %     2,173,425   6.89 %     1,845,832   6.87 %
    Total interest-earning assets   2,889,289   6.27 %     2,781,370   6.10 %     2,568,266   5.83 %
    Nonearning assets   306,206         293,415         204,509    
    Total assets $ 3,195,495       $ 3,074,785       $ 2,772,775    
                     
    Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity                
    Interest-bearing deposits $ 2,029,100   2.04 %   $ 2,002,594   2.01 %   $ 1,725,013   2.21 %
    Borrowings   86,404   4.14 %     37,081   3.55 %     38,390   3.92 %
    Total interest-bearing liabilities   2,115,504   2.12 %     2,039,675   2.04 %     1,763,403   2.25 %
                     
    Noninterest-bearing demand deposits   737,112         697,534         706,339    
    Other liabilities   54,320         63,348         58,549    
    Shareholders’ equity   288,559         274,228         244,484    
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 3,195,495       $ 3,074,785       $ 2,772,775    
    Net spread   4.15 %     4.06 %     3.58 %
    NIM   4.66 %     4.55 %     4.24 %
    NIMTE*   4.72 %     4.61 %     4.30 %
    Cost of funds   1.57 %     1.52 %     1.60 %
    Average portfolio loans to average                
    interest-earning assets   75.19 %       78.14 %       71.87 %  
    Average portfolio loans to average total deposits   78.54 %       80.49 %       75.92 %  
    Average non-interest deposits to average                
    total deposits   26.65 %       25.83 %       29.05 %  
    Average interest-earning assets to average                
    interest-bearing liabilities   136.58 %       136.36 %       145.64 %  


    Additional Financial Information

    (Dollars in thousands)
    (Unaudited)

    Average Balances, Yields, and Rates          
      Year-to-date
      June 30, 2025   June 30, 2024
        Average     Average
      Average Tax Equivalent   Average Tax Equivalent
      Balance Yield/Rate   Balance Yield/Rate
    Assets          
    Interest bearing deposits in other banks $ 32,563   5.77 %   $ 39,457   5.36 %
    Portfolio investments   519,813   3.02 %     655,458   2.82 %
    Loans held for sale   110,301   6.35 %     48,868   6.10 %
    Portfolio loans   2,172,950   6.94 %     1,819,629   6.81 %
    Total interest-earning assets   2,835,627   6.19 %     2,563,412   5.76 %
    Nonearning assets   299,848         202,819    
    Total assets $ 3,135,475       $ 2,766,231    
               
    Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity          
    Interest-bearing deposits $ 2,015,920   2.02 %   $ 1,728,468   2.17 %
    Borrowings   61,879   3.96 %     31,167   3.55 %
    Total interest-bearing liabilities   2,077,799   2.08 %     1,759,635   2.19 %
               
    Noninterest-bearing demand deposits   717,432         705,736    
    Other liabilities   58,809         59,478    
    Shareholders’ equity   281,435         241,382    
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 3,135,475       $ 2,766,231    
    Net spread   4.11 %     3.57 %
    NIM   4.61 %     4.20 %
    NIMTE*   4.66 %     4.26 %
    Cost of funds   1.55 %     1.57 %
    Average portfolio loans to average interest-earning assets   76.63 %       70.98 %  
    Average portfolio loans to average total deposits   79.50 %       74.75 %  
    Average non-interest deposits to average total deposits   26.25 %       28.99 %  
    Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities   136.47 %       145.68 %  


    Additional Financial Information

    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
    (Unaudited)

    Capital Data (At quarter end)            
      June 30, 2025   March 31, 2025   June 30, 2024  
    Book value per share $52.55     $50.67     $44.93    
    Tangible book value per share* $43.35     $41.47     $42.03    
    Total shareholders’ equity/total assets   8.95   %   8.91   %   8.76   %
    Tangible Common Equity/Tangible Assets*   7.50   %   7.41   %   8.24   %
    Tier 1 Capital / Risk Adjusted Assets   9.80   %   9.76   %   11.68   %
    Total Capital / Risk Adjusted Assets   10.71   %   10.62   %   12.58   %
    Tier 1 Capital / Average Assets   7.99   %   8.02   %   9.17   %
    Shares outstanding   5,522,271       5,520,892       5,501,562    
    Total unrealized loss on AFS debt securities, net of income taxes ($3,571 )   ($5,452 )   ($15,197 )  
    Total unrealized gain on derivatives and hedging activities, net of income taxes $1,026     $1,097     $1,212    
    Profitability Ratios                    
      June 30, 2025   March 31, 2025   December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      June 30, 2024  
    For the quarter:                    
    NIM 4.66 % 4.55 % 4.41 % 4.29 % 4.24 %
    NIMTE* 4.72 % 4.61 % 4.47 % 4.35 % 4.30 %
    Efficiency ratio 64.68 % 63.54 % 66.96 % 66.11 % 68.78 %
    Return on average assets 1.48 % 1.76 % 1.43 % 1.22 % 1.31 %
    Return on average equity 16.37 % 19.70 % 16.32 % 13.69 % 14.84 %
      June 30, 2025   June 30, 2024  
    Year-to-date:        
    NIM 4.61 % 4.20 %
    NIMTE* 4.66 % 4.26 %
    Efficiency ratio 64.14 % 68.85 %
    Return on average assets 1.61 % 1.25 %
    Return on average equity 17.99 % 14.35 %


    *Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    (Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share data)
    (Unaudited)

    Non-GAAP financial measures have inherent limitations, are not required to be uniformly applied, and are not audited. Although we believe these non-GAAP financial measures are frequently used by stakeholders in the evaluation of the Company, they have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of results as reported under GAAP.

    Net interest margin on a tax equivalent basis

    Net interest margin on a tax equivalent basis (“NIMTE”) is a non-GAAP performance measurement in which interest income on non-taxable investments and loans is presented on a tax equivalent basis using a combined federal and state statutory rate of 28.43% in both 2025 and 2024. The most comparable GAAP measure is net interest margin and the following table sets forth the reconciliation of NIMTE to net interest margin for the periods indicated.

      Three Months Ended
      June 30, 2025   March 31, 2025   December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      June 30, 2024
    Net interest income $ 33,592     $ 31,297     $ 30,841     $ 28,842     $ 27,053  
    Divided by average interest-bearing assets   2,889,289       2,781,370       2,787,517       2,674,291       2,568,266  
    Net interest margin (“NIM”)2   4.66 %     4.55 %     4.41 %     4.29 %     4.24 %
                       
    Net interest income $ 33,592     $ 31,297     $ 30,841     $ 28,842     $ 27,053  
    Plus: reduction in tax expense related to                  
    tax-exempt interest income   409       379       379       385       378  
      $ 34,001     $ 31,676     $ 31,220     $ 29,227     $ 27,431  
    Divided by average interest-bearing assets   2,889,289       2,781,370       2,787,517       2,674,291       2,568,266  
    NIMTE2   4.72 %     4.61 %     4.47 %     4.35 %     4.30 %
      Year-to-date
      June 30, 2025   June 30, 2024
    Net interest income $ 64,889     $ 53,500  
    Divided by average interest-bearing assets   2,835,627       2,563,412  
    Net interest margin (“NIM”)3   4.61 %     4.20 %
           
    Net interest income $ 64,889     $ 53,500  
    Plus: reduction in tax expense related to      
    tax-exempt interest income   788       757  
      $ 65,677     $ 54,257  
    Divided by average interest-bearing assets   2,835,627       2,563,412  
    NIMTE3   4.66 %     4.26 %

    2Calculated using actual days in the quarter divided by 365 for the quarters ended in 2025 and 366 for the quarters ended in 2024, respectively.

    3Calculated using actual days in the year divided by 365 for year-to-date period in 2025 and 366 for year-to-date period in 2024, respectively.

    *Non-GAAP Financial Measures
    (Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share data)
    (Unaudited)

    Tangible Book Value Per Share

    Tangible book value per share is a non-GAAP measure defined as shareholders’ equity, less intangible assets, divided by shares outstanding. The most comparable GAAP measure is book value per share and the following table sets forth the reconciliation of tangible book value per share and book value per share for the periods indicated.

      June 30, 2025   March 31, 2025   December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      June 30, 2024
                       
    Total shareholders’ equity $ 290,219   $ 279,756   $ 267,116   $ 260,050   $ 247,200
    Divided by shares outstanding   5,522     5,521     5,518     5,502     5,502
    Book value per share $ 52.55   $ 50.68   $ 48.41   $ 47.26   $ 44.93
      June 30, 2025   March 31, 2025   December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      June 30, 2024
                       
    Total shareholders’ equity $ 290,219   $ 279,756   $ 267,116   $ 260,050   $ 247,200
    Less: goodwill and intangible assets   50,824     50,824     50,968     15,967     15,967
      $ 239,395   $ 228,932   $ 216,148   $ 244,083   $ 231,233
    Divided by shares outstanding   5,522     5,521     5,518     5,502     5,502
    Tangible book value per share $ 43.35   $ 41.47   $ 39.17   $ 44.36   $ 42.03


    Tangible Common Equity to Tangible Assets

    Tangible common equity to tangible assets is a non-GAAP ratio that represents total equity less goodwill and intangible assets divided by total assets less goodwill and intangible assets. The most comparable GAAP measure of shareholders’ equity to total assets is calculated by dividing total shareholders’ equity by total assets and the following table sets forth the reconciliation of tangible common equity to tangible assets and shareholders’ equity to total assets for the periods indicated.

    Northrim BanCorp, Inc. June 30, 2025   March 31, 2025   December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      June 30, 2024
                       
    Total shareholders’ equity $ 290,219     $ 279,756     $ 267,116     $ 260,050     $ 247,200  
    Total assets   3,243,760       3,140,960       3,041,869       2,963,392       2,821,668  
    Total shareholders’ equity to total assets   8.95 %     8.91 %     8.78 %     8.78 %     8.76 %
    Northrim BanCorp, Inc. June 30, 2025   March 31, 2025   December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      June 30, 2024
    Total shareholders’ equity $ 290,219     $ 279,756     $ 267,116     $ 260,050     $ 247,200  
    Less: goodwill and other intangible assets, net   50,824       50,824       50,968       15,967       15,967  
    Tangible common shareholders’ equity $ 239,395     $ 228,932     $ 216,148     $ 244,083     $ 231,233  
                       
    Total assets $ 3,243,760     $ 3,140,960     $ 3,041,869     $ 2,963,392     $ 2,821,668  
    Less: goodwill and other intangible assets, net   50,824       50,824       50,968       15,967       15,967  
    Tangible assets $ 3,192,936     $ 3,090,136     $ 2,990,901     $ 2,947,425     $ 2,805,701  
    Tangible common equity ratio   7.50 %     7.41 %     7.23 %     8.28 %     8.24 %

    Note Transmitted on GlobeNewswire on July 23, 2025, at 12:15 pm Alaska Standard Time.

    The MIL Network –

    July 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Fusion Fuel Green PLC Announces $4.3 Million Private Placement and Noteholder Agreements

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DUBLIN, July 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Fusion Fuel Green PLC (Nasdaq: HTOO) (“Fusion Fuel” or the “Company”), a provider of integrated energy solutions, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement for a private placement (the “PIPE”) with investors for aggregate gross proceeds of $4.3 million.

    Under the Securities Purchase Agreement, dated July 22, 2025 (the “Securities Purchase Agreement”), Fusion Fuel will issue and sell:

    • 269,459 Class A Ordinary Shares;
    • Pre-funded warrants to purchase 541,706 Class A Ordinary Shares at a nominal exercise price of $0.0035 per share, which can be converted at any time;
    • Warrants to purchase 1,622,330 Class A Ordinary Shares at an exercise price of $4.926 per share, with a three-year exercise window; and
    • Warrants to purchase 811,165 Class A Ordinary Shares at an exercise price of $9.852 per share, with a three-year exercise window.

    The Securities Purchase Agreement requires Fusion Fuel to use the net proceeds from the offering to fully repay any indebtedness under its outstanding Senior Convertible Notes dated January 10, 2025 and March 3, 2025 (collectively, the “2025 Notes”). The remaining funds will support general corporate and working capital purposes, as well as transaction-related costs.

    In connection with the PIPE, the Company also entered into agreements with holders of the 2025 Notes, providing for:

    • Redemption of any unconverted or unpaid 2025 Notes, which had been converted in full as of July 22, 2025;
    • Cancellation of previously issued warrants to the noteholders and an exchange for new warrants to purchase an aggregate of 294,658 Class A Ordinary Shares pursuant to Section 3(a)(9) under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”); and
    • waivers and releases from noteholders regarding certain rights and obligations under prior agreements.

    The PIPE was conducted as a private placement exempt from registration under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and/or Rule 506(b) of Regulation D promulgated thereunder. Fusion Fuel has agreed to file a registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) within 15 days of the closing to register the resale of the securities issued in the PIPE.

    John-Paul Backwell, CEO of Fusion Fuel, commented, “This transaction significantly simplifies our capital structure, allowing us to make important headway on several legacy items while maintaining strong forward momentum. With a cleaner and simplified cap table and funding terms, as well as greater financial flexibility, we are well-positioned to continue delivering on our ambitious growth plans for 2025 and beyond.”

    About Fusion Fuel Green PLC

    Fusion Fuel Green PLC (NASDAQ: HTOO) provides integrated energy engineering, distribution, and green hydrogen solutions through its Al Shola Gas and BrightHy Solutions platforms. With operations spanning LPG supply to hydrogen solutions, the Company supports decarbonization across industrial, residential, and commercial sectors.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which statements involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements generally relate to future events or the Company’s future financial or operating performance. In some cases, you can identify these statements because they contain words such as “may,” “will,” “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “projects,” “intends,” “should,” “seeks,” “future,” “continue,” “plan,” “target,” “predict,” “potential,” or the negative of such terms, or other comparable terminology that concern the Company’s expectations, strategy, plans, or intentions. Forward-looking statements relating to expectations about future results or events are based upon information available to the Company as of today’s date and are not guarantees of the future performance of the Company, and actual results may vary materially from the results and expectations discussed. The Company’s expectations and beliefs regarding these matters may not materialize, and actual results in future periods are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, including, without limitation, the risks and uncertainties described under Item 3. “Key Information – D. Risk Factors” and elsewhere in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC, on May 9, 2025 (the “Annual Report”), and other filings with the SEC. Should any of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should the underlying assumptions about the Company’s business and the commercial markets in which the Company operates prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described as anticipated, estimated or expected in the Annual Report. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements concerning the Company or other matters and attributable to the Company or any person acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements above. The Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date hereof, except as required by law.

    Investor Relations Contact
    ir@fusion-fuel.eu 
    www.fusion-fuel.eu

    The MIL Network –

    July 24, 2025
  • MIL-Evening Report: Togo’s ‘Nana-Benz’: how cheap Chinese imports of African fabrics has hurt the famous women traders

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Fidele B. Ebia, Postdoctoral fellow, Duke Africa Initiative, Duke University

    The manufacturing of African print textiles has shifted to China in the 21st century. While they are widely consumed in African countries – and symbolic of the continent – the rise of “made in China” has undermined the African women traders who have long shaped the retail and distribution of this cloth.

    For many decades Vlisco, the Dutch textile group which traces its origins to 1846 and whose products had been supplied to west Africa by European trading houses since the late 19th century, dominated manufacture of the cloth. But in the last 25 years dozens of factories in China have begun to supply African print textiles to west African markets. Qingdao Phoenix Hitarget Ltd, Sanhe Linqing Textile Group and Waxhaux Ltd are among the best known.

    We conducted research to establish how the rise of Chinese-made cloth has affected the African print textiles trade. We focused on Togo. Though it’s a tiny country with a population of only 9.7 million, the capital city, Lomé, is the trading hub in west Africa for the textiles.

    We conducted over 100 interviews with traders, street sellers, port agents or brokers, government officials and representatives of manufacturing companies to learn about how their activities have changed.

    “Made in China” African print textiles are substantially cheaper and more accessible to a wider population than Vlisco fabric. Our market observations in Lomé’s famous Assigamé market found that Chinese African print textiles cost about 9,000 CFA (US$16) for six yards – one complete outfit. Wax Hollandais (50,000 CFA or US$87) cost over five times more.

    Data is hard to come by, but our estimates suggest that 90% of imports of these textiles to Lomé port in 2019 came from China.

    One Togolese trader summed up the attraction:

    Who could resist a cloth that looked similar, but that cost much less than real Vlisco?

    Our research shows how the rise of China manufactured cloth has undermined Vlisco’s once dominant market share as well as the monopoly on the trade of Dutch African print textiles that Togolese traders once enjoyed.

    The traders, known as Nana-Benz because of the expensive cars they drove, once enjoyed an economic and political significance disproportionate to their small numbers. Their political influence was such that they were key backers of Togo’s first president, Sylvanus Olympio – himself a former director of the United Africa Company, which distributed Dutch cloth.

    In turn, Olympio and long-term leader General Gnassingbé Eyadéma provided policy favours – such as low taxes – to support trading activity. In the 1970s, African print textile trade was considered as significant as the phosphate industry – the country’s primary export.

    Nana-Benz have since been displaced – their numbers falling from 50 to about 20. Newer Togolese traders – known as Nanettes or “little Nanas” – have taken their place. While they have carved out a niche in mediating the textiles trade with China, they have lower economic and political stature. In turn, they too are increasingly threatened by Chinese competition, more recently within trading and distribution as well.

    China displaces the Dutch

    Dating back to the colonial period, African women traders have played essential roles in the wholesale and distribution of Dutch cloth in west African markets. As many countries in the region attained independence from the 1950s onwards, Grand Marché – or Assigamé – in Lomé became the hub for African print textile trade.

    While neighbouring countries such as Ghana limited imports as part of efforts to promote domestic industrialisation, Togolese traders secured favourable conditions. These included low taxes and use of the port.

    Togolese women traders knew the taste of predominantly female, west African customers better than their mostly male, Dutch designers. The Nana-Benz were brought into the African print textile production and design process, selecting patterns and giving names to designs they knew would sell.

    They acquired such wealth from this trade that they earned the Nana-Benz nickname from the cars they purchased and which they used to collect and move merchandise.

    Nana-Benz exclusivity of trading and retailing of African print textiles cloth in west African markets has been disrupted. As Vlisco has responded to falling revenues – over 30% in the first five years of the 21st century – due to its Chinese competition, Togolese traders’ role in the supply chain of Dutch cloth has been downgraded.

    In response to the flood of Chinese imports, the Dutch manufacturer re-positioned itself as a luxury fashion brand and placed greater focus on the marketing and distribution of the textiles.

    Vlisco has opened several boutique stores in west and central Africa, starting with Cotonou (2008), Lomé (2008) and Abidjan (2009). The surviving Nana-Benz – an estimated 20 of the original 50 – operate under contract as retailers rather than traders and must follow strict rules of sale and pricing.

    While newer Togolese traders known as Nanettes are involved in the sourcing of textiles from China, they have lower economic and political stature. Up to 60 are involved in the trade.

    Former street sellers of textiles and other petty commodities, Nanettes began travelling to China in the early to mid-2000s to source African print textiles. They are involved in commissioning and advising on the manufacturing of African print textiles in China and the distribution in Africa.

    While many Nanettes order the common Chinese brands, some own and market their own. These include what are now well-known designs in Lomé and west Africa such as “Femme de Caractère”, “Binta”, “Prestige”, “Rebecca Wax”, “GMG” and “Homeland”.

    Compared to their Nana-Benz predecessors, the Nanettes carve out their business from the smaller pie available from the sale of cheaper Chinese cloth. Though the volumes traded are large, the margins are smaller due to the much lower final retail price compared to Dutch cloth.

    After procuring African print textiles from China, Nanettes sell wholesale to independent local traders or “sellers” as well as traders from neighbouring countries. These sellers in turn break down the bulk they have purchased and sell it in smaller quantities to independent street vendors.

    All African print textiles from China arrive in west Africa as an incomplete product – as six-yard or 12-yard segments of cloth, not as finished garments. Local tailors and seamstresses then make clothes according to consumer taste. Some fashion designers have also opened shops where they sell prêt-à-porter (ready-to-wear) garments made from bolts of African print and tailored to local taste. Thus, even though the monopoly of the Nana-Benz has been eroded, value is still added and captured locally.

    Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Chinese actors have become more involved in trading activity – and not just manufacturing. The further evolution of Chinese presence risks an even greater marginalisation of locals, already excluded from manufacturing, from the trading and distribution end of the value chain. Maintaining their role – tailoring products to local culture and trends and linking the formal and informal economy – is vital not just for Togolese traders, but also the wider economy.

    Rory Horner receives funding from the British Academy Mid-Career Fellowship. He is also a Research Associate at the Department of Geography, Environmental Management and Energy Studies at the University of Johannesburg.

    Fidele B. Ebia does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Togo’s ‘Nana-Benz’: how cheap Chinese imports of African fabrics has hurt the famous women traders – https://theconversation.com/togos-nana-benz-how-cheap-chinese-imports-of-african-fabrics-has-hurt-the-famous-women-traders-260924

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    July 24, 2025
  • MIL-Evening Report: Almost a third of NZ households face energy hardship – reform has to go beyond cheaper off-peak power

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kimberley O’Sullivan, Senior Research Fellow, He Kainga Oranga – Housing and Health Research Programme, University of Otago

    Igor Suka/Getty Images

    The spotlight is again on New Zealand’s energy sector, with a group of industry bodies and independent retailers pushing for a market overhaul, saying the sector was “broken” and “driving up the cost of living”.

    The Commerce Commission and the Electricity Authority has already established a joint task force, after prices peaked in 2024, to investigate ways to improve the performance of the electricity market.

    The Authority recently announced new rules requiring larger electricity retailers to offer lower off-peak power prices from next year. The government is also expected to make further announcements on the sector.

    But the question is whether these changes will do enough to help New Zealanders live affordably in dry and warm homes.

    Some 30% of households face energy hardship. This means they struggle to afford or access sufficient energy to meet their daily needs.

    Caused by a combination of poor housing quality, high energy costs and the specific needs of vulnerable residents, energy hardship can lead to serious health issues and high hospital admission costs.

    We know from our own research over the past 18 years that having power disconnected can negatively affect health and wellbeing.

    People have told us that not being able to afford enough power to keep warm made them more likely to get sick and exacerbated existing health conditions. They described mental distress from unaffordable electricity and the threat of disconnection.

    Research participants used words such as “stressed”, “anxious” or “depressed”. They also spoke about having to choose between food and power bills.

    If power is disconnected, there can be additional costs from losing food in the fridge and freezer, as well as the problem of paying disconnection and reconnection fees when people already can’t afford the bill.

    What’s driving up power bills?

    In 2024, a “dry year” that increased the value of hydro generation, combined with lower-than-usual wind and declining supply of gas, resulted in wholesale electricity price spikes. But these winter shortages aren’t the only factor pushing up power bills.

    Electricity bills reflect several costs along the supply chain from generation to getting the electricity to the sockets in our homes. A new regulatory period for lines charges from April 2025 increased bills by $10 to $25 per month, depending on where you live.

    At the same time, low fixed daily charges are being phased out. This means the cost of being connected to the grid is the same no matter how much power is used.

    It is the poorest New Zealanders who are being hardest hit. The lowest income households spend a bigger proportion of their income on power compared to higher income households. Having electricity prices increase faster than inflation will put even more families at risk.

    The average household electricity bill was up 8.7% in May 2025 compared to June 2024. According to a recent Consumer NZ survey, 20% of respondents said they struggled to pay their power bill in the past year.

    Tackling hardship

    The new Consumer Care Obligations might help reduce some of the risks. Power companies must now comply with these obligations when working with households struggling to pay their bills, are facing disconnection or have someone in the home who is medically dependent on electricity.

    If households feel their power company is not meeting these obligations, they can contact Utilities Disputes, a free independent electricity and gas complaint resolution service, or the Electricity Authority.

    But multiple changes are needed to address the different parts of the energy hardship problem. Improving home energy efficiency through schemes like Warmer Kiwi Homes is crucial.

    Introducing an Energy Performance Rating for houses would make it easier for home buyers and renters to know how much it will cost to power a home before they move in. This would also help target energy hardship support.

    The government can also make electricity more affordable by supporting not-for-profit power companies. Another good move would be to help more households to install rooftop solar by providing access to long-term low-interest finance.

    Lower prices during off-peak hours are a good start. But it is clear the sheer size and complexity of the problems mean government action, with community and industry collaboration, needs to go beyond slightly cheaper electricity when there is less demand.

    Kimberley O’Sullivan receives funding from a Rutherford Discovery Fellowship administered by the Royal Society Te Apārangi, the Health Research Council, the Ministry of Business, Employment, and Innovation, and Lotteries Health Research.

    – ref. Almost a third of NZ households face energy hardship – reform has to go beyond cheaper off-peak power – https://theconversation.com/almost-a-third-of-nz-households-face-energy-hardship-reform-has-to-go-beyond-cheaper-off-peak-power-259140

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    July 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA News: Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Secures Unprecedented U.S.–Japan Strategic Trade and Investment Agreement

    Source: US Whitehouse

    A HISTORIC TRADE AND INVESTMENT AGREEMENT WITH JAPAN: Yesterday, President Donald J. Trump announced a landmark economic agreement with Japan—one of America’s closest allies and most important trading partners.

    • This historic deal reflects the strength of the U.S.–Japan relationship and Japan’s recognition of the United States as the most attractive and secure destination for strategic investment in the world.
    • The agreement reaffirms the shared commitment of both nations to economic prosperity, industrial leadership, and long-term security. It delivers a powerful signal that the U.S.–Japan alliance is not only a cornerstone of peace in the Indo-Pacific, but also a driver of global growth and innovation.
    • With over $550 billion in a new Japanese/USA investment vehicle and enhanced access for American exports, this agreement marks a new chapter in bilateral cooperation—one that will unleash the full potential of the U.S. economy, strengthen vital supply chains, and support American workers, communities, and businesses for decades to come.

    RESTORING AMERICAN INDUSTRIAL POWER: Japan will invest $550 billion directed by the United States to rebuild and expand core American industries.

    • This is the single largest foreign investment commitment ever secured by any country and will generate hundreds of thousands of U.S. jobs, expand domestic manufacturing, and secure American prosperity for generations.
    • At President Trump’s direction, these funds will be targeted toward the revitalization of America’s strategic industrial base, including:
      • Energy infrastructure and production, including LNG, advanced fuels, and grid modernization;
      • Semiconductor manufacturing and research, rebuilding U.S. capacity from design to fabrication;
      • Critical minerals mining, processing, and refining, ensuring access to essential inputs;
      • Pharmaceutical and medical production, ending U.S. dependence on foreign-made medicines and supplies;
      • Commercial and defense shipbuilding, including new yards and modernization of existing facilities.
    • The United States will retain 90% of the profits from this investment—ensuring that American workers, taxpayers, and communities reap the overwhelming share of the benefit.
    • This capital surge, combined with the trillions already secured under President Trump’s leadership, will be a key component of a once-in-a-century industrial revival.

    ENSURING BALANCED TRADE THROUGH A PREDICTABLE TARIFF FRAMEWORK: As part of this agreement, imports from Japan will be subject to a baseline 15% tariff rate.

    • In addition to raising billions in revenue, this new tariff framework, combined with expanded U.S. exports and investment-driven production, will help narrow the trade deficit with Japan and restore greater balance to the overall U.S. trade position.
    • This approach reflects the United States’ broader effort to establish a consistent, transparent, and enforceable trade environment—one in which American workers and producers are no longer disadvantaged by outdated or one-sided trade rules.
    • By aligning with this framework, Japan affirms the strength and mutual respect of the U.S.–Japan economic relationship and recognizes the importance of durable trade grounded in fairness.

    SECURING INCREASED MARKET ACCESS FOR AMERICAN PRODUCERS: For decades, U.S. companies have faced barriers when seeking access to Japan’s market. This agreement delivers breakthrough openings across key sectors:

    • Agriculture and Food:
      • Japan will immediately increase imports of U.S. rice by 75%, with a major expansion of import quotas;
      • Japan will purchase $8 billion in U.S. goods, including corn, soybeans, fertilizer, bioethanol, and sustainable aviation fuel.
    • Energy:
      • Major expansion of U.S. energy exports to Japan;
      • The US and Japan are exploring a new offtake agreement for Alaskan liquefied natural gas (LNG).
    • Manufacturing and Aerospace:
      • Japan has committed to purchase U.S.-made commercial aircraft, including an agreement to buy 100 Boeing aircraft;
      • Additional billions of dollars annually of purchases of U.S. defense equipment, enhancing interoperability and alliance security in the Indo-Pacific.
    • Automobiles and Industrial Goods:
      • Longstanding restrictions on U.S. cars and trucks will be lifted, granting U.S. automakers access to the Japanese consumer market; U.S. Automotive standards will be approved in Japan for the first time ever.
      • Broader openings for a range of industrial and consumer goods, leveling the playing field for American producers.

    A GENERATIONAL SHIFT IN U.S.-JAPAN ECONOMIC RELATIONS: This agreement is not merely a trade deal—it is a strategic realignment of the U.S.-Japan economic relationship delivering for the American people.

    • For the first time, the terms of engagement place American industry, innovation, and labor at the center.
    • By securing historic investment and breaking open long-closed markets, President Trump has once again delivered a deal that no one else could deliver—a deal that will help to rebuild the American economy, strengthen our industrial foundation, and safeguard our national strength for decades to come.
    • President Trump is proving that when the United States leads from strength, the world follows—and America wins.

    SECURING LONG-TERM ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP: This agreement reflects the strong and enduring relationship between the United States and Japan, and it advances the mutual interests of both nations.

    • By aligning on economic and national security, energy reliability, and reciprocal trade, the agreement establishes a foundation for shared prosperity, industrial resilience, and technological leadership.
    • President Trump has once again delivered a transformative outcome for the American people—ensuring that our workers, producers, and innovators are rewarded, respected, and empowered in the global economy.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 24, 2025
  • India achieves 20% ethanol blending in petrol, five years ahead of schedule

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India has successfully achieved 20% ethanol blending in petrol in 2025, five years ahead of its original target set for 2030, Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri announced on Wednesday.

    Highlighting the country’s clean energy progress, the minister noted that ethanol blending in petrol has risen from just 1.5% in 2014 to 20% in 2025- a nearly thirteenfold increase over 11 years.

    Puri emphasized that the shift towards ethanol-blended fuel has not only bolstered energy security but also led to significant economic and environmental benefits. Ethanol production has surged from 38 crore litres in 2014 to 661.1 crore litres by June 2025.

    As a result, India has saved approximately ₹1.36 lakh crore in foreign exchange by reducing its dependency on imported crude oil. At the same time, ₹1.96 lakh crore has been paid to distilleries, fueling the growth of the domestic biofuel industry. Additionally, ₹1.18 lakh crore has been disbursed to farmers, thereby enhancing rural incomes and supporting the agricultural economy.

    The environmental impact has been equally significant. The increased use of ethanol-blended petrol has helped reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 698 lakh tonnes, contributing to India’s climate goals.

    “India hits 20% ethanol blending in petrol five years ahead of target. From just 1.5% in 2014 to 20% in 2025, this clean energy leap has: >> Saved ₹1.36 lakh crore in forex >> Paid ₹1.18 lakh crore to farmers >> Cut 698 lakh tonnes of CO₂ emissions. PM @narendramodi ji’s vision is powering energy security, farmer income and climate progress,” Puri said in a post on X.

    The ethanol used in blending is primarily derived from crops such as sugarcane, reinforcing the initiative’s role in supporting Indian agriculture.

    Recently, the Union Cabinet approved a price hike for ethanol produced from molasses for the current marketing season. The revised procurement prices for Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) under the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme will apply for the Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) 2024-25, which runs from November 1, 2024, to October 31, 2025.

    (ANI)

    July 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Hawley Wins Cancelation of Grain Belt Express

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo)

    Wednesday, July 23, 2025

    U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) succeeded today in securing the cancelation of a Biden-era Green New Deal loan in Missouri. Following Senator Hawley’s request, the Department of Energy canceled $5 billion in taxpayer funding to the “Grain Belt Express,” a green transmission project that has taken the land of numerous Missouri farmers across eight counties while padding the corporate profits of parent company Invenergy.

    The Grain Belt Express boondoggle loan has been CANCELLED
    — Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) July 23, 2025
    The cancelation of the federal loan guarantee comes after Senator Hawley secured a pledge from Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Chris Wright to halt the project. Senator Hawley sent a letter to the DOE in March urging the department to cancel the loan, as well as a follow-up letter in June. 
    Senator Hawley worked for years to prevent federal confiscation of Missourians’ property and will continue to do so. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: House Energy and Commerce Committee Advances Latta’s Bill to Improve Access to Over-the-Counter Medicines

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green Ohio)

    Today, the House Energy and Commerce Committee advanced Congressman Bob Latta’s (OH-5) Over-the-Counter Monograph Drug User Fee Amendments (OMUFA). Co-led by Congresswoman Diana DeGette (CO-1), Congressman Dan Crenshaw (TX-2), and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-6), this bipartisan bill would reauthorize the Over-the-Counter Monograph User Fee Act, which has improved access to over-the-counter medicines. 

    “The over-the-counter monograph drug user fee program (OMUFA) allows consumers to manage their own care safely and affordably. Five years ago, as the original sponsor of this legislation, my colleagues and I modernized how the FDA regulates most over-the-counter medicines by enacting OMUFA. These reforms transformed a 40-year-old system, making it more efficient, transparent, and open to innovation. I’m proud to lead the reauthorization of this critical program and thank my Energy and Commerce colleagues for advancing this important legislation to improve access to over-the-counter medicines,” Latta said. 

    “The passage of OMUFA out of the Energy & Commerce Committee will help to ensure that over-the-counter medications are safe, effective, and accessible. I’m glad to have worked on this important, bipartisan legislation to build on our success and ensure FDA can continue their work to deliver trusted medicines to all Americans,” DeGette said.  

    “Our bill gives the FDA the tools to keep up with modern science — reviewing over-the-counter medicines faster, without sacrificing safety. That means more trust for consumers, fewer delays for innovation, and no new burden on taxpayers,” Crenshaw said.

    “Nearly nine out of ten Americans regularly use over the counter medications to quickly, easily, and effectively manage a range of conditions. The Over-the-Counter Monograph Safety, Innovation, and Reform Act has been highly successful in improving OTC drug availability and safety, and I’m glad to see this legislation pass out of committee. I will continue to work with my bipartisan colleagues to ensure consumers to have safe access to the OTC products they depend on, and the U.S. remains a global leader in health and innovation,” Dingell said. 

    Watch Congressman Latta’s remarks from today’s committee markup here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: U.S. Reps. Castor, Tran Reintroduce “Keep Kids Covered Act” to Improve Outcomes, Lower Costs & Support Families Across America

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Reprepsentative Kathy Castor (FL14)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Reps. Kathy Castor (FL-14) and Derek Tran (CA-45) reintroduced legislation to provide continuous health care coverage for eligible children in Medicaid and CHIP. The Keep Kids Covered Act would expand the 12-month continuous eligibility (CE) protection for children, providing uninterrupted coverage for children until age 6 – a crucial time for their development – and for a 24-month period for children age 6 to 19.

    Continuous eligibility requires states to cover children in CHIP and Medicaid for a defined period of time – without coverage lapse – regardless of changes in circumstances. Access to consistent, high-quality coverage is crucial for children’s development and well-being, particularly in their early years, enabling them to grow into healthy and productive adults. Not only does CE improve short- and long-term health coverage, it lowers costs and reduces churn and financial barriers to care. Too many children who are eligible for Medicaid or CHIP have lost coverage for procedural reasons, like missing paperwork. The Keep Kids Covered Act would ensure kids and families across the country have access to the lifesaving care they need and deserve. The bill would also ensure that former foster youth have CE until age 26, as the Affordable Care Act intended. 

    Over 37 million children rely on Medicaid and CHIP across the country, but Congressional Republicans’ Big Ugly Budget Bill puts children’s health at risk. At President Trump’s urging, they are cutting $1 trillion in funding from Medicaid, CHIP and the Affordable Care Act and enacting policies that will strip coverage from millions of children in order to give tax breaks to the wealthy and well-connected. Last week, President Trump announced that states will no longer be able to provide enhanced CE for kids with Medicaid and CHIP coverage. And in Florida, Governor DeSantis continues to break the law by throwing children off the state’s CHIP program in violation of the federal 12-month CE protection. Legislation like the Keep Kids Covered Act would act as a bulwark against these harmful state policies.

    “In Florida and across the country, children pay the price when politicians rip health coverage away and create bureaucratic barriers to care,” said Rep. Castor. “The Keep Kids Covered Act will ensure eligible kids across the country can access reliable, stable Medicaid and CHIP coverage so they can live happy, healthy lives. Research has shown that children with health coverage do better in school and grow into more successful adults, lowering costs for everyone. While Congressional Republicans and President Trump have spent the past few months making it more difficult and expensive for kids to access critical health coverage, Democrats are fighting to protect our kids and their future. I’m grateful to my colleagues Rep. Derek Tran and Senator Michael Bennet, as well as the child and family advocates, for their partnership and support of this critical legislation.”

    “As a father of young kids, I know how critical adequate health care is for our children to grow and thrive. No child should be denied access to medical treatment because President Trump and Congressional Republicans wanted to give their billionaire friends a tax break,” said Rep. Tran. “I’m proud to join Rep. Castor in introducing the Keep Kids Covered Act to bring down costs for hard-working families and ensure high-quality access to health care so all of our kids can stay healthy.”

    “In the face of Republicans’ biggest attack on health care access yet, I’m grateful to Rep. Castor for her persistence in protecting health care for our nation’s children,” said Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06). “As the Big Ugly Bill is set to take health care away from millions of Americans, Democrats will keep fighting to minimize coverage gaps, burdensome paperwork requirements, and price hikes for families. The Keep Kids Covered Act is a critical tool in this fight against Republican cuts and will ensure young children continue to have health care coverage.”

    “Pediatricians know how vital it is that children have uninterrupted access to health care coverage that supports them as they grow and develop. As its name states, the Keep Kids Covered Act would help ensure children enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP do not face gaps in coverage, providing families with certainty that their children can continue to receive the health care they need. The American Academy of Pediatrics thanks Representative Kathy Castor (D-Fla.) for introducing this important legislation and calls on lawmakers to swiftly advance it,” said Susan J. Kressly, MD, FAAP, American Academy of Pediatrics President.

    “Every child deserves the opportunity to grow and thrive, and no child should miss out on essential health care because of a lapse in coverage,” said Margaret A. Murray, CEO of the Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP). “For more than 20 years, ACAP has advocated for continuous eligibility for all people covered by Medicaid. We’re pleased that Representative Castor’s reintroduction of the Keep Kids Covered Act advances this priority by ensuring continuous coverage for children enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP.”

    “First Focus Campaign for Children strongly supports the reintroduction of the Keep Kids Covered Act led by Representative Kathy Castor. The legislation makes an important investment in children by ensuring that they have continuous eligibility in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) during their earliest and most critical years of development. This guarantee of coverage provides a powerful antidote to the recently passed budget reconciliation package, which cuts Medicaid and CHIP by hundreds of billions of dollars, jeopardizing the health and well-being of over 37 million children. The Keep Kids Covered Act is a practical, common-sense approach that will provide kids in Medicaid and CHIP with consistent health care coverage, laying a foundation of care that will benefit them throughout their lives.” — Bruce Lesley, President, First Focus Campaign for Children.

    “Rep. Kathy Castor is fighting to protect children’s health care in the wake of Donald Trump and Republicans’ health care emergency,” said Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach. “Republicans’ actions are ripping coverage away from hard-working families and putting children at risk, but Democrats are working to ensure kids can stay covered and get the care they need to grow up healthy and strong. No child should lose care just because Republicans want to fund tax breaks for billionaires and big corporations.”

    “Children’s hospitals witness the critical role Medicaid and CHIP play in providing essential care to more than half of the children they treat, particularly those with serious and complex medical needs. The Keep Kids Covered Act addresses the pressing issue of coverage gaps that can disrupt this vital care, ensuring that no child’s health suffers due to administrative hurdles. By providing continuous, multi-year coverage, this legislation offers much-needed stability and peace of mind to families facing challenging health circumstances. We commend Representatives Castor and Caraveo for their leadership in making sure all children have access to the consistent care they need to lead healthy, successful lives,” said Matthew Cook, President and CEO of the Children’s Hospital Association.

    In addition to Reps. Castor and Tran, the Keep Kids Covered Act is cosponsored by Reps. Kim Schrier, Raul Ruiz, Marc Veasey, Nanette Barragán, Lizzie Fletcher, Greg Landsman, Jan Schakowsky, Jennifer McClellan, Darren Soto, Troy Carter, and Doris Matsui. 

    Endorsing organizations include: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Nurses Association, American Psychiatric Association, Association for Community Affiliated Plans, Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs, BayCare Health System—St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, Child Welfare League of America, Children’s Defense Fund, Children’s Hospitals Association, Colorado Children’s Campaign, Families USA, First Focus Campaign for Children, Florida Health Justice Project, Florida Policy Institute, Florida Voices for Health, March of Dimes, National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, National Foster Youth Institute, National League for Nursing, Nemour Children’s Health, Primary Development Corporation, Protect Our Care, The Center for Law and Social Policy, UnidosUS, ZERO TO THREE.  

    The full bill text of the legislation can be viewed here.

    A one-pager about the legislation is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: REP LIEU INTRODUCES BIPARTISAN BILL TO STRENGTHEN CLEAN ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE FOR US TERRITORIES

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ted Lieu (33 District of California)

    WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) announced the reintroduction of the Renewable Energy for U.S. Territories Act, along with Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett (D-Virgin Islands), Congressman James Moylan (R-Guam), and Congressman Pablo Hernández (D-Puerto Rico). The bill creates an energy grant program for U.S. territories to strengthen and invest in renewable energy, energy efficiency, energy storage, smart grids and micro grids, and training for local residents. These grants would be awarded to non-profit organizations and the Department of Energy’s National Laboratories would be directed to offer technical assistance.

    “Extreme weather events are increasing in frequency and cost because of climate change,” said Congressman Lieu. “Climate change is here, and we need resilient infrastructure that can handle what is to come. Over the past decade, our U.S. territories have been devastated by some of the worst extreme weather events, exemplifying the consequences of critical infrastructure failure. I’m reintroducing this bipartisan bill with Congresswoman Plaskett, Congressman Moylan, and Congressman Hernández to strengthen our U.S. territories’ energy infrastructure and meet the urgency of the climate crisis.”

    “I am proud to co-lead this essential legislation with my colleagues,” said Congresswoman Plaskett. “Virgin Islanders experience the dangers of maintaining an aging energy infrastructure during hurricane season as threats mount and compound with each passing year. Years of underfunding have left our energy systems vulnerable, making the transition to resilient renewable energy not just an opportunity, but a necessity. The Renewable Energy for U.S. Territories Act would provide crucial resources to build hardened, clean energy infrastructure that can withstand increasingly severe storms. For island territories like ours, Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories and non-contiguous states, reliable renewable energy is not just about climate goals—it’s about economic survival and ensuring our communities have power when they need it most. Investing in this transition today protects our resources and resilience for future generations.”

    “Typhoon Mawar was a wake-up call for Guam. It exposed just how vulnerable our energy systems are, and how high the stakes can be when they fail,” said Congressman Moylan. “We need solutions that can withstand the next storm. That means building smarter, more resilient systems that keep the lights on when we need them most and investing in our workforce, so our people have the tools and training to operate and sustain them locally. I’m grateful to Congressman Lieu for his leadership, and proud to co-lead this bipartisan legislation that puts Guam and every U.S. territory on a path to stronger, cleaner, and more secure energy infrastructure.”

    “Puerto Rico has endured hurricanes, floods, and chronic blackouts that leave too many, especially in rural areas, in the dark,” said Congressman Hernández. “We need power infrastructure that is resilient, stable, and reliable for our homes, hospitals, schools, and businesses. This bill moves us beyond short-term fixes and toward lasting solutions that are clean and locally driven. I’m proud to co-lead this bipartisan effort to ensure that Puerto Rico has the infrastructure, training, and tools to build an energy system that truly serves our communities.”

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Security: Japan’s Reports on Conditions at TEPCO’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, 16 June 2025

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

    On 19 June 2025, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report on the discharge record and the seawater monitoring results at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station during December, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent to all international Missions in Japan.

    The report contains information on discharges from the subdrain and groundwater drain systems, as well as on groundwater bypassing conducted during the month of December. In both cases, in advance of the action, TEPCO analyzes the quality of the groundwater to be discharged and announces the results. These results confirm that the radiation level of sampled water are substantially below the operational targets set by TEPCO.

    MIL Security OSI –

    July 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Security: Japan’s Reports on Conditions at TEPCO’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, 16 June 2025

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

    On 19 June 2025, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report on the discharge record and the seawater monitoring results at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station during December, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent to all international Missions in Japan.

    The report contains information on discharges from the subdrain and groundwater drain systems, as well as on groundwater bypassing conducted during the month of December. In both cases, in advance of the action, TEPCO analyzes the quality of the groundwater to be discharged and announces the results. These results confirm that the radiation level of sampled water are substantially below the operational targets set by TEPCO.

    MIL Security OSI –

    July 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Security: Japan’s Reports on Conditions at TEPCO’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, 9 June 2025

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

    On 19 June 2025, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report on the discharge record and the seawater monitoring results at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station during February, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent to all international Missions in Japan.

    The report contains information on discharges from the subdrain and groundwater drain systems, as well as on groundwater bypassing conducted during the month of February. In both cases, in advance of the action, TEPCO analyzes the quality of the groundwater to be discharged and announces the results. These results confirm that the radiation level of sampled water are substantially below the operational targets set by TEPCO.

    MIL Security OSI –

    July 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Security: Japan’s Reports on Conditions at TEPCO’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, 9 June 2025

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

    On 19 June 2025, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report on the discharge record and the seawater monitoring results at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station during February, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent to all international Missions in Japan.

    The report contains information on discharges from the subdrain and groundwater drain systems, as well as on groundwater bypassing conducted during the month of February. In both cases, in advance of the action, TEPCO analyzes the quality of the groundwater to be discharged and announces the results. These results confirm that the radiation level of sampled water are substantially below the operational targets set by TEPCO.

    MIL Security OSI –

    July 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Security: Japan’s Reports on Conditions at TEPCO’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, 8 July 2025

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

    On 16 July 2025, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report on the discharge record and the seawater monitoring results at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station during March, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent to all international Missions in Japan.

    The report contains information on discharges from the subdrain and groundwater drain systems, as well as on groundwater bypassing conducted during the month of March. In both cases, in advance of the action, TEPCO analyzes the quality of the groundwater to be discharged and announces the results. These results confirm that the radiation level of sampled water are substantially below the operational targets set by TEPCO.

    MIL Security OSI –

    July 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Nick Langworthy Introduces Reliable Federal Infrastructure Act to Cut Costs and Modernize Construction Standards

    Source: US Congressman Nick Langworthy (NY-23)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Nick Langworthy (NY-23) introduced the Reliable Federal Infrastructure Act, legislation to eliminate outdated and burdensome federal building mandates that no longer align with modern construction realities.

     

    “Taxpayers should not be on the hook for radical policies that only drive up the cost of constructing federal infrastructure while harming reliability. This bill would ensure Federal agencies to tailor building design and construction to their specific needs, rather than aiming to hit arbitrary efficiency targets,” said Congressman Langworthy. “It will help rein in inflated construction costs, accelerate project timelines, and foster innovation by removing rigid, top-down mandates. The Reliable Federal Infrastructure Act is a part of my broader effort to inject common-sense back into government.”

     

    Currently, federal agencies must comply with strict energy efficiency standards set forth in Section 305(a)(3)(D) of the Energy Conservation and Production Act and reinforced in theEnergy Independence and Security Act of 2007. These one-size-fits-all mandates—enacted during an aggressive federal climate policy push—create unnecessary cost burdens, slow down construction timelines, and limit design flexibility for new federal buildings.

     

    The Reliable Federal Infrastructure Act would repeal these outdated requirements, allowing agencies to pursue energy-efficient solutions where appropriate, while also prioritizing practicality, cost-effectiveness, and mission-readiness.

     

    The full text can be found here.

     

    Original cosponsors of this legislation include Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-TN), Rep. Troy Balderson (R-OH), Rep. Michael Rulli (R-OH), Rep. Julie Fedorchak (R-ND), and Rep. Pat Harrigan (R-NC).  

     

    Groups that support this legislation include the American Gas Association, American Public Gas Association, GPA Midstream Energy Equipment and Infrastructure Alliance, Independent Petroleum Association of America, American Petroleum Institute, National Gas Supply Association, MEA Energy Association, GO-WV, Northwest Gas Association, Tennessee Gas Association, Energy Association of Pennsylvania, Natural Gas Association of Georgia, Northeast Gas Association, Carolinas Natural Gas Coalition. 

     

    “We commend Congressman Langworthy and all of the cosponsors who recognize natural gas is the most reliable and affordable form of energy in the United States today – it’s our nation’s strategic advantage,” said AGA President and CEO Karen Harbert. “The Reliable Federal Infrastructure Act would preserve vital resiliency in our national infrastructure to ensure operability in high-stakes moments, protect our national security and deliver life essential energy to mission critical federal and military facilities across our nation.”

     

    “GPA Midstream applauds Rep. Nick Langworthy (NY-23) for introducing the Reliable Federal Infrastructure Act, which aims to allow federal buildings in America the ability to use the appropriate energy source, which often is natural gas or propane,” said Stuart Saulters, VP, Federal Affairs, GPA Midstream. “Unfortunately, previous legislation imposed prescriptive federal building energy performance standards, which often disallow the use of natural gas or propane. These one-size-fits-all requirements on the design, construction, and operation of new federal buildings often result in unnecessary cost increases, inflexible compliance burdens, and construction delays. The federal government, just like American citizens, should be able to use the most reliable and affordable energy source. GPA Midstream hopes the House of Representatives will pass the Reliable Federal Infrastructure Act soon.”

     

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI NGOs: World’s highest court delivers historic protections for climate-impacted communities

    Source: Greenpeace Statement –

    The Hague, Netherlands – The world’s highest court has just delivered a landmark Advisory Opinion on the obligations of States in the face of the climate emergency.[1] The International Court of Justice (ICJ) decision delivers historic protections that strengthen the responsibilities of States under international law beyond the Paris Agreement, with several key additional obligations including the duty of all countries to prevent significant harm to the environment and the duty to cooperate.

    The Court’s decision obligates States to regulate businesses on the harm caused by their emissions regardless of where the harm takes place. Significantly, the Court found that the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment is fundamental for all other human rights, and that intergenerational equity should guide the interpretation of all climate obligations.

    Danilo Garrido, Legal Counsel at Greenpeace International, said:

    “This is the start of a new era of climate accountability at a global level. The ICJ advisory opinion marks a turning point for climate justice, as it has clarified, once and for all, the international climate obligations of States, and most importantly, the consequences for breaches of these obligations. This will open the door for new cases, and hopefully bring justice to those, who despite having contributed the least to climate change, are already suffering its most severe consequences. The message of the Court is clear: the production, consumption and granting of licenses and subsidies for fossil fuels could be breaches of International Law. Polluters must stop emitting and must pay for the harms they have caused.”

    The decision also clarifies that breaches of climate obligations give rise to full reparations: including stopping harmful actions, and giving financial compensation for any related losses and damages. These can include compensation for climate harm and even the need for an immediate cessation of GHG emissions above a science-based safety threshold. Most significantly, the Court made important findings that will ensure climate justice for future generations in the most climate-impacted communities, offering a historic level of protection.

    Flora Vano, Vanuatu Women-Led Community Leader, said:

    “Tonight I’ll sleep easier. For the first time, it feels like Justice is not just a dream but a direction. The ICJ has recognised what we have lived through – our suffering, our resilience and our right to our future. This is a victory not just for us but for every frontline community fighting to be heard. Now, the world must act.”

    Earlier this month, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights delivered another historic decision on the obligations of States in the face of the climate emergency.[2] The Court established that governments must take “urgent and effective actions” to safeguard the right to a healthy climate, and that companies have obligations with regard to climate change and its impacts on human rights. This decision unequivocally puts the rights of people and nature above the interests of polluters.

    In 2023, Greenpeace International’s iconic ship, the Rainbow Warrior, sailed through the Pacific and gathered testimonies from communities affected by climate change. These were submitted to the ICJ, along with testimonies from other communities on the frontlines of the climate crisis.[3] Subsequently, the Court held a two-week-long public hearing on the obligations of States with respect to climate change, featuring testimonies of impacts and resistance of frontline communities across the world, and with unprecedented participation from States and international organisations, following written comments submitted to the Court last year.[4][5]

    Today’s decision adds to the global momentum towards climate accountability and to the Polluters Pay Pact, a global alliance of over 200,000 people on the frontlines of climate disasters, concerned citizens, first responders like firefighters, humanitarian groups, political leaders, and more than 60 NGOs, including Greenpeace International. It demands that governments worldwide make oil, coal and gas corporations pay their fair share for the damages they cause.

    ENDS

    High resolution images for media use can be found in the Greenpeace Media Library

    Notes:

    [1] Obligations of States in respect of Climate Change Request for Advisory Opinion

    [2] The Inter-American Court of Human Rights, one of three regional human rights courts in the world, has the role to interpret and clarify the obligations of States. Its decisions inform national governments and courts. Read the full decision, Opinión Consultiva (in Spanish)

    [3] Greenpeace submits brief to the International Court of Justice on the Obligations of States Regarding Climate Change

    [4] Major milestone reached in historic climate judgement as States submit arguments to world’s highest court

    [5] In 2019, 27 law students from The University of the South Pacific united in forming Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change, with a campaign for the International Court of Justice to issue an Advisory Opinion on the responsibilities of States in respect to climate change. The resolution, put forward by Vanuatu alongside a global alliance of States, passed the United Nations General Assembly unanimously in March 2023, co-sponsored by over 130 countries. 

    Contacts:

    Marie Bout, Strategic Comms Manager, Greenpeace International Climate & Energy Programme, +33 (0) 6 05 98 70 42, [email protected]

    Greenpeace International Press Desk, +31 (0) 20 718 2470 (available 24 hours), [email protected]

    MIL OSI NGO –

    July 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Subsidising e-bikes instead of cars could really kick the electric vehicle transition into high gear

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Noel Flay Cass, Research Fellow in Energy Demand Behaviour, University of Leeds

    If you’re thinking of buying a new electric car worth up to £37,000, the UK government has offered to knock up to £3,750 off the price. The measure adds up to £650 million in grants for people to buy EVs (electric vehicles), but as a researcher who studies transport policy and climate change, I think this money would be better spent subsidising e-bikes.

    Numerous questions surround the new government policy. Might people who can afford a new car buy one anyway, without the 10% discount? Might car dealers simply reduce the discounts they offer by a similar amount? Given the 20% VAT on an EV, doesn’t a sale actually result in a 200% immediate return for the government? And isn’t this mainly a bung to car manufacturers and company fleets?

    The grants come on top of financial assistance for replacing cars, vans, taxis and motorbikes with electric options, announced in February – £120 million in total, including £500 grants for e-motorbikes. But almost no subsidies are available for two-wheeled, pedal-assisted EVs: e-bikes and e-cargo bikes.

    The main financial help for buying e-bikes is the cycle to work salary-sacrifice scheme. The employer buys the bike and then instalments are deducted from a participant’s pay before tax, but the scheme’s eligibility is limited to employees on standard payroll tax (PAYE workers) whose sacrifices don’t drop their pay below minimum wage.

    This also excludes those who are out of work, the low-paid, the self-employed and retired, arguably people who might benefit most from an e-bike.

    Benefits beyond carbon savings

    We know that e-bike owners replace lots of trips and miles driven by cars. We also know the upfront cost of around £2,000-£3,000 is a barrier to more people owning one, despite e-bikes being much cheaper than cars.

    Estimates of annual carbon savings from e-bikers avoiding car trips vary, from as little as 87kg CO₂ in a 2016 study to 394kg in research published the following year. Estimates published in 2020 and 2023 put the annual climate dividend at 225kg and 168kg of CO₂ respectively – roughly in line with emissions for one person making a return short-haul flight.

    E-bikes provide extra propulsion to make long or arduous journeys easier for more riders.
    Umomos/Shutterstock

    These might seem small savings compared to the tonnes of CO₂ that an EV can save. However, e-bike incentives would have two big advantages.

    First, policies that encourage active travel, including cycling, have been assessed by the government multiple times to determine the payoff from investment. It turns out that they have huge benefit to cost ratios – 9:1 on average (internationally it’s 6:1).

    Conservatively, policies to encourage cycling pay back £5.50 in social benefits for every £1 invested. These benefits are largely savings for the healthcare system. In a project I worked on, in which we lent e-cargo bikes for free to 49 households in Leeds, Brighton and Oxford for several months, e-cargo bike users cycled up to three times more than non-users in our surveys.

    E-cargo bike borrowers also reported mental-health benefits on top of satisfaction at being able to combine fitness with functional everyday trips, which were longer than they would attempt on a conventional bike. The cargo bikes especially helped with combining trips – commutes with shopping and school runs, for instance – meaning that more than 50% of trips and miles replaced car usage.

    Precious cargo.
    R.Classen/Shutterstock

    Second, e-bike incentives can be designed to appeal especially to the lower-paid, who have been found to use their e-bikes more than wealthier buyers, which would also replace more car trips. The highest of a sliding scale of means-tested incentives in a Canadian study attracted poorer first-time e-bike buyers with existing high car-use.

    This reaped average annual carbon savings of 1,456kg for those in receipt of the maximum CAN$1,600 (£868). As the authors suggest, these incentives may have helped low-income households realise their preferences for less dependence on cars.

    E-bike grants could get more people out of cars

    But how many drivers want to drive less? According to research that groups people into camps based on travel preferences, up to 50% of travellers in the UK are “malcontented motorists” and “active aspirers” (to travel differently).

    Research has shown great potential for wider e-bike ridership.
    Halfpoint/Shutterstock

    Our research also found that guilt, or trying to minimise car use, was a major motivator for nearly all of our participants. While the government has funded free e-(cargo) bike trials like ours, the main cycling organisations we talked to pointed out that use would “fall off a cliff” when the trial ends because of the cost barrier. Those who would struggle to buy one were back in the same position as before.

    A government evaluation of free e-bike loans concluded they were poor value for money, but it tracked purchases made soon after with a tiny response rate. Our project followed up after a year and found 20% of our borrowers had bought an e-cargo bike. Trial loans and grants together might achieve even more.

    The new EV grant money could provide nearly 750,000 e-bike or e-cargo bike purchase-incentives the size of the Canadian ones, which could lead to annual carbon savings of 1.125 million tonnes of CO₂, according to the weekly average savings they found in that group.

    Given the conservative benefit to cost ratio of 5.5:1 from such a UK scheme, this investment could also reap more than £3.6 billion in social benefits – especially from a fitter car-dependent population. There would potentially be a massive boost to the struggling UK e-bike and e-cargo bike market as well.


    Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?

    Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 45,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.


    Noel Flay Cass receives funding from UK Research & Innovation grant EP/S030700/1 through the Elevate project: (Innovative Light ELEctric Vehicles for Active and Digital TravEl).

    – ref. Subsidising e-bikes instead of cars could really kick the electric vehicle transition into high gear – https://theconversation.com/subsidising-e-bikes-instead-of-cars-could-really-kick-the-electric-vehicle-transition-into-high-gear-261429

    MIL OSI –

    July 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Canadian wetlands are treasures that deserve protection

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Maria Strack, Professor, Department of Geography and Environmental Management, University of Waterloo

    The Grande Plée Bleue bog, near Québec City in June 2023. This peatland with pools is one of the largest wetlands in eastern Québec. (Maria Strack)

    Though Canada is often known as a land of lakes, it is also a country of wetlands. Stretching like a necklace of emeralds, sapphires and rubies across the Canadian landscape, wetlands cover 14 per cent of the Canadian land mass, accounting for almost twice as much area as lakes.

    Canada is home to a quarter of the world’s remaining wetlands, yet they remain like hidden treasures that most Canadians rarely pay a second thought.

    The importance of wetlands to a sustainable future has been recognized internationally. Signed in 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar, the Convention on Wetlands — often called the Ramsar Convention — supports international collaboration and national action for the conservation of wetlands.

    This week, delegations from contracting parties to the convention, including Canada, have come together in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, for the 15th Conference of the Parties.

    Despite decades of efforts, wetlands continue to be under threat around the world. Delegates will work this week to chart a path forward that further elevates wetlands in the global consciousness, highlighting the need to protect these ecosystems and meet international goals to safeguard biodiversity and slow climate warming.

    Canada currently has 37 Wetlands of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention, covering more than 13 million hectares. Yet many of Canada’s wetlands remain unprotected.

    Canada’s wetlands

    The term “wetland” usually conjures an image of a shallow pond bordered by cattails. In fact, Canadian wetlands come in a range of shapes and sizes, all of which provide valuable services. Those reedy marshes provide critically important habitat and water storage, particularly in the Prairies, southern Ontario and Québec.

    The vast majority of Canada’s wetlands are made up of swamps, fens and bogs, most of which also hold deep deposits of organic soils called peat. Bogs and fens can resemble vast mossy carpets. But they can also look a lot like forests, hiding their soggy soils beneath a canopy of trees.

    This wetland diversity contributes to their value. At the interface of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, wetlands are often biodiversity hotspots.

    They are home to weird and wonderful species, including carnivorous plants like sundews, pitcher plants and bladderworts. And if you’re hungry, peatlands are a great place for berry picking.

    Interwoven in our boreal landscape, wetlands also support iconic Canadian species like beavers, moose and woodland caribou and are key habitats for waterfowl and other migratory birds.

    Preserving wetlands is also a key flood mitigation strategy. Storm water can fill up pore spaces in mossy peat soils, or spread out across the flat expanse of swamps and marshes, reducing peak flows and helping to protect downstream infrastructure. As the water slows, water quality can also be improved. Sediments have time to settle, while plants and microbes can remove excess nutrients.

    Carbon storage

    In recent decades, wetlands have gained international attention for their role in carbon storage. Waterlogged sediment and soil lead to slow rates of decomposition. When plant litter falls in a wetland, it builds up over time, creating a bank of carbon that can be stored for millennia.

    Peatlands are particularly good at accumulating carbon, as they are home to plants that inherently decompose slowly. Because of this, peatlands store twice the carbon of the world’s forests. Keeping this carbon stored in wetland soils, and out of the atmosphere, is important to climate change mitigation.

    Yet, the buildup of carbon in wetlands is slow. Many of these ecosystems have been adding to this carbon bank since the last ice age; digging through metres of peat is like travelling back through time, with the deposits at the bottom often thousands of years old.

    This means that the carbon stored in wetlands is irrecoverable within human lifetimes. Once lost, it will be many generations before the full value of this treasure can be returned.

    The economic value of the water-filtering and carbon storage that Canadian wetlands provide has been estimated at $225 billion per year. It’s clear: healthy wetlands contribute to our society’s well-being.

    But just as important, they are an integral component of the Canadian landscape. Wetlands are interwoven with our forests, fields, lakes and now even our cities. They link us to the land and water. They are places of wonder and spiritual connection.

    Impact of climate change

    Despite their value, wetlands in Canada face many threats. In southern regions of Canada, most wetlands have already been lost to drainage for agriculture and urban development. Further north, up to 98 per cent of Canadian peatlands remain intact.

    However, climate change and resource development are already exacerbating wetland disturbance and loss. Warming temperatures have contributed to larger and more severe wildfire that also impact peatlands and lead to large carbon emissions.

    Thawing permafrost is further changing wetland landscapes and how they function. Warming also allows for northward expansion of agriculture with the potential for loss of even more wetland area to drainage.

    Natural resource extraction further contributes to wetland disturbance, often with unexpected consequences. Geologic exploration used to map oil and gas reserves has left a network of over one million kilometres of linear forest clearing across the boreal forest, much of which crosses peatlands.




    Read more:
    How climate change is impacting the Hudson Bay Lowlands — Canada’s largest wetland


    This has contributed to declines in woodland caribou populations and led to increases in methane emissions from these ecosystems.

    Mining often involves regional drainage or excavation of peatlands, resulting in the loss of their services. The recent push to fast-track production of critical minerals in Canada is putting vast areas of our wetlands at risk.

    Wetland restoration research is ongoing, with some promising results. However, given the long time-scale of wetland development, avoiding disturbances in the first place is the best way to safeguard wetlands.

    As stewards of a quarter of world’s wetland treasures, policymakers and everyday Canadians need to ensure wetlands are safeguarded and preserved for a prosperous future.

    Maria Strack receives funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada, the Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss Association, Ducks Unlimited Canada, Imperial Oil Ltd., Alberta Pacific Forest Industries Inc., Cenovus Energy, Canadian Natural Resources Limited, ConocoPhillips Canada, Natural Resources Canada, and the Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute.

    – ref. Canadian wetlands are treasures that deserve protection – https://theconversation.com/canadian-wetlands-are-treasures-that-deserve-protection-261433

    MIL OSI –

    July 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Africa: Nigeria to Showcase Executive Order Reforms, Investment Opportunities at African Energy Week (AEW) 2025

    Source: APO

    Nigeria is undertaking sweeping reforms across its oil and gas industry, driven by a landmark Executive Order signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu aimed at catalyzing investment and eliminating regulatory inefficiencies. At the “Invest in Nigeria” Roundtable during African Energy Week (AEW) 2025: Invest in African Energies – sponsored by NCDMB and taking place in Cape Town on September 29-October 3 – senior policymakers and industry leaders will unpack the scope of these reforms, explore how they are reshaping the investment landscape, and present new opportunities across upstream, midstream and downstream value chains. 

    Set to speak are Olu Verheijen, Special Advisor to the President of Nigeria on Energy; Arthur Ename, Vice President of Business Development, Africa, at NOV; Nosa Omorodion, Country Director at SLB Nigeria; Alex Irune, Executive Director of Oando and Managing Director of Oando Energy Resources; a senior representative from ExxonMobil; and Philip Mshelbila, Managing Director and CEO of Nigeria LNG (NLNG). The roundtable will offer high-level insight into the regulatory reset now underway and what it means for investors looking to expand or enter the Nigerian market. 

    The Executive Order, signed in April 2025, targets cost efficiency and fiscal competitiveness in upstream operations and introduces performance-based tax credits for oil and gas companies that deliver verifiable reductions in project costs. Under the framework, operators that meet annual cost-reduction benchmarks set by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission are eligible to retain 50% of the incremental government revenue generated by their efficiency gains, with total credits capped at 20% of their annual tax liability. 

    This move directly addresses long-standing concerns over high operating costs in Nigeria’s upstream sector, which have historically deterred investment and delayed project execution. By linking tax relief to measurable cost savings, the Order is expected to unlock stalled developments, attract new capital and create a more transparent, performance-driven investment climate. 

    At the AEW 2025 roundtable, speakers will examine how this reform is already reshaping Nigeria’s energy landscape – enabling more competitive bidding for contracts, accelerating international oil company divestments and positioning indigenous players to scale up their operations within a more commercially attractive and operationally efficient environment. 

    Nigeria is also doubling down on natural gas as the cornerstone of its long-term energy strategy. With over 200 trillion cubic feet of proven reserves, the country is accelerating infrastructure development to support both domestic utilization and regional exports. A flagship project, the NLNG Train 7 expansion, is nearing completion and set to boost production capacity by 35%, underscoring the critical role of LNG in Nigeria’s economic growth and energy transition plans. At the same time, upstream and midstream gas investments are being enabled through policy instruments that promote modular processing, flexible pricing frameworks and improved market access for domestic suppliers. 

    The private sector is poised to play a central role in this next phase. Companies like SLB and NOV are aligning their strategies with the government’s push for localization, efficiency and innovation, while firms such as Oando are expanding their portfolios to reflect new realities in the post-Petroleum Industry Act landscape. With enhanced policy stability and a deliberate focus on sector transformation, Nigeria is reasserting its status as one of Africa’s most strategic hydrocarbon hubs. 

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

    About AEW:
    AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event. 

    Media files

    .

    MIL OSI Africa –

    July 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Africa: Merck Foundation Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Meets Mauritius Minister of Gender Equality & Family Welfare to Launch “Educating Linda” Program, Supporting Education of 20 Deserving yet Underprivileged Mauritian Schoolgirls Girls Until Graduation

    Source: APO

    • During the visit to the country, Merck Foundation CEO also met the Mauritius President to share the impact of their 100 Scholarships for Mauritian Doctors in partnership with Ministry of Health.
    • Dr. Rasha Kelej during her meeting with the Mauritius President, strengthened partnership to improve access to innovative and equitable healthcare and Empower Women in STEM.
    • Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej also met the Mauritius Minister of Gender Equality & Family Welfare to share the impact of their programs to address critical social issues like supporting girl education and Ending Gender Based Violence in the country.

    Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany met Hon’ble Ms. Marie Arianne Navarre-Marie, Minister of Gender Equality and Family Welfare during a high-level meeting, to share the impact of their programs and underscore their long-term commitment to address critical social issues in Mauritius.

    During her visit, she also met H.E. MR. DHARAMBEER GOKHOOL, The President of Republic of Mauritius, to share the impact of their 100 Scholarships for Mauritian Doctors in partnership with Ministry of Health and underscore their long-term commitment to transform public healthcare in Mauritius.

    Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of “More Than a Mother” Campaign emphasized, “It was a great honor to meet Hon’ble Ms. Marie Arianne Navarre-Marie, Minister of Gender Equality and Family Welfare and share with her the impact of our partnership and programs since 2017 that aim to transform patient care, build healthcare and media capacity, to empower women in STEM, support girl education and raise awareness about social and health issues in Mauritius and the rest of Africa.

    I am very happy to share that together with the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Welfare, we are launching our Educating Linda Program in the country, as a part of which we will be supporting the education of 20 high performing yet underprivileged Mauritian schoolgirls, till they graduate. Through this, we will be empowering them to complete their studies and reach their full potential.”

    Merck Foundation has provided 100 scholarships for Mauritian doctors in 44 critical and under-served specialties.

    “During my meeting with H.E. MR. DHARAMBEER GOKHOOL, The President of Republic of Mauritius, we also discussed the possibility of providing specialized training for Mauritian doctors in innovative and emerging fields such as Stem Cell Therapy in pathology, CAR T-cell treatment, AI in Radiology, Radiotherapy and Medical Oncology, Robotic Surgical Oncology, Neurology, Nephrology, Urology, and Neurosurgery. We are strongly committed to work closely with Ministry of Health to improve access to innovative and equitable healthcare solutions”, added Dr. Kelej. 

    The 100 scholarships for local Mauritian Doctors have been provided for One-Year PG Diploma and Two-year Master Degrees in many critical specialties including Fertility, Embryology, Sexual & Reproductive Care, Oncology, Preventative Cardiovascular, Diabetes, Endocrinology, Acute Medicine, Respiratory, Gastroenterology, Dermatology, Neuroimaging for Research, Sexual & Reproductive Care, Clinical Microbiology and infectious diseases, Internal Medicine, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Ophthalmology, Laparoscopic Surgical Skills, Critical Care, Neonatal Medicine, Psychiatry, Family Medicine, Advanced Cytopathology and many more.

    Merck Foundation has so far provided more than 2280 scholarships for young doctors from 52 countries in 44 critical and underserved specialties, with many of them becoming the first specialists in their countries.

    During her visit, Merck Foundation CEO also met the Senior Officials from the Office of Hon’ble Minister of Health, Mauritius.

    Merck Foundation also conducted the 4th Edition of their Health Media Training for the Mauritian Media Representatives in partnership with Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Welfare, Mauritius. The training session was conducted to emphasize on the important role that media plays to influence society to create a cultural shift with the aim to address wide range of social and health issues such as: Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Women Empowerment, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, Stopping GBV, Diabetes and Hypertension awareness. It was co-chaired by Merck Foundation CEO and Minister of Gender Equality and Family Welfare, Mauritius.

    During the training session, the Call for Application for 8 important Merck Foundation Awards were announced for Media, Musicians, Fashion Designers, Filmmakers, students, and new potential talents in these fields.

    The award announced are:

    1. Merck Foundation Africa Media Recognition Awards “More Than a Mother” 2025, in partnership with Media Trust Board, Mauritius: Media representatives and media students are invited to showcase their work to raise awareness about one or more of the following social issues such as: Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Women Empowerment, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, and/ or Stopping GBV at all levels.

    Submission deadline: 30th September 2025.

    1.  Merck Foundation Fashion Awards “More Than a Mother” 2025, in partnership with Academy of Design and Innovation, Mauritius: All African Fashion Students and Designers are invited to create and share designs to deliver strong and influential messages to raise awareness about one or more of the following social issues such as: Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Women Empowerment, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, and/ or Stopping GBV at all levels.

    Submission deadline: 30th September 2025.

    1. Merck Foundation Film Awards “More Than a Mother” 2025: All African Filmmakers, Students of Film Making Training Institutions, or Young Talents of Africa are invited to create and share a long or short FILMS, either drama, documentary, or docudrama to deliver strong and influential messages to address one or more of the following social issues such as: Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Women Empowerment, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, and/ or Stopping GBV at all levels.

    Submission deadline: 30th September 2025.

    1. Merck Foundation Song Awards “More Than a Mother” 2025: All African Singers and Musical Artists are invited to create and share a SONG with the aim to address one or more of the following social issues such as: Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Women Empowerment, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, and/ or Stopping GBV at all levels.

    Submission deadline: 30th September 2025.

    1. Merck Foundation Media Recognition Awards 2025 “Diabetes & Hypertension”, in partnership with Media Trust Board, Mauritius: Media representatives are invited to showcase their work through strong and influential messages to promote a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness about the prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension.

    Submission deadline: 30th October 2025.

    1. Merck Foundation Fashion Awards 2025 “Diabetes & Hypertension”, in partnership with Academy of Design and Innovation, Mauritius: All African Fashion Students and Designers are invited to create and share designs to deliver strong and influential messages to promote a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness about the prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension.

    Submission deadline: 30th October 2025.

    1. Merck Foundation Film Awards 2025 “Diabetes & Hypertension: All African Filmmakers, Students of Film Making Training Institutions, or Young Talents of Africa are invited to create and share a long or short FILMS, either drama, documentary, or docudrama to deliver strong and influential messages to promote a healthy lifestyle raise awareness about prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension.

    Submission deadline: 30th October 2025.

    1. Merck Foundation Song Awards 2025 “Diabetes & Hypertension”: All African Singers and Musical Artists are invited to create and share a SONG with the aim to promote a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness about the prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension.

    Submission deadline: 30th October 2025.

    Entries for the above awards can be submitted to us at:

    submit@merck-foundation.com

    For information on the above awards, please visit our website:

    www.Merck-Foundation.com

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Merck Foundation.

    Contact:
    Mehak Handa
    Community Awareness Program Manager 
    Phone: +91 9310087613/ +91 9319606669
    Email: mehak.handa@external.merckgroup.com

    Join the conversation on our social media platforms below and let your voice be heard!
    Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/3GZAB8c
    X: https://apo-opa.co/46Yc51M
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    Instagram: https://apo-opa.co/41aw4Xg
    Threads: https://apo-opa.co/4m1Sj9O
    Flickr: https://apo-opa.co/4o4qNdO
    Website: www.Merck-Foundation.com
    Download Merck Foundation App: https://apo-opa.co/4nYOCDX

    About Merck Foundation:
    The Merck Foundation, established in 2017, is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people and advance their lives through science and technology. Our efforts are primarily focused on improving access to quality & equitable healthcare solutions in underserved communities, building healthcare & scientific research capacity, empowering girls in education and empowering people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) with a special focus on women and youth. All Merck Foundation press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck Foundation Website.  Please visit www.Merck-Foundation.com to read more. Follow the social media of Merck Foundation: Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/3GZAB8c), X (https://apo-opa.co/46Yc51M), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/41aw4Xg), YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/450kdfL), Threads (https://apo-opa.co/4m1Sj9O) and Flickr (https://apo-opa.co/4o4qNdO).

    The Merck Foundation is dedicated to improving social and health outcomes for communities in need. While it collaborates with various partners, including governments to achieve its humanitarian goals, the foundation remains strictly neutral in political matters. It does not engage in or support any political activities, elections, or regimes, focusing solely on its mission to elevate humanity and enhance well-being while maintaining a strict non-political stance in all of its endeavors.

    Media files

    .

    MIL OSI Africa –

    July 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Africa: Eritrea: Effort to Eradicate Underage Marriage

    Source: APO


    .

    The National Union of Eritrean Women branch in the Gash Barka Region reported that, alongside efforts to improve the socio-economic standards of women, strong action is being taken to eradicate harmful practices, particularly underage marriage. The report was presented during an activity assessment meeting held on 19 and 20 July in Barentu.

    At the meeting, heads of the National Union of Eritrean Women in the sub-zones presented reports outlining achievements and challenges. The reports also highlighted efforts to create a conducive environment for women to improve their economic status through group and individual income-generating activities, including small-scale agriculture and trade.

    Ms. Yihdega Yohannes, head of the union branch in the region, stated that encouraging results have been achieved through collaboration with partners in organizing vocational training programs, enhancing women’s economic capacity, and combating harmful practices. She also noted the union’s efforts to ensure women’s access to health and educational services, including in remote areas of the region.

    Ms. Yihdega further called on women to preserve the progress achieved and strive for even greater outcomes.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

    MIL OSI Africa –

    July 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Hearing Wrap Up: Congress Must Act to Advance Nuclear Energy

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Eric Burlison (R-Missouri 7th District)

    WASHINGTON—The Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Energy Policy, and Regulatory Affairs today held a hearing titled “The New Atomic Age: Advancing America’s Energy Future.” During the hearing, members heard from witnesses about the advent of small and micro modular nuclear reactors and how their development and deployment will advance the use of safe, clean and reliable nuclear energy in the United States. Members emphasized the importance of expanding nuclear energy because of its efficiency and low cost compared to other energy sources.  

    Click here to watch the hearing. 

    Key Takeaways:

    Small and micro modular reactors (SMRs and MMRs) promise to redefine the future of U.S. electricity generation through increases in safe, affordable and accessible nuclear energy. Government overregulation, however, has been holding back the development and deployment of these reactors.  

    • Alex Epstein, President and Founder of the Center for Industrial Progress, stated in his opening testimony that “Whenever we talk about abundant nuclear energy, including SMRs, we need to recognize that the first step is for government to stop doing the immense harm it’s actively doing. And this harm is harm that probably gutted nuclear’s potential for decades. It’s important to recognize that in the 70s, clean, safe nuclear power – and it was very safe, it was the safest form of energy in history, even back then, -became affordable and it quickly grew to 20 percent of American electrical power with the potential to get far more affordable and plentiful. But crushing irrational regulation, including the way the N[uclear] R[egulatory] C[omission] was set up, made nuclear expensive or impossible to build.”

    Supply-chain issues and cultural misconceptions of nuclear energy adversely affect its propagation in the U.S.

    • Joshua Smith, Energy Policy Lead at the Abundance Institute, stated in his opening testimony that “For decades, American engineers built nuclear swiftly, cheaply, and safely…Nuclear’s struggles today aren’t inherent to the technology. They’re the product of outdated, unfit, and counterproductive regulations. Major barriers include [As Low and Reasonably Achievable] and [Linear No-Threshold] standards which impose costs above any kind of offsetting safety benefits, inflexible [Nuclear Regulatory Commission] frameworks that prevent innovation and nuclear’s risk being widely understood. For example, there is no radiation caused deaths associated with Three Mile Island’s release. The Chernobyl disaster is impossible with modern reactor designs and measured in deaths per terawatt hours of electricity production, nuclear is about 800 times safer than coal and 100 times safer than gas generation.” 

    The United States must modernize its approach to electrical grid licensing, permitting and the nuclear industry generally if we want to maintain leadership in the global race for energy efficiency.

    • Joshua Smith said in his opening testimony that “Nuclear entrepreneurs can’t succeed in a system that blocks entry before shovels hit the dirt. Licensing, permitting, and interconnection are all clogged arteries in need of reform alongside nuclear regulations. The core lesson is that we need to not just improve nuclear regulations, but streamline permitting and grid interconnection to enable nuclear power and ensure an affordable and reliable energy supply.”
    • Alex Epstein testified that “[The] NRC should open nuclear innovation zones on federal land. So, the recent [executive orders] rightly encouraged the testing of nuclear reactors on federal lands, which would allow private developers to quickly iterate designs and run safety tests without waiting years. What [the Department of Energy] and [the Department of Defense] can do is formally designate nuclear innovation zones on federal land, and specifically the NRC can issue guidance confirming the data collected on these sites will satisfy what’s called performance-based safety testing requirements of the regulatory code Part 53, and this can dramatically expedite things.”

    Member Highlights:

    Subcommittee Chairman Burlison (R-Mo.) inquired about companies being held back from developing nuclear energy in the United States, and how states are better suited for regulating nuclear energy than the federal government.

    Subcommittee Chairman Burlison: “I was recently told by one company based here in the United States that they will have a fully functioning MMR abroad in the next year. They specifically stated that they couldn’t accomplish that in the United States, that they’d have to go on foreign soil to demonstrate to the American public and the government that their technology is ready. What’s holding back companies like that from doing this in the United States?” 

    Mr. Smith: “Thank you. Fundamentally, the problem is we have too many barriers between people who want to build and their ability to put shovels on the ground and put up structures. So, take one example, it’s important that we do continued modeling. It’s important that we continue doing extensive testing, but we also need to do real life testing rather than just rely on the data that we currently use.”

    …

    Subcommittee Chairman Burlison: “I’m [going to] jump to one of my questions then, regarding the states. How would they be better suited than the federal government for regulating this?” 

    Mr. Smith: “One of the key differences between the designs of the 60s and 70s is today, they’re very, very different, so there’s little need for containment structures in some of these new designs. And part of the problem with having a lot of expertise at the NRC is simply that they have a hammer, they see everything as a nail, and so we have a problem where new companies come in, they don’t need a containment chamber or containment facility for their design, and yet the NRC prescriptive regulations say ‘thou shalt have one.’ And so state level interest can develop new rules that avoid this kind of old problem, and we could do some of this at the federal level of course. There’s room for Congress to get involved and spin off new agencies within the NRC or separately entirely to pursue these new designs. States have already taken the right kinds of steps. Texas has been developing an advanced nuclear working group. Utah similarly has an office of an energy development official who’s purely devoted to nuclear now, in addition to extensive legislative efforts within the state congress.”

    Subcommittee Chairman Burlison also inquired about overbearing regulations and the cultural discussion of nuclear stifling U.S. energy innovation.
     

    Subcommittee Chairman Burlison: “[Can you] speak to how the regulatory process for [technological innovators] who are doing very creative, very innovative stuff might be stifling to that mindset?”

    Mr. Epstein: “I admire these guys for trying because it’s just, so difficult to do things. I mean, for all the reasons I mentioned, the licensing process, it could be difficult to test things, the whole Linear No-Threshold and As Low As Reasonably Achievable. So this, all these dogmas, as I said, can be changed and it’ll just radically open the frontier for innovation where companies like these can go very quickly from idea to action. Right now, there’s just an enormous gap between idea and action. One other thing that needs to change, I think, is the cultural discussion of nuclear we heard from Ranking Member Frost, and I think some others, that Three Mile Island was the problem. But as Scott Perry pointed out, like Three Mile Island, is not fundamentally a problem. [The] fact that the worst nuclear accident we’ve had is something that killed nobody, that should be celebrating nuclear. So we need to stop demonizing nuclear like the Simpsons did. We need to recognize it’s fundamentally safe. It’s not safe primarily because of regulation, it’s safe because the material cannot explode like combustion can.”

    Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.) inquired about how the nuclear energy industry is more profitable and cost-efficient for taxpayers than other non-traditional energy industries.

    Rep. Perry: “[Mr. Epstein], if you could just briefly explain how not doing the same thing over and over again for the same kind of design is going to be helpful to the industry, save the industry money, and, in turn, save my bosses, citizens of America—my constituents—money?” 

    Mr. Epstein: “For sure. So, I think it’s really important that you raise the issue of profit, because we absolutely want nuclear energy companies to be able to make a profit by competing to provide the lowest cost, most reliable energy, just like we want phone manufacturers to be able to make a profit providing the most effective phones. AI providing people the most cost-effective AI. There are two kinds of problems that arise. One is when you restrict the ability of profit-making entities to compete by not allowing them to do their jobs, which things like having a new environmental impact statement for every nuclear power plant, even if it’s the exact same thing, that just dramatically increases costs. The other thing that you raised is that when you subsidize inferior forms of energy, that also raises costs…So they take money away from the reliable power plants, reliable power plants get defunded, can’t make a profit. This is why we have a shortage of gas turbines. One of the reasons why nuclear is in bad shape, but we cannot build dispatchable capacity profitably, because we’ve screwed up the markets with subsidies. So, the Big Beautiful Bill, by far the best thing about it, in my opinion, was dramatic cuts to these grid destroying, price increasing solar and wind subsidies.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Africa: The ‘Oil Industry, African Energy Chamber (AEC) and Africa Bromance’ Remains Committed to Africa’s Energy Development Despite Attacks from Foreign Funded Groups

    Source: APO

    In yet another attack on the African oil and gas industry, Extinction Rebellion has condemned South Africa as it strives to advance oil and gas exploration across its offshore market. An article published this week by the group’s spokesperson Moraig Peden cites new offshore oil and gas projects as being in direct conflict with the country’s climate commitments, despite the fact that operators have secured environmental authorization to explore offshore. Representing the voice of the African energy sector, the African Energy Chamber (AEC) (https://EnergyChamber.org) condemns the article as yet another blatant attack on not only the African energy industry but its population at large. Oil and gas will play a fundamental role in alleviating energy poverty in Africa and the AEC – in collaboration with the oil industry and African communities – will continue advocating for offshore exploration and production.   

    Groups such as Extinction Rebellion has been consistent in their attacks against the industry, turning to violent and disruptive measures to voice their biases and relentless opposition. Rather than peaceful protests, foreign funded environmental groups have turned to climate-motivated sabotage. Activists from Shut the System, for example, sabotaged internet cables in London in early 2025. Following which, the group stated that they “vow to wage a campaign of sabotage targeting the tools, property and machinery of those most responsible for global warming.” This is a direct attack on the industry.  

    Another group, Just Stop Oil, has also been relentless. Attacks include throwing soup at Van Gogh’s Sunflowers painting, throwing paint on Stonehenge, gluing themselves to roads to stop traffic, cable-tying themselves to goal posts at sports events and England-wide blockades at ten critical oil facilities in 2022. Just Stop Oil protestors were also given multi-year prison sentences in England in 2024 for their roles in closing multiple junctions of the M25 motorway. In the US, Greenpeace was issued to pay $660 million in damages in 2025 for malicious interference with the Dakota Access Pipeline. The group also has a history of occupying coal power plants and blocking coal shipments in New Zealand, Australia and the UK. But it is the group’s attacks on the industry in Africa that stand to bring far-reaching disruptions.   

    Greenpeace has been strongly opposing exploration in Africa by companies such as Shell, Meren Energy (formerly Africa Oil Corp), TotalEnergies and more. All three companies have secured environmental authorization and/or financing for their offshore activities but Greenpeace continues to launch attacks against these companies. The company challenged Shell’s exploration rights in court and continues to ask for donations to support its attacks on oil companies.  

    “We at the chamber expected these attacks as we approach this next edition of AEW: Invest in African Energies. These attacks always come. We denounce the violence of Extinction rebellion.  We hope that we will have a robust conversation about Africans right to drill and provide energy for the millions of Africans that live without access to electricity or clean cooking solutions. The AEC-Africa-Oil and Gas Industry bromance will continue fighting for Africa. We will continue fighting to make energy poverty history. We will continue fighting for generations to come,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC.  

    It is clear that the writer Peden does not fully understand the African context. If the writer truly understood what every day Africans in Mali, Mozambique, Namibia and other countries go through, she would not have this extremist and radical environmental agenda against the continent’s energy development. We must be reminded that over 600 million Africans live without access to electricity while over 900 million people live without access to clean cooking solutions. But it seems that Extinction Rebellion is bent on ensuring that Africans remain without access to electricity or the energy they need for the future. This is exactly what the AEC opposes. This is also why we are proud to be part of a bromance with Africa and the global oil and gas industry. This is why we will continue fighting for oil and gas exploration.  

    It is surprising to see that Extinction Rebellion and Peden criticize African exploration efforts when they fail to criticize the bromance between countries in other parts of the world and the oil and gas industry. They do not criticize Norway for producing four million bpd and sanctioning new energy projects or the UK which is drilling in the North Sea or the US in the Gulf. It is Africa, where people want to drill for more oil and gas to help lift the continent out of poverty, that the attacks come. 

    “I was hoping the she would bring Greta Thunberg along because she will protest anything. Moraig Peden and the foreign funded green groups now have the Mantashe Derangement Syndrome.  The attacks on Africans by Moraig Peden and Extinction rebellion deceitful and dishonest, Or blatantly dishonest. This is just the beginning, Africans and the energy industry have been through tough times, but you’ve never seen me quit and there’s no quitting on our fight to make energy poverty history and industrialize Africa. We see Moraig Peden’s attacks as simply hypocrisy especially coming from a wealthy woman with a Eurocentric view of energy who believes Africans should stay in the dark while she is shopping for car elevators” Concluded Ayuk. 

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

    Media files

    .

    MIL OSI Africa –

    July 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Canada: Saskatchewan Sees Further Progress on Oil and Gas Emissions Reduction

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on July 23, 2025

    Greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from Saskatchewan’s upstream oil and gas sector saw a fifth-straight year of reductions in 2024, according to the Ministry of Energy and Resources’ Oil and Gas Emissions Management Regulations (OGEMR) Annual Report. The report’s 2024 data shows provincial emissions from venting and flaring at upstream oil facilities fell by 71 per cent compared to 2015 levels, and by 13 per cent compared to 2023 levels.

    “Our made-in-Saskatchewan approach to lowering GHG emissions is working, and these numbers show it,” Energy and Resources Minister Colleen Young said. “Investment and innovation in the oil and gas sector has led to the significant reduction in the emissions we have seen since OGEMR was introduced in 2019. The Ministry of Energy and Resources will continue to take a regulatory approach that facilitates growth and ensures responsible resource development.” 

    The OGEMR annual report found that emissions from reported venting and flaring at upstream oil facilities have been reduced by 7.7 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (Mt CO2e) since 2015. That is equivalent to taking 1.7 million passenger vehicles off the road for one year. 

    Multiple activities contributed to the 2024 reductions, but there were two primary drivers: oil companies installing combustion equipment at wells and facilities to burn off gas that would otherwise have been vented; and companies using vented gas on site as fuel for a beneficial industry-related purpose.

    The OGEMR annual report monitors progress in implementing OGEMR with the intent to reduce GHG emissions from the upstream oil and gas sector by 40 to 45 per cent by 2025 compared to 2015 levels.

    The 2024 OGEMR Annual Report shows Saskatchewan has surpassed the 40 to 45 per cent goal and is on track to far exceed this target in 2025. This achievement underscores the province’s regulatory leadership and industry innovation in lowering GHG emissions.

    For more information about the Government of Saskatchewan’s Oil and Gas Emissions Management Regulations and to view a full copy of the report, please visit saskatchewan.ca.

    To view the Oil and Gas Emissions Management Regulations Annual Report, visit: https://publications.saskatchewan.ca/api/v1/products/126693/formats/148784/download.

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    July 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Canada: Turning waste into economic growth

    [. This growth has solidified Alberta as a leader across Canada and the world in producing manufactured goods and materials.

    To build on the province’s leadership, Alberta’s government is investing up to $49 million from the industry-funded Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction (TIER) program to support 18 new projects. These projects will create close to 1,600 jobs and inject $233 million into Alberta’s economy.

    “Manufacturing is a pillar of our economy, employing tens of thousands of Albertans and solving real-world challenges. This funding will help manufacturers do more with the resources we already have, producing the goods Albertans rely on while strengthening the province’s global competitiveness, creating more jobs and protecting the environment.”

    Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas

    The province’s investment through Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA) will expand the development of waste management, carbon utilization, critical minerals, energy storage, geothermal, oil sands and more. It will also create Alberta’s first recycling system for agricultural plastics and a facility that turns wood waste from construction, demolition and renovation into valuable building materials.

    “By investing in advanced materials and circular economy solutions, we’re helping Alberta’s industries stay competitive, create jobs and reduce emissions. This funding supports technologies that make better use of our resources while cutting costs. It’s a win for both the economy and the environment.”

    Justin Riemer, chief executive office, Emissions Reduction Alberta

    The funding will help businesses such as Pro-Pipe Service and Sales in Nisku create new technology that aims to lower costs and expand the use of geothermal energy projects in Alberta and beyond. Carbonova Corporation in Calgary will also use the funding to develop its process to turn plant-based waste like woodchips and byproducts from oil refining into carbon nanofibers, which are 40 times stronger than steel, and used in products like batteries and sports equipment.

    “Support from the provincial government through Emissions Reduction Alberta is instrumental in launching our organics processing pilot facility in Alberta. By converting organic material into clean, high-value cellulosic fiber, we’re helping avoid methane emissions from landfills and creating low-carbon feedstocks that support decarbonization across multiple downstream industries.”

    Dane McSpedon, chief executive officer, Hughes Energy Group

    “ERA’s support in developing higher-performing recycled materials reflects the Government of Alberta’s confidence in homegrown innovation. NOVA Chemicals has a proud legacy of advancing technologies that reshape plastics for a better future, and we are pleased to receive this funding as we demonstrate how Alberta ingenuity can deliver sustainable solutions with global impact.”

    Rocky Vermani, senior vice-president of innovation, sustainability and strategy, NOVA Chemicals

    “Government of Alberta funding through ERA is the catalyst that makes industrial-scale wood recovery possible. It sends a clear signal to investors and municipalities that Alberta is ready to lead the shift toward a low-carbon, circular building economy.”

    Jay Sanderson, president, Backroads Reclamation

    “Support from the Government of Alberta through Emissions Reduction Alberta is a game-changer for our Nisku facility. This funding accelerates our timeline, creates local jobs and helps launch a new made-in-Alberta carbon-based battery materials industry utilizing abundant sustainable carbon waste. It’s a major step forward in building local clean-tech solutions with global impact.”

    Mitchell Miller, chief executive officer, Atlas Power Technologies Inc.

    Quick facts

    • The 18 projects will reduce about 3.4 million tonnes of emissions by 2030.
    • All projects involve field testing, piloting, demonstration or first-of-kind implementation of a new technology.
    • The TIER fund uses industry dollars to help Alberta facilities invest in innovative emissions-reduction technology to stay globally competitive, create jobs and save money.

    Related information

    • Emissions Reduction Alberta
    • Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction System

    Multimedia

    • Watch the news conference

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    July 24, 2025
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