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Category: Energy

  • MIL-OSI Global: Britain’s net zero construction workforce is already at risk of burn out

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Simon Addyman, Associate Professor in Project Management, UCL

    Kittirat Roekburi/Shutterstock

    The pressure of decarbonising industrial sectors is weighing on workers.

    The UK’s Labour government seeks a low-carbon and homegrown energy supply by 2030. The scale and pace of this transformation is unprecedented in the country’s power sector, and will involve building twice as much transmission infrastructure (pylons, cables, substations) in the next five years as was built over the last decade.

    Much of the workforce will be drawn from the construction sector, which employs 2.3 million people. Construction forms the dominant supply chain to the 17 major infrastructure projects involved in an overhaul of the electricity grid that will connect new wind farms in the North Sea and northern Scotland to homes and businesses across Great Britain.

    The workers “on the tools” who will carry out much of this transformation are struggling. The latest analysis from the Office for National Statistics suggests that the suicide risk of construction workers is three times higher than the male national average. Scholars of construction project management have identified a toxic workplace culture in the industry, citing aggressive market competition and demanding performance metrics.

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    This is a problem that is largely being ignored. When planners at the National Energy System Operator assessed the UK’s capacity to build a clean power sector by 2030, they considered the absolute number of workers needed, the skills required and how employment is changing in the sector.

    Their assessment failed to consider the broader implications for workforce mental health and wellbeing of such a quick and comprehensive upgrade – but it is people who are going through a rapid transition, not just infrastructure.

    Expect more of these in years to come.
    J R Patterson/Shutterstock

    Going green, feeling blue

    Construction workers already endure long hours and stress due to tight deadlines. A rapid transition to green power will substantially increase their workload, unless managed carefully.

    Our report, published July 2024, looked into wellbeing and suicide in the construction industry. We concluded that the UK government, major infrastructure owners such as National Grid and their supply chain partners who provide specialist design and construction services, must work together to solve this problem.

    Major infrastructure owners offer mental health services, such as confidential counselling, legal advice and financial guidance, to help their own employees manage personal or work-related issues. But most workers on the tools are not directly employed by these owners. Most are self-employed, or hired by construction firms, of which 99% are small- and medium-sized enterprises.

    More than 96% of construction firms have fewer than 15 employees. Smaller suppliers of specialist trade skills, like electrical and mechanical installation, have fewer employment protections and more compressed schedules, and are even less likely to have the capacity to provide these services.

    Some infrastructure owners and big construction companies extend their health and wellbeing services to these smaller suppliers. However, in an industry that is dominated by competitive tendering, which favours suppliers that keep costs low, it is no surprise that uptake has been low.

    Owners of infrastructure assets like electricity pylons and substations can drive workplace improvements by adopting procurement models that prioritise suppliers that are offering measures to improve worker wellbeing.

    Research from one of us (Jing Xu) and fellow project management expert Yanga Wu, has shown that the top-down prescriptive approach traditionally applied to health and safety in construction does not work for wellbeing. This requires a bottom-up approach, that makes it easy for workers to tell managers what they are struggling with and what they think would help.

    The construction sector also faces a shortage of workers and skills required for the green transition. The industry training board forecasts that the industry must attract the equivalent of 50,300 extra workers a year to meet expected levels of work over the next five years.

    The UK is not training enough workers to achieve net zero.
    Paya Mona/Shutterstock

    In the power sector, however, there is the additional complication of an ageing workforce, as well as differences in employment conditions between permanent and contract staff. Key expertise is at risk of being lost with retirements. Older workers often face additional pressure, not only to meet performance targets but also to compensate for gaps in expertise, and all within a fast-paced environment.

    To improve mental health and wellbeing among a diverse workforce requires engaging with workers directly and ensuring their voices are heard. This involves more than upgrading technical skills. Research to better understand how organisations can care for their workforce in the context of increasing pressures due to achieving net zero is also vital.

    Further research and collaboration with infrastructure owners and major construction contractors could help manage the risks and provide valuable insights for other sectors that will need to follow suit, such as heating, transport and agriculture.

    It is imperative to consider what a transition means: the technical transition of replacing outmoded technology, as well as the social transition, which prioritises not only skills but workplace mental health. Without a focus on both policy and people, clean power will not be delivered.

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

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    Simon Addyman receives funding from University College London.

    Jing Xu receives funding from University College London.

    – ref. Britain’s net zero construction workforce is already at risk of burn out – https://theconversation.com/britains-net-zero-construction-workforce-is-already-at-risk-of-burn-out-249328

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Sri Lanka seeks to deepen energy ties with China: minister

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    COLOMBO, May 19 (Xinhua) — Sri Lanka’s Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody reiterated the country’s commitment to expanding energy partnership with China, calling it a “close friend” and outlining ambitious plans for cooperation in oil and renewable energy projects.

    In an interview with Xinhua on Friday, K. Jayakody stressed that Sri Lanka is keen to expedite the implementation of key energy projects in cooperation with Chinese partners.

    “We have a refinery project in Hambantota and we are in a hurry to start it,” he said, adding that Sri Lanka also wants to start some projects in the power sector, especially solar and wind energy. He said it is likely that the Sri Lankan government will look to China for support in these sectors.

    K. Jayakody stressed that Sri Lanka is particularly interested in leveraging China’s advances in energy storage technology to improve the reliability and sustainability of its electricity sector.

    The minister’s remarks came on Friday at the Open Day of the national Clean Sri Lanka programme. The event was held for the first time by China Petroleum and Chemical Corporation (Sinopec) at a newly renovated petrol station in Nawala. The event was attended by senior government officials, Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong and public figures.

    The Clean Sri Lanka initiative launched by the new government led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake aims to promote environmental sustainability and ethical standards throughout the country’s infrastructure.

    At the Sinopec Open Day, some of the new products on display included improved fuel pumps, improved safety systems, fuel vapor recovery valves and clean toilets that are accessible to all.

    The Chinese company is looking to improve not only infrastructure but also service standards, with island-wide training for station managers and petrol station attendants on safety, first aid and customer service.

    Ambassador Qi Zhenhong noted that the event not only showcased Sinopec’s achievements in clean, modernized infrastructure, but also the tangible benefits that bilateral cooperation brings to local people. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Public consultation on productivity reform priorities

    Source: Australian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry

    The Albanese Government welcomes the Productivity Commission’s call for submissions on priority reform areas released today.

    We’re determined to make Australia’s economy more prosperous and productive and this work from the PC is an important part of that process.

    The Albanese Labor Government inherited the largest quarterly fall in productivity in 45 years, with productivity going backwards by 2.4 per cent in the June quarter 2022 – the largest quarterly fall since June quarter 1979.

    Over the decade to 2020, average annual labour productivity growth in Australia was the slowest in 60 years, falling to just 1.1 per cent compared to 1.8 per cent over the 60 years to 2019–20.

    Flatlining productivity is one of the biggest challenges facing our nation, and that’s why we need a big national effort to turn it around.

    That’s why on 13 December 2024, I tasked the Productivity Commission to provide the government with advice on how to address Australia’s long‑run productivity challenges.

    The Productivity Commission has identified 15 priority reform areas for further exploration and will consult on these initiatives from today.

    This is only an initial call for submissions from the PC, and we expect their findings will be informed by the information collected through their consultation process.

    We’ll consider the PC’s recommendations within the context of the fiscal constraints we inherited and balance these against other government priorities.

    We might not be able to run with everything, but we will consider all of it and see what we can progress.

    The Albanese Government already has an ambitious productivity agenda and we’re eager to build on it.

    In our first term, we abolished nearly 500 nuisance tariffs and streamlined and strengthened approval processes in a number of areas including foreign investment, energy, environment and planning.

    We have reformed skills, education and aged care, and we are making it easier for investors to progress transformational projects, including investing in cheaper, cleaner energy.

    We’re also revitalising competition through the biggest changes to merger laws in 50 years, the 10‑year Competition Reform Roadmap, and the $900 million National Productivity Fund.

    In our second term, we’ll progress further reforms including occupational licensing for electricians, abolishing non‑compete clauses, unlocking opportunities in AI and digital assets, streamlining regulation and standing up the Single Front Door, strengthening the National Energy Market, leveraging health technology more effectively, and enabling construction of prefabricated and modular housing.

    It will take longer than two terms to turn around this productivity problem which has been building in our economy for decades, but we know that this work will make a meaningful difference in boosting wages and living standards sustainably into the future.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: ACCC proposes to allow collaboration between energy providers

    Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

    The ACCC has issued a draft determination proposing to grant authorisation with a condition for five years to Energy Networks Australia, Synergy, and other specified parties to allow for the procurement and implementation of a national ‘public key infrastructure’ service (PKI).

    The PKI service would manage secure communication between consumer energy resources (CER) and parties in the energy grid. Examples of CER include rooftop solar cells, batteries, and electric vehicles.

    “This public key infrastructure service will enable distribution network service providers to remotely limit or prevent electricity export into the grid by consumer energy resources in times of significant excess production, known as an ‘emergency backstop’ mechanism,” ACCC Commissioner Dr Philip Williams said.

    Where power exports from CER are high and general energy consumption is low, there are risks to electricity grid stability and the potential for localised or wider blackouts to occur.

    “While several state and territory governments have already implemented emergency backstop mechanisms, this service would give effect to a singular national approach to managing CER devices via communication protocols to avoid risks to electricity network system overload,” Dr Williams said.

    Currently, each distribution network service provider is responsible for procuring its own PKI solution for emergency backstop. Under the proposed conduct, however, providers could choose to utilise a national PKI delivered by a single provider.

    The creation of a national entity to manage PKI for CER for emergency backstop is reflective of a national reform priority agreed to by federal and state/territory governments in 2024.

    “We understand that a national regulatory framework for CER to set and enforce technical standards is being established as part of the national CER Roadmap and that whilst this is a more appropriate avenue for regulatory oversight of CER, we understand the current urgency around emergency backstop requirements,” Dr Williams said.

    “We are satisfied the proposed conduct is likely to result in a public benefit that would outweigh any potential public detriment to Australian consumers.”

    “Prior to making our final determination, however, we will be seeking further views on a number of potential public benefits and detriments,” Dr Williams said.

    The ACCC considers that the proposed conduct is likely to result in public benefits in the form of interoperability, cost savings for distribution networks, lower costs and complexity for manufacturers and installers, and increased consumer choice and device mobility.

    However, the proposed conduct is likely to reduce competition for the acquisition and supply of public key infrastructure services. As it also has the potential to result in public detriment due to a lack of formal external oversight, the ACCC is proposing a condition requiring regular reporting of NEPKI’s operations.

    While there is some benefit in the proposed conduct enabling the public key infrastructure solution to expand to future use cases autonomously, it also has the potential to result in public detriment. To mitigate this, the ACCC is considering whether to limit authorisation to the ‘initial use case’ (i.e. solar cell and battery energy storage system orchestration via CSIP-AUS for emergency backstop and dynamic operating envelopes).

    The ACCC has also granted interim authorisation to enable Energy Networks Australia and Synergy to carry out the initial three phases of activity while the ACCC considers the substantive application.

    Submissions to the ACCC can be made by 2 June 2025. More information can be found on the ACCC’s public register here.

    Background

    Energy Networks Australia is a national industry body representing electricity transmission and distribution network providers (DNSPs) and gas distribution network providers in all States and Territories.

    Synergy is a Western Australian state-owned corporation that has electricity generation assets in WA and retails electricity and gas in WA. Sythenergy holds responsibilities around connection of CER to the grid.

    PKI is a cybersecurity technology that uses digital ‘certificates’ installed in devices (such as solar inverters) to authenticate them and encrypt communications with them and is carried out over the internet. Distribution network service providers will utilise the national PKI to communicate with devices to remotely limit or prevent devices’ electricity export into the grid in times of significant excess production (known as an ‘emergency backstop’ mechanism); rather than each network procuring individual, bespoke solutions for PKI.

    The proposed conduct seeks to give effect to a national reform priority that was agreed to in 2024 by the Australian, state and territory governments in their ‘National CER Roadmap’. The Roadmap states that a national reform priority is to establish a secure communication system for CER devices through establishing a national not-for-profit entity to manage PKI to operate and manage authentication of communications with CER for backstops.

    The application for authorisation was lodged on 26 November 2024 and the ACCC received 22 submissions in relation to the application.

    In the first phase of activity, there will be a collaborative evaluation of the responses to NEPKI’s request for tenders for PKI services. 

    In the second phase, NEPKI will enter a service deed with a selected PKI service provider for the design, build and operation of PKI and related services. In the third phase, the PKI service deed will be delivered, beginning with the design and build of the PKI.

    Finally, in phase four, the operational delivery of PKI services by NEPKI to PKI consumers will ‘go live’ for a term of up to five years.

    A final determination is expected to be made in July 2025, subject to any submissions and requests from interested parties for a pre-decision conference.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: NSU scientists have developed a method for determining biocarbon in jet fuel samples using accelerator mass spectrometry

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

    The NSU-NNC Accelerator Mass Spectrometry Shared Use Center conducted the first analysis of biocarbon content in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) samples. Four samples of different origin were analyzed during the laboratory study. The results showed that the accelerator mass spectrometry method can become a routine method for analyzing biocarbon in SAF aviation fuel.

    — We were approached by specialists from the Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas (Moscow) to analyze the biocarbon content in kerosene samples using accelerator mass spectrometry. This analysis is necessary for the certification of the aviation fuel they are developing and its further use within the framework of modern requirements. This development is of particular relevance, which will only increase over time: in order to reduce the carbon footprint, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) launched the CORSIA program in 2016, which obliges airlines to compensate for the growth of emissions. The goal of this program is to prevent the growth of carbon dioxide emissions relative to the 2020 level. Russia also plans to participate in this international program. From 2025, flights from the EU must use 2% SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) — fuel with a biogenic component. By 2050, this share will reach 63%, — said Ekaterina Parkhomchuk, Director of the NSU-NNC UMS Collective Use Center.

    SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) is a product of processing biomass, which includes vegetable oils, animal fat, lignocellulosic wood waste, and microalgae. Processing, depending on the type of feedstock, may include catalytic hydrogenation, hydrocracking, hydrodeoxygenation, isomerization, gasification, and the Fischer-Tropsch process. The resulting processing product is then added to kerosene obtained from fossil hydrocarbon sources.

    Russia is one of the largest producers of jet fuel — 12.8 million tons of this type of fuel were produced in 2021 — and also has huge raw material potential for SAF production. In 2020, the production of vegetable oils amounted to 7.3 million tons. The production of “sustainable aviation fuel” requires certification and control over compliance with the requirements for the minimum content of the “biocarbon” share, so a routine method for its analysis is needed. This analysis can be performed by measuring the concentration of radiocarbon, for example, indirectly by the radioactivity of the material, or by the direct method of accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS). Both methods for determining radiocarbon have been developed in Russia, but accelerator mass spectrometry is represented only in the Novosibirsk UMS Center of Collective Use of NSU-NNC.

    Search for biogenic carbon

    — “Biogenic” carbon differs from fossil carbon in its isotopic composition — primarily in the concentration of the radioactive isotope C-14 (radiocarbon) relative to the main stable isotope C-12. In modern biological objects, the proportion of radiocarbon, although extremely small — about 10 to the minus tenth power % — is still at a level detectable by modern technology; however, due to the beta decay of the C-14 nucleus, over time the amount of radiocarbon in fossil raw materials becomes orders of magnitude smaller and quantitative determination becomes impossible.

    Accelerator mass spectrometry provides the ability to reliably measure the concentration of radiocarbon in any samples at a level above 10 to the -14th power %, which is 0.01% of the current level in the biosphere. Therefore, by conducting UMS analysis of any materials, including kerosene, food additives, drugs, etc., it is possible to determine with high accuracy the proportion of carbon of modern biological origin, – explained Ekaterina Parkhomchuk.

    The NSU-NNC UMS Collective Use Center received 4 samples from RGUNG as introductory or test experiments, including two reference (standard) samples, which were kerosene obtained exclusively from biological raw materials and kerosene from fossil oil, as well as two samples of kerosene obtained by mixing the first two in proportions unknown to Novosibirsk scientists. Innovative sample preparation aimed at overcoming the “sulfur barrier” was used in the analysis of the samples. As Ekaterina Parkhomchuk explained, the complexity of fuel analysis lies in the high content of sulfur and nitrogen, which cause rapid corrosion of measuring instruments. A unique graphitizer has been developed at Novosibirsk State University, which allows working even with high-sulfur oils. This gives Russia a technological advantage over foreign analogues.

    — UMS analysis requires the production of a graphite cathode from the material being studied. This is done by burning the sample, extracting the target carbon dioxide from the resulting complex gas mixture and catalytically carbonizing it into elemental graphite. The difficulty of analyzing most hydrocarbon fuels is that the material may contain impurity elements such as sulfur and nitrogen, which quickly disable traditionally used “graphitizers”, such as those offered by the Swiss company Ionplus. Several years ago, NSU developed and assembled a graphitization stand that allows for the preparation of graphitized samples for UMS cathodes with sufficient purity even from high-sulfur oils, which distinguishes it from foreign analogues. It was used for the work described, — said Ekaterina Parkhomchuk.

    The studies were conducted under special conditions, observing all standardized requirements for laboratories that conduct radiocarbon studies not only of ancient samples, but also of samples containing excessive amounts of radiocarbon. These measures are designed to ensure radiation and biological safety, as well as to prevent cross-contamination of samples and false test results. Sample preparation of biological and C-14-labeled samples is carried out in different laboratories. Personnel working in one laboratory do not have access to the other. Employees of both laboratories maintain isolation from each other, do not cross paths in offices, lunch rooms, and recreation areas. Also, both laboratories use separate chemicals, materials, and utensils.

    — Three graphite cathodes were made from each sample and UMS analysis was performed on all samples. It turned out that one reference sample did not contain C-14, i.e. it belonged to fossil raw materials (most likely oil), and the concentration of radiocarbon in the second reference sample slightly exceeded the modern level of C-14. This indicates that the time of origin of the plant raw materials from which the biogenic fuel was obtained corresponds to the period 2000-2010, when the concentration of radiocarbon in the atmosphere was still higher than usual as a result of nuclear tests conducted in the 50-70s of the last century. In other words, both samples really belonged to two different sources of production — fossil (oil, gas or coal) and modern (biomass). And the other two samples showed results different from the first two — one contained about 6% biogenic carbon, and the second — about 13%. Our experimental results coincided with the calculated ratios, according to which the RGUNG specialists prepared mixed samples, which confirms the validity of using the UMS method to determine biocarbon, – summed up Ekaterina Parkhomchuk.

    Promising technology

    The technology of joint processing of lignocellulosic raw materials PCH-SAF, developed at the Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas (National Research University), is based on the processes of fast pyrolysis, delayed coking and hydrocracking of traditional oil and plant raw materials. Waste is used as the initial biomass – sawdust of coniferous and deciduous trees, sunflower husks, etc.

    — This technology consists of the joint processing of plant and oil raw materials. There are three stages of obtaining the component: fast pyrolysis of biomass, coking and hydrocracking. By means of fast pyrolysis, we liquefy the initial biomass and obtain the so-called bio-oil at the output. At the coking stage, co-processing of oil residues, for example, tar, with bio-oil occurs. At the hydrocracking stage, the raw material is a mixture of vacuum gas oil with the gas oil fraction of the coking process, containing bio-oil components, — explained Mikhail Ershov, professor of the Department of Oil Refining Technology.

    One of the advantages of the technology developed at RGUNG is the use of the existing infrastructure of oil refineries. It is assumed that when it is implemented on an industrial scale, there will be no need to replace the catalyst at the hydrocracking unit, and if necessary, only the process conditions may need to be adjusted. The process is currently at the laboratory stage, a laboratory sample has been developed and is being tested. This work is being carried out within the framework of the RSF grant No. 22-79-10280 “Study of new methods for obtaining renewable aviation fuel from lignocellulosic biomass using a complex of thermal and thermocatalytic processes.”

    Prospects for cooperation

    Mikhail Ershov clarified that kerosene obtained using PCH-SAF technology must meet the requirements of GOST 10227, which applies to fuels for jet engines, and be no different from petroleum kerosene.

    — In the context of the global transition to renewable energy sources, green fuel and reducing the carbon footprint, we must follow these trends. Compliance with ICAO emissions requirements will contribute to the growth of imports of renewable components, and therefore dependence on supplier countries (China, India). The PCH-SAF technology we propose, due to the existing infrastructure, will allow for a short transition to the production of aviation biofuel with a reduced carbon footprint without significant capital investments. In case of successful testing and confirmation of a reduction in the carbon footprint, it is necessary to approve such fuel with the participation of leading organizations FAU “25th State Research Institute of Chemmotology of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation”, FAU “TsIAM named after P.I. Baranov”, FSUE GosNII GA for use in civil and military aircraft, — he said.

    Mikhail Ershov noted that currently there is no domestic method for measuring biogenic components in petroleum products, in particular, aviation fuel. However, with an increase in the share of biogenic raw materials involved, there will be a need to confirm the biogenicity of fuels. Therefore, RGUNG specialists plan to develop a standard method for determining biocarbon using UMS together with NSU scientists.

    Ekaterina Parkhomchuk believes that the UMS method has proven its accuracy, sensitivity and reliability, and can become a key tool for the transition of aviation to “green” rails. And the introduction of the technology developed by RGUNG specialists into industry will open the way for Russia to leadership in the production of sustainable aviation fuel.

    — Currently, standard methods for analyzing materials for biogenic origin have been developed in different countries, and radiocarbon analysis is considered the “gold standard” among all possible methods. The method of accelerator mass spectrometry, unique in sensitivity, accuracy, and productivity, and the sample preparation methods we have developed are considered very promising for this new area of economic activity, — Ekaterina Parkhomchuk summarized.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Leo XIV and the greatest challenge of our time

    Source: Greenpeace Statement –

    Following his piece on the late Pope Francis, Jefferson Chua continues his reflections on the relationship between the Papacy of the Roman Catholic Church and climate change, now in the hands of a new pontiff.

    © ANDINA/Archive

    There is a photo of Robert Francis Prevost, back then when he was still archbishop in Chiclayo, Peru, wading through the floodwater that devastated his parish during the historic 2017 El Niño floods. He struck a calm figure who had little to no qualms about being in the middle of  a disaster. The photo made me think: what does Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, think of climate change, and–more importantly– the solutions needed to address it?

    There are quite a number of clues as to what he would have thought about climate change. He largely aligns with the late Pope Francis’s pivot towards the environment and the Laudato Si agenda, in urging the church to transform words into action in addressing the climate crisis. He has likewise called for a “non-tyrannical relationship” with nature as a key ingredient in climate action, while warning of serious consequences brought about by technological innovation if it is not grounded in a reciprocal relationship with nature.

    In the same breath he also mentions the Vatican’s recent adoption of solar power as well as the purchase of electric vehicles as positive steps in addressing climate change. In his younger years he has also pushed for petitions and shared opinions that seem to align with more urgent climate action and international cooperation.

    I am drawn to the pope’s choice of name. His nominal predecessor, Leo XIII, stands among the giants of the petrine ministry because he took on arguably the greatest challenge of the church during his time: its relationship with the modern world. His encyclical, Rerum Novarum, not only articulated the church’s positionality in the modernizing and industrializing world, but also spoke about the dangers of unchecked capitalism and its impacts on rights, especially that of workers and laborers. In other words, Leo XIII signalled a critical gaze on unchecked profiteering and how this pursuit of more growth and wealth comes at the expense of the rights of those that were instrumental in achieving that wealth.

    I wonder if Leo XIV will be able to transpose this critical gaze onto arguably the greatest challenge of our time, the climate crisis. Our era is characterized by the near-total domination of the corporate few who have reaped in record profits at the expense of everyone. Climate impacts have been increasing in intensity and regularity more than ever, resulting in staggering global losses. In 2024 alone, estimates vary from insurance payouts worth USD 137 billion, to upwards of USD 229 billion with just the ten costliest disasters of last year.

    In contrast, just the five largest investor-owned oil and gas companies–Shell, Exxon Mobil, British Petroleum, Chevron, and Total Energies–earned USD 102 billion in 2024. The figure becomes even more mind-boggling if one looks at their profits in the last decade, which amounted to almost USD 800 billion. This greed is underlined by their business practices, with all of them announcing in different manners of speaking that they will not be phasing out oil and gas and will be cutting investments in green and renewable energy, while at the same time spending astronomical amounts of money to run advertising and marketing campaigns that paint a rosy picture of their supposed concern for the environment and climate action.

    Taking a broader view lays bare this gross inequality: the world’s wealthiest 10% has caused two-thirds of global warming since 1990, which boils down to not just individual lifestyle choices, but more importantly to the concentration of wealth held by a very few but powerful group of people. 

    It is amid this sad and alarming backdrop that we find Leo XIV, who inherits a church in a world that is increasingly more difficult to live in, especially by those at the frontlines of the climate crisis. It is this world that also beckons on Leo XIV to transform the church “from words to action.” Climate action must go beyond platitudes and pursue accountability. 

    There are hopeful signals within the church. A good example would be the Philippines, which constantly ranks as among the most vulnerable countries to climate impacts. For instance, the Roman Catholic Church in the country has set 2025 as the target year when it will be fully divesting from coal and fossil gas investments. Religious-run academic institutions such as Mapua University has likewise pronounced that it too will be divesting from fossil fuels. Church-based grassroots communities and priests have likewise supported environmental defenders and indigenous groups against unchecked transition mineral mining, and have called for holistic climate accountability policies such as the CLIMA Bill. That there is a wealth of examples in the frontiers of the climate crisis should push Leo XIV to take on the fight for climate justice beyond discursive urging. He inherits a church that is suffering precisely because it is in the frontlines. In this manner, Leo XIV himself, through the office entrusted to him, also inherits this moral responsibility to act.

    Perhaps none can encapsulate this moral imperative of his papacy better than an example from his adopted home, Peru. Saul Luciano Lliuya, a farmer from Huaraz, Peru, filed a case against German energy company RWE AG. Initially filed in 2015, Lliuya contested that RWE’s emissions–which is considered one of the biggest emitters in Europe–had a direct impact on the climate that is threatening the claimant’s home. After a successful appeal process in 2017 and initial hearings in March 2025, the court will issue an announcement this May. Lliuya’s case takes on and represents an increasingly-familiar experience by climate-impacted frontline communities of no accountability and increasing impacts.
    One can imagine Leo XIV, in his white cassock, bearing witness to the increasing frequency of floods that Lliuya and countless others are experiencing and, perhaps, likewise add his influential voice to the growing chorus of those calling for accountability. If he is true to his name, and if his papacy signals an unbroken line from Francis’s concerns in Laudato Si, then there is no other alternative to calling out those who are most responsible for the climate crisis: not just individuals, not just countries, but corporations that have accumulated so much wealth while the least of us suffer the worst consequences of a common home in crisis.

    Jefferson Chua is a Greenpeace Campaigner working on climate, based in the Philippines.

    You might want to check out Greenpeace Philippines’ petition called Courage for Climate, a drive in support of real policy and legal solutions in the pursuit of climate justice.

    Courage for Climate

    The climate crisis may seem hopeless, but now is the time for courage, not despair. Join Filipino communities taking bold action for our planet.

    Make an Act of Courage Today!

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Why is southern Australia in drought – and when will it end?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Chiara Holgate, Senior Research Fellow, ARC Centre of Excellence for Weather of the 21st Century, Australian National University

    Artic_photo/Shutterstock

    Swathes of South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania and Western Australia are in the grip of drought as they experience some of the lowest rainfall totals on record.

    Farmers are spending eye-watering amounts of money buying feed, or selling stock to stay afloat.

    Some towns are already on water restrictions. Those not connected to the mains water system are in a perilous situation. In the Adelaide Hills, water is being trucked in to fill empty rainwater tanks and dams.

    The story playing out across southern Australia could be a glimpse of what’s to come. Our recent research suggests southern Australia may experience longer and more intense droughts in the future, as the climate changes.

    Parts of South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania and Western Australia are experiencing serious rainfall deficiencies.
    Australian Bureau of Meteorology

    How bad is this drought?

    Parts of southern Australia have been experiencing drier than normal conditions for well over a year.

    Conditions on the ground are worsening as the drought continues.

    In Adelaide, the desalination plant has ramped up to maintain water supply. Similarly, Victoria’s desal plant has fired up for the first time since 2022 as dam levels fall.

    Farmers are facing some of the driest conditions in decades, and financial pressures are mounting.

    Nature, too, is struggling. Waterways, wetlands and deep pools have dried up, leading to fears for endangered fish, insects and many other species.

    Where has the rain gone?

    In a drought-prone country such as Australia, there’s an age-old question: why do the rains sometimes disappear?

    Our recent research shows Australian scientists are getting closer to answering this question.

    We now know Australian droughts develop when weather systems that lift and carry moisture from the ocean – to fall as heavy rain on land – disappear. When these weather systems return, the droughts break.

    These kinds of weather systems have been notably absent from southern Australia in recent months. Instead, slow-moving high-pressure systems, which typically bring warm and dry conditions, have been the standout feature across southern Australia.

    For Australia, the driest inhabited continent, heavy rains are what keep drought at bay. Last spring and summer, drought conditions were building in parts of Queensland and northern New South Wales. But then Tropical Cyclone Alfred brought heavy rains, dumping up to four times as much rain as these areas usually get in February and March.

    Similarly, heavy rains at the end of last year helped parts of northern and central WA avoid drought conditions.

    Unfortunately, western Victoria and southern SA have had no such luck.

    Drought is more likely to break if weather systems and climate drivers are favorable, such as the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) in its negative phase, the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) in its wet phase, the El Niño–Southern Oscillation in its La Niña phase, the Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation (IPO) in its negative phase and the Southern Annular Mode (SAM) active. Background climate change can affect all of these drivers.
    Holgate et al 2025 Communications Earth & Environment, CC BY-NC-ND

    How long will the drought last?

    If farmers, water authorities and policymakers knew how much longer this drought would last, they could make clear plans. Keep or sell livestock? Impose water restrictions or wait?

    Unfortunately, drought timing is very hard to predict. As our research shows, the climate processes that bring weather systems laden with heavy rain are complex.

    But we do know heavy and persistent rain is needed to break the drought. And the current forecast shows there’s a decent chance of that as we head towards spring. Though forecasts can change, and those with skin in the game will have their eyes glued to next month’s update to the Bureau of Meteorology’s rainfall outlook.

    It also helps that we’re heading into what’s usually the rainier time of year. This means the odds of receiving decent rain are higher at this time of year than if we were heading into summer.

    Climate and water long-range forecast, issued 15 May 2025 (Bureau of Meteorology)

    Dry and drier

    Over the past few decades, southern Australia has become drier. Drying has been most pronounced during the cooler months, between April and October. Some parts of southern Australia have also become more drought-prone, with the number of months spent in drought increasing over this time.

    Maps of the current dry conditions across southern Australia closely follow the regions projected to experience longer and more frequent drought conditions in future.

    It’s too early to draw a clear line between climate change and this particular drought. But the weight of evidence shows southern droughts are likely to strike more often in the future. The Tinderbox Drought from 2017–19, for instance, was the first Australian drought to show a possible worsening from climate change.

    The good news? We now know more about how Australian droughts work. This means we can now be more confident in the direction of Australia’s water future than in past decades.

    We must urgently use this new knowledge to develop innovative solutions that will allow Australia to thrive in a climate of increasingly variable water availability. Solutions will involve setting sustainable limits on water use, introducing water recycling and improving efficiency, among other measures.

    Though solutions may look different in different parts of Australia, one thing rings true everywhere: we all need to make every drop count.

    Chiara Holgate receives funding from the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for the Weather of the 21st Century.

    Ailie Gallant receives funding from the Australian Research Council and the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.

    – ref. Why is southern Australia in drought – and when will it end? – https://theconversation.com/why-is-southern-australia-in-drought-and-when-will-it-end-256443

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI: POPEcoin Raises $1.5 Million in Ten Days with No VCs, No Taxes, and No Apologies

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ROME, May 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In an economy where memecoins often rise and fall within the same week, POPEcoin ($POPE) has managed to carve out a real foothold—raising $1.5 million in just ten days, without venture capital, early access allocations, or flashy partnerships. The entire presale has been structured for fairness and simplicity, with equal terms for every participant and a clean 0% tax on all buys and sells. That approach seems to be resonating. The project has already drawn over 25,000 organic followers across Twitter and Telegram, with round after round of the presale filling up faster than anticipated.

    But beyond the numbers, POPEcoin is tapping into something rare: a memecoin with a narrative arc. Inspired by the 1809 imprisonment of Pope Pius VII under Napoleon, the token weaves historical symbolism with meme culture, bringing together two worlds that rarely meet. Its slogan, “History Never Dies,” is more than a tagline—it’s the core of the project’s identity. Every aspect of the launch, from the 1809% staking APR to the relic-themed NFT series in development, is a nod to a forgotten moment of defiance being preserved through blockchain.

    From Meme to Mechanism: Building Infrastructure on Bitcoin

    The team behind POPEcoin isn’t stopping at memes—they’re setting the foundation for a narrative-fueled Layer 2.

    As the presale continues through its 23 planned rounds, with each tier incrementally increasing in price, the next stage of development is already underway. POPEcoin has announced plans for POPEchain—a Bitcoin Layer 2 infrastructure dedicated to supporting on-chain storytelling, decentralized culture, and community-driven engagement. The alpha testnet is scheduled for release post-presale, with early backers given priority access.

    Token buyers receive their $POPE instantly upon purchase, with tokens automatically staked to start earning rewards immediately. A dedicated staking dApp will launch following the presale, offering users an intuitive way to claim both their tokens and their earned yield. Parallel to this, the development team is building a native bridge to enable seamless asset movement across Ethereum, BNB Smart Chain, Solana, and Base.

    Further anchoring its cultural mission, POPEcoin is also preparing the launch of NFT Relics—a series of digital artifacts that fuse historical lore with on-chain identity. Plans for a gamified experience dubbed VaticanVerse are also in motion, offering an immersive metaverse-like extension of the token’s historical themes.

    A Cultural Token with Momentum to Match

    The rise of POPEcoin signals that the memecoin space may finally be ready for substance—without sacrificing speed.

    There’s no shortage of tokens with hype, nor of projects with grand ambitions but little traction. What separates POPEcoin is that it’s executing fast, communicating clearly, and drawing real interest without relying on artificial volume or preloaded influencers. The combination of community-driven funding, historical narrative, and infrastructure ambition is proving potent—especially in a market hungry for novelty that actually delivers.

    Presale contributions remain open, though rounds are filling quickly. As the project transitions from fundraising to infrastructure rollout, the early days of POPEcoin already read like a memecoin that didn’t follow the script—and that’s exactly why it’s working.

    Presale: https://popecoin.meme/#presale
    Telegram: https://t.me/popecoin_meme
    Twitter/X: https://x.com/POPECOIN_MEME
    Whitepaper: https://popecoin.meme/Whitepaper.pdf
    Contact: press@popecoin.meme

    Contact:
    Giovanni Sierra – CEO POPEcoin
    Email: contact@popecoin.meme
    Website: https://popecoin.meme

    Disclaimer: This press release is provided by the POPEcoin. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice.

    Investing in Crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector—including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining—complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed.

    Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility.

    Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f3e9d6ea-c7f1-4dfe-a148-88f98099f756

    The MIL Network –

  • India to showcase power sector achievements at BRICS Energy Ministers’ Meet

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India is set to highlight its progress in the power and energy sectors at the upcoming BRICS Energy Ministers’ Meeting, scheduled to take place in Brazil on May 19, the Ministry of Power said on Saturday.
     
    Union Minister for Power and Housing and Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal, has embarked on an official visit to represent India at the high-level gathering.
     
    The meeting, being held under the theme “Empowering Global South Cooperation for Inclusive and Sustainable Global Governance,” will bring together energy ministers from BRICS nations — Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa — to deliberate on critical issues such as energy security, accessibility, affordability, and sustainability.
     
    India plans to use this platform to showcase key achievements from the past decade, including a 90 per cent increase in power generation capacity, significant advancements in renewable energy, green hydrogen, and biofuels, along with notable innovations in sustainable energy practices.
     
    During the discussions, India will also reaffirm its commitment to making energy more accessible and affordable, while accelerating the shift towards clean energy.

  • MIL-OSI Global: Britain’s net zero construction workforce is already at risk of being burnt out

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Simon Addyman, Associate Professor in Project Management, UCL

    Kittirat Roekburi/Shutterstock

    The pressure of decarbonising industrial sectors is weighing on workers.

    The UK’s Labour government seeks a low-carbon and homegrown energy supply by 2030. The scale and pace of this transformation is unprecedented in the country’s power sector, and will involve building twice as much transmission infrastructure (pylons, cables, substations) in the next five years as was built over the last decade.

    Much of the workforce will be drawn from the construction sector, which employs 2.3 million people. Construction forms the dominant supply chain to the 17 major infrastructure projects involved in an overhaul of the electricity grid that will connect new wind farms in the North Sea and northern Scotland to homes and businesses across Great Britain.

    The workers “on the tools” who will carry out much of this transformation are struggling. The latest analysis from the Office for National Statistics suggests that the suicide risk of construction workers is three times higher than the male national average. Scholars of construction project management have identified a toxic workplace culture in the industry, citing aggressive market competition and demanding performance metrics.

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

    This is a problem that is largely being ignored. When planners at the National Energy System Operator assessed the UK’s capacity to build a clean power sector by 2030, they considered the absolute number of workers needed, the skills required and how employment is changing in the sector.

    Their assessment failed to consider the broader implications for workforce mental health and wellbeing of such a quick and comprehensive upgrade – but it is people who are going through a rapid transition, not just infrastructure.

    Expect more of these in years to come.
    J R Patterson/Shutterstock

    Going green, feeling blue

    Construction workers already endure long hours and stress due to tight deadlines. A rapid transition to green power will substantially increase their workload, unless managed carefully.

    Our report, published July 2024, looked into wellbeing and suicide in the construction industry. We concluded that the UK government, major infrastructure owners such as National Grid and their supply chain partners who provide specialist design and construction services, must work together to solve this problem.

    Major infrastructure owners offer mental health services, such as confidential counselling, legal advice and financial guidance, to help their own employees manage personal or work-related issues. But most workers on the tools are not directly employed by these owners. Most are self-employed, or hired by construction firms, of which 99% are small- and medium-sized enterprises.

    More than 96% of construction firms have fewer than 15 employees. Smaller suppliers of specialist trade skills, like electrical and mechanical installation, have fewer employment protections and more compressed schedules, and are even less likely to have the capacity to provide these services.

    Some infrastructure owners and big construction companies extend their health and wellbeing services to these smaller suppliers. However, in an industry that is dominated by competitive tendering, which favours suppliers that keep costs low, it is no surprise that uptake has been low.

    Owners of infrastructure assets like electricity pylons and substations can drive workplace improvements by adopting procurement models that prioritise suppliers that are offering measures to improve worker wellbeing.

    Research from one of us (Jing Xu) and fellow project management expert Yanga Wu, has shown that the top-down prescriptive approach traditionally applied to health and safety in construction does not work for wellbeing. This requires a bottom-up approach, that makes it easy for workers to tell managers what they are struggling with and what they think would help.

    The construction sector also faces a shortage of workers and skills required for the green transition. The industry training board forecasts that the industry must attract the equivalent of 50,300 extra workers a year to meet expected levels of work over the next five years.

    The UK is not training enough workers to achieve net zero.
    Paya Mona/Shutterstock

    In the power sector, however, there is the additional complication of an ageing workforce, as well as differences in employment conditions between permanent and contract staff. Key expertise is at risk of being lost with retirements. Older workers often face additional pressure, not only to meet performance targets but also to compensate for gaps in expertise, and all within a fast-paced environment.

    To improve mental health and wellbeing among a diverse workforce requires engaging with workers directly and ensuring their voices are heard. This involves more than upgrading technical skills. Research to better understand how organisations can care for their workforce in the context of increasing pressures due to achieving net zero is also vital.

    Further research and collaboration with infrastructure owners and major construction contractors could help manage the risks and provide valuable insights for other sectors that will need to follow suit, such as heating, transport and agriculture.

    It is imperative to consider what a transition means: the technical transition of replacing outmoded technology, as well as the social transition, which prioritises not only skills but workplace mental health. Without a focus on both policy and people, clean power will not be delivered.

    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.

    Simon Addyman receives funding from University College London.

    Jing Xu receives funding from University College London.

    – ref. Britain’s net zero construction workforce is already at risk of being burnt out – https://theconversation.com/britains-net-zero-construction-workforce-is-already-at-risk-of-being-burnt-out-249328

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Scalise Honors Police Week in the House

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Scalise (1st District of Louisiana)

    WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) joined Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.), and Congressman John Rutherford (R-Fla.) to discuss the progress House Committees are making on reconciliation in order to pass President Trump’s agenda of energy independence, border security, lower taxes, reduced government spending, and protection for America’s most vulnerable. As the House celebrates Police Week with legislation on the floor, Leader Scalise also highlighted a brave Capitol Police Officer in his life, David Bailey, who took a bullet to save the lives of Members of Congress during the Congressional Baseball Game shooting in 2017.

    Click here or the image above to view Leader Scalise’s full remarks. 
    On the heroism of our law enforcement:“Well, I’m proud to join my colleagues in celebrating National Law Enforcement Week, bringing a number of bills to the floor to give better protections to our men and women in law enforcement, and just continue to remind those brave heroes that we have their back, like Sheriff Rutherford and so many others in law enforcement, they now serve in Congress. Pete Stauber, who was a cop on the beat, I room with. You know the kind of heroes that they are, and we hear about heroes a lot. “You sometimes hear stories about heroes in law enforcement. I get to walk with one of those heroes every day. I’m going to embarrass him, and he’s going to be upset with me, but he happens to be with me this morning. That’s David Bailey. You want to meet a real-life American hero. It’s that man right there. I wouldn’t be here today, and probably about a dozen other Members of Congress wouldn’t be here today, if not for his bravery, that I got to experience firsthand. I didn’t get to see it all, but I heard it all. Over 100 rounds of gunfire. When a gunman came out on a ball field and tried to kill all of us, and the only reason we’re alive today is because he put himself between us and the gunfire, risked his life, got hit during the shootout. The only reason we’re alive and [the gunman is] not is because of the bravery of David Bailey and Crystal Griner. “While we hear about heroes every now and then, when you actually get to see one and walk around with one, and he came back to work when he got out of the hospital for his treatment, he wanted to go back to work because he loves what he does. He cares about his training. It’s not talked about a lot because many men and women in law enforcement might never have to use their revolver. Hopefully, they don’t, and they don’t want to. But they go to training every day in case they have to, so they’re ready to risk their lives to protect us and our communities. And that’s what David did. The reason that we’re all here today, including him, is because he took his training so seriously. In the days where you could have just phoned it in. He said, ‘You know what? If I’m ever called on to be ready, I want to be prepared to do the job.’ We know there’s so many brave men and women just like David, but I got to see it and experience it. I’m here because of him, and I’m always going to pay tribute to the great heroism of what law enforcement represents. I hope we all remember that. It’s not just a talking point. It’s not just stories that we hear about. I got to experience it, and a number of my colleagues would tell you the exact same thing.” On House Committees’ progress on reconciliation:“We also, of course, are moving through the reconciliation bill and finishing it up this week. This incredibly important work, we’re doing what a lot of people said couldn’t be done. We’re doing it because families are relying on us to get this done. We’ve had many meetings with President Trump, including the last one with the Speaker and the Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee [Jason] Smith, Chairman of Energy and Commerce Committee [Brett] Guthrie last week in the Oval Office to finalize some of the final pieces of this bill. A lot of work has gone into getting 11 committees ready to complete all of their work today. By the end of today, think about that: 11 committees.“When we did this in 2017, which is an important bill, Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, to get economic growth, to get our economy moving again, to create jobs, to put more money in the paychecks of workers. There were only two committees involved in that back in 2017. There’s 11 involved this time. Each one of them has hit their mark. And by the end of today, all of them will have exceeded the things that they were asked by us to do, and they will be delivering a great product for all Members of Congress to vote on.” On reconciliation benefitting lower and middle-income American families:“Now, we all know not all Members of Congress will vote for that bill. But everybody who casts a no vote is going to have some tough questions to answer back home. Why would you vote against tax relief for work and families? You can lie all day long, as the Whip pointed out, about the rich and the billionaires. The rich and the billionaires are always going to figure out how to get through whatever the tax code looks like. You know who can’t figure out every single component of it, especially if a tax goes up on you? It’s the lower and middle-income families of America who have been struggling. We were losing our middle class before 2017, when we finally lowered rates for those hardworking families. We saw the benefits primarily to lower and middle-income families.“They would be the ones hit the hardest if this bill were not to pass. Luckily, we’re going to come together and figure it out as we have every step of the way to get this done for the American people, because failure is not an option. We’re going to get our economy moving again. We will give President Trump the resources he needs to keep our border secure. Now that he has secured it, he needs additional tools for our border patrol agents. We’re going to make America energy independent again. It’s in this bill. We’re going to remove the threat of a debt crisis in this bill. So many other important things. We’re getting people back to work in this bill. It’s an important piece of legislation, but I want to commend all the committees, all 11 committees who have worked hours and hours tirelessly, get their work done, starting with the leadership of President Trump, making sure that every step of the way, when there were questions, when there were final decisions that had to be made, he was always one phone call away, and he’ll continue to be. This process isn’t over. We’re just getting close to maybe halftime. When we pass this bill next week through the House, it’ll go to the Senate. They’ll do their work. But we will get this bill to President Trump’s desk before the July Fourth deadline that the White House has asked for.”On the leadership of Speaker Johnson:“The reason that we’ve been able to hit all of these marks is because in every meeting, and I’ve been in all these meetings, the Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, has been about as patient of a man as I’ve seen, listening to our Members. Believe me, you know this, we have Members that have a lot of different points of view, have a lot of different views on how the bill should be put together. They are not ashamed to express those views, but at the end of the day, we’ve all got to come together. He has brought our Members together on every tough issue. There are a lot of tough issues. Might be one remaining to solve, but we’ve gotten through every one of them because he’s had the patience of Job and continues to lead us in the right direction for those families who are counting on us.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Soto Delivers Opening Remarks During Energy & Commerce Full Committee Markup of Budget Reconciliation Text

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Darren Soto (D-FL)

    WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, during the House Energy & Commerce Full Committee Markup of Budget Reconciliation Text, Congressman Darren Soto (FL-09) spoke against cuts to Medicaid, including KidCare and nursing home care. In Florida’s Ninth Congressional District, over 158,000 constituents rely on Medicaid programs, totaling 19% of the district’s population. Below are Rep. Soto’s remarks as prepared for delivery.

    “It’s Ebenezer Scrooge Day at the Capitol today. Taking healthcare from the poor to fund tax cuts for the rich. 

    “I’m sure Scrooge would think this is a very fine plan. A very fine plan, indeed. Of course, he’s a billionaire hedge fund manager and he’s thrilled about paying even less in taxes.

    “We have a few perspectives to guide us. 

    “First, it’s my favorite: The Ghost of Congress Past. The 115th Congress, y’all may remember that. Where former GOP Congressman Jacob Marley, a frontliner, reminds you how he lost his seat, as well as 20 other Republicans, because you went after Obamacare, KidCare, and Medicaid. 20 seats lost and the majority. 

    “Then, of course, there’s the Ghost of Congress Present. The Cratchit family, of course, is on Medicaid. They have a disabled child, Tiny Tim. There’s Ebenezer’s beloved Fanny—she’s on the ACA. 63 years old. And then Fred Scrooge. He thinks he’s fine because he gets his healthcare through the employer.

    “But we know what’s gonna happen in the future. You passed this terrible bill and you cut $715 billion from the program. You can’t just cut that and not have people lose health insurance.

    “We know for a fact 13.7 million Americans will lose health insurance, including the Cratchit family. Of course, Tiny Tim dies in this scenario. Fanny finds out her Obamacare increases by $10,000. And of course, Fred Scrooge is shocked that his employer-based healthcare went up by 25% because people are flooding the emergency room because they’re sick and they’re uninsured.

    “Of course, this is not some fairytale. In real life, back in my district, in Florida’s Ninth, these are the kids from McCoy Elementary. Half the kids in my district are on Medicaid, they’re on KidCare. It’s a wildly popular program. You can’t cut $715 billion from Medicaid, and then not have this affect our kids.

    “And then I got to go to Providence Assisted Living. A nursing home in my district. I met George. He’s a veteran, he’s partially in a wheelchair. 25% of the seniors in this assisted living facility get their coverage through Medicaid.

    “Don’t be a Scrooge!

    “Don’t vote for this terrible bill that’s gonna cut Medicaid, cut KidCare, cut nursing home care all to fund tax cuts for the rich and powerful.”

    For a video of Rep. Soto delivering his opening remarks, please click here.

    The Energy & Commerce Committee markup is currently live and can be watched here. 

    ###
     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Golden pushes House for up-or-down vote on Medicaid cuts

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02)

    WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) has signed a discharge petition that, if successful, would force an up-or-down vote in the House to protect Medicaid and food assistance from budget cuts in the reconciliation process. 

    “While they debate the specifics, there’s no question the GOP plans to cut Medicaid by hundreds of billions of dollars,” Golden said. “Hundreds of thousands of my constituents use Medicaid for health care, while roughly one in six households use SNAP to help put food on the table. I oppose efforts to take their coverage away or make it harder to afford groceries.”

    A discharge petition allows members of the House to force an up-or-down vote on a piece of legislation if a majority of members of Congress sign on. The underlying bill in this discharge petition, the Hands Off Medicaid and SNAP Act of 2025, would prohibit Congress from using the reconciliation process to cut benefits or remove individuals from Medicaid and SNAP.

    The budget reconciliation instructions approved by the House and Senate require the House Energy and Commerce Committee to cut $880 billion in spending — a target that will be impossible to reach without hundreds of billions in Medicaid cuts, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO).

    On Wednesday, the CBO found that the several proposals for cutting Medicaid would result in millions of Americans losing health coverage. Cuts to Medicaid would hurt families in the 2nd Congressional District. Medicaid provides health coverage to 236,000 people in CD2 — more than one-third of the population — according to KFF.

    The Medicaid cuts are part of the GOP’s plan to slash health care to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy while adding more than $ 7 trillion in new debt over the next decade. 

    Congressman Golden voted against the GOP’s reconciliation plan in February and again in April, and has been critical of efforts to undermine working families and the fiscal stability of the nation to extend tax cuts for the wealthy. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • Terror Inc.: How Pakistani Army has hijacked the state acting as an agent of Chaos & Conflict

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Pakistan’s economy has long ceased to be a level playing field. While democratic institutions, civilian enterprises, and private sector innovation struggle to survive under chronic political instability and fiscal mismanagement, one institution not only survives but thrives i.e. the Pakistani Army. Far from being merely a military force, the army has built an unrivalled corporate empire that operates through a vast network of foundations, front companies, and patronage networks. This economic leviathan has embedded itself across vital sectors including real estate, banking, agribusiness, manufacturing, media, and logistics. Its control is not informal it is institutional, legalized through special exemptions, military-backed land ordinances, and bureaucratic dominance. As a result, the military runs a parallel economy that undermines competition, distorts public policy, and undermines democracy.

    The cornerstone of the Pakistan Army’s corporate empire lies in its foundations i.e. semi-governmental yet commercially active entities that were originally set up for the welfare of ex-servicemen but have since evolved into sprawling conglomerates. The Fauji Foundation, founded in 1954, is the most powerful of these entities. Ostensibly a charitable trust, Fauji operates over three dozen subsidiaries including Fauji Fertilizer Company (FFC), Fauji Cement Company Limited (FCCL), Fauji Oil Terminal & Distribution Company (FOTCO), and Askari Bank. FFC alone is one of Pakistan’s largest fertilizer producers, consistently generating billions in revenue and dividends, a significant portion of which goes back to the army. Askari Bank, likewise, operates under military supervision, with its board stacked with retired generals, and acts as a key financial vehicle for other military-affiliated ventures.

    Another major player is the Army Welfare Trust (AWT), which controls more than 25 commercial enterprises. These range from AWT Investments and Askari General Insurance to sugar mills, textiles, trucking, and aviation services. In real estate, the Army’s footprint is massive. Through the Defence Housing Authority (DHA), the military has become the largest land developer in Pakistan, with projects in cities like Lahore, Islamabad, Karachi, Multan, Gujranwala, and Bahawalpur. DHA projects often involve coercive land acquisition, where civilian and minority-owned lands are seized under the pretext of national security or public interest, only to be converted into luxury gated communities for serving and retired officers.

    The Pakistan Air Force operates the Shaheen Foundation, which manages diverse assets including FM radio stations, construction companies like Shaheen Builders, travel agencies, and educational institutions. The Pakistan Navy runs the Bahria Foundation, whose holdings include Bahria Maritime Services, Bahria University, and port-related logistics. Together, these four military foundations operate over 100 subsidiaries spanning dozens of industries, including grain storage, packaging, medical services, cement, and even advertising.

    Despite being commercial entities, these businesses are shielded from competition and financial scrutiny. They enjoy tax exemptions, priority access to government contracts, and the use of military logistics and infrastructure. Their dominance pushes out private enterprises and distorts the market. Civilian regulators often headed by retired officers fail to hold them accountable. Moreover, much of the income generated is not reinvested into national development but siphoned off for the elite military class. The benefits of these ventures rarely trickle down to the rank-and-file soldiers, let alone the public. Instead, they create a closed-loop economy where military officers retire into boardrooms and continue to wield economic and political influence.

    This commercial empire also acts as a platform for political control. The military uses its economic levers to shape media narratives, buy influence in the judiciary, and co-opt politicians. Media groups like the Nawa-i-Waqt Group and Bol News have faced closure or harassment when deviating from military narratives, while ISPR the army’s media wing actively funds propaganda campaigns and online troll armies. Business leaders who fund opposition parties are often subjected to National Accountability Bureau (NAB) probes, tax audits, or asset seizures. Through these tactics, the military consolidates not just wealth but unchallenged authority.

    However, the most dangerous and opaque part of the army’s economic footprint lies in its integration with Pakistan’s narco-terror complex. From the days of the Soviet-Afghan war, when the ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence) under General Akhtar Abdur Rahman facilitated heroin production and smuggling to fund covert Mujahideen operations, the army’s involvement in narcotics has grown into a transnational pipeline. Opium grown in Afghanistan is processed in makeshift labs across Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, then transported via Balochistan’s Makran coast and Karachi ports. The logistics for these movements are often handled through military-controlled transport units, particularly those attached to the National Logistics Cell (NLC), which has long enjoyed immunity from customs inspections.

    Key individuals who are linked to this drug-financed ecosystem include former ISI chiefs like Hamid Gul and Shuja Pasha, both of whom oversaw extensive intelligence operations involving militant financing during their tenures. The Haqqani Network, long a proxy of the ISI, operated with impunity across the Af-Pak region and controlled smuggling routes for both arms and drugs. Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD), and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) have all received funding via hawala channels sourced from narco-trafficking and arms sales. The proceeds are laundered through front charities such as the Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation (FIF) and ostensibly other organisational fronts registered in Gulf states.

    In recent years, the growing convergence between Pakistan’s military and drug cartels operating in the Middle East, particularly in UAE and Oman, has given rise to a “military-narco-intelligence” axis. Front companies tied to retired army officials like Lt. Gen. Javed Nasir (former ISI chief) and certain members of the notorious business family have been implicated in narcotics laundering investigations across the Gulf and UK. The black money generated through this system is used to fund proxy wars in Jammu & Kashmir, Afghanistan, and increasingly Africa, where Pakistani mercenaries are now known to operate in conjunction with both Chinese and Turkish military logistics.

    The arms trade is another critical node in this network. Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF), based in Wah Cantt, manufactures everything from bullets and grenades to mortars and automatic rifles. While officially intended for the Pakistani military, these arms often find their way into conflict zones. Documented recoveries of POF-manufactured arms in India’s Jammu & Kashmir state, Syria, Libya, and Nigeria underscore how the ISI uses weapon flows to back proxy forces. Smuggling routes operate across the Durand Line, Baluchistan’s desert terrain, and even through diplomatic pouches. Pakistani naval assets, particularly cargo shipments flagged through Bahria Maritime Services, have been used for covert arms transfers. Intelligence intercepts in East Africa and the Persian Gulf have pointed to Pakistani arms deliveries to Hamas and Hezbollah intermediaries.

    Pakistan’s terror infrastructure is essentially sustained through this fusion of narco profits, arms trade, and ideological training. Groups like Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), LeT, and JeM have training facilities, safehouses, and logistical support provided by elements within the army or the ISI. Interrogations of captured operatives have repeatedly revealed training stints at army-run camps in Muridke, Bahawalpur, and Muzaffarabad. These groups serve multiple functions, they destabilize India, threaten Afghanistan, and help maintain chaos that justifies international military aid. Even China, despite its Balochistan investments, has turned a blind eye to this nexus, so long as its economic interests remain protected.

    The role of state-affiliated institutions in laundering terror funds further reinforces the military’s omnipotence. The Habib Bank scandal in the United States, where the Pakistani bank was fined for facilitating transactions linked to terrorism, was just the tip of the iceberg. Banks like Askari Bank and Summit Bank, both closely tied to military interests, have come under scrutiny for suspicious transactions involving Gulf donors and shell companies. In Karachi, businessmen with ties to the MQM and ISI have also been accused of channelling narcotics profits into real estate and construction firms.

    The political consequences of this militarized economy are immense. Civilian governments, lacking control over the purse or arms, are reduced to caretakers. Parliament has little say over defence budgeting. The judiciary, itself often filled with pro-military judges or intimidated through surveillance, rarely challenges army operations. In 2022, the controversial removal of Prime Minister Imran Khan initially backed and later discarded by the military illustrated how no political leader is safe from Rawalpindi’s coercive power once they deviate from script. Khan’s campaign to expose army interference led to mass arrests, internet blackouts, and an orchestrated crackdown, executed with both police and ISI coordination.

    The Pakistani military’s role as an agent of regional chaos has long been subsidized by foreign powers seeking to use it as a counterweight to India’s rise. The United States alone has funnelled over $33 billion in military and economic aid to Pakistan since 2001, including $14.5 billion in Coalition Support Funds, much of which empowered the ISI’s proxy terror infrastructure rather than dismantling it. Simultaneously, the IMF has approved 23 bailout programs, the latest being a $1.02 billion package on 9th May 2025, effectively rescuing a bankrupt regime without civilian accountability. China, under the $62 billion CPEC initiative, has fortified its alliance with Pakistan’s military, funding dual-use infrastructure while arming it with drones, radar systems, and port access.

    Turkey, too, has become a critical enabler exporting Bayraktar drones, expanding joint training, and backing Islamist networks aligned with Pakistani interests. Following India’s recent precision strikes on Pakistani airbases, including key terror installations in Muridke and Bahawalpur, these powers have grown visibly uneasy, fearing that India’s assertiveness could dismantle the utility of Pakistan as a destabilizing tool. Their aid, veiled as strategic cooperation, in reality props up a militarized state whose primary export is instability used not only to bleed India but also to disrupt the emergence of a multipolar Asia where India could assert sovereignty independent of Western or Chinese-led frameworks i.e. G2 Consensus.

    Navroop Singh is an Intellectual Property Attorney in New Delhi and a geopolitical analyst with the ‘Niti Shastra’ platform. He has co-authored three books and writes on foreign policy, law, history, and public affairs.

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Hudson Statement on the Passage of Energy and Commerce Budget Reconciliation Package

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-09) released the following statement after the Committee on Energy and Commerce passed President Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill. 

    “After almost thirty hours of debate, I am proud to join my Republican colleagues in passing the Energy and Commerce Committee’s part of President Donald Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill.” said Rep. Hudson. “This bill delivers on our promise of protecting the vulnerable, cutting wasteful spending, and renewing the middle-class tax cuts that effect every working family in America and fuel good jobs here at home. Our bill strengthens Medicaid by ending fraud and stopping handouts to illegal immigrants. We’re reining in Biden’s woke, reckless climate agenda, refilling the Strategic Petroleum Reserve depleted during the Biden Administration, and eliminating onerous regulations that threaten prosperity for you and your family. As Telecom Subcommittee Chair, I worked with my colleagues to raise $88 billion through spectrum auctions while protecting our defense and national security interests. This is about protecting hardworking families, restoring sanity to Washington, and putting America first.”

    

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reps. Hudson, Pfluger, Balderson Lead Bill to Stop Flawed Social Cost of Energy from Driving Burdensome Regulations

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Richard Hudson (NC-09), along with Republican Study Committee (RSC) Chairman August Pfluger (TX-11) and RSC House Energy Action Team Chairman (HEAT) Troy Balderson (OH-12), introduced the Transparency and Honesty in Energy Regulation Act in the House and Senator James Lankford (OK) introduced the legislation in the Senate. This bill would prohibit the federal government from using the flawed social cost of carbon, methane, nitrous oxide, or any other greenhouse gas metric in the rulemaking process.

    “The Biden-Harris Administration used every tool at their disposal to advance their radical green agenda. My bill ensures that going forward, no Administration can use inaccurate, unreliable standards to pass dangerous regulations,” said Rep. Hudson.

    “For too long, unelected bureaucrats have relied upon biased and flawed research to wage war against American energy producers. To unleash a new era of American energy dominance, we must rein in onerous regulations that hamstring our economy. I thank Representative Hudson, Senator Lankford, and RSC HEAT Chair Balderson for leading this effort to get rid of ‘social cost of carbon’ estimates once and for all,” said RSC Chairman Pfluger.

    “As Administrator Zeldin noted last month in his historic deregulatory announcement, social cost of carbon hurts the United States’ global competitiveness and increases our reliance on foreign energy producers. I applaud Representative Hudson and Senator Lankford for leading this important bill,” said RSC HEAT Chairman Balderson.

    “Under President Trump, American energy dominance is back, and states like Oklahoma are fueling the charge,” said Sen. Lankford. “This bill pushes back on the Biden Administration’s war on American energy producers by ensuring federal rulemaking is grounded in facts—not flawed models or political agendas. It’s a necessary step to restore transparency, rein in government overreach, and keep American energy competitive.”

    Read the full text of the bill HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Pallone After 26 Hour Markup: Republicans Have No Answers for 13.7 Million Americans Losing Their Health Care on Their Watch

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Frank Pallone (6th District of New Jersey)

    Washington, D.C. –Congressman Frank Pallone (NJ-06), Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee released the following statement after Republicans advanced the largest Medicaid cut in history in their budget reconciliation bill:

    “It’s outrageous Republicans forced this debate to occur late into the night when most of the country was asleep and couldn’t see what they were up to.

    “After 26 hours, Republicans failed to justify their draconian Medicaid cuts. The truth is Republicans want to rush this legislation through because they know the American people will be outraged by what’s in the bill.

    “Now that both the Energy and Commerce and the Ways and Means committees have acted, it’s clear 13.7 million people stand to lose their health care on Republicans’ watch..

    “President Trump repeatedly promised Republicans were not going to cut Medicaid, but that was a lie since Republicans just voted for the largest Medicaid cut in history.

    “Democrats will continue to fight to defeat this GOP tax scam that takes health care away from millions of Americans in order to give tax breaks to billionaires and big corporations. We’ve beat Republican health care repeal attempts before and we can do it again.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Kelly on Rep. Schakowsky’s Retirement, Decades of Public Service

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Robin Kelly IL

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) released the following statement thanking U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowksy (IL-09) on her years of public service:

    “For over 25 years, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky has been a powerful advocate for her constituents and the people of Illinois. I’m incredibly grateful for her partnership in the Illinois Delegation and the Energy and Commerce Committee as we’ve fought together for access to high-quality healthcare.

    “Congresswoman Schakowsky’s legacy, including her leadership in passing the Affordable Care Act, will continue to improve American lives. I wish her and her family all the best in a well-earned retirement.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Kelly: ‘Cuts to Medicaid aren’t about saving taxpayer money’

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Robin Kelly IL

    House Republicans push $880 billion cut to Medicaid through Energy and Commerce Committee

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02), member of the Energy & Commerce Committee, is committed to protecting Medicaid. Today, Republicans on the committee will try to pass $880 billion in cuts to Medicaid as part of President Donald Trump’s “One Big, Beautiful Bill.”

    “Let’s be clear about what today’s markup is and isn’t about. This isn’t about reducing ‘fraud, waste, and abuse.’ This is about ripping healthcare away from working families, children, seniors, people with disabilities, veterans and pregnant women. 

    “Yet my Republican colleagues dismiss our concerns over $880 billion in Medicaid cuts as a ‘misunderstanding.’ But you don’t gut the largest insurer of low-income Americans without real harm. Call it what it is: abandonment, disinvestment, disregard for human life.

    “Cuts to Medicaid aren’t about saving taxpayer money. It’s about who we think is worth the investment of living a long, independent and healthy life.  In Illinois, 3.4 million people are covered by Medicaid. When Illinois implemented Medicaid expansion, the uninsured rate dropped by 44% between 2013 and 2015. These statistics demonstrate the significance of Medicaid for Illinoisans.

    “This committee is tasked with protecting public health, not dismantling it. We need to strengthen our health care system, not use budget gimmicks and add unnecessary requirements to make it harder for people to see a doctor. We owe it to the American people to stop playing games. They deserve affordable health care.”

    The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released a new analysis determining 13.7 million Americans would lose healthcare under President Trump’s and Republicans’s budget cuts.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: MATSUI STATEMENT ON TRUMP’S EFFORT TO ROLL BACK DIGITAL EQUITY FUNDING

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-07), Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, released the following statement in response to President Trump’s announcement that he would immediately end Digital Equity Act grant funding. 

    “President Trump is once again launching an illegal, unilateral attack on the most underserved Americans — this time by trying to block Congressionally directed funding meant to invest in communities and build a better future,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “Broadband access and digital literacy are far from luxuries. They decide who gets to participate and succeed in today’s economy. Digital Equity Act grants are a crucial tool to make sure that once Americans have access to the internet, they are able to make full use of it. From our children’s performance in school to our ability to find work, the digital divide has far reaching consequences for American families. Especially in our rural areas, millions of Americans continue to lack access to the resources and skills they need to capitalize on an increasingly digital world. That’s why I have worked my entire career to make sure equity is a central pillar of our long-term solutions. President Trump may be willing to jeopardize Americans’ future — but I will continue to fight back against his reckless attacks.”

    The Digital Equity Act, included as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, provides $2.75 billion to establish three grant programs that promote digital equity and inclusion. In October of last year, California was awarded $70 million from the program to implement its Digital Equity Plan.

                                                   

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: MATSUI BLASTS REPUBLICANS’ EFFORTS TO GUT MEDICAID DURING OPENING REMARKS AT ENERGY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE RECONCILIATION MARKUP

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-07), delivered the following opening remarks at the Energy and Commerce Committee markup of Republicans’ budget reconciliation bill that would cut hundreds of billions of dollars from Medicaid and take health care away from millions of Americans. 

    A video of her remarks is available HERE. 

    Thank you, Mr. Chairman.  

      

    This committee wields immense power when it comes to reconciliation – and in the past we’ve used that power to deliver real results.   

      

    We expanded health care through the Affordable Care Act. We rescued the economy during COVID. We lowered drug costs. We made bold investments in clean energy and climate action through the Inflation Reduction Act. 

      

    Tangible. Positive. Impact.  

      

    But that’s not what we’re doing today.  

      

    Today, my Republican colleagues are trying to ram through a bill that would slash hundreds of billions of dollars from Medicaid.  

      

    Let’s be honest about what is happening. No matter what Republicans say, there is no if about it – benefits will be cut.  

      

    And I’ve seen this playbook before.  

      

    Fifteen years ago – in this room – we debated and passed the Affordable Care Act.  

      

    I’ll never forget the passionate advocates who filled this room then – and how Republicans looked them in the eyes and voted against a bill that would provide them lifesaving health care.  

      

    Then I watched as Republicans tried again and again to repeal the ACA. And I fought back every time. And I will fight back just as hard today. 

      

    Because Republicans can choose to callously ignore the facts – but the impact in each of our communities is real and plain to see.  

      

    Cuts to Medicaid mean denying care to the most vulnerable among us: seniors in nursing homes, cancer patients, people with disabilities, and kids. 

      

    Kids like Sam. 

      

    Sam is 13 years old. He has Down syndrome, autism, and a severe speech disorder. And thanks to Medicaid—Sam is living a safe, supported, and dignified life. 

      

    Medicaid covers his in-home supportive services so Sam can live at home with his family—not in an institution. It provides Sam with services to help him build toward greater independence.  

      

    Sam’s mom said it best: “Disability rights are human rights. Medicaid is what allows Sam to live a life of dignity, with his rights intact.” 

      

    If this bill passes, those rights will be rolled back. The support that helps millions of families like Sam’s will be ripped away. 

     

    Today, we will hear Republicans try to defend their bill. They’ll tell us their cruel policies exempt kids like Sam, and pretend that they’re reinvesting in services to support him. 

    But that’s simply not true. 

    This bill cuts around $800 billion dollars from our health care safety net. It rips massive holes in states’ budgets – that are near impossible to fill. It sets devious paperwork traps to force families like Sam’s to jump through hoops to keep coverage.

    The math is clear. $800 billion dollars gouged out of our health system means $800 billion dollars less care to go around. 

    With this bill Republicans are choosing to rip away health care and abandon the American people. All to pay for temporary tax cuts for the wealthy, and to keep fueling corporate greed that’s making life harder for everyday Americans. 

     

    I’m here to fight for those Americans. And I’ll be here as long as it takes.  

    I yield back.  

                                                   

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Veasey Slams Republicans For Gutting Medicaid, Silencing Cancer Survivor

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Marc Veasey (33rd District of Texas)

    Headline: Rep. Veasey Slams Republicans For Gutting Medicaid, Silencing Cancer Survivor

    Washington, D.C. – Today, Republicans on the House Energy and Commerce Committee shamefully voted to gut $800 billion from Medicaid—stripping health coverage from 14 million Americans. After a 27-hour markup, during which they attempted to hide from the public and silence the truth, Republicans unanimously voted to sign the death warrants of millions of children, mothers, seniors, and people with disabilities.

    “When I called Carla—a cancer survivor and the daughter of a WWII veteran—to share her story, Republicans didn’t just look the other way—they literally moved to silence her,” said Congressman Marc Veasey. “Make no mistake: Republicans are lying. Stripping away health care to hand billionaires a tax cut isn’t policy—it’s arson.”

    When Rep. Veasey phoned Carla to give voice to her experience, Republicans cut her mic—choosing silence and lies over humanity.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Representative Schakowsky Condemns Committee Passage of Republican Reconciliation Bill Stripping Health Coverage from Over 13 Million Americans

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (9th District of Illinois)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky issued the following statement condemning the passage of the Republican Reconciliation Package through the Energy and Commerce Committee. The bill will come before the full House for a vote as soon as next week.

    “House Republicans jamming this bill to gut Medicaid through this committee today is one of the most shameful moments in my over two decades of Congressional service. Republicans are clearing the deck to give massive tax breaks to billionaires by slashing Medicaid funding and forcing millions of Americans off their health care. Rather than fight for their constituents, Republicans have chosen to rip life-saving care away from more than 13 million working families, children, seniors, and people with disabilities who rely on Medicaid as a lifeline, and then turn around and lie to the American people about its true impacts.

    “This bill takes direct aim at women’s health by intentionally defunding Planned Parenthood, cutting off millions from access to cancer screenings, birth control, and reproductive health services. Let’s be clear: this is an ideological attack on women and their right to control their own health care decisions. It also attacks transgender youth by prohibiting them from utilizing federal Medicaid funding for medically necessary healthcare interventions.

    “I have visited with hundreds of constituents in Illinois’s 9th District over the past few months and have seen firsthand the vital role Medicaid plays in our communities. Nearly 150,000 people in my district alone rely on Medicaid. It supports low-income families, funds rural hospitals, and provides essential care for children with complex medical needs. Slashing Medicaid is not just heartless—it’s dangerous. It puts lives at risk and undermines our entire health care system.”

    “Instead of working to strengthen access to care, Republicans are pushing a reckless, partisan agenda that punishes the most vulnerable. This bill will cause rural hospitals to close, cause health care workers to lose jobs, and cause families to fall through the cracks—all in the name of tax cuts for the wealthy.”

    “This fight is not over: I will never stop fighting to protect the health and dignity of every American. I and my Democratic colleagues will continue to hold the line for the millions of Americans set to lose their health coverage under this cruel and dangerous bill.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congresswoman Schrier Slams Republicans for Attempts to Cut Medicaid in the Middle of the Night, Highlights Damage Proposal will cause to the Eighth District’s Healthcare System

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – During the 26-hour-long House Committee on Energy and Commerce reconciliation markup, Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) blasted congressional Republicans for their attempts to cut Medicaid and kick nearly 14 million Americans off of their health insurance. Congresswoman Schrier highlighted the impact that slashing Medicaid would have on the Eighth District by sharing the story of Ayla, a four-year-old who is alive today thanks to her rural hospital, Kittitas Valley Healthcare (KVH), which depends on Medicaid to keep its doors open. 

    “Today, Ayla is four years old. She is a happy, healthy child. This story is a testament to what rural healthcare can do — when it is resourced, when it is staffed, and when it is supported. But it’s also a stark reminder of how close Jason and Vanessa came to a very different ending,” said Congresswoman Schrier. “Cutting Medicaid will close rural hospitals. Without KVH, Ayla would not have gotten the critical care she needed.  She wouldn’t have gotten to Children’s in time. The outcome would have been tragic. That’s just one reason Medicaid is essential. Republicans say they’re going after waste, fraud, and abuse when they’re actually going to disenfranchise 13.7 million Americans from health insurance. And all of this, taking health insurance away from people, is meant to fund a gigantic tax cut for billionaires.”

    To watch Congresswoman Schrier’s remarks, click HERE. 

    During delivery, Ayla had transfused nearly 40% of her blood volume back to her mother, leaving her without enough blood to survive. KVH quickly organized a transfer to Seattle Children’s Hospital, but the helicopter was forced to turn back due to weather conditions. KVH was able to make new arrangements, coordinate an EMS transport, and save Ayla’s life.

    In Washington State, approximately 1.8 million individuals are enrolled in Medicaid, also known as Apple Health. The Republican budget calls for billions of dollars in cuts to essential programs like Medicaid, which would be devastating for thousands of patients in the Eighth District and millions across the country. Congresswoman Schrier, the first pediatrician elected to Congress and member of the Democratic Doctors Caucus, has been a leader in fighting against these cuts and defending patients’ access to care.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: SHARC Energy Enters Into Short Term Loan Agreement

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — SHARC International Systems Inc. (CSE: SHRC) (FSE: IWIA) (OTCQB: INTWF) (“SHARC Energy” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that the Company has entered into a short-term working capital loan agreement for up to $400,000 (the “Loan”).

    The Loan matures on July 31, 2025, subject to mutual agreement for extension, and bears interest at an annual rate of 8%. The Loan is secured against all present and after acquired assets of the Company.

    The Loan will be used for working capital purposes as SHARC Energy works through the working capital cycle of several SHARC and PIRANHA projects that are to be delivered over the next three months.

    In consideration of the Loan, the Company issued 800,000 stock options (the “Options”). Each Option entitles the holder thereof to acquire one common share of the Company at $0.10 per share for three years from the date of issuance.

    About SHARC Energy  

    SHARC International Systems Inc. is a world leader in energy transfer with the wastewater we send down the drain every day. SHARC Energy’s systems exchange thermal energy with wastewater, generating one of the most energy-efficient and economical systems for heating, cooling & hot water production for commercial, residential and industrial buildings along with thermal energy networks, commonly referred to as “District Energy”.

    SHARC Energy is publicly traded in Canada (CSE: SHRC), the United States (OTCQB: INTWF) and Germany (Frankfurt: IWIA) and you can find out more on our SEDAR profile.

    Learn more about SHARC Energy: Website | Investor Page | LinkedIn | YouTube | PIRANHA | SHARC

    ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

    Freid Andriano
    Chairman

    For investor inquiries, please contact:   For media inquiries, please contact:
    Hanspaul Pannu   Mike Tanyi
    Chief Financial & Operating Officer   Director of Marketing & IT
    SHARC Energy   SHARC Energy
    Telephone: (604) 475-7710 ext. 4   Telephone: 604.475.7710 Ext.109
    Email: hanspaul.pannu@sharcenergy.com   Email: mike.tanyi@sharcenergy.com
         

    The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

    Forward-Looking Statements 

    Certain statements contained in this news release may constitute forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified using words such as “anticipate”, “plan”, “estimate”, “expect”, “may”, “will”, “intend”, “should”, and similar expressions. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. SHARC Energy’s actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in this forward-looking information as a result of regulatory decisions, competitive factors in the industries in which the Company operates, prevailing economic conditions, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. SHARC Energy believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking information should not be unduly relied upon. Any forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the Company’s expectations as of the date hereof and is subject to change after such date. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities legislation. 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: US pullback from renewables has strengthened Canadian industry, panel says

    Source: – Press Release/Statement:

    Headline: US pullback from renewables has strengthened Canadian industry, panel says

    There was a noticeable air of relief at the second Net Zero Quebec summit, hosted by the Canadian Renewable Energy Association in Montreal on May 15. Despite much noise from Canada’s southern neighbour (the U.S.) running from trade tariffs to threats of annexation, renewable companies in Canada and in Quebec seem to be not only surviving, but flourishing, panellists noted. Read more.
    The post US pullback from renewables has strengthened Canadian industry, panel says appeared first on Canadian Renewable Energy Association.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: More power to the people

    Source: – Press Release/Statement:

    Headline: More power to the people

    Canada is entering the age of customer-owned power generation

    By Phil McKay, Senior Director, Distributed Energy Resources and Grid Integration, Canadian Renewable Energy Association 

    Welcome to the new age of customer-owned power generation! The promise of making your own electricity, at your own apartment, house or business, is within reach. On-site, or Behind-the-Meter (BTM) solar and energy storage, can power your appliances, heating, cooling, cars and anything else you can think of. This can provide emergency backup power and protect against energy cost fluctuations. Smart BMS (Building Management Systems) can provide usage data and controls to improve your lifestyle and your business profitability.

    So who is holding the key to unlocking these benefits? Your electricity utility.

    Right now, Canada’s utility professionals are protecting customers by keeping costs low and reliability high. While wrestling with a whole new world of energy needs: People need more electricity because they are electrifying things that never used to get plugged in; data centres are changing the game; industrial processes are shifting.

    The dominant, central power-production model that has been used to push huge amounts of electricity along transmission and distribution lines has already been disrupted. Wind, solar and energy storage are scalable solutions, allowing power-generation projects to contribute energy and services to the grid in hundreds of locations distributed across Canada.

    Now, electricity grids need more resilience in the face of a changing climate, and they must meet new demands from customers connecting fleets of electric vehicles and power-hungry data centers. People want cleaner power and a more equitable distribution of infrastructure to support their communities.

    As a result, we’re seeing the next disruption. Canada is about to cross the milestone of 100,000 solar projects installed behind meters by customers like you and me.

    Over the past three years as the Executive Director of CanREA’s Electricity Transition Hub, I have learned a lot about Canada’s electricity utilities and system operators. We recently concluded this three-year capacity building project, supported by NRCan’s SREPs funding.

    I’ve had the chance to work with dozens of utilities and system operators, helping them make sense of the overwhelming volume of information on the clean-energy transition, and bridge the gap between global learnings and Canada’s specific regional needs.

    Continuing with CanREA as Senior Director, Distributed Energy Resources and Grid Integration, I will expand our work with utilities, system operators, regulators, government agencies and other organizations, while also addressing the next big disrupter: behind-the-meter (BTM) distributed energy resources (DERs).

    I will work with CanREA’s growing BTM membership of solar installers, suppliers and supporting organizations, to address the barriers to a full-scale transformation of neighbourhoods, cities, industrial parks and rural networks.

    At this moment in Canada’s future energy story, the ability to produce and manage power on-site is not available to everyone. There are financial barriers to upgrade a legacy system, both at the utility level and within Canada’s existing building stock.

    There are also connection barriers, with some utilities having prohibitive requirements, or processes based on legacy-protection schemes. Unlocking every electricity meter in the country demands a standardized connection approach and financial mechanisms that allow everyone to participate.

    There has been a lot of progress in some areas of the country. In other places, customers just can’t get at the same opportunities. I think everyone should have the opportunity to build, buy and grow their clean-energy lifestyle or business in their own way, through strong policies, supportive regulations and standards that keep everyone safe and empowered.

    Until Canada’s net-zero emissions economy is within reach, the knowledge-transfer from global learnings to Canadian contexts will not be complete. That’s why I’m excited to work on these two complimentary programs: our Utility GRID Integration Program focuses on finding answers to some of the utility sector’s toughest questions; our BTM Program focuses on hearing from the ‘boots on the ground’ (or on the roof).

    Contact us for more information on either of these two exciting programs and to learn more about membership options that work for you.

    As CanREA’s new Senior Director, Distributed Energy Resources and Grid Integration, I am really looking forward to leading these two programs and supporting the industry in the months and years ahead, as we bring in learnings from around the world and chart the course for Canada’s just, affordable, resilient and clean power system of the future.
    The post More power to the people appeared first on Canadian Renewable Energy Association.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Energy Department Announces Emergency Actions to Provide Overdue Relief to Puerto Rico Power Grid

    Source: US Department of Energy

    WASHINGTON—The Department of Energy (DOE) today announced new emergency actions to provide urgent and immediate assistance to the American citizens of Puerto Rico and strengthen the island’s failing power system. Just one month after Puerto Rico’s most recent island-wide blackout, U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright is issuing two emergency orders authorized by the Federal Power Act Section 202(c) to address critical grid security issues and improve grid resiliency. These orders, issued by the Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response (CESER), in accordance with President Trump’s Executive Order: Declaring a National Energy Emergency, will unlock emergency protocols and empower Puerto Rico’s government to address immediate problems plaguing the already fragile grid system and prevent further widespread outages ahead of peak summer demand season. 

    In addition to issuing the emergency orders, DOE’s Grid Deployment Office (GDO) will review the $365 million in funding from the Puerto Rico Energy Resilience Fund (PR-ERF) to ensure all DOE assistance is used to support practical fixes to the grid and benefits all residents of Puerto Rico.  

    “Access to energy is essential for all modern life, yet the current energy emergency jeopardizes Puerto Ricans’ access to basic necessities. This system is unsustainable, and our fellow citizens should not be forced to suffer the constant instability and dangerous consequences of an unreliable power grid,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright. “With President Trump’s leadership, we are prioritizing immediate and comprehensive actions that will mitigate the greatest threats to the grid and benefit a vastly larger portion of the population, including critical facilities like hospitals and community centers.”  

    “I thank President Trump and Secretary Wright for their leadership and commitment to address once and for all Puerto Rico’s energy emergency. This Administration clearly understands the urgency of the crisis and is utilizing available, existing emergency authorities to put words into action. With today’s Section 202(c) orders, we will have the necessary flexibilities to begin stabilizing our power grid infrastructure and ensure an affordable, secure, and reliable supply of energy for all of Puerto Rico’s 3.2 million Americans,” said Puerto Rico Governor Jenniffer González-Colón. “Energy is essential for both the well-being of our citizens and the island’s economic development, particularly as we seek to attract investment and support the Administration’s re-shoring initiatives. I look forward to continuing our partnership, because when Puerto Rico thrives, America thrives.” 

     Puerto Rico’s electrical grid is facing an energy crisis, with insufficient reserve capacity and recent system-wide blackouts demonstrating its fragility and vulnerability. As Puerto Rico approaches the start of both the summer and hurricane season, challenges around balancing energy supply and demand, along with emergency preparedness, become paramount. Emergency protocols are necessary to address these issues and prevent further widespread outages. 

    The first emergency order directs the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) to dispatch generation units necessary to expand baseload generation for the island and maintain grid reliability, closing the gap in generation shortfall. The second order directs PREPA to perform vegetation management activities, including the clearing of overgrown brush, trees, and vines that present risk of shortages and fire. This vegetation clearing to re-establish a right-of-way will help ensure operational availability of the Specified Transmission Facilities.   

     These emergency activities have been carefully coordinated with the Puerto Rican energy industry, FEMA, HUD, and DOE power experts to streamline efforts and ensure maximum effectiveness. Both Puerto Rico Governor Jenniffer González-Colón and Energy Czar of Puerto Rico Josué A. Colón-Ortiz have expressed strong support for these emergency activities. DOE is continuing to work closely with the Governor and all stakeholders to address Puerto Rico’s energy challenges. These collaborative efforts will continue to create a more secure and reliable energy future for all Puerto Ricans. 

    Learn more about the Federal Power Act section 202 (c). 

                                                                                                       ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Yuri Trutnev held a meeting on the development of the electric power complex of the Far East

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Yuri Trutnev held a meeting on the prospective development of electric power in the Far Eastern Federal District. On the left is Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev, on the right is Minister for the Development of the Far East and Arctic Alexei Chekunkov

    May 16, 2025

    Yuri Trutnev held a meeting on issues of prospective development of electric power industry in the Far Eastern Federal District

    May 16, 2025

    Yuri Trutnev held a meeting on issues of prospective development of electric power industry in the Far Eastern Federal District

    May 16, 2025

    Previous news Next news

    Yuri Trutnev held a meeting on the prospective development of electric power in the Far Eastern Federal District. On the left is Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev, on the right is Minister for the Development of the Far East and Arctic Alexei Chekunkov

    Deputy Prime Minister and Presidential Plenipotentiary Representative in the Far Eastern Federal District Yuri Trutnev held a meeting on the prospective development of the electric power industry in the Far Eastern Federal District. The meeting was attended by Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev, Minister for the Development of the Far East and Arctic Alexei Chekunkov, representatives of the Ministry of Economic Development, heads of Far Eastern regions and representatives of energy companies.

    “Russian President Vladimir Putin set the task of creating the best conditions in Russia for doing business in the Far East. The investment attractiveness of the region is largely determined by the cost of providing electricity. We have gathered to make the necessary decisions,” Yuri Trutnev opened the meeting.

    The issues of supporting the energy market were discussed. Since January 1, 2025, the phased launch of the energy market has begun in the territory of the United Energy System of the East (Primorsky and Khabarovsk Krais, Amur Oblast, Yakutia and the Jewish Autonomous Oblast). The expected effect of the launch of the energy market is the opportunity to use market instruments to attract investment in the construction and modernization of generating capacities on a competitive basis. On the instructions of Russian President Vladimir Putin, this process should be carried out with the condition of not allowing electricity prices for consumers to rise above the Russian average. Thanks to the measures taken, including maintaining tariff regulation for most of the cheap electricity from hydroelectric power plants, actual prices for consumers in the first months of the energy market’s operation this year were 5-6% lower than the Russian average. Compared to the same period last year, the price in this territory increased by 10% with an average Russian growth of 14%.

    The deficit of generating capacities limits further development of the macro-region economy. In accordance with the instructions of the President of Russia, unprecedented conditions for economic development have been created in the Far East, thanks to which the implementation of more than 2.9 thousand investment projects with a total investment volume of 10.2 trillion rubles has been launched. More than 900 enterprises with an investment volume of 5.2 trillion rubles have already been put into operation. Work to attract investments has already given and will continue to form a large load on the electric power infrastructure of the macro-region. According to Rosstat, the growth of electricity consumption in the Far East over the past 10 years has amounted to 26%, which is twice as high as the Russian average. It is predicted that by 2030 this figure will be 5% annually, which is also more than twice as high as the Russian average. At the same time, by 2030, in order to eliminate the predicted deficit of electric energy and capacity in the territory of the Far Eastern Federal District energy systems, it is necessary to build approximately 2.2 GW of thermal power plant capacity and at least 1.7 GW of renewable energy sources.

    During the meeting, issues of updating the list of new investment projects implemented in the Far East and their inclusion in the scheme and program for the development of Russian electric power systems for 2026–2031 were discussed. Work to determine the need to build generating capacities to supply energy to new investment projects is being carried out by the Ministry of Energy jointly with the Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East and the Ministry of Economic Development, as well as constituent entities of the Russian Federation and JSC SO UES.

    As noted by the Minister of Energy Sergey Tsivilev, on the instructions of the President of Russia, an Energy Strategy for the period up to 2050 has been developed. The document was approved by the Government in April of this year. As part of the implementation of the Energy Strategy, two fundamental planning documents for the long-term development of the electric power industry have been developed and approved: the General Scheme for the Placement of Electric Power Facilities until 2042 and the Scheme and Program for the Development of Electric Power Systems of Russia for Six Years, which is approved annually. The System Operator of the Unified Energy System, as the competence center for planning the long-term development of the electric power industry, collects data on current needs and determines the forecast demand of regions for electricity and electric capacity for the development and subsequent updating of these documents.

    On the instructions of Yuri Trutnev, the Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East, together with the regions, carried out work to update new investment projects not included in the long-term planning documents in order to determine the need to build generation for their energy supply. The Far Eastern regions have declared about 500 additional investment projects with a total required capacity of almost 8 GW. Of these, the Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East, together with JSC KRDV, verified 138 projects with a total required capacity of 2.7 GW until 2030. In order to continue work on assessing the need to build new generating capacities, the Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East, the Ministry of Economic Development and the System Operator will work out the issue of taking into account additional verified projects in the medium-term forecast for electricity consumption and capacity. Also, the Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East, the Ministry of Energy and the Far Eastern regions will work out the regulatory consolidation of additional criteria for accounting for investment projects in long-term planning documents and corresponding liability measures to guarantee demand for electricity and capacity.

    Yuri Trutnev instructed the Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East, the Ministry of Economic Development, the Ministry of Energy and the System Operator to finalize the algorithm for selecting investment projects that require the construction of generation facilities to supply them with energy.

    Minister for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic Alexey Chekunkov reported on the work being done to provide benefits of preferential regimes of the Far East and the Arctic for generating companies: “Implementation of investment projects for the creation of generation under preferential regimes will reduce the financial burden on investors and the final cost of electricity for consumers, and shorten the implementation time of such projects. The Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East, JSC KRDV, together with investors, are assessing the necessary conditions and the effectiveness of using preferential regimes for each project included in the general scheme.”

    Yuri Trutnev instructed the Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East to work out the issue of providing benefits for preferential regimes in the Far East and the Arctic for generating companies together with the Ministry of Finance and to report on the situation in the near future. The Ministry of Energy, the Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East together with the regions of the Far Eastern Federal District were instructed to organize monitoring of the creation of energy capacities for investment projects. “We must monitor how construction is progressing and do everything possible to reduce the time for commissioning energy facilities,” emphasized Yuri Trutnev.

    According to the Ministry of Energy, in recent years, the Eastern IES has seen a steady increase in electricity consumption by an average of 5%, which is in line with the forecast figures. Over the next 18 years, the Far East is expected to maintain growth rates of electricity consumption that exceed the Russian average. Thus, in 2024–2030, it is forecast to be 4.9% (2.1% in the country) and 1.38% (0.94% in the country) in subsequent periods. At the end of 2024, the Ministry of Energy approved the scheme and program for the development of Russian electric power systems for 2025–2030. The government approved the General Scheme for the placement of electric power facilities until 2042. In the near future, the Ministry of Energy will submit proposals to clarify the program, dividing it into periods up to 2030, 2036 and 2042.

    According to Yuri Trutnev, plans to create new energy capacities should not only take into account the needs of investment projects already being implemented and planned for implementation, but also create a surplus of electricity in the Far Eastern regions.

    The meeting considered projects for the construction and reconstruction of generating and power grid facilities in the Far Eastern Federal District to prevent a shortage of electric energy and capacity. In particular, the discussion focused on the implementation of the macroregion’s hydroelectric potential and the construction of geothermal power plants, as well as the expansion of the Primorskaya GRES and the implementation of promising projects for the construction of coal-fired power generation in the Far Eastern Federal District.

    It was noted that currently PJSC Rosseti, in accordance with the President’s instruction, has begun implementing measures related to the unification of the parallel synchronous operation of the power systems of Siberia and the East. Also among the largest projects that are under implementation, the construction of a 500 kV substation and a 500 kV energy transit Primorskaya GRES – Varyag for the transmission of additional capacity to the south of Primorsky Krai was named. Work is underway to supply electricity to large industrial facilities, including the Albazinskoye non-ferrous metal deposit, the Kultuminsky and Udokan mining and processing plants and other enterprises.

    The development of hydropower was discussed. The general scheme for the placement of electric power facilities provides for the construction of five hydroelectric power plants and one pumped-storage power plant with a total installed capacity of 3.8 GW in the Far East: Nizhne-Zeyskaya HPP (400 MW), Kankunskaya HPP (1000 MW), Nizhne-Nimanskaya HPP (300 MW), Mokskaya HPP (1200 MW), Ivanovskaya HPP (210 MW) and Primorskaya PSPP (600/662 MW). Currently, design and estimate documentation is being developed for the Nizhne-Zeyskaya HPP, a declaration of intent to build is being developed for the Primorskaya PSPP, and such a declaration has already been developed for the Nizhne-Nimanskaya HPP. For other plants, the previously developed design and estimate documentation needs to be updated. In addition to the power engineering facilities already included in the general scheme, the Far East has a huge hydroelectric potential, which allows for the construction of at least 10 more hydroelectric power plants with a total capacity of about 7.5 GW. For its effective development, a mechanism is needed to ensure the return of investments in the construction of hydroelectric power plants with the required profitability. Such a mechanism was previously in effect for hydroelectric power and has now been extended for nuclear power. Another extremely important issue is the provision of financing for the construction of hydroelectric power plant reservoirs, which are federal property.

    The construction of nuclear power plants was considered. In Primorsky Krai, a 2 GW nuclear power plant is planned. The possibility of building a nuclear power plant in Khabarovsk Krai is being discussed. A low-power nuclear power plant is being built in the village of Ust-Kuyga in the Ust-Yansky District of Yakutia. In Chukotka, the Akademik Lomonosov floating nuclear power plant operates. It generates 60% of the electricity of the Chaun-Bilibinsky power hub, covering the needs of mining enterprises and ensuring grid stability.

    “Our task is to choose the optimal method of obtaining electricity in terms of the final cost of a kilowatt-hour. For example, we have already said that nuclear power plants will be built in Primorsky Krai. But at the same time, this region has both coal and gas plants – this combination provides maximum efficiency. Hydropower generation and renewable energy sources should also be used in the Far East. In general, the hydro potential of our country is estimated at 250 GW, while in reality only 50 are used. In addition, there is a program for the complete modernization of existing power plants, which not only allows for an extension of their service life, but also in some cases increases capacity by up to 20%,” said Sergei Tsivilev, emphasizing the importance of joint work with the heads of the Far Eastern regions, the Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East and the Ministry of Energy.

    Yuri Trutnev drew the special attention of the leadership of the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East, and the heads of the Far Eastern Federal District regions to the need to work out issues of using renewable energy sources.

    “Today, the issues of energy supply to the Far East were discussed. Today, the growth of energy consumption in the Far East is twice as high as the average Russian rate, which corresponds to the task set by the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin for the accelerated development of the macro-region. In my opinion, the work of the Ministry of Energy is carried out professionally: there is an understanding of how this work will be managed. There is a lot of work ahead. There are “narrow points” related to the selection of investment projects. On the one hand, we must provide all investment projects with electricity. And on the other hand, the Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Finance must be confident that all declared projects will be implemented, the energy capacities will be in demand and will bring profit to the budget of the Russian Federation. But we need to strive to ensure that we cover the needs for electricity with a reserve,” Yuri Trutnev summed up.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murray Joins WA Water Utilities, Slams Trump Defunding Howard Hanson Dam, Blue State Construction Projects

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
    Trump plan takes $437 million away from blue states and moves $258 million toward red states—overall, 64-33 percent red to blue split in Trump admin’s Army Corps work plan versus roughly 50-50 split in budget request, FY25 House and Senate appropriations bills
    ICYMI: Senator Murray on Trump Defunding Blue State Army Corps Construction: “This is Some Corrupt B-S”
    ***WATCH HERE; DOWNLOAD HERE***
    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, held a virtual press conference with Tacoma Public Utilities and the Covington Water District to speak out against President Trump’s outrageous decision to zero out and significantly cut Army Corps of Engineers construction projects in blue states such as Washington state—including the complete elimination of construction funding for Howard Hanson Dam.
    The Howard Hanson Dam facility in Washington state was poised to receive $500 million this year in funding Senator Murray secured in the fiscal year 2025 appropriations bill she wrote as Chair and passed through committee in August 2024, as well as in House Republicans’ fiscal year 2025 bill. The funding was needed for the Army Corps to execute a construction contract option this year, allowing construction to begin in 2026 as scheduled. But instead of working with Democrats to pass full-year funding bills that would have directed that funding, Republicans in Congress passed a yearlong continuing resolution (CR) that enabled the administration to determine how to allocate the funding it did provide—a scenario Murray repeatedly warned about. The Army Corps’ work plans released Thursday—which lay out how the Army Corps will spend the funding provided by Congress under Republicans’ yearlong continuing resolution for fiscal year 2025—include zero funding for the project.
    “President Trump’s Army Corps construction plan utterly tramples all of the careful, painstaking negotiations we did in Congress to reach a bipartisan understating about what projects need funding, and replaces it with his own partisan vision—a vision that rips away hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars from blue states like mine. There is just no getting around it: this plan is utterly partisan—and sets a truly egregious precedent. We should all be outraged,” said Senator Murray. “The balance of states Trump wants to give more funding to, and the states he wants to cut funding from—is completely lopsided—roughly two-thirds for red states, and one-third for blue states. For comparison, the budget request, our bipartisan Senate bill, and yes, even House Republicans’ bill, split funding between red and blue states about 50-50. We are talking about critical Army Corps projects to maintain and build foundational water infrastructure, from dredging for our ports, to protecting communities from flood waters, or maintaining major dams.”
    “Back in Washington state, this plan cuts us out, to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars,” continued Senator Murray. “It is completely outrageous. It is completely unacceptable…I will not let defunding Howard Hanson Dam stand in any future bipartisan spending bill. However, that could be a long ways away. So, I’ll be speaking with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and making clear to them we have to rein Trump in—or he is going to keep trampling the powers of Congress, and he is going to keep trampling the communities we all came here to fight for. It may not be your state today, but what happens when your governor disagrees with the President?”
    Overall, the Army Corps’ plans released by the Trump administration would steer roughly $258 million dollars more in construction funding to red states while ripping away roughly $437 million dollars in construction funding for blue states, relative to the president’s fiscal year 2025 request—which, historically, has been fully funded and was fully funded in the draft fiscal year 2025 bills produced on a bipartisan basis in the Senate and by House Republicans in the House. This includes the complete elimination of Army Corps construction funding for states like California. Trump’s work plan steers two-thirds of all Army Corps construction funding to red states—the budget request and House and Senate bills would have split it roughly 50-50 to red and blue states.
    “Tacoma Public Utilities (TPU) has made significant investments in the Howard A. Hanson Dam for decades. This project is one of the most significant steps toward ensuring long-term water reliability for over one million people across our broader region—not just for today, but for generations to come,” said Heather Pennington, TPU Water Superintendent.
    “Without this key part of the project, the District may not have enough summertime supply to meet our current and future customer needs starting as early as the mid-2030s. That’s not very far from now folks. For the District, it feels like we purchased a 4 bedroom home, but having the builder tell us we can occupy 2 bedrooms. Not to mention, this action will further delay access for endangered salmon to over 100 miles of pristine spawning habitat above Howard Hansen Dam. It is just unfair on many levels,” said Thomas Keown, General Manager of the Covington Water District. “For instance, the decision is also unfair to the many local stakeholders who have invested time and money, hundreds of millions, if not billions of dollars in infrastructure and watershed benefits in and along the Green River in preparation of the project coming online. This is now unfortunately shaping up as a waste of a perfectly good ‘shovel ready’ project that is likely to be mothballed for who knows how long.”
    Supporting the Howard Hanson Dam has been a longtime priority for Senator Murray, and she has pressed the Army Corps to prioritize funding for the Dam for years. Under the last administration, Senator Murray was able to secure critical funding boosts for Howard Hanson Dam, including $220 million in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and $50 million to begin construction of the Fish Passage facility in the funding bills for fiscal year 2024 that Murray wrote as then-Chair of the Appropriations Committee. Back in 2010, Murray secured $44 million in badly needed emergency funds for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to repair the Howard Hanson Dam. In the draft fiscal year 2025 appropriations bill she cleared unanimously out of Committee last year, Senator Murray secured $500 million for the construction of a fish passage facility, which would also address flood risk and water supply issues for cities like Tacoma and Covington. $500 million was also included in the House’s draft fiscal year 2025 appropriations bill. The funding is needed to execute a construction option on the contract for the project, which would have allowed construction to begin in 2026 as scheduled.
    Congress typically provides specific, detailed instructions in its annual appropriations bills on how the Army Corps (and so many other agencies) must spend funding provided by Congress. Annual appropriations bills note exactly what Army Corps projects must be funded and at what levels. But instead of working with Democrats to pass full-year appropriations bills that deliver for communities across America, Republicans in Congress put forth a yearlong continuing resolution (CR) that failed to include hundreds of specific directives on how funding must be spent. For months, Senator Murray warned of the dangers of passing Republicans’ slush fund CR, noting, for example, that it would allow the administration to zero out funding for Army Corps projects. 
    Senator Murray’s full remarks, as delivered, are available below and HERE:
    “Yesterday, the Trump Administration released a plan to blatantly rob blue states and completely politicize federal funding for crucial projects. We are talking historically blatant thuggery from the White House here.
    “President Trump’s Army Corps construction plan utterly tramples all the careful, painstaking negotiations we did in Congress to reach a bipartisan understating about what projects need funding and replaces it with his own partisan vision—a vision that rips away hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars from blue states like mine.
    “There is just no getting around it: this plan is utterly partisan—and sets a truly egregious precedent. We should all be outraged.
    “The balance of states Trump wants to give more funding, and the states he wants to cut out off—is completely lopsided—roughly two-thirds for red states, and one-third for blue states.
    “For comparison, the budget request, our bipartisan Senate bill, and yes, even House Republicans’ bill, split funding between red and blue states about 50-50.
    “We are talking about critical Army Corps projects to maintain and build foundational water infrastructure, from dredging for our ports, to protecting communities from flood waters, or maintaining major dams.
    “Back in Washington state, this plan cuts us out, to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars.
    “We are losing some funding for our waterways and fish mitigation, funding for our ports, and we are completely losing funding for the Howard Hanson Dam, which—before Trump meddled with these funds—was set to receive $500 million to execute a necessary construction contract this year.
    “This is a crucial project, years in the making, that is important to safeguard our water supply, protect our communities from dangerous flooding, and save our salmon. I have pounded the pavement getting support for this project. This funding had bipartisan support—our Committee cleared a bill for this unanimously.
    “Howard Hanson was even fully funded in the House Appropriations bill drafted by Republicans—every cent! But now, thanks to this administration, it’s dust. Trump is completely defunding Howard Hanson Dam.
    “They are not giving us even a hint of a real explanation why—but the motivation here is obvious and it is alarming. Especially when Trump’s budget completely zeros out Army Corps Construction in California. That’s right—he just completely cut the most populous state in the country out of Army Corp construction funding.
    “It is completely outrageous. It is completely unacceptable. And it is exactly why I voted against Republicans’ partisan CR.
    “I warned, repeatedly, that we should not give Trump new flexibility to move Army Corps funding around and hang this threat over everyone. That’s a reckless amount of power to give any President—and certainly not this one, who shows us every minute of every day that he will abuse it.
    “This has never been a President we can expect to operate in good faith. This has never been a President we can expect to follow precedent, decency, or even basic common sense. But Republicans’ slush fund CR passed and gave Trump dangerous authority, and it should be no surprise to anyone—he is using it.
    “I am speaking out today: I will not let defunding Howard Hanson Dam stand in any future bipartisan spending bill.
    “However, that could be a long ways away. So, I’ll be speaking with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and making clear to them we have to rein Trump in—or he is going to keep trampling the powers of Congress, and he is going to keep trampling the communities we all came here to fight for.
    “It may not be your state today, but what happens when your governor disagrees with the President? What happens you vote against him and your state loses out on funding? What happens when there is a new President and this is just how things work now?
    “We have to push back now—today. That’s exactly what I am doing. I will fight tooth and nail to prevent this completely partisan vision from becoming a reality.
    “And I have with me some people who can speak more to just how crucial this Army Corps funding is—and why we are not going to stop fighting.”

    MIL OSI USA News –