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Category: Energy

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Letter to House AI and Energy Working Group Recommending Permitting Process Reform

    Source: Independent Petroleum Association of America

    Headline: Letter to House AI and Energy Working Group Recommending Permitting Process Reform

    May 12, 2025 Letter to House AI and Energy Working Group Recommending Permitting Process Reform

    Dear Representative Fedorchak:

    The undersigned organizations are pleased to provide our views in response to your AI and Energy Working Group’s recently circulated Request for Information. We represent companies and workers who build and provide equipment, materials, supplies and services to energy infrastructure development, including facilities essential to natural gas production, transportation and consumption. We comprise the vast industrial and labor supply chain that underpins American energy abundance, reliability and affordability.

    We applaud and stand ready to support your critical work to develop legislative and policy recommendations to ensure that abundant power is available to support data centers critical to American AI dominance.

    Long-term policy durability enshrined in law is critically essential to encourage large, long- term, multi-year investments by developers of energy infrastructure. Our comments below primarily address Pillar One of your Request for Information: American Energy Dominance and AI Energy Demands.

    Continue Reading

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI: Ozop Energy Solutions, Inc. Issues a Shareholder Update

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Warwick, NY, May 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ozop Energy Solutions, Inc. (OTC: OZSC) (“Ozop” or the “Company”), a Company focused in the renewable energy sector, today provided an update to its shareholders on recent strategic milestones and upcoming initiatives. With a diverse portfolio of innovative energy solutions, Ozop remains focused on capturing a share of the rapidly growing renewable energy market.

    Ozop’s wholly owned subsidiary, Automated Room Controls, Inc. (DBA ARC), has made substantial progress, achieving ETL certification on its first attempt. Since its launch, ARC has submitted $580,000 in bids and secured its first $40,000 in orders, including a recently fulfilled $10,000 shipment. The division continues to refine its technology through ongoing research, development, and internal testing. ARC is scheduled to showcase its latest innovations at Lightstock, a leading Lighting and Controls Expo, in Canandaigua, NY, on June 25th, 2025.

    Empire Auto Protect, a trusted name in the automotive sector with a 17-year history of providing premium vehicle service protection plans, is expanding its portfolio to include Ozop Plus’s Electric Vehicle (EV) coverage. In collaboration with Ozop Plus, Empire has integrated the Fully Charged VSC, aligning backend quoting systems to offer a comprehensive suite of EV protection options. This partnership will enhance Empire’s ability to meet the growing demand for EV coverage.

    Ozop Plus has successfully completed state approvals with F&I Sentinel, enabling its EV Warranty to be included in auto manufacturers’ financing nationwide. This milestone clears the path for the upcoming launch of Triple-EV.com, a cost-effective, monthly roadside assistance program designed specifically for the EV market. In partnership with Nation Safe Drivers, Triple-EV will offer exclusive services, including roadside charging, flatbed towing, and member-only benefits.

    Strategic Growth and New Opportunities:

    Ozop Energy Solutions is currently having discussions with a potential acquisition target that is expected to generate approximately $3 million in annual revenue if completed. This acquisition is part of the Company’s ongoing strategy to expand its product range and increase shareholder value.

    CEO Statement

    Brian Conway, CEO of Ozop Energy Solutions, Inc., commented, “With the changing economic landscape, we’ve learned to pivot effectively when one area faces challenges, like solar and energy storage. As we move beyond years of intensive R&D, we are focused on scaling our sales and marketing efforts to bring innovative solutions to market.”

    About Ozop Energy Solutions.

    Ozop Energy Solutions (Ozop Energy Solutions (http://ozopenergy.com/) is the flagship company that oversees a wide variety of products in various stages of development in the renewable energy sector. Our strategy focuses on capturing a significant share of the rapidly growing renewable energy market as a provider of assets and infrastructure needed to store energy.

    About Empire Auto Protect

    Empire Auto Protect is at the forefront of transforming the auto warranty landscape by integrating cutting-edge technology into every aspect of our services. Much like how Apple revolutionized consumer electronics and Tesla redefined automotive innovation, we are setting new standards in the warranty sector.

    Our advanced digital platforms streamline the warranty process, making it more efficient and user-friendly for customers. By harnessing data analytics and seamless online tools, we empower consumers with tailored warranty solutions that meet their unique needs. This commitment to innovation not only enhances customer experience but also positions Empire Auto Protect as the leading technology provider in the automotive warranty industry, driving it into a new digital age.

    https://empireautoprotect.com/

    About Automated Room Controls, Inc.

    Also known as ARC, Inc. its mission is to deliver cutting-edge technology that simplifies complex control needs, ensuring seamless integration and exceptional performance. We aim to lead the industry by continuously innovating and providing solutions that meet the evolving demands of our customers. Our vision is to make control systems smarter, more efficient, and more accessible to everyone.

    www.ARControl.com

    About Ozop Energy Systems, Inc.

    Ozop Energy Systems is a manufacturer and distributor of Renewable Energy products in the Energy Storage, Solar, Microgrids, and EV charging Station space. We offer a broad portfolio of Renewable Energy products at competitive prices with a commitment to customer satisfaction from selection, to ordering, shipping, and delivery.

    About Ozop Engineering and Design

    Ozop Engineering and Design engineers’ energy efficient, easy to install and use, digital lighting controls solutions for commercial buildings, campuses, and sports complexes throughout North America. Products include relays panels, controllers, occupancy/vacancy sensors, daylight sensors and wall switch stations. Ozop has a dedicated design team that produces system drawings and a technical support group for product questions and onsite system commissioning. Our mission is to be recognized for our deep understanding of power management systems and ability to provide the right solution for each facility.

    www.ozopengineering.com

    About Ozop Capital Partners

    Ozop Capital Partners, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, and wholly owns EV Insurance Company, Inc. (“EVIC”). EVIC, DBA Ozop Plus is licensed as a captive insurer that reinsures. www.OzopPlus.com

    https://twitter.com/OzopEnergy

    https://www.facebook.com/OzopEnergy/

    Safe Harbor Statement

    “This press release contains or may contain, among other things, certain forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties. Such statements may include, without limitation, statements with respect to the company’s plans, objectives, projections, expectations and intentions and other statements identified by words such as “projects,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “intends,” “plans,” “potential” or similar expressions. These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the company’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, including those detailed in the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ significantly from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that are subject to change based on various factors (many of which are beyond the company’s control). The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.”

    Investor Relations Contact – Ozop
    The Waypoint Refinery, LLC
    845-397-2956
    Visit our Discord:
    https://discord.gg/waypoint

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: OMS Energy Technologies Inc. Announces Pricing of Initial Public Offering

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SINGAPORE, May 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — OMS Energy Technologies Inc. (“OMS” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: OMSE), a growth-oriented manufacturer of surface wellhead systems and oil country tubular goods for the oil and gas industry, today announced the pricing of its initial public offering (the “Offering”) of 3,703,704 ordinary shares, par value US$0.0001 per share (the “Ordinary Shares”), at a public offering price of US$9.00 per share, for a total base offering size of US$33.3 million, assuming the underwriters do not exercise their option to purchase additional ordinary shares, before deducting underwriting discounts and other related expenses.

    The Ordinary Shares are expected to begin trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market (the “NASDAQ”) on May 13 2025, under the ticker symbol “OMSE.” The offering is expected to close on May 14, 2025, subject to customary closing conditions.

    In addition, OMS has granted the underwriter a 45-day option from the date of the final prospectus to purchase up to 555,555 additional ordinary shares at the public offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions.

    Roth Capital Partners acted as the sole manager for the Offering. Joseph Gunnar & Co., LLC acted as financial advisor to the Company in connection with the Offering.

    A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) (File Number: 333-282986), as amended, and was declared effective by the SEC on April 28, 2025. Copies of the registration statement can be accessed through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

    The offering is being made only by means of a prospectus, forming a part of the registration statement. Copies of the prospectus related to the offering, when available, may be obtained from: Roth Capital Partners, LLC, Attention: Prospectus Department, 888 San Clemente Drive, Suite 400, Newport Beach, California 92660, United States, or by calling +1 (800) 678-9147, or by email at rothecm@roth.com. Before you invest, you should read the prospectus and other documents the Company has filed or will file with the SEC for more information about the Company and the Offering.

    This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

    About OMS Energy Technologies Inc.

    OMS Energy Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: OMSE) is a growth-oriented manufacturer of surface wellhead systems (SWS) and oil country tubular goods (OCTG) for the oil and gas industry. Serving both onshore and offshore exploration and production operators, OMS is a trusted supplier across six vital jurisdictions in the Asia Pacific, Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) regions. The Company’s 11 strategically located manufacturing facilities in key markets ensure rapid response times, customized technical solutions and seamless adaptation to evolving production and logistics needs. Beyond its core SWS and OCTG offerings, OMS also provides premium threading services to maximize operational efficiency for its customers.

    For more information, please visit ir.omsos.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains statements that may constitute “forward-looking” statements which are made pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to the anticipated size of the initial public offering and the expected trading commencement and closing dates. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “would,” “may,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “aims,” “future,” “continues,” “could,” “should,” “target,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “likely to,” and similar expressions. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company’s beliefs, plans, and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including: uncertainties related to market conditions, the satisfaction of customary closing conditions related to the initial public offering, the completion of the initial public offering on the anticipated terms, or at all, and other factors discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of the preliminary prospectus that forms a part of the effective registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

    For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

    OMS Energy Technologies Inc.
    Investor Relations
    Email: ir@omsos.com

    Piacente Financial Communications
    Brandi Piacente
    Tel: +1-212-481-2050
    Email: oms@thepiacentegroup.com

    Hui Fan
    Tel: +86-10-6508-0677
    Email: oms@thepiacentegroup.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Free energy saving advice for renters

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Free home energy visits provide advice to renters on how they can save money on their energy bills.

    With winter approaching, it’s the perfect time to make your home more comfortable without increasing your energy bills.

    Canberra renters can book a free in-home energy visit through the ACT Government’s Renters’ Home Energy Program. For a limited time, these visits also include free energy-saving materials, such as a heated throw rug, to enhance your home’s energy efficiency and comfort.

    During these visits, a home energy expert identifies where energy is being used and provides simple solutions to help renters save on their bills.

    The program is a free and easy way to:

    • save on energy bills
    • get tips on the quickest, cheapest and best ways to reduce energy use
    • make rental homes more comfortable without using more gas or electricity
    • find out ways to reduce your impact on the environment.

    Home energy experts, like Jeff Knowles, have extensive experience conducting home energy visits in the ACT for renters. They offer valuable advice on energy use and simple steps to save money.

    “Canberra is different from Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne as our summers are quite hot, our autumns and springs are lovely, then we have intense cold throughout the winter,” Jeff said.

    “With such a range of temperatures, it’s tough to build a building in Canberra that works well all year round.

    “The rising cost of living pressures are pushing people into greater and greater energy efficiency,” said Jeff.

    “The Renters’ Home Energy Program aims to assist people by educating them about the properties they live in and the energy they use. Following some simple steps, renters could save around $200 each quarter off their gas and electricity bills.”

    Energy saving tips:

    • Understand what your home is made from, which direction it faces, and identify where heat or cool air can escape. A free home energy visit or the home energy web tool can help you identify these problems and their solutions.
    • Check your insulation. All residential rental properties in the ACT must meet a minimum energy efficiency standard for ceiling insulation. Find out more about your rights as a renter.
    • Prevent draughts by sealing doors and windows. Door draught stoppers and seal strips are good options.
    • Use a plug-in power meter to monitor how much electricity your home appliances are using. Meters can point out inefficient appliances in your home such as electric element heaters.
    • When operating your washing machine, use cold wash cycles so that you’re not using gas or electricity to heat water.
    • Use a thermometer to monitor your fridge temperature. Most rental properties have their fridges running much colder than they need to be, which uses more electricity.

    Find out more about the Renters’ Home Energy Program.

    Get ACT news and events delivered straight to your inbox, sign up to our email newsletter:


    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: After more than a decade of little change, U.S. electricity consumption is rising again

    Source: US Energy Information Administration

    In-brief analysis

    May 13, 2025

    In our latest Short-Term Energy Outlook, we forecast U.S. annual electricity consumption will increase in 2025 and 2026, surpassing the all-time high reached in 2024. This growth contrasts with the trend of relatively flat electricity demand between the mid-2000s and early 2020s. Much of the recent and forecasted growth in electricity consumption is coming from the commercial sector, which includes data centers, and the industrial sector, which includes manufacturing establishments.

    U.S. electricity consumption was essentially flat for nearly two decades. Electricity demand increases generally associated with population growth and economic growth were offset by efficiency improvements and other structural changes in the economy, such as the transition from manufacturing to service sectors that tend to consume less energy. Total electricity consumption includes sales to ultimate customers in the residential, commercial, and industrial sectors, and—to a lesser extent—sales to public transportation customers and the direct use of electricity at industrial facilities that produce power.

    More recently, U.S. electricity consumption has increased since a relative low point in 2020. From 2020 through the end of our short-term forecast in 2026, we expect electricity consumption to grow at an average rate of 1.7% per year. The commercial and industrial sectors grow faster in the forecast, at an average of 2.6% and 2.1% per year, respectively. Forecast electricity sales to the residential sector, which largely depend on year-to-year temperature fluctuations, grow on average 0.7% between 2020 and 2026.

    Expected electricity demand growth is spurring expansion in generating capacity and electricity storage. Much of this additional capacity is from solar and battery storage facilities. The new generating capacity is concentrated in Texas, California, the upper Midwest, and the Northeast.

    Electric utilities, grid operators, regulators, and other stakeholders are also committing to energy efficiency and demand response programs, according to analysis conducted by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and based on our utility spending data. In addition, utilities are expanding networks of high-voltage transmission lines to maintain system balancing and to ensure reliable electric service.

    Principal contributors: Mark Schipper, Tyler Hodge

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Trump guts low-income energy assistance as summer heat descends and electricity prices rise

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Conor Harrison, Associate Professor of Economic Geography, University of South Carolina

    Cities like Houston get high humidity in addition to the heat, making summer almost unbearable without cooling. Brandon Bell/Getty Images

    The U.S. is headed into what forecasters expect to be one of the hottest summers on record, and millions of people across the country will struggle to pay their power bills as temperatures and energy costs rise.

    A 2023 national survey found that nearly 1 in 4 Americans were unable to pay their full energy bill for at least one month, and nearly 1 in 4 reported that they kept their homes at unsafe temperatures to save money. By 2025, updated polling indicated nearly 3 in 4 Americans are worried about rising energy costs.

    Conservative estimates suggest that utilities shut off power to over 3 million U.S. households each year because the residents cannot pay their bills.

    This problem of high energy prices isn’t lost on the Trump administration.

    On the first day of his second term in 2025, President Donald Trump declared a national energy emergency by executive order, saying that “high energy prices … devastate Americans, particularly those living on low- and fixed incomes.”

    Secretary of Energy Christopher Wright raised concerns about utility disconnections and outlined a mission to “shrink that number, with the target of zero.”

    Yet, the administration’s 2026 budget proposal zeros out funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, the federal program that administers funding to help low-income households pay their utility bills. And on April 1, 2025, the administration laid off the entire staff of the LIHEAP office.

    During the hottest periods, even nighttime temperatures might not drop below 90 in Phoenix. Without air conditioning, homes can become dangerously hot.
    Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images

    Many people already struggle to cobble together enough help from various sources to pay their power bills. As researchers who study energy insecurity, we believe gutting the federal office responsible for administering energy bill assistance will make it even harder for Americans to make ends meet.

    The high stakes of energy affordability

    We work with communities in South Carolina and Tennessee where many residents struggle to heat and cool their homes.

    We see how high energy prices force people to make dangerous trade-offs. Low-income households often find themselves choosing whether to buy necessities, pay for child care or pay their utility bills.

    One elderly person we spoke with for our research, Sarah, explained that she routinely forgoes buying medications in order to pay her utility bill. Another research participant who connects low-income families to energy bill assistance in Tennessee said: “I’ve gone into these homes, and it’s so hot. Your eyes roll in the back of your head. It’s like you can’t breathe. How do you sit in here? It’s just unreal.”

    Unfortunately, these stories are increasingly common, especially in low-income communities and communities of color.

    Electricity prices are predicted to rise with worsening climate change: More frequent heat waves and extreme weather events drive up demand and put pressure on the grid. Furthermore, rising energy demand from data centers – supercharged by the increasing energy use by artificial intelligence – is accelerating price increases.

    Shrinking resources for assistance

    LIHEAP, created in 1981, provides funding to states as block grants to help low-income families pay their utility bills. In fiscal year 2023, the program distributed US$6.1 billion in energy assistance, helping some 5.9 million households avoid losing power connections.

    The program’s small staff played critical roles in disbursing this money, providing implementation guidelines, monitoring state-level fund management and tracking and evaluating program effectiveness.

    A long line of utility customers wait to apply for help from the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program in Trenton, N.J., in 2011. In 2023, around 6 million households benefited from LIHEAP.
    AP Photo/Mel Evans

    LIHEAP has historically prioritized heating assistance in cold-weather states over cooling assistance in warmer states. However, recent research shows a need to revisit the allocation formula to address the increasing need for air conditioning. The layoffs removed staff who could direct this work.

    It is unlikely that other sources of funding can fill in the gaps if states do not receive LIHEAP funds from the federal government. The program’s funding has never been high enough to meet the need. In 2020, LIHEAP provided assistance to just 16% of eligible households.

    Our research has found that, in practice, many households rely on a range of local nonprofits, faith-based organizations and informal networks of family and friends to help them pay their bills and keep the power on.

    For example, a research participant named Deborah reported that when faced with a utility shut-off, she “drove from church to church to church” in search of assistance. United Way in South Carolina received over 16,000 calls from people seeking help to pay their utility bills in 2023.

    These charitable services are an important lifeline for many, especially in the communities we study in the South. However, research has shown that faith-based programs do not have the reach of public programs.

    Without LIHEAP, the limited funds provided by nonprofits and the personal connections that people patch together will be stretched even thinner, especially as other charitable services, such as food banks, also face funding cuts.

    What’s ahead

    The $4.1 billion that Congress allocated to LIHEAP for the 2025 fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30, has already been disbursed. Going forward, however, cuts to LIHEAP staff affect its ability to respond to growing need. Congress now has to decide if it will kill the program’s future funding as well.

    Maricopa County in Arizona, home to Phoenix, illustrates what’s at stake. Annual heat-related deaths have risen 1,000% there in the past decade, from 61 to 602. Hundreds of these deaths occurred indoors.

    Cooling becomes essential during Arizona’s extreme summers. Maricopa County, home to Phoenix, reported more than 600 heat-related deaths in 2024.
    AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin

    We believe gutting LIHEAP puts the goal of energy affordability for all Americans – and Americans’ lives – in jeopardy. Until more affordable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, can be scaled up, an expansion of federal assistance programs is needed, not a contraction.

    Increasing the reach and funding of LIHEAP is one option. Making home weatherization programs more effective is another.

    Governments could also require utilities to forgive past-due bills and end utility shut-offs during the hottest and coldest months. About two dozen states currently have rules to prevent shut-offs during the worst summer heat.

    For now, the cuts mean more pressure on nonprofits, faith-based organizations and informal networks. Looking ahead to another exceptionally hot summer, we can only hope that cuts to LIHEAP staff don’t foreshadow a growing yet preventable death toll.

    Etienne Toussaint, a law professor at the University of South Carolina, and Ann Eisenberg, a law professor at West Virginia University, contributed to this article.

    Conor Harrison receives funding from the National Science Foundation and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.

    Elena Louder receives funding from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.

    Nikki Luke receives funding from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. She previously worked at the U.S. Department of Energy.

    Shelley Welton receives funding from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.

    – ref. Trump guts low-income energy assistance as summer heat descends and electricity prices rise – https://theconversation.com/trump-guts-low-income-energy-assistance-as-summer-heat-descends-and-electricity-prices-rise-256194

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI: Aemetis Biogas Signs $27 Million Agreement with Centuri to Build Gas Cleanup Systems for 15 Dairy Digesters

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CUPERTINO, Calif., May 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Aemetis, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMTX), a renewable natural gas and renewable fuels company focused on low and negative carbon intensity renewable fuels, announced today that its Aemetis Biogas subsidiary has signed a $27 million equipment agreement with Centuri Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CTRI), a $2.6 billion infrastructure services contractor, to build biogas cleanup systems for 15 dairy digesters.

    This signed agreement, and expected future agreements with Centuri, will enable Aemetis Biogas to rapidly scale up the construction of dairy digesters to produce renewable natural gas (RNG) for a total of 50 dairies that have already been signed by Aemetis Biogas. This summer, 16 dairies are scheduled to be operating in the Aemetis Biogas Central Digester Project near Modesto, California, with 36 miles of biogas pipeline and a central biogas-to-RNG production facility already in operation delivering RNG into the PG&E utility gas pipeline.

    “Our expanding strategic relationship with the experienced team at Centuri ranges from this agreement for biogas equipment to plans for construction management and pipe assembly to build upcoming energy efficiency, carbon sequestration and other projects,” stated Eric McAfee, Chairman and CEO of Aemetis. “We expect that Centuri will play a key role in building Aemetis projects on time and on budget, given their expertise in constructing industrial facilities, large scale gas pipeline projects. and utility electrical systems.”

    “Centuri’s vast utility distribution expertise includes a growing number of renewable natural gas projects in multiple geographies, making the work with Aemetis a natural fit,” stated Dylan Hradek, President of US Gas at Centuri. “We expect to add significant value to upcoming projects at the Riverbank site and to support their ongoing work and plans to deliver innovative, renewable energy solutions across their portfolio.”

    Aemetis renewable energy and energy efficiency projects include the expansion of dairy renewable natural gas production to generate more than 1 million MMBtu of renewable natural gas from 50 dairies that have signed agreements; the Keyes ethanol plant mechanical vapor recompression system that is expected to generate $32 million of increased annual cash flow starting in 2026; the Riverbank carbon sequestration project to inject 1.4 million tons of CO2 per year underground; the 78 million gallon per year sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel plant which has already received the Authority To Construct air permits and the other key approvals; and negotiations underway for other large scale industrial and electrical projects at the Riverbank site.

    About Aemetis

    Headquartered in Cupertino, California, Aemetis is a renewable natural gas and renewable fuel company focused on the operation, acquisition, development and commercialization of innovative technologies that replace petroleum products and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Founded in 2006, Aemetis is operating and actively expanding a California biogas digester network and pipeline system to convert dairy waste gas into Renewable Natural Gas. Aemetis owns and operates a 65 million gallon per year ethanol production facility in California’s Central Valley near Modesto that supplies about 80 dairies with animal feed. Aemetis owns and operates an 80 million gallon per year production facility on the East Coast of India producing high quality distilled biodiesel and refined glycerin. Aemetis is developing a sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel fuel biorefinery in California, renewable hydrogen, and hydroelectric power to produce low carbon intensity renewable jet and diesel fuel. For additional information about Aemetis, please visit www.aemetis.com.

    About Centuri

    Centuri Holdings, Inc. is a strategic utility infrastructure services company that partners with regulated utilities to build and maintain the energy network that powers millions of homes and businesses across the United States and Canada.

    Safe Harbor Statement

    This news release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding assumptions, projections, expectations, targets, intentions or beliefs about future events or other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, projections of financial results in 2025 and future years; statements relating to the development, engineering, financing, construction and operation of the Aemetis ethanol, biogas, SAF and renewable diesel, and carbon sequestration facilities; our ability to promote, develop, finance, and construct facilities to produce biogas, renewable fuels, and biochemicals; and statements about future market prices and results of government actions. Words or phrases such as “anticipates,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “predicts,” “projects,” “showing signs,” “targets,” “view,” “will likely result,” “will continue” or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on current assumptions and predictions and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties. Actual results or events could differ materially from those set forth or implied by such forward-looking statements and related assumptions due to certain factors, including, without limitation, competition in the ethanol, biodiesel and other industries in which we operate, commodity market risks including those that may result from current weather conditions, financial market risks, customer adoption, counter-party risks, risks associated with changes to federal policy or regulation, and other risks detailed in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, and in our other filings with the SEC. We are not obligated, and do not intend, to update any of these forward-looking statements at any time unless an update is required by applicable securities laws.

    Company Investor Relations
    Media Contact:
    Todd Waltz
    (408) 213-0940
    investors@aemetis.com

    External Investor Relations
    Contact:
    Kirin Smith
    PCG Advisory Group
    (646) 863-6519
    ksmith@pcgadvisory.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Abacus Global Management Announces Virtual Livestream Details for the Abacus Investor Day and Longevity Summit on Thursday, June 12th, 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ORLANDO, Fla., May 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Abacus Global Management, Inc. (“Abacus” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: ABL), a leader in the alternative asset management space, today announced details for the virtual livestream of the Abacus Investor Day and Longevity Summit to be held on Thursday, June 12, 2025, beginning at 9:30AM ET.

    The Abacus Investor Day and Longevity Summit is a one-day, specialized event focused on applying lifespan to financial products. Abacus will inform its shareholders about the Company’s business model, current ABL products, and the outlook for Abacus and its affiliates. Additionally, Abacus has gathered top professionals in the field of longevity and lifespan to share their perspectives on human lifespan and its impact on the future of financial planning.

    Virtual livestream guests can register here. The event livestream will begin at 9:30AM ET and end at 12:45PM ET.

    For any event or media-related inquiries, please contact Blake Gallimore at blake@abacusgm.com.

    About Abacus Global Management
    Abacus Global Management (NASDAQ: ABL) is a leading financial services company specializing in alternative asset management, data-driven wealth solutions, technology innovations, and institutional services. With a focus on longevity-based assets and personalized financial planning, Abacus leverages proprietary data analytics and decades of industry expertise to deliver innovative solutions that optimize financial outcomes for individuals and institutions worldwide. For more information, please visit www.abacusgm.com.

    Contact:
    Abacus Investor Day & Longevity Summit Communications
    Blake Gallimore – Director of Corporate Marketing & Communications
    blake@abacusgm.com
    (321) 344-2118

    Investor Relations
    Robert F. Phillips – SVP Investor Relations and Corporate Affairs
    rob@abacusgm.com
    (321) 290-1198
    David Jackson – Director of IR/Capital Markets
    david@abacusgm.com
    (321) 299-0716

    Abacus Global Management Public Relations
    press@abacusgm.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: FTC Solar to Participate in Upcoming Investor Conferences

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    AUSTIN, Texas, May 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FTC Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq: FTCI), a leading provider of solar tracker systems, software and engineering services, today announced that members of its management team, including CEO Yann Brandt, are scheduled to participate in meetings with investors at the following upcoming conferences:

    CLEANPOWER 2025 – May 20, 2025, Phoenix. The company will participate in group investor meetings with analysts from UBS, Guggenheim, and Roth Securities.

    Bank of America Power, Utilities and Alternative Energy Conference – May 28, 2025, New York. The company will host in-person investor meetings. Interested investors should contact their BofA sales representative.

    Roth Securities London Conference – June 25, 2025, London. The company will host in-person investor meetings. Interested investors should contact their Roth sales representative.

    About FTC Solar Inc.
    Founded in 2017 by a group of renewable energy industry veterans, FTC Solar is a global provider of solar tracker systems, technology, software, and engineering services. Solar trackers significantly increase energy production at solar power installations by dynamically optimizing solar panel orientation to the sun. FTC Solar’s innovative tracker designs provide compelling performance and reliability, with an industry-leading installation cost-per-watt advantage.

    FTC Solar Investor Contact:
    Bill Michalek 
    Vice President, Investor Relations 
    FTC Solar
    T: (737) 241-8618 
    E: IR@FTCSolar.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Press Release – Gas Safe Service in Alderney Tuesday 13 May 2025

    Source: Channel Islands – States of Alderney

    Press Release

    Date:  13th May 2025

    2025 Gas Safe service available in Alderney

    The Island’s General Services Committee (GSC) is pleased to advise it has approved funding to enable a Gas Safe Registered engineer to provide a domestic service for Alderney for the remainder of 2025.

    Residents requiring a Gas Safe Registered engineer (domestic appliances only) are asked to download a Gas Service Request Form from the States of Alderney website which can be found on the following link Service Request Form and emailing the completed form to A1 Gas to the following address a1gasgsy@gmail.com

    Those who cannot access or download the Service Request Form can obtain a copy from the Island Hall’s General Office who will email the form to A1 Gas on their behalf.

    The form requires the name and contact details of the person requesting the service together with the type of work required and preferred date and time of the visit. A1 Gas will contact the customer directly.

    The contract is between the customer and the service provider, not the States of Alderney.

    Ends

    States of Alderney media enquiries:Publications@alderney.gov.gg

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Weimar+ joint statement on Ukraine and Euro-Atlantic security, 12 May 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    News story

    Weimar+ joint statement on Ukraine and Euro-Atlantic security, 12 May 2025

    Joint statement by the foreign ministers of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, the UK, and the EU High Representative, following their meeting in London.

    Foreign ministers from the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Poland, Ukraine, and the EU Commission at Lancaster House in London on 12 May 2025.

    Joint statement:

    We met in London on 12 May to discuss Russian aggression against Ukraine and Euro-Atlantic security. 

    On Ukraine, we reiterated our solidarity with the Ukrainian people, our sympathy for the victims of recent attacks by Russia, and our full support for Ukraine’s security, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. 

    We welcomed US-led peace efforts and the prospect of further talks this week. So far, Russia has not shown any serious intent to make progress. It must do so without delay. We joined Ukraine in calling for an immediate, full, unconditional 30-day ceasefire to create space for talks on a just, comprehensive and lasting peace.

    Any peace will only last if it is based on international law including the UN Charter and Ukraine is able to deter and defend against any future Russian attack. 

    We discussed how we would further step up European efforts to support Ukraine in its ongoing defence against Russia’s war of aggression. Ukraine should be confident in its ability to continue to resist successfully Russian aggression with our support. 

    Strong Ukrainian armed forces will be vital. We agreed to work with Ukraine on initiatives to strengthen Ukraine’s armed forces, restock munitions and equipment, and further enhance industrial capacity.  

    We are committed to robust security guarantees for Ukraine. This includes exploring the creation of a coalition of air, land and maritime reassurance forces that could help create confidence in any future peace and support the regeneration of Ukraine’s armed forces. And we will work on new reconstruction and recovery commitments, including at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome on 10 to 11 July, to ensure that Ukraine’s future security is underpinned by a vibrant economy.

    We agreed to pursue ambitious measures to reduce Russia’s ability to wage war by limiting Kremlin revenues, disrupting the shadow fleet, tightening the Oil Price Cap, and reducing our remaining imports of Russian energy. We will keep Russian sovereign assets in our jurisdictions immobilised until Russia ceases its aggression and pays for the damage caused.

    On Euro-Atlantic security, we reaffirmed that NATO is the bedrock of our security and prosperity. The Alliance has secured peace for over 75 years. A strong, united NATO, based on a strong transatlantic bond, an ironclad commitment to defend each other, and fair burden-sharing, is essential to maintain this. 

    European countries must play a still greater role in assuring our own security. We will further strengthen NATO and the contribution of European Allies by stepping up security and defence expenditure to meet the requirement to deter and defend across all domains in the Euro-Atlantic area. 

    We will use all feasible levers to strengthen our collective defence capability and production and reinforce Europe’s technological and industrial base. To that end, we will build on work in NATO, the EU and likeminded groups to achieve these goals.

    An enhanced security and defence relationship between the UK and EU is key to improving the lives of our people and making our continent more safe and secure, as will enhanced cooperation between NATO and the EU on the basis of the three Joint Declarations, and greater co-operation with Ukraine.

    Updates to this page

    Published 12 May 2025

    Invasion of Ukraine

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Press release – MEPs push for more coordination and resilience in European electricity grids

    Source: European Parliament 3

    MEPs adopted proposals for enhancing grid resilience, integrating renewable energy sources, and simplifying processes to meet the EU’s energy goals.

    In proposals adopted on Tuesday, MEPs from the Industry, Research and Energy Committee put forward ways to modernise Europe’s electricity grid infrastructure to accommodate the growing demand for renewable energy, ensure a resilient decarbonised electricity system, and support the EU’s energy goals.

    The adopted text calls for the implementation of an EU grid action plan and highlights the need for significant investment and infrastructure upgrades to modernise and increase cross-border transmission capacity.

    Better integration of national energy infrastructures

    MEPs highlight that significant investment and upgrades are required to increase cross-border and national-level transmission capacity and to modernise infrastructure. This includes the need for closer supervision by authorities to ensure a decarbonised, flexible, and resilient electricity system.

    The report calls for clearer and more effective rules and procedures to attract private investment in addition to public funding mechanisms, and ensure that network tariffs reflect real costs. It emphasises the need for investment to address grid bottlenecks and prevent the curtailment – the deliberate reduction of production due to grid capacity limits – of renewable energy.

    MEPs stress the importance of a more coordinated and fully pan-European electricity system planning to connect borders, sectors, and regions. They say that renewable energy sources need to be better integrated into electricity grids and that there should be more cross-border interconnections. Ensuring public acceptance and effective communication with citizens are crucial for the successful implementation of new grid projects, MEPs say.

    Quote

    “The Iberian blackout was a painful demonstration of how vulnerable our grids remain. It was a reminder that Europe’s energy transition will fail unless we invest just as strategically in infrastructure as in renewables. The blackout did not prove the failure of the Energy Union – quite the opposite. Thanks to cross-border interconnectors, France was able to step in immediately. Now the Commission must act decisively to prioritise planning and coordination on grids and storage – or we will keep lurching from one crisis to the next,” lead MEP Anna Sturgkh (Renew, Austria) said.

    “We are sending a clear and strong signal to the Commission to keep a well-financed Connecting Europe Facility for Energy (CEF-E) within the upcoming multi-annual budget proposal. EU funds managed by member states must also be more available for grid updates,” she added.

    Next Steps

    The report was adopted with 52 votes to nine, with two abstentions. It will be put to a vote by the full House during the 16-19 June 2025 plenary session in Strasbourg.

    Background

    The electricity system blackout that occurred in the Iberian Peninsula and parts of France on 28 April 2025 underscored the critical importance of enhancing EU grid resilience. The modernisation of Europe’s electricity grids is essential for achieving the EU’s clean energy transition and delivering renewable energy while supporting economic growth and prosperity. According to the European Commission, €584 billion is necessary for electricity grids this decade. This includes cross-border interconnectors and the adaptation of distribution grids to the energy transition.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI: High Arctic Announces 2025 First Quarter Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES. ANY FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS RESTRICTION MAY CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF U.S. SECURITIES LAW

    CALGARY, Alberta, May 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — High Arctic Energy Services Inc. (TSX: HWO) (the “Corporation” or “High Arctic”) released its first quarter 2025 financial and operating results. The unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements, and the management discussion & analysis (“MD&A”), for the quarter ended March 31, 2025 will be available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca, and on High Arctic’s website at www.haes.ca. All amounts are denominated in thousands of Canadian dollars (“CAD”), unless otherwise indicated.

    Mike Maguire, Interim Chief Executive Officer commented:

    “Our business has had a solid start to 2025, despite some pull back in well completion rates in Canada resulting from market uncertainty and customer consolidation events.

    Our investment in and amalgamation of Delta Rental Services continues to deliver financial performance in line with our pre-transaction expectations and we anticipate consistent results through the coming months with significant upside potential as gas well completion rates increase in anticipation of first gas through the Coastal GasLink pipeline.

    Decisive action by the management of Team Snubbing in Alaska has set a platform for improved value creation from our 42% holding of Team Snubbing. 

    High Arctic is well positioned to benefit from upstream energy service activity levels in the western Canadian oil and gas industry.”

    In the following discussion, the three months ended March 31, 2025 may be referred to as the “quarter” or “Q1 2025” and the comparative three months ended March 31, 2024 may be referred to as “Q1 2024”. References to other quarters may be presented as “QX 20XX” with X/XX being the quarter/year to which the commentary relates.

    2025 FIRST QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS

    • Revenue from continuing operations of $2,335, a decrease of 22% compared to Q1 2024.
    • Achieved an increase in oilfield services operating margin percentage for Q1 2025 of 53.1% compared to 49.4% in Q1 2024.
    • Realized adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations of $504 in the quarter, 22% of revenue.
    • Maintained operational excellence and safety, as evidenced by the continuation of recordable incident-free work.
    • Achieved expected reductions in general and administrative expenses, a reduction of 59% compared to Q1 2024.
    • Equity investment in Team Snubbing is essentially unchanged at $7.4 million as at March 31, 2025. Unaudited Team Snubbing financial results delivered a modest positive net income inclusion for the quarter, with key highlights being a sequential improvement in Alaskan results, and reduced debt.
    • Exited Q1 with positive working capital of $3,199, including cash of $3,183.

    2025 Strategic Objectives
    With the corporate restructuring and spinoff of the PNG business complete, the Corporation’s 2025 strategic objectives include:

    • Relentless focus on safety excellence and quality service delivery;
    • Grow the core businesses through selective and opportunistic investments;
    • Actively manage direct operating costs and general and administrative costs;
    • Steward capital to preserve balance sheet strength and financial flexibility; and
    • Execute on accretive acquisitions in Canada to drive shareholder value and optimize available tax loss carry-forwards.

    RESULTS OVERVIEW

    The following is a summary of select financial information of the Corporation:

        Three months ended March 31,  
    (thousands of Canadian Dollars, except per share amounts)     2025   2024  
    Operating results from continuing operations:        
    Revenue – continuing operations     2,335   2,988  
    Net income (loss) – continuing operations     (120 ) 182  
    Per share (basic & diluted) (1)     (0.01 ) 0.01  
    Oilfield services operating margin – continuing operations (2)     1,187   1,431  
    Oilfield services operating margin as a % of revenue (2)     53.1 % 49.4 %
    EBITDA – continuing operations (2)     459   232  
    Per share (basic & diluted) (1) (4)     0.04   0.02  
    Adjusted EBITDA – continuing operations (2)     504   92  
    Per share (basic & diluted) (1) (4)     0.04   0.01  
    Operating loss – continuing operations (2)     (128 ) (1,070 )
    Per share (basic & diluted) (1) (4)     (0.01 ) (0.09 )
    Cash flow from continuing operations:        
    Cash flow from continuing operating activities     31   271  
    Per share (basic & diluted) (1) (4)     0.00   0.02  
    Funds flow from continuing operating activities (2)     495   197  
    Per share (basic & diluted) (1) (4)     0.04   0.02  
    Capital expenditures – continuing operations     382   308  
              As at  
    (thousands of Canadian Dollars, except per share amounts and
    common shares outstanding)    		     Mar 31, 2025   Dec 31, 2024  
    Financial position:        
    Working capital (2)     3,199   2,692  
    Cash and cash equivalents     3,183   3,123  
    Total assets     29,989   30,867  
    Long-term debt (non-current)     3,134   3,178  
    Shareholders’ equity     21,315   21,105  
    Per share (5)     1.68   1.70  
    Common shares outstanding (3)     12,696,959   12,448,166  

    (1)  The weighted average number of common shares used in calculating both basic and diluted net income (loss) per share, EBITDA (Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization) per share, Adjusted EBITDA per share, operating income (loss) per share, cash flow from operating activities per share, funds flow from operating activities per share, and shareholders’ equity per share is detailed in Note 13 of the Financial Statements.
    (2)  Readers are cautioned that oilfield services operating margin, EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization), Adjusted EBITDA, operating income (loss), funds flow from operating activities and working capital do not have standardized meanings prescribed by IFRS. See “Non-IFRS Measures” for additional details on the calculations of these measures.
    (3)  Pursuant to the de facto four-to-one consolidation of the Corporation’s outstanding common shares effective August 12, 2024, the number of common shares outstanding and all per-share amounts have been retroactively adjusted to effect the stock consolidation.
    (4)  The number of weighted average common shares used in per share basic calculations for the three months ended March 31, 2025, was 12,522,804 (13,023,166 diluted per share) and for the three months ended March 31, 2024, was 12,280,576 (12,624,412 diluted per share).
    (5)   Shareholders’ equity per share calculated based on common shares outstanding as at the relevant date.


    First Quarter 2025 Summary

    • Revenue from continuing operations for Q1 2025 was $2,335 compared to $2,988 in Q1 2024.
      • Revenue was negatively impacted by softening demand driven primarily by deferral of some completions activity as customers have taken a cautious approach to the timing of the deployment of their 2025 capital budgets given the recent general economic uncertainty due to ongoing geopolitical events.
    • Oilfield services operating margin from continuing operations was $1,187 in the current year quarter compared to $1,431 in the prior year quarter.
      • Operating margin percentage improved to 53.1% for Q1 2025 compared to 49.4% for Q1 2024 benefiting from a reduction in lower margin third-party rentals in the current year quarter which offset in part, the reduction in revenue.
    • Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations was $504 in the current year quarter compared to $92 in the prior year quarter. EBITDA from continuing operations benefitted from the improvement in gross margin percentage combined with a significant reduction in general and administrative expenses.
    • Operating loss from continuing operations of $128 for Q1 2025 compared to $1,070 in Q1 2024. The decrease in operating loss is attributable to significantly reduced general and administrative expense. Prior year quarter general and administrative expenses were impacted by elevated corporate and professional fees related to the Arrangement and integration costs related to the acquisition of Delta.
    • Net loss from continuing operations was $120 in Q1 2025 compared to net income from continuing operations of $182 in Q1 2024. Net loss from continuing operations was also impacted by the same items impacting operating loss, as above, combined with reduced interest income, net higher non-cash accretion expense and reduced income from equity accounted investments.

    Operating Results

    Rental services segment

        Three months ended March 31,  
    (thousands of Canadian Dollars, unless otherwise noted)     2025   2024  
    Revenue     2,237   2,894  
    Expenses     (1,050 ) (1,463 )
    Oilfield services operating margin (1)     1,187   1,431  
    Oilfield services operating margin (%) (1)     53.1 % 49.4 %

    (1)   See “Non-IFRS Measures”


    Liquidity and Capital Resources

        Three months ended Mar 31,  
    (thousands of Canadian Dollars)     2025   2024  
    Cash provided by (used in) continuing operations:        
    Operating activities     31   271  
    Investing activities     164   (308 )
    Financing activities     (135 ) (131 )
    Effect of exchange rate changes on cash     –   665  
    Increase in cash from continuing operations     60   497  
    (thousands of Canadian Dollars, unless otherwise noted)     As at
    Mar 31, 2025    		   As at
    Dec 31, 2024    		  
    Current assets     6,717   7,221  
    Working capital (1)     3,199   2,692  
    Working capital ratio (1)     1.9:1   1.6:1  
    Cash and cash equivalents     3,183   3,123  

    (1)   See “Non-IFRS Measures”


    Operating activities

    In Q1 2025, cash from operating activities from continuing operations was $31 compared to $271 for Q1 2024. Funds flow from operating activities from continuing operations totaled $495 in the quarter compared to $197 in the prior year comparative quarter (see “Non-IFRS Measures”). In Q1 2025, changes in non-cash operating working capital from continuing operations totaled an outflow of $464 compared to an inflow of $74 in Q1 2024.

    Changes in cash from operating activities from continuing operations and funds from operating activities from continuing operations for Q1 2025 compared to Q1 2024, were largely the result of reduced general and administrative expenses combined with the impact of changes in non-cash working capital (as noted above).

    Investing activities

    During the first quarter, the Corporation’s net cash from investing activities from continuing operations totaled $164 compared to a usage of $308 in the prior year comparative quarter. The change in cash flows from investing activities from continuing operations is due to payments received related to notes receivable and the settlement of a portion of the contingent consideration payable utilizing common shares of the Corporation, resulting in a positive non-cash working capital change, both of which more than offset Q1 2025 property and equipment expenditures of $382. Investing cash outflows of $308 in the prior year quarter consisted solely of the purchase of property and equipment.

    Financing activities

    During the first quarter, the Corporation’s net cash used in financing activities from continuing operations of $135 was comparable to $131 in the prior year comparative quarter. Financing related cash flows relate to the normal course payments on the Corporation’s lease liabilities and long-term debt.

    Working capital

    As at March 31, 2025, the Corporation’s working capital balance was $3,199 compared to $2,692 as at December 31, 2024. The increase in working capital is largely due to positive EBITDA generated during Q1 2025 combined with a portion of the year one contingent consideration associated with the acquisition of Delta being settled in common shares during the first quarter.

    Long-term debt

    (thousands of Canadian Dollars)     As at
    Mar 31, 2025    		   As at
    Dec 31, 2024    		  
    Current     175   175  
    Non-current     3,134   3,178  
    Total     3,309   3,353  

    The Corporation has mortgage financing secured by lands and buildings owned by High Arctic located within Alberta, Canada. The mortgage has a remaining initial term of under two years with a fixed interest rate of 4.30%; payments occur monthly. The mortgage financing contains certain non-financial covenants requiring the lender’s consent, including changes to the underlying business. As at March 31, 2025, the Corporation was compliant with all covenants associated with the mortgage financing.

    Outlook

    The first quarter of 2025 has provided High Arctic with a solid start to the year. General and administrative expenses have taken a step change downward resulting in a reduced run rate. The significant and strategic importance of the equity investment in Team Snubbing has been reinforced through enhanced Board of Director and management oversight. The late 2023 acquisition of Delta Rental Services Ltd. (“Delta”) is fully integrated into High Arctic’s rental services business, positively contributing to improved profit margins. Rental services revenue, while at the lower end of expectations, led to capital preservation through modest growth in new equipment additions and insight as to the outlook for the remainder of 2025.

    High Arctic’s business is driven by the underlying economics associated with its customers’ cash flows. These cash flows are driven by their oil and natural gas commodity price hedging and expectations. As customers embark on drilling new oil and natural gas wells, High Arctic’s business outlook is reliant on decisions on the subsequent activity to complete these wells for production. Therefore, High Arctic’s rental assets and investment in the snubbing industry are highly dependent on fundamentals associated with both drilling and hydraulic fracturing completion trends in the WCSB.

    To this point, 2024/25 winter drilling rig activity in the WCSB has been resilient despite softening commodity price trends. As the industry enters the seasonal second quarter spring breakup period, activity remains comparable to 2024 levels. However, customer capital allocation decisions to complete wells are showing signs of deferral. Recent OPEC moves to increase oil supply, changes in global trade tariffs, and geopolitical risk have increased investment uncertainty.

    This uncertainty is offset by positive developments specific to Canada. The completion of the Trans Mountain pipeline system expansion in 2024, and expectations for west coast LNG exports commencing in the second half of 2025, are positive infrastructure developments supporting improved long-term fundamentals for the upstream energy service business.

    Based on these near-term headwinds and favourable long-term fundamentals, High Arctic will continue to prudently preserve capital while working with our customers to deliver service efficiency and productivity.

    The outlook for 2025 is dependent on the financial performance of High Arctic’s investment in Team Snubbing. High Arctic is carrying total assets of $9.8 million related to its investment in Team Snubbing, comprised of a $7.4 million equity investment and a $2.4 million note receivable. Success will be defined by Team Snubbing’s ability to establish profitability in their international operations.

    In summary, for 2025 the Corporation expects to continue to execute on the initial phases of its strategic objectives, with progress to date being evidenced by safety performance, balance sheet preservation, general and administrative expense reductions, selective capital expenditure investments, and oversight of equity investments.

    Non-IFRS Measures
    This Press Release contains references to certain financial measures that do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and may not be comparable to the same or similar measures used by other companies. High Arctic uses these financial measures to assess performance and believes these measures provide useful supplemental information to shareholders and investors. These financial measures are computed on a consistent basis for each reporting period and include EBITDA (Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization), Adjusted EBITDA, oilfield services operating margin, operating income (loss), Funds flow from operating activities and working capital. These do not have standardized meanings.

    These financial measures should not be considered as an alternative to, or more meaningful than, net income (loss), cash from operating activities, current assets or current liabilities, cash and/or other measures of financial performance as determined in accordance with IFRS.

    For additional information regarding non-IFRS measures, including their use to management and investors and reconciliations to measures recognized by IFRS, please refer to the Corporation’s MD&A, which is available online at www.sedar.com and through High Arctic’s website at www.haes.ca.   

    Forward-Looking Statements
    This Press Release contains forward-looking statements. When used in this document, the words “may”, “would”, “could”, “will”, “intend”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “seek”, “propose”, “estimate”, “expect”, and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the Corporation’s current views with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. Many factors could cause the Corporation’s actual results, performance, or achievements to vary from those described in this Press Release.

    Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in this Press Release as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Specific forward-looking statements in this Press Release include, among others, statements pertaining to the following: general economic and business conditions, which will include, among other things, the outlook for the energy industry inclusive of commodity prices, producer activity levels (inclusive of drilling and completions activity) and general energy supply and demand fundamentals that may impact the energy industry as a whole and more specifically as it relates to the Corporation’s customers in western Canada and Alaska, United States; expectations related to current and future LNG export projects; the impact (if any) of geo-political events, changes in government, changes to tariffs or related trade policies and the potential impact on the Corporation’s ability to execute its 2025 strategic objectives; fluctuations in commodity prices; and the performance of the Corporation’s investment in Team Snubbing.

    With respect to forward-looking statements contained in this Press Release, the Corporation has made assumptions regarding, among other things, its ability to: maintain its ongoing relationship with major customers; successfully market its services to current and new customers; devise methods for, and achieve its primary objectives; source and obtain equipment from suppliers; successfully manage, operate, and thrive in an environment which is facing uncertainty; remain competitive in all its operations; attract and retain skilled employees; obtain equity and debt financing on satisfactory terms and manage its liquidity risk; raise capital and manage its debt finance agreements; manage general and administrative costs; maintain a strong balance sheet and related financial flexibility; scale the Canadian business; and seek and execute accretive acquisitions in a timely manner and achieve operational and financial benefits therefrom.

    Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, the following: economic and financial conditions, including volatility in commodity prices; volatility in interest and exchange rates and capital markets; the level of demand and financial performance of the energy industry; changes in customer demand; and developments and changes in laws and regulations, including in the energy industry.

    The Corporation’s actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of the risk factors set forth above and elsewhere in this Press Release, along with the risk factors set out in the most recent AIF filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

    The forward-looking statements contained in this Press Release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. These statements are given only as of the date of this Press Release. The Corporation does not assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect new information, subsequent events or otherwise, except as required by law.

    About High Arctic Energy Services
    High Arctic is an energy services provider. High Arctic provides pressure control equipment and equipment supporting the high-pressure stimulation of oil and gas wells and other oilfield equipment ‎on a rental basis to exploration and production companies, from its bases in Whitecourt and Red Deer, Alberta‎.

    For further information contact:

    Lonn Bate
    Chief Financial Officer 
    P: 587-318-2218
    P: +1 (800) 688 7143 

    High Arctic Energy Services Inc.
    Suite 2350, 330 – 5th Ave SW
    Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2P 0L4
    website: www.haes.ca
    Email: info@haes.ca

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: MMO grants coastal protection marine licences

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    MMO grants coastal protection marine licences

    Storm headwall, coastal erosion protection and flood defences feature in the latest marine licences granted by MMO Marine Licensing team.

    Storm water headwall in Blyth

    The marine licensing team granted a marine licence for the installation of a new storm water headwall at the Energy Central Learning Hub in Blyth, Northumberland.

    The headwall is required to ensure that water flow does not erode the pipe or the surrounding area of the learning campus structure.

    The marine licensing team initially requested several application updates from the applicant and, as a result of these, the mapping was updated to reflect the position of the headwall in the marine area. This enabled the applicant to assess the marine plan policies in that area. A water framework directive assessment was also requested and provided.

    The applicant’s responses meant that the team was able to adequately assess risks to ensure they were in acceptable limits. This ensured that the wider project could be completed with consideration for the marine environment by the applicant.

    Additionally, a draft decision was prepared and shared with the applicant, this gave the applicant an opportunity to clarify any issues.

    Flood and coastal erosion protection on the South Coast

    The North Portsea Island Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Scheme applied for a marine licence to complete works in the marine area below Mean High Water Springs (MHWS).

    The project is split into six construction phases and a marine licence is required for phase five at Ports Creek. The phase five works comprise of a combination of raised earth embankments with rock revetments, retaining walls, encasement of bridge abutments and upgrading the existing slipway. It also includes landscaping and updating public realm features.

    The scheme will provide a long-term standard of protection from flooding to businesses and communities.

    Flood defence for new housing development

    The marine licensing team worked with Dorset Council to produce a joint Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Scoping Opinion for flood defence works to support a new housing development in Weymouth.

    EIA scoping will inform a future marine licence application for construction of flood defences associated with a new housing development in Weymouth. This provides key information to the applicant on what to include in their application for the flood defence development.

    The marine licensing team and Dorset Council agreed the council would act as lead authority under the Coastal Concordat, with MMO supporting the process. The team exchanged information to ensure both authority’s legislation was followed, as well as reviewing/adding information to the final product. Working together as authorities prevented duplication of effort. This saved the applicant time and money and allowed regulators to align scoping opinions and decision making for the project.

    Updates to this page

    Published 13 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: NOIA Urges Certainty on Offshore Energy Tax Credits

    Source: National Ocean Industries Association – NOIA

    Headline: NOIA Urges Certainty on Offshore Energy Tax Credits

    For Immediate Release: Monday, May 12, 2025NOIA .org
    NOIA Urges Certainty on Offshore Energy Tax Credits
    Washington, D.C. – National Ocean Industries Association President Erik Milito issued the following statement in regards to the House Ways & Means Committee reconciliation package:
    “NOIA continues to support efforts by Congress and the Administration to promote U.S. energy dominance. However, we caution against the premature repeal or phase-out of current tax credits, as such changes risk disrupting vital investments in American manufacturing, infrastructure, ports, shipbuilding, and offshore energy projects nationwide.
    “Through a long-term lens—spanning a decade or more—American companies have made substantial investments in offshore energy based on the stability of the current tax framework. Sudden changes to the tax code could inject significant uncertainty, jeopardizing capital allocation, project planning, and job creation across the energy sector and the broader economy.
    “As budget reconciliation discussions move forward, we urge a collaborative approach that maintains certainty for businesses that have made meaningful U.S. investments under the existing credit structure. These tax credits provide a meaningful boost to the U.S. in the global competition to meet surging AI-driven energy demand, secure critical mineral supply chains, and revitalize domestic shipbuilding—all while supporting affordability and reliability for American consumers.”
    ##
    About NOIAThe National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) represents and advances a dynamic and growing offshore energy industry, providing solutions that support communities and protect our workers, the public and our environment.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Case Championship at the Polytechnic: Young Engineers Solved Nuclear Power Problems

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    The final of the case championship dedicated to a significant date — the 80th anniversary of the Russian nuclear industry — was held at the Higher School of Nuclear and Thermal Energy of SPbPU. The event was organized by the scientific and technical department of Rosatom Polytechnic students with the support of Atomenergoproekt.

    This year, participants were offered a technical case based on real engineering tasks that specialists in the field of designing nuclear power plants work with. Atomenergoproekt experts developed a task that required deep knowledge of heat engineering, safety systems, and analysis of design solutions.

    Students had to complete the following tasks:

    to develop a set of criteria for comparative evaluation of passive heat removal systems in two nuclear power unit projects – V-392M and V-491; to justify the choice of suitable parameters for assessing efficiency and reliability; to apply engineering methods and software for analysis; to present a technically competent, logically coherent and justified solution.

    The teams had to demonstrate not only theoretical knowledge, but also the ability to think like an engineer, perform critical analysis, work with regulatory documentation and open sources.

    Six teams from Polytechnic University and other universities worked hard on the case for a week. The final stage — defense of solutions — became the culmination of the championship. Participants presented their approaches, conclusions and justifications to a professional jury.

    The work was assessed by leading specialists of Atomenergoproekt: 2nd category design engineer Alexander Moloskin, laboratory head Alexander Anishchenko and chief expert Andrey Mitryukhin. The jury also included experts from the Institute of Power Engineering – Director of the Higher School of Nuclear and Thermal Energy Alexander Kalyutik and Associate Professor of the Higher School of Atomic and Thermal Energy Irina Paramonova. The judges noted the difficult choice of winners.

    The teams demonstrated a good level of preparation. Some decisions were unexpected for us, which makes this format of interaction even more valuable. I hope we will be able to consolidate the practice of such championships in the future, – said Alexander Moloskin.

    The winner of the case championship was the team “MeV” (3rd year, SPbPU). The second place was taken by the team “Obe gulls” (4th year, SPbPU). The third place was taken by the team VaultBoyFanClub (1st year SPbPU and the Admiral S. O. Makarov State University of Maritime and Inland Shipping).

    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 –

  • India’s major ports set record in FY 2024-25, cementing a decade of maritime growth

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India’s Major Ports have achieved unprecedented milestones in the financial year 2024-25, marking a landmark year for the country’s maritime sector. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways announced that total cargo handled by Major Ports rose to approximately 855 million tonnes, up from 819 million tonnes in the previous fiscal year, representing a significant annual growth rate of 4.3 percent.

    This growth in throughput highlights the robustness and scalability of Indian ports in managing rising trade demands. The increase was driven by a surge in container traffic, which grew by 10 percent, fertilizer cargo by 13 percent, POL (Petroleum, Oil, and Lubricants) cargo by 3 percent, and miscellaneous commodities by 31 percent compared to FY 2023-24.

    Among the various categories of cargo handled, POL led with a volume of 254.5 million tonnes, accounting for 29.8 percent of the total. This was followed by container traffic at 193.5 million tonnes (22.6 percent), and coal at 186.6 million tonnes (21.8 percent), while other key commodities included iron ore, pellets, and fertilizers.

    In a first for the Indian maritime industry, the Paradip Port Authority (PPA) and Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) each crossed the 150-million-tonne threshold in cargo handling. Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) also recorded an operational high by handling 7.3 million TEUs, an increase of 13.5 percent year-on-year, further cementing its role as a premier container handling hub.

    In line with its strategy for port-led development, the Ministry allocated 962 acres of port land in FY 2024-25, with an estimated value of ₹7,565 crore. This land is projected to attract investments worth ₹68,780 crore in future infrastructure and industrial projects. The private sector has played a crucial role in this growth, with Public-Private Partnership (PPP) investments tripling from ₹1,329 crore in FY 2022-23 to ₹3,986 crore in FY 2024-25.

    Operational efficiency at Major Ports has also seen a marked improvement. Pre-Berthing Detention (PBD) Time on port account improved by approximately 36 percent compared to the previous year. Financial performance was equally strong, with total income increasing by 8 percent to ₹24,203 crore, up from ₹22,468 crore in FY 2023-24. Operating surplus rose by 7 percent, reaching ₹12,314 crore.

    Reflecting on these achievements, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal expressed pride in the progress made. He credited the transformational leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister and the collective effort of the Ministry, port authorities, and stakeholders. The Minister emphasized that these milestones underscore the Ministry’s commitment to building sustainable, globally competitive ports that will power India’s future trade ambitions.

    Over the past decade, India’s Major Ports have recorded a remarkable trajectory of growth. From handling 581 million tonnes of cargo in FY 2014-15, volumes have increased to approximately 855 million tonnes in FY 2024-25, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 4 percent. Containerized cargo saw a notable 70 percent rise, growing from 7.9 million TEUs to 13.5 million TEUs over the same period. Traditional cargo segments such as coal, iron ore, fertilizers, and POL have also shown significant expansion.

    Productivity indicators reflect this decade-long transformation. Output per Ship Berth Day (OSBD) rose from 12,458 tonnes to 18,304 tonnes. Average Turnaround Time (TRT) improved by 48 percent, reducing from 96 hours to 49.5 hours. Pre-Berthing Detention Time decreased from 5.02 hours in FY 2014-15 to 3.8 hours in FY 2024-25, while idle time dropped from 23.1 percent to 16.3 percent, signaling enhanced operational discipline and asset utilization.

    Financially, the growth has been just as compelling. The total income of Major Ports more than doubled from ₹11,760 crore in FY 2014-15 to ₹24,203 crore in FY 2024-25, with a 10-year CAGR of 7.5 percent. The operating surplus nearly tripled during this period, driven by a 13 percent CAGR, while the operating ratio improved from 64.7 percent to 42.3 percent, underlining the ports’ growing financial sustainability.

  • World’s first commercial-scale e-methanol plant opens in Denmark

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The world’s first commercial-scale e-methanol plant began operations in Denmark on Tuesday, with shipping giant Maersk set to buy part of the production as a low-emission fuel for its fleet of container ships.

    The shipping sector is under pressure to find new sources of fuel after a majority of countries gave their backing to measures to help meet the International Maritime Organization’s targets towards elimating carbon emissions by 2050.

    So far zero-emission shipping fuels, such as green ammonia and e-methanol, which are produced using renewable energy, have tended to be more expensive than conventional fuel largely because they are not produced at scale.

    Located in Kasso in southern Denmark, the new plant, which has cost an estimated 150 million euros ($167 million), will produce 42,000 metric tons, or 53 million litres, of e-methanol per year, its joint owners Denmark’s European Energy and Japan’s Mitsui 8031.T said.

    Maersk will be a major customer. It operates 13 dual-fuel methanol container vessels that can be powered with fuel oil and with e-methanol and has ordered another 13 of the vessels.

    It said, the plant’s annual production is enough to power one large 16,000 container vessel sailing between Asia and Europe.

    For the smaller Laura Maersk, the world’s first dual-fuel container ship, with a capacity of more than 2,100 twenty-foot equivalent units, requires only 3,600 tons of fuel per year.

    The Laura Maersk was scheduled to fuel near Kasso on Tuesday.

    Traditional methanol is typically produced from natural gas and coal.

    The Kasso plant will make e-methanol using renewable energy and CO2 captured from biogas plants and waste incineration.

    Maersk said one of the biggest challenges of switching to sustainable fuel was cost, and it is researching green fuel technologies and more efficient shipping to make the process cheaper.

    “When you look at the production from Kasso, it is of course just a literal drop in the ocean, so we need to scale up and we need to bring costs down,” Emil Vikjar-Andresen, head of European Energy’s Danish Power-to-X team, said in a webinar.

    In addition to its use in shipping, e-methanol can replace fossil methanol in plastic production, meaning it can supply other Danish companies.

    Drugmaker Novo Nordisk and toymaker Lego will use e-methanol from the plant for making injection pens and plastic bricks respectively.

    Excess heat generated from the e-methanol production will be used to heat 3,300 households in the local area.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI USA: Schneider Leads Bipartisan Bill Seeking to Anchor Eastern Mediterranean in U.S. Foreign Policy

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Brad Schneider (D-IL)

    Eastern Mediterranean Gateway Act strengthens regional integration through energy, infrastructure, and multilateral cooperation.

    WASHINGTON – Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) and Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), joined by Reps. Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11), Dina Titus (NV-1) and Chris Pappas (NH-1), introduced the Eastern Mediterranean Gateway Act to bolster the region’s role as a strategic link between India, the Middle East, and Europe.

    “The Eastern Mediterranean is emerging as a central hub for energy and infrastructure connecting Europe, the Middle East, and India,” said Rep. Schneider. “This bipartisan bill ensures U.S. diplomacy keeps pace with that transformation, strengthening our partnerships with Greece, Cyprus, Israel, and Egypt and supporting efforts like IMEC that deepen regional integration.”

    “Supporting a U.S.-India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) is pivotal for enhancing energy security, fostering economic integration, and strengthening defense cooperation across these regions,” said Rep. Bilirakis. “This corridor aims to diversify energy routes, reducing reliance on traditional pathways and mitigating vulnerabilities in global energy supply chains. By connecting the United States, India, the Middle East, and Europe through railways, ports, and digital infrastructure, the IMEC will facilitate more efficient trade and investment, promoting economic growth and resilience. Additionally, the corridor serves as a strategic countermeasure to China’s Belt and Road Initiative, offering an alternative model of transparent and sustainable development. Through this initiative, the U.S. can reinforce its partnerships, promote regional stability, and counterbalance the influence of strategic competitors.” 

    “Supporting the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) is crucial to securing American interests abroad,” said Rep. Titus. “By investing in the Eastern Mediterranean and recognizing it as a critical part of IMEC, we will be strengthening our energy security and defense cooperation in the region.”

    The bill reinforces U.S. support for the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and regional initiatives including the 3+1 dialogue with Greece, Israel, and Cyprus and the East Mediterranean Gas Forum. It calls for:

    • Elevating the Eastern Mediterranean in U.S. foreign policy;
    • Institutionalizing strategic dialogues with IMEC and regional partners;
    • Supporting cross-border infrastructure projects and energy interconnectors;
    • Studying the expansion of U.S.–Israel innovation programs to the broader region;
    • Evaluating multilateral models like Cyprus’s CYCLOPS center for regional coordination.

    The legislation builds on bipartisan support for deeper regional integration, grounded in shared interests in energy security, economic connectivity, and long-term strategic coordination.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Media release: NT Budget reinforces critical role of gas in Territory’s economic growth – Australian Energy Producers

    Source: Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association

    Headline: Media release: NT Budget reinforces critical role of gas in Territory’s economic growth – Australian Energy Producers

    Today’s Northern Territory Budget confirms the critical role of natural gas in powering the Territory’s economy and delivering long-term energy security.

    Australian Energy Producers NT Director David Slama said it was pleasing to see the Budget’s focus on “unlocking gas to deliver energy security” by supporting projects that “will fuel growth, create jobs and provide competitively priced gas for the Territory’s electricity generation for years to come”.

    “The Budget confirms that natural gas is driving the Territory’s economy, which is forecast to grow by 7.8% in 2025-26 and 5.9% the following year as LNG exports from Santos’ Barossa project commence later this year,” Mr Slama said.

    “More than any other state or territory in Australia, the Northern Territory runs on natural gas. Natural gas generates more than 83 per cent of the Territory’s electricity and underpins billions of dollars in annual economic activity, while supporting thousands of local jobs.”

    The Budget also highlights the importance of progressing the enormous opportunity of developing the Beetaloo Basin and the Middle Arm Sustainable Development Precinct, while also emphasising the Barossa project’s economic significance to the Territory.

    “We commend the NT Government for supporting new gas supply and infrastructure, including the development of the Beetaloo Basin which is critical to the Northern Territory’s long-term energy security and economic growth.

    “The oil and gas industry also welcomes additional funding for the Territory Coordinator to streamline regulatory approvals for projects of economic significance, which will help fast-track new gas supply and investment for the Territory’s long-term energy security and economic prosperity,” Mr Slama said.

    Media contact: 0434 631 511

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-Evening Report: It’s a hard job being environment minister. Here’s an insider’s view of the key challenges facing Murray Watt

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Burnett, Honorary Associate Professor, ANU College of Law, Australian National University

    Australia’s new environment minister, Murray Watt, is reported to be a fixer. That’s good, because there’s a lot to fix.

    Being environment minister is a hard gig. It often requires difficult choices between environmental and economic priorities. In cabinet, the minister is often up against a phalanx of ministers with economic portfolios and overriding political imperatives such as jobs and growth. I saw this repeatedly over the 16 years when I held senior leadership roles in environment departments at territory and federal levels.

    In Labor’s first term, this tension played out again. Former environment minister Tanya Plibersek came to the role with big ideas. To that end, she tried to make Australia’s national environment laws fit for purpose and introduce a federal environmental protection agency (EPA).

    A cumbersome approach to consultation didn’t help, but ultimately it was development concerns led by big mining companies and West Australian Premier Roger Cook that saw the reform can kicked down the road. Perversely, the only legal reform we saw was an amendment to protect not a threatened species, but the salmon farms threatening it.

    Now it’s Watt’s turn. He has a reputation for getting things done and may drive a bargain to get some version of the EPA through. But that’s only one piece of the reform jigsaw and he’ll have to return to the mammoth task of reforming Australia’s national environment laws. He will have to push back against efforts by the Greens in the Senate to broaden the agenda to include climate and forests, and weather opposing pressures from industry and environment groups.

    Stalled reforms

    Watt’s largest challenge will be to revive the stalled Nature Positive Plan. This was the government’s response to the 2020 Samuel Review, which found Australia’s natural environment and iconic places were declining and under increasing threat, while national environmental laws were no longer fit for purpose.

    Samuel’s solution was groundbreaking: create new, legally enforceable national environmental standards to deliver better environmental protection. Last term, Labor committed to introducing the standards, reforming laws and introducing an EPA. Unfortunately, Plibersek ran out of time and most of the reforms were put on the backburner.

    Plibersek pitched an independent EPA as a tough cop on the beat, but it wasn’t independent enough for many environmentalists.

    Industry didn’t like it either. WA miners used their influence to attack the EPA for being unaccountable. Their lobbying worked and the EPA was pushed back. As one mining figure told the Australian Financial Review: “The heat [industry pressure] was no one’s first preference; it was just required because there was no other way to influence the actual policymaking.”

    Miners and other big businesses are likely worried the proposed independent EPA would reduce their influence. At present, the environment minister has near-complete discretion over approvals. Much of this discretion — and the political influence associated with it — would disappear with an independent EPA making decisions based on national environmental standards.

    More challenges are looming. Here are two:

    Gas extraction on the North West Shelf

    Watt will soon have to decide on Woodside’s application to expand gas extraction off Australia’s northwest coast. If approved, the North West Shelf Extension Project would be Australia’s largest resource project. Environmentalists hate it, describing it as a climate bomb. The WA government approved it last year.

    If Watt follows the pattern of his predecessors, we can expect to see the development approved subject to numerous conditions, pitched as strict environmental safeguards. Despite such safeguards applying to operations in Australia, the real damage done by the project will be global, not local, as the gas will be burned overseas.

    Murray-Darling Basin Plan

    The delayed ten-year review of the Murray-Darling basin plan is due in 2026. It will reopen old wounds. The basic problem is there’s not enough water for both the environment and irrigators.

    When the draft plan was first released in 2010, angry irrigators burned a copy of it. The government backpedalled furiously, eventually approving a plan with a lot less water returned to the environment. Experts say the plan hasn’t actually helped the environment.

    Watt is a former agriculture minister and will have insight into both sides. But he’ll need the wisdom of Solomon to come up with a successful approach.

    It’s hard to fix systems

    Making environmental headway is downright hard. The underlying problem is that politics is about trade-offs, but nature doesn’t negotiate. Nature is a system of systems, and if we take too much from it those systems begin to break down – usually irreversibly.

    In previous decades, governments often dealt with environmental problems by creating national parks and World Heritage areas. If only things were still that simple.

    Peter Burnett is affiliated with the Biodiversity Council, an independent expert group founded to provide evidence-based solutions to Australia’s biodiversity crisis.

    – ref. It’s a hard job being environment minister. Here’s an insider’s view of the key challenges facing Murray Watt – https://theconversation.com/its-a-hard-job-being-environment-minister-heres-an-insiders-view-of-the-key-challenges-facing-murray-watt-256465

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Media release: Australian oil and gas sector congratulates Opposition Leader Sussan Ley – Australian Energy Producers

    Source: Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association

    Headline: Media release: Australian oil and gas sector congratulates Opposition Leader Sussan Ley – Australian Energy Producers

    Australia’s oil and gas industry congratulates Sussan Ley on her appointment as Leader of the Opposition and Ted O’Brien on his appointment as Deputy Leader.

    Australian Energy Producers Chief Executive Samantha McCulloch said the industry looked forward to working with the Coalition on policies that deliver more gas supply and investment to ensure Australian households and businesses have reliable and affordable energy.

    “Sussan Ley brings significant experience and leadership to this role and understands the critical role of natural gas in Australia’s economic and energy security,” Ms McCulloch said.

    “Similarly, as Shadow Minister for Energy and Climate Change, Ted O’Brien championed the role of gas in Australia’s long-term energy mix and advocated for the inclusion of gas in the Capacity Investment Scheme.”

    Ms McCulloch said industry welcomed the Coalition’s pre-election commitment to bring on more gas supply by streamlining environmental approvals, protecting critical energy projects from lawfare, including gas in the Capacity Investment Scheme, and supporting investment in gas infrastructure.

    Industry stands ready to work with both major parties to implement bipartisan policies that will:

    • Boost Australian gas supply to ease cost of living pressures
    • Restore Australia’s global competitiveness for investment
    • Deliver real emissions reductions with gas and carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS)
    • Remain a reliable energy partner in our region

    “Australia has abundant gas resources, yet we face gas shortfalls this decade due to regulatory uncertainty, approval delays and policy interventions that have delayed new gas supply and damaged Australia’s investment competitiveness.

    “Addressing these risks must be a priority for the new Parliament,” Ms McCulloch said.

    Media contact: 0434 631 511

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Markey Blasts Proposed Ways and Means Committee Cuts That Would Raise Prices on Consumers and Businesses

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey

    Washington (May 12, 2025) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, today released the following statement in response to the Republican majority of the House Ways and Means Committee’s plans to phase-out and terminate key clean energy tax incentives. Senator Markey’s Offshore Wind American Manufacturing Act, which provides tax incentives for offshore wind components and vessels, was included in the Inflation Reduction Act.  

    “Republicans are willing to throw $420 billion in clean energy investments and 400,000 jobs in red and blue states down the drain,” said Senator Markey. “Solar and wind are the cheapest forms of energy right now and are critical to meeting our energy demands. Yet, Republicans are terminating tax incentives that are supercharging deployment of solar, wind, and batteries, lowering the costs of clean vehicles, and improving energy efficiency in homes and businesses.

    “Republicans’ proposal to repeal federal clean energy incentives would be a disaster for our economy and good-paying jobs. Instead of the dawn of a clean energy future, this proposal sunsets my incentives for manufacturing wind energy components in America that would spur clean domestic manufacturing for industries such as offshore wind. Republicans seem committed to having America be the laggard, not the leader of the global clean energy economy, ceding jobs and progress to other countries like China. The Inflation Reduction Act is the single largest clean energy and climate investment in our history, and we will not let Trump, Big Oil, and Republicans roll back our gains and deny our communities and young people the chance at a livable future.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Markey Statement on Trump’s War on America’s Kitchens

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey

    Washington (May 12, 2025) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, today released the following statement after Trump’s Department of Energy (DOE) announced 47 deregulatory actions, including the rollback of dozens of appliance efficiency standards covering everything from refrigeration equipment to air conditioners. Senator Markey was the original author of the National Appliance Energy Conservation Act of 1987, which authorized the DOE to establish and update minimum efficiency standards for 13 original product categories. Today, the program has grown to include more than 60 categories.

    “With Trump causing massive economic anxiety for families around the country, he’s now declaring war on America’s kitchens,” said Senator Markey. “He is putting the deep freeze on dozens of updated appliance standards for refrigerators, stoves, washing machines, and dishwashers that are helping Americans save energy, save money, and save the planet. I passed the appliance efficiency standards nearly four decades ago, and they have become some of the most efficient and effective climate and cost savings provisions on the books today. These standards already save households an average of $500 a year on utility bills and are projected to save consumers $1.9 trillion by 2035. They’re also expected to reduce emissions by two billion metric tons over 30 years. We don’t need ridiculous Republican refrigerator freedom; we need freedom from polluting fossil fuels.” 

    The Biden administration’s updates to appliance standards alone were projected to save households an average of $107 on utility bills each year, and businesses more than $2 billion annually. The Trump administration’s announcement to dismantle them threatens that progress. Following the repeal of four updated appliance efficiency rules from Republicans’ use of the Congressional Review Act that Trump signed into law on Friday, today’s proposed regulatory rollbacks would either revert product standards to levels originally set in statute decades ago or eliminate the standards entirely.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: From nuclear to nature laws, here’s where new Liberal leader Sussan Ley stands on 4 energy and environment flashpoints

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Justine Bell-James, Professor, TC Beirne School of Law, The University of Queensland

    Sussan Ley has been elected Liberal leader after defeating rival Angus Taylor in a party room vote on Tuesday. Now the leadership question is settled, the hard work of rebuilding the party can begin.

    In the wake of its election loss, the Coalition has foreshadowed a sweeping policy review. Where the Coalition lands on the contentious nuclear energy policy will be keenly watched.

    The majority Labor government is likely to easily push legislation through the lower house. However, the Senate numbers mean Labor needs backing from either the Greens or the Coalition to pass bills into law.

    So where does Ley stand on nuclear energy and other pressure points across the environment and energy portfolios? Ley’s stance on four key issues, including during her time as environment minister in the Morrison government, provides important insights.

    1. Nuclear power and gas

    The resounding Coalition election defeat suggest the prospects for nuclear power in Australia are now poor. But the Coalition’s nuclear policy may yet resurface, given the Nationals still support it.

    During the election campaign, Ley backed the Liberals’ call for nuclear power in Australia, arguing nuclear can provide a zero-emissions option that’s needed in the shift to renewables.

    In a 2023 speech, Ley suggested nuclear power had a big future in Australia, saying:

    The fact is the latest technology reactors in nuclear-powered submarines in operation today don’t need to be refuelled for 30 years. And the money being invested into research and development is only going to make these new nuclear technologies even better.

    Ley has also argued Australia needs to keep gas in the system for longer, rather than “trying to do everything with renewables”.

    2. The energy transition

    A second-term Labor government will further progress its existing energy policies, including measures to reach its target of 82% renewable energy in the the National Electricity Market by 2030.

    Ley has accepted the need for a renewable energy transition, but says it should be led by nuclear power and gas.

    She has suggested enormous wind turbines and large-scale solar farms are dominating the landscape in rural areas. She also claims renewable energy projects generate insurance risks because battery storage increases fire risks.

    Ley has consistently voted against increasing investment in renewable energy, and is likely to seek to ensure policy addresses rising energy prices and reliability.

    3. Nature law reform

    The Albanese government intends to complete reform of Australia’s federal environment laws, known collectively as the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (or EPBC Act). Labor’s proposed reforms stalled in the Senate last term.

    The independent review that preceded the reform, led by Graeme Samuel, was initiated by the Morrison government under Ley, who served as environment minister from 2019 to 2022.

    An interim report from the Samuel review was released in July 2020. Ley seized on recommendations that suited her government’s agenda – notably, streamlining the environmental approvals process to speed up decisions on proposed developments. She vowed to start working on them even before the review was finalised, and before public comment on the draft was received.

    Ley put bills to parliament in August 2020 and February 2021 seeking to amend the laws. The first sought to hand powers for environmental approvals to the states. The proposal was criticised for lacking environmental safeguards.

    This prompted Ley to introduce a second bill which sought to ensure state agreements were monitored and audited. It also provided for new “national environmental standards” to guide approval decisions.

    But both bills lapsed before the 2022 election after failing to secure Senate support.

    National environmental standards were a key recommendation from the Samuel review, and also a centrepiece of Labor’s proposed reforms. However, Labor’s proposed standards were more robust and focused on outcomes.

    The bills Labor introduced to parliament in 2024 also sought establish Australia’s first national environment protection agency to carry out compliance and enforcement. This body would have had more power than Ley’s proposed commissioner.

    So while Labor’s proposed reform package was bolder, both Ley and her then Labor counterpart Tanya Plibersek’s proposals were comprised of similar ingredients. Given Ley has shown support for some elements of Labor’s reform package before, namely devolving powers to states and implementing standards, there may be some grounds for negotiation.

    4. Coal and climate change

    As environment minister, Ley welcomed the Coalition’s approval of the huge Adani coalmine in central Queensland. She also gave the green light to other coal projects. Plibersek took a similar approach to coal projects in her time as minister.

    In 2021, the Federal Court found Ley, as environment minister, owed a duty of care to future generations to avoid causing climate harm through her decisions. Ley successfully appealed the ruling.

    Separately, Ley has also claimed climate change is not part of the environment portfolio.

    When the Coalition reflects on the resounding defeat at the election, Ley’s hard stance on climate may soften.

    Finding common ground

    Ley brings a deeper understanding of nature law reform to the position of Liberal leader than her predecessor Peter Dutton. This raises the prospects for overhauling the EPBC Act this term.

    However, Ley’s priority is likely to be streamlining the environmental approval process rather than increasing protections afforded to threatened species and ecosystems.

    On the topic of gas playing a significant ongoing role in Australia’s energy mix, Ley will find many like minds in the Labor government.

    When it comes to the energy transition, much rests on the party room decision on whether to persist with a nuclear power policy. Nevertheless, with or without nuclear, Ley’s previous statements suggest she will continue to argue against wind and solar generation energy on cost and reliability grounds.

    Justine Bell-James receives funding from the Australian Research Council, the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, the Queensland Government, and the National Environmental Science Program. She is a Director of the National Environmental Law Association and a member of the Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists.

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

    – ref. From nuclear to nature laws, here’s where new Liberal leader Sussan Ley stands on 4 energy and environment flashpoints – https://theconversation.com/from-nuclear-to-nature-laws-heres-where-new-liberal-leader-sussan-ley-stands-on-4-energy-and-environment-flashpoints-256106

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: In Belarus, about 200 thousand tons of peat have been mined since the beginning of 2025

    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

    MINSK, May 13 /Xinhua/ — Belarus has mined about 200,000 tons of peat since the beginning of the year, the press service of the country’s Energy Ministry reported on Monday.

    The department noted that weather conditions allow maintaining dynamic rates of extraction. As of May 12, peat industry organizations extracted 2.5 times more peat than on the same date last year.

    To fully satisfy domestic demand and supply foreign markets, it is planned to extract more than 1.9 million tons of peat in the current season. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cantwell Statement on House Republicans’ Proposed Medicaid Cuts

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell
    05.12.25
    Cantwell Statement on House Republicans’ Proposed Medicaid Cuts
    Proposal unveiled last night would cause millions of poor Americans to lose coverage & drive up co-pays; GOP proposal could cancel health coverage for 780k Washingtonians
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last night, the Republican leadership of the U.S. House of Representatives released a draft proposal to cut $912 billion from the Energy and Commerce Committee budget — the committee that oversees Medicaid, the federal program that insures many low-income adults and children, pregnant people, seniors, and people with disabilities – by forcing at least 13.7 million Americans off their health insurance.
    U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), senior member of the Senate Finance Committee and ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, issued the following statement:
    “The House Republicans’ Medicaid proposals could cause over 780,000 Washingtonians to lose affordable health coverage – all to give the very richest Americans a massive tax cut,” said Sen. Cantwell. “Patients who are recovering from illness, a complicated birth, or opioid addiction should not also have to submit complex paperwork or cover excessive co-pays. As I’ve heard around the state, these shortsighted Medicaid cuts would be devastating, and will only hurt vulnerable patients, force hospitals to slash services or close altogether, and cost taxpayers more in the long run.”
    Medicaid, also known as Apple Health in Washington state, covers 1.9 million Washingtonians. On May 2, Sen. Cantwell released a snapshot report highlighting the impact that Medicaid cuts would have on Washington state’s highly-ranked long-term care system for seniors and people with disabilities. In February, she additionally released a snapshot report that demonstrated how cuts would harm health care access in Washington state, and followed up with a report in March that dove into impacts on the Puget Sound region.
    Highlights of those snapshot reports include:
    In Washington state, WA-04 (Central Washington) and WA-05 (Eastern Washington) have the highest proportions of adults and total population on Medicaid (Apple Health). In District 4, 70% of children are on Medicaid.
    In the Puget Sound, children in Seattle’s blue-collar strongholds would feel the deepest pain from Medicaid cuts. More than half of children in Burien, SeaTac, Kent, Federal Way, Auburn, Renton, and Rainier Valley depend on Medicaid.
    In an exclusive new survey of 68 WA nursing homes, 67 of 68 would cut services if Medicaid were cut by 5% or more, and 65% would consider closing.
    Over the past two months, Sen. Cantwell also took a tour around the state to hear from folks who would be directly impacted by cuts to Medicare. Doctors, patients, and health care providers in Seattle, Spokane, the Tri-Cities, and Wenatchee warned that such cuts would devastate Washington state’s health care system and limit access to lifesaving care.
    Last week, a coalition of Washington state hospital leaders and Republican elected officials sent a letter opposing any cuts to Medicaid. The group included the CEOs of Skyline Health and Klickitat Valley Hospital, as well as multiple Republican members of the Washington state legislature, leaders of Klickitat County, and councilmembers of White Salmon and Goldendale. The letter emphasized that hospitals in rural areas are especially reliant on Medicaid, and any funding reductions would result in loss of services or even hospital closures. The letter warned, “Any reduction in funding from any source will undoubtedly result in a reduction of services, reduction of access or worse – hospital closures,” and further that “Policy decisions that put a community’s access to healthcare in jeopardy are a sure way to hasten the demise of rural Washington State.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Peters Launches Build America Caucus

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Scott Peters (52nd District of California)

    Abundance-Oriented Caucus to Focus on Peters’ Priorities: Unleashing American Energy, Building More Housing, Investing in Science

    Washington, D.C. – Today, Representative Scott Peters (CA-50), along with a bipartisan group of Congressmembers, launched the Build America Caucus as a founding member. The caucus will support the abundance movement: to ensure government delivers for Americans by tackling the self-imposed red tape that has led to a constricted and costly energy system, out-of-control housing costs, decades of infrastructure delays, and lagging investments. The caucus will also reinforce America’s lead in, and need to support, scientific discovery. The American people have lost faith in government’s ability to get things done, and instead often see government as an obstacle to timely results. The Build America Caucus will work to restore the public’s trust by advancing substantive legislation to cut red-tape and lower the cost of living.  

    Rep. Peters’ remarks at the caucus launch below:  

    “America prides itself on accomplishing big things:  winning world wars, sending man to the moon, or discovering the next medical breakthrough.  

    “During World War II, San Diego factories built a bomber an hour, a bomber an hour.  

    “We did it because the need was urgent. So, we found a way.  

    Our challenges have not gone away — our capacity to achieve great things has. 

    “Homelessness is on the rise, our electrical grid can’t meet future demand, and our competitors like China are supplanting our role as the scientific powerhouse of the world. 

    “We know we must build more housing, expand our grid, and invest in basic scientific research. Yet, we let NIMBYs from both sides hold projects hostage. We let so-called “environmental” groups mire transmission and clean energy projects in decades of litigation. And this administration slashes scientific funding and deters the best minds in the world from coming here. 

    “Today, we launch the Build America Caucus, the pro-growth abundance caucus, to think bigger and take real action to solve these problems, not just pay lip service. People are frustrated with all the delay, gridlock, and government-imposed red tape. Too often, we as lawmakers see that problem as the system we work in, instead of the system we have the power to change.  

    “I am working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to rework the 50-year-old environmental laws that are ironically used to stop clean energy projects. This isn’t easy. We came close last year with the Energy Permitting Reform Act in the Senate, but it came with immense opposition from those who think the status quo is acceptable. We know that it is not. 

    “This caucus will stand ready to face the pressure from all sides on strong bipartisan efforts like this, as a commonsense majority that tunes out the noise so that we can get shit done.  

    “There are many political fights in D.C., but when I go back home, what I hear about over and over is the cost of living. The cost of housing, and electricity, and childcare. They are counting on us to put politics aside to make their lives better. That’s exactly what the Build America Caucus plans to do.”  

    Background:  

    Representative Peters has long championed the movement to make government more efficient, build more housing, update outdated laws to deliver reliable and affordable energy to power our economy, and invest in scientific innovation.

    Rep. Peters’ legislation in this space includes:

    The Building Chips in America Act* 

    The BIG WIRES Act 

    The SPEED and Reliability Act 

    The FASTER Act 

    The Advanced Reactor Fee Act*  

    The Build More Housing Near Transit Act 

    The Fix Our Forests Act 

    *Now law 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Awards – New crop of PINZ Award finalists named

    Source: Federated Farmers

    A Southlander who created edible bale netting and rural heroes who made their mark advocating for pragmatic regulation and supporting stressed-out farmers feature among PINZ 2025 finalists.
    The seventh annual Primary Industries NZ Awards are a highlight of the two-day PINZ Summit taking place at Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre 24 and 25 June.
    “With tariff tit-for-tat sparking disruption and uncertainty in export markets, more than ever New Zealand needs the primary sector to be innovative and enterprising,” Federated Farmers Chief Executive Terry Copeland says.
    “The PINZ Awards celebrate our primary industry movers and shakers – the science and food production teams delivering a market edge for our exported goods, the leaders who go the extra mile.
    “Their efforts inspire others and lift the employment prospects and standard of living for fellow Kiwis,” Copeland says.
    Rural Hero finalists are (the late) Chris Allen, Neil Bateup and Ian Jury.
    Allen, who died in an accident on his Ashburton farm last December, gave 14 years’ service as an elected Federated Farmers leader, including eight years on the national board.
    A champion of rural causes, he steered a pragmatic and balanced approach on environment and water issues, earning respect not just from farmers but from those with opposing views.
    Neil Bateup helped set up the Waikato Hauraki Coromandel Rural Support Trust in 2004 and in 2017 became founding chair of the NZ RST. He’s given countless hours supporting farmers and rural families facing hard times.
    The third Rural Hero finalist is Ian Jury, an 85-year-old who for 20 years has been raising money for the Taranaki rescue helicopter by collecting batteries for recycling.
    Four young women selected as Emerging Leader Award finalists illustrate the depth of talent being fostered in our primary industries.
    Bridie Virbickas succeeded in her bid for one of the hotly-contested DairyNZ Associate director roles and followed that by joining waste recycling enterprise AgRecovery as a foundation trustee.
    A contract milker who has overseen expansion of her employing farm from 270 to 850 cows, she put up her hand to be Federated Farmers Bay of Plenty sharefarmer chair to ensure a voice for the district’s young farmers is at the decision-making table.
    The role has seen her help out in a number of cases where the relationship between a sharefarmer and farm owner had broken down.
    Imogen Brankin has only been with Silver Fern Farms for three years but the On-Farm Sustainability Advisor has organised 60 ‘Know Your Number’ climate change workshops.
    She was winner of the 2022 Polson Higgs and Young Farmers Innovation Competition, speaking on the topic “Can Farming Deliver a Sustainable Future for New Zealand”, and was part of a team of five who competed in the 2023 IFAMA Global Case Study Competition.
    Newly appointed Onions NZ general manager Kazi Talaska has served on the Food and Fibre Youth Council, latterly as chair, and champions the Vegetable Industry Centre of Excellence to support the vegetable industry research pipeline.
    Talaska worked with industry partners and growers to obtain $2 million in funding to set up a first-of-its-kind vegetable research farm, in Pukekohe.
    The fourth Emerging Leader Award finalist is agricultural sustainability coach Lucy Brown. Through her work with the MPI-funded Integrated Farm Planning project, and in other roles, she’s found ways to show farmers sustainability is not just a theoretical concept but something that is practical and achievable.
    Molesworth Station manager James (Jim) Ward is up against senior AgResearch scientists Dr Robyn Dynes and David Wheeler for the Champion Award.
    For nearly two decades, Ward has been a force on the Federated Farmers High Country committee and the Wilding Pine Network NZ, where he has tirelessly advocated for change, shaped policies, and driven meaningful improvements for New Zealand high-country farmers.
    Starting off as farm manager at Molesworth in 2001, Ward has faced and overcome countless challenges to ensure the station remains economically viable through a blend of pastoral farming, conservation, and recreation values – all under the microscope of the public eye.
    Wheeler has worked hard to bridge the gap between environmental stewardship and agricultural productivity, shaping and improving the farm management tool Overseer.
    Dynes, a Principal Scientist and Farmer Engagement Specialist in AgResearch, has had a highly regarded science career focused on farming systems at the interface between forage science and animal science.
    Southland farmer Grant Lightfoot is a finalist for the Food, Beverage and Fibre Producer Award after creating edible and biodegradable bale netting made from jute. It’s an environment-friendly alternative to plastic netting, which isn’t recyclable and is often ingested by livestock.
    The two other contenders in this category are Chia Sisters, who produce a gut health-supporting drink from a golden kiwifruit probiotic, kawakawa and hail-damaged cherries, and New Image International, which exports health and beauty products to millions of people around the world.
    The full list of 2025 Primary Industries NZ Award finalists is:
    Emerging Leader Award (sponsor Lincoln University)
    Bridie Virbickas, Federated Farmers Bay of Plenty Sharemilker Chair
    Imogen Brankin, On-Farm Sustainability Advisor, Silver Fern Farms
    Kazi Talaska, General Manager, Onions NZ
    Lucy Brown, The Whole Story
    Champion Award (sponsor BASF)
    David Wheeler, Senior Scientist, AgResearch
    James (Jim) Ward, Manager Molesworth Station
    Dr Robyn Dynes, Principal scientist and farmer engagement specialist, AgResearch
    Team & Collaboration Award (sponsor Overseer)
    nProve for Beef – online genetics tool, Beef + Lamb New Zealand
    Food System Integrity Team, AgResearch, led by Dr Gale Brightwell
    An open data sharing ecosystem: Fonterra, Ballance, Ravensdown, and LIC.
    Technology Innovation Award (sponsor AsureQuality Kaitiaki Kai)
    TEO for Ovitage®, the world’s most complete collagen
    FAR for Combine Workshops – increasing productivity on arable farms
    Alliance Group NZ for Meat Eating Quality (MEQ) technology
    Food, Beverage and Fibre Producer Award (sponsor Kotahi)
    Chia Sisters
    Kiwi Econet – founder, Grant Lightfoot
    New Image International
    Guardianship & Conservation/Kaitiakitanga Award (sponsor Rabobank)
    Pāua Dashboard – Pāua Industry Council
    The eDNA for water quality Team – led by Dr Adrian Cookson
    Pacificvet, co-founder Kent Deitemeyer
    Rural Hero of the Year (sponsor Fern Energy)
    Chris Allen (posthumous)
    Neil Bateup, Founder, Rural Support Trust
    Ian Jury, Taranaki grassroots good sort
    Outstanding Contribution to NZ’s Primary Industries Award (sponsor AgResearch)
    Winner to be announced on the night 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Media release: Australian oil and gas sector welcomes new Albanese Ministry – Australian Energy Producers

    Source: Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association

    Headline: Media release: Australian oil and gas sector welcomes new Albanese Ministry – Australian Energy Producers

    Australia’s oil and gas industry looks forward to working with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s new Ministry to progress necessary reforms for Australia’s long-term energy security and economic growth.

    Australian Energy Producers Chief Executive Samantha McCulloch welcomed the re-appointment of Minister for Resources and Northern Australia Madeleine King.

    “Minister King understands the critical and long-term role of natural gas in our energy mix and the importance of a strong and sustainable gas industry for Australia. We welcome the opportunity to continue to work with Minister King on the implementation of the Future Gas Strategy” Ms McCulloch said.

    “An urgent priority must be removing barriers to new gas supply. The industry is committed to working with the Government to provide certainty for investment and ensure reliable and affordable energy for Australian households and industry.”

    Ms McCulloch also welcomed the appointments of Minister for Environment and Water Murray Watt and Minister for Industry and Innovation Tim Ayres.

    “Minister Watt has an important job ahead to fix Australia’s environmental approvals system, with the delayed decision on the North West Shelf extension an immediate focus,” Ms McCulloch said.

    Ms McCulloch also welcomed the reappointment of Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen, ahead of the upcoming review of the Gas Market Code.

    “The review is an opportunity for Government to work with gas producers, users and other stakeholders on reforms to the Code that restore market signals, remove duplicative and onerous reporting requirements, and address barriers to new gas supply,” Ms McCulloch said.

    Australian Energy Producers also acknowledged outgoing ministers Tanya Plibersek for her contribution in the environment portfolio, and Ed Husic in the industry portfolio.

    Media contact: 0434 631 511

    MIL OSI Economics –