Category: Energy

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta: Trump Administration Must Make a U-Turn on Illegal Withholding of Billions in Funding for EV Charging Infrastructure

    Source: US State of California

    BURLINGAME California Attorney General Rob Bonta, California Governor Gavin Newsom, California Department of Transportation, and the California Energy Commission, today co-led a coalition of 17 attorneys general in filing a lawsuit against the Trump Administration for unlawfully withholding billions of dollars in funding approved by bipartisan majorities in Congress for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure that would reduce planet-warming pollution, expand access to clean vehicles, and create thousands of green jobs. Under the direction of the President, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) issued a directive to thwart Congress’s $5 billion program, the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) formula program, which would expand EV charging infrastructure nationwide. This directive purports to revoke the approval of all prior state EV infrastructure plans and withholds the distribution of federal funds to states. Specifically, in California, FHWA’s unlawful actions would cost the state more than $300 million, eliminate thousands of good-paying jobs, and dismantle a critical, emerging tech industry. 

    “The President continues his unconstitutional attempts to withhold funding that Congress appropriated to programs he dislikes. This time he’s illegally stripping away billions of dollars for electric vehicle charging infrastructure, all to line the pockets of his Big Oil friends,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta. “The facts don’t lie: The demand for clean transportation continues to rise, and California will be at the forefront of this transition to a more sustainable, low-emissions future. California will not back down, not from Big Oil, and not from federal overreach.”

    “When America retreats, China wins. President Trump’s illegal action withholding funds for electric vehicle infrastructure is yet another Trump gift to China – ceding American innovation and killing thousands of jobs,” said Governor Gavin Newsom. “Instead of hawking Teslas on the White House lawn, President Trump could actually help Elon – and the nation – by following the law and releasing this bipartisan funding.” 

    “California remains fully committed to developing a robust, reliable and accessible EV charging network which will help improve air quality and enhance the EV driving experience for all,” said California Energy Commission Chair David Hochschild.

    “Withholding funding now would be wasteful, illegal, performative, and only serve to delay the progress we’ve made in building a cleaner, more sustainable transportation future,” said California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin. “We will continue to stand up for Californians and the nation because the future of the planet depends on it.”

    In 2022, Congress passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. One provision of the IIJA appropriated $5 billion for NEVI to facilitate a national network of electric vehicle charging infrastructure across the states, making clean cars accessible and convenient for more consumers and markets. On Day One, President Trump issued an executive order directing federal agencies to immediately stop releasing certain funds appropriated through the IIJA, including $5 billion that Congress appropriated for electric vehicle charging stations under NEVI. Following that directive, FHWA effectively halted the NEVI program by, among other things, withholding billions in funds that Congress had directed to the States for building EV infrastructure.

    California continues to lead the nation in the adoption of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) and the development of supporting infrastructure to rapidly deploy funds to develop and ensure a reliable and easy-to-use charging network. To date, over 2 million ZEVs have been sold in California, representing more than 30% of all ZEVs sold in the United States. 

    The California Energy Commission anticipates that California will need several hundred thousand more EV charging ports to support light-duty cars and trucks and incrementally more charging ports for medium- and heavy-duty trucks and buses to meet climate goals. California’s State Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment Plan, approved by the federal government, would leverage public funding and private investment to build out a statewide charging infrastructure, including $384 million from the NEVI program.

    The complaint filed today alleges that the NEVI directive was arbitrary and capricious and not in accordance with law under the federal Administrative Procedure Act, and in violation of the U.S. Constitution. The NEVI program was created by statute, and, as it is a formula program, the amounts due to states are allocated by Congress, not the President. The complaint asks the court to declare that the NEVI directive is unlawful and to permanently stop the administration from withholding the funds. The states also seek a preliminary injunction to halt the illegal withholding of NEVI funds to the states.

    In filing the lawsuit Attorney General Bonta was joined by the attorneys general of Washington, Colorado, Arizona, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Wisconsin, Vermont, and the District of Columbia. 

    A copy of the complaint will be made available here.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI: Best Fortune Teller Online For Accurate Fortune Telling In 2025 – The Psychic Experts

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York City, May 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Connect with the best fortune teller online offering accurate fortune telling and powerful insights about the future, love life, career path, and more.

    SAN FRANCISCO, CA, May 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) – The psychic experts have just ranked the best fortune tellers of 2025 for those who want to know what the future holds for them. With one platform, people can connect with reliable online fortune-telling services and get answers to their pressing questions.

    Discover your destiny with the best fortune tellers online, offering accurate fortune telling that delivers clarity, truth, and trusted predictions.

    ⇒ Find out what your future holds – talk to the best fortune teller now!

    As spiritual curiosity and the demand for real psychics increase globally, the psychic experts are proud to be a trusted platform that helps users find a live fortune teller for psychic reading or fortune telling. The psychic experts are a reputable platform that reviews the best fortune teller websites. These websites provide their services through different mediums like live chat readings, video sessions, and phone consultations.

    Now, people can experience the best fortune teller online and receive accurate fortune telling with clear answers to their most important life questions.

    ⇒ Don’t guess your future – ask the best fortune teller!

    How The Psychic Experts Pick the Best Fortune Tellers

    After years of rating fortune tellers and psychic readers, the psychic experts have just launched their own curated guide of the most accurate and trusted fortune tellers of 2025.

    This new list is not just a deeper and more polished look at the best fortune tellers online, but also justifies the ratings using the five-pillar evaluation that goes like this;

    1. Accuracy & Intuition

    Do these psychic readers align their readings with events and real-life emotions? 

    2. Communication Style

    Are they communicating with clarity, empathy, and honesty?

    3. Reading Tools & Techniques

    What reading tools are being used for fortune-telling for the fortune-telling services? Tarot, runes, clairvoyance, astrology, or some other medium?

    4. Ratings & Reviews

    Do these fortune tellers have consistently high user satisfaction and offer meaningful results?

    5. Ethics & Energy

    Do they offer genuine spiritual service or try to upsell or manipulate their clients?

    Find peace of mind with the best fortune tellers specializing in accurate fortune telling for love, career, and personal growth.

    ⇒ The answers you need are here – talk to a verified fortune teller!

    What Is Fortune Telling and Why Does It Matter in 2025?

    Fortune telling is most often mystified more than it should be, which leads to misunderstandings, too. Fortune telling is just gaining insights about the future of a person or about unknown events via a range of metaphysical tools. 

    This is why many people sometimes have doubts about the authenticity of fortune-telling platforms. However, other people still believe that tarot cards, palm reading, astrology, or clairvoyant visions hold immense value, which is why they are always seeking a good fortune teller who will illuminate their path and offer clarity, compassion, and spiritual precision, and predict other information about their life and future.

    Get real answers from the best fortune tellers using accurate fortune telling to help guide your decisions and reveal your true path.

    ⇒ Real insights, real answers – start accurate fortune telling!

    2025 is filled with shifting perspectives, career transitions, uncertainty, and spiritual awakenings for many people. This increases the demand for genuine fortune tellers who offer spiritual advice or affirmation. However, many people are still cautious about whether online fortune-telling platforms can be misleading or fake. But all those doubts can be eliminated if a person checks out reviews and ratings of fortune tellers and their services before booking, or even better, approach them with an authentic platform like the-psychic-experts.com.

    In 2025, more and more people are turning to the online fortune teller world, as from the comfort of their homes, they can receive spiritual awakening and answers to their complex questions. A live fortune teller, for example, can offer genuine interpretations of someone’s life and future, dreams and events, and can help people with:

    • New relationships
    • Critical business and career decisions
    • Spiritual or karmic guidance
    • Emotional wounds from the past
    • Dreams and their interpretation
    • Complex situations arise with everyday choices.

    ⇒ Ask anything, get instant answers from the best fortune teller!

    Why Online Fortune Telling Is Booming In 2025

    With the rise of technology use and digital platforms, people turn to the internet for answers to everything. For people who want guidance from fortune tellers for their everyday purposes or for reading and spiritual consultations, a dependable platform is very necessary that carefully analyzes all the psychic reading platforms and provides unbiased ratings and reviews so that spiritual seekers can connect with genuine fortune tellers.

    The psychic experts have analyzed more than a hundred fortune-telling websites and have produced a database that claims to offer the utmost clarity and customer satisfaction. With the use of the psychic experts, users can be assured that the fortune-telling services they are going to get will be of the highest quality.

    ⇒ Wondering what’s next? Ask the best fortune teller now!

    The rise of fortune teller online services in 2025 is more prominent than ever. 

    Especially the online services, as they are convenient, anonymous, and 24/7 accessible. These online consultations and fortune-telling have revolutionized the way people seek spiritual consultations. From the comfort of their home, during a lunch break, or during a late-night moment of anxiety, platforms like the psychic experts are one umbrella under which all the seasoned fortune tellers instantly come together.

    There are many benefits of online fortune-telling in 2025, and some of them are:

    • Instant access to fortune-telling: There is no need to book weeks in advance.
    • Global Access: Connecting spiritual seekers with top psychics from all over the world.
    • A variety of Tools Include tarot, astrology, runes, numerology, and mediumship.
    • Free Trials & Readings: Many people like to try a free fortune teller before they pay online.
    • Flexible Pricing: Such online fortune-telling services are available for every budget and urgency level.
    • Authenticity: Verified ratings by the-psychic-experts.com help people avoid scams related to online fortune-telling services.

    If you still don’t know where to begin, you can try the free fortune teller online feature on the-psychic-experts.com. It is risk-free and 100% genuine and authentic.

    ⇒ Discover your destiny with the best fortune teller today!

    Why the Whole World Is Turning to Online Fortune Tellers in 2025

    Fortune telling comes in many shapes and forms. However, one of the most desired forms of fortune-telling is called “reading” and “spiritual consultation.” This type of fortune telling doesn’t rely on specific methods or devices; rather, the fortune teller gives their client predictions and advice that they claim to have come from visions or spirits.

    So, whether it’s love, career, family, or personal growth, every modern spiritual guidance-seeking individual is turning to fortune teller online services for answers to their worldly and otherworldly problems. 

    ⇒ Free fortune teller is live – ask your question now!

    However, not all readers out there are genuine or exceptional. While many websites and apps have made access to fortune tellers quite easy and affordable, it is not necessary that the said fortune tellers will always turn out to be authentic or real. This is why it is important to make sure that the quality of fortune that you are going to get will be of the highest level.

    The demand for virtual guidance through mobile apps and websites has driven the rise of online spiritual consultations, but along with it comes a jungle of unvetted services.

    This is where the psychic expert steps in. The online fortune tellers that they recommend have been in business for more than a decade. They help people who want to avail themselves of fortune-telling services get connected to qualified professionals in this field so that people can gain spiritual insights into their minds, bodies, and spirits.

    Discover the best fortune teller trusted for accurate fortune telling that reveals your destiny with clarity and truth.

    ⇒ Talk to the best fortune teller now and change your life!

    The readings provided by these spiritual professionals are very accurate because they go through an intensive screening process, which depends on detailed user review analysis and direct testing. The rigorous selection process is the reason why this platform is trustworthy and ensures that every online fortune teller it ranks is 100% experienced and effective.

    Unlike random listings or paid placements, the list of best fortune tellers by the psychic experts in 2025 list represents the top 1% of spiritual advisors. The reason for their authenticity is vigorous testing for accuracy, communication levels with their clients, and spiritual alignment.

    ⇒ Don’t wait – get accurate fortune telling instantly online!

    What Sets an Accurate Fortune Teller Apart in 2025?

    What sets an accurate fortune teller apart in 2025 is their intuitive abilities and the various divination techniques that they use to make predictions about a person’s future. These fortune tellers are able to interpret symbols, read patterns, and use tools like palm lines, tarot cards, or tea leaves in order to offer guidance and spiritual insights to individuals. With this guidance, these individuals can navigate their life journey with much clarity and in the right direction. 

    Fortune tellers also provide their clients with a better understanding of their future and correlate them with present circumstances so that the individual may make better decisions in their life, reflect on themselves, and grow personally, professionally, or spiritually.

    ⇒ Your answers are waiting – get a free fortune teller reading!

    The best fortune teller isn’t someone who claims to have psychic abilities. It’s someone who can translate the unseen energies into clear, empowering messages for their clients.

    The in-depth reviews by the psychic experts reveal the major qualities that set apart a truly accurate fortune teller in today’s world, and these are:

    • Clarity in readings – There is no room for vague perceptions
    • Emotional intelligence – alongside empathetic delivery
    • Accurate predictions that match the desires and circumstances of the client 
    • Methodical tools – Using tarot, astrology, or numerology for fortune-telling
    • Live interaction – Creating a real-time connection

    Many top-rated psychics offer free fortune teller online sessions or discounted first readings, which greatly help users test their authenticity before committing.

    ⇒ Free, fast, and accurate – talk to a fortune teller now!

    Top Features That Make a Fortune Teller Platform the Best

    Not all online fortune teller services provide the same high level of quality as the psychic experts. Here’s what sets the most validated and genuine platforms apart from others;

    Verified Reader Profiles
    All listed readers are verified and undergo proper background checks and psychic ability assessments to see if they are eligible to be featured.

    Satisfaction Guarantee
    Clients are 100% satisfied that they can receive refunds or session credits if it doesn’t go as planned, thus adding a factor of trust to the transaction.

    ⇒ Let the best fortune teller guide your next move!

    Real User Reviews
    Each psychic’s page has reviews from real users and transparent ratings, as well as client feedback and reading stats.

    Multiple Psychic Disciplines
    From astrology to numerology to clairvoyance, there are multiple disciplines on these platforms so that people can choose from their preferred method of Psychic reading.

    ⇒ Take control of your destiny – try accurate fortune telling!

    Most Popular Online Fortune Telling Methods in 2025

    If you want to reach out to a fortune teller in 2025, there are many easy ways to do so. Their availability in the digital world has also made it easy to reach out to spiritual readers via an electronic device, either with a phone call, an Android app, or a website like the-psychic-experts.com.

    Many online psychic platforms offer different ways to connect with fortune tellers. 

    Online fortune telling is an accessible spiritual art now, and through the following mediums, a person can easily contact a fortune teller anytime and anywhere in the world:

    • Live Chat Readings – Live chat readings are perfect for users who want quick answers and privacy.
    • Video Sessions – Video sessions help clients who want facial cues and a full, energetic presence during their session.
    • Phone Consultations – Phone consultations are both an old and modern method of reading, as they offer a direct, voice-to-voice connection.
    • Email Readings – Email readings are also perfect for those who prefer detailed, written records of spiritual insights.

    Each method of fortune telling has its own advantages, disadvantages, and energy levels, so the psychic experts recommend that users try more than one type of psychic reading medium to see which suits them best.

    ⇒ Get life-changing clarity from the best fortune teller!

    Most Popular Fortune Telling Services in 2025

    People wondering what the future holds for them or having trouble navigating their life’s twists seek help from reliable fortune tellers, who act like a compass in their complex lives and set them on a journey of self-discovery. The psychic experts review and reveal the most seasoned and genuine psychics, tarot readers, and astrologers, all of whom act as a beacon of insight in the day-to-day life of their spiritual seekers.

    While the-psychic-experts.com sheds light on the expert advisors that unveil the spiritual connections and energies associated with people that they didn’t even know existed, there are some pros and cons associated with online fortune-telling services.

    ⇒ Discover the truth now with the best fortune teller online!

    Pros

    One of the benefits of online fortune-telling services is that there are hundreds of psychic readers available online who are ready to help people who seek guidance from them. They have been present in this psychic industry for years, sometimes more than 2 or 3 decades. Many fortune-telling platforms have mobile applications, both for iOS and Android, that people use to access fortune-telling services from anywhere in the world. Psychic reading and fortune telling use a wide range of services and tools to make sure that the spiritual guidance they offer is accurate and genuine.

    Cons

    One of the drawbacks of online fortune-telling services is that a person may need to book psychic reading services in advance. However, the psychic experts also shed light on some psychic readers who offer a free initial consultation or demo for first-time users. Some people may also find fortune-telling services expensive.

    ⇒ Experience accurate fortune telling that actually helps!

    Different Types Of Fortune Telling Services In 2025

    Fortune telling is a very broad and intricate practice. It utilizes centuries of spiritual wisdom and intuitive insight and brings it right in front of those who seek this knowledge. Whether a person is out to seek clarity, direction, or a new way of life, fortune tellers can offer them multiple services that help them reconnect with their inner self and get spiritual guidance. Here are the most common types of services offered by fortune tellers in 2025;

    Fortune Telling

    This is the umbrella under which all other psychic and spiritual services fall. 

    Fortune telling is the navigation of signs, energies, and symbols to provide insight into the past, present, and future of a user. 

    It uses tools like crystal balls and runes and even utilizes more intuitive practices like clairvoyance to help seekers who want answers to their life’s uncertainties. 

    Fortune-telling sessions focus on personal concerns, such as love, family, money, health, and purpose, and another labyrinth of possibilities of life, and help individuals see the path more clearly, even when their whole life is chaotic.

    ⇒ Get real answers fast from a free fortune teller!

    Psychic Readings

    Psychic readings go beyond what the eyes can see. 

    Psychic readings use heightened intuition and extrasensory perception, such as cosmic airwaves, to pick up on energy fields, emotional vibrations, and spiritual signals around the person who came to the psychic. 

    The goal is not about prediction. Rather, it is about perspective. 

    A psychic can unveil hidden insights and help someone make much sense of their inner conflicts. Such psychics also help people understand emotional imbalances or navigate an important decision. 

    These psychic readings are very personal and can affect both grounding and illuminating the path of a person.

    Love Readings

    Relationships are one of the most common reasons people seek spiritual guidance. Sometimes, they are new, long-standing, but most of the time, complicated. 

    Love psychics or relationship-focused fortune tellers provide a way to understand emotional dynamics, compatibility, soulmate connections, and romantic obstacles between two people. 

    These readings peel away the emotional layers beneath a relationship and decode the feelings, intentions, and future potential of both partners involved.

    ⇒ Reveal your future with accurate fortune telling!

    Tarot Readings

    Tarot is a timeless art of psychic reading.

    It is an intuitive form of divination that reveals the past, present, and future. It uses a deck of 78 symbolic cards, with each card representing a theme, energy, or message. 

    A person will be told to pick a card, and then the reader will interpret the card based on their position and the question at hand.

    This method of psychic reading reveals complex narratives about the querent’s past, present, and future. These readings can clarify complex situations, offer insights into unseen influences, and help a person better understand their own emotions.

    Dream Analysis

    Dreams are productions of the subconscious mind, but they always try to tell us something.

    It is the subconscious mind’s way of speaking. Dream interpreters act as translators of dreams and nightmares. They can analyze symbols, emotions, and patterns in dreams and decode what the dream is trying to communicate. 

    Whether it’s a recurring dream or an unsettling nightmare, dream analysis reveals buried emotions, unresolved issues, or hidden desires. This psychic reading service even suggests the spiritual or prophetic meaning behind dreams and emotions that we experience in sleep.

    ⇒ Find real clarity fast – talk to the best fortune teller today!

    Astrology Readings

    Astrology is the study of planetary movements and their celestial alignments and how they influence life on Earth. 

    An astrologer can map out cosmic constellations and create a natal chart that uses the exact time, date, and location of a person’s birth to uncover hidden traits, tendencies, and life patterns. 

    So, whether a psychic reader is looking at your solar return for the year ahead, investigating your relationship compatibility with your partner, or understanding a difficult life phase, astrology readings provide a cosmic map for solving life’s rhythms.

    Career Forecasts

    Accurate fortune tellers can also help people align with their professional purpose. 

    These readers will utilize the power of intuition, energetic sensing, and sometimes tools like numerology or astrology to identify where someone’s talents truly lie. 

    Career readings are mostly booked by professionals who are dealing with work-related challenges, entrepreneurial possibilities, timing for job changes, or when a new opportunity arises, and they want to know whether it will bring success for them or not.

    ⇒ Ready for answers? Connect with a free fortune teller today!

    Numerology Readings

    Numerology is the study of the energetic vibrations of numbers.

    They govern how these numbers relate to human life. 

    Every letter in a person’s name and every digit in their birth date holds a numeric value that has immense power, and that reveals information about their character, strengths, life cycles, and karmic lessons. 

    Numerology readings uncover these hidden messages to provide clarity on their purpose and the timing of events in their life.

    Occult Readings

    For those drawn to esoteric mysteries and the deeper mystical truths, some fortune tellers offer readings that are rooted in the occult sciences. 

    These sessions are different from others and explore symbolism, ritual magic, elemental energies, spiritual entities, or ancient esoteric systems. 

    They’re mostly suited for individuals who have the power and the mental abilities to confront the hidden forces influencing their lives, as these types of readings often involve exploring the subconscious or spirit world through unique and sacred methods.

    ⇒ Trusted and accurate fortune telling – start now!

    Palmistry

    Also known as palm reading, Palmistry is the ancient art that involves analyzing the shape, lines, and texture of a person’s hand. These patterns help a reader gain insight into the personality, experiences, and future of their client. 

    Every person’s palm is said to carry their narrative. 

    The lifeline, heartline, and headline are just a few, among others, that are read in combination to reveal one’s emotional tendencies, mental strengths, career prospects, and life trajectory.

    Graphology

    Graphology, or handwriting analysis, involves reading the way a person writes. In this way, the psychic reader can gain insight into their personality, emotional state, and thought patterns. 

    Everything from the pressure of the pen to the slant of a signature has a meaning and could carry psychological significance. Graphologists interpret these details to reveal hidden truths that may not be expressed verbally.

    Paranormal Readings

    Paranormal psychics explore realms that lie beyond the normal range of perception. 

    These readings focus on spiritual encounters, supernatural events, or unexplained phenomena. 

    For individuals who believe that they’ve experienced things, like hauntings, spirit contact, or energetic disturbances, paranormal readings are a great way for readers to offer them validation and clarity around those otherworldly experiences.

    ⇒ Get your personalized reading from a certified fortune teller!

    Past Life Exploration

    Some readers claim that the soul undergoes multiple incarnations, and those incarnations echo from past lives and influence the present day. 

    Past life readers use intuitive impressions, visualizations, or regressions to explore a person’s soul history. 

    These readings can help a reader understand irrational fears, recurring dreams, deep attractions, or unexplained patterns that seem to bother their clients and follow them throughout their current lives.

    Picture Readings

    In picture readings, the fortune teller uses a photograph to measure the energy around a person.

    That photograph could be of a person, place, or object, and it acts as an energetic anchor. 

    The reader will go deep into the vibration within the image to reveal hidden truths, emotional energy, or unresolved spiritual connections. 

    This type of reading is very useful when someone wants insight into a person who cannot be physically present for the session.

    Faith-Based and Spiritual Readings

    For those people who come from religious or spiritual backgrounds, some readers offer insights into scriptural wisdom, prayer, or divine guidance. 

    These readings center around faith, life purpose, and spiritual alignment. 

    They may also involve messages that the readers say are received from higher beings or spiritual guardians, thus depending on the tradition and belief system that is being practiced by the spiritual seeker.

    ⇒ Ask anything – the best fortune teller is online now!

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What exactly does a fortune teller do?

    Fortune tellers interpret symbols, energies, or spiritual signs and guide where your life is headed. 

    They use tools like tarot cards, astrology charts, Palmistry, or intuitive abilities to gain insights into past experiences, current events, or future possibilities for their clients.

    Are fortune-telling services accurate?

    Fortune telling is less about prediction and more about perception. A fortune teller, even the most genuine one, cannot accurately predict every detail of your future with scientific precision. 

    However, what they can offer is intuitive guidance, emotional clarity, and fresh perspectives. This type of guidance can help you make better decisions. 

    The accuracy of a fortune-telling service often depends on the reader’s skill, your openness, and the type of questions you ask.

    What types of questions can I ask a fortune teller?

    You can ask about anything. You can ask a fortune teller about relationships, careers, finances, health, life purpose, spiritual growth, or emotional challenges. Anything that you want answers to.

    The more specific your question is, the better, insightful, and more resourceful your reading will be.

    Do I need to believe in the supernatural for a reading to work?

    Not at all. 

    You don’t need to believe in the supernatural if you want to avail of fortune-telling services.

    While some people do approach fortune telling from a spiritual or mystical perspective, others are just using it as a tool for self-reflection or decision-making. 

    All you need to do is come with an open mind and a willingness to explore new insights.

    How do I choose the right type of reading?

    Fortune telling or psychic reading is the safest and common method of reading.

    If you’re unsure, start with a general fortune-telling or psychic reading. 

    However, if you have a specific question in mind, like love, career, or past lives, then there are other types of services available. You can choose a reader who specializes in that field. 

    Many services also offer short and free trial readings, so you can test the reader before paying in full.  

    Is my information kept confidential?

    Yes. 

    Professional fortune tellers will keep all your information private as they respect your space and treat all readings as confidential. 

    So, feel free to share personal details or ask sensitive questions because your session is conducted with discretion and trust.

    How long does a typical reading last?

    Psychic reading times can vary from person to person. 

    While a basic session might last 10–20 minutes, if you need a more in-depth reading, your session can also extend up to 30–60 minutes or longer than that.

    Many platforms offer flexible time slots depending on your needs and budget.

    What’s the difference between a psychic and a fortune teller?

    The term “fortune teller” is a broad term. It includes many types of intuitive readers. 

    Psychics, on the other hand, use extrasensory perception (ESP) and other insights to tap into the unseen energies surrounding and associated with a person. 

    While all psychics can be fortunetelling tellers, not all fortune tellers are psychics.

    Can I get a reading online or over the phone?

    Absolutely. You can read online by availing yourself of the service of online fortune tellers.

    Many fortune tellers offer remote services through online chat, phone calls, or email. 

    These formats offer flexibility to people from all over the world, and you can be guaranteed that online fortune-telling services are just as effective as in-person readings. Platforms like the psychic experts allow you to connect with readers from anywhere in the world.

    How often should I get a reading?

    There’s no right or wrong answer.

    You can have readings as many times as you like or as your situation and personal needs demand. 

    Some people get readings regularly, some do it a few times a year, while others only seek fortune-telling services during major life events.

    Final Words

    Fortune’s telling’s beauty doesn’t just lie in the spiritual answers that you receive but in the questions that you come to ask. Fortune telling offers self-reflection, examines the patterns in your life, and gently nudges you toward personal empowerment.

    There is a wide array of services available in today’s world, from tarot and astrology to dream interpretation and past life exploration. However, fortune telling and psychic reading aren’t just limited to live demonstrations and face-to-face conversations. It is also available online via verified platforms like the-psychic-experts.com.

    These services aren’t just for the mystically inclined. 

    Every type of person, whether they are entrepreneurs, artists, parents, students, or skeptics, can turn to fortune tellers when their life isn’t going as planned or when they need guidance and clarity. 

    Ultimately, fortune-telling isn’t about meeting the unknown. It is about meeting yourself, acknowledging your intuition, accepting your energies, and getting the confidence to make the choices that are good for you. Fortune tellers may use a card draw, a birth chart, or a dream symbol to lead the person toward ultimate clarity and guidance.

    So, if you’ve ever felt the need to reach out to an authentic fortune teller, ask questions that are beyond the surface. They will help you seek guidance in life.

    The answers are not always black and white. Sometimes, they are murky and require input from your side as well. You might not walk away with clear answers, but fortune-telling is a much more powerful perspective and brings peace and a renewed sense of purpose to every person.

    So, if you’re ready to tap into clarity, check out the best online fortune tellers of 2025.

    Media Contact
    Company: The Psychic Experts
    Contact Person: Anthony C. Bedoya
    Email: support@the-psychic-experts.com
    Address: 1 Fremont St, Las Vegas, NV 89101, USA
    URL: https://the-psychic-experts.com/
    Phone: +1 414-203-2598
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    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Sunrun Reports First Quarter 2025 Financial Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Aggregate Subscriber Value of $1.2 billion in Q1, 23% growth year-over-year

    Contracted Net Value Creation of $164 million, or $0.72 per share, 104% growth year-over-year

    Cash Generation of $56 million in Q1, the fourth consecutive quarter of positive Cash Generation

    Paid down $27 million of recourse debt in Q1 with excess cash

    Reiterating Cash Generation guidance of $200 million to $500 million in 2025

    Customer Additions with Storage grew 46% in Q1 compared to the prior year, as Storage Attachment Rate reached a record 69%

    Contracted Net Earning Assets of $2.6 billion, $11.36 per share, including $605 million of unrestricted cash

    SAN FRANCISCO, May 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Sunrun (Nasdaq: RUN), the nation’s leading provider of clean energy as a subscription service, today announced financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2025.

    “The first quarter was another strong quarter for Sunrun as we exceeded our volume and Cash Generation targets by significant margins in what is seasonally the slowest quarter of the year. We are focused on delivering the best product for customers, underwriting volumes with strong unit margins, optimizing our routes to market, and driving cost discipline, including leveraging AI for innovation, creating significant operating efficiencies and quality enhancement. This has allowed us to gain market share in recent periods and produce strong operating and financial results,” said Mary Powell, Sunrun’s Chief Executive Officer. “It is a dynamic environment for tax policy and tariffs. Like many companies across the country, we are controlling what we can and are ready to adapt to changes that may occur. Sunrun has faced periods of major change over the last few years, and we used it as an opportunity to become even stronger. We believe the tariff outlook is manageable, and we will still generate meaningful cash this year.”

    “We delivered our fourth consecutive quarter of positive Cash Generation and are reiterating our Cash Generation outlook for 2025,” said Danny Abajian, Sunrun’s Chief Financial Officer. “We have a strong balance sheet with no near-term corporate debt maturities and have paid down recourse parent debt by $214 million over the last four quarters, including a $27 million paydown using excess cash in Q1. As we increase our Cash Generation, we will continue to further pay down parent recourse debt and are committed to a capital allocation strategy beyond this initial de-leveraging period that drives significant shareholder value.”

    First Quarter Updates

    • Storage Attachment Rate Reaches 69%: Customer Additions with storage grew 46% during the quarter compared to the prior-year period. Storage Attachment Rate reached 69% in Q1, up from 50% in the prior-year period. Sunrun has installed more than 173,000 solar and storage systems, representing over 2.8 Gigawatt hours of Networked Storage Capacity.
    • Continued Strong Capital Markets Execution:
      • In March 2025 Sunrun placed a $369 million securitization of residential solar and battery systems. The securitization was placed privately given strong interest from large alternative asset managers in the private credit markets. The securitization was priced at a yield of 6.36%, in-line with the yield of our January securitization. The weighted average spread of the notes was 225 basis points, which is approximately 28 basis points higher than our securitization in January 2025. The higher spread followed overall market movements in credit spreads for similarly rated credit. Similar to prior transactions, Sunrun raised additional capital in a subordinated non-recourse financing, which increased the cumulative advance rate to well above 80% net of all fees, as measured against the initial Contracted Subscriber Value of the portfolio.
      • In January 2025, Sunrun priced a $629 million securitization of residential solar and battery systems. The oversubscribed transaction was structured with three separate classes of A rated notes, only two of which were publicly offered. The weighted average spread of the notes was 197 basis points. Similar to prior transactions, Sunrun raised additional capital in a subordinated non-recourse financing, which increased the cumulative advance rate to well above 80% net of all fees, as measured against the initial Contracted Subscriber Value of the portfolio.
    • Paying Down Recourse Debt: We continue to pay down parent recourse debt. During the first quarter, we repaid $27 million of recourse debt, reducing our borrowings under our Working Capital Facility and repurchasing a small amount of our 2026 Convertible Notes (as of March 31 we have $5.5 million of these notes still outstanding). Since March 31, 2024 we have paid down recourse debt by $214 million, by repurchasing our 2026 Convertible Notes and reducing borrowings under our recourse Working Capital Facility. We have also increased our unrestricted cash balance by $118 million and grown Net Earning Assets by $1.6 billion over this time period. We expect to pay down our recourse debt by $100 million or more in 2025. Aside from the $5.5 million outstanding of our 2026 Convertible Notes, we have no recourse debt maturities until March 2027.
    • Expanding differentiation & innovating with Sunrun Flex: We recently introduced Sunrun Flex, the first solar-plus-storage subscription designed to adapt to households’ changing energy needs. This new offering marks the most significant innovation across the solar industry since Sunrun introduced the residential Power Purchase Agreement in 2007. Flex helps families plan for their growing energy needs, whether it’s a growing household size or adopting a new electric vehicle, by installing a solar system sized above their current energy usage. Customers enjoy a low, predictable monthly minimum payment and only pay for extra energy if and when they use it. Flex households also benefit from battery backup during outages, and the new feature of earning Sunrun Rollover Credits—a first in the solar industry.
    • Improving Grid Stability with Virtual Power Plants: Our CalReady distributed power plant has more than quadrupled in size as the summer heat begins to stress California’s energy grid. More than 56,000 Sunrun customers’ solar-plus-battery systems — totaling approximately 75,000 batteries — will provide critical energy to California’s grid during times of high energy prices, heat waves, and other grid emergency events while simultaneously lowering energy costs for all ratepayers. CalReady’s power output has more than quadrupled and is expected to deliver an average of 250 megawatts per two-hour event, with the ability to reach an instantaneous peak of up to 375 megawatts — enough to power approximately 280,000 homes, equivalent to all of Ventura County, California. Sunrun customers enrolled in CalReady are compensated for sharing their stored solar energy, and Sunrun is paid for dispatching the batteries.

    Key Operating Metrics

    Commencing with the first quarter 2025 reporting, Sunrun has modified how certain key operating metrics are calculated. Please refer to the appendix for the updated definitions and refer to the accompanying presentation posted to Sunrun Investor Relations website for additional information. Prior periods have been recast to reflect the current methodology for comparison purposes.

    In the first quarter of 2025, Subscriber Additions were 23,692, a 7% increase compared to the first quarter of 2024. As of March 31, 2025, Sunrun had 912,878 Subscribers. Subscribers as of March 31, 2025 grew 14% compared to March 31, 2024.

    Storage Capacity Installed was 334 megawatt hours in the first quarter of 2025, a 61% increase from the first quarter of 2024. Solar Capacity Installed was 191 megawatts, an 8% increase from the first quarter of 2024.

    Subscriber Value was $52,206 in the first quarter of 2025, a 15% increase compared to the first quarter of 2024. Contracted Subscriber Value was $48,727 in the first quarter of 2025, a 14% increase compared to the first quarter of 2024. Subscriber Value figures for the first quarter of 2025 reflect a 7.5% discount rate based on observed project-level capital costs, compared to 7.6% in the prior year period. Subscriber Value reflects an average Investment Tax Credit of 43.6% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to 35.2% in the prior year period. Storage Attachment Rate was 69% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to 50% in the prior year period.

    Creation Costs per Subscriber Addition were $41,817 in the first quarter of 2025, a 7% increase compared to the first quarter of 2024.

    Net Subscriber Value was $10,390 in the first quarter of 2025, a 66% increase compared to $6,247 in the first quarter of 2024. Contracted Net Subscriber Value was $6,910 in the first quarter of 2025, a 90% increase compared to $3,641 in the first quarter of 2024.

    Aggregate Subscriber Value was $1.2 billion in the first quarter of 2025, a 23% increase compared to the first quarter of 2024. Aggregate Creation Costs were $991 million in the first quarter of 2025, a 14% increase compared to the first quarter of 2024. Contracted Net Value Creation was $164 million in the first quarter of 2025, an increase of 104% compared to the first quarter of 2024, and representing $0.72 per weighted average basic share outstanding in the period.

    Cash Generation was $56 million in the first quarter of 2025. This result represents the fourth consecutive quarter of positive Cash Generation.

    Contracted Net Earning Assets were $2.6 billion, or $11.36 per share, which included $979 million in Total Cash, as of March 31, 2025.

    Outlook

    Aggregate Subscriber Value is expected to be in a range of $1.3 billion to $1.375 billion in the second quarter of 2025, representing 21% growth compared to the second quarter of 2024 at the midpoint.

    Contracted Net Value Creation is expected to be in a range of $125 million to $200 million in the second quarter of 2025, representing 80% growth compared to the second quarter of 2024 at the midpoint.

    Cash Generation is expected to be in a range of $50 million to $60 million in the second quarter of 2025.

    For the full-year 2025, Aggregate Subscriber Value is expected to be in a range of $5.7 billion to $6.0 billion, representing 14% growth compared to full-year 2024 at the midpoint.

    Contracted Net Value Creation is expected to be in a range of $650 million to $850 million for the full-year 2025, representing 9% growth compared to full-year 2024 at the midpoint.

    Cash Generation is expected to be in a range of $200 million to $500 million for the full-year 2025, unchanged from the company’s prior guidance.

    First Quarter 2025 GAAP Results

    Total revenue was $504.3 million in the first quarter of 2025, up $46.1 million, or 10%, from the first quarter of 2024. Customer agreements and incentives revenue was $402.9 million, an increase of $80.0 million, or 25%, compared to the first quarter of 2024. Solar energy systems and product sales revenue was $101.4 million, a decrease of $33.9 million, or 25%, compared to the first quarter of 2024. The increasing mix of Subscribers results in less upfront revenue recognition, as revenue is recognized over the life of the Customer Agreement, which is typically 20 or 25 years.

    Total cost of revenue was $405.4 million, a decrease of 5% year-over-year. Total operating expenses were $619.2 million, a decrease of 3% year-over-year.

    Net income attributable to common stockholders was $50.0 million, or $0.22 per basic share and $0.20 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2025.

    Financing Activities

    As of May 7, 2025, closed transactions and executed term sheets provide us with expected tax equity to fund over 375 Megawatts of Solar Energy Capacity Installed for Subscribers beyond what was deployed through March 31, 2025. Sunrun also has $819 million in unused commitments available in its non-recourse senior revolving warehouse loan at the end of Q1 to fund approximately 286 megawatts of projects for Subscribers.

    Conference Call Information

    Sunrun is hosting a conference call for analysts and investors to discuss its first quarter 2025 results and business outlook at 1:30 p.m. Pacific Time today, May 7, 2025. A live audio webcast of the conference call along with supplemental financial information will be accessible via the “Investor Relations” section of Sunrun’s website at https://investors.sunrun.com. The conference call can also be accessed live over the phone by dialing (877) 407-5989 (toll free) or (201) 689-8434 (toll). An audio replay will be available following the call on the Sunrun Investor Relations website for approximately one month.

    About Sunrun

    Sunrun Inc. (Nasdaq: RUN) revolutionized the solar industry in 2007 by removing financial barriers and democratizing access to locally-generated, renewable energy. Today, Sunrun is the nation’s leading provider of clean energy as a subscription service, offering residential solar and storage with no upfront costs. Sunrun’s innovative products and solutions can connect homes to the cleanest energy on earth, providing them with energy security, predictability, and peace of mind. Sunrun also manages energy services that benefit communities, utilities, and the electric grid while enhancing customer value. Discover more at www.sunrun.com

    Forward Looking Statements

    This communication contains forward-looking statements related to Sunrun (the “Company”) within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements related to: the Company’s financial and operating guidance and expectations; the Company’s business plan, trajectory, expectations, market leadership, competitive advantages, operational and financial results and metrics (and the assumptions related to the calculation of such metrics); the Company’s momentum in its business strategies including expectations regarding market share, total addressable market, growth in certain geographies, customer value proposition, market penetration, growth of certain divisions, financing activities, financing capacity, product mix, and ability to manage cash flow and liquidity; the Company’s introduction of new products, including Sunrun Flex; the growth of the solar industry; the Company’s financing activities and expectations to refinance, amend, and/or extend any financing facilities; trends or potential trends within the solar industry, our business, customer base, and market; the Company’s ability to derive value from the anticipated benefits of partnerships, new technologies, and pilot programs, including contract renewal and repowering programs; anticipated demand, market acceptance, and market adoption of the Company’s offerings, including new products, services, and technologies; the Company’s strategy to be a margin-focused, multi-product, customer-oriented company; the ability to increase margins based on a shift in product focus; expectations regarding the growth of home electrification, electric vehicles, virtual power plants, and distributed energy resources; the Company’s ability to manage suppliers, inventory, and workforce; supply chains and regulatory impacts affecting supply chains including reliance on specific countries for critical components; the Company’s leadership team and talent development; the legislative and regulatory environment of the solar industry and the potential impacts of proposed, amended, and newly adopted legislation and regulation on the solar industry and our business, including federal and state-level solar incentive programs (such as the Investment Tax Credit), net metering policies, and utility rate structures; the ongoing expectations regarding the Company’s storage and energy services businesses and anticipated emissions reductions due to utilization of the Company’s solar energy systems; and factors outside of the Company’s control such as macroeconomic trends, bank failures, public health emergencies, natural disasters, acts of war, terrorism, geopolitical conflict, or armed conflict / invasion, and the impacts of climate change. These statements are not guarantees of future performance; they reflect the Company’s current views with respect to future events and are based on assumptions and estimates and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from expectations or results projected or implied by forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties that could cause the Company’s results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements include: the Company’s continued ability to manage costs and compete effectively; the availability of additional financing on acceptable terms; worldwide economic conditions, including slow or negative growth rates and inflation; volatile or rising interest rates; changes in policies and regulations, including net metering, interconnection limits, and fixed fees, or caps and licensing restrictions and the impact of these changes on the solar industry and our business; the Company’s ability to attract and retain the Company’s business partners; supply chain risks and associated costs, including reliance on specific countries for critical components, tariff and trade policy impacts, and raw material availability for solar panels and batteries; realizing the anticipated benefits of past or future investments, partnerships, strategic transactions, or acquisitions, and integrating those acquisitions; the Company’s leadership team and ability to attract and retain key employees; changes in the retail prices of traditional utility generated electricity; the availability of rebates, tax credits and other incentives; the availability of solar panels, batteries, and other components and raw materials; the Company’s business plan and the Company’s ability to effectively manage the Company’s growth and labor constraints; the Company’s ability to meet the covenants in the Company’s investment funds and debt facilities; factors impacting the home electrification and solar industry generally, and such other risks and uncertainties identified in the reports that we file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. All forward-looking statements used herein are based on information available to us as of the date hereof, and we assume no obligation to update publicly these forward-looking statements for any reason, except as required by law.

    Citations to industry and market statistics used herein may be found in our Investor Presentation, available via the “Investor Relations” section of Sunrun’s website at https://investors.sunrun.com.

    Consolidated Balance Sheets
    (In Thousands)

        March 31, 2025   December 31, 2024
             
    Assets        
    Current assets:        
    Cash   $ 604,874   $ 574,956
    Restricted cash     373,881     372,312
    Accounts receivable, net     172,121     170,706
    Inventories     414,401     402,083
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets     101,936     202,579
    Total current assets     1,667,213     1,722,636
    Restricted cash     148     148
    Solar energy systems, net     15,497,538     15,032,115
    Property and equipment, net     109,132     121,239
    Other assets     3,103,824     3,021,746
    Total assets   $ 20,377,855   $ 19,897,884
    Liabilities and total equity        
    Current liabilities:        
    Accounts payable   $ 268,908   $ 354,214
    Distributions payable to noncontrolling interests and redeemable noncontrolling interests     37,816     41,464
    Accrued expenses and other liabilities     537,042     543,752
    Deferred revenue, current portion     133,878     129,442
    Deferred grants, current portion     8,389     7,900
    Finance lease obligations, current portion     25,526     26,045
    Non-recourse debt, current portion     250,422     231,665
    Total current liabilities     1,261,981     1,334,482
    Deferred revenue, net of current portion     1,238,468     1,208,905
    Deferred grants, net of current portion     193,009     196,535
    Finance lease obligations, net of current portion     58,025     66,139
    Convertible senior notes     472,226     479,420
    Line of credit     358,493     384,226
    Non-recourse debt, net of current portion     12,479,475     11,806,181
    Other liabilities     120,973     119,846
    Deferred tax liabilities     97,684     137,940
    Total liabilities     16,280,334     15,733,674
    Redeemable noncontrolling interests     657,772     624,159
    Total stockholders’ equity     2,615,402     2,554,207
    Noncontrolling interests     824,347     985,844
    Total equity     3,439,749     3,540,051
    Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests and total equity   $ 20,377,855   $ 19,897,884
    Consolidated Statements of Operations
    (In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
        Three Months Ended March 31,
         2025     2024 
    Revenue:        
    Customer agreements and incentives   $ 402,920     $ 322,967  
    Solar energy systems and product sales     101,351       135,221  
    Total revenue     504,271       458,188  
    Operating expenses:        
    Cost of customer agreements and incentives     308,629       269,534  
    Cost of solar energy systems and product sales     96,798       156,159  
    Sales and marketing     145,990       152,264  
    Research and development     9,979       12,087  
    General and administrative     57,763       51,266  
    Total operating expenses     619,159       641,310  
    Loss from operations     (114,888 )     (183,122 )
    Interest expense, net     (227,434 )     (192,159 )
    Other (expense) income, net     (45,399 )     89,930  
    Loss before income taxes     (387,721 )     (285,351 )
    Income tax benefit     (110,550 )     (2,201 )
    Net loss     (277,171 )     (283,150 )
    Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests and redeemable noncontrolling interests     (327,182 )     (195,332 )
    Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders   $ 50,011     $ (87,818 )
    Net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders        
    Basic   $ 0.22     $ (0.40 )
    Diluted   $ 0.20     $ (0.40 )
    Weighted average shares used to compute net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders        
    Basic     226,406       219,882  
    Diluted     257,911       219,882  
    Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
    (In Thousands)
        Three Months Ended March 31,
         2025     2024 
    Operating activities:        
    Net loss   $ (277,171 )   $ (283,150 )
    Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:        
    Depreciation and amortization, net of amortization of deferred grants     169,890       150,520  
    Deferred income taxes     (110,550 )     (2,202 )
    Stock-based compensation expense     25,005       28,869  
    Interest on pass-through financing obligations           4,756  
    Reduction in pass-through financing obligations           (9,335 )
    Unrealized loss (gain) on derivatives     45,070       (55,103 )
    Other noncash items     61,499       14,639  
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities:        
    Accounts receivable     (6,906 )     (1,371 )
    Inventories     (12,318 )     47,753  
    Prepaid expenses and other assets     (45,761 )     (135,678 )
    Accounts payable     (15,618 )     59,641  
    Accrued expenses and other liabilities     27,910       3,395  
    Deferred revenue     34,744       34,173  
    Net cash used in operating activities     (104,206 )     (143,093 )
    Investing activities:        
    Payments for the costs of solar energy systems     (654,802 )     (538,975 )
    Purchases of property and equipment, net     (219 )     3,531  
    Net cash used in investing activities     (655,021 )     (535,444 )
    Financing activities:        
    Repayment of trade receivable financing     (24,742 )      
    Proceeds from line of credit     148,824       139,805  
    Repayment of line of credit     (174,557 )     (292,305 )
    Proceeds from issuance of convertible senior notes, net of capped call transaction           444,822  
    Repurchase of convertible senior notes     (2,124 )     (173,715 )
    Proceeds from issuance of non-recourse debt     1,520,629       770,106  
    Repayment of non-recourse debt     (838,483 )     (431,532 )
    Payment of debt fees     (28,018 )     (47,779 )
    Proceeds from pass-through financing and other obligations, net           1,808  
    Early repayment of pass-through financing obligation           (20,000 )
    Payment of finance lease obligations     (6,483 )     (6,732 )
    Contributions received from noncontrolling interests and redeemable noncontrolling interests     255,900       164,337  
    Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests and redeemable noncontrolling interests     (60,253 )     (74,834 )
    Acquisition of noncontrolling interests           (1,159 )
    Proceeds from transfer of investment tax credits     624,776       106,529  
    Payments to redeemable noncontrolling interests and noncontrolling interests of investment tax credits     (624,776 )     (106,529 )
    Net proceeds related to stock-based award activities     21       1,056  
    Net cash provided by financing activities     790,714       473,878  
    Net change in cash and restricted cash     31,487       (204,659 )
    Cash and restricted cash, beginning of period     947,416       987,838  
    Cash and restricted cash, end of period   $ 978,903     $ 783,179  


    Key Operating and Financial Metrics

    The following operating metrics are used by management to evaluate the performance of the business. Management believes these metrics, when taken together with other information contained in our filings with the SEC and within this press release, provide investors with helpful information to determine the economic performance of the business activities in a period that would otherwise not be observable from historic GAAP measures. Management believes that it is helpful to investors to evaluate the present value of cash flows expected from subscribers over the full expected relationship with such subscribers (“Subscriber Value”, more fully defined in the definitions appendix below) in comparison to the costs associated with adding these customers, regardless of whether or not the costs are expensed or capitalized in the period (“Creation Cost”, more fully defined in the definitions appendix below). The Company also believes that Subscriber Value, Aggregate Subscriber Value, Creation Costs, Aggregate Creation Costs, Net Subscriber Value, Contracted Net Subscriber Value, Upfront Net Subscriber Value, Net Value Creation, Contracted Net Value Creation, and Upfront Value Creation are useful metrics for investors because they present an unlevered and levered view of all of the costs associated with new customers in a period compared to the expected future cash flows from these customers over a 30-year period, based on contracted pricing terms with its customers, which is not observable in any current or historic GAAP-derived metric. Management believes it is useful for investors to also evaluate the future expected cash flows from all customers that have been deployed through the respective measurement date, less estimated costs to maintain such systems and estimated distributions to tax equity partners in consolidated joint venture partnership flip structures, and distributions to project equity investors (“Gross Earning Assets”, more fully defined in the definitions appendix below). The Company also believes Gross Earning Assets is useful for management and investors because it represents the remaining future expected cash flows from existing customers, which is not a current or historic GAAP-derived measure.

    Various assumptions are made when calculating these metrics. Subscriber Value metrics are calculated using a discount rate based on the observed project-level capital costs in the period. Gross Earning Assets utilize a 6% rate to discount future cash flows to the present period. Furthermore, these metrics assume that Subscribers renew after the initial contract period at a rate equal to 90% of the rate in effect at the end of the initial contract term. For Customer Agreements with 25-year initial contract terms, a 5-year renewal period is assumed. For a 20-year initial contract term, a 10-year renewal period is assumed. In all instances, we assume a 30-year customer relationship, although the customer may renew for additional years, or purchase the system. Estimated cost of servicing assets has been deducted and is estimated based on the service agreements underlying each fund.

    KEY OPERATING METRICS
    Unit Economics in Period 1Q24 2Q24 3Q24 4Q24 1Q25
    $ per Subscriber Addition, unless otherwise noted          
      Subscriber Additions in period   22,058     24,984     30,348     30,709     23,692  
      Subscriber Value $45,477   $44,291   $47,335   $50,998   $52,206  
      Discount rate (observed project-level capital costs)   7.6%     7.5%     7.1%     7.3%     7.5%  
      Contracted Subscriber Value $42,871   $41,872   $44,551   $48,273   $48,727  
      x Advance Rate on Contracted Subscriber Value (estimated)   86.3%     86.3%     87.2%     85.9%     86.9%  
      = Upfront Proceeds (estimated) $37,001   $36,117   $38,869   $41,486   $42,339  
      – Creation Costs $(39,230)   $(38,258)   $(37,756)   $(38,071)   $(41,817)  
      = Upfront Net Subscriber Value $(2,229)   $(2,140)   $1,113   $3,415   $523  
      Upfront Net Subscriber Value margin %   (5.2)%     (5.1)%     2.5%     7.1%     1.1%  
    Aggregate Gross, Net & Upfront Value Creation in Period 1Q24 2Q24 3Q24 4Q24 1Q25
    $ millions, unless otherwise noted          
      Aggregate Subscriber Value $1,003   $1,107   $1,437   $1,566   $1,237  
      Aggregate Contracted Subscriber Value $946   $1,046   $1,352   $1,482   $1,154  
      Aggregate Upfront Proceeds (estimated) $816   $902   $1,180   $1,274   $1,003  
      Less Aggregate Creation Costs $(865)   $(956)   $(1,146)   $(1,169)   $(991)  
      Net Value Creation $138   $151   $291   $397   $246  
      Contracted Net Value Creation $80   $90   $206   $313   $164  
      Upfront Net Value Creation $(49)   $(53)   $34   $105   $12  
      Cash Generation $(311)   $217   $2   $34   $56  
      Net Value Creation per share $0.63   $0.68   $1.30   $1.77   $1.09  
      Contracted Net Value Creation per share $0.37   $0.41   $0.92   $1.39   $0.72  
      Upfront Net Value Creation per share $(0.22)   $(0.24)   $0.15   $0.47   $0.05  
    Volume Additions in Period 1Q24 2Q24 3Q24 4Q24 1Q25
      Storage Capacity Installed (MWhrs)   207.2     264.5     336.3     392.0     333.7  
      Solar Capacity Installed (MWs)   177.0     192.3     229.7     242.4     190.9  
      Solar Capacity Installed with Storage (MWs)   81.3     94.9     127.0     142.5     126.7  
      Solar Capacity Installed without Storage (MWs)   95.7     97.4     102.7     100.0     64.2  
      Customer Additions   24,038     26,687     31,910     32,932     25,428  
      Customer Additions with Storage   11,970     14,398     18,988     20,405     17,501  
      Customer Additions without Storage   12,068     12,289     12,922     12,527     7,927  
      Storage Attachment Rate   50%     54%     60%     62%     69%  
      Subscriber Additions (included within Customer Additions)   22,058     24,984     30,348     30,709     23,692  
      Subscriber Additions as % of Customer Additions   92%     94%     95%     93%     93%  
    Customer Base Value & Energy Capacity at End of Period 3/31/2024 6/30/2024 9/30/2024 12/31/2024 3/31/2025
      Net Earning Assets ($ millions) $5,247   $5,675   $6,231   $6,766   $6,825  
      Net Earning Assets per share $23.78   $25.42   $27.81   $29.99   $30.02  
      Contracted Net Earning Assets ($ millions) $1,754   $2,035   $2,416   $2,723   $2,583  
      Contracted Net Earning Assets per share $7.95   $9.11   $10.78   $12.07   $11.36  
      Customers   957,313     984,000     1,015,910     1,048,842     1,074,270  
      Subscribers (included within Customers)   803,145     828,129     858,477     889,186     912,878  
      Networked Storage Capacity (MWhrs)   1,532     1,796     2,133     2,525     2,858  
      Networked Solar Capacity (MWs)   6,866     7,058     7,288     7,531     7,721  
    Basic Shares Outstanding 1Q24 2Q24 3Q24 4Q24 1Q25
      Basic shares outstanding at end of period (in millions)   220.7     223.3     224.1     225.7     227.3  
      Weighted average basic shares outstanding in period (in millions)   219.9     222.5     223.7     224.9     226.4  
                                     

    Figures presented above may not sum due to rounding. In-period per share figures are calculated using the weighted average basic shares outstanding while end of period per share figures are calculated using the corresponding basic shares outstanding as of the measurement date. For adjustments related to Subscriber Value and Creation Costs, please see the supplemental materials available on the Sunrun Investor Relations website at investors.sunrun.com.

    Glossary of Terms

    Definitions for Volume-related Terms

    Deployments represent solar or storage systems, whether sold directly to customers or subject to executed Customer Agreements (i) for which we have confirmation that the systems are installed, subject to final inspection, or (ii) in the case of certain system installations by our partners, for which we have accrued at least 80% of the expected project cost (inclusive of acquisitions of installed systems). A portion of customers have subsequently entered into Customer Agreements to obtain, or have directly purchased, additional solar or storage systems at the same host customer site, and since these represent separate assets, they are considered separate Deployments.

    Customer Agreements refer to, collectively, solar or storage power purchase agreements and leases.

    Subscribers represent customers subject to Customer Agreements for solar or storage systems that have been recognized as Deployments, whether or not they continue to be active.

    Purchase Customers represent customers who purchased, whether outright or with proceeds from third-party loans, solar or storage systems that have been recognized as Deployments.

    Customers represent aggregate Subscribers and Purchase Customers.

    Subscriber Additions represent the number of Subscribers added in a period.

    Purchase Customer Additions represent the number of Purchase Customers added in a period.

    Customer Additions represent Subscriber Additions plus Purchase Customer Additions.

    Solar Capacity Installed represents the aggregate megawatt production capacity of solar energy systems that were recognized as Deployments in a period.

    Storage Capacity Installed represents the aggregate megawatt hour capacity of storage systems that were recognized as Deployments in a period.

    Networked Solar Capacity represents the cumulative Solar Capacity Installed from the company’s inception through the measurement date.

    Networked Storage Capacity represents the cumulative Storage Capacity Installed from the company’s inception through the measurement date.

    Storage Attachment Rate represents Customer Additions with storage divided by total Customer Additions.

    Definitions for Unit-based and Aggregate Value, Costs and Margin Terms

    Subscriber Value represents Contracted Subscriber Value plus Non-contracted or Upside Subscriber Value.

    Contracted Subscriber Value represents the per Subscriber present value of estimated upfront and future Contracted Cash Flows from Subscriber Additions in a period, discounted at the observed cost of capital in the period.

    Non-contracted or Upside Subscriber Value represents the per Subscriber present value of estimated future Non-contracted or Upside Cash Flows from Subscribers Additions in a period, discounted at the observed cost of capital in the period.

    Contracted Cash Flows represent (x) (1) scheduled payments from Subscribers during the initial terms of the Customer Agreements, (2) net proceeds from tax equity partners, (3) payments from government and utility incentive and rebate programs, (4) contracted net cash flows from grid services programs with utilities or grid operators, and (5) contracted or defined (i.e., with fixed pricing) cash flows from the sale of renewable energy credits, less (y) (1) estimated operating and maintenance costs to service the systems and replace equipment over the initial terms of the Customer Agreements, consistent with estimates by independent engineers, (2) distributions to tax equity partners in consolidated joint venture partnership flip structures, and (3) distributions to any project equity investors. For Flex Customer Agreements that allow variable billings based on the amount of electricity consumed by the Subscriber, only the minimum contracted payment is included in Contracted Cash Flows.

    Non-contracted or Upside Cash Flows represent (1) net cash flows realized from either the purchase of systems by Subscribers at the end of the Customer Agreement initial terms or renewals of Customer Agreements beyond the initial terms, estimated in both cases to have equivalent value, assuming only a 30-year relationship and a contract renewal rate equal to 90% of each Subscriber’s contractual rate in effect at the end of the initial contract term, (2) non-contracted net cash flows from grid service programs with utilities and grid operators, and (3) non-contracted net cash flows from the sale of renewable energy credits. After the initial contract term, our Customer Agreements typically automatically renew on an annual basis and the rate is initially set at up to a 10% discount to then-prevailing utility power prices. For Flex Customer Agreements that allow variable billings based on the amount of electricity consumed by the Subscriber, an assumption is made that each Subscriber’s electricity consumption increases by approximately 2% per year through the end of the initial term of the Customer Agreement and into the renewal period, resulting in billings in excess of the minimum contracted amount (which minimums are included in Contracted Cash Flows).

    Aggregate Creation Costs represent the sum of certain operating expenses and capital expenditures incurred in a period. The following items are included from the cash flow statement: (i) payments for the costs of solar energy systems, plus (ii) purchases of property and equipment, less (iii) net depreciation and amortization, less (iv) stock based compensation expense. The following items are included from the income statement: (i) cost of customer agreements and incentives revenue, adjusted to exclude fleet servicing costs and non-cash net impairment of solar energy systems, plus (ii) sales and marketing expenses, adjusted to exclude amortization of cost to obtain customer contracts (which is the amortization of previously capitalized sales commissions), plus (iii) general and administrative expenses, plus (iv) research and development expenses. In addition, gross additions to capitalized costs to obtain contracts (i.e., sales commissions), which are presented on the balance sheet within Other Assets, are included. Because the sales, marketing, general and administrative costs are for activities related to the entire business, including solar energy system and product sales, the gross margin on solar energy system and product sales is reflected as a contra cost. Costs associated with certain restructuring activities and one-time items are identified and excluded.

    Creation Costs represent Aggregate Creation Costs divided by Subscriber Additions.

    Net Subscriber Value represents Subscriber Value less Creation Costs.

    Contracted Net Subscriber Value represents Contracted Subscriber Value less Creation Costs.

    Upfront Net Subscriber Value represents Contracted Subscriber Value multiplied by Advance Rate less Creation Costs.

    Advance Rate or Advance Rate on Contracted Subscriber Value represents the company’s estimated upfront proceeds, expressed as a percentage of Contracted Subscriber Value or Aggregate Contracted Subscriber Value, from project-level capital and other upfront cash flows, based on market terms and observed cost of capital in a period.

    Aggregate Subscriber Value represents Subscriber Value multiplied by Subscriber Additions.

    Aggregate Contracted Subscriber Value represents Contracted Subscriber Value multiplied by Subscriber Additions.

    Aggregate Upfront Proceeds represent Aggregate Contracted Subscriber Value multiplied by Advance Rate. Actual project financing transaction timing for portfolios of Subscribers may occur in a period different from the period in which Subscribers are recognized, and may be executed at different terms. As such, Aggregate Upfront Proceeds are an estimate based on capital markets conditions present during each period and may differ from ultimate Proceeds Realized in respect of such Subscribers.

    Proceeds Realized represents cash flows received from non-recourse financing partners in addition to upfront customer prepayments, incentives and rebates. It is calculated as the proceeds from non-controlling interests on the cash flow statement, plus the net proceeds from non-recourse debt (excluding normal non-recourse debt amortization for existing debt, as such debt is serviced by cash flows from existing solar and storage assets), plus the gross additions to deferred revenue which represents customer payments for prepaid Customer Agreements along with local rebates and incentive programs.

    Net Value Creation represents Aggregate Subscriber Value less Aggregate Creation Costs.

    Contracted Net Value Creation represents Aggregate Contracted Subscriber Value less Aggregate Creation Costs.

    Upfront Net Value Creation represents Aggregate Upfront Proceeds less Aggregate Creation Costs.

    Cash Generation is calculated using the change in our unrestricted cash balance from our consolidated balance sheet, less net proceeds (or plus net repayments) from all recourse debt (inclusive of convertible debt), and less any primary equity issuances or net proceeds derived from employee stock award activity (or plus any stock buybacks or dividends paid to common stockholders) as presented on the Company’s consolidated statement of cash flows. The Company expects to continue to raise tax equity and asset-level non-recourse debt to fund growth, and as such, these sources of cash are included in the definition of Cash Generation. Cash Generation also excludes long-term asset or business divestitures and equity investments in external non-consolidated businesses (or less dividends or distributions received in connection with such equity investments). Restricted cash in a reserve account with a balance equal to the amount outstanding of 2026 convertible notes is considered unrestricted cash for the purposes of calculating Cash Generation.

    Definitions for Gross and Net Value from Existing Customer Base Terms

    Gross Earning Assets is calculated as Contracted Gross Earning Assets plus Non-contracted or Upside Gross Earning Assets.

    Contracted Gross Earning Assets represents, as of any measurement date, the present value of estimated remaining Contracted Cash Flows that we expect to receive in future periods in relation to Subscribers as of the measurement date, discounted at 6%.

    Non-contracted or Upside Gross Earning Assets represents, as of any measurement date, the present value of estimated Non-contracted or Upside Cash Flows that we expect to receive in future periods in relation to Subscribers as of the measurement date, discounted at 6%.

    Net Earning Assets represents Gross Earning Assets, plus Total Cash, less adjusted debt and lease pass-through financing obligations, as of the measurement date. Debt is adjusted to exclude a pro-rata share of non-recourse debt associated with funds with project equity structures along with debt associated with the company’s ITC safe harboring equipment inventory facility. Because estimated cash distributions to our project equity partners are deducted from Gross Earning Assets, a proportional share of the corresponding project level non-recourse debt is deducted from Net Earning Assets, as such debt would be serviced from cash flows already excluded from Gross Earning Assets.

    Contracted Net Earning Assets represents Net Earning Assets less Non-contracted or Upside Gross Earning Assets.

    Non-contracted or Upside Net Earning Assets represents Net Earning Assets less Contracted Net Earning Assets.

    Total Cash represents the total of the restricted cash balance and unrestricted cash balance from our consolidated balance sheet.

    Other Terms

    Annual Recurring Revenue represents revenue arising from Customer Agreements over the following twelve months for Subscribers that have met initial revenue recognition criteria as of the measurement date.

    Average Contract Life Remaining represents the average number of years remaining in the initial term of Customer Agreements for Subscribers that have met revenue recognition criteria as of the measurement date.

    Households Served in Low-Income Multifamily Properties represent the number of individual rental units served in low-income multi-family properties from shared solar energy systems deployed by Sunrun. Households are counted when the solar energy system has interconnected with the grid, which may differ from Deployment recognition criteria.

    Positive Environmental Impact from Customers represents the estimated reduction in carbon emissions as a result of energy produced from our Networked Solar Capacity over the trailing twelve months. The figure is presented in millions of metric tons of avoided carbon emissions and is calculated using the Environmental Protection Agency’s AVERT tool. The figure is calculated using the most recent published tool from the EPA, using the current-year avoided emission factor for distributed resources on a state by state basis. The environmental impact is estimated based on the system, regardless of whether or not Sunrun continues to own the system or any associated renewable energy credits.

    Positive Expected Lifetime Environmental Impact from Customer Additions represents the estimated reduction in carbon emissions over thirty years as a result of energy produced from solar energy systems that were recognized as Deployments in a period. The figure is presented in millions of metric tons of avoided carbon emissions and is calculated using the Environmental Protection Agency’s AVERT tool. The figure is calculated using the most recent published tool from the EPA, using the current-year avoided emission factor for distributed resources on a state by state basis, leveraging our estimated production figures for such systems, which degrade over time, and is extrapolated for 30 years. The environmental impact is estimated based on the system, regardless of whether or not Sunrun continues to own the system or any associated renewable energy credits.

    Per Share Operational Metrics

    The Company presents certain operating metrics on a per share basis to aid investors in understanding the scale of such operational metrics in relation to the outstanding basic share count in each period. These metrics are operational in nature and not a financial metric. These metrics are not a substitute for GAAP financials, liquidity related measures, or any financial performance metrics.

    Net Value Creation, Contracted Net Value Creation, and Upfront Net Value Creation are also presented on a per share basis, calculated by dividing each metric by the weighted average basic shares outstanding for each period, as presented on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.

    Net Earning Assets and Contracted Net Earning Assets are also presented on a per share basis, calculated by dividing each metric by the basic shares outstanding as of the end of each period, as presented on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

    Investor & Analyst Contacts:

    Patrick Jobin
    SVP, Deputy CFO & Investor Relations Officer
    investors@sunrun.com

    Bronson Fleig
    Director, Finance & Investor Relations
    investors@sunrun.com

    Media Contact:

    Wyatt Semanek
    Director, Corporate Communications
    press@sunrun.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Steering through the Fog: The Art and Science of Monetary Policy in Emerging Markets

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    (As prepared for delivery)

    May 7, 2025

    Good afternoon. It is a pleasure to be with you here at this critical juncture for the global economy. Since early April, the US effective tariff rate has increased to levels last seen over a hundred years ago, and the uncertainty surrounding trade policy and geopolitics has surged.

    The economic effects of these developments are expected to be sizeable. Our World Economic Outlook ‘reference scenario’ projects that tariffs will reduce both global and emerging market (EM) output growth by roughly 0.5 percentage points relative to our forecast prior to the April tariffs. Countries imposing high tariffs, or those that are heavily dependent on trade with those countries, will be hit the hardest. But no country is likely to emerge unscathed: we have downgraded our forecasts for 127 countries that account for 86 percent of global GDP.

    The impact on inflation is more varied. For countries facing higher tariffs on their exports, the tariffs are expected to mainly operate as a negative demand shock and exert mild downward pressure on inflation.  For countries imposing much higher tariffs, notably the United States, the tariffs will likely act more as an adverse supply shock, boosting inflation while lowering growth.

    There are several reasons why economic outcomes could be much worse than our WEO reference scenario. As of now financial conditions have not tightened much, including in emerging markets, and many EM currencies have remained surprisingly resilient against the dollar. If, however, trade policy discussions do not yield lower tariffs soon, financial conditions could tighten abruptly, with major effects on capital flows to EMs.  Knightian uncertainty abounds as the global economic order transforms. How should central banks in emerging markets steer through this fog? I will address this question in today’s lecture.

     

    EM central banks have developed much stronger monetary policy frameworks since the late 1990s, often in the context of adopting inflation targeting. They have benefited from major improvements in governance, with clear mandates focused on price stability.  Their operational independence has also increased substantially — both de jure and de facto — and they have strengthened their public accountability, as well as transparency. These advancements were invaluable in helping them respond quickly both to COVID and to the subsequent inflation surge, raising interest rates sharply in the latter case to contain inflation and keep inflation expectations anchored.

    Even so, significant differences remain between EMs and AEs, especially regarding the strength of the exchange rate channel and the degree to which global factors influence monetary transmission. Several features deserve particular attention: 

    Transmission of policy actions and shocks differs in EMs

    First, monetary policy transmission appears noticeably weaker in EMs than in AEs, and dependent both on global financial conditions and on the reliance of EM banks on external financing. In advanced economies, an easing of policy rates quickly translates into lower market rates — which is what matters for the borrowing decisions of households and firms — and this boosts the economy.

    By contrast, my research with Sebnem Kalemli-Özcan and Pierre De Leo (De Leo, Gopinath and Kalemli-Özcan, 2024) shows that when EM central banks loosen policy, the transmission to short-term market rates depends critically on what happens to global financial conditions. If global financial conditions tighten enough – as often follows a surprise tightening in US monetary policy – then domestic market rates may even rise when the EM central bank lowers policy rates.  The implicit rise in the risk spread facing borrowers clearly blunts the effectiveness of monetary policy and makes it harder for EMs to cushion the effects of shocks. This is particularly relevant at the current juncture where trade shocks could play out as negative demand shocks in many EMs, calling for looser monetary policy. At the same time, they could play out as negative supply shocks in the US and call for tighter US monetary policy.

    The changing mix of EM external financing also raises new vulnerabilities. EMs have become more dependent on external financing from foreign nonbank financial institutions, including insurance companies and investment funds, with their share of external portfolio financing growing to about 40 percent. While nonbanks help diversify emerging market funding sources and reduce borrowing costs, these types of capital flows are also very sensitive to the global financial cycle.[1] At times of financial stress, investment funds—such as exchange traded funds and open-end mutual funds in particular—are more susceptible to investors withdrawing their money, which in turn causes investment funds to withdraw from the riskiest markets.  Consequently, the volume and speed of exit of capital flows have increased over time, as was evident at the start of Covid-19.

    This sensitivity of EMs to global stress may also increase given that crypto assets are playing a larger role in cross-border financial intermediation and payments, often spurred by the desire to achieve cost-efficiencies, but also to circumvent capital flow restrictions in some cases.  In most EMs, crypto asset use doesn’t yet appear high enough to present imminent systemic risks.  Even so, crypto assets are growing rapidly in many EMs, and overall usage has become a noticeable share of GDP in some EMs with high inflation and lower macroeconomic stability. For example, Cerutti, Chen and Hengge (2024) find that several EMs in Latin America and Eastern Europe fall in the upper quartile of countries in terms of the magnitude of their bitcoin inflows as a share of GDP, with monthly inflows in the range of 0.1 to 0.8% of GDP. Focusing on a wider set of crypto assets, Cardozo, Fernández, Jiang and Rojas (2024) find that cross-border crypto outflows have reached as much as a quarter of gross portfolio outflows in Brazil.

    Use of crypto requires a careful understanding of the risks.  Crypto may increase capital flow volatility and exacerbate financial stress, including by allowing investors to easily shift their deposits out of domestic banks into foreign exchange-denominated stablecoins.  If crypto flows grow large enough, such disintermediation from the banking system and associated capital outflows could cause financial conditions to tighten and the exchange rate to weaken, and potentially spur a significant economic downturn.

    Weaker policy credibility complicates monetary policy trade-offs

    A second difference between AEs and EMs is the relatively weaker credibility of EM monetary policy to deliver low inflation. While EMs have improved their frameworks substantially, inflation expectations still tend to be less well-anchored than in AEs. Consequently, there is a higher passthrough of cost shocks to inflation, as they feed through much more into inflation expectations as well as through other channels such as wage indexation.  Oil price shocks tend to impact core inflation more than twice as strongly in a sample of emerging market economies, relative to advanced ones.[2] This high passthrough makes dealing with external shocks particularly difficult for EM central banks, as second-round effects could be sizeable, including from ongoing shocks to trade policy that could disrupt supply chains and raise input costs.

    Inflation expectations also tend to be more sensitive to fiscal policy and debt in EMs. This likely reflects increased risks of fiscal dominance and political interference in central bank decisions, which can undermine the public’s confidence in the central bank’s ability to fight inflation. A surprise increase in government debt tends to boost medium-term expected inflation in EMs significantly, while having little effect in advanced economies.[3]

     

    Exchange rates have a much larger imprint on price and financial stability

    A third critical distinction between EMs and AEs is that the exchange rate has a much larger imprint on price and financial stability in EMs.  While passthrough of exchange rate changes to inflation has declined considerably for many EMs, it remains significantly higher than in advanced economies. A 10 percent depreciation of EM currencies against the dollar causes EM price levels to rise by about 2 percent, several times larger than in advanced economies.[4]

    The presence of foreign exchange mismatches increases the financial stability risks from exchange rate depreciation. While many EMs have reduced FX mismatches – or lowered the risk through the development of derivatives markets that allow for better hedging — reliance on dollar funding within the financial system remains an important source of fragility for some EMs. This weakens monetary transmission, as lowering interest rates causes the balance sheets of corporates with unhedged FX liabilities to deteriorate and financial conditions to tighten, which offsets some of the stimulus from easing. EMs that have shifted to relying more on local currency financing also can experience sharp increases in currency premia and local borrowing costs when foreign investors exit these shallow markets. This makes it harder for EMs to deal with an environment of bigger external shocks: even if a tariff abroad would look like a demand shock from the standpoint of an AE economy, the exchange rate depreciation it induces raises risk spreads and makes it harder for the EM central bank to cushion the impact on the economy. 

    Steering through the fog: How should policy respond?

    Having outlined some of the unique challenges emerging market central banks face in the current global context, I will next lay out some broad principles that can help steer through the fog. EMs clearly will differ in how they respond to the shocks and the uncertainty depending on their cyclical conditions and on structural features such as the extent of their exposure to trade and financial disruptions.

    This said, and despite the fog, EM central banks should respond forcefully to upside inflation risks if they materialize to ensure that high inflation does not get embedded into inflation expectations. While I’ve noted that we see the current configuration of tariffs as likely to be slightly disinflationary for many EMs in our reference scenario, there is a significant risk that inflationary pressures could emerge — from supply chain disruptions and higher input cost pressures in a fragmenting world or from exchange rate depreciations. 

    Given the high passthrough of both exchange rate changes and cost shocks to inflation in EMs, a major risk is large and persistent second round effects, especially if inflation has been running persistently above target and the fiscal position is weak. History has shown that once inflation becomes embedded in expectations—often through wage and price indexation mechanisms—it becomes significantly more difficult to reverse. If the risk materializes, timely and firm action is critical to keep inflation expectations anchored and reassure the public of the central bank’s unwavering commitment to sound monetary policy and price stability.

    Foreign exchange intervention should be used prudently

    Second, in a more turbulent external environment, foreign exchange intervention (FXI) can help address disorderly market conditions that undermine financial stability. The Fund’s Integrated Policy Framework is helpful in identifying conditions when it may be possible to improve tradeoffs facing central banks using FXI and other tools (IMF, 2023; Basu, Boz, Gopinath, Roch and Unsal, 2023).

    Notably, central banks can reduce exchange rate pressures by selling FX during episodes of capital flight when FX markets are shallow, allowing central banks not to have to hike policy rates sharply. This can improve macroeconomic outcomes as well as lower financial stability risks.

    However, it is important that FXI is not used to reduce exchange rate volatility per se, or to target a particular level of the exchange rate, as such misuse could easily weaken confidence in the central bank’s commitment to stabilizing inflation.  Moreover, given the finite level of reserves, the bar for FXI should be high to ensure that FX liquidity can be provided when it is really needed. As of now financial conditions have tightened in an orderly manner, which means that when it comes to FXI the advice is to keep the powder dry.

    Build financial and fiscal resilience

    Third, efforts to build financial resilience through strengthening prudential policies are also desirable. As I have emphasized, EM financial systems remain quite exposed to geopolitical shocks and face growing risks from heightened external finance from foreign nonbanks and potentially crypto. Prudential policies can help them build adequate buffers as well as reduce vulnerabilities arising from high leverage, volatile capital flows, and FX mismatches. On the crypto side, it will be important to develop comprehensive legal, regulatory and supervisory frameworks for crypto assets, including through cooperative global efforts given their cross-border nature (IMF, 2023b).  The authorities should also ensure that capital flow management measures, when appropriate, remain effective and not undermined by the use of crypto.  And EMs should continue to strengthen macroeconomic frameworks to reduce the risk of currency and asset substitution into crypto assets (often called “cryptoization”).

    Fiscal policy also plays a critical role in helping ensure macroeconomic stability. Uncertainty shocks have much bigger effects on sovereign spreads when EM debt servicing costs are relatively high. Ensuring that tax and spending policies adjust to keep debt on a sustainable path helps provide buffers to respond to downturns and lowers financial stability risks.

    Improve central bank communication, governance, and policy strategy

    Lastly, there is a high premium on further strengthening policy frameworks to continue building resilience in a more shock-prone environment. 

    Clarity of communication has become more critical than ever. Effective communication about the central bank’s reaction function –in qualitative terms – is likely to be useful in helping better anchor inflation expectations and thus improve tradeoffs.

    Improved governance – including to strengthen central bank independence – can increase public confidence that the central bank will have latitude to achieve its objectives. Central banks will inevitably make mistakes—no forecast is perfect. But what must be clear is that any deviation from target is the result of uncertainty, not political interference.

    EM central banks, as for their AE counterparts, must also adapt their policy strategies to focus more on the distribution of outcomes rather than the modal outlook, and to take more account of risk management considerations. Monetary policy must navigate a world shaped by a multiplicity of shocks—some persistent, some temporary, and some with offsetting effects on inflation where it is difficult to assess the net impact.

    Accordingly, many central banks should continue to take steps to revise their frameworks to move away from excessive reliance on central forecasts. This can be facilitated by increasing use of scenario analysis in decision-making.

    Conclusion

    To conclude, EMs have made major strides in improving their monetary policy frameworks, and this has enabled several of them to respond effectively to unprecedented shocks like the pandemic. They are now being tested again as the global economic order is reset and Knightian uncertainty prevails. This uncertainty does not, however, imply gradualism in all matters. If inflation pressures rise, EM central banks will need to respond quickly using policy rates to prevent higher inflation from getting entrenched as they did during COVID. We must recognize that the road ahead may have many unforeseen turns, which calls for further strengthening financial and fiscal resilience and navigating with monetary policy clarity, credibility, and discipline.

    References

    Baba, C., and J. Lee. 2022. “Second-round effects of oil price shocks – implications for Europe’s inflation outlook”. IMF Working Paper no. 2022/173.

    Basu, S.S., Boz, E., Gopinath, G., Roch, F., and F.D. Unsal. 2023. “Integrated monetary and financial policies for small open economies”. IMF Working Paper no. 2023/161.

    Brandão-Marques, L., Casiraghi, M., Gelos, G., Harrison, O., and G. Kamber. 2024. “Is high debt constraining monetary policy? Evidence from inflation expectations”. Journal of International Money and Finance 149(C).

    Brandão-Marques, L., Górnicka, L., and G. Kamber. 2023. “Exchange rate fluctuations in advanced and emerging economies: Same shocks, different outcomes”, in Shocks and Capital Flows, edited by Gaston Gelos and Ratna Sahay, IMF.

    Cardozo, P., Fernández, A., Jiang, J., and F.D. Rojas. 2024. “On cross-border crypto flows: Measurement, drivers, and policy implications“. IMF Working Paper no. 2024/261.

    Cerutti, E.M., Chen, J., and M. Hengge. 2024. “A primer on Bitcoin cross-border flows: Measurement and drivers“. IMF Working Paper no. 2024/85.

    Chari, A. 2023. “Global risk, non-bank financial intermediation, and emerging market vulnerabilities”. Annual Review of Economics 15: 549-572.

    De Leo, P., Gopinath, G., and S. Kalemli-Özcan. 2024. “Monetary policy and the short-rate disconnect in emerging economies”. NBER Working Paper no. 30458.

    IMF. 2023. “Integrated Policy Framework – Principles for use of foreign exchange interventions”. IMF Policy Paper no. 2023/061.

    IMF. 2023b. “Elements of effective policies for crypto assets”. IMF Policy Paper no. 2023/004.

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/05/07/sp050725-science-of-monetary-policy-in-emerging-markets-gita-gopinath

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Canada: CleanBC review launched to strengthen climate action, results for people

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Merran Smith

    Merran Smith is president of New Economy Canada, bringing decades of leadership and partnership with industry, government and community to create economic solutions to society’s most pressing challenges. She is broadly recognized as an advocate and national thought leader in advancing Canada’s clean economy, with career highlights including founding Clean Energy Canada and her leadership in the landmark Great Bear Rainforest agreement. 

    Smith was a board member of BC Hydro, and co-chair of B.C.’s Climate Solutions Council, which advised the B.C. government on CleanBC. She has won numerous awards for her leadership in the clean economy, including most recently the King Charles III’s Coronation Medal awarded to a diverse group of individuals who have made significant contributions to British Columbia.

    Dan Woynillowicz

    Dan Woynillowicz is an accomplished leader focused on the development and implementation of effective energy and climate policies. As principal of Polaris Strategy + Insight, he blends policy expertise with an understanding of technology innovation and market transformation to help clients navigate the energy transition. He is a volunteer adviser to Urban Climate Solutions and the Clean Economy Fund, and from 2020-25 served as board chair of the B.C. Centre for Innovation and Clean Energy (CICE).

    Woynillowicz also served as an external expert adviser to the BC Hydro Task Force, which positioned BC Hydro to meet the province’s fast-growing demand for clean electricity. He is frequently called to testify before regulatory and legislative bodies, quoted in media, and regularly publishes commentary in Canada’s leading publications.

    MIL OSI Canada News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Luján, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Improve AI Testing and Evaluation Systems, Safeguard Americans Against Risks

    US Senate News:

    Source: US Senator for New Mexico Ben Ray Luján

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), and Peter Welch (D-VT) introduced the Testing and Evaluation Systems for Trusted Artificial Intelligence (TEST) AI Act of 2025, legislation to improve the federal government’s capacity to test and evaluate Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems to drive innovation, protect national security, and build trust and confidence for Americans utilizing AI systems.

    The TEST AI Act aims to ensure that AI systems used by federal agencies are trustworthy, secure, and objective, and lays the groundwork for broader national AI evaluation standards through a transparent and collaborative approach. The TEST AI Act would direct the collaboration between the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish a testbed pilot program to develop and refine measurement standards for evaluating AI systems.

    “AI has reached every sector in our country and driven innovation, but we cannot ignore the vulnerabilities and risks that come with it. While these systems have the power to change lives, they can also fall short – providing inaccurate or biased data – and are at risk of malicious attacks or misuse by our adversaries,” said Senator Luján. “The TEST AI Act addresses these shortcomings by creating government testbeds to better evaluate AI systems. This will help leverage the talent of our National Laboratories and strengthen the federal government’s ability to implement responsible guardrails that protect our national security and the American people.”

    “Innovation at the Department of Energy, our National Laboratories, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology has significantly advanced the boundaries of scientific discovery, but we need to ensure there are safeguards in place to prevent the misuse of AI,” said Senator Blackburn. “The TEST AI Act would direct these teams to establish safeguards, enabling AI to evolve while lowering the risk of manipulating this technology.”

    “While AI holds enormous positive potential, this new technology must be tested thoroughly to ensure that it is used responsibly,” said Senator Durbin. “With the TEST AI Act, we can direct the Department of Energy and the National Institute of Standards and Technology to develop AI testbeds, allowing us to safely explore the boundaries of AI, establish necessary guardrails, and protect against misuses.”

    “While AI offers an opportunity to revolutionize American research and innovation, we must be cognizant of bad actors and potential threats to privacy and national security,” said Senator Risch. “The Idaho National Laboratory is already a leader in AI, national security, and cybersecurity, and the TEST AI Act will use the National Labs’ capabilities to establish safeguards to prevent misuse of this growing technology.”

    “Artificial Intelligence brings limitless potential to every industry, from agriculture to green energy and small businesses. To harness the full power of AI, we need to develop tools and safeguards that manage its risks. That includes supporting federal research at our nation’s higher education institutions that give us a better understanding of AI’s full potential,” said Senator Welch. “The bipartisan TEST AI Act will ensure everyone can reap the full benefits of new and emerging AI technologies safely and responsibly.”

    “The TEST AI Act is a step towards transparency and accountability in artificial intelligence,” said Americans for Responsible Innovation (ARI) President Brad Carson. “Right now, AI systems are being deployed in high-stakes environments without independent oversight or clear standards. By building federal capacity for rigorous AI evaluations, this bill helps ensure AI tools are secure, effective, and ready for deployment.”

    Specifically, the TEST AI Act would:

    • Codify the ongoing collaboration between NIST and DOE to evaluate AI models;
    • Improve public-private partnerships through an AI Testing Working Group to guide standard development related to performance, reliability, security, privacy, and bias; and 
    • Direct the development of a public strategy for testing, construction of testbeds, and compilation of a report to Congress on the results and recommendations for future standards development.

    Senators Luján, Durbin, Blackburn, and Risch are co-leads of the Senate National Labs Caucus. The caucus works to identify legislative opportunities that elevate the National Labs’ visibility and meet national energy and security objectives. This caucus also helps identify bipartisan initiatives to maintain and extend U.S. leadership in critical scientific sectors.

    Full text of the bill is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Bera, Democratic Doctors Caucus Hold Press Conference Slamming Republican Efforts to Gut Medicaid

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Ami Bera (D-CA)

    Today, U.S. Representative Ami Bera, M.D. (CA-06) joined fellow members of the Democratic Doctors Caucus to call out Republican efforts to gut Medicaid funding and rip health care coverage away from millions of Americans.

    The Republican budget framework passed earlier this year instructs the House Energy and Commerce Committee to cut $880 billion—a number impossible to reach without gutting Medicaid, which provides health care coverage to approximately 80 million Americans, including 37 million children.

    “I’m proud to stand with my fellow Democratic Doctors in the fight to save Medicaid,” said Representative Ami Bera, M.D. “Republicans need to understand that Medicaid is more than a health care program—it’s a lifeline for working families, seniors and children across this country. We’re going to fight tooth and nail to protect this care—not gut it just to hand out tax breaks to Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos.”

    New analysis conducted by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) finds that millions of Americans stand to lose coverage under Republican proposals to cut Medicaid. The report concludes that states would be forced to reduce enrollment, scale back benefits or cut provider payments in response to deep federal funding cuts—jeopardizing access to care for families, seniors and children across the country.

    Background on the Democratic Doctors Caucus

    All six Democratic physicians serving in the U.S. House of Representatives joined together this year to launch the first-ever Democratic Doctors Caucus. The caucus is dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of Americans, advancing pragmatic health care policy and providing fellow Members with insights on critical health issues.

    Members of the Democratic Doctors Caucus include:

    • Ami Bera, M.D. (CA-06) – Internal Medicine

    • Herb Conaway Jr., M.D. (NJ-03) – Internal Medicine

    • Maxine Dexter, M.D. (OR-03) – Pulmonary & Critical Care 

    • Kelly Morrison, M.D. (MN-03) – Obstetrics & Gynecology

    • Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-25) – Emergency Medicine 

    • Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) – Pediatrics

    Recently, the caucus urged Senators to oppose the nomination of RFK Jr. for Secretary of Health and Human Services and condemned his proposed mass layoffs at the Department of Health and Human Services, the FDA and the CDC, warning of devastating consequences for public health and safety.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Congrats to IADC’s Brooke Polk for Being Named an OTC 2025 Emerging Leader!

    Source: International Association of Drilling Contractors – IADC

    Headline: Congrats to IADC’s Brooke Polk for Being Named an OTC 2025 Emerging Leader!

    Brooke Polk, IADC VP – Accreditation Operations, was recently named a 2025 Emerging Leader by the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC). The prestigious program recognizes young professionals with less than 10 years of experience in the energy industry who have demonstrated exceptional talent, commitment, and promise as future leaders in the offshore energy sector.

    Alex Martinez, Chair of the OTC Board, stated: 

    “Our Emerging Leaders are clear representations of the talent and excellence that will define the next generation of the offshore industry. We’re proud to recognize the contributions of these young professionals and remain eager spectators to the many future accomplishments they will undoubtedly achieve.” 

    The following honorees were recognized in a special ceremony in the Energy Evolution Exchange Theater and Lounge on Tuesday, 6 May 2025 at NRG Center in Houston. 

    2025 Emerging Leaders:

    • Dr. Ellen Reat Wersan, Exploration Geoscientist, Chevron, AAPG
    • Dr. Yingda Lu, Assistant Professor, Petroleum & Geosystems Engineering Department, The University of Texas at Austin, AlChE
    • Dr. Olusola Komolafe, Project Engineer, Geosyntec Consultants Inc., ASCE
    • Brooke Polk, Vice President-Accreditation Operations, International Association of Drilling Contractors, IADC
    • Gabriel Correa Perocco, Project Manager, MODEC do Brasil, IBP
    • Dr. Zheng Fan, Assistant Professor, University of Houston, IEEE-OES
    • Sridhar Krishnamoorthy, Senior Research Fellow, PhD Research Scholar, Indian Institute of Technology Madras Chennai India, MTS
    • Daniel Toerner, Technical Sales Engineer, Bardex Corporation, SNAME
    • Olawale Ajayi, Reservoir Engineer, NNPC Limited, SPE
    • Scott Pisarik, Lead Materials and Corrosion Engineer, Chevron, TMS

    IADC wishes to congratulate Brooke and all other recipients on this impressive achievement! 

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Historic breakthrough: over 40 Nigerian civil society organisations unite to launch climate justice movement

    Source: Greenpeace Statement –

    Abuja, Nigeria: May 7, 2025 –In a watershed moment for the promotion of environmental justice in Nigeria, more than 40 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) joined forces to launch the Nigerian Climate Justice Movement (CJM). A declaration was issued at the end of a landmark two-day event held in Abuja. The declaration reinforces the resolve of CSOs in holding corporations accountable for environmental damage and biodiversity destruction while amplifying Africa’s demands in global climate justice debates.

    The Climate Justice Movement, spearheaded by Greenpeace Africa, aims to connect isolated climate voices and responses under one umbrella movement to collectively address the disproportionate impact of climate change on the African continent. 

    Ogunlade Olamide Martins, Associate Director (Climate Change) for Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), one of the signatories, stated: “This declaration represents a turning point for grassroots environmental movements in Nigeria. For too long, our struggles have been fragmented despite facing common threats from extractive industries. By uniting under the Climate Justice Movement, we multiply our collective power and create space for community voices to shape the solutions.”

    Sherelee Odayar, Oil and Gas Campaigner at Greenpeace Africa, said:  “For decades, oil giants like Shell have extracted billions in profits from Nigerian soil while leaving behind devastated ecosystems and broken communities. Recent media investigations exposing Shell’s negligence in the Niger Delta is an example of the toxicity and selfish, unempathetic profiteering that communities have endured for generations. Through this declaration, we’re sending a clear message: the era of unchecked pollution and corporate impunity is over – it’s time for polluters to pay.”

    Cynthia Moyo, Climate and Energy Campaigner at Greenpeace Africa, said: “Nigeria stands at a crossroads in its energy future. As we witness intensifying flooding in the Niger Delta and advancing desertification in the north, it’s clear that climate change requires systemic solutions. This movement isn’t just about cleaning up past damage – it’s about shaping a just transition that centres African realities and protects communities from both climate impacts and false solutions like carbon trading that simply perpetuate exploitation.”

    Elizabeth Atieno, Food Security Campaigner at Greenpeace Africa, highlighted the connection between pollution and food security: “Oil spills have contaminated once-fertile soils and fishing grounds across the Niger Delta, creating a food crisis that disproportionately affects women and children. When farmers can’t farm and fisherfolk can’t fish, entire communities face malnutrition and economic devastation. Climate justice is fundamentally about securing the right to food sovereignty in the face of corporate environmental abuses.”

    Despite contributing minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions, Africa suffers some of the most severe climate impacts, with warming already exceeding the global average. Between July and October 2024, floods affected 34 states across Nigeria, impacting over 4 million people, with more than 300 lives lost and over 2,854 people injured. Nigeria’s catastrophic 2022 floods killed over 600 people, displacing 1.4 million citizens, and affecting more than 4.4 million across 33 states. The disaster destroyed over 200,000 homes and damaged 676,000 hectares of farmland, worsening food insecurity in a country already facing economic challenges. 

    Another signatory, Ibrahim Muhammad Shamsuddin, Program Manager at Yanayl Haki Afriqya, added, “The youth of Nigeria are demanding accountability from corporations and policymakers. We refuse to inherit a country where profits routinely take precedence over people and planet, having lived the realities that climate change impacts pose to our communities. This declaration is our pledge to transform environmental advocacy in Nigeria from isolated campaigns into a formidable, unified force that drives positive change towards access to a safe and healthy environment for all, which is a fundamental human right.”

    The CJM declaration outlines comprehensive demands, including immediate remediation of oil-polluted sites in the Niger Delta, compensation for communities affected by decades of extraction, ending gas flaring practices, transitioning to renewable energy infrastructure, strengthening regulatory frameworks against corporate environmental abuses and rejection of false solutions like carbon trading. 

    The coalition brings together diverse organisations working across environmental sectors, including ocean conservation, forest protection, climate advocacy, and community rights. CJM Nigeria is the fourth launch, with successful previous launches in the DRC, Cameroon, and Ghana.

    The coalition will now focus on implementing a coordinated action plan, engaging government authorities, and expanding the movement across West Africa. 

    ENDS

    For more information or interview requests, please contact:

    Dr. Ignatius Emeka Onyekwere, Media Consultant for CJM Nigeria, [email protected], +234 810 038 5897

    Ferdinand Omondi, Communication Manager, Greenpeace Africa, [email protected], +254 722 505 233

    Notes to Editors:

    About Greenpeace Africa:

    Greenpeace Africa is an independent environmental campaigning organisation established in 2008 that operates across the African continent with offices in Senegal, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon and South Africa. As part of the global Greenpeace network, the organisation works to protect and conserve Africa’s natural environment while advocating for peace and environmental justice. 

    About the Climate Justice Movement

    The Climate Justice Movement (CJM) is a pan-African initiative that unites grassroots organisations to address environmental challenges across the continent.

    The CJM represents a cornerstone of Greenpeace Africa’s strategy to build people-powered movements that challenge corporate environmental exploitation while elevating local communities as agents of change in environmental decision-making processes.

    MIL OSI NGO

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ranking Member Kaptur Remarks at Fiscal Year 2026 US Department of Energy Budget Hearing

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09)

     

    *** WATCH A FULL RECORDING OF THE HEARING HERE ***

    Washington, DC — Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Subcommittee, delivered the following opening remarks at the subcommittee’s fiscal year 2026 budget hearing for the US Department of Energy with Energy Secretary Chris Chris Wright:

    Good morning, and thank you all for joining us.

    As the Ranking Member of this subcommittee and a lifelong advocate for America’s energy independence in perpetuity, I welcome this opportunity to examine the Department of Energy’s recent actions and to discuss your proposed budget.

    Let me begin with a plain truth: The essentials of life are freshwater, food, and energy. The United States cannot afford to shortchange our energy future. US energy independence is essential for our liberty. I served President Jimmy Carter during the turbulent era not so long ago when the US slid into unconscious dependence on global energy supplies. My motto from then until now “never again.”

    The Department of Energy is the engine room of our nation’s energy security. It drives innovation. It serves as a critical steward of our nuclear security enterprise, and environmental obligations. We have not always done well there. It powers our economy. It protects our grid. It supports cutting-edge research, and ensures that our people — working families, industrious small and large businesses, farmers, our retirees — all have access to affordable, reliable energy and continuing energy innovation.

    And yet, we are confronted with proposals to slash $20 Billion in Department of Energy programs, despite clear and present threats to our energy stability. The Administration’s devastating 74 percent cut to Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy is not just shortsighted, it is dangerous. Since January, the Department of Energy has suspended critical energy programs, cancelled executed awards and contracts authorized by Congress, severely reduced staffing, including removal of the Inspector General who tries to go after the crooks, and changed contracting policies. The resulting confusion has disrupted communities, businesses, and project developers across our country. This chaotic approach to this critical sector of a strong America and our national security impacts every family, business and community. Already, our people are feeling directly how the pinch feels when rising energy costs impact every American family and business.

    Let me be crystal clear. Weakening US energy progress at DOE is a direct threat to America’s energy security and gives our enemies relief. Weakness in advancing America’s energy intelligence leaves us open and exposed to foreign influence. Radical cutbacks weaken our domestic supply chains and delay the very innovations that would shield our economy from global price shocks and hasten enemy targeting. I am shocked by the damage the Administration’s proposals are causing and will continue to cause.

    Energy is essential to our way of life and economic growth of all of our communities. The United States is producing more oil than ever before — record-high production levels — something that, in theory, should be bringing gasoline prices down, not bobbing back and forth. But the reality is, American families have not been seeing sustained record-low gas prices. Why? Because we are still tethered to a volatile global energy market dominated by cartels and petroleum dictators. Oil prices declined recently after the OPEC cartel and its allies agreed to a further boost to output. US crude fell 2 percent to $53.13 a barrel, its lowest value since February 2021. Let me be the first Member of Congress to warn you that dependence on foreign crude is not in the national security interests of our nation.

    Forty-eight years ago, as our nation’s economy tanked and sank into deep depression due to the first Arab oil embargo, President Carter and our predecessors in Congress created the US Department of Energy. With their vision and steadfast bipartisan commitment over decades, our nation has steadily made progress in attaining domestic energy independence. We cannot take our foot off the accelerator.

    Over the last 40 years, America has made remarkable progress through expanding domestic oil and gas production. Ohio knows this well. We have developed cheaper, cleaner energy sources. Competition brings lower prices in energy. Innovations, including biofuels, solar, energy storage, and thermal recovery, are pushing into new energy frontiers of fusion, advanced nuclear, and hydrogen.

    Let’s not forget — when Russia invaded Ukraine, it wasn’t just a European crisis. That illegal invasion sent energy prices soaring around the world. The Department of Energy’s swift action to deploy strategic reserves and accelerate clean energy deployment helped soften the blow. But without a fully resourced Department, our ability to respond next time will be severely limited. This posture is dangerous.

    American energy independence is about more than geopolitics. Hardworking families in Northwest Ohio and across our country feel these pressures at the pump, see it in their utility bills, and at the checkout counter at the grocery store.

    Our nation is approaching 350 million people. We cannot behave as though this is 1950. Undermining the US Department of Energy by severely underfunding advanced energy research risks higher energy costs, increased geopolitical volatility, and weaker national security. That is not a future America should accept.

    Mr. Secretary, I would also like to close by raising for your awareness a district-centric issue that holds national implications: two of the five worst commercial nuclear power incidents in our nation’s history occurred in Ohio’s Nuclear North that I represent. That’s 40 percent! These dangerous and ultimately criminally negligent operations represent the worst management of commercial nuclear power in our nation’s history.

    Ratepayers in Ohio have for 40 years been the victim of these corrupt commercial nuclear operations — all through the willful federal and state abdication of quality management by the Atomic Energy Commission, the Department of Energy, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Our ratepayers deserve and are due justice — they have been paying for the crimes and slipshod decision. So I ask that you help me from your position to achieve justice for Ohio’s billed ratepayers; the price gouging continues as we meet here today.

    As we work on FY 26 appropriations, I will fight to ensure this Energy and Water bill invests in America’s every future, our energy independence, in world-class innovation, and diversifying energy supplies as fundamental to our continuing economic strength. I have a notebook I have prepared for you and your staff outlining what has been going on in Ohio. It is absolutely un-American what has gone on there, and it has gone on for a long time. America’s energy future is in your hands. Everything must be “Made in America,” for America to assure a remarkable history for the generations to come.

    Thank you, and I look forward to the discussion ahead.

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: USGS releases assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources in the Hosston and Travis Peak formations along the Gulf Coast

    Source: US Geological Survey

    RESTON, VA. — The U.S. Geological Survey released its assessment of potential for undiscovered oil and gas in two formations under much of the Gulf of America Coast from Texas to Florida, assessing that there are technically recoverable resources of 35.8 trillion cubic feet of gas and 28 million barrels of oil. 

    The estimate for today’s assessment is as much gas as the United States consumes in 14 months at the current rate of consumption. Since exploration began in the area, the Hosston and Travis Peak Formations have produced 8 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, as well as 126 million barrels of oil. 

    “USGS energy assessments typically focus on undiscovered resources – areas where science tells us there may be a resource that industry hasn’t discovered yet. In this case, our assessment found substantial resources of gas,” said Sarah Ryker, acting director of the USGS.

    The onshore Gulf Coast is a major energy production area thanks to a world-class petroleum system and extensive energy exploration and production infrastructure. This assessment is limited to the Hosston and Travis Peak formations, which comprise a small portion of the onshore Gulf Coast’s Cretaceous aged rocks.  While the study area stretches from the Mexican border along the Gulf of America to most of Florida, resources are concentrated in one sliver extending from southeastern Texas across central Louisiana through the Mississippi Delta and into state waters of Louisiana, in the Hosston-Travis Peak Shelf Continuous Gas Assessment Unit (see map). 

    Much of the undiscovered, technically recoverable natural gas estimated to be present in the Hosston – Travis Peak formations is what the industry calls “tight gas”: natural gas trapped in low permeability rock, far below the surface. “Producing tight gas here would involve drilling and fracking, down more than 8,000–10,000 feet from the surface,” said Christopher Schenk, USGS geologist. 

    USGS oil and gas assessments began 50 years ago following an oil embargo against the U.S. that signaled a need to understand the occurrence, distribution and potential volumes of undiscovered resources.  The embargo led to a mandate for the USGS to use geologic science and data to assess undiscovered oil and gas resources to help meet the nation’s needs.  The work continues today – identifying new resources for domestic production as well as international resources that affect market conditions — an important part of the USGS mission to provide actionable insight to U.S. leaders, other Federal agencies, industry and the public.

    USGS energy resource assessments provide information to policymakers on resource potential in areas of the U.S. and the world. For land-management agencies such as the Bureau of Land Management, the results of an energy resources assessment feed into land-use and resource management plans.  For the private sector, USGS assessments of undiscovered energy resources provide context for planning detailed exploration.

    The range of assessments produced has changed with the technology available to produce oil. In 1995, the USGS began conducting assessments of unconventional, technically recoverable resources.  “The shift to horizontal drilling with fracking has revolutionized oil production, and we’ve changed with it,” Schenk said. 

    The USGS Energy Resources Program assesses the potential for undiscovered oil and gas resources in priority geologic provinces in the United States and around the world. Two methodologies are used by the USGS: one for assessing conventional oil and gas resources and one for assessing unconventional (continuous) oil and gas resources (such as shale gas and coalbed gas).  

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Congressional testimony: Supporting American leadership in quantum technology

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: Congressional testimony: Supporting American leadership in quantum technology

    Editor’s note: On Wednesday, May 7, Dr. Charles Tahan, Partner, Microsoft Quantum, testified before the U.S. House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. To view the proceedings, please visit the committee’s website.


    Written Testimony of Dr. Charles Tahan
    Partner, Microsoft Quantum, Microsoft Corporation

    U.S. House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
    “From Policy to Progress: How the National Quantum Initiative Shapes U.S. Quantum Technology Leadership”

    Chairman Babin, Ranking Member Lofgren, and Members of the Committee, thank you for the opportunity to appear before you to discuss the importance of quantum technology and the transformative role it will play for this country and for our collective future.

    It is an honor to be here again. I first appeared before this Committee nearly two years ago. Then, I was Assistant Director of Quantum Information Science and Director of the National Quantum Coordination Office (NQCO), an office within the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. The NQCO was created in the first Trump Administration by the National Quantum Initiative Act of 2018. Our job was to coordinate the more than 20 agencies led by the Department of Energy, the National Science Foundation, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology, along with the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community, to develop and execute a national strategy to strengthen American leadership in quantum information science and technology. I spent almost four years in that job, which capped an almost 17-year career as a practicing physicist and technical leader at the National Security Agency and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), where I worked on quantum computing, high-performance computing, and other advanced technologies. I now work at Microsoft where I lead technical teams within Microsoft Quantum that are working both internally and with our close partners to build the world’s first useful quantum computers.

    Through my testimony I hope to outline the transformative potential of quantum technology and why the United States must lead and win the quantum race. To provide some context, I will begin by highlighting the revolution in quantum sciences and why quantum matters in the age of artificial intelligence. I then expand on Microsoft’s leadership in this field—both through our own research and through our strategic collaborations with other leaders in the quantum ecosystem. But, despite our tremendous progress, sustaining American leadership requires government action. I therefore offer three focus areas that I believe this Committee and Congress should prioritize: (1) advancing the quantum sciences; (2) developing, attracting, and retaining a skilled quantum workforce; and (3) building a resilient and secure supply chain. Taken together, these strategic actions will not only bolster our nation’s security and competitive edge against competitors and adversaries, but it will also drive innovation and economic growth at home towards a new frontier of American prosperity.

    The Quantum Information Revolution

    I like to think of quantum science as the operating system of the universe. What we physicists call quantum mechanics are essentially the rules that the universe follows at the microscopic level. Over the last 100 years, we have learned a tremendous amount about how those rules work. They appear strange to us because we do not experience them in our daily lives. As we have learned more about these quantum effects, we have been able to leverage them to build new tools and technologies.

    The National Quantum Initiative Act of 2018 recognized that we were on the cusp of a new technological revolution—a quantum information revolution— where we could harness the more advanced and unusual properties of quantum mechanics. This revolution is not just about new research discoveries but also about creating fundamentally new types of information technology like quantum computers, quantum networks, and quantum sensors. The full implications of this shift in quantum information science are unclear, but we do know that maintaining our global technological leadership is critical to sustaining economic prosperity, enhancing our well-being, and safeguarding our national security. We also know this is the first moment in our lifetimes in which we are able to radically reimagine how we build computers. As a country, and as a computing company, we must take that seriously.

    Why Quantum Matters in the Age of AI

    In the two years since my last appearance before this Committee, the world has shifted dramatically. The remarkable rise of AI systems has surprised all of us and increasingly affordable AI capabilities are likely to transform the world even more profoundly than the internet. Despite its immense potential, artificial intelligence—even coupled with the most powerful classical computers today—has limitations. There are problems that AI and classical computing will never be able to solve, not in our lifetimes or even in a hundred lifetimes, because of the fundamental limitations of how they are designed.

    Quantum technology can offer unprecedented capabilities for computing. Consider two quick examples where quantum computers are exponentially faster than anything we could imagine a classical computer could do. The first is code-breaking, which has serious implications to our national security and privacy. A sufficiently large quantum computer could break the public key cryptography systems we now rely on in days or weeks. Even the most powerful classical computer we could ever imagine would take the age of the universe to solve the same problem. That is the power of exponential improvement. And it is why we must move to quantum resistant cryptography as fast as possible.

    The other more commercially relevant application is, quite simply, making things—designing new materials, new chemicals, and new medicines. If you think about what the future holds, what will differentiate nations in an era of intelligence is their ability to create new things using tools that enable them to do so better, faster, and at lower cost. And this is why quantum is so important, not only because it helps us understand the universe as scientists but because it gives us unprecedented capabilities to dramatically improve our lives.

    Microsoft’s Leadership in Quantum

    It is important to appreciate that bringing quantum technology to practical application is hard. It requires focused and sustained investments, sophisticated infrastructure, and the best talent in the world.  It also requires new types of hardware—quantum hardware—and a new quantum technology stack, from chips to the control and readout layers to the user interface. This requires science and innovation at every level. That is what makes developing quantum technology expensive.

    The quantum team at Microsoft has been pursuing quantum computing for over 20 years. Our research program has spanned all three CEOs. We are singularly focused on building quantum computers that are able to solve meaningful problems, like problems in chemistry and material science. To do this, we need quantum computers that can scale to potentially millions of qubits—or quantum transistors—as compared to the small number currently available in prototype systems today. Microsoft has been pursuing this on two fronts: through our decades-long internal research and through strategic collaborations in the quantum ecosystem.

    1. Microsoft’s First-Party Research: The Topological Approach

    Microsoft’s internal hardware effort is based on a unique scientific approach aimed at developing qubits that rely on very novel physics. These are called topological qubits. We think they are promising for quantum computing because they have the potential to make it much easier to scale, meaning to control and enable readout of the millions of qubits needed to develop a useful quantum computer. However, to build even one topological qubit, the team had to take a scientific theory that was first proposed in the 1930s and make it a reality—a feat that included creating a new state of matter and engineering a device in which to exhibit it.

    Earlier this year, Microsoft unveiled new technical results that begin to validate our roadmap toward a topological quantum computer.[1] In addition, Microsoft presented the Majorana 1 chip, which brought together for the first time all the key components, validated individually, that will be needed to build quantum systems that scale: cryogenic electronics, interconnect wiring, and a qubit microchip layout that is compatible with both the physics of topological operation and the limits of control electronics. It is the embodiment of Microsoft’s topological roadmap[2] and the team is proud of it.

    Our approach has been evaluated by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), which spent nearly two years vetting Microsoft’s architecture and engineering plan and the unique properties that enable topological qubits to scale.[3] As a result, DARPA selected Microsoft for the final phase of its Underexplored Systems for Utility-Scale Quantum Computing (US2QC) program—one of the programs that makes up DARPA’s larger Quantum Benchmarking Initiative (QBI). To date, the US2QC program has brought together over fifty experts from leading government and academic institutions, including Air Force Research Laboratory, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and NASA Ames Research Center, to verify our approach to quantum hardware, software, and applications. DARPA referred to this evaluation as “an incredibly rigorous and deeply technical analysis from what is almost certainly the world’s best quantum computing test and evaluation team.” The final phase of US2QC now envisions the development of a fault-tolerant prototype based on topological qubits—a crucial acceleration step toward making a utility-scale quantum computer a reality.

    Majorana 1 represents the pursuit of hundreds of scientists and engineers over the course of 20 years. Along the way there have been and will continue to be tremendous advances and contributions to the greater field of quantum information science and technology because of this pursuit. And this is why I came to Microsoft—to work on the hardest problems that promise to have an outsized impact for technology and for our society. Technical terms you may not have heard of, such as Topological and Floquet codes, pristine superconductor-semiconductor materials, measurement-based approaches to quantum computing, are all new technologies spun out of this pursuit with implications for many other types of qubits and other types of technologies, even other domains like astronomy. They came about because the Microsoft team found solutions to the hard problems—to the benefit of not only our company, but the entire quantum ecosystem.

    1. Strategic Collaborations

    At its core, Microsoft is a platform company. We want to empower our customers with the best computers in the world, whether they are quantum computers or classical computers, for the applications they care about. While we are excited about the continued advancement and promise of our own topological approach, we have no preference for which qubits ultimately provide our customers with quantum capabilities. We want the system to be the best technology for their use case. This means we develop software for multiple different technologies and layers of the quantum computer stack, everything from AI copilot to quantum languages to the real-time operating system needed to run a quantum computer with millions of moving parts.

    To do this, we work with, invest in, and partner with many different quantum computing technology companies, big and small, to help them make useful quantum computers a reality. We have entered into strategic collaborations with leading quantum hardware startups like Atom Computing, Quantinuum, and Photonic, and others. By applying our industry-leading error-correction and control software to their hardware platforms, we are accelerating the industry’s transition from rudimentary “Level 1” machines that use noisy physical qubits to the world’s first “Level 2” machines that rely on reliable, error-corrected logical qubits, composed of many physical qubits—which make quantum computing more useful for practical applications.

    Our breakthroughs in this area are coming fast. In April 2024, Microsoft and Quantinuum demonstrated the first logical qubits on record that outperform the underlying physical qubits.[4] Five months later, in September 2024, Microsoft and Quantinuum demonstrated 12 logical qubits on Quantinuum’s ion-trap machine, the most reliable logical qubits then on record.[5] Two months later, in November 2024, Microsoft and Atom Computing doubled this feat, creating and entangling 24 logical qubits made from neutral atoms.[6] These breakthroughs led by Microsoft, Atom Computing, and Quantinuum have for the first time moved the quantum industry firmly out of the “Level 1” noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) era to Level 2 resilient quantum computing. With Atom Computing, we are now offering the world’s first commercially available Level 2 quantum machines. These collaborations enable us to deliver best-in-class logical qubits for our customers today, further cementing Microsoft’s leadership in the quantum ecosystem. But even these “Level 2” systems that aim to provide 1000s of physical qubits will pale to the scale of a true, utility-scale quantum computer powered by a million qubits or more. Getting to this point will require more sustained, large-scale investments in many areas—from talent development to new domestic capabilities to supply chain resilience.

    Winning the Race in Quantum

    While Microsoft has made significant investments in quantum technology, the efforts of individual companies alone are insufficient for the United States to secure the leadership position. Winning the quantum race will not happen without clear-eyed, intentional, and decisive government action. Indeed, these actions will decide whether American global leadership will continue for the rest of this century.

    In his first term, President Trump and Congress laid the foundation for American leadership in the quantum sciences. The passage of the National Quantum Initiative Act (NQIA) was a strong first step in moving from dispersed quantum science initiatives to a more active, coordinated effort to not only lead in the foundational research, but also take scientific breakthroughs through to practical technological innovation.

    As this Committee considers reauthorization of the NQIA and other specific actions that the United States must take to secure our technological leadership in quantum, we offer more detailed recommendations across three policy priorities: (1) robust funding for quantum research, (2) developing top-tier quantum talent, and (3) securing the quantum supply chain. These three categories—described more fully below—require U.S. government leadership to maintain a competitive edge, drive innovation, and safeguard national security in the face of growing global competition.

    1. Advancing Quantum Research

    First, we must continue our long American tradition of leading the world in groundbreaking scientific research. Our curiosity, our ability to innovate, and our desire to build has been responsible for a century of American prosperity. Indeed, the past century of our global leadership is rooted in our ability to not only innovate but innovate first. For quantum, the first-mover advantage is likely to define the geopolitical landscape for the rest of this century – and likely well beyond.

    Last week, Microsoft President and Vice Chair Brad Smith wrote specifically about the critical role of the American research triad—the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, and the National Science Foundation—in driving American scientific and technological innovation.[7] I will add to that the unique role that the National Institute of Standards and Technology has contributed to quantum information science since the field’s inception. In addition, there have been vital investments by the Intelligence Community’s research funding organizations, who have core missions that demand expertise to monitor progress in quantum information technologies. We must make it a continuing national imperative to energize these institutions—for our economic future, for our national security, and for sustaining our global leadership. The American scientific enterprise is unmatched in the world and there is no private sector substitute. We benefit from multiple institutions that have very different models for how to fund science. This allows the U.S. to fund everything from basic ideas to large, very focused development programs to purchasing novel supercomputers. There is nothing else quite like it in the world.

    Federal funding is the key to leveraging these institutions to sustain our leadership in quantum research and development.  Following passage of the NQIA, U.S. funding for the quantum sciences more than doubled from $456 million in 2019 to $1.041 billion in 2022.[8] But recent years have seen a decline, as reflected in President Biden’s $998 million budget request for FY2025. This has come as our global competitors are doing the opposite. Governments around the world are accelerating spending on quantum R&D – and China’s estimated $15 billion commitment dwarfs publicly reported U.S. funding levels.[9]

    To stay competitive, Congress should not only reauthorize the National Quantum Initiative Act but be purposeful in expanding initiatives through a coordinated national strategy. Key recommendations include:

    • Fully Fund and Expand Quantum Initiatives across the Federal Government: Reauthorize and fully fund the National Quantum Initiative Act and its programs. Congress should ensure agencies like the Department of Energy (DOE) and its National Labs, the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), along with the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community receive sustained appropriations to expand fundamental quantum science research and development. This includes supporting the NSF’s Quantum Leap Challenge Institutes and the DOE’s National Quantum Information Science Research Centers, which have a proven record of leveraging each federal dollar to attract additional private investment. Expanding these programs will spur innovation nationwide and solidify U.S. leadership in critical quantum technologies.
    • Increase Directed Quantum R&D Funding: Move beyond fragmented funding by adopting a more directed, strategic investment approach. A recent ITIF survey suggests that China’s centralized funding strategy gives it advantages over the diffuse U.S. approach.[10] Congress can consider targeted increases in quantum R&D budgets across key agencies, aiming to exceed past funding peaks and keep pace with competitor nations. Restoring growth in federal quantum R&D funding—particularly after the dip in recent years—is the first and most urgent step to ensure the U.S. does not fall behind.
    • Expand Translational Research Programs: Boost funding for government evaluation and prototype development programs to build a bridge between lab discoveries, engineering initiatives, and real-world applications. For example, DARPA’s Quantum Benchmarking Initiative (QBI)—the flagship program for assessing quantum breakthroughs—should be expanded and fully funded. Congress can direct agencies (DOD, DOE, NSF) to coordinate on identifying high-value quantum research projects and push them toward validation programs (like DARPA’s QBI program) and then to practical realization with additional grants, prizes, or public-private partnerships.
    • Encourage Public-Private Collaboration: Federal investment should be paired with incentives for private sector co-investment in quantum R&D. Each dollar of federal funding often leverages additional private sector investment, so policies like matching grants, or innovation challenges can multiply the impact of public funds. Congress should also support joint research centers and consortia that bring together government, academia, and industry to solve quantum engineering hurdles. In addition, maintaining a stable, long-term funding outlook will give industry the confidence to invest alongside the government in quantum technology development.
    • Provide access to the latest quantum capabilities: Congress should streamline pathways for government agencies to provide the latest quantum computing technology to the researcher community, which would allow them to better identify impactful quantum applications and use cases.

    By significantly increasing federal funding and focusing it strategically, Congress can reinvigorate America’s quantum R&D enterprise. Continued U.S. scientific leadership depends on this commitment and history shows that breakthroughs from federally funded basic research (from the internet to GPS) drive decades of innovation and economic growth. Investing ambitiously in quantum now will pay dividends for American security and prosperity in the years to come.

    2. Developing & Attracting Quantum Talent

    Throughout its history, the United States has developed and attracted the brightest and most innovative minds– and it is what powers Microsoft, the broader American technology sector, and our great academic and research institutions. But this country now faces a severe shortage of STEM talent and, even more critically, a shortage of specialized quantum expertise.

    The global quantum talent pool remains small even as demand increases. It is no exaggeration to say that a handful of gifted physicists, engineers, and mathematicians could sway the balance of power and shift the dynamics in the race to develop quantum technology. Globally, there are as many as three job postings for every one qualified quantum worker.[11] In the U.S., we are struggling to develop our own talent and labor pool. Today the U.S. STEM workforce consists of approximately 36.8 million people, but 43% of doctorate-level scientists and engineers are foreign-born.[12] In 2021, more than half of doctorate-level computer scientists, mathematicians, and engineers working in the United States—occupations directly connected to critical and emerging technologies—were born outside the country.[13] Meanwhile, other countries are sprinting ahead in producing STEM graduates. In 2020, the U.S. awarded roughly 900,000 undergraduate STEM degrees annually, compared to 2 million in China and 2.5 million in India.[14] That gap may have widened in the past five years and today, the European Union leads in quantum talent concentration, with India and China also surpassing the U.S. in the number of quantum-trained specialists. Without a bigger domestic pipeline of quantum talent, even the most well-funded programs will struggle to succeed.

    Congress should enact policies to train, attract, and retain top quantum talent. Important steps include:

    • Strengthen STEM Education at All Levels: Congress must be laser focused on expanding the STEM pipeline from K-12 through to graduate school programs. This includes initiatives through the NSF, as well as state and local partners to enrich science and math curricula and increase awareness and interest in emerging technology. By introducing comprehensive STEM education early (in elementary and secondary schools), we can inspire more students to pursue careers in emerging technology and quantum-related fields.
    • Invest in Higher Education and Training: Congress should also continue and expand initiatives to train the next generation of scientists and engineers. We must continue to fund scholarships, fellowships, and research assistantships, particularly those focused in STEM and specifically in the quantum sciences. This must include developing high-caliber talent at our nation’s premier research institutions through grants and quantum research programs.  It must also include prioritizing community colleges and technical institutes that often launch students into STEM careers. Programs like the NSF’s Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) and Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) are critical to engaging more students and providing educators with hands-on quantum projects.  Congress should also increase federal support for STEM graduate students in quantum-related disciplines—currently, only 15% of U.S. full-time STEM grad students are supported by the U.S. government, down from 21% in 2004.[15] Bolstering fellowships and traineeships will produce more Ph.D.-level researchers ready to push the boundaries of quantum science.
    • Retrain and Upskill the Existing Workforce: To meet immediate needs, Congress should also consider activating NSF and the Department of Labor for workforce retraining programs that would help add talent to the quantum ecosystem. Adult education, professional development, and certificate programs in STEM and basic quantum fundamentals can rapidly expand the pool of “quantum-aware” professionals. These efforts will help fill roles in quantum research and product development that do not necessarily require Ph.D.-level expertise but do need specialized training.
    • Attract and Retain Global Talent:  Many of the world’s best minds—in quantum science and across disciplines—come to the U.S. for education and we must continue to find ways to support their continued contributions to our country after graduation. For example, from 2018–2021, temporary visa holders made up 37% of U.S. science and engineering Ph.D. graduates and over 70% of those students intended to stay in the U.S. after graduating.[16]  Congress should create expedited pathways for highly skilled quantum experts and expand the number of visas for Ph.D. graduates in quantum-related fields. Easing green card backlogs for advanced STEM degree holders could help the U.S. retain and attract international talent that would otherwise find opportunities outside the United States.
    • Promote International Collaboration: Congress should encourage collaborative research and exchange programs with allied nations to broaden the talent base within a trusted network. Joint initiatives with allies can pool expertise and resources to collectively train more quantum scientists. By deepening ties with like-minded countries the U.S. can both learn from our allies and ensure that we lead the quantum future together.

    By implementing these measures, the United States can build a robust pipeline of quantum talent. A comprehensive strategy spanning education, training, and international collaboration will equip the U.S. with the skilled workforce needed to drive quantum innovation and outpace global competitors.

    3. Securing the Quantum Supply Chain

    Building a secure and reliable quantum supply chain is essential. Quantum technologies across the board—computing, communication, and sensing—depend on specialized materials and components. This includes hardware like cryogenic refrigerators to advanced lasers and quantum chips. There are currently few suppliers or fabrication facilities for these items and most are globally distributed. This creates a real risk of supply bottlenecks or dependencies on foreign sources, which could stall our R&D progress or even compromise the technology stack. It currently takes 12 to 18 months to get certain components and equipment we need, many of which come from overseas. The U.S. must be able to either build quantum components and devices domestically or have reliable, secure sources through trusted allies. We also need prototyping facilities that are rapid, focused, and work at the pace of industry. However, establishing a resilient supply chain will not happen without focused government action. It is a complex challenge requiring coordination between agencies and partnership with industry. And the need to act is now.

    Congress and the Administration should pursue a national strategy to strengthen the quantum supply chain through the following actions:

    • Develop a National Quantum Supply Chain Strategy: We recommend that the Administration—perhaps via the National Quantum Initiative Advisory Committee or another interagency task force—develop a comprehensive strategy to develop the quantum supply chain. This strategy should identify key supply vulnerabilities, set goals for domestic capacity in quantum-related manufacturing, and provide the Administration with an action plan on how to spur public and private investment for key technology components. Congress may also consider regular reporting on quantum supply chain risks and a roadmap to de-risk dependencies.
    • Diversify Sources of Critical Components: The government should consider using federal purchasing power and funding to ensure multiple reliable sources for essential quantum hardware components. Congress can empower the Department of Commerce and Department of Energy to organize long-term purchase agreements or commit to buying key items (e.g. dilution refrigerators, superconducting amplifiers, high-purity qubit materials, photonic components) in bulk. Strategic investment (such as grants) could also target any chokepoints where the U.S. is overly reliant on foreign suppliers. By deploying capital toward widely needed quantum components, the government can incentivize companies within the United States (or, abroad in partnership with trusted allies) to build expertise and capacity.
    • Establish Quantum Manufacturing Facilities: Congress should also focus on building specialized infrastructure facilities for quantum device fabrication and testing. Building quantum computers and sensors often requires custom fabrication processes (for novel types of qubits, cryogenic electronics, etc.) and advanced packaging techniques. Congress should support the creation of one or more quantum foundries or test beds—perhaps through our National Labs or public-private partnerships—equipped to prototype and produce quantum components at scale. This includes facilities dedicated to fabrication, packaging, and assembly of quantum chips and systems, as well as laboratories for testing cryogenic and photonic components under quantum operating conditions. By investing in such infrastructure, the U.S. will reduce the need to rely on foreign fabrication facilities or suppliers for cutting-edge parts. These centers can also serve as innovation hubs where academia and industry collaborate on next-generation manufacturing techniques for quantum technology.
    • Prioritize Domestic Production of Advanced Components: Congress should create incentives (tax credits, grants, or loan guarantees) for companies to build production lines in the U.S. for critical quantum hardware. This includes the design and fabrication of advanced lasers, precision optics, microwave components, and quantum-grade semiconductors, as well as cryogenic electronics and ultralow-temperature refrigeration systems required for quantum labs. Capabilities like high-precision metrology (chip characterization) and advanced 3D packaging for quantum devices should also be developed domestically. Some of these areas overlap with semiconductor and photonics industries—where recent government efforts were aimed at boosting U.S. manufacturing— but specialized focus on quantum needs is essential. By onshoring production of these components, the U.S. will mitigate risks of foreign supply cut-offs and foster a local ecosystem of quantum suppliers and startups.  In tandem, federal R&D programs can partner with U.S. manufacturers to improve yields and performance in quantum-specific production, driving the costs down over time.

    By implementing these measures, the U.S. can build a resilient quantum supply chain that supports our nation’s long-term leadership. A combination of strategic planning, direct investment, public-private partnerships, and incentives will reduce dependence on foreign suppliers and ensure that our scientists and quantum innovators have access to the tools and components they need to succeed.

    Conclusion

    In closing, the government plays a critical role in coordinating our quantum ecosystem, funding the base of scientific discoveries and talent that the industry relies on, and being the first customer for next generation computers.

    Quantum technology promises to redefine the next era of human progress. The United States must act with urgency to ensure our continued leadership over the next hundred years.

    [1][2502.12252] Roadmap to fault tolerant quantum computation using topological qubit arrays.

    [2] Interferometric single-shot parity measurement in InAs–Al hybrid devices | Nature and Realizing Topological States on Quantum Hardware | APS Global Physics Summit.

    [3] DARPA selects two discrete utility-scale quantum computing approaches for evaluation | DARPA.

    [4] How Microsoft and Quantinuum achieved reliable quantum computing – Microsoft Azure Quantum Blog.

    [5] Microsoft and Quantinuum create 12 logical qubits and demonstrate a hybrid, end-to-end chemistry simulation – Microsoft Azure Quantum Blog.

    [6] Microsoft and Atom Computing offer a commercial quantum machine with the largest number of entangled logical qubits on record – Microsoft Azure Quantum Blog.

    [7] Investing in American leadership in quantum technology: the next frontier in innovation – Microsoft On the Issues.

    [8] National Science and Technology Council:  Subcommittee on Quantum Information Science, National Supplement to the President’s FY 2025 Budget.

    [9] Hodan Omaar and Martin Makaryan, “How Innovative is China,” Information Technology & Innovation Foundation, September 2024.

    [10] Id.

    [11] McKinsey & Company, “Quantum Technology Monitor,” April 2023.

    [12] National Science Board, “The State of U.S. Science and Engineering 2024,” March 2024.

    [13] Id.

    [14] Id.

    [15] Id.

    [16] Id.

    Tags: quantum, Senate Testimony, Technology

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Microsoft Fusion Summit explores how AI can accelerate fusion research

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: Microsoft Fusion Summit explores how AI can accelerate fusion research

    The pursuit of nuclear fusion as a limitless, clean energy source has long been one of humanity’s most ambitious scientific goals. Research labs and companies worldwide are working to replicate the fusion process that occurs at the sun’s core, where isotopes of hydrogen combine to form helium, releasing vast amounts of energy. While scalable fusion energy is still years away, researchers are now exploring how AI can help accelerate fusion research and bring this energy to the grid sooner. 

    In March 2025, Microsoft Research held its inaugural Fusion Summit, a landmark event that brought together distinguished speakers and panelists from within and outside Microsoft Research to explore this question. 

    Ashley Llorens, Corporate Vice President and Managing Director of Microsoft Research Accelerator, opened the Summit by outlining his vision for a self-reinforcing system that uses AI to drive sustainability. Steven Cowley, laboratory director of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (opens in new tab), professor at Princeton University, and former head of the UK Atomic Energy Authority, followed with a keynote explaining the intricate science and engineering behind fusion reactors. His message was clear: advancing fusion will require international collaboration and the combined power of AI and high-performance computing to model potential fusion reactor designs. 

    Applying AI to fusion research

    North America’s largest fusion facility, DIII (opens in new tab)-D, operated by General Atomics and owned by the US Department of Energy (DOE), provides a unique platform for developing and testing AI applications for fusion research, thanks to its pioneering data and digital twin platform. 

    Richard Buttery (opens in new tab) from DIII-D and Dave Humphreys (opens in new tab) from General Atomics demonstrated how the US DIII-D National Fusion Program (opens in new tab) is already applying AI to advance reactor design and operations, highlighting promising directions for future development. They provided examples of how to apply AI to active plasma control to avoid disruptive instabilities, using AI-controlled trajectories to avoid tearing modes, and implementing feedback control using machine learning-derived density limits for safer high-density operations. 

    One persistent challenge in reactor design involves building the interior “first wall,” which must withstand extreme heat and particle bombardment. Zulfi Alam, corporate vice president of Microsoft Quantum (opens in new tab), discussed the potential of using quantum computing in fusion, particularly for addressing material challenges like hydrogen diffusion in reactors.

    He noted that silicon nitride shows promise as a barrier to hydrogen and vapor and explained the challenge of binding it to the reaction chamber. He emphasized the potential of quantum computing to improve material prediction and synthesis, enabling more efficient processes. He shared that his team is also investigating advanced silicon nitride materials to protect this critical component from neutron and alpha particle damage—an innovation that could make fusion commercially viable.

    Microsoft Research Blog

    AIOpsLab: Building AI agents for autonomous clouds

    AIOpsLab is an open-source framework designed to evaluate and improve AI agents for cloud operations, offering standardized, scalable benchmarks for real-world testing, enhancing cloud system reliability.

    Exploring AI’s broader impact on fusion engineering

    Lightning talks from Microsoft Research labs addressed the central question of AI’s potential to accelerate fusion research and engineering. Speakers covered a wide range of applications—from using gaming AI for plasma control and robotics for remote maintenance to physics-informed AI for simulating materials and plasma behavior. Closing the session, Archie Manoharan, Microsoft’s director of nuclear engineering for Cloud Operations and Infrastructure, emphasized the need for a comprehensive energy strategy, one that incorporates renewables, efficiency improvements, storage solutions, and carbon-free sources like fusion.

    The Summit culminated in a thought-provoking panel discussion moderated by Ade Famoti, featuring Archie Manoharan, Richard Buttery, Steven Cowley, and Chris Bishop, Microsoft Technical Fellow and director of Microsoft Research AI for Science. Their wide-ranging conversation explored the key challenges and opportunities shaping the field of fusion. 

    The panel highlighted several themes: the role of new regulatory frameworks that balance innovation with safety and public trust; the importance of materials discovery in developing durable fusion reactor walls; and the game-changing role AI could play in plasma optimization and surrogate modelling of fusion’s underlying physics.

    They also examined the importance of global research collaboration, citing projects like the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (opens in new tab) (ITER), the world’s largest experimental fusion device under construction in southern France, as testbeds for shared progress. One persistent challenge, however, is data scarcity. This prompted a discussion of using physics-informed neural networks as a potential approach to supplement limited experimental data. 

    Global collaboration and next steps

    Microsoft is collaborating with ITER (opens in new tab) to help advance the technologies and infrastructure needed to achieve fusion ignition—the critical point where a self-sustaining fusion reaction begins, using Microsoft 365 Copilot, Azure OpenAI Service, Visual Studio, and GitHub (opens in new tab). Microsoft Research is now cooperating with ITER to identify where AI can be exploited to model future experiments to optimize its design and operations. 

    Now Microsoft Research has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) (opens in new tab) to foster collaboration through knowledge exchange, workshops, and joint research projects. This effort aims to address key challenges in fusion, materials, plasma control, digital twins, and experiment optimization. Together, Microsoft Research and PPPL will work to drive innovation and advances in these critical areas.

    Fusion is a scientific challenge unlike any other and could be key to sustainable energy in the future. We’re excited about the role AI can play in helping make that vision a reality. To learn more, visit the Fusion Summit event page, or connect with us by email at FusionResearch@microsoft.com.

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI USA: Microgrids Could Enhance Grid Resilience

    Source: US National Renewable Energy Laboratory

    NREL Researcher’s Personal Experience Inspires His Passion To Improve Local Grid Resilience


    Rory McIlmoil shares his insights into how microgrids could bolster grid resilience in times of high stress.

    This installment of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s (NREL’s) Tell Me Something Grid series features Rory McIlmoil, a researcher in NREL’s Grid Planning and Analysis Center. McIlmoil shares how microgrids could unlock greater grid resilience in the wake of natural disasters like Hurricane Helene.

    “Energy resilience” is a very broad term. It can mean anything from the ability to recover from significant outages to strengthening areas that may be vulnerable to impacts from weather-related disasters.

    With electricity demand projected to soar over the next five to 10 years, I am both excited and proud to be researching grid resilience. Right now, from a resilience perspective, one of the biggest questions we are trying to answer is, “How do we get power to where it is needed the most, when it is needed the most?” A key part of this research is figuring out how to maximize emergency service provisions in the event of natural disasters.

    During my time at NREL, I have been involved in a broad range of energy-related topics, but local energy resilience has always been very important to me. While it is just one piece of the bigger resilience picture, I think being able to give people access to reliable, affordable power, particularly in emergencies, is critical for communities as they begin to recover from a disaster.

    Grid Resilience in My Community

    I have lived in the mountains of western North Carolina for about 10 years. When Hurricane Helene hit last September, tens of thousands of people were without power and water for days—as much as nearly two weeks for me and the surrounding community. In my neighborhood, we are all on water wells, so when the power goes out, we also lose water. Those are two significant impacts that can have major consequences, especially for retired and medically vulnerable residents.

    An aerial image shows the extensive flooding in Western North Carolina during and after Hurricane Helene in September 2024. Photo from Adobe Stock

    Hurricane Helene did not just knock down trees and take out the local distribution networks; it isolated a lot of people because the severe flooding wiped out public and private bridges and destroyed roads, especially in the more rural and mountainous areas like those around Boone and Asheville.

    As a volunteer firefighter, I helped respond in the days after the storm, and our fire station served as a resource hub for essential supplies and aid. The station was partially powered by a single diesel generator and offered satellite internet for department staff and residents to use as needed. A microgrid could have played a pivotal role in helping reestablish power more quickly and completely, avoid the long-term outage, and ensure continued access to essential services like water for impacted residents.

    The U.S. Department of Energy defines a microgrid as a group of interconnected loads and distributed energy resources within clearly defined electrical boundaries that acts as a single controllable entity with respect to the grid. Microgrids can operate in either grid-connected or in island mode, including entirely off-grid applications. They can run off of distributed generation sources or battery energy storage systems.

    In the event of an outage, microgrids can provide power to a specific building like a fire station for an extended period. Multiple buildings and facilities can also be interconnected into a single microgrid called an “area microgrid” so when power in that area goes out, grid operators switch power over to the microgrid to keep the lights on. In this way, multiple locations that provide critical services during a widespread outage—such as fire, medical, food and housing—can all be served by the same microgrid if they are located on the same distribution feeder, for instance.

    Growing Interest in Microgrids

    Companies, military bases, universities, and other institutions partner with utilities to develop microgrids that meet their specific energy goals. For example, one fire station in North Carolina worked with Duke Energy to create a microgrid at the nearby substation. The microgrid is capable of powering not only the fire station but other facilities as well.

    Microgrids can also provide bigger benefits to the grid. They enable distributed energy resources to be utilized during outages. They also reduce strain on the grid when there is high demand or spikes in demand that could lead to outages.

    I think many utilities are looking at microgrids as an option to help stabilize the local grid, defer future investments, and support the distribution and transmission levels of the grid. Utilities could potentially reap several benefits from incorporating microgrids into their planning. Microgrids can help manage energy use and demand more efficiently at different times, making the overall grid more resilient and adaptable.

    Recently, I gave a presentation on microgrids to my county’s fire association, which led to interest from multiple departments still reeling from the experience of Hurricane Helene. That interest has since expanded into multiple counties and individual projects with several partners. Now, I am supporting a coalition of regional and local stakeholders and working to help them secure funding so they can develop different types of microgrids—both stationary and mobile—to power critical services like fire departments, emergency medical service stations, and community centers during future disasters.

    The work I’m doing with this regional coalition, along with other power system analysis work at NREL, can be an incredible resource to inform decision makers at the state and federal levels—and future work could help them better understand how microgrids can fit into regulatory processes. I am excited for the potential that microgrids have in supporting local resilience and grid stability, while also reducing future costs for utilities and customers.

    Read more from NREL’s Tell Me Something Grid series, and sign up for NREL’s energy analysis newsletter.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: NREL Partners With Chilkat Indian Village To Improve Housing in Klukwan, Alaska

    Source: US National Renewable Energy Laboratory


    The majority of housing in Klukwan consists of modular units imported from the Lower 48 in the 1970s, not well-suited to the extremes of Alaska. Photo by Molly Rettig, NREL

    A team of National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) researchers and Tribal staff gathered around the wood stove in Charlie Spud’s home, trying to figure out why it was not drawing air.

    “Every time I turn on the bath fan, the stove backdrafts,” said Spud, 61, who built the home 13 years ago with his wife Joanne.

    “That’s not good—it can bring carbon monoxide into the home,” said Jack Hébert, a senior research advisor at NREL’s Alaska Campus and a long-time Alaska homebuilder.

    The cozy, cedar-sided home overlooks the wide, braided Chilkat River and the massive snowcapped peaks straddling the Alaska-Canada border, where the Tlingit people have lived for thousands of years. Long before Alaska was a state, or the nearby fishing town of Haines appeared, this was a gathering spot for the Chilkat Tlingits (known as the Jilkáat Kwáan) who traveled to these shores by canoe to trade and share feasts of the region’s bounty.

    During a housing assessment, Charlie Spud (left) and Jack Hébert (center) troubleshoot why Spud’s stove is backdrafting. Photo by Molly Rettig, NREL

    A colorful wood carving on the living room wall honored the eagle—or Ch’áak’—clan that Joanne descends from. Like many in Klukwan, Alaska, Charlie and Joanne still spend a lot of time outdoors, hunting, fishing, and picking berries that grow in the lush Chilkat Valley.

    After investigating the stove and crawling around the attic with an infrared camera, the team discovered a lot of air leaking around the stovepipe into the attic, then escaping outside. It was due to stack effect, Hébert said, which occurs when heat rises within a building due to temperature differences between indoors and outdoors.

    “So much air is leaking around the pipe that it’s overpowering the fire’s ability to get oxygen. So, the fire has to pull air from inside the stack, which can bring dangerous gases into the home,” Hébert said.  

    He emphasized the importance of introducing outside combustion air into the area near the stove and made a note on the survey: Seal ceiling penetration around pipe to reduce stack effect.

    ‘Housing and Jobs: You Can’t Build a Community Without Either’

    This is one of many problems Klukwan is tackling as part of a $1 million award through the U.S. Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes. Since 1999, HUD has invested in hundreds of communities across the United States to make low-income households safer, healthier, and more affordable. Over the past decade, NREL has assisted 15 Alaska communities to implement these programs, including Buckland, Gakona, and—currently—Fairbanks Neighborhood Housing Services, helping direct a total of $16 million toward reducing in-home hazards.

    The goal of these programs is not only to improve housing but also to build a workforce that benefits local economies.

    “This project is about housing and jobs. You can’t build a community without either,” said Shawna Hotch, Tribal liaison for the Tribe, who oversees a variety of initiatives related to housing, energy, health, and more.

    Shawna Hotch is the Tribal liaison for the Chilkat Indian Village, NREL’s partner on the Healthy Homes project. Photo from Shawna Hotch

    Housing has long been a priority for the small Southeast Alaska community of 81 people. While the village has been around for thousands of years, most of its current housing was built in the 1970s and consists of modular units imported from the Lower 48 states. Today they are dilapidated, leaky, and expensive to heat. Housing surveys conducted in 2023, also in partnership with NREL, revealed high rates of mold, indoor air quality problems, and overcrowding and led the Tribe to pass a resolution declaring a housing emergency.

    New housing is critical to the community’s growth, yet high costs have inhibited construction. Many Tribal members share homes with multiple generations, move out of the community, or add mobile homes onto their permanent structures for more space.

    Charlie Spud’s daughter, Karlie, left the state four years ago when she had her first child because she could not find housing in Klukwan. Last year, when her brother moved out of their childhood home, Karlie came back to the village. Now she lives there with her daughter and works at the clinic across the street. 

    “In Klukwan, it’s really bad. If someone in your family passes away, that’s about the only way you can get a house. Some people buy mobile homes or kits from Canada, but there’s nothing affordable that will also keep you warm and comfortable,” Karlie said.

    NREL Researcher Chan Charoonsophonsak (right) documents housing conditions with Chilkat Indian Village staff. Photo by Molly Rettig, NREL

    In light of that shortage, they are fixing up what they have. Hotch enlisted NREL’s building and energy experts to perform building assessments and guide the retrofits to ensure they deliver long-term health and economic benefits to residents.

    “I love working with NREL. I’m not an energy expert—I work on so many different initiatives related to geohazards, health, and land protections that it’s very valuable to me to be able to trust these Alaskan experts,” Hotch said.

    Jilkaat Kwaan Heritage Center in Klukwan, Alaska, sits on the banks of the Chilkat River. Photo by Molly Rettig, NREL

    NREL Surveys Inform Retrofit Work To Make Warmer, Safer Housing

    In March, the assessment team made up of NREL building experts, Tribal staff, and private contractors visited 11 homes, interviewing residents, testing for lead paint and radon, and inspecting foundations, walls, windows, and appliances. The cold, wet climate of Southeast Alaska can be hard on homes, and many showed signs of moisture and mold. Other residents complained about cold floors, leaky roofs, or broken outlets.

    Charlene Katzeek lives in a double-wide trailer on a raised foundation overlooking the Chilkat Mountains. At age 75, she likes listening to audiobooks while she drinks coffee and plays cards. Her daughter, Deanna, the village public safety officer in Klukwan, often stops by to visit and help with housework, since Charlene is losing her eyesight. While the home is in pretty good shape, Charlene is on a fixed income and wants to reduce energy use.

    “There’s a big hole under the window. When my husband was alive, he would ask me to go outside and he could wave to me through the trim,” Charlene said, chuckling.

    Shawna Hotch visits the Jilkaat Kwaan Heritage Center in Klukwan. Photo from Shawna Hotch

    The assessment team found additional cold spots in the house that could be sealed and suggested upgrades to improve indoor air quality, such as removing old carpet and increasing ventilation.

    “In a cold climate, we build very tight homes and spend so much of our time inside in the winter,” NREL’s Hébert said. “Bringing fresh air into the home keeps everyone healthy and can really address our exceptionally high rates of respiratory illness in Alaska.”

    The housing assessment team included (left to right) Tim Ewing with Chilkat Indian Village, Chan Charoonsophonsak (NREL), Trevor Luedke (Steller Inspections), Jack Hebert (NREL), and Charlie Spud (Chilkat Indian Village). Photo by Molly Rettig, NREL

    After finishing the assessments, the team started poring over the data to make a plan for each house. Retrofit work is expected to begin this summer, as fishing, road construction, and other seasonal jobs take off.

    Just like those efforts, this project will strengthen the economy and make Klukwan a healthier, more vibrant place to live.

    Learn more about research at NREL’s Alaska Campus.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI: Turbo Energy Showcasing Its Line of Innovative Ai-Optimized Sunbox Energy Storage Solutions at Intersolar Europe 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VALENCIA, Spain, May 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Turbo Energy S.A. (Nasdaq: TURB) (“Turbo Energy” or the “Company”), a global provider of leading-edge, AI-optimized solar energy storage technologies and solutions, today announced that the Company is showcasing its growing line of smart SUNBOX energy storage solutions at Intersolar Europe, being held in Munich, Germany beginning today and continuing through Friday, May 9, 2025.  As the world’s leading exhibition for the solar industry, Intersolar consistently attracts more than 110,000 participants each year, providing a premier opportunity to connect with partners, customers and peers across Europe and beyond. For Turbo Energy, this event is expected to play a vital role in sharing its latest energy storage advancements, strengthening business relationships and continuing to expand the Company’s impact on the global renewable energy market.

    Join Turbo Energy at Intersolar Europe 2025 in Munich, Germany at Booth B1.430 in Hall B1

    Turbo Energy can be found at Booth B1.430 in Hall B1, where several of the Company’s senior executives and top technical, sales and marketing representatives will be on hand to discuss how AI-enabled SUNBOX  solutions for residential, commercial/industrial and utility-scale applications are helping to transform the way energy is stored and managed. 

    NOTE TO MEDIA:  To schedule an interview with a member of Turbo Energy’s senior management on-site at the event, please contact Silvia Perez Rios at silviaperez@turbo-e.com

    About Turbo Energy, S.A.

    Founded in 2013, Turbo Energy is a globally recognized pioneer of proprietary solar energy storage technologies and solutions managed through Artificial Intelligence. Turbo Energy’s elegant all-in-one and scalable, modular energy storage systems empower residential, commercial and industrial users expanding across Europe, North America and South America to materially reduce dependence on traditional energy sources, helping to lower electricity costs, provide peak shaving and uninterruptible power supply and realize a more sustainable, energy-efficient future. A testament to the Company’s commitment to innovation and industry disruption, Turbo Energy’s introduction of its flagship SUNBOX represents one of the world’s first high performance, competitively priced, all-in-one home solar energy storage systems, which also incorporates patented EV charging capability and powerful AI processes to optimize solar energy management.  Turbo Energy is a proud subsidiary of publicly traded Umbrella Global Energy, S.A., a vertically integrated, global collective of solar energy-focused companies.  For more information, please visit www.turbo-e.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Statements in this press release about future expectations, plans and prospects, as well as any other statements regarding matters that are not historical facts, may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of the business of the Company, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control, including the risks described in our registration statements and annual report under the heading “Risk Factors” as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof, and Turbo Energy, S.A. specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    For more information, please contact:
    At Turbo Energy, S.A.                                                                          
    Dodi Handy, Director of Communications                            
    Phone: 407-960-4636                                                                          
    Email: dodihandy@turbo-e.com 

    Attachment

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Houston Chapter’s April Luncheon Explores “The Underappreciation of Oil & Gas”

    Source: International Association of Drilling Contractors – IADC

    Headline: Houston Chapter’s April Luncheon Explores “The Underappreciation of Oil & Gas”

    On 23 April, the IADC Houston Chapter held its April Luncheon exploring the theme “Misrepresentation Matters: The Underappreciation of Oil & Gas.” David Gibson of VDoorLocksmith and Russell Stewart of Oil and Gas Global Network gave enlightening presentations, then joined a dynamic panel discussion including Jamie Elrod and Kate Heiken of Flipping the Barrel.  

    The discussions highlighted how our industry is often misunderstood despite its crucial role in powering global progress. The speakers emphasized the need for better storytelling and advocacy to attract new talent and change public perception.

    MIL OSI Global Banks

  • MIL-OSI USA: Scott Statement on President Trump’s FY 2026 Proposed Budget

    Source: {United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bobby Scott (3rd District of Virginia)

    Headline: Scott Statement on President Trump’s FY 2026 Proposed Budget

    “Once again, Trump is weakening our economy and taking money out of working families’ pockets under the guise of ‘efficiency.’ But we know the truth.”

    As originally released by the Committee on Education and Workforce, Democrats

    WASHINGTON Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), House Committee on Education andWorkforce, issued the following statement after President Trump released his proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2026.

    “In the first 100 days since Donald Trump has returned to the White House, he has made one thing abundantly clear: he has no plan to improve the lives of students, workers, and families.  Instead, he has decimated federal agencies that provide key services, stripped away workers’ rights, and imposed reckless tariffs that threaten to skyrocket prices.

    “President Trump’s budget proposal is yet another attack on working families.  The budget calls for slashing funding for the Department of Health and Human Services, eliminating Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) funds that support efforts to reduce poverty, and terminating programs such as the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) that help families heat and cool their homes.  This budget pulls the rug out from families and proposes devastating cuts that would cause immense harm.

    “Additionally, the budget continues the illegal dismantling of the Department of Education, with no suggestion on how this downsized Department will be able to fulfill its statutory duties.  By cutting funding for K-12 schools, eliminating a program that provides child care on campus, eliminating programs that provide direct support services for disadvantaged students that promotes college access, President Trump’s budget proposal does nothing to deliver for students.  Moreover, students deserve safe learning environments.  Trump’s further slashing the Office for Civil Rights is alarming and leaves students who have been victims of discrimination without recourse.  

    “Despite the recent economic volatility, President Trump’s budget proposes to double down on its agenda which could harm both workers and small businesses by cutting $3.6 billion from crucial workforce development programs at the Department of Labor.  These programs help displaced workers, veterans, and people with disabilities get trained and connected to employers who need skilled workers to compete in a global economy.  Worse still, the budget fails to explain how it will cut a further $1 billion from the Department of Labor’s budget.  If this remaining $1 billion is slated to come from slashing the capacity of agencies to protect workers from wage theft and deadly workplace hazards, the Administration should be up front about it.  The same is true for the Administration’s failure to come clean on whether it will actually reverse the destruction of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health in the Department of Health and Human Services.  Working families depend on these programs for their lives and livelihoods.

    “Once again, President Trump is weakening our economy and taking money out of working families’ pockets under the guise of ‘efficiency.’ But we know the truth— working Americans health and well-being are being sacrificed to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy and the well-connected.”

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: On Workers’ Memorial Day, Reps. Scott, Courtney Lead Bill to Improve Workplace Safety

    Source: {United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bobby Scott (3rd District of Virginia)

    Headline: On Workers’ Memorial Day, Reps. Scott, Courtney Lead Bill to Improve Workplace Safety

    As originally released by the Committee on Education and Workforce, Democrats

    WASHINGTON – Today, on Workers’ Memorial Day, Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) and Rep. Joe Courtney (CT-02), a senior member of the House Committee on Education and Workforce reintroduced the Protecting America’s Workers Actas the Trump Administration dismantles workplace protections.   

    This bill would meaningfully strengthen and modernize the Occupation Safety and Health Act (OSH-Act) for the first time in over 50 years by ensuring employers promptly correct hazardous working conditions, protect whistleblowers from retaliation, and hold unscrupulous employers accountable for violations that cause illness, serious injury, or death to workers. 

    Since January 20, the Trump Administration and Elon Musk’s DOGE have proposed closing 11 Occupation Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) field offices, slashed funding and staff at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), and dismantled systems that enable workers to advocate for safer workplaces.  

    “Today, on Workers Memorial Day, we are called upon to honor the workers who have been killed or injured on the job and to prevent future tragedies by making workplaces safer,” said Rep. Bobby Scott (VA-03), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Education and Workforce. “The Protecting America’s Workers Act makes long overdue improvements to the enforcement provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, expands coverage to millions of workers who are currently excluded from the law’s protections, and strengthens whistleblower protections. These reforms are critical to deterring the most serious violations that endanger workers’ safety on the job. Passing this bill would be a major step toward ensuring our nation’s workers can do their jobs and come home safely to their families at the end of the day.”

    “While the Occupation Safety and Health Act has helped protect Americans for generations, too many workers are still facing injury, illness, or death. Now, instead of improving workplace safety which we know is still under threat, the Trump Administration and Elon Musk’s DOGE are going in the complete opposite direction by slashing the programs and agencies dedicated to protecting workers on the job. Congress must pass the Protecting America’s Workers Act to ensure workers can return home to their families safely,” said Courtney. 

    The legislation is particularly important to the eastern Connecticut community after six workers died at an explosion at the Kleen Energy Systems power plant in Middletown, Connecticut in 2010. 

    “I’ve seen the devastation that unsafe workplaces can bring upon a family. Fifteen years ago, an explosion at an energy plant in Connecticut left six workers dead and dozens injured. Some of the workers who died were my friends, and I watched as their families fought for justice and accountability for years afterwards. Their story, and the horrifying reality that hundreds of workers die each day as a result of hazards faced at work, is why I am a champion for the Protecting America’s Workers Act,” Courtney added.

    Specifically, the Protecting America’s Workers Act will:  

    • Protect millions of workers by expanding OSHA coverage to 8.1 million state and local government employees in 24 states who currently have no right to a safe workplace; 

    • Ensure worker safety is protectedby mandating that employers correct hazardous conditions in a timely manner; 

    • Reinstate an employer’s ongoing obligation to maintain accurate records of work-related illness and injuries, and reverses President Trump’s first-term Congressional Review Act resolution that undermined OSHA’s ability to hold employers accountable who violate requirements to record workplace injuries and illnesses;

    • Improve whistleblower protectionfor workers who face retaliation for calling attention to unsafe working conditions;

    • Update obsolete consensus standardsthat were adopted when OSHA was first enacted in 1970;

    • Deter “high gravity” violationsby providing authority for increased civil monetary penalties for serious or willful violations that cause death or serious bodily injury;

    • Expand injury and illness records that employers are required to maintain and report in order to enable OSHA to more effectively target unsafe workplaces; 

    • Authorize felony penalties against employers whoknowinglycommit OSHA violationsthat result in death or serious bodily injury and extend such penalties to corporate officers and directors; 

    • Require OSHA to investigate all cases of death and serious injuriesthat occur within a place of employment; 

    • Establish rights for families of workers who were killed on the jobby giving them the right to meet with OSHA investigators, receive copies of citations, and to have an opportunity to make a statement before any settlement negotiations; and

    • Improve protections for workers in state OSHA plansby allowing the Secretary of Labor to assert concurrent enforcement authority in those states where the state OSHA program fails to meet minimum requirements needed to protect workers’ safety and health.

    The bill is co-sponsored by Reps. Omar, Bonamici, and Norcross. 

    To read a fact sheet on the bill, click here

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI: RENEW Energy Partners Named 2025 Climate Finance Innovator by U.S. Department of Energy Better Buildings Initiative

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BOSTON, May 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — RENEW Energy Partners has been named a 2025 Climate Finance Innovator Award recipient by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Better Buildings Initiative. This annual award recognizes organizations pioneering new approaches to financing that accelerate decarbonization across the built environment.

    RENEW was honored for its creative use of an Energy Services Agreement (ESA), a funding structure that allows organizations to move forward with comprehensive energy upgrades without the need for upfront capital. By converting capital expenditures into operating expenses, RENEW’s model makes it possible for clients to implement energy solutions while preserving their balance sheet for core business investments.

    “Receiving this award for the second time is a powerful validation of the model and team we’ve built,” said Charlie Lord, Managing Principal and Co-Founder at RENEW Energy Partners. “We’re proud to bridge the gap between ambition and action by making it financially possible to get started on energy optimization today.”

    Through its ESA structure, RENEW funds, builds, owns, and operates energy infrastructure, offering clients a turnkey solution that aligns financial outcomes with sustainability goals.

    RENEW Energy Partners joins a distinguished group of organizations honored for advancing the financial tools that will drive the next generation of climate solutions.

    Media Contact:
    Nicole Wilson
    Senior Business Development Associate
    978-496-6867
    nwilson@renewep.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Economics: University of Boumerdes Student Chapter Celebrates 1 Year Anniversary, Partners with TedX, and More!

    Source: International Association of Drilling Contractors – IADC

    Headline: University of Boumerdes Student Chapter Celebrates 1 Year Anniversary, Partners with TedX, and More!

    Second Semester Chapter Board:

    The Chapter introduced a new board for the second semester, bringing in fresh perspectives and renewed energy to drive the chapter’s goals forward. Congratulations to the incoming board members, and thank you for your service!

    Partnership with TEDx University of Boumerdes:

    A partnership with TEDx University of Boumerdes was established by the Chapter to strengthen collaboration, inspire cross-disciplinary learning, and broaden outreach.

    Clean-up Campaign and Planting Initiative:

    The Chapter organized a cleanup and tree-planting event in Corso Forest, in collaboration with the Directorate of Environment of Boumerdes and the National Waste Agency (AND). The event promoted sustainability and environmental awareness among students.

    Career Path Workshop:

    Rima Kadi, Founder of The Seed Academy and former HR professional with SLB and Oilserv, spoke to the students during a workshop focused on career paths. She provided valuable guidance and shared lessons from her years of experience in the oil and gas sector.

    1 Year Anniversary Celebration:

    Students celebrated the first anniversary of the Chapter, reflecting on their journey so far and setting the vision for continued growth and impact. CONGRATULATIONS to the IADC University of Boumerdes Student Chapter for a successful and vibrant first year!! 

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI Economics: From the Chairman: With a focus on collaboration, everything else becomes possible

    Source: International Association of Drilling Contractors – IADC

    Headline: From the Chairman: With a focus on collaboration, everything else becomes possible

    In a thought-provoking editorial from the May/June issue of Drilling Contractor, IADC Chairman Kevin Neveu offers a fresh perspective on collaboration within the drilling industry, challenging companies to reconsider how they approach working relationships in today’s complex energy landscape.

    Neveu argues that the industry should shift its mindset to view collaboration not merely as a means to an end, but as the primary goal itself. He suggests that when teamwork becomes the central focus, other critical objectives—from safety improvements to operational efficiency—naturally follow.

    According to Neveu,

    “When teamwork, mutual respect and cooperation are the main objectives, everything else becomes easier, and success becomes more attainable. By prioritizing working as a team, with honest collaboration, we can weave in every other important outcome—safety, efficiency, less nonproductive time, KPIs, etc.”

    The Chairman shares a personal example from his earlier career at National Oilwell that demonstrates how a collaborative approach to problem-solving with new technology led to faster resolution than when facing an adversarial stance. He extends this concept beyond individual companies, suggesting that the entire energy sector would benefit from breaking down competitive barriers.

    Neveu highlights IADC itself as “a fantastic example of collaboration for the benefit of all,” where competitors regularly come together to address industry challenges, create technical resources, establish safety standards, and organize vital knowledge-sharing events.

    As the industry faces complex challenges, Neveu’s message is unambiguous: true collaboration leads to collective success. He encourages all industry professionals to reconsider what collaboration means to them and how embracing this mindset could accelerate careers, companies, and the industry at large.

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI USA: Griffith Statement on FDA Expansion of Unannounced Inspections at Foreign Manufacturing Facilities

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA)

    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced the agency’s intent to expand unannounced inspections at foreign manufacturing facilities that produce foods, medicines and other medical products intended for American consumers and patients. In response to this announcement, U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) released the following statement:

    “Through my oversight work in the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, I outlined serious inadequacies with the FDA’s foreign drug inspection program. American patients and consumers deserve access to products that are safe and reliable. They should always be protected from products that are dangerous and harmful. As President Trump works to secure domestic manufacturing of products like pharmaceutical drugs, I welcome Commissioner Makary’s pledge to further evaluate the foreign drug inspection program and improve the quality and safety of products for American consumers.”

    BACKGROUND

    On May 6, the FDA issued a press release describing its intent to expand the use of these unannounced inspections.

    Rep. Griffith introduced a bill that was signed into law in 2022, H.R. 7006 – the INSPECTIONS Act, that requires the FDA to consider the compliance history of establishments in the country or region in which the establishment is located as a factor in their risk-based inspections schedule.

    In the 118th Congress, Rep. Griffith chaired the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight & Investigations.

    Rep. Griffith chaired hearings on various issues, including but not limited to FDA’s foreign drug inspections program. 

    Additionally, Rep. Griffith helped lead multiple letters to the FDA.

    Rep. Griffith’s e-newsletter on this topic can be found here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Zimbabwe’s Minister of Energy, Power to Deliver Keynote at Invest in African Energy (IAE) 2025

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    PARIS, France, May 7, 2025/APO Group/ —

    The Invest in African Energy (IAE) 2025 Forum is pleased to announce that Zimbabwe’s Minister of Energy and Power Development, July Moyo, will deliver a keynote address at the event in Paris next month, highlighting national energy priorities and emerging investment opportunities. His participation marks a strategic moment for Zimbabwe as the country positions its energy sector for a new wave of private sector-led growth.

    Minister Moyo’s participation follows Zimbabwe’s recent international efforts to attract investment into its energy sector, including high-level engagements aimed at outlining a clear roadmap for modernization and highlighting the essential role of private capital in addressing infrastructure deficits. With a large portion of the population still lacking access to electricity and power demand continuing to outpace supply, Zimbabwe is actively seeking strategic partnerships to deliver more reliable, sustainable and diversified energy solutions.

    IAE 2025 (https://apo-opa.co/4d2nKO6is an exclusive forum designed to facilitate investment between African energy markets and global investors. Taking place May 13-14, 2025 in Paris, the event offers delegates two days of intensive engagement with industry experts, project developers, investors and policymakers. For more information, please visit www.Invest-Africa-Energy.com. To sponsor or participate as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com.

    To meet both near-term and long-term goals, the government is pursuing a dual-track approach: restarting coal-fired power plants to stabilize domestic supply in the short term, while simultaneously accelerating investment in renewable energy. Solar and wind projects are at the forefront of Zimbabwe’s energy strategy, with plans to develop large-scale solar farms and export power to neighboring countries. In partnership with Zambia, Zimbabwe is exploring floating solar developments on Lake Kariba – backed by a recent $250 million facility from the African Export-Import Bank to develop a 250 MW project by mid-2026 – signaling a shift toward innovative, climate-resilient infrastructure.

    Minister Moyo’s keynote will outline current investment-ready opportunities in power generation, transmission and off-grid electrification, as well as the regulatory and policy reforms designed to attract independent power producers and foreign capital. His presence reinforces Zimbabwe’s commitment to working with global stakeholders to transform its energy landscape and foster long-term energy security. Moreover, Zimbabwe’s participation at IAE 2025 reflects the forum’s broader mission of connecting African energy markets with international financiers, developers and strategic partners.

    MIL OSI Africa

  • MIL-OSI: UPDATE – Abundance Energy, SOLRITE Energy, and sonnen Develop Residential Battery-Enabled Virtual Power Plants in Texas

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    STONE MOUNTAIN, Ga., May 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Abundance Energy, sonnen, SOLRITE Energy, and Energywell Technology Licensing, LLC (“Energywell”) are joining forces to power the future of energy through the development of behind-the-meter, battery-enabled Virtual Power Plants (“VPP”) in Texas.

    The collaboration empowers Abundance Energy customers to use their sonnenConnect home batteries to support grid stability, ensure reliable energy delivery, and lower electricity costs while driving the development of smart, sustainable energy solutions.

    Enabled by SOLRITE Energy’s innovative virtual power plant purchase agreement (VPA) financing model, participants can install solar panels and sonnen battery systems at no upfront cost, lowering barriers to entry for this VPP program. sonnen and SOLRITE first introduced this novel VPA structure to the Texas market in January 2025.

    Optimized through the integration of Energywell’s Proton platform with sonnen’s advanced control technology, each battery is continuously managed in response to market price signals, customer usage, and solar generation. Networked together, these batteries create a VPP, dynamically balancing energy supply and demand to maximize value for both the grid and the customer. Under the VPA financing model, SOLRITE owns and manages all the customer solar and sonnen energy storage systems and customers in turn receive the benefit of low energy costs and reliable back-up power.

    “Our mission is to empower homeowners with smarter, more sustainable energy solutions,” said Thomas Mandry, CEO of Abundance Energy. “By combining sonnen’s best-in-class battery technology, Energywell’s market expertise through its Proton platform, and SOLRITE’s unique financing model, we are delivering an innovative VPP model that benefits both customers and the Texas grid.”

    sonnen’s VPP technology intelligently manages energy supply and demand, ensuring stored solar or grid energy is strategically deployed when needed most. “Our VPP solutions enable customers to actively participate in the energy market while maintaining resilience in their homes,” said Blake Richetta, Chairman and CEO of sonnen. “With Abundance Energy, SOLRITE, and Energywell, we’re setting a new standard for residential energy management.”

    “At SOLRITE, we believe financial innovation is key to unlocking the full potential of distributed energy,” said Regan George, CEO of SOLRITE Energy. “By eliminating upfront costs for solar and battery installations, we enable more homeowners to participate in this VPP program, delivering clean, reliable power to customers and adding value to the grid.”

    Energywell’s Proton platform provides advanced forecasting and optimization tools to ensure batteries are dispatched in alignment with market opportunities. “The Texas energy landscape is evolving, and this partnership exemplifies the future of distributed energy,” said Michael Fallquist, CEO of Energywell. “By optimizing stored energy, we are reducing reliance on fossil fuels and lowering carbon emissions, building a smarter, cleaner, and more flexible grid.”

    This VPP initiative aligns with Texas’ growing demand for resilient, customer-driven energy solutions and paves the way for further innovation in the residential energy sector.

    About SOLRITE

    SOLRITE Energy is a clean energy financing company pioneering new ways to make solar and battery storage accessible to homeowners. Its flagship Virtual Power Plant Power Purchase Agreement (VPA), developed with sonnen, provides solar panels and home battery systems at no upfront cost in exchange for a low, fixed energy rate. By partnering with retail electric providers and technology companies, SOLRITE makes sustainable energy solutions accessible while supporting grid reliability. Visit solriteenergy.com for more information.

    About Abundance Energy

    Abundance Energy is a digital-native Retail Electric Provider (REP) startup licensed for operations in Texas. Abundance’s products include transparent fixed-rate residential plans and multi-meter Continuous Service Agreement plans for vacant property management with a built-to-purpose CSA customer platform. Abundance is part of the Quext family of companies that includes next-generation LoRaWAN proprietary IoT thermostats and smart locks for the multifamily market. Visit abundanceenergy.com for more information.

    About sonnen

    sonnen is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of smart energy storage systems for residential applications, and a pioneer of the residential battery based virtual power plant. The sonnen VPP is nationally recognized as a blueprint for the decentralized, digitalized, decarbonized energy system of the future. sonnen is one of the most experienced and fastest growing VPP energy storage companies in the world. sonnen has received many internationally recognized awards celebrating our technological achievement. sonnen products and services are used by the sonnenCommunity, a collection of visionaries around the world who share our vision of clean and affordable energy for everyone. In Texas, sonnen partners with SOLRITE Energy to bring their flagship Virtual Power Plant Power Purchase Agreement (VPA), to provide solar panels and home battery systems at no upfront cost.

    sonnen’s offices are located in Germany, Italy, Spain, Australia, and the USA. sonnen is a wholly owned subsidiary of Shell. Learn more at: https://sonnenusa.com/en

    About Energywell

    Energywell is an energy technology company powering the sustainable energy transition. Energywell combines the financial strength of funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. and capital and commodities expertise from Hartree Partners L.P. with proprietary technology and a seasoned team of energy industry veterans. Visit Energywell.com for more information.

    About Proton

    Energywell’s Proton platform delivers real-time energy insights and seamless device integration, empowering businesses and customers to optimize energy more sustainably. Proton uses cloud-native, event-driven architecture to ensure energy solutions scale quickly while maintaining the highest standards of security, including SOC 2 Type 2 compliance. Proton is available for licensing for third parties looking to accelerate their own energy management capabilities. Visit Energywell.com for more information.

    Media contact:

    FischTank PR

    sonnen@fischtankpr.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI USA: UConn Health Physicians Named to 2025 “Top Doctors” List

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Each year, Connecticut Magazine honors leading physicians across dozens of specialties statewide, based on an impartial peer-review process—meaning these are the doctors other doctors trust and recommend.

    To compile the list, the magazine partners with Castle Connolly, a nationally respected health care research firm. Castle Connolly’s annual list highlights the top 7% of practicing physicians in the U.S., all nominated by their peers. Its rigorous selection process, led by a team of physicians, ensures that doctors are recognized solely for their clinical excellence, never through payment or sponsorship.

    Over 50 UConn Health physicians have been recognized on the 2025 Connecticut Magazine “Top Doctors” list.  The full list appears in the May 2025 issue of Connecticut Magazine. Below are the UConn Health physicians included this year. Click on any name for more details.

    Cardiovascular Disease
    Bruce T.  Liang, MD
    Christopher Pickett, MD
    Joyce Meng, MD

    Colon & Rectal Surgery
    Eric Girard, MD

     Dermatology
    Mary Chang, MD
    Hao Feng, MD
    Jane Grant-Kels, MD
    Marti Rothe, MD

    Diagnostic Radiology
    Alex Merkulov, MD

    Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism
    Francesco Celi, MD

    Gastroenterology
    Joel Levine, MD

    Geriatric Medicine
    Karina Berg, MD
    Patrick Coll, MD
    Jatupol Kositsawat, MD

    Geriatric Psychiatry
    Mario Fahed, MD

    Gynecologic Oncology
    Jennifer Jorgensen, MD

    Hematology
    Biree Andemariam, MD

    Infectious Disease
    Lisa Chirch, MD
    Kevin Dieckhaus, MD 

    Internal Medicine
    Laurie Caines, MD
    Thomas Manger, MD

    Interventional Cardiology
    Michael Azrin, MD
    Patrick Corcoran, MD

    Medical Oncology
    Mary Buss, MD
    Upendra Hegde, MD
    Pragna Kapadia, MD
    Susan Tannenbaum, MD

    Neurological Surgery
    Ketan Bulsara, MD

    Neurology
    Marie Eugene, MD
    L. John Greenfield, MD, Ph.D.
    Jaime Imitola Herrera, MD

    Obstetrics & Gynecology
    Ramzi Alkass, MD
    Danielle Luciano, MD
    Christopher Morosky, MD

    Ophthalmology
    Sona Chaudhry, MD

    Orthopedic Surgery
    Robert Arciero, MD
    Katherine Coyner, MD
    Lauren Geaney, MD
    Cato Laurencin, MD, Ph.D.

    Otolaryngology
    Tessema Belachew, MD
    Todd Falcone, MD
    Denis Lafreniere, MD

    Pediatrics
    Anton Alerte, MD

    Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
    Joseph O’Keefe, MD

    Pulmonology Disease
    Raymond Foley, MD
    Omar Ibrahim, MD
    Mark Metersky, MD

    Radiation Oncology
    Robert Dowsett, MD

    Reproductive Endocrinology/Infertility
    Claudio Benadiva, MD

    Surgery
    Brian Shames, MD
    Yu Liang, MD

    Urology
    Peter Albertsen, MD
    Benjamin Ristau, MD

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI: Canadian Nuclear Laboratories and Isowater Sign Strategic Partnership Agreement to Expand Heavy Water Production

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHALK RIVER, Ontario, May 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL), Canada’s premier nuclear science and technology organization, is pleased to announce that it has entered into a strategic partnership agreement with Isowater Corporation, a member of the KEY DH Technologies Inc. Group, a Canadian-based, international leader in the hydrogen and deuterium industries. The partnership will support the growth of Isowater’s deuterium oxide (heavy water) refinement business. Under terms of the agreement, CNL will offer support to Isowater in the form of expertise in hydrogen isotope separation and related technologies, leveraging Atomic Energy of Canada Limited’s (AECL) extensive intellectual property related to the upgrading of heavy water.

    With CNL’s support, Isowater will work to expand and improve its deuterium refining capabilities. This will enable the company to better serve various non-nuclear deuterium markets through the provision of deuterium production and recycling services, and a higher-purity end-product. This aligns with CNL’s holistic heavy water strategy, which is aimed at leveraging the extensive expertise and technologies within Canada’s national nuclear laboratories to help address the growing international market demand for heavy water in both the nuclear and non-nuclear sectors.

    “CNL is excited to enter into this partnership with Isowater, a Canadian leader in the supply of heavy water and deuterium-based compounds, and a company whose expertise and capabilities complement our own,” commented Jack Craig, CNL’s President and CEO. “This agreement comes amidst growing interest in the use of heavy water in non-nuclear industries, from electronics to health sciences. By applying our expertise and technologies, built through more than 60 years of scientific research in hydrogen isotope management, we believe that CNL can help Isowater grow and improve its heavy water refining capabilities. We look forward to working with them under the terms of our new agreement.”

    “This partnership represents the next phase of the close relationship between Isowater, CNL and AECL that has developed over the past decade,” said Andrew T.B. Stuart, Chairman of KEY. “Our collaboration has been an important enabler of the more than 10% compound annual growth rate in deuterium oxide use by the global high technology and life sciences industries.” Stuart added, “CNL, Canada’s premier science and technology laboratory, offers world-class technology and expertise that support the path to global success of organizations like ours.”

    Deuterium oxide (heavy water) is a form of water in which the normal hydrogen is replaced by a heavier form of hydrogen called deuterium. Since the company was founded in 2009, Isowater has established a global market presence as a trusted and reliable supplier of high-purity heavy water to some of the world’s most sophisticated industries, including life sciences and manufacturers of semiconductors, OLED displays and fibre optics. As part of their strategic partnership, CNL will supply Isowater with isotope exchange catalyst technologies for its deuterium refinement process. On an as-needed basis, CNL will also provide subject matter expert support for Isowater’s deuterium refineries, which is envisioned to include process optimization and troubleshooting.

    Thanks to the foundation of research from its predecessor, AECL, CNL is now considered a world leader in heavy water production and upgrading technology, with over 60 years of expertise, experience and innovation covering all aspects of the technology. These capabilities include laboratory development activities; development of proprietary wetproofed catalysts with the required longevity for economical deployment; demonstrations through design, construction, commissioning and operation of pilot and prototype plants; and development of a family of proprietary codes for simulating the processes and catalyst performance profiles along the isotope exchange catalyst beds.

    As a federal Crown corporation, AECL owns and oversees the sites under management by CNL. “AECL is pleased to see the signing of this agreement, which makes use of our extensive intellectual property in heavy water production and refinement,” said Fred Dermarkar, AECL’s President and CEO. “This is another example of the value of Canada’s investment in its national nuclear laboratories. Our model allows us to connect commercial and academic partners with Canada’s unique nuclear science assets. This agreement would not be possible without the innovative collaboration between the federal government and the private sector,” added Dermarkar.

    To learn more about CNL, including its research related to hydrogen isotope technologies, please visit www.cnl.ca.

    About CNL

    As Canada’s premier nuclear science and technology laboratory and working under the direction of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL), CNL is a world leader in the development of innovative nuclear science and technology products and services. Guided by an ambitious corporate strategy known as Vision 2030, CNL fulfills three strategic priorities of national importance – restoring and protecting the environment, advancing clean energy technologies, and contributing to the health of Canadians.

    By leveraging the assets owned by AECL, CNL also serves as the nexus between government, the nuclear industry, the broader private sector and the academic community. CNL works in collaboration with these sectors to advance innovative Canadian products and services towards real-world use, including carbon-free energy, cancer treatments and other therapies, non-proliferation technologies and waste management solutions.

    To learn more about CNL, please visit www.cnl.ca.

    About Isowater

    Isowater is the deuterium oxide production, refining and sales entity of the Key (KEY) DH Technologies Inc. Group. The KEY Group also includes deutraMed, a developer and provider of value-added deuterium-based products and services to the high technology and life sciences industries; and Hydrogen Optimized, a manufacturer of large-scale water electrolyzers for the production of both hydrogen and enriched deuterium oxide. Together, these companies enable a long-term, secure supply of deuterium for global markets. KEY Group products are exported to customers in more than 25 countries.

    For more information, please visit www.keydht.com. Links to Isowater and other KEY Group companies can be accessed via this website.

    CNL Contact:
    Philip Kompass
    Director, Corporate Communications
    1-866-886-2325
    media@cnl.ca 

    Isowater Contact:
    Don Hogarth
    Director of Communications
    416-565-8920
    don-hogarth@isowater.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/77c74a3b-5ad9-456d-bd4d-3ce3a62956e3

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: JFSQ introduction and peer exchange workshop

    Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

    This online workshop (English only) is intended for Joint Forest Sector Questionnaire (JFSQ) national correspondents (focal points), as well as members of the Team of Specialists on Forest Products and Wood Energy Statistics who are interested in participating in a peer exchange programme.

    First, UNECE and Eurostat will present an introduction to the JFSQ, including updates this year. The ensuing discussion provides and opportunity for both new and existing JFSQ national correspondents to raise questions.

    The remainder of the workshop will launch a peer exchange program, organized by the Team of Specialists on Forest Products and Wood Energy Statistics, and intended to identify opportunities for experienced JFSQ correspondents to mentor peers, and also to facilitate technical exchange among experts and correspondents on topics such as methods of data collection and compilation at the national level for JFSQ reporting.

    Following the meeting, JFSQ correspondents will be matched with peers for mentorship and exchange. To participate in the peer matching, interested correspondents (and experts who may provide support) are requested to complete the following form by May 20: JFSQ Introduction and Peer Exchange Workshop

    MIL OSI United Nations News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ezell Applauds House Natural Resources Committee for Advancing Pro-Energy, Pro-America Budget Measures

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mike Ezell (Mississippi 4th District)

    Ezell Applauds House Natural Resources Committee for Advancing Pro-Energy, Pro-America Budget Measures

    Congressman Mike Ezell (MS-04) released the following statement after the House Committee on Natural Resources advanced provisions in the budget reconciliation process aimed at unleashing American energy dominance—answering President Donald Trump’s call to restore commonsense, science-based energy policies.

    “South Mississippi understands the value of energy and forestry jobs—and the importance of managing our natural resources responsibly,” Ezell said. “From the Gulf’s offshore rigs to our longleaf pine forests, American energy and timber mean American jobs, lower costs, and stronger national security. That’s why I’m proud to support the Natural Resources Committee’s efforts to restore American resource dominance. These policies are rooted in science, backed by sound economics, and focused on unlocking the full potential of what our land and waters provide—safely and responsibly. This is the kind of leadership hardworking Americans have been waiting for.”

    Through this reconciliation package, the Committee is advancing policies that will:

    • Expand access to domestic energy production, including oil, gas, and minerals;
    • Reduce burdensome regulations that hold back job creators and energy producers;
    • Promote proper forest management and generate revenue through long-term leasing of federal lands for sustainable timber harvesting;
    • Generate more than $18.5 billion in federal savings and new revenue;
    • Strengthen America’s position as a global energy leader.

    Ezell remains committed to supporting policies that unlock economic growth, promote energy innovation, and reduce dependence on foreign adversaries.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: expert reaction to ARIA’s announcement on research projects in the Exploring Climate Cooling programme

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Scientists comment on new research projects as part of ARIA’s Exploring Climate Cooling programme. 

    Prof Stuart Haszeldine, Professor of Carbon Capture and Storage, School of School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh, said:

    Humans are losing the battle against climate change.  Engineering cooling is necessary because in spite of measurements and meetings and international treaties during the past 70 years, the annual emissions of greenhouse gases have continued to increase.  The world is heading towards heating greater than any time in our civilisation.

    “Many natural processes are reaching a tipping point, where the earth may jump into a different pattern of behaviour.  Geological records of the past 20,000 years around the UK and globally show that rapid changes can happen within a few years and can take tens to hundreds of years to recover.

    “Natural processes can cool the climate, notably volcanic eruptions can place tiny rock particles and sulphur gases high into the stratosphere.  In the geological and recent past, these have cooled earth temperatures by 1 or 2 degrees C for 2 to 5 years.  The scientific understanding of short timescale earth behaviour is not yet good enough to make reliable predictions.  So research is needed, together with testing of remedies in the real world not just in laboratories.

    “Projects in geo-engineering will be subject to unusually strong and transparent governance.  Strong public reactions have resulted from previous investigations.  And novel and appropriate communication is especially needed, to explain to citizens in urban and remote communities how and why this work is necessary.

    “In a world before satellites and computer models for weather forecasting – the best that humans could do was appeal to the weather gods.  Or look out of the window to watch the rainstorm approach.  Or the drought continue.  Now humans need more information to work out how the climate, not just the imminent weather, can be predicted and managed.  Before making big interventions, it’s necessary to make sure the modelling works in controlled experiments.  And also to understand who could be winners or losers during global geo-engineering.  Ignoring the problem is not an answer to a situation which humans have created.”

     

    Dr Naomi Vaughan, Associate Professor of Climate Change, Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, UEA, said:

    Question: Lots of scientists, including many who research SRM, say they don’t want it to ever have to be deployed.  Why is that?

    “SRM methods do not address the causes of climate change – SRM methods seek to cool the climate by reflecting more sunlight back to space to offset the warming we are causing by increased concentrations of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere that come from the burning of coal, oil and gas and deforestation.

    “Deployment is a major issue for SRM ideas, because the way that SRM balances out the warming we’ve caused is not a perfect offset.  Deploying SRM would create a new risk to global society – the risk of stopping the SRM whilst greenhouse gas concentrations were still high, as it would cause very rapid warming.  To stop SRM once it had been deployed safely, would require global society to reach net zero emissions and pay to remove large amounts of CO2 from the atmosphere.

    “It’s for these reasons that many scientists are cautious about SRM research because of how it could be used or misused in the future.”

     

    Dr Phil Williamson, Honorary Associate Professor, UEA, said:

    The ARIA research programme focuses on technical capabilities for five specific cooling approaches.  Progress will undoubtedly be made, with one or more indicating that we could abandon net-zero knowing there would be a safety net to avoid climate catastrophe.  Yet the most crucial component of the initiative is the one concerning ethics and governance: is there any chance at all that there could ever be international agreement on such action?  In our divided world, the answer is no.  We would then be faced with the intolerable situation of the global climate being controlled by the most powerful nations (maybe our friends, maybe our foes) with scant regard for worldwide human rights, despite ARIA’s stated concerns regarding “impacts on the Global South”.”

     

    Prof Mike Hulme, Professor of Human Geography, University of Cambridge, said:

    £57m is a huge amount of tax-payers money to be spent on this assortment of speculative technologies intended to manipulate the Earth’s climate.  I say this because these technologies will always remain speculative, and unproven in the real world, until they are deployed at scale.  Just because they “work” in a model, or at a micro-scale in the lab or the sky, does not mean they will cool climate safely, without unwanted side-effects, in the real world.  There is therefore no way that this research can demonstrate that the technologies are safe, successful or reversible.  The UK Government is leading the world down what academic analysts call ‘the slippery slope’ towards eventual dangerous large-scale deployment of solar geoengineering technologies.  This is public money that would be far better invested in enhancing technologies to reduce dependence on fossil fuels or to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.”

     

     

     

    https://www.aria.org.uk/opportunity-spaces/future-proofing-our-climate-and-weather/exploring-climate-cooling

     

     

    Declared interests

    Prof Stuart Haszeldine: “Stuart Haszeldine has no competing interests.  His research on climate engineering is not funded by ARIA, or UKRI or commercial companies.”

    Dr Naomi Vaughan: “No industry links.  I worked on a NERC-funded geoengineering research project, which included SRM, in 2010-2014.”

    Dr Phil Williamson: “Formerly employed by Natural Environment Research Council, including as Science Coordinator of UK Greenhouse Gas Removal Programme (2016-2020); now retired, with no external funding.  Lead author of two reports (2012, 2016) on Climate Geoengineering for UN Convention on Biological Diversity.”

    Prof Mike Hulme: “I am a signatory to the international Solar Geoengineering Non-Use Agreement: https://www.solargeoeng.org/.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom