NewzIntel.com

Category: Energy

  • MIL-OSI USA: Share of natural gas production in U.S. tight oil plays increased over the last decade

    Source: US Energy Information Administration

    In-brief analysis

    October 31, 2024

    Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Short-Term Energy Outlook, October 2024 (Table 10b), and Enverus DrillingInfo
    Note: 2024 represents year-to-date data through September. To calculate the barrel of oil equivalent, we use a conversion factor of 6,000 cubic feet of gross natural gas production per 1 barrel of oil.

    Natural gas produced from the three largest tight oil-producing plays in the United States has increased in the last decade. Natural gas comprised 40% of total production from the Bakken, the Eagle Ford, and the Permian compared with 29% in 2014.

    Combined crude oil and natural gas production from these plays more than doubled over this period as hydraulic fracturing—also known as fracking—and horizontal drilling have allowed producers to access and extract more crude oil and natural gas from tight formations. However, production of associated natural gas, which is natural gas produced from predominantly oil wells, has increased more rapidly from these tight oil plays. Natural gas production from these plays more than tripled—an increase of 22 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d)—over the period compared with crude oil output, which more than doubled—an increase of 4 million barrels per day (b/d).

    We define oil wells as those with a gas-to-oil ratio (GOR) of less than or equal to 6.0 thousand cubic feet of natural gas per barrel of oil produced (Mcf/b). We classify wells with a GOR of more than 6.0 Mcf/b as natural gas wells. Any increase in the GOR in an oil well means more natural gas per barrel of oil is being produced. The GOR for a play represents the average share of natural gas production from its individual wells.

    Historically, the Permian, Bakken, and Eagle Ford plays have predominantly consisted of oil wells, resulting in lower GORs for these plays.

    As more oil and natural gas are released within a well, the GOR tends to progressively increase, increasing the volume of associated natural gas produced per every barrel of oil. Pressure within the reservoir declines as more oil is brought to the surface, which allows more natural gas to be released from the geologic formation. The pressure will also decrease as more wells are concentrated within an area.

    Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Short-Term Energy Outlook, October 2024 (Table 10b), and Enverus DrillingInfo
    Note: 2024 represents year-to-date data through September.

    In the Permian play, located in West Texas and southeastern New Mexico, the share of natural gas produced relative to crude oil has remained relatively stable, although the GOR has steadily risen from 3.1 Mcf/b (34% of total production) in 2014 to 4.0 Mcf/b (40%) in 2024. Natural gas production in the Permian, the largest producing tight oil play in the United States, increased eight-fold in 2024 through September compared with 2014, and crude oil production increased six-fold.

    In the Bakken play, located in North Dakota and Montana, the share of natural gas produced relative to crude oil has historically been relatively low, averaging only 1.2 Mcf/b (16% of total production) in 2014. However, the GOR increased to 2.9 Mcf/b (33%) in 2024, with average gross natural gas production increasing 186% compared with 2014 while crude oil production increased just 14%.

    In the Eagle Ford play, located in southwest Texas, the share of natural gas produced relative to crude oil has remained the highest among these plays, increasing from 3.5 Mcf/b (37% of total production) to 5.6 Mcf/b (48%). This increased GOR reflects a 14% increase in average natural gas production and a 28% decrease in average crude oil production in 2024 through September compared with 2014.

    Principal contributor: Trinity Manning-Pickett

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: New ultra-high voltage project begins operation in north China

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

    HOHHOT, Oct. 31 — A 1,000-kilovolt ultra-high voltage (UHV) alternating current (AC) project was officially put into operation on Thursday, connecting clean energy resources in the north of China with economically dynamic regions such as the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.

    The Zhangbei-Shengli 1,000-kilovolt UHV AC project is expected to transmit over 70 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity — an amount sufficient to power 19 million households for a year — annually from Xilin Gol League in north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and Zhangjiakou in Hebei Province to the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, Shandong and Jiangsu provinces, and other regions.

    The project applies the UHV technology for the first time to connect a clean energy base in the north of Hebei with wind farms in Xilin Gol League, increasing the proportion of new energy in UHV transmission channels and boosting the consumption of green electricity on the receiving end of the grid, thereby promoting the transition to clean and low-carbon energy.

    It also addresses the rising demand for electricity in the receiving regions more effectively.

    China is at the technological forefront in new energy power generation, UHV power transmission, flexible direct current transmission and digitization of electricity systems, according to a report issued earlier this year by the Global Energy Interconnection Development and Cooperation Organization, a non-profit international organization headquartered in Beijing.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Murphy Administration Announces Approval of Triennium 2 Energy Efficiency Programs

    Source: US State of New Jersey

    TRENTON – The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) today announced the approval of Triennium 2 (T2) energy efficiency programs proposed by the state’s seven electric and gas utilities. In the process of supporting building decarbonization and energy conservation, these programs will prioritize low-income customers who shoulder disproportionately high energy burdens.

    “Today’s approval of the Triennium 2 energy efficiency programs marks a major milestone in our progress toward achieving the goals set out in Governor Murphy’s Energy Master Plan, which is paving the way for a healthier, more sustainable Garden State,” said NJBPU President Christine Guhl-Sadovy. “By bolstering New Jersey’s ongoing building decarbonization efforts and the NJBPU’s robust array of energy efficiency initiatives, the T2 programs will further boost long-term cost and energy savings for New Jersey customers.”

    “These ambitious programs are the largest single step by New Jersey to achieve Governor Murphy’s ambitious goal in EO 316 to electrify 400,000 residential and 20,000 commercial units by 2030,” said Eric Miller, Executive Director of the Office of Climate Action and the Green Economy. “The steps taken today by the BPU will grow our clean energy workforce, lower bills for participating customers, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”

    Triennium 2 is the second cycle of the State’s multi-year utility-run energy efficiency programs. Established by the Clean Energy Act of 2018, natural gas utilities must achieve energy savings of 0.75% and electric utilities must achieve energy savings of 2% of the average annual usage in the prior three years within five years of implementation of their energy efficiency programs.

    To date, it is estimated that Triennium 1 (T1) programs have disbursed $1.25 billion in financial incentives to ratepayers statewide and reduced annual electricity usage by 3 million megawatt hours, annual natural gas usage by 8.5 million MMBtu, and reduced customers’ utility bills by $600 million. T1 resulted in 1.4 million metric tons of annual greenhouse gas emission reductions, which is equivalent to approximately 300,000 cars removed from the road per year.   

    The T1 portfolio was expanded in T2 to address two important challenges for NJ: building decarbonization and demand response. The building decarbonization start-up programs incentivize adoption of key measures such as electric heat pumps and water heaters to reduce building emissions from fossil fuels. Demand response programs encourage homeowners and businesses to reduce consumption of energy at peak times through smart thermostats, controls, and price signals. Collectively, over $3.75 billion has been budgeted for the programs and will be implemented over a 30-month period from January 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027. This investment will help the State achieve Governor Murphy’s goals outlined in Executive Order 316 and are anticipated to reduce annual electricity usage by 2.3 million megawatt hours, annual natural gas usage by 8.9 million MMBtu, and annual greenhouse gas emissions by 1.5 million metric tons.

    To promote energy equity, the Income-Qualified Program will have more capacity compared to T1 to provide comprehensive home energy assessments and offer health and safety, weatherization, HVAC, and other energy efficiency upgrades at no cost to eligible customers.  More broadly, programs across the utilities’ portfolios will continue to include enhanced incentives and more favorable financing terms for income-eligible customers. 

    One notable addition in T2 is the standardization of the Direct Install model, including a Public Sector Direct Install program pathway, which will help support partners in labor in growing a local workforce that represents the diverse fabric of our state. Approximately 37,000 people work in the clean buildings sector, and T2 will strengthen the pathway for diverse workers and businesses to continue to build the clean energy economy.

    For more information about State and utility-led efficiency programs, please visit: https://www.njcleanenergy.com/EEP

    About New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program (NJCEP)
    NJCEP, established on January 22, 2003, in accordance with the Electric Discount and Energy Competition Act (EDECA), provides financial and other incentives to the State’s residential customers, businesses and schools that install high-efficiency or renewable energy technologies, thereby reducing energy usage, lowering customers’ energy bills and reducing environmental impacts. The program is authorized and overseen by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU), and its website is www.NJCleanEnergy.com.

    About the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU)
    NJBPU is a state agency and regulatory authority mandated to ensure safe, adequate and proper utility services at reasonable rates for New Jersey customers. Critical services regulated by NJBPU include natural gas, electricity, water, wastewater, telecommunications and cable television. The Board has general oversight and responsibility for monitoring utility service, responding to consumer complaints, and investigating utility accidents. To find out more about NJBPU, visit our website at www.nj.gov/bpu. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Orrön Energy AB’s Nomination Committee

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Orrön Energy AB (“Orrön Energy”) is pleased to announce the composition of the Nomination Committee for the 2025 Annual General Meeting (“AGM”) to be held on 5 May 2025.

    The Nomination Committee has been formed with the following members:

    • Aksel Azrac (Nemesia S.à.r.l.)
    • Sussi Kvart (Handelsbanken Fonder AB)
    • Richard Ollerhead (JNE Partners LLP)

    At the Nomination Committee’s first meeting, Aksel Azrac was elected as Chair of the Nomination Committee.

    The Nomination Committee shall make recommendations to the 2025 AGM regarding:

    • Election of the Chair of the 2025 AGM
    • Remuneration of the members of the Board of Directors, distinguishing between the Chair and other members, and remuneration for Board Committee work
    • Election of members of the Board of Directors, including number of members
    • Election of the Chair of the Board of Directors
    • Remuneration of the auditor
    • Election of the auditor
    • Nomination Committee Process for the 2026 AGM, if any amendments are proposed to the Process for the 2025 AGM

    Shareholders who wish to present a motion to the Nomination Committee regarding the above-mentioned matters, should contact the Chair of the Nomination Committee, Aksel Azrac, at nomcom@orron.com no later than 31 January 2025.

    For further information, please contact:

    Robert Eriksson
    Director Corporate Affairs and Investor Relations
    Tel: +46 701 11 26 15
    robert.eriksson@orron.com

    Jenny Sandström
    Communications Lead
    Tel: +41 79 431 63 68
    jenny.sandstrom@orron.com

    Orrön Energy is an independent, publicly listed (Nasdaq Stockholm: “ORRON”) renewable energy company within the Lundin Group of Companies. Orrön Energy’s core portfolio consists of high quality, cash flow generating assets in the Nordics, coupled with greenfield growth opportunities in the Nordics and Europe. With significant financial capacity to fund further growth and acquisitions, and backed by a major shareholder, management and Board with a proven track record of investing into, leading and growing highly successful businesses, Orrön Energy is in a unique position to create shareholder value through the energy transition.

    Forward-looking statements
    Statements in this press release relating to any future status or circumstances, including statements regarding future performance, growth and other trend projections, are forward-looking statements. These statements may generally, but not always, be identified by the use of words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “expect”, “intend”, “plan”, “seek”, “will”, “would” or similar expressions. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that could occur in the future. There can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements due to several factors, many of which are outside the company’s control. Any forward-looking statements in this press release speak only as of the date on which the statements are made and the company has no obligation (and undertakes no obligation) to update or revise any of them, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Razor Energy Corp. Announces Sale Transaction

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

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

    CALGARY, Alberta, Oct. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Razor Energy Corp. (and together with its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Blade Energy Services Corp. and Razor Holdings GP Corp., collectively (unless the context requires otherwise), the “the Corporation” or “Razor”) announces its intention to complete a sale transaction and ancillary steps (collectively, the “Transaction”) pursuant to a Subscription Agreement, dated October 27, 2024 (the “Subscription Agreement”), between the Corporation, as vendor, and Texcal Energy Canada Inc. (the “Purchaser”). The Subscription Agreement was entered into in connection with the Corporation’s proceedings under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (Canada) (the “CCAA Proceedings”) and the related sales and investment solicitation process (the “SISP”) approved by the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta (the “Court”), whereby the Purchaser was selected as the successful bidder under the SISP.

    The Transaction, as contemplated by the Subscription Agreement, includes, among other things, that: (i) the Purchaser will subscribe for certain common shares in the capital of the Corporation; (ii) all other equity interests in the Corporation shall be retracted and cancelled, for nominal consideration of $0.00001 per common share; and, (iii) upon the closing of the Subscription Agreement, the Purchaser shall obtain and hold one hundred percent (100%) of all issued and outstanding common shares of the Corporation, all on and subject to the terms and conditions of the Subscription Agreement.

    The Transaction is a result of the implementation of the SISP, is conditional upon the approval of the Court, and is to be given effect by way of a reverse vesting order and certain ancillary relief, to be granted within the CCAA Proceedings.

    The Corporation intends to appear before the Court on November 8, 2024, or as soon as possible thereafter, to seek orders approving the Subscription Agreement and the Transaction. A copy of the Subscription Agreement and more information related to the CCAA Proceedings can be found on the Court-appointed Monitor’s website at http://cfcanada.fticonsulting.com/razor-blade.

    If you have any questions regarding the foregoing or require further information, please consult the Monitor’s website at http://cfcanada.fticonsulting.com/razor-blade or by contacting the Monitor at:

    Phone: 1-403-454-6037

    Email: Cameron.Browning@FTIConsulting.com

    READER ADVISORIES

    FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: This press release contains certain statements that may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Such statements relate to possible future events, including, but not limited to: the anticipated structure of the Transaction; the ability of the Corporation and the Purchaser to satisfy the conditions to, and to complete, the Transaction; and the anticipated timing of closing of the Transaction and the required Court approvals. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “expect”, “plan”, “estimate”, “potential”, “will”, “should”, “continue”, “may”, “objective” and similar expressions. The forward-looking statements are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by Razor. Although Razor believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because Razor can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. Please also refer to the risk factors identified in the most recent annual information form and management discussion and analysis of Razor which are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and Razor undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws.

    Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Autumn Budget 2024 speech

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Autumn Budget 2024 speech as delivered by Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

    Delivered on:
    (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

    Madam Deputy Speaker…

    [redacted political content]

    This government was given a mandate. 

    To restore stability to our economy… 

    … and to begin a decade of national renewal. 

    To fix the foundations… 

    … and deliver change. 

    Through responsible leadership in the national interest.  

    That is our task.  

    And I know that we can achieve it. 

    My belief in Britain burns brighter than ever.  

    And the prize on offer is immense.  

    As my Right Honourable Friend the Prime Minister said on Monday – change must be felt. 

    More pounds in people’s pockets.  

    An NHS that is there when you need it.  

    An economy that is growing, creating wealth and opportunity for all…  

    … because that is the only way to improve living standards.   

    And the only way to drive economic growth… 

    … is to invest, invest, invest.  

    There are no shortcuts. 

    And to deliver that investment… 

    … we must restore economic stability…

    [redacted political content]

    INHERITANCE

    [redacted political content]

    … it is the first Budget in our country’s history to be delivered by a woman.  

    I am deeply proud to be Britain’s first ever female Chancellor of the Exchequer.  

    To girls and young women everywhere, I say:  

    Let there be no ceiling on your ambition, your hopes and your dreams.  

    And along with the pride that I feel standing here today… 

    … there is also a responsibility… 

    … to pass on a fairer society and a stronger economy to the next  

    generation of women.

    [redacted political content]

    A black hole in the public finances… 

    Public services on their knees…. 

    A decade of low growth. 

    And the worst parliament on record for living standards. 

    Let me begin with the public finances. 

    In July, I exposed a £22bn black hole

    [redacted political content]

    The Treasury’s reserve, set aside for genuine emergencies… 

    … spent three times over… 

    … just three months into the financial year.  

    Today, on top of the detailed document that I have provided to the House in July… 

    … the government is publishing a line by line breakdown of the £22bn black hole that we inherited… 

    It shows hundreds of unfunded pressures on the public finances… 

    … this year, and into the future too.  

    The Office for Budget Responsibility have published their own review of the circumstances around the Spring Budget forecast.  

    They say that the previous government – and I quote – “did not provide the OBR with all the [available] information to them”… 

    … and – had they known about these “undisclosed spending pressures that have since come to light”… 

    … then their Spring Budget forecast for spending would have been, and I quote again: “materially different”.  

    Let me be clear: that means any comparison between today’s forecast and the OBR’s March forecast is false… 

    … because the party opposite hid the reality of their public spending plans. 

    Yet at the very same budget… 

    … they made another ten billion pounds worth of cuts to National Insurance.

    [redacted political content]

    That’s why today, I can confirm that we will implement in full… 

    … the 10 recommendations from the independent Office for Budget Responsibility’s review. 

    But, the country has inherited not just broken public finances… 

    … but broken public services too. 

    The British people can see and feel that in their everyday lives. 

    NHS waiting lists at record levels. 

    Children in portacabins as school roofs crumble. 

    Trains that do not arrive. 

    Rivers filled with polluted waste.  

    Prisons overflowing. 

    Crimes which are not investigated… 

    … and criminals who are not punished.  

    That is the country’s inheritance

    Since 2021, there had been no detailed plans for departmental spending set out beyond this year.  

    And [redacted political content] plans relied on a baseline for spending this year which we now know was wrong… 

    … because it did not take into account the £22bn black hole.  

    The previous government also failed to budget for costs which they knew would materialise.  

    That includes funding for vital compensation schemes…  

    … for victims of two terrible injustices…

    [redacted political content]

    … the infected blood scandal… 

    … and the Post Office Horizon scandal.  

    The Leader of the Opposition rightly made an unequivocal apology for the injustice of the infected blood scandal on behalf of the British state… 

    … but he did not budget for the costs of compensation.  

    Today, for the very first time, we will provide specific funding to compensate those infected and those affected, in full… 

    … with £11.8bn in this budget. 

    And I am also today setting aside £1.8bn to compensate victims of the Post Office Horizon scandal… 

    … redress that is long overdue for the pain and injustice that they have suffered.

    [redacted political content]

    … and we will restore stability to our country again. 

    The scale and seriousness of the situation that we have inherited cannot be underestimated. 

    Together, the hole in our public finances this year, which recurs every year… 

    … the compensation schemes that they did not fund… 

    … and their failure to assess the scale of the challenges facing our public services… 

    … means this budget raises taxes by £40bn. 

    Any Chancellor standing here today would have to face this reality. 

    And any responsible Chancellor would take action. 

    That is why today, I am restoring stability to our public finances… 

    … and rebuilding our public services.  

    FISCAL RULES / OBR FORECASTS 

    Economy forecast/growth 

    As a former economist at the Bank of England, I know what it means to respect our economic institutions.  

    I want to put on record my thanks to the Governor of the Bank, Andrew Bailey…  

    … and to the independent Monetary Policy Committee. 

    Today, I can confirm that we will maintain the MPC’s target of two per cent inflation, as measured by the 12-month increase in the Consumer Prices Index. 

    I want to thank James Bowler, the Permanent Secretary to the Treasury, and my team of officials. 

    Madam Deputy Speaker, I would also like to thank my predecessors as Chancellor of the Exchequer… 

    … for their wise counsel as I have prepared for this Budget.

    [redacted political content]

    Finally, I want to thank Richard Hughes and his team at the Office for Budget Responsibility for their work in preparing today’s economic and fiscal outlook. 

    Let me now take the House through that forecast. 

    The cost of living crisis under the last government stretched household finances to their limit, with inflation hitting a peak of above 11%.  

    Today, the OBR say that CPI inflation will average 2.5% this year, 2.6% in 2025, then 2.3% in 2026, 2.1% in 2027, 2.1% in 2028 and 2.0% in 2029.  

    Next, I move on to economic growth.  

    Today’s budget marks an end to short-termism.  

    So I am pleased, that for the first time, the OBR have published not only five year growth forecasts… 

    … but a detailed assessment of the growth impacts of our policies over the next decade, too… 

    … and the new Charter for Budget Responsibility, which I am publishing today, confirms that this will become a permanent feature of our framework. 

    The OBR forecast that real GDP growth will be 1.1% in 2024, 2.0% in 2025, 1.8% in 2026, 1.5% in 2027, 1.5% in 2028 and 1.6% in 2029. 

    And the OBR are clear: this Budget will permanently increase the supply capacity of the economy…

    [redacted political content]

    … boosting long-term growth. 

    Every Budget I deliver will be focused on our mission to grow the economy. 

    And underpinning that mission are the seven key pillars of our growth strategy… 

    … developed and delivered alongside business…  

    … all driven forward by our Financial Secretary to the Treasury.   

    First, and most important, is to restore economic stability. That is my focus today. 

    Second, increasing investment and building new infrastructure is vital for productivity, so we are catalysing £70bn of investment through our National Wealth Fund… 

    … and we are transforming our planning rules to get Britain building again. 

    Third, to ensure that all parts of the UK can realise their potential… 

    … we are working with the devolved governments… 

    … and partnering with our Mayors to develop local growth plans.  

    Fourth, to improve employment prospects and skills we are creating Skills England, delivering our plans to Make Work Pay and tackling economic inactivity.  

    Fifth, we are launching our long-term modern industrial strategy and expanding opportunities for our small and medium sized businesses to grow. 

    Sixth, to drive innovation we are protecting record funding for research and development to harness the full potential of the UK’s science base.  

    And finally, to maximise the growth benefits of our clean energy mission, we have confirmed key investments such as Carbon Capture and Storage to create jobs in our industrial heartlands. 

    Our approach is already having an impact. 

    Just two weeks ago – we delivered an International Investment Summit which saw businesses commit £63.5bn of investment into this country… 

    … creating nearly 40,000 jobs across the United Kingdom.

    [redacted political content]

    Economic growth will be our mission for the duration of this parliament.  

    Stability rule 

    Madam Deputy Speaker, in our manifesto, we set out the fiscal rules that would guide this government. 

    I am confirming those today… 

    Our stability rule… 

    And our investment rule… 

    The “stability rule” means that we will bring the current budget into balance… 

    … so that we do not borrow to fund day to day spending. 

    We will meet this rule in 2029-30, until that becomes the third year of the forecast.  

    From then on, we will balance the current budget in the third year of every budget, held annually each autumn. 

    That will provide a tougher constraint on day to day spending… 

    … so difficult decisions cannot be constantly delayed or deferred.  

    The OBR say that the current budget will be in deficit by £26.2bn in 2025-26 and £5.2bn in 2026-27… 

    … before moving into surplus of £10.9bn in 2027-28, £9.3bn in 2028-29 and £9.9bn in 2029-30… 

    … meeting our stability rule… 

    … two years early.  

    Monthly public sector finances data shows that government borrowing in the first six months of this year… 

    … was already running significantly higher than the OBR’s March forecast. 

    And so the OBR confirmed today, that borrowing in this financial year is now £127bn…

    [redacted political content]

    The increase in the net cash requirement in 24-25 is lower than the increase in borrowing, at £22.3bn higher than the spring forecast.  

    Because of the action that we are taking… 

    … borrowing falls from 4.5% of GDP this year to 2.1% of GDP by the end of the forecast. 

    Public sector net borrowing will be £105.6bn in 2025-26, £88.5bn in 2026-27, £72.2bn in 2027-28, £71.9bn in 2028-29 and £70.6bn in 2029-2930. 

    FIXING THE FOUNDATIONS 

    Spending  

    Madam Deputy Speaker, before I come to tax… 

    … it is vital that we are driving efficiency and reducing wasteful spending. 

    In July, to begin delivering, and dealing with our inheritance… 

    … I made £5.5bn of savings this year.  

    Today we are setting a 2% productivity, efficiency and savings target for all departments to meet next year… 

    … by using technology more effectively and joining up services across government 

    As set out in our manifesto, I will shortly be appointing our Covid Corruption Commissioner, they will lead our work to uncover those companies that used a national emergency to line their own pockets. 

    Because that money belongs in our public services. And taxpayers want that money back.  

    And I can confirm today that David Goldstone has been appointed as the Chair of the new Office for Value for Money…  

    … to help us realise the benefits from every pound of public spending. 

    Welfare 

    Today, I am also taking three steps to ensure that welfare spending is more sustainable.  

    First, we inherited [redacted political content] plans to reform the Work Capability Assessment.  

    We will deliver those savings…  

    …as part of our fundamental reforms to the health and disability benefits system that my Right Honourable Friend the Work and Pensions Secretary will bring forward. 

    Second, I can today announce a crackdown on fraud in our welfare system… 

    … often the work of criminal gangs.  

    We will expand DWP’s counter-fraud teams.. 

    … using innovative new methods to prevent illegal activity…  

    … and provide new legal powers to crackdown on fraudsters… 

    … including direct access to bank accounts to recover debt. 

    This package saves £4.3bn a year by the end of the forecast. 

    Third, the government will shortly be publishing the “Get Britain Working” white paper…  

    … tackling the root causes of inactivity with an integrated approach across health, education and welfare.  

    … and we will provide £240m for 16 trailblazer projects… 

    … targeted at those who are economically inactive and most at risk of being out of education, employment or training… 

    … to get people into work and reduce the benefits bill.  

    Tax avoidance 

    Before a government could consider any change to a tax rate or threshold… 

    … it must ensure that people pay what they already owe. 

    So we will invest to modernise HMRC’s systems using the very best technology… 

    … and recruit additional HMRC compliance and debt staff. 

    We will clamp down on those umbrella companies who exploit workers… 

    … increase the interest rate on unpaid tax debt to ensure that people pay on time… 

    … and go after promoters of tax avoidance schemes. 

    These measures to reduce the tax gap raise £6.5bn by the end of the forecast… 

    … and I want to thank the Exchequer Secretary for his outstanding work on this agenda. 

    PROTECTING WORKING PEOPLE 

    Madam Deputy Speaker, I know that for working people up and down our country… 

    … family finances are stretched… 

    … and pay checks don’t go as far as they once did. 

    So today, I am taking steps to support people with the cost of living. 

    Cost of living

    [redacted political content]

    As promised in our manifesto, we asked the Low Pay Commission to take account of the cost of living for the first time.  

    I can confirm that we will accept the Low Pay Commission recommendation to increase the National Living Wage by 6.7% to £12.21 an hour… 

    … worth up to £1,400 a year for a full-time worker. 

    And for the first time, we will move towards a single adult rate…  

    … phased in over time…  

    … by initially increasing the National Minimum Wage for 18-20 year olds by 16.3% as recommended by the Low Pay Commission… 

    … taking it to £10 an hour.

    [redacted political content]

    Second, I have heard representations from colleagues across this house about the Carer’s Allowance… 

    … and the impact of the current policy on carers looking to increase the hours they work… 

    … including from the Honourable member for Shipley, the Honourable member for Scarborough and Whitby and the Rt Hon Member for Kingston and Surbiton, too. 

    Carer’s allowance currently provides up to £81.90 per week to help those with additional caring responsibilities.  

    Today, I can confirm that we are increasing the weekly earnings limit to the equivalent of 16 hours at the National Living Wage per week… 

    … the largest increase in Carer’s Allowance since it was introduced in 1976.  

    That means a carer can now earn over £10,000 a year while receiving Carer’s Allowance… 

    … allowing them to increase their hours where they want to… 

    … and keep more of their money. 

    I am also concerned about the cliff-edge in the current system and the issue of overpayments. 

    My Right Honourable Friend the Work and Pensions Secretary has announced an independent review to look at the issue of overpayments, and we will work across this house to develop the right solutions. 

    Third, we will provide £1bn from next year to extend the Household Support Fund and Discretionary Housing Payments, to help those facing financial hardship with the cost of essentials.  

    Fourth, having heard representations from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Trussell and others… 

    … to reduce the level of debt repayments that can be taken from a household’s Universal Credit payment each month… 

    … by reducing it from 25% to 15% of their standard allowance. 

    This means that 1.2 million of the poorest households will keep more of their award each month… 

    … lifting children out of poverty…  

    … and those who benefit will gain an average of £420 a year. 

    Madam Deputy Speaker, our Plan to Make Work Pay will also protect working people.

    [redacted political content]

    It is right that we protect those who have worked their whole lives.  

    In our manifesto, we promised to transfer the Investment Reserve Fund in the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme to members… 

    … and I have listened closely to my Honourable Friends for Easington, Doncaster Central, Blaenau Gwent, and Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock on this issue. 

    Today we are keeping our promise…  

    … so that working people who powered our country receive the fair pension that they are owed. 

    Our manifesto committed to the Triple Lock… 

    … meaning spending on the State Pension is forecast to rise by over £31bn by 2029-30… 

    … to ensure that our pensioners are protected in their retirement.  

    This commitment means that while working age benefits will be uprated in line with CPI, at 1.7%… 

    … the basic and new State Pension… 

    … will be uprated by 4.1% in 2025-26. 

    This means that over 12 million pensioners will gain up to £470 next year… 

    … up to £275 more than if uprated by inflation.  

    The Pension Credit Standard Minimum Guarantee will also rise by 4.1%…  

    … from around £11,400 per year to around £11,850 for a single pensioner.  

    Fuel duty 

    While I have sought to protect working people with measures to reduce the cost of living… 

    … I have had to take some very difficult decisions on tax. 

    I want to set out my approach to fuel duty.  

    Baked into the numbers that I inherited from the previous government… 

    … is an assumption that fuel duty will rise by RPI next year… 

    … and that the temporary 5p cut will be reversed.  

    To retain the 5p cut… 

    … and to freeze fuel duty again… 

    … would cost over £3bn next year.  

    At a time when the fiscal position is so difficult…  

    … I have to be frank with the House that this is a substantial commitment to make. 

    I have concluded… 

    … that in these difficult circumstances… 

    … while the cost of living remains high… 

    … and with a backdrop of global uncertainty… 

    … increasing fuel duty next year… 

    … would be the wrong choice for working people. 

    It would mean fuel duty rising by 7p per litre. 

    So, I have today decided to freeze fuel duty next year… 

    … and I will maintain the existing 5p cut for another year, too. 

    There will be no higher taxes at the petrol pumps next year.

    Madam Deputy Speaker, the last government made cuts of £20bn to employees’ and self-employed national insurance in their final two budgets.

    [redacted political content]

    Because we now know they were based on a forecast which the OBR say would have been “materially different”… 

    … had they known the true extent of the last government’s cover-up.   

    Since July, I have been urged on multiple occasions to reconsider these cuts.  

    To increase the taxes that working people pay and see in their payslips. 

    But I have made an important choice today: 

    To keep every single commitment that we made on tax in our manifesto.  

    So I say to working people: 

    I will not increase your National Insurance… 

    …I will not increase your VAT… 

    …And I will not increase your income tax. 

    Working people will not see higher taxes in their payslips as a result of the choices I make today. 

    That is a promise made – and a promise fulfilled. 

    TAX 

    But any responsible Chancellor would need to take difficult decisions today. 

    To raise the revenues required to fund our public services. 

    And to restore economic stability.  

    So in today’s Budget, I am announcing an increase in Employers’ National Insurance Contributions.  

    We will increase the rate of Employers’ National Insurance by 1.2 percentage points, to 15%, from April 2025.  

    And we will reduce the Secondary Threshold – the level at which employers start paying national insurance on each employee’s salary – from £9,100 per year to £5,000.  

    This will raise £25bn per year by the end of the forecast period.  

    I know that this is a difficult choice. 

    I do not take this decision lightly.  

    We are asking business to contribute more… 

    … and I know that there will be impacts of this measure felt beyond businesses, too… 

    … as the OBR have set out today. 

    But in the circumstances that I have inherited, it is the right choice to make.  

    Successful businesses depend on successful schools. 

    Healthy businesses depend on a healthy NHS.  

    And a strong economy depends on strong public finances.

    [redacted political content]

    That is the choice our country faces too.  

    As I make this choice, I know it is particularly important to protect our smallest companies.  

    So having heard representations from the Federation of Small Businesses and others… 

    … I am today increasing the Employment Allowance from £5,000 to £10,500. 

    This means 865,000 employers won’t pay any National Insurance at all next year… 

    … and over 1 million will pay the same or less than they did previously. 

    This will allow a small business to employ the equivalent of 4 full time workers on the National Living Wage… 

    … without paying any National Insurance on their wages. 

    Madam Deputy Speaker, let me come now to capital gains tax. 

    We need to drive growth, promote entrepreneurship, and support wealth creation… 

    … while raising the revenue required to fund our public services… 

    … and restore our public finances.  

    Today, we will increase the lower rate of Capital Gains Tax from 10% to 18%, and the Higher Rate from 20% to 24%… 

    … while maintaining the rates of capital gains tax on residential property at 18% and 24%, too.  

    This means the UK will still have the lowest Capital Gains Tax rate of any European G7 economy. 

    Alongside these changes to the headline rates of Capital Gains Tax… 

    … we are maintaining the lifetime limit for Business Asset Disposal Relief at £1m… 

    … to encourage entrepreneurs to invest in their businesses.   

    Business Asset Disposal Relief will remain at 10% this year… 

    … before rising to 14% in April 2025… 

    … and 18% from 2026-27… 

    … maintaining a significant gap compared to the higher rate of Capital Gains Tax.  

    Together, the OBR say these measures will raise £2.5bn by the end of the forecast. 

    In a sign of this government’s commitment to supporting growth and entrepreneurship… 

    …we have already extended the Enterprise Investment Scheme and Venture Capital Trust schemes to 2035… 

    … and we will continue to work with leading entrepreneurs and venture capital firms… 

    … to ensure our policies support a positive environment for entrepreneurship in the UK. 

    Next, inheritance tax. 

    Only 6% of estates will pay inheritance tax this year. 

    I understand the strongly held desire to pass down savings to children and grandchildren. 

    So I am taking a balanced approach in my package today. 

    First, the previous government froze inheritance tax thresholds until 2028. I will extend that freeze for a further two years, until 2030. 

    That means the first £325,000 of any estate can be inherited tax-free… 

    … rising to £500,000 if the estate includes a residence passed to direct descendants…. 

    … and £1m when a tax free allowance is passed to a surviving spouse or civil partner. 

    Second, we will close the loophole created by the previous government… 

    … made even bigger when the Lifetime Allowance was abolished… 

    … by bringing inherited pensions into inheritance tax from April 2027. 

    Finally, we will reform Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief.  

    From April 2026, the first £1m of combined business and agricultural assets will continue to attract no inheritance tax at all… 

    … but for assets over £1m, inheritance tax will apply with 50% relief, at an effective rate of 20%. 

    This will ensure we continue to protect small family farms… 

    … and three-quarters of claims will be unaffected by these changes. 

    I can also announce that we will apply a 50% relief, in all circumstances, on inheritance tax for shares on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) and other similar markets… 

    … setting the effective rate of tax at 20%. 

    Taken together, these measures raise over £2bn in the final year of the forecast. 

    Next, I can confirm that the government will renew the Tobacco Duty escalator for the remainder of this Parliament at RPI+2%… 

    … increase duty by a further 10% on hand-rolling tobacco this year… 

    … introduce a flat rate duty on all vaping liquid from October 2026… 

    … alongside an additional one off- increase in tobacco duty to maintain the incentive to give up smoking. 

    And we will increase the Soft Drinks Industry Levy to account for inflation since it was introduced… 

    …  as well as increasing the duty in line with CPI each year going forward. 

    These measures will raise nearly £1bn per year by the end of the forecast period. 

    Madame Deputy Speaker, we want to support the take-up of electric vehicles. 

    So I will maintain incentives for electric vehicles in Company Car Tax from 2028… 

    … and increase the differential between fully electric and other vehicles in the first year rates of Vehicle Excise Duty from April 2025. 

    These measures will raise around £400m by the end of the forecast period. 

    Madam Deputy Speaker let me update the House on our plans for Air Passenger Duty…

    [redacted political content]

    Air Passenger Duty has not kept up with inflation in recent years… 

    … so we are introducing an adjustment… 

    … meaning an increase of no more than £2 for an economy class short-haul flight.  

    But I am taking a different approach when it comes to private jets…  

    … increasing the rate of Air Passenger Duty by a further 50%.

    [redacted political content]

    These measures will raise over £700m by the end of the forecast period. 

    Madam Deputy Speaker, let me turn now to our high street businesses.  

    I know that for them, a major source of concern is business rates.  

    From 2026-27, we intend to introduce two permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality and leisure properties which make up the backbone of high streets across the country… 

    … and it is our intention that is paid for by a higher multiplier for the most valuable properties.

    [redacted political content]

    So I will today provide 40% relief on business rates for the retail, hospitality and leisure industry in 2025-26… 

    … up to a cap of £110,000 per business. 

    Alongside this, the small business tax multiplier will be frozen next year.  

    Next, I can confirm that alcohol duty rates on non-draught products will increase in line with RPI from February next year… 

    … but nearly two-thirds of alcoholic drinks sold in pubs are served on draught. 

    So today, instead of uprating these products in line with inflation… 

    … I am cutting draught duty by 1.7%… 

    … which means a penny off a pint in the pub. 

    Alongside the changes I am making today, I am publishing a Corporate Tax Roadmap.. 

    … providing the business certainty called for by the CBI, British Chambers of Commerce and the Institute for Directors. 

    This confirms our commitment to cap the rate of Corporation Tax at 25% – the lowest in the G7 –  for the duration of this parliament…. 

    … while maintaining full expensing and the £1 million Annual Investment Allowance… 

    …and keeping the current rates of research and development reliefs, to drive innovation. 

    Manifesto 

    Madam Deputy Speaker, in our manifesto we made a number of commitments to raise funding for our public services.  

    First, I have always said that if you make Britain your home, you should pay your tax here. 

    So today, I can confirm… 

    … we will abolish the non-dom tax regime… 

    … and remove the outdated concept of domicile from the tax system from April 2025. 

    We will introduce a new, residence based scheme… 

    … with internationally competitive arrangements for those coming to the UK on a temporary basis… 

    … while closing the loopholes in the scheme designed by the party opposite. 

    To further encourage investment into the UK, we will also extend the Temporary Repatriation Relief to three years and expand its scope… 

    … bringing billions of pounds of new funds into Britain. 

    The independent Office for Budget Responsibility say that this package of measures will raise £12.7bn over the next five years.  

    Next, the fund management industry provides a vital contribution to our economy… 

    …  but as our manifesto set out, there needs to be a fairer approach to the way carried interest is taxed.  

    So we will increase the Capital Gains Tax rates on carried interest to 32% from April 2025… 

    … and – from April 2026 – we will deliver further reforms to ensure that the specific rules for carried interest are simpler, fairer and better targeted. 

    In our manifesto we committed to reforming stamp duty land tax to raise revenue while supporting those buying their first home.  

    We are increasing the stamp-duty land tax surcharge for second-homes… 

    …known as the “Higher Rate for Additional Dwellings”… 

    … by 2 percentage points, to 5%, which will come into effect from tomorrow.  

    This will support over 130,000 additional transactions from people buying their first home, or moving home over, the next five years. 

    Next, we committed to reform the Energy Profits Levy on oil and gas companies. 

    I can confirm today that we will increase the rate of the levy to 38%, which will now expire in March 2030… 

    … and we will remove the 29% investment allowance. 

    To ensure the oil and gas industry can protect jobs and support our energy security… 

    … we will maintain the 100% first year allowances and the decarbonisation allowances too.  

    Finally, 94% of children in the UK attend state schools. 

    To provide the highest quality of support and teaching that they deserve… 

    … we will introduce VAT on private school fees from January 2025… 

    … and we will shortly introduce legislation to remove their business rates relief from April 2025, too.  

    We said in our manifesto that these changes… 

    … alongside our measures to tackle tax avoidance… 

    … would bring in £8.5bn by the final year of the forecast. 

    I can confirm today that they will in fact raise over £9bn… 

    … to support our public services and restore our public finances. 

    That is a promise made – and a promise fulfilled. 

    Madam Deputy Speaker, I have one final decision to take on tax today. 

    The previous government froze income tax and National Insurance thresholds in 2021… 

    … and then they did so again after the mini-budget. 

    Extending their threshold freeze for a further two years raises billions of pounds.  

    Money to deal with the black hole in our public finances…  

    … and repair our public services.  

    Having considered this issue closely… 

    … I have come to the conclusion… 

    … that extending the threshold freeze… 

    … would hurt working people. 

    It would take more money out of their payslips.

    I am keeping every single promise on tax that I made in our manifesto. 

    So there will be no extension of the freeze in income tax and National Insurance thresholds beyond the decisions of the previous government.  

    From 2028-29, personal tax thresholds will be uprated in line with inflation once again.

    When it comes to choices on tax, this government chooses to protect working people every single time.  

    SPENDING 

    Madam Deputy Speaker, these are the choices I have made. 

    To restore economic stability. 

    And to protect working people.  

    The next choice I make is to begin to repair our public services.  

    In recent months, we have conducted the first phase of the Spending Review… 

    … to set departmental budgets for 2024-25 and 2025-26… 

    … and I want to thank my Right Honourable Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury for his tireless work with colleagues from across government.  

    Because I have taken difficult decisions on tax today… 

    … I am able to provide an injection of immediate funding over the next two years… 

    … to stabilise and to support our public services.  

    The next phase of the Spending Review will report in late Spring, and I have set the overall envelope today. 

    Day to day spending from 2024-25 onwards will grow by 1.5% in real terms… 

    … and total departmental spending, including capital spending, will grow by 1.7% in real terms. 

    At the election we promised there would be no return to austerity.  

    Today we deliver on that promise. 

    But given the scale of the challenges that are facing our public services… 

    … that means there will still be difficult choices in the next phase of the Spending Review. 

    Just as we cannot tax and spend our way to prosperity… 

    … nor can we simply spend our way to better public services.  

    So we will deliver a new approach to public service reform… 

    … using technology to improve public services… 

    … and taking a zero-based approach… 

    … so that taxpayers’ money is spent as effectively as possible…  

    … and so that we focus on delivering our key priorities.  

    Spending Review: Phase 1 

    In the first phase of the Spending Review… 

    … I have prioritised day-to-day funding to deliver on our manifesto commitments. 

    I want every child to have the best start in life… 

    … and the best possible start to the school day, too… 

    … and I know my Right Honourable Friend the Education Secretary shares my ambition.  

    So I am today tripling investment in breakfast clubs to fund them in thousands of schools.  

    I am increasing the core schools budget by £2.3bn next year… 

    … to support our pledge to hire thousands more teachers into key subjects.   

    So that our young people can develop the skills that they need for the future… 

    … I am providing an additional £300m for further education. 

    And finally, this government is committed to reforming special educational needs provision… 

    … to improve outcomes for our most vulnerable children and ensure the system is financially sustainable. 

    To support that work, I am today providing a £1bn uplift in funding, a 6% real terms increase from this year.  

    There is no more important job for government than to keep our country safe, and we are conducting a Strategic Defence Review to be published next year. 

    And as set out in our manifesto, we will set a path to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence at a future fiscal event. 

    Today, I am announcing a total increase to the Ministry of Defence’s Budget of £2.9bn next year… 

    … ensuring the UK comfortably exceeds our NATO commitments…  

    … and providing guaranteed military support to Ukraine of £3bn per year, for as long as it takes. 

    Last week, alongside my Right Honourable Friend the Defence Secretary, I announced, in addition to this, further support to Ukraine – on top of our NATO commitment…  

    … through our £2.26bn contribution to the G7’s Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration agreement… 

    … repaid using profits from immobilised Russian sovereign assets. 

    And as we approach Remembrance Sunday…  

    … it is vital that we take time to remember those who have served our country so bravely.  

    So I am today announcing funding to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE and VJ day next year… 

    … to honour those who have served at home and abroad. 

    We must also remember those who experienced the atrocities of the Nazi regime first hand.  

    I would like to pay tribute to Lily Ebert, the Holocaust Survivor and educator who passed away aged 100 earlier this month.  

    I am today committing a further £2m to holocaust education next year… 

    … so that charities like the Holocaust Educational Trust, can continue their work to ensure these vital testimonies are not lost and are preserved for the future. 

    Madam Deputy Speaker, to repair our public services we also need to work alongside our mayors and our local leaders. 

    We will deliver a significant real-terms funding increase for local government next year…  

    … including £1.3bn of additional grant funding to deliver essential services… 

    … with at least £600m in grant funding for social care…  

    … and £230m to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping 

    We are today confirming that Greater Manchester and the West Midlands will be the first mayoral authorities to receive integrated settlements from next year… 

    … giving Mayors meaningful control of the funding for their local areas. 

    * 

    And to support our local high streets… 

    … we are taking action to deal with the sharp rise in shoplifting we have seen in recent years. 

    We will scrap the effective immunity for low-value shoplifting introduced by the party opposite. 

    And having listened closely to organisations like the British Retail Consortium and USDAW… 

    … I am providing additional funding to crack down on the organised gangs which target retailers… 

     … and to provide more training to our police officers and retailers to help stop shoplifting in its tracks.  

    Finally, I am today providing funding to support public services and drive growth across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.  

    Having discussed the matter with the First Minister of Wales, Eluned Morgan, and my HFs for Llanelli and Pontypridd… 

    … I am providing a £25m to the Welsh Government next year for the maintenance of coal tips to ensure we keep our communities safe.  

    And to support growth, including in our rural areas, we will proceed with City and Growth Deals in Northern Ireland… 

    … in Causeway Coast and Glens; and Mid-South West.

    And we will drive growth in Scotland [redacted political content] including a City and growth Deal in Argyll and Bute.

    This budget provides the devolved governments with the largest real-terms funding settlement since devolution… 

    … delivering an additional £3.4 billion for the Scottish Government through the Barnett formula… 

    … funding which must now be spent effectively to improve public services in Scotland.  

    This budget also provides £1.7 billion to the Welsh Government… 

    …  and £1.5 billion to the Northern Ireland Executive in 2025-26. 

    I said there would be no return to austerity, and that is the choice I have made today.  

    REBUILDING BRITAIN 

    Madam Deputy Speaker, to rebuild our country we need to increase investment. 

    The UK lags behind every other G7 country when it comes to business investment as a share of our economy. 

    That matters.  

    It means the UK has fallen behind in the race for new jobs… 

    … new industries… 

    … and new technology.  

    By restoring economic stability… 

    … and by establishing the National Wealth Fund to catalyse private funding… 

    … we have begun to create the conditions that businesses need to invest.  

    But there is also a significant role for public investment.

    Hospitals without the equipment they need.  

    School buildings not fit for our children.  

    A desperate lack of affordable housing. 

    Economic growth held back at every turn.  

    Under the plans I inherited… 

    … public investment was set to fall from 2.5% to 1.7% of GDP.  

    But in Washington last week, the International Monetary Fund were clear:  

    More public investment is badly needed in the UK.  

    So today, having listened to the case made by the former Governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney… 

    … former Treasury Minister, Jim O’Neill… 

    … and the former Cabinet Secretary, Gus O’Donnell… 

    … among others…  

    … I am confirming our investment rule.  

    As set out in our manifesto, we will target debt falling as a share of the economy. 

    Debt will be defined as Public Sector net Financial Liabilities, or “net financial debt”, for short… 

    … a metric that has been measured by the Office for National Statistics since 2016… 

    … and forecast by the Office for Budget Responsibility since that date too. 

    “Net financial debt” recognises that government investment delivers returns for taxpayers…  

    … by counting not just the liabilities on a government’s balance sheet, but the financial assets too. 

    This means that we count the benefits of investment, not just the costs… 

    And we free up our institutions to invest… 

    … just as they do in Germany, France and Japan.  

    Like our stability rule, our investment rule will apply in 2029-2030… 

    … until that becomes the third year of the forecast. 

    From that point onwards, net financial debt will fall in the third year of every forecast. 

    Today, the OBR say that we are already meeting our target two years early… 

    … with “net financial debt” falling by 2027-28…  

    … with £15.7bn of headroom in the final year. 

    So that we drive the right incentives in government investments… 

    … we will introduce four key guardrails to ensure capital spending is good value for money and drives growth in our economy.  

    First, our portfolio of new financial investments will be delivered by expert bodies like the National Wealth Fund which must, by default, earn a rate of return at least as large as that on gilts.  

    Second, we will strengthen the role of institutions to improve infrastructure delivery.  

    Third, we will improve certainty, setting capital budgets for five years and extending them at every spending review every two years. 

    Finally, we will ensure there is greater transparency for capital spending, with robust annual reporting of financial investments… 

    … based on accounts audited by the National Audit Office… 

    … and made available to the Office for Budget Responsibility at every forecast. 

    Taken together with our stability rule… 

    …these fiscal rules will ensure that our public finances are on a firm footing… 

    … while enabling us to invest prudently alongside business. 

    Growth projects  

    The capital plans I now set out… 

    … to drive growth across our country… 

    … and repair the fabric of our nation… 

    … are only possible because of our investment rule.  

    Let me set out those investment plans. 

    Industrial strategy 

    Today we are confirming our plans to capitalise the National Wealth Fund… 

    … to invest in the industries of the future… 

    … from gigafactories, to ports to green hydrogen. 

    Building on these investments, my Right Honourable Friend the Business Secretary is driving forward our modern industrial strategy… 

    … working with businesses and organisations like Make UK… 

    … to set out the sectors with the biggest growth potential. 

    Today, we are confirming multi-year funding commitments for these areas of our economy, including… 

    … nearly £1bn for the aerospace sector to fund vital research and development, building on our industry in the East Midlands, the South-West and Scotland… 

    … over £2 billion for the automotive sector… 

    …  to support our electric vehicle industry and develop our manufacturing base… 

    … building on our strengths in the North East and the West Midlands… 

    And up to £520m for a new Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund. 

    For our world-leading creative industries…  

    … we will legislate to provide additional tax relief for visual effect costs in TV and film… 

    .. and we are providing £25m for the North East Combined Authority… 

    … which they plan to use to remediate the Crown Works Studio site in Sunderland… 

    … creating 8,000 new jobs.  

    Research & Development 

    To unlock these growth industries of the future, we will protect government investment in research and development with more than £20bn worth of funding. 

    This includes at least £6.1bn to protect core research funding for areas like engineering, biotechnology and medical science… 

    …through Research England, other research councils, and the National Academies. 

    We will extend the Innovation Accelerators programme in Glasgow, in Manchester and in the West Midlands.  

    And with over £500m of funding next year, my Right Honourable Friend the Science, Technology and Innovation Secretary, will continue to drive progress in improving reliable, fast broadband and mobile coverage across our country, including in rural areas. 

    Housing 

    We committed in our manifesto to build 1.5 million homes over the course of this parliament… 

    … and my Right Honourable Friend the Deputy Prime Minister is driving that work forward across government. 

    Today, I am providing over £5bn of government investment to deliver our plans on housing next year. 

    We will increase the Affordable Homes Programme to £3.1bn…  

    … delivering thousands of new homes.  

    We will provide £3bn of support in guarantees… 

    … to boost the supply of homes and support our small housebuilders. 

    And we will provide investment to renovate sites across our country… 

    … including at Liverpool Central Docks… 

    … where we will deliver 2,000 new homes… 

    … and funding to help Cambridge realise its full growth potential.  

    Alongside this investment, we will put the right policies in place to increase the supply of affordable housing.  

    Having heard representations from local authorities, social housing providers and from Shelter…  

    … I can today confirm that the government will reduce Right to Buy Discounts… 

    … and local authorities will be able to retain the full receipts from any sales of social housing… 

    … to reinvest back into the housing stock, and into new supply.. 

    … so that we give more people a safe, secure and affordable place to live.  

    We will provide stability to social housing providers, with a social housing rent settlement of CPI+1 percent for the next five years.  

    And we will deliver on our manifesto commitment to hire hundreds of new planning officers, to get Britain building again.  

    We will also make progress on our commitment to accelerate the remediation of homes following the findings of the Grenfell Inquiry… 

    … with £1bn of investment to remove dangerous cladding next year.  

    Transport

    Working with my Right Honourable Friend the Transport Secretary, I am changing that.  

    We are today securing the delivery of the Trans-Pennine upgrade to connect York, Leeds, Huddersfield and Manchester…  

    … delivering fully electric local and regional services between Manchester and Stalybridge by the end of this year… 

    … with a further electrification of services between Church Fenton and York by 2026.… 

    … to help grow our economy across the North of England… 

    … with faster and more reliable services.  

    We will deliver East-West Rail to drive growth between Oxford, Milton Keynes and Cambridge…  

    … with the first services running between Oxford, Bletchley and Milton Keynes next year… 

    … and trains between Oxford and Bedford running from 2030.  

    We are delivering railway schemes which improve journeys for people across our country… 

    … including upgrades at Bradford Forster Square…  

    … improving capacity at Manchester Victoria… 

    … and electrifying the Wigan-Bolton line. 

    My Right Honourable Friend the Transport Secretary has also set out a plan for how to get a grip of HS2. 

    Today, we are securing delivery of the project between Old Oak Common and Birmingham… 

    … and we are committing the funding required to begin tunnelling work to London Euston station… 

    … This will catalyse private investment into the local area. 

    I am also funding significant improvements to our roads network.  

    For too long, potholes have been an all too visible reminder of our failure to invest as a nation. 

    Today, that changes… 

    … with a £500m increase in road maintenance budgets next year… 

    … more than delivering on our manifesto commitment to fix an additional one million potholes each year. 

    We will provide over £650m of local transport funding to improve connections across our country… 

    … in our towns like Crewe and Grimsby… 

    … and in our villages and rural areas, from Cornwall to Cumbria.

    … we understand how important bus services are for our communities… 

    …so we will extend the cap for a further year, setting it at £3 until December 2025. 

    Finally we will deliver £1.3bn of funding to improve connectivity in our city regions, funding projects like…  

    … the Brierley Hill Metro extension in the West Midlands… 

    … the renewal of the Sheffield Supertram… 

    … and West Yorkshire Mass Transit, including in Bradford and Leeds.  

    Energy 

    Madam Deputy Speaker, to bring new jobs to Britain and drive growth across our country… 

    … we are delivering our mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower, led by my Right Honourable Friend the Energy Secretary. 

    Earlier this month, we announced a significant multi-year investment between government and business into Carbon Capture and Storage… 

    … creating 4,000 jobs across Merseyside and Teesside. 

    Today, I am providing funding for 11 new green hydrogen projects across England, Scotland and Wales – they will be among the first commercial scale projects anywhere in the world… 

    … including in Bridgend, East Renfrewshire and in Barrow-in-Furness 

    We are kickstarting the Warm Homes Plan by confirming an initial £3.4bn over the next three years… 

    … to transform 350,000 homes… 

    … including a quarter of a million low-income and social homes. 

    And we will establish GB Energy… 

    … providing funding next year to set up GB Energy at its new home in Aberdeen. 

    Overall, we will invest an additional £100bn over the next five years in capital spending… 

    … only possible because of our investment rule.  

    The OBR say today that this will drive growth across our country in the next five years… 

    … and in the longer term increase GDP by up to 1.4%. 

    It will crowd in private investment… 

    … meaning more jobs, and more opportunities… 

    … in every corner of the UK.  

    That is the choice that I have made.  

    To invest in our country… 

    … and to grow our economy. 

    Today, I am setting out two final areas in which investment is so badly needed… 

    … to repair the fabric of our nation. 

    Schools

    [redacted political content]

    … schools roofs are crumbling….  

    … and millions of children are facing the very same backdrop as I did. 

    I will be the Chancellor that changes that.  

    So today, I am providing £6.7bn of capital investment to the Department for Education next year… 

    … a 19% real-terms increase on this year. 

    That includes £1.4bn to rebuild over 500 schools in the greatest need… 

    … including St Helen’s Primary School in Hartlepool, and Mercia Academy in Derby… 

    … and so many more across our country. 

    And we will provide a further £2.1bn to improve school maintenance, £300m more than this year… 

    … ensuring that all our children can learn somewhere safe… 

    … including dealing with RAAC affected schools in the constituencies of my HFs the members for Watford, Stourbridge, Hyndburn, and beyond.   

    Alongside investment in new teachers… 

    … and funding for thousands of new breakfast clubs… 

    … this government is giving our children and young people the opportunities that they deserve.   

    NHS 

    Madam Deputy Speaker, I come to our most cherished public service of all: our NHS.

    [redacted political content]

    In our first week in office, he commissioned an independent report into the state of our health service by Lord Darzi.  

    Its conclusions were damning.  

    While our NHS staff do a remarkable job, and we thank them for it… 

    … it is clear that, that in so many areas… 

    … we are moving in the wrong direction.  

    100,000 infants waited over 6 hours in A&E last year.  

    350,000 people are waiting a year for mental health support. 

    Cancer deaths here are higher than in other countries.  

    It is simply unforgiveable. 

    In the Spring, we will publish a 10 year plan for the NHS… 

    … to deliver a shift from hospital to community… 

    … from analogue to digital… 

    … and from sickness to prevention. 

    Today, we are announcing a downpayment on that plan…  

    …  to enable the NHS to deliver 2% productivity growth next year. 

    These reforms are vital.  

    But we should be honest.  

    The state of the NHS we inherited… 

    … after – and I quote Lord Darzi – “the most austere decade since the NHS was founded” –  

    … means reform must come alongside investment. 

    So today… 

    … because of the difficult decision that I have taken on tax, welfare and spending… 

    … I can announce… 

    … that I am providing a £22.6bn increase in the day to-day health budget… 

    … and a £3.1bn increase in the capital budget… 

    … over this year and next year. 

    This is the largest real-terms growth in day to day NHS spending outside of Covid since 2010.  

    Let me set out what this funding is delivering.  

    Many NHS buildings have been left in a state of disrepair. 

    So we will provide £1 billion of health capital investment next year to address the backlog of repairs and upgrades across the NHS.  

    To increase capacity for tens of thousands more procedures next year… 

    … we will provide a further £1.5bn… 

    … for new beds in hospitals across the country…  

    … new capacity for over a million additional diagnostic tests… 

    … and new surgical hubs and diagnostic centres … 

    … so that those people waiting for their treatment can get it as quickly as possible. 

    My Right Honourable Friend the Health Secretary will be announcing the details of his review into the New Hospital Programme in the coming weeks… 

    … and publishing in the new year… 

    … but I can tell the House today… 

    … that work will continue at pace to deliver those seven hospitals affected including… 

    … West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds… 

    … and Leighton Hospital in Crewe.  

    And finally… 

    … because of this record injection of funding… 

    … because of the thousands of additional beds that we have secured… 

    … and because of the reforms that we are delivering in our NHS…  

    … we can now begin to bring waiting lists down more quickly… 

    … and move towards our target for waiting times no longer than 18 weeks… 

    … by delivering our manifesto commitment for 40,000 extra hospital appointments a week.

    [redacted political content]

    CLOSING 

    Madam Deputy Speaker, the choices that I have made today are the right choices for our country.  

    To restore stability to our public finances. 

    To protect working people. 

    To fix our NHS. 

    And to rebuild Britain.  

    That doesn’t mean these choices are easy. 

    But they are responsible.

    [redacted political content]

    This is a moment of fundamental choice for Britain.  

    I have made my choices.  

    The responsible choices. 

    To restore stability to our country. 

    To protect working people.  

    More teachers in our schools.  

    More appointments in our NHS.  

    More homes being built.  

    Fixing the foundations of our economy. 

    Investing in our future.  

    Delivering change.  

    Rebuilding Britain.

    We on these benches commend those choices… 

    … and I commend this Statement to the House.

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Researcher Melissa Gish Bridges Chemistry and Physics To Improve Solar Energy Technologies

    Source: US National Renewable Energy Laboratory

    Researchers Bryon Larson, Melissa Gish, Ross Larsen, and Reilly Seban (left to right) are collecting and analyzing data on organic solar cells in the NREL Energy Systems Integration Facility’s Insight Center. Their research is part of a large-scale effort to quantify organic photovoltaics for incorporation into machine learning tools. Photo by Joe DelNero, NREL

    Melissa Gish approaches physics and chemistry problems like puzzles: Control this or that variable, and work out how the jigsaw pieces fit together.

    “I didn’t really like biology because I felt like there were too many variables to adequately control,” said Gish, a chemistry researcher at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).

    The journal Trends in Chemistry recently honored Gish in a special issue designed to highlight emerging leaders in chemistry who are innovating in their respective fields, as well as to celebrate Trends in Chemistry’s fifth anniversary and Cell Press’ 50th anniversary.

    That inclination toward controlling variables to chart a path to discovery led her from high school biology experiments on the breeding behavior of mosquitoes to majoring in chemistry in college. In her senior year, Gish studied quantum mechanics and worked in a physical chemistry lab—and that work led her to pursue a Ph.D. in experimental physical chemistry.

    “The intersection of physics and chemistry just made sense to me in a way that other disciplines hadn’t,” she said. “It just clicked.”

    At the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC), Gish immediately started working in ultrafast spectroscopy, where pulsed lasers are used to study ultrafast events after a system absorbs light—within solar energy research—and her renewable energy research interests then led her to NREL, first as a postdoctoral researcher and now as a chemistry researcher.

    “NREL has world-class fundamental research and amazing physical chemists,” she said, “so I could continue working with ultrafast spectroscopy and solar energy research.”

    Leading on Transient Spectroscopy

    Gish began her work in transient spectroscopy—studying the properties of short-lived excited states of molecules and materials—at UNC and continues that work at NREL.

    “We were studying dye-sensitized photoelectrosynthesis cells, which involved the absorption of light to kick off an electron transfer cascade that would lead to catalysis to generate solar fuels,” she said. “These systems often had two-to-three-plus components, each with its own photophysics that needed to be parsed out with careful control experiments. These problems are puzzles—each puzzle is unique and fun to solve, with the added bonus of working toward new renewable energy technologies.”

    At NREL, Gish has become a leader in using transient spectroscopy to study pathways to more efficient solar cells and solar energy production and uncovering the photophysics of complicated molecular and materials systems, often connecting that information to photochemical reactions. Her work spans much of the periodic table, from organic molecules and polymers to transition and rare earth metal-organic complexes to silicon nanoparticles to semiconductor materials and more. Gish’s recent investigations extend across the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Office of Science Basic Energy Sciences research portfolio at NREL and have targeted the short excited-state lifetimes of conjugated polymers, tuning of singlet fission at mesoporous interfaces, and development of a strategy to differentiate rare earth elements.

    Gish is presently interested in connecting ultrafast photophysics on the very small scale—femtoseconds, picoseconds, and nanoseconds—to photochemical transformations on the seconds-to-hours time scale.

    “Understanding the initial processes after light absorption that may affect the photochemistry or photocatalysis that happens many decades later can help us design better systems for solar energy harvesting or light-induced separations,” Gish said. “I’ve been working on in situ methods to spectroscopically determine intermediates and products on longer time scales to connect the ultrafast experiments.”

    As she looks to the immediate future in her research, Gish is thinking about the photophysics of product selectivity in photocatalysis, in which solar energy is converted to chemical energy.

    “To make usable, storable solar fuels, we need to be able to generate the product that we want—for example, methanol—and there’s a lot we don’t understand about how to drive solar fuel production and photocatalysis to the final product of our choosing,” she said.

    Gish’s work extends to safety in the lab. She is a technical and safety leader for laser-based spectroscopy at NREL, stewarding several ultrafast laser systems and mentoring users of all experience levels in best safety practices for alignment, designing experiments, and operating systems to obtain high-quality data and rigorous data analysis. She has also played an integral part in NREL’s Laser Safety Panel, helping improve the laser operator qualification process and defining the laser system supervisor’s roles and responsibilities.

    Kyle Crabb, Rob Hammond, and Melissa Gish (left to right) pose for a photo in front of the Pride flag at NREL’s South Table Mountain Campus in 2023 after the second annual Full Spectrum Network-organized Pride flag raising at NREL. Photo by Joe DelNero, NREL

    Supporting and Mentoring Others

    Good leaders give back to their communities, and Gish gives back through mentorship and building community.

    At NREL, Gish cofounded two employee resource groups for NREL staff: the Full Spectrum Network (LGBTQIA+ employees and allies) and the Postdoc and Graduate Student Network.

    “My involvement in Full Spectrum and, in particular, my role in starting Pride Month events at NREL means a lot to me,” Gish said. “What I’m most proud of is how the group has continued as I and the initial steering committee passed the torch to the current leadership. Running an employee resource group is a lot of work and requires a lot of dedication and passion, and it’s amazing to see how each iteration of Full Spectrum continues our initial traditions and builds on them. For example, the annual Pride flag raising at the South Table Mountain Campus is something that started after my time and was extended to the Flatirons Campus this year.”

    Full Spectrum has helped bring together the LGBTQIA+ community at NREL and helped them feel seen and embraced.

    “I think it’s important for NREL to show LGBTQIA+ staff that our contributions are recognized and celebrated, which is a legacy I am proud of,” Gish said. “I have had new employees reach out to me and say that our work in Full Spectrum and the visibility it has provided to LGBTQIA+ staff has influenced their decision to come work at NREL because of the safe space that has been created.”

    Gish is also proud of her work with the Postdoc and Graduate Student Network, where she mentors early-career researchers from undergraduate and graduate students to postdoctoral researchers.

    “Postdocs and students are in a unique position where they are actively looking for their next job while producing high-quality scientific research and learning the advanced techniques we have here at NREL,” she said. “We wanted the network to provide professional development opportunities, soft-skills workshops, and networking opportunities to alleviate some of that stress that these early-career folks feel. I have also had opportunities to mentor postdocs, grad students, and undergrads as a staff scientist.

    “I really enjoy watching students and postdocs grow and become confident scientists,” Gish continued. “As the NREL principal investigator of a Reaching a New Energy Sciences Workforce (RENEW) project in collaboration with Metropolitan State University of Denver, I’ve had the pleasure of mentoring undergraduate students with limited lab experience who are motivated and passionate about learning spectroscopy as well as what it is like to be a scientist and explore this career as an option.”

    Gish’s RENEW project focuses on understanding spin dynamics of first row transition metal photosensitizers.

    She is continuing her career trajectory by actively solving chemistry puzzles—developing spectroscopic capabilities to answer new questions about next-generation solar energy technologies—and building her portfolio as a principal investigator while mentoring and serving her community.

    “Melissa has developed quickly into a key team member of several of our DOE Office of Science Basic Energy Sciences projects and was recently successful as an NREL principal investigator on a RENEW project focused on harnessing spin physics to drive photochemical reactions,” said NREL’s Andrew Ferguson, spectroscopy and photoscience group manager. “I have been particularly impressed by her resilience, exemplified by her response to the restrictions imposed by the COVID pandemic on her postdoctoral work; her vision to develop the spectroscopic tools to connect ultrafast photophysical processes to much slower photochemical reactivity; and her commitment to effective training and mentoring of early-career researchers. She is certainly worthy of recognition as an emerging leader in chemistry, and I am excited to see where her career goes from here.”

    Learn more about Melissa Gish’s research and NREL’s solar energy research.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Are Carbon-Free Energy Systems Possible? NREL Has a Way To Find Out

    Source: US National Renewable Energy Laboratory

    Live Power Experiments Using NREL’S ARIES Platform Solve Future Energy Challenges in the Present

    Aerial view of NREL’s Flatirons Campus, where researchers demonstrate clean energy solutions for large-scale systems using the ARIES platform. Photo by Josh Bauer and Taylor Mankle, NREL

    Renewable energy generation has risen for years, now supplying 22% of U.S. electricity. But the next gains will not come easy. Looming obstacles include a lack of energy storage, increasing cybersecurity threats and outages, possible electrical instabilities, and sectors that are hard to electrify.

    It’s a heavy list, but those exact obstacles are well known within NREL’s Advanced Research on Integrated Energy Systems (ARIES) platform. In fact, researchers replicate these obstacles in both physical and virtual environments every day to vet large-scale energy solutions in action.

    Like constellations that once guided explorers, ARIES helps users to orient their clean energy decisions. Following recent expansions in grid control, hydrogen, and cyber resilience, the platform can help researchers explore the greatest challenges to achieving a clean energy transformation.

    Fine Control Over Experimental Power

    One challenge for clean energy is the integration of diverse technologies. Power systems are becoming hybrid, distributed mixtures of solar, wind, storage, and many other energy resources. Electrically, they are nothing like we’ve had in the past, especially at the sub-second timescales.

    To develop solutions with enough detail, engineers need the real deal for experiments: electricity like it exists in homes, between cities, and during disasters. They need to customize electricity to recreate the big research questions.

    ARIES has that customizability, thanks to the controllable grid interface (CGI), which acts as an envelope on incoming power, shaping it according to scenarios, such as an oil-fired generator failing on an island full of renewables or faults affecting a wind-powered microgrid.

    Past uses include:

    • Validating next-generation transformers that add transmission flexibility in the U.S. Department of Energy project Grid Application Development, Testbed, and Analysis for MV SiC (GADTAMS)
    • Piloting a grid-forming wind turbine with an industry partner
    • Exploring hybrid power plants that mix water, wind, storage, and solar in the multi-laboratory project FlexPower.

    In 2024, the CGI quadrupled in power, and it is better able to answer the many unknowns of clean energy deployed at scale.

    With ARIES, researchers construct fully realistic energy systems to explore solutions for clean energy integrations, both near term and long term. This photo shows a photovoltaic array at right, and just above the array is the CGI, which customizes power flow throughout the research platform. The trailers and boxes in the center are batteries, hydrogen tanks, electrolyzers, fuel cells, direct current devices, and more. Photo by Josh Bauer and Taylor Mankle, NREL

    Clean Energy Demonstrations Get Larger and More Integrated

    With the CGI upgrade, the interface can run two custom scenarios in parallel at 7 megavolt-amperes and 20 megavolt-amperes, and the researchers are taking advantage.

    “It’s bigger, a little faster, and it gives us bandwidth,” said Przemyslaw Koralewicz, an architect of the interface. Prior to CGI2’s completion, projects were bottlenecked by the interface’s availability. Now researchers can switch between two different machines when experiments stack up, or they can even use both in the same experiment.

    “In one interesting experiment as part of the SuperFACTS project, we placed a battery on one interface and a photovoltaic array on the other. Artificially, they were made to act as if they were 1,000 miles away, individually contributing to stability on the same electric grid,” Koralewicz described.

    Przemek Koralewicz, third from left, and colleagues present the latest additions to the CGI. The CGI is housed in a trailer full of power electronic switches that allow researchers to customize real energy system scenarios. Photo by Josh Bauer, NREL

    A top research goal of ARIES is to successfully integrate diverse technologies. The CGI is designed for this purpose, making it possible to catch problems of instability or unreliability within uncommon energy combinations. One example is direct current (DC) microgrids.  

    “It’s becoming popular to explore DC microgrids. I’m pretty excited about the possibility,” Koralewicz said. “DC microgrids could avoid transformers and inject power directly into the grid bus. The CGI uniquely allows us to try this.”

    The DC bus could charge heavy-duty vehicles directly from solar or wind resources, and it could power electrolyzers directly to produce hydrogen, possibilities that ARIES researchers are eager to study for their simpler architectures and unique pathways.

    Although a DC bus is not yet available, other pathways are ready for research at ARIES. Thanks to additional infrastructure, hydrogen energy integration research is underway in a big way.

    From Clean Electricity to Gas and Back

    Hydrogen could singly abate several challenges in future energy systems. It’s a solution for energy storage, a force for grid flexibility, and an energy-dense fuel to rival carbon compounds. It’s a resource with real potential to integrate clean power, but it is lacking in experimental run time. That’s why the ARIES integrated hydrogen capabilities have expanded.

    NREL research technicians Tavis Hanna and Daniel Leighton tighten flanges on a pump for integrated cooling systems. This hardware helps make ARIES a hub for large-scale hydrogen-grid research. Photo by Werner Slocum, NREL

    From storage tanks to fuel cells, and from water deionizers to electrolyzers, ARIES features a full circle of clean hydrogen assets. These capabilities are set apart by their close integration with other renewable assets. At a megawatt capacity, ARIES is also the proper size to pilot hydrogen pathways before going to the full grid scale, the target of the U.S. Department of Energy’s H2@Scale initiative.

    This capability appeals to mining companies and downstream ore processing facilities that want to decarbonize their operations, as well as to automotive companies that are curious about stationary power from fuel cells as an opportunity to enlarge their customer base.

    “We commissioned and built this new equipment, and now we want to answer questions about electrolysis at the relevant scale,” Daniel Leighton, NREL technical lead, said in a public presentation.

    Leighton and colleagues added the new assets so that researchers can explore the options around renewably produced hydrogen.  

    “We’ll have a pipeline that will connect to future underground storage, and we are currently validating a metal hydride storage system for low-pressure hydrogen. To validate electrolysis technologies and how they support other areas, we’re building out a full balance of plant at 6 megawatts for partners to do drop-in validation,” Leighton said.

    Of course, none of this—neither the hybrid power plants nor the underground hydrogen caverns—means anything if integrated energy systems are not secure. It might not be as visible as pipelines, but as another core aim of ARIES, cybersecurity is increasingly everywhere and for good reason.

    Sharper Cybersecurity: Attacking a Wind Turbine, Cloud Security, and Microgrid Communications

    Modern organizations face a daily barrage of cyberattacks and scams, and the situation is similarly problematic for energy systems.

    “We’re seeing hacking software become very cheap and nation states facilitating attacks. At the same time, we see our energy systems becoming much more complex—for example, an increase in the quantity of devices operating as part of the grid,” said Dane Christensen, manager of the Cyber System Assessment group at NREL.

    “A loss of exclusive utility ownership over grid-interactive devices. Less tractable supply chains. A mix of legacy and modern hardware,” Christensen explained. “How do we retain the benefits of all this connectivity and achieve mutual cybersecurity?”

    It’s a question that Christensen and colleagues are answering using the ARIES Cyber Range, which virtualizes, cosimulates, and visualizes energy system experiments.

    An early demonstration of the ARIES Cyber Range was, logically, to attack a wind turbine on NREL’s Flatirons Campus.

    NREL researchers staged a self-cyberattack on a research wind turbine to show a confluence of ARIES capabilities, including cyber-physical emulation, real-time interactivity, power hardware-in-the-loop, and visualization. Photo by NREL

    In front of a live industry audience, NREL researchers established a facsimile of a distribution utility, transmission utility, and independent wind power producer, which the researchers disabled by accessing the wind power plant’s control center through vulnerabilities.

    Using ARIES, they launched an attack to shut down one full-scale turbine at NREL’s Flatirons Campus and an emulated wind power plant. This triggered automated safeties to impact the surrounding transmission system.

    In seconds, NREL’s mock attackers reduced the plant production to zero, cutting power to thousands of (simulated) people, showcasing what consequences could occur if vulnerabilities are left unpatched in energy systems and showing the usefulness of ARIES tools in addressing those vulnerabilities.

    “We leverage the cyber range to employ much more realistic systems and to be able to scale our research,” Christensen said. “We couple the physical and virtual in real time and track it visually. In this way, we can help mitigate the risk inherent in both newly adopted technologies and in the trusted relationships that exist across the energy sector.”

    The cyber-physical union at ARIES has redefined clean energy research. This is evident in a 5G microgrid platform, where utilities can assess wireless operations, and in CloudZero, where they can assess the cloud management of complex energy systems.

    Like all challenges ahead for clean energy systems, cybersecurity becomes surmountable when researchers can have the real systems right in front of them, using ARIES.

    Stay Tuned, Reach Out, Learn More

    New opportunities continually appear for clean energy, which suits the underlying build of ARIES: Its hardware is reconfigurable and with digital simulators, scalable. ARIES researchers have a versatile electric grid at their fingertips, and they are just breaking the surface of what is possible on this research platform.

    Variability in the physical size of new energy technologies being added to the system

    Securely controlling (millions to tens of millions of) interconnected devices

    Integrating multiple diverse technologies that have not previously worked together

    Three key technical challenges guide ARIES research. Partners facing these same challenges can use the ARIES capabilities to evaluate and explore their options.

    Nearing five years of being online, ARIES is equipped for another generation of experiments, and it continues to grow. If you are interested in partnering with NREL, contact ARIES@nrel.gov. These partnering examples are open now:

    Visit nrel.gov/aries to learn more.

    The ARIES platform is supported by the Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Fiscal Affairs Department’s 60th Anniversary Conference: “60 Years of FAD: The Fiscal Affair Continues”

    Source: International Monetary Fund

    The Fiscal Affairs Department (FAD) of the IMF will celebrate 60 years since it was formed in 1964 with a one-day conference, “60 Years of FAD: The Fiscal Affair Continues,“ on November 4, 2024, in Washington D.C., USA.

    Even as prospects for a global soft landing have improved, fiscal policy continues to struggle with legacies of high debt and deficits, while facing new challenges. Risks to public finances are acute, reflecting the pressures of aging societies, industrial policies, geopolitical tensions, the needs of a greener and more equitable society and now, the threat to labor from AI technologies. Lower medium-term growth prospects have worsened debt dynamics and compounded the risks to fiscal sustainability. Fiscal policy challenges are especially acute in low-income countries, where financing is scarce and limits the ability of governments to support economic and human development.

    In this context, the conference will bring together fiscal policy experts, senior policy makers, and former and current IMF staff. They will look back at the contributions of FAD to the global fiscal policy discourse and its service to the membership. They will discuss the likely evolution of sovereign debt market and the role that public policy can play in making AI beneficial for workers and growth. And they will look ahead to the challenges that will emerge for fiscal policy in the future, and the choices fiscal policymakers will face, especially in low-income and fragile countries. The conference will also be an occasion to celebrate the evolution and impact of FAD’s capacity development (CD) from serving a small section of the membership to covering nearly every corner of the world.

    Agenda

    8:30 A.M. Coffee and refreshments
    9:00 A.M. Opening remarks. Gita Gopinath, First Deputy Managing Director of the IMF, introduced by Vítor Gaspar, Director, Fiscal Affairs Department, IMF.
    9:15 – 10:30 A.M. Sovereign Debt
     Moderator: Ceyla Pazarbasioglu, Director, Strategy, Policy and Review Department, IMF
    Panelists:

    S. Ali Abbas  (Deputy Director, Fiscal Affairs Department, IMF)

    S. Ali Abbas is a deputy director in the IMF’s Fiscal Affairs Department where he supervises the sovereign debt and governance workstreams, and oversees the department’s review of Fund programs in emerging and developing economies, with a focus on Sub-Saharan Africa. He was previously IMF mission chief for the United Kingdom and Jordan, and deputy chief of the Debt Policy Division in the IMF’s Strategy Policy and Review Department. He has been closely involved in several complex Fund programs, and has led reforms to the IMF’s exceptional access lending and debt sustainability frameworks. In 2019, he co-edited Sovereign Debt: A Guide for Economists and Practitioners (OUP), with Alex Pienkowski and Kenneth Rogoff, adding to his earlier published work on post-GFC fiscal policy, the euro area sovereign debt crisis, international tax competition, state contingent debt instruments, fiscal policy and the current account, and government securities markets. Ali is a Rhodes scholar from Pakistan and holds a doctorate in economics from Oxford. He also served as an Overseas Development Institute fellow to the Tanzanian Treasury during 2000–02.

    Carlo Cottarelli (Former Director Fiscal Affairs Department, IMF)

    Carlo Cottarelli, a citizen of Italy, after receiving degrees in economics from the University of Siena and the London School of Economics, worked at the Bank of Italy, ENI and the IMF. He was FAD Director in 2008-13, Commissioner for Public Spending in Italy in 2013-14, IMF Executive Director in 2014-17. He taught at Bocconi University and he is currently Director of the Observatory on the Italian Public Accounts of the Catholic University of Milan, where he also teaches a course of Fiscal Macroeconomics In 2021 he was awarded the honor of First Class Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic.

    Christoph Trebesch (Professor, Kiel University)

    Christoph Trebesch is a professor at the Kiel Institute for the World Economy and the University of Kiel. His research focuses on international finance and macroeconomics as well as political economy and geopolitics. His research has been published in leading economic journals such as the American Economic Review, the Quarterly Journal of Economics, and the Journal of Political Economy, and is regularly cited in international media, including the New York Times, the Financial Times, and the Wall Street Journal. He directs the CEPR Policy Network on “International Lending and Sovereign Debt” and co-directs the CEPR Network on “Geoeconomics”, for which he organizes an annual high-level conference on geopolitics and economics. He is also the creator of the widely referenced “Ukraine Support Tracker” on military and financial aid flows to Ukraine. In 2023, he was awarded an ERC Consolidator Grant, one of the most prestigious research recognitions in Europe.
    10:30 – 11:00 AM The Surge in FAD’s Capacity Development Delivery (A/V) Moderators:

    Katherine Baer (Deputy Director, Fiscal Affairs Department, IMF)

    Katherine Baer is a Deputy Director in the IMF’s Fiscal Affairs Department (FAD). She oversees FAD’s work in the areas of taxation and public financial management, supervises Capacity Development (CD) delivery in all fiscal areas to countries in the Middle East, North Africa and Centra Asia, oversees FAD’s strategy to strengthen fiscal policies and institutions in the Fragile and Conflict-Affected States, and manages the department’s work on fiscal issues from a gender perspective. Her career at the IMF has focused on strengthening fiscal policies and institutions in member countries across all regions and income levels, and in countries experiencing economic crises. She has been an economist in the U.S. Treasury and an assistant commissioner in the Mexican Tax Administration. She also worked at the World Bank on public finance reforms in Latin America and the Caribbean at the height of the region’s debt crisis in the 1980s. Ms. Baer has many publications relating to public finance and holds a Ph.D. from Cornell University.

    Juan Toro (Deputy Director, Fiscal Affairs Department, IMF)

    Juan Toro is Deputy Director of the IMF’s Fiscal Affairs Department (FAD), in charge of: managing FAD budget, relationship with development partners, overseeing governance and operations of FAD’s capacity development (CD), coordinating FAD’s CD to Europe, and coordinating FAD TA on sustainable development goals. He previously was Assistant Director in charge of the IMF’s revenue administration CD to Europe, Asia, Middle East, and Central Asia.

    He has led and participated in IMF TA missions in taxation in more than 40 countries and has authored and contributed to several analytical papers in taxation. Before joining the IMF in 2007, he was the Commissioner of the Chilean Tax Administration (Servicio de Impuestos Internos, SII) from 2002 to 2006.
    11.00 – 11:30 A.M. Coffee break
    11:30 A.M. – 12:45 P.M. FAD in the Global Discourse
    Moderator: Ruud De Mooij , Deputy Director, Fiscal Affairs Department, IMF
    Panelists:

    Zainab Ahmed (Alternate Executive Director, World Bank)

    Alternate Executive Director from Nigeria from July 2023 to October 2024. A Nigerian national representing – Angola, Nigeria, and South Africa (EDS25). Prior to joining the WBG, Ms. Ahmed has served a:- Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning (2018- 2023); Minister of State, Ministry of Budget and National Planning (2015 – 2018); Chair of the board of Trustees of the African Union Peace Fund (2019 – 2023). Member of the International Board, Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) (2016 – 2019); Executive Secretary and National Coordinator, Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) (2010 – 2015); and Managing Director, Kaduna Investment Company Ltd (2009 – 2010).

    Abdulelah Alrasheedy (Deputy Minister of Macro-Fiscal Policies, Ministry of Finance, Saudi Arabia)

    Dr. Abdulelah AlRasheedy is the Deputy Minister for Macro-Fiscal Policies at Ministry of Finance (MOF). Before being named Deputy Minister in March 2024, Dr. AlRasheedy was Assistant Deputy Minister for Macroeconomic Policies Analysis and Acting as General Supervisor of Policy and Consultation Assistant Deputyship.
    Prior to joining Ministry of Finance, Dr. Abdulelah spent 12 years with Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) most recently as Manager of Economic Modeling Division and was SAMA Representative at The International Financial Architecture Working Group.
    Dr. Abdulelah earned a Ph.D.  in economics and statistics from University of Missouri, where he was a Research Scholar at the Global Institute for Sustainable Prosperity.
    In addition to being a Deputy Minister, he is a board member of King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy. Also a Ministry of Finance Representative for Financial Sustainability Board. 

    Adam Posen (President, Peterson Institute of International Economics)
    Mark Sobel (U.S. Chairman, OMFIF)

    Mark Sobel is currently US Chair at OMFIF.  He served  nearly four decades at the US Treasury, including as Deputy Assistant Secretary for International and Monetary Affairs from 2000-2015, a position in which he led the Department’s work in preparing G7 and G20 Finance Minister and Central Bank Governor meetings, formulating US positions in the IMF, and coordinating the work of Treasury and regulatory agencies in the Financial Stability Board.  He was also chief US financial negotiator in the G20 from 2008-2015, including for the 2009 London Economic Summit.  From 2015 through early 2018, he was US representative at the IMF. 
    12:45 – 1:00 P.M. FAD Montage (A/V)
    A look back at FAD through the decades.
    1:00 – 2:15 P.M. Lunch (by invitation)
    2:15 – 3:30 P.M. Public Policy for AI
    Moderator: Era Dabla-Norris, Deputy Director, Fiscal Affairs Department, IMF
    Panelists:

    Simon Johnson (Professor, MIT Sloan School of Management & 2024  Nobel Prize Winner in Economics )

    Simon Johnson is the Ronald A. Kurtz (1954) Professor of Entrepreneurship the MIT Sloan School of Management, where he is head of the Global Economics and Management group. At MIT, he is also co-director of the Shaping the Future of Work Initiative and a Research Affiliate at Blueprint Labs. In 2007-08, Johnson was chief economist and director of the Research Department at the International Monetary Fund. He currently co-chairs the CFA Institute Systemic Risk Council with Erkki Liikanen. In February 2021, Johnson joined the board of directors of Fannie Mae, where he is vice chair of the audit committee and a member of the risk and capital committee. Johnson’s most recent book, with Daron Acemoglu, Power and Progress: Our 1000-Year Struggle Over Technology and Prosperity, explores the history and economics of major technological transformations up to and including the latest developments in Artificial Intelligence.
    2024 Nobel prize laureate in economic sciences “for studies of how institutions are formed and affect prosperity”

    Branko Milanovic (Professor, City University of New York)

    Research professor at the Graduate Center, City University of New York and senior scholar at The Stone Center on Socio-economic Inequality; Visiting Professor at the Institute for International Inequalities at LSE; was lead economist in World Bank Research Department for almost 20 years and senior associate at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington. Milanovic’s main area of work is income inequality, in individual countries and globally, as well as historically among pre-industrial societies. His most recent books are Global inequality: a new approach for the age of globalization which deals with economic and political issues of globalization, and Capitalism, Alone that contrasts inequality and class formation in societies of liberal and political capitalism. In October 2023, he published Visions of Inequality that looks at how income distribution was studied by the most famous economists over the past 200 years. Milanovic was awarded (jointly with Mariana Mazzucato) the 2018 Leontieff Prize.

    Christine Qiang (Global Director, Digital Transformation Global Department, World Bank)
    3.30 – 4:00 P.M. Coffee break
    4:00 – 5:15 P.M. The Future of Fiscal Policy
    Moderator: Vítor Gaspar Director, Fiscal Affairs Department, IMF
    Panelists:

    Jason Furman (Professor, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University)

    Jason Furman is the Aetna Professor of the Practice of Economic Policy jointly at Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) and the Department of Economics at Harvard University. Furman engages in public policy through research, writing and teaching in a wide range of areas including U.S. and international macroeconomics, fiscal policy, labor markets and competition policy. Previously Furman served eight years as a top economic adviser to President Obama, including serving as the 28th Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers from August 2013 to January 2017, acting as both President Obama’s chief economist and a member of the cabinet. In addition to articles in scholarly journals and periodicals, Furman is a regular contributor to the Wall Street Journal and Project Syndicate and the editor of two books on economic policy. Furman holds a Ph.D. in economics from Harvard University.

    Ilan Goldfajn (President, Inter-American Development Bank)

    He was elected president of the IDB in November 2022, after serving as director of the Western Hemisphere Department at the International Monetary Fund. Previously, he was governor of the Banco Central do Brasil (2016-2019), where he led several modernization reforms, including promoting financial inclusion through Brazil’s fast digital payment system. He has also held several academic positions and high-ranking roles in Brazil’s financial sector.  In 2017, he was elected Central Banker of the Year by The Banker magazine.  Mr. Goldfajn holds a doctorate in economics from MIT, and master’s degree in economics from the Pontificia Universidade and has taught economics at universities in Brazil and the U.S. He is fluent in four languages.

    Mick Keen (Professor, Tokyo University)

    Michael Keen was formerly Deputy Director of the Fiscal Affairs Department at the International Monetary Fund. He is now Ushioda Fellow at the University of Tokyo. Michael was President of the International Institute of Public Finance from 2003 to 2006, awarded the CESifo Musgrave Prize in 2010, and in 2018 received from the National Tax Association of the United States its most prestigious award, the Daniel M. Holland Medal for distinguished lifetime contributions to the study and practice of public finance. His most recent book, Rebellion, Rascals and Revenues (with Joel Slemrod), aims to use history and humor to convey basic tax principles to a wider audience.
    5:15 P.M. Closing remarks
    Vítor Gaspar (Director, Fiscal Affairs Department )
    6:00 P.M. Adjourn

    Conference Organizing Committee: Katherine Baer (Deputy Director, FAD), Mitali Das (Advisor, FAD), and Andrew Okello (Deputy Division Chief, FAD).

    Conference Coordinators: Agnese de Leo (Administrative Coordinator), Harsha Padaruth (Administrative Coordinator), Luciana Marcelino (Administrative Coordinator) Martha Gaytan Frettlohr (Administrative Coordinator), Sahara De la Torre (Administrative Coordinator), and Sheetal Prasad (Senior Administrative Coordinator) – all FAD.

    The conference (which is in-person only) is open to all Fund employees and invited external guests (registration is required of external guests who will all receive a link to the registration form). Please note that the deadline for registration for this conference is October 25th, 2024. Registered external guests will be required to present photo identification on entering the IMF at 1900 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington D.C. For questions regarding the conference, please email FAD_60th_anniversary@imf.org

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: CoRWM visits Wylfa nuclear power station

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Members met on Anglesey to learn more about the potential new nuclear development at its Closed and Open Plenary meetings.

    A sketch of Wylfa by CoRWM member Stephen Tromans (non-irradiated graphite on paper).

    On 11 and 12 September 2024, CoRWM members met on the beautiful island of Yns Mon (Anglesey) for its Closed and Open Plenary meetings. Some of the hardier members of the Committee were able to swim in the less than tropical waters of Trearddur Bay between working sessions. As well as our regular business, we had an excellent presentation from Sasha Wynn Davies, chair of the Wales Nuclear Forum.  North Wales has a strong nuclear heritage and is part of the “nuclear arc” of Cumbria, Lancashire, Cheshire and North Wales. The power station at Wylfa was a crucial source of employment on Anglesey and Sasha left us in no doubt that the future economic and social well-being of the island is bound up with potential new nuclear development at that site, whether at gigawatt scale or with small modular reactors, or both.

    After our Open Plenary meeting, we were privileged to visit Wylfa, at the invitation of the site manager Stuart Law. Stuart and the site waste manager Adele Brooksbank gave us an excellent overview of the issues involved in decommissioning and waste management before taking us on an illuminating tour. It was opportune to make the visit for two reasons: first as a helpful complement to our visit to Trawsfynydd last year, another Magnox station, but a very different one; and secondly since the last visit by CoRWM members to Wylfa was in January 2015, almost 10 years ago. Much has happened since then including the consignment of the last batch of Magnox fuel to Sellafield for reprocessing in September 2019. It is greatly to the credit of the site management that defuelling was undertaken and completed so that Sellafield was not kept waiting for the fuel., and moreover that the site was able to reshuffle fuel between reactors to accommodate the earlier delays in Sellafield’s readiness to receive spent fuel. The site has also completed the difficult job of dealing with a number of badly corroded fuel elements affected by a water leak into the dry store in the past.

    This location of Wyla on the north coast of Anglesey was chosen for a nuclear power station because of its geological stability and easy access from the sea for construction materials. The proximity of seawater was important for cooling its twin nuclear reactors, the last and largest of the Magnox type. Construction began in 1963 and the station fed its first electricity into the supply grid in 1971. A high-voltage power line was built across Anglesey to transport the electricity. A considerable portion of the output, up to 255 MW, was consumed by the nearby Anglesey Aluminium smelting plant.

     Wylfa was the last of the ten Magnox power stations to be built and the second constructed with a pre-stressed concrete vessel. Construction began in 1963  at a cost of £740 million and commercial operation commenced in 1971. Its twin reactors and associated turbo-generators had a generating capacity of up to 980 megawatts (electrical) [MW(e)]. It was the largest of the Magnox stations and its massive scale was very apparent on our site tour. Over its life from 1971 to 2015, Wylfa produced 232 TW hours of electricity, a very significant contribution to the UK’s power needs.

    It is proposed to have the site ready for a period of care and maintenance by 2037, which will leave just the reactors and dry store cells. However, critically, achieving that goal will depend on reliable funding. In particular, certainty of funding is necessary because of the long lead in times to projects because of the need to comply with procurement legislation. It was clear that in some cases better, storage facilities are needed for waste, with some wastes having to be stored in makeshift locations. While this is not unsafe, it is certainly sub-optimal in terms of handling and access.  Considerable use was made of asbestos as a cheap building material during construction in the 1960s, and this will present its own challenges in achieving a state of passive safety for the remaining buildings.

    In terms of waste disposal offsite, we were interested to hear of the cessation of shipments to the LLWR at Drigg, in favour of commercial licensed landfills and incinerators. Since 2007, government policy and strategy has sought to divert wastes away from the LLWR where alternative routes are available, as LLWR itself is seen as a valuable national resource and subject to increasing space constraints. Also, the Wylfa environmental permit was varied to allow a wider range of suitable disposal routes. The site will generate about 3,000 tonnes of graphite, currently packed as tightly as possible for a core design, and which once dismantled and packaged for a GDF will have an increased volume of 2.6. This illustrates graphically the future demands on space in a GDF from this particular waste stream.

    Finally we had an interesting visit to the control room for the twin reactors. The enormous size of Wylfa’s cores gave inherent stability against transients, i.e. changes in the coolant system temperature, or pressure, caused by changes in power output, by evening out fluctuations. This will have been beneficial in terms of waste production, and may be a factor to bear in mind with a generation of smaller reactors in the offing. It was also interesting to hear (at least for those of us more technically minded) that some fuel had been in low flux regions of the core for 22 years: this must presumably have been beneficial in terms of spent fuel arisings relative to the 11 outages that will have happened during that time. Also, online refuelling at Wylfa may well have enabled greater fidelity in fuel discharge and hence less spent fuel volume. This does illustrate an important linkage between reactor design and operation and spent fuel generation.

    This useful visit left us with plenty to consider in our ongoing work. We were impressed that Stuart Law had worked at Wylfa for 32 years and his pride in both the history and current phase of the site, together with his intimate knowledge, were apparent. The challenge at Wylfa and of course other Magnox and AGR sites will be maintaining those levels of commitment and practical knowledge as the current generation of management retires.

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Japan’s Reports on Conditions at TEPCO’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, 29 October 2024

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

    On 29 October 2024, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report on the discharge record and the seawater monitoring results at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station during July, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent to all international Missions in Japan.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Lankford Calls Out Department of Energy for Creating Database for Religious Accommodations

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Oklahoma James Lankford

    OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) sent a letter to the Department of Energy following a notice from the Department establishing new system of records for medical and non-medical accommodations requests, which may violate First Amendment rights.  

    “While I understand the Department’s intent to manage accommodation requests effectively, I am deeply concerned that collecting detailed records on an individual’s sincerely held religious beliefs and practices—alongside other personal and sensitive information—poses a significant threat to the privacy and religious freedoms of federal employees. The federal government has an obligation to protect religious liberty, ensuring that individuals are not subject to unnecessary scrutiny or invasive data collection that could deter them from exercising their constitutionally protected rights,” Lankford wrote in the letter.

    You can read the full letter HERE or below:

    Dear Ms. Dunkin,

    I write to express my strong opposition to the Department of Energy’s recent notice regarding the establishment of a new system of records, DOE-47, Reasonable Accommodation Requests Records (89 FR 78854). This system, which would collect and store information concerning employees and applicants requesting medical or religious accommodations, represents a grave violation of religious liberty as protected under the First Amendment and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA).

    While I understand the Department’s intent to manage accommodation requests effectively, I am deeply concerned that collecting detailed records on an individual’s sincerely held religious beliefs and practices—alongside other personal and sensitive information—poses a significant threat to the privacy and religious freedoms of federal employees. The federal government has an obligation to protect religious liberty, ensuring that individuals are not subject to unnecessary scrutiny or invasive data collection that could deter them from exercising their constitutionally protected rights.

    The proposed system also risks creating an environment in which employees may feel compelled to disclose private details about their faith or religious practices in order to justify their accommodation requests. This can lead to potential religious discrimination or bias in the workplace. Furthermore, the inclusion of categories such as religious leaders’ contact information and details on specific religious practices only deepens the potential for abuse or misuse of this data.

    In light of these serious concerns, I urge the Department of Energy to reconsider the implementation of DOE-47 in its current form. I ask the Department to consider alternative ways to ensure reasonable accommodations are granted without compromising the privacy and religious liberties of federal employees.

    Thank you for your attention to this critical issue. I look forward to your response.

    In God We Trust,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Manchin Honored for Decades-Long Service to West Virginia’s Energy Sector

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Joe Manchin

    October 30, 2024

    Charleston, WV– Last night, Senator Joe Manchin (I-WV), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, was honored with a reception for his decades-long service to West Virginia’s energy sector. The event was organized by energy producers and stakeholders from around the state.

    “As I reflect on my time in public service, I think of all the good work we’ve done together,” said Senator Manchin. “Serving the state of West Virginia for more than 40 years has been the honor of my life.

    “When I was elected to the Senate in 2010, I went to Washington with the goal of cutting through partisan gridlock to deliver common sense solutions for the people of West Virginia,” Senator Manchin continued. “Together with our state’s energy sector, I am incredibly proud of all that we have accomplished to advance our nation’s energy independence for generations to come and strengthen the Mountain State’s economy and create good-paying jobs.”

    To view photos from the event, click here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Colorado Celebrates Weatherization Day, Launches Federally Funded Home Electrification and Appliance Rebate Program

    Source: US State of Colorado

    The State will roll out the initial phase of rebates for cost-saving home energy upgrades through its Weatherization Assistance Program

    STATEWIDE – In celebration of National Weatherization Day today, the Polis Administration is commemorating 48 years of saving households money on energy costs with the launch of Colorado’s Home Electrification and Appliance Rebate (HEAR) program through the State’s Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). The Biden Administration’s landmark Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) provided funding for this initiative, which will expand access to energy efficiency improvements and high-efficiency electric appliances, saving Coloradans money across the state.

    “We are focused on saving Coloradans money on energy bills by increasing access to high-efficiency heat pumps and better insulation for homes. Upgrades like these save Coloradans money on utilities, make homes more comfortable year-round, and protect our clean air,” said Gov. Polis.

    Colorado is the first state in the nation to integrate HEAR funding into its weatherization program, further advancing the program’s goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, lower energy bills, and improve home comfort and safety. In the last year, Colorado’s weatherization program served nearly 4,000 people, reducing annual emissions equal to the energy used by 1,800 homes.

    “Cutting emissions from building heating and energy use is essential to achieve our ambitious climate goals,” said Colorado Energy Office (CEO) Executive Director Will Toor. “Our weatherization program has helped Coloradans reduce their energy use and save money on utility costs for more than four decades. With this key funding from the IRA, our office is ready to extend the benefits of this program to even more hardworking Colorado families.”

    WAP offers no-cost home energy upgrades to low-income residents, and by working with the program’s existing processes and service providers, it provides a strong foundation for rolling out the first HEAR rebates. In addition to expanding the reach of the program to more Colorado households, HEAR funding will allow WAP to provide electric appliances to clients who previously would not have been eligible for electrification upgrades.

    Through WAP, the first phase of the HEAR program will be used to serve households with incomes below 60% of the state median income or 80% of their county’s area median income.

    Colorado will dedicate a total of $7.6 million in HEAR funding to WAP. An additional $46 million from the HEAR program will fund direct-to-consumer rebates for eligible low- and moderate-income Coloradans who are not receiving WAP services starting sometime next year. HEAR funding through WAP and for direct-to-consumer rebates will be available until 2031 (or earlier if all the funds are used).

    Low-income households interested in receiving weatherization services can learn more and apply on the WAP webpage. Those interested in direct-to-consumer rebates can learn more and sign-up for email updates on the Home Energy Rebate Programs webpage.

    “From folks living in the Plains to those in the Rockies, big cost savings are coming for Coloradans looking to adapt their home’s energy needs to face the new challenges posed by climate change,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “Colorado’s HEAR program presents a historic opportunity for residents in the state to save hundreds to thousands of dollars on energy-efficient upgrades and reduce energy bills for seasons to come.”

    CEO also plans to launch the IRA-funded Home Efficiency Rebate (HOMES) program next year to support efficiency improvements in income-qualified multifamily buildings and mobile/manufactured homes.

    To foster workforce development in Colorado’s rapidly growing energy industry, WAP is partnering with local weatherization service providers to offer a paid Energy Efficiency Technician Registered Apprenticeship Program.

    Through on-the-job training and experience, apprentices will learn the fundamentals of weatherization and building science principles, receiving certifications through the Building Performance Institute, Environmental Protection Agency, and Occupational Safety and Health Administration upon successful completion of the program. Learn more about the apprenticeship program and other weatherization career opportunities on the WAP Careers webpage.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: New Affordable Homes in Sunset Park

    Source: US State of New York

    Governor Kathy Hochul today celebrated the completion of Sunset Ridge, an 84-unit, affordable housing development for seniors and older adults in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. The energy-efficient development, which also houses a new education space, will preserve historic decorative elements from a church that used to be on the site and is the first affordable older adult housing built in Sunset Park in over 15 years.

    “Sunset Ridge is the embodiment of a multi-generational and community-centered development — one that incorporates the neighborhood’s history with the need for growth and sustainability,” Governor Hochul said. “By investing in new mixed-use projects, we are unlocking a future that is more affordable and more livable, opening up new opportunities for communities to thrive.”

    The entire $65 million development is reserved for persons aged 62 and older earning up to 50 percent of the Area Median Income. All units are supported by project-based vouchers, ensuring tenants pay no more than 30 percent of their income on rent. Reflecting a strong commitment to address housing insecurity among the city’s most vulnerable, 26 apartments are set aside for formerly homeless seniors who will receive social services including emergency assistance, recreational activities, case management, wellness support and benefits assistance.

    The ground floor and first floor of the new building includes a community facility space for five pre-kindergarten classrooms that will be constructed by the New York City Schools Construction Authority starting in 2025, enhancing access to early childhood education for local families.

    New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, “Sunset Ridge is giving 84 senior households affordable and modern homes where they can age in place, while also prioritizing the needs of families with a new education space. This $65 million investment will help residents decrease their carbon footprint and provide support for tenants who need it most. We are grateful to Governor Hochul for her vision, as well as to Commissioner Carrion and all our partners for bringing this project to fruition.”

    The project included the demolition of the Zion Lutheran Church and the construction of a new nine-story building, as well as the complete rehabilitation of two pre-existing townhouses which were combined into one building. Decorative elements of the original church were preserved and reused within the new building.

    Both buildings feature energy-efficiency measures including all-electric heating and cooking. Additionally, a 19.8kW solar array was installed on the roof, underscoring the project’s commitment to sustainability.

    In the past five years, New York State Homes and Community Renewal has created or preserved nearly 7,700 affordable homes in Brooklyn. Sunset Ridge continues this effort and complements Governor Hochul’s $25 billion five-year Housing Plan which is on track to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes statewide.

    Fifth Avenue Committee, a nonprofit comprehensive community development corporation, is the project sponsor, developer and manager. Bay Ridge Center provides on-site social services to the formerly homeless tenants. Metropolitan New York Synod is the owner of the Community Facility on the ground floor and first floor.

    Sunset Ridge is supported by HCR’s Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program that generated approximately $18.3 million in equity and its State Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program that generated approximately $3.4 million in equity. All of the units benefit from a project-based Section 8 rental assistance vouchers. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority provided more than $100,000 in funding with $31,700 in tax incentives through NY-Sun, along with $73,600 in combined incentives through the Low-Rise New Construction and the Multifamily New Construction programs. The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development provided $11.7 million through its Senior Affordable Rental Apartments program and $1.3 million in accrued interest. The project also received a $6 million discretionary capital grant from the Brooklyn Borough President in Fiscal Year 2017 and Fiscal Year 2020 administered by HPD.

    The project was guaranteed by Fifth Avenue Committee and Moodna Creek, LLC. Chase Community Development Banking provided a $28 million construction loan. Tax credit syndicator Hudson Housing Capital and the Tax Oriented Investments unit of J.P. Morgan invested $23 million in tax credit equity to support the development. Freddie Mac through Greystone provided $15 million in permanent loan financing.

    NYSERDA President and CEO Doreen M. Harris said, “Sunset Ridge shows how sustainable new construction practices and retrofitting existing structures can uplift historically underserved communities by providing affordable, healthy and comfortable housing and community spaces. This all-electric, multi-use development powered by rooftop solar will ensure New Yorkers living in Sunset Park benefit from clean energy while advancing Governor Hochul’s commitment to tackling the housing shortage.

    Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer said, “Everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. I’m proud that the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit and project-based Section 8 rental assistance vouchers that I worked hard to protect and expand has delivered millions to help build senior housing in Sunset Park, which will provide more seniors with an affordable, supportive and energy-efficient place to live. I applaud Governor Hochul’s efforts to create and preserve affordable homes across the state, and I will continue working to deliver the federal resources needed for more affordable homes in Brooklyn.”

    New York City Schools Construction Authority President and CEO Nina Kubota said, “The SCA is excited to partner with the Fifth Avenue Committee, HCR, HPD, and Metropolitan New York Synod to leverage this high-quality opportunity to provide access to early childhood education for Sunset Park and Bay Ridge parents. We will begin work on this 13,314 square foot pre-kindergarten facility in early 2025 that will bring 90 new seats and an exterior play yard to this community. Thinking outside of the box by maximizing space in multi-use sites is part of the strategy we have been deploying to expand early childhood education throughout the City. Access to pre-k improves cognitive and social development, reduces achievement gaps, and supports working parents, providing them with affordable, reliable childcare. Today is a day to celebrate this truly unique partnership.”

    Representative Dan Goldman said, “As housing costs in New York City rise to unprecedented levels, our seniors have been left behind. The Fifth Avenue Committee’s new affordable housing complex in Sunset Park is a crucial step toward providing our older New Yorkers with the homes they deserve, and I applaud the city, state, and Fifth Avenue Committee for ensuring that this vital project is completed. I look forward to continuing to work alongside FAC to ensure every New Yorker can access high-quality, stable, and affordable housing.”

    State Senator Andrew Gounardes said, “If we want Brooklyn to be a place where everyone can succeed, we need to create resources for everyone from young children to seniors. The Sunset Ridge development is exactly the kind of resource our communities need: affordable housing for seniors along with universal pre-k classrooms so families can more easily access childcare and education. Thank you to Fifth Avenue Committee for taking the opportunity to support working families and a thriving future for all Brooklynites.”

    Assemblymember Marcela Mitaynes said, “Fifth Avenue Committee and its partners have brought much-needed affordable senior housing to Sunset Park. Sunset Ridge is an example of how the intentional construction of housing can address the gaps that exist in New York State communities. AD51 needs more affordable units in environmentally friendly and community-oriented buildings under strong tenant protections.”

    Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso said, “As we work to address housing insecurity in Brooklyn, it is critical that we consider the particular vulnerabilities faced by older adults in our community. Sunset Ridge confronts this disparity directly, and by combining affordable senior housing with universal pre-k, the project creates an intergenerational community resource and gathering place. I applaud NYS Homes and Community Renewal and NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development as well as the Fifth Avenue Committee for investing in the well-being of both the oldest and youngest members of the Sunset Park community, and I look forward to seeing residents and students thrive in their new space.”

    New York City Councilmember Alexa Aviles said, “I applaud the Fifth Avenue Committee for bringing to fruition Sunset Ridge Apartments, a development that will deliver truly affordable housing for our older adults. Housing insecurity is the number one issue in my office with frequent visits from so many older adults who are facing displacement as a result of gentrification and unscrupulous landlords. Today however, we celebrate a move towards solutions, and am proud to have played a role in bringing this much needed housing to our community. I thank Fifth Avenue Committee under the leadership of Michelle de la Uz for their work in providing affordable housing to our district seniors.”

    Fifth Avenue Committee Executive Director Michelle de la Uz said, “FAC is thrilled to be cutting the ribbon at Sunset Ridge, the first new affordable housing for seniors in the community in over 15 years and FAC’s 2nd new affordable housing project in Sunset Park to be completed in 2 years. Access to quality, affordable housing is crucial to our health and well-being, especially as we age. The project is especially gratifying because it will also have 90-Universal Pre-K seats in the future, representing an important intergenerational resource for the local community. We broke ground on the project just before the pandemic hit, so we never celebrated its start, making today’s ribbon cutting with our project partners and tenants all the more meaningful. On behalf of our tenants and the local community, thank you to the Metropolitan New York Synod, NYS HCR and NYC HPD and everyone who helped make this critical project possible.”

    Bay Ridge Center Executive Director Todd Fliedner said, “At Bay Ridge Center, we are dedicated to enhancing the lives of adults 60 and older in our vibrant community, through a variety of enriching programs and essential services, we strive to support our members in living active fulfilling lives.”

    Chase Community Development Banking Head of East Region Dave Walsh said, “We are proud to support the redevelopment of Sunset Ridge, a project delivering essential affordable senior housing in Brooklyn. Providing housing with essential services not only fosters a sense of belonging but is vital to ensure our most vulnerable senior residents have the resources they need to flourish.”

    Hudson Housing Capital Managing Director Sam Ganeshan said, “Hudson Housing Capital is proud to partner with Fifth Avenue Committee to finance high-quality, affordable housing for seniors at Sunset Ridge. This property will provide some of the City’s most vulnerable residents with a safe place to live independently and age in-place. We thank and commend all those involved in making this day possible, including our investor J.P. Morgan, and look forward to seeing this impactful housing development thrive for many years to come.”

    Governor Hochul’s Housing Agenda

    Governor Hochul is committed to addressing New York’s housing crisis and making the State more affordable and more livable for all New Yorkers. As part of the FY25 Enacted Budget, the Governor secured a landmark agreement to increase New York’s housing supply through new tax incentives for Upstate communities, new incentives and relief from certain state-imposed restrictions to create more housing in New York City, a $500 million capital fund to build up to 15,000 new homes on state-owned property, an additional $600 million in funding to support a variety of housing developments statewide and new protections for renters and homeowners. In addition, as part of the FY23 Enacted Budget, the Governor announced a five-year, $25 billion Housing Plan to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes statewide, including 10,000 with support services for vulnerable populations, plus the electrification of an additional 50,000 homes. More than 45,000 homes have been created or preserved to date.

    The FY25 Enacted Budget also strengthened the Pro-Housing Community Program which the Governor launched in 2023. Pro Housing Certification is now a requirement for localities to access up to $650 million in discretionary funding. To date, more than 160 communities have been certified, including the City of New York.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Can a superstar hippo help save Africa’s rainforests?

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Will de Freitas, Environment + Energy Editor, UK edition

    The world’s first superstar hippo lives in a zoo in Thailand. Moo Deng shot to fame soon after she was born in July this year, thanks to viral videos that showed off her cute expressions and chirpy demeanour. Yet the story of her species is less happy, and reveals the close links between the extinction and climate change crises.

    Moo Deng is a pygmy hippo, a species native to the forests of west Africa. Unlike their bigger and significantly scarier cousins (regular hippos), the pygmys are secretive creatures, who like to conceal themselves in swamps and dense vegetation.

    Today, pygmy hippos are officially listed as endangered. Huanyuan Zhang-Zheng and Sulemana Bawa, conservationists at the University of Oxford, point out that 80% of their native forests have been lost. Just 2,500 remain in the wild.



    Read more:
    Moo Deng: the celebrated hippo’s real home has disappeared – will the world restore it?

    “Cocoa production is probably the biggest cause of forest loss,” they write, “then gold mining and unsustainable logging. These activities now encroach on forest reserves and other supposedly protected areas.”


    This roundup of The Conversation’s climate coverage comes from our award-winning weekly climate action newsletter. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 35,000+ readers who’ve subscribed.

    You probably didn’t want to hear this (I certainly didn’t) but it seems chocolate is helping wipe out the pygmy hippo. This pressure is unlikely to let up any time soon: the Ivory Coast, home of most of these hippos, is also the world’s number one cocoa exporter.

    But it was another passage in their article which really caught my eye. Zhang-Zheng and Bawa wrote: “West Africa’s forest loss is particularly heartbreaking as research shows that a remaining patch may be the most productive on Earth, surpassing even the Amazon rainforest.” (Productive, in this context, refers to how much plant growth there is).

    Before extensive fieldwork beginning in 2016, researchers had underestimated the value of west African forests, particularly their capacity to store carbon and thereby offset global warming. This oversight was partly the result of these forests being hidden by clouds, which makes satellite observation difficult, and their relative neglect by western researchers compared with other ecosystems elsewhere.

    This made me wince. Has The Conversation been part of this neglect? After all, Jack and I have edited dozens of articles on the Amazon and its role in the climate system, but relatively few on forests in Africa.

    Researchers are doing their best to highlight how important these forests are for the climate. Here’s one of them, Michele Francis of Stellenbosch University in South Africa, writing about her research on a “sacred forest” in Togo, west Africa: “My calculations showed that one hectare of forest [about two and a half football pitches] is able to permanently remove as much carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as is released by a power station burning nearly 16 tonnes of coal.”



    Read more:
    ‘Sacred forests’ in West Africa capture carbon and keep soil healthy

    African forest elephants, like this one in the Republic of Congo, are smaller than their cousins on the savanna.
    Roger de la Harpe / shutterstock

    But Africa’s biggest forest by far is found a thousand miles to the south east, in the Congo Basin. The world’s second largest rainforest is almost half the size of the Amazon yet has only a small portion of its global fame.

    As the forest is underresearched, there are still huge discoveries to be made. Back in 2017, Simon Lewis and Greta Dargie of the University of Leeds lead a UK-Congolese team who first mapped out an England-sized tropical peatland – the world’s largest – under marshy wetlands deep in the jungles of Congo. They wrote about this for The Conversation at the time:

    After 17 days, covering just 1.5km a day, we finally reached the centre of the swamp between two of the major rivers. Our reward was not only the knowledge that these peatlands are indeed vast. We also found ever-deeper peat, reaching up to 5.9m, roughly the height of a two-storey building.



    Read more:
    How we discovered the world’s largest tropical peatland, deep in the jungles of Congo

    Peat is made of partially-decomposed plant matter and can store extraordinary amounts of carbon. Lewis and Dargie “found 30 billion metric tonnes of carbon stored in this new ecosystem that nobody knew existed. That’s equivalent to 20 years of current US fossil fuel emissions.”

    This rainforest, and its huge carbon stores, are under threat. In 2022, Lewis, writing with his Leeds colleague Bart Crezee, warned that plans to drill for oil in the Democratic Republic of Congo could be “the beginning of the end for these peatlands”.



    Read more:
    Congo peat swamps store three years of global carbon emissions – imminent oil drilling could release it

    They updated their map of Congolese peatlands and overlayed it on a map of proposed oil concessions. They discovered:

    The upcoming sale of rights to explore for fossil fuels includes close to 1 million hectares of peat swamp forest. If destroyed by the construction of roads, pipelines and other infrastructure needed to extract the oil, we estimate that up to 6 billion tonnes of CO₂ could be released, equivalent to 14 years’ worth of current UK greenhouse gas emissions.

    In late 2023, DR Congo postponed its plans to drill for oil. It seems the scientists really were listened to – for the time being at least.

    Yet oil drilling is only one threat, in one corner of a vast forest. Researchers lead by Judith Verweijen of the University of Antwerp have written about the armed conflicts and industrial mining affecting the eastern end of the same Congo Basin.



    Read more:
    Mining and armed conflict threaten eastern DRC’s biodiversity in a complex web

    The mines, for instance, degrade the soil and pollute the water, and trees must be cleared to make way for them.

    But Verweijen and colleagues say there are also indirect effects that “stem from the construction of new roads to make mining sites accessible, and population growth in the vicinity of mines. This leads to further natural resource exploitation, such as fuel and construction wood extraction, bushmeat hunting and shifting agriculture.”

    None of this has caused the same global outcry as fires in the Amazon or palm oil deforestation in Indonesia. What might fix that?

    Back to Moo Deng. Many conservation academics will tell you that a single well-known species can be the key to saving an entire ecosystem and its often boring-but-crucial biodiversity. Protect the tigers, pandas or pygmy hippos, and you’ll also ensure the survival of the worms, ants and peat bogs.

    If it takes a viral hippo to at least cast some attention on the disappearing rainforests of Africa, then so be it.

    – ref. Can a superstar hippo help save Africa’s rainforests? – https://theconversation.com/can-a-superstar-hippo-help-save-africas-rainforests-242481

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NREL Celebrates Industry Advancements on Weatherization Day

    Source: US National Renewable Energy Laboratory

    Key Resources Are Helping the Weatherization Workforce Provide Benefits for Low-Income Households

    Two weatherization technicians carry a new furnace into a manufactured home. Photo from Energy Resource Center

    The perfect winter coat should be comfortable to wear—not too warm and not too cold. It’s affordable, sturdy, and protects you well from the wind, rain, and snow.

    The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) helps thousands of low-income families find the perfect coat for their homes every year. Installations and upgrades through weatherization services work to increase the energy efficiency and safety of homes—ensuring that they can stay comfortable through the changing seasons, with lower energy bills and health benefits for residents.

    The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) supports WAP in strengthening the weatherization and home performance industry through robust, collaborative resources for building up a qualified workforce and quality work.

    This Weatherization Day, NREL is celebrating its work on key resources developed over the past year to highlight and advance WAP’s impact across states and territories.

    Telling the Story of Weatherization

    An energy auditor chats with the owner of a home being weatherized. Photo by Werner Slocum, NREL

    As weatherization enhances homes through upgrades, it changes lives.

    One homeowner in Utah was paying energy bills that were higher than her house payments. Once WAP worked on her home, not only were her bills reduced, but potential safety issues in her home were also addressed. “It’s a game changer,” the homeowner said.

    NREL is working to compile stories like these in WAP’s Successes & Solutions Center, a database of short examples that WAP organizations can use to improve their own processes and celebrate positive impacts for clients. Stories include successes in workforce development, technical solutions, and more.

    “There are so many innovative processes that WAP agencies across the country use every day, but not everybody knows about them,” NREL researcher Allison Moe said. “By highlighting these solutions, we aim to give the weatherization network more insight into new methods they can try out in their work.”

    These examples provide useful details for replicable solutions—and photos can be just as helpful for inspiring better processes. Maintained by NREL, DOE’s Weatherization Image Gallery is a free-to-use resource with over 150 high-quality images. The gallery contains images of weatherization installations, mechanical equipment, and materials. These photos are vetted by NREL researchers for accuracy and compliance with the Standard Work Specifications, an industry guide to ensure home energy upgrade work is effective, durable, and safe. WAP organizations can use these images to enhance their field guides, presentations, marketing materials, and more to help visualize the impact of weatherization.

    Supporting Weatherization Workers in the Field

    An energy auditor inspects a refrigerator during the audit of a home. Photo by Dennis Schroeder, NREL

    Residential energy auditors are always on the go, providing in-depth house assessments and developing comprehensive scopes of work for upgrades needed in client’s homes. NREL’s Residential Energy Auditor Resource Repository gathers useful resources into one place for energy auditors in the field, so they can save time searching for the online tools needed to complete their assessments.

    As part of this effort, NREL supported a makeover of DOE’s Refrigerator and Freezer Energy Rating Search Tool. With a variety of brands, model numbers, and manufacture years to search by, the tool allows energy auditors to quickly discover the energy consumption for these appliances in client’s homes.

    “During a comprehensive energy audit, the accuracy of an energy auditor’s assessment is key,” said Cory Chovanec, NREL weatherization colead. “This resource repository aims to help energy auditors locate accurate information more quickly in support of data collection or analysis of residential buildings.”

    This summer, NREL began work with the Association of Energy Engineers on another effort to support a qualified workforce: a virtual field exam. Historically, aspiring energy auditors must pass an online written exam and in-person field exam at an approved field-test site. By adding a simulated exam as an option, energy auditors will have more flexibility in pursuing their certification.

    “Accessibility is important to support growing a diverse and equitable weatherization workforce,” NREL researcher Meredith Cummings said. “Introducing a simulated field exam provides trainees with a potentially more convenient option if needed.”

    A pilot of the new simulated field exam is expected to launch in 2026.

    Paving the Way for Technical Advances

    More local and state WAP programs are using solar to help clients save money on energy bills. Photo by Werner Slocum, NREL

    In 2022, DOE issued guidance streamlining the inclusion of solar photovoltaics in weatherization services for clients. The number of local and state WAP programs utilizing solar is growing, and NREL research is helping these programs determine which solar pathways are right for them.

    NREL developed a technical report, an online decision guide, and case studies to help programs make informed decisions about how to integrate solar into their work. These resources assist agencies with developing a plan for solar that works best for their service area. Solar technologies might include rooftop solar, community solar, or solar water heaters.

    “WAP implementers can be key contributors in broadening solar energy access for low-income households,” said Juliana Williams, NREL weatherization colead. “These resources can help them maximize benefits for clients.”

    NREL also contributed to a new toolkit with relevant guidance for installing heat pumps in homes. DOE’s Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pump Toolkit provides technology information, consumer information, weatherization and efficiency program partner resources, guidelines and training for contractors, and ongoing technology development and case studies.

    Learn More About Weatherization

    To learn more about how NREL supports weatherization work, visit NREL’s weatherization page or contact weatherization.support@nrel.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal Advocates Planned Measures against Artifi cial Flooding in Dibrugarh

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Union Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal Advocates Planned Measures against Artifi cial Flooding in Dibrugarh

    Shri Sarbananda Sonowal attended the Meeting on the Final Master Plan of Dibrugarh Vision-2045 by Dibrugarh Development Authority

    ● “Pollution Free Dibrugarh with Waste to Wealth and Waste to Energy Programmes for Sustainable Development of the City”: shri Sarbananda Sonowal

    ● “391 Sq Km of Future Dibrugarh City to have many water bodies which must be honoured dutifully”: Shri Sonowal

    Posted On: 30 OCT 2024 7:20PM by PIB Delhi

    Delhi, 30 October, 2024: The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal attended the meeting on the Final Master Plan of Dibrugarh – Vision 2045 – by the Dibrugarh Development Authority (DDA) here today. The masterplan by DDA envisaged challenges that comes along rapid development and progress of the city and provided modern solutions in order to ensure better quality of living as well as ensuring sustainable development. 

    Speaking on the occasion, the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal said, “Dibrugarh has a rich legacy, it has a rich history, one that needs to be taken into account while we move ahead to reclaim it and build it on the premises of sustainable development. Under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, India is moving swiftly towards realising the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat by 2047. Dibrugarh, which is rich with tremendous potential for economic development, is also working towards becoming a modern, self suffi cient

    and sustainable urban centre of growth with elevated quality of living. In the future, the premises of the city is likely to reach 391 square kilometres which will also include water bodies including rivers. Our planning should be meticulous to the point that such gifts of mother nature is respected as we must take all possible steps to protect the environment. The master plan of Dibrugarh should take this aspect into account while working out solutions to ensure sustainable development. Our city is a beautiful urban dwelling and we must take measures to arrest any possibility of artifi cial fl ooding. It is most important that scientifi c measures must be applied for swift disbursal of any fl ooding. The mother nature has blessed us with a natural bounty and we must take steps to preserve it for our future generations. Many steps initiated by the Modi Government like Waste to Wealth or Waste to Energy must be roped in to nip the pollution in the bud. Our effort, through this meeting here today, is an attempt to build an argument for a greener, healthier and happier Dibrugarh.” 

    The meeting was attended by Rameswar Teli, ex-Union Minister of State and MP (Rajya Sabha); Prasanta Phukan, MLA, Dibrugarh; Dr Saikat Patra, Mayor, Dibrugarh Municipal Corporation (DMC), Ujjwal Phukan, Deputy Mayor, DMC; Tankeswar Sonowal, Chief Executive Member (CEM), Sonowal Kachari Autonomous Council; Bikram Kairi, District Commissioner, Dibrugarh among other prominent members of the society. 

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: NTPC Ltd develops Indigenous Catalyst for Methanol production from Flue Gas CO2 in collaboration with Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP), Dehradun

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 30 OCT 2024 5:31PM by PIB Delhi

    CO2 mitigation is one of critical challenge being faced by fossil fired power plant.  Therefore, capturing CO2 from the flue gas and converting it to valuable fuel & chemicals is in focus, globally.

    NETRA, the R&D wing of NTPC, has developed Indigenous Catalyst for Hydrogenation of CO2 to Methanol in collaboration with Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP), Dehradun. A catalyst is an essential component for any chemical synthesis. After characterization of catalyst, long duration quantitative & qualitative performance assessment of catalyst is being carried out in a specially designed 10 Kg/day methanol pilot plant. Here, 1 mole CO2 and 3 moles of H2 passed through fix bed down flow reactor. The purity of methanol produced by this catalyst is more than 99%.

    NTPC has taken significant strides in its commitment towards greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction, setting a benchmark for sustainable practices in the energy sector. NTPC Green Energy Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of NTPC, is aggressively pursuing initiatives aimed at reducing its carbon footprint, in line with global climate action targets and India’s pledge to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070.

     

    ***

     

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Inauguration of Electronics Grade B-11 Enrichment Facility by Dr. A.K. Mohanty, Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission& Secretray, Department of Atomic Energy at HWBF, Talcher on 23-10-2024

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 30 OCT 2024 5:19PM by PIB Delhi

    Dr. A. K. Mohanty, Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission (AEC)& Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) inaugurated Electronics Grade Boron-11 (B11) Enrichment Facility at Heavy Water Board Facilities  (HWBF), Talcher on October 23, 2024. With technology demonstartion of B11 enrichment to electronics grade (>99.8%) at HWBF, Talcher, now India has joined the elite club of nations who are having this technology and it is a significant step towards Atmanirbhar Bharat. Electronics grade B11 is used for production of BF3 gas which is used as p-type dopant in the manufacturing of semiconductor chips.

    HWBF, Talcher, which is sub-unit of Heavy Water Board, Mumbai under the Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India, is pioneer in the field of production of various specialty materials for nuclear as well as non-nuclear applications. The unit is involvedin the production of nuclear control rod grade (> 67% IP ) and neutron detector grade(>96% IP) of Boron-10 (B10) isotopes. These B10enriched products are essential for 3-stage nuclear power programme. HWBF, Talcher also produces different organophosporous solvents used in front end and back end of nuclear fuel cycle. 
     
 

    
 
    During the inauguration ceremony, Chairman, AEC addressed the officials of Heavy Water Board Facilities, Talcher and shared his views on the importance of Nuclear Energyfor thefuture energy security of India. He appreciated the research efforts put up at HWBF, Talcher where various technologies related to specialty materials were developed, demonstrated and subsequently transfered to other units. He also mentioned about the role being played by Heavy Water Board in Nuclear Power Programme and societal benefit through diversified activities. 

    Dr. A. K. Mohanty, Chairman, AEC and Shri S. Satyakumar, Chairman & Chief Executive, Heavy Water Board planted saplings under “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign at begining of the programme. 
     
 
 
 

    
 
    During the occassion, Shri B.M.Sinha, General Manager (Safety Health & Environment and Quality Assurance), Heavy Water Board; Shri D.C. Ojha, Officer on Special Duty, HWBF, Talcher; Shri M.R. Mishra, Maintenance Manager (Officiating); Shri A.K.Rath, Engineer In-charge (Production), all Section Heads and other officials & staff of HWBF, Talcherwere also present. 
    
 
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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Special Campaign 4.0 – Department of Atomic Energy

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 30 OCT 2024 5:18PM by PIB Delhi

    Department of Atomic Energy along with all its Constituent Units/Public Sector Undertaking/Aided Institutions are putting all their efforts and are working with determination to achieve the targets which have been set for Special Campaign 4.0. As on 17.10.2024, 12612 files have been reviewed and 12155 files have been identified for weeding out. 51 cleanliness campaigns have been conducted by the Constituent Units/Public Sector Undertaking /Aided Institutions of DAE and revenue amounting to Rs. 481238/- has been earned by disposal of Scrap.

    Institute of Plasma Research (IPR), Gujarat, an Aided Institute under DAE, has exemplified a good example of ‘Waste to Best’ by using old dried bamboos and MS pipes from unused scrap materials,  for constructing fence which helps to protect plants and shrubs from animals such as Blue Bull.

    Cleanliness activities are being undertaken by all the Constituent Units/Public Sector Undertaking/Aided Institutions of DAE which are being showcased through tweets on ‘X’.

    Department of Atomic Energy shall maintain the spirit of Special Campaign 4.0 and work towards the completion of the targets within the Campaign period.

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: INDEX OF EIGHT CORE INDUSTRIES (BASE: 2011-12=100) FOR SEPTEMBER, 2024

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 30 OCT 2024 5:00PM by PIB Delhi

    The combined Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) increased by 2.0per cent (provisional) in September, 2024 as compared to the Index in September, 2023. The production of Cement, Refinery Products, Coal, Fertilizers and Steel recorded positive growth in September 2024. The details of annual indices, monthly indices and growth rates are provided at Annex I and Annex II.

    The ICI measures the combined and individual performance of production of eight core industries viz. Coal, Crude Oil, Natural Gas, Refinery Products, Fertilizers, Steel, Cement and Electricity. The Eight Core Industries comprise 40.27 percent of the weight of items included in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP).

    The final growth rate of Index of Eight Core Industries for June2024stands at 5.0per cent. The cumulative growth rate of ICI during April to September, 2024-25is4.2per cent (provisional) as compared to the corresponding period of last year.

    The summary of the Index of Eight Core Industries is given below:

    Coal – Coal production (weight: 10.33 per cent) increased by 2.6 per cent in September, 2024 over September, 2023. Its cumulative index increased by 5.9 per cent during April to September, 2024-25 over corresponding period of the previous year.

    Crude Oil – Crude Oil production (weight: 8.98 per cent) declined by 3.9 per cent in September, 2024 over September, 2023. Its cumulative index declined by 2.1 per cent during April to September, 2024-25 over corresponding period of the previous year.

    Natural Gas – Natural Gas production (weight: 6.88 per cent) declined by 1.3 per cent in September, 2024 over September, 2023. Its cumulative index increased by 2.0per cent during April to September, 2024-25 over corresponding period of the previous year.

    Petroleum Refinery Products – Petroleum Refinery production (weight: 28.04 per cent) increased by 5.8 per cent in September, 2024 over September, 2023. Its cumulative index increased by 2.3 per cent during April to September, 2024-25 over corresponding period of the previous year.

    Fertilizers – Fertilizer production (weight: 2.63 per cent) increased by 1.9 per cent in September, 2024 over September, 2023. Its cumulative index increased by 1.7 per cent during April to September, 2024-25 over corresponding period of the previous year.

    Steel – Steel production (weight: 17.92 per cent) increased by 1.5 per cent in September, 2024 over September, 2023. Its cumulative index increased by 6.1 per cent during April to September, 2024-25 over corresponding period of the previous year.

    Cement – Cement production (weight: 5.37 per cent) increased by 7.1 per cent in September, 2024 over September, 2023. Its cumulative index increased by 1.6 per cent during April to September, 2024-25 over corresponding period of the previous year.

    Electricity – Electricity generation (weight: 19.85 per cent) declined by 0.5 per cent in September, 2024 over September, 2023. Its cumulative index increased by 5.9 per cent during April to September, 2024-25 over corresponding period of the previous year.

    Note 1: Data forJuly, 2024, August, 2024 and September, 2024are provisional. Index numbers of Core Industries are revised/finalized as per updated data from source agencies.

    Note 2: Since April 2014, Electricity generation data from Renewable sources are also included.

    Note 3: The industry-wise weights indicated above are individual industry weights derived from IIP and blown up on pro rata basis to a combined weight of ICI equal to 100.

    Note 4: Since March 2019, a new steel product called Hot Rolled Pickled and Oiled (HRPO) under the item ‘Cold Rolled (CR) coils’ within the production of finished steel has also been included.

    Note 5: Release of the index for October, 2024 will be on Friday29thNovember, 2024.

     

    Annex I

    Performance of Eight Core Industries

    Yearly Index & Growth Rate

    Base Year: 2011-12=100

    Index

    Sector

    Coal

    Crude Oil

    Natural Gas

    Refinery Products

    Fertilizers

    Steel

    Cement

    Electricity

    Overall Index

    Weight

    10.33

    8.98

    6.88

    28.04

    2.63

    17.92

    5.37

    19.85

    100.00

    2012-13

    103.2

    99.4

    85.6

    107.2

    96.7

    107.9

    107.5

    104.0

    103.8

    2013-14

    104.2

    99.2

    74.5

    108.6

    98.1

    115.8

    111.5

    110.3

    106.5

    2014-15

    112.6

    98.4

    70.5

    108.8

    99.4

    121.7

    118.1

    126.6

    111.7

    2015-16

    118.0

    97.0

    67.2

    114.1

    106.4

    120.2

    123.5

    133.8

    115.1

    2016-17

    121.8

    94.5

    66.5

    119.7

    106.6

    133.1

    122.0

    141.6

    120.5

    2017-18

    124.9

    93.7

    68.4

    125.2

    106.6

    140.5

    129.7

    149.2

    125.7

    2018-19

    134.1

    89.8

    69.0

    129.1

    107.0

    147.7

    147.0

    156.9

    131.2

    2019-20

    133.6

    84.5

    65.1

    129.4

    109.8

    152.6

    145.7

    158.4

    131.6

    2020-21

    131.1

    80.1

    59.8

    114.9

    111.6

    139.4

    130.0

    157.6

    123.2

    2021-22

    142.3

    77.9

    71.3

    125.1

    112.4

    163.0

    156.9

    170.1

    136.1

    2022-23

    163.5

    76.6

    72.4

    131.2

    125.1

    178.1

    170.6

    185.2

    146.7

    2023-24

    182.7

    77.1

    76.8

    135.9

    129.8

    200.4

    185.7

    198.3

    157.8

    Apr-Sep 2023-24

    157.0

    77.1

    75.3

    134.4

    130.9

    194.0

    182.2

    204.9

    154.7

    Apr-Sep 2024-25*

    166.2

    75.5

    76.8

    137.5

    133.1

    205.9

    185.2

    216.9

    161.2

    *Provisional

    Growth Rates (on Y-o-Y basis in per cent)

    Sector

    Coal

    Crude Oil

    Natural Gas

    Refinery Products

    Fertilizers

    Steel

    Cement

    Electricity

    Overall Growth

    Weight

    10.33

    8.98

    6.88

    28.04

    2.63

    17.92

    5.37

    19.85

    100.00

    2012-13

    3.2

    -0.6

    -14.4

    7.2

    -3.3

    7.9

    7.5

    4.0

    3.8

    2013-14

    1.0

    -0.2

    -12.9

    1.4

    1.5

    7.3

    3.7

    6.1

    2.6

    2014-15

    8.0

    -0.9

    -5.3

    0.2

    1.3

    5.1

    5.9

    14.8

    4.9

    2015-16

    4.8

    -1.4

    -4.7

    4.9

    7.0

    -1.3

    4.6

    5.7

    3.0

    2016-17

    3.2

    -2.5

    -1.0

    4.9

    0.2

    10.7

    -1.2

    5.8

    4.8

    2017-18

    2.6

    -0.9

    2.9

    4.6

    0.03

    5.6

    6.3

    5.3

    4.3

    2018-19

    7.4

    -4.1

    0.8

    3.1

    0.3

    5.1

    13.3

    5.2

    4.4

    2019-20

    -0.4

    -5.9

    -5.6

    0.2

    2.7

    3.4

    -0.9

    0.9

    0.4

    2020-21

    -1.9

    -5.2

    -8.2

    -11.2

    1.7

    -8.7

    -10.8

    -0.5

    -6.4

    2021-22

    8.5

    -2.6

    19.2

    8.9

    0.7

    16.9

    20.8

    8.0

    10.4

    2022-23

    14.8

    -1.7

    1.6

    4.8

    11.3

    9.3

    8.7

    8.9

    7.8

    2023-24

    11.8

    0.6

    6.1

    3.6

    3.7

    12.5

    8.9

    7.1

    7.6

    Apr-Sep 2023-24

    12.2

    -0.4

    4.3

    4.0

    7.0

    15.9

    11.6

    6.1

    8.2

    Apr-Sep 2024-25*

    5.9

    -2.1

    2.0

    2.3

    1.7

    6.1

    1.6

    5.9

    4.2

    *Provisional.

       Y-o-Y is calculated over the corresponding financial year of previous year

     

    Annex II

    Performance of Eight Core Industries

    Monthly Index & Growth Rate

    Base Year: 2011-12=100

    Index

    Sector

    Coal

    Crude Oil

    Natural Gas

    Refinery Products

    Fertilizers

    Steel

    Cement

    Electricity

    Overall Index

    Weight

    10.33

    8.98

    6.88

    28.04

    2.63

    17.92

    5.37

    19.85

    100.00

    Sep-23

    147.9

    74.9

    76.8

    126.8

    132.3

    198.4

    166.2

    205.9

    151.7

    Oct-23

    172.6

    78.4

    80.3

    128.8

    136.4

    201.4

    181.5

    203.8

    156.4

    Nov-23

    185.7

    75.5

    77.2

    134.5

    133.5

    192.6

    156.5

    176.3

    150.4

    Dec-23

    204.3

    77.4

    79.5

    145.0

    137.5

    206.7

    191.9

    181.6

    161.2

    Jan-24

    219.6

    78.8

    79.3

    135.9

    135.0

    217.8

    192.2

    197.2

    165.4

    Feb-24

    212.1

    73.5

    74.5

    132.5

    113.3

    202.9

    194.3

    187.2

    157.7

    Mar-24

    256.0

    78.9

    79.3

    147.0

    116.6

    219.8

    219.4

    204.2

    175.0

    Apr-24

    173.3

    76.3

    74.8

    137.9

    117.8

    210.0

    192.3

    212.0

    161.7

    May-24

    184.7

    77.9

    78.7

    141.8

    135.9

    209.7

    190.6

    229.3

    168.2

    Jun-24

    186.4

    74.4

    75.8

    134.1

    134.0

    204.0

    198.5

    222.8

    163.7

    Jul-24*

    163.0

    76.6

    78.0

    143.3

    138.8

    204.0

    175.2

    220.2

    162.6

    Aug-24*

    138.2

    75.7

    77.4

    134.0

    137.5

    206.1

    176.5

    212.3

    156.1

    Sep-24*

    151.8

    72.0

    75.8

    134.1

    134.8

    201.3

    178.0

    204.9

    154.8

    *Provisional

    Growth Rates (on Y-o-Y basis in per cent)

    Sector

    Coal

    Crude Oil

    Natural Gas

    Refinery Products

    Fertilizers

    Steel

    Cement

    Electricity

    Overall Growth

    Weight

    10.33

    8.98

    6.88

    28.04

    2.63

    17.92

    5.37

    19.85

    100.00

    Sep-23

    16.0

    -0.4

    6.5

    5.5

    4.2

    14.8

    4.7

    9.9

    9.5

    Oct-23

    18.4

    1.3

    10.0

    4.3

    5.3

    13.6

    16.9

    20.4

    12.7

    Nov-23

    10.9

    -0.4

    7.5

    12.4

    3.3

    9.7

    -4.7

    5.8

    7.9

    Dec-23

    10.8

    -1.0

    6.7

    4.1

    5.9

    8.3

    3.8

    1.2

    5.1

    Jan-24

    10.6

    0.6

    5.5

    -4.3

    -0.6

    9.2

    4.1

    5.7

    4.2

    Feb-24

    11.6

    7.9

    11.2

    2.6

    -9.5

    9.4

    7.8

    7.6

    7.1

    Mar-24

    8.7

    2.1

    6.3

    1.6

    -1.3

    7.5

    10.6

    8.6

    6.3

    Apr-24

    7.5

    1.7

    8.6

    3.9

    -0.8

    9.8

    0.2

    10.2

    6.9

    May-24

    10.2

    -1.1

    7.5

    0.5

    -1.7

    8.9

    -0.6

    13.7

    6.9

    Jun-24

    14.8

    -2.6

    3.3

    -1.5

    2.4

    6.3

    1.8

    8.6

    5.0

    Jul-24*

    6.8

    -2.9

    -1.3

    6.6

    5.3

    6.4

    5.5

    7.9

    6.1

    Aug-24*

    -8.1

    -3.4

    -3.6

    -1.0

    3.2

    3.9

    -3.0

    -3.7

    -1.6

    Sep-24*

    2.6

    -3.9

    -1.3

    5.8

    1.9

    1.5

    7.1

    -0.5

    2.0

    *Provisional.

    Y-o-Y is calculated over the corresponding financial year of previous year

               

    ***

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: The Marshall Star for October 30, 2024

    Source: NASA

    Editor’s Note: Starting Nov. 4, the Office of Communications at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center will no longer publish the Marshall Star on nasa.gov. The last public issue will be Oct. 30. To continue reading Marshall news, visit nasa.gov/marshall.

    Blake Stewart, lead of the Thrust Vector Control Test Laboratory inside Building 4205 at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, explains how his team tests the mechanisms that steer engine and booster nozzles of NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket to a group of Marshall team members Oct. 24. The employees were some of the more than 500 team members who viewed progress toward future Artemis flights on bus tours offered by the SLS Program. Building 4205 is also home to the Propulsion Research and Development Laboratory that includes 26 world-class labs and support areas that help the agency’s ambitious goals for space exploration. The Software Integration Lab and the Software Integration Test Facility are among the labs inside supporting SLS that employees visited on the tour. (NASA/Sam Lott)

    A group of Marshall team members gather below the development test article for the universal stage adapter that will be used on the second variant of SLS, called Block 1B. The universal stage adapter is located inside one of the high bays in building 4619. The universal stage adapter will connect the Orion spacecraft to the SLS exploration upper stage. With the exploration upper stage, which will be powered by four RL10-C3 engines, SLS will be capable of lifting more than 105 metric tons (231,000 pounds) from Earth’s surface. This extra mass capability enables SLS to send multiple large payloads to the Moon on the same launch. (NASA/Sam Lott)

    Marshall team members view the Orion Stage Adapters for the Artemis II and Artemis III test flights inside Building 4708. The Orion Stage Adapter, built at Marshall, connects the rocket’s interim cryogenic propulsion stage to the Orion spacecraft. The Orion Stage Adapter for Artemis II is complete and ready to be shipped to Kennedy Space Center. The Oct. 24 tours featured four stops that also included opportunities to see the Artemis III launch vehicle stage adapter, and the development test article for the SLS Block 1B universal stage adapter that will begin flying on Artemis IV. Additionally, programs and offices such as the Human Landing Systems Development Office and the Science and Technology Office hosted exhibits in the lobby of Building 4220, where employees gathered for the tours. (NASA/Jonathan Deal)
    › Back to Top

    By Serena Whitfield
    In conjunction with National Disability Employment Awareness Month, NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center held anagencywide virtual event hosted by the Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity on Oct. 24.
    Marshall team members watched the Webex event in Building 4221.

    In alignment with the month’s national theme, “Access to Good Jobs for All,” the program highlighted the perspectives of people with disabilities in the workplace as they navigate the work lifecycle – from applying, to onboarding, career growth and advancement, and day-to-day engagements.
    The event began with Marshall Associate Director Roger Baird welcoming NASA team members.
    “NASA is dedicated to inclusive hiring practices and providing pathways for good jobs and career success for all employees, including workers with disabilities,” Baird said. “Some ways we do this is through targeted recruitment of qualified individuals with disabilities through accessible vacancy announcements, outreach to students with disabilities, and community partnerships.”
    NASA also utilizes Schedule A Authority, a non-competitive Direct Hiring Authority to hire people with disabilities without competition.
    Baird introduced event moderator Joyce Meier, logistics manager at Marshall, who welcomed panelists Casey Denham, Kathy Clark, Paul Spann, and Paul Sullivan, all NASA team members. The panelists from the disability community discussed their work lifecycles, lessons learned in the workplace, and shared a demonstration on colorblindness and its impact.
    Denham discussed some of the best practices for onboarding employees with neurodiversity, a term used to describe people whose brains develop or work differently than the typical brain.

    Clark talked about what can be done to continue raising awareness and advocating for disability rights. She said NASA empowers its workforce with knowledge so they can be informed allies to team members with disabilities and foster a safe and inclusive working environment. 
    Spann gave insight into practical steps employers can take to accommodate candidates with deafness, and Sullivan spoke about some key considerations NASA managers should keep in mind to make the job application process more accessible to candidates with low vision.
    Guest speaker Chip Dobbs, supply management specialist at Marshall, talked about his personal experiences with being deaf. Dobbs has worked at NASA for 29 years and said he has never let his disability hold him back, but instead uses it as a gateway to inspire and connect with others.
    The event ended with closing remarks from Tora Henry, director of the Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity at Marshall. The virtual event placed importance on planning for NASA’s future by promoting equality and addressing the barriers people with disabilities face in the workplace. 
    “As we celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month, keep in mind that NASA’s mission of exploring the unknown and pushing the boundaries of human potential requires the contributions of every mind, skill set, and perspective,” Baird said. “Our commitment to inclusivity ensures that no talent goes untapped, and no idea goes unheard because together, we’re not just reaching for the stars, we’re showing the world what’s possible when everyone has a seat at the table.”
    A recording of the event is available here. Learn more about NASA’s agencywide resources for individuals with disabilities as well as the agency’s Disability Employment Program.
    Whitfield is an intern supporting the Marshall Office of Communications.
    › Back to Top

    By Wayne Smith
    Farley Davis, manager of the Environmental Engineering and Occupational Health Office at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, has received a 2024 Blue Marble Award from the agency.
    NASA’s Office of Strategic Infrastructure, Environmental Management Division presented the 2024 Blue Marble Awards on Oct. 8 at the agency’s Johnson Space Center. The Blue Marble Awards Program recognizes teams and individuals demonstrating exceptional environmental leadership in support of NASA’s missions and goals. In 2024, the awards included five categories: the Director’s Award, Environmental Quality, Excellence in Energy and Water Management, Excellence in Resilience or Climate Change Adaptation, and new this year: Excellence in Site Remediation. 

    Davis was recognized for “exceptional leadership and outstanding commitment above and beyond individual job responsibilities, to assist Marshall and the agency in enabling environmentally sound mission success.”
    “The award was unexpected, and I am very thankful to receive the Environmental Management Director’s Blue Marble Award,” said Davis, who has been at Marshall for 33 years. “Collectively, Marshall’s environmental engineering team has made this award possible with their diligent support for many years keeping the center’s environmental compliance at the forefront. I will cherish the award for the rest of my life.”
    June Malone, director of the Office of Center Operations at Marshall, credited Davis for his environmental leadership and mentoring team members.
    “Farley’s attitude of professionalism and personal responsibility for the development and implementation of well-grounded environmental programs has increased Marshall’s sustainability and prevented pollution,” Malone said. “His tireless leadership has resulted in compliance with federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations, and his creative solution-oriented approaches to environmental stewardship have restored contaminated areas.”
    Charlotte Bertrand, director of the Environmental Management Division at NASA Headquarters, said it was an honor to select Davis for the 2024 Blue Marble Director’s Award.
    “Farley’s incredibly distinguished career with NASA reflects the award’s intention to recognize exceptional leadership by an individual in assisting the agency in enabling environmentally sound mission success,” Bertrand said.
    Please see the awards program for additional information.
    Smith, a Media Fusion employee and the Marshall Star editor, supports the Marshall Office of Communications.
    › Back to Top

    By Wayne Smith
    When human exploration of Mars becomes a reality and more than just the stuff of science fiction, Brooke Rhodes will be eager to investigate what astronauts discover on the Red Planet.
    From listening to her talk about her work as an engineer at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, it’s easy to grasp her excitement about the future of human space exploration and NASA’s Moon to Mars architecture.

    “I can’t wait for the Mars rovers to have some human company,” said Rhodes, who recently began a detail as the chief of Marshall’s Avionics and Software Ground Systems Test Branch. “I need to know if we can grow Mark Watney (of The Martian movie fame) quantities of potatoes up there. Everything we do to prepare to return humans to the Moon and establish a presence in deep space is building toward putting boots on Mars. It’s an honor and a privilege to be even a small part of it.”
    Rhodes also appreciates the responsibility she takes on in any form in NASA’s exploration missions to benefit humanity. After all, she has worked on hardware for the International Space Station and has had supporting roles for the Mars Ascent Vehicle and Artemis missions.
    “We at Marshall hold an incredible amount of responsibility: responsibility for the welfare of the crew on the space station, responsibility for the welfare of the crew on the Artemis missions, and even the welfare of humanity through the responsibility we have for science on the station and elsewhere,” said Rhodes, who is from Petal, Mississippi, and has worked at Marshall for seven years. “When your missions are as critical as ours, it’s nearly impossible to not be motivated.”
    Now, on to Mars.
    Question: What is your position and what are your primary responsibilities?
    Rhodes: I recently began the detail as the branch chief of the Avionics and Software Ground Systems Test Branch, ES53. Our branch is primarily responsible for the development of hardware-in-the-loop and software development facilities for the Artemis and MAV (Mars Ascent Vehicle) missions. My home organization is ES61, the Instrument Development, Integration and Test Branch, where I’ve been responsible for the integration and testing of International Space Station payloads for the past several years.

    Question: What has been the proudest moment of your career and why?
    Rhodes: One really cool moment that sticks out was the first time I saw hardware I had been responsible for being used in space. I spent several years as the integration and test lead of the Materials Science Research Rack (MSRR) Sample Cartridge Assemblies (SCAs) and we shipped our first batch of SCAs to the space station in 2018. That shipment was the culmination of years of intense effort and teamwork, so to see them onboard and about to enable materials science was an incredible feeling. There was a moment in particular that felt a bit surreal: prior to our SCA shipment the crew discovered they were missing a couple of fasteners from the onboard furnace, so we had those shipped to us from Europe and I packed them into the SCA flight foam before they shipped to the launch site. The next time I saw those fasteners they were being held up to a camera by one of the crew members, asking if those were the ones they needed for the furnace. Putting fasteners into foam didn’t take much effort, but what it represented was much bigger: being a small part of an international effort to enable science off the Earth, for the Earth, was an incredible moment I’ll carry with me for the rest of my career.
    Question: Who or what inspired you to pursue an education/career that led you to NASA and Marshall?
    Rhodes: I had a couple of lightbulb moments my junior year of high school that eventually set me on my current career path. I very specifically recall sitting in my physics I class and learning how to calculate the planetary motion of Jupiter and thinking I had never learned about anything cooler. Even then, though, NASA didn’t really enter my thoughts. Growing up, working for NASA didn’t even occur to me as something people could actually do – being a “rocket scientist” was just an abstract concept people threw around to indicate something was difficult.
    That changed later when the same teacher who had been teaching us planetary motion took us on a field trip to Kennedy Space Center. The tour guide showing us around the Vehicle Assembly Building was a young employee who said he had majored in aerospace engineering at the University of Tennessee. That was the second lightbulb moment: here was a young person from the Southeast, just like me, who had done something tangible in order to work for NASA. That seemed easy enough, so I decided to major in aerospace engineering at Mississippi State and one day work for NASA. That turned out to not be easy, but definitely doable.
    While at Mississippi State, I was able to complete three NASA internships, one at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and two at Marshall. Eventually, I was hired on full-time at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, but wound up making my way back to Marshall, where I’ve been ever since. There’s no place on the planet better for enthusiasts of both aerospace engineering and football.

    Interestingly, my physics I teacher’s name was Mrs. Rhodes, and I used to joke with my classmates that I wanted to be Mrs. Rhodes when I grew up. I didn’t actually mean that literally, but then I married Matthew Rhodes and did, indeed, become Mrs. Rhodes.
    Question: What advice do you have for employees early in their NASA career or those in new leadership roles?
    Rhodes: Scary is good. If you aren’t stepping out of your comfort zone you probably aren’t growing, and if you’re experiencing imposter syndrome, you’re probably the right person for the job.
    Question: What do you enjoy doing with your time while away from work?
    Rhodes: While away from work I tend to invest too much of my mental wellbeing into football. To recover from the stresses of work and my football teams being terrible, I like to explore National Parks. The U.S. has some of the most diverse scenery anywhere in the world, and I love getting outside and exploring it.
    Smith, a Media Fusion employee and the Marshall Star editor, supports the Marshall Office of Communications.
    › Back to Top

    Most stars form in collections, called clusters or associations, that include very massive stars. These giant stars send out large amounts of high-energy radiation, which can disrupt relatively fragile disks of dust and gas that are in the process of coalescing to form new planets.
    A team of astronomers used NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory, in combination with ultraviolet, optical, and infrared data, to show where some of the most treacherous places in a star cluster may be, where planets’ chances to form are diminished.

    The target of the observations was Cygnus OB2, which is the nearest large cluster of stars to our Sun – at a distance of about 4,600 light-years. The cluster contains hundreds of massive stars as well as thousands of lower-mass stars. The team used long Chandra observations pointing at different regions of Cygnus OB2, and the resulting set of images were then stitched together into one large image.
    The deep Chandra observations mapped out the diffuse X-ray glow in between the stars, and they also provided an inventory of the young stars in the cluster. This inventory was combined with others using optical and infrared data to create the best census of young stars in the cluster.
    In a new composite image, the Chandra data (purple) shows the diffuse X-ray emission and young stars in Cygnus OB2, and infrared data from NASA’s now-retired Spitzer Space Telescope (red, green, blue, and cyan) reveals young stars and the cooler dust and gas throughout the region.
    In these crowded stellar environments, copious amounts of high-energy radiation produced by stars and planets are present. Together, X-rays and intense ultraviolet light can have a devastating impact on planetary disks and systems in the process of forming.
    Planet-forming disks around stars naturally fade away over time. Some of the disk falls onto the star and some is heated up by X-ray and ultraviolet radiation from the star and evaporates in a wind. The latter process, known as “photoevaporation,” usually takes between five and 10 million years with average-sized stars before the disk disappears. If massive stars, which produce the most X-ray and ultraviolet radiation, are nearby, this process can be accelerated.
    The researchers using this data found clear evidence that planet-forming disks around stars indeed disappear much faster when they are close to massive stars producing a lot of high-energy radiation. The disks also disappear more quickly in regions where the stars are more closely packed together.
    For regions of Cygnus OB2 with less high-energy radiation and lower numbers of stars, the fraction of young stars with disks is about 40%. For regions with more high-energy radiation and higher numbers of stars, the fraction is about 18%. The strongest effect – meaning the worst place to be for a would-be planetary system – is within about 1.6 light-years of the most massive stars in the cluster.
    A separate study by the same team examined the properties of the diffuse X-ray emission in the cluster. They found that the higher-energy diffuse emission comes from areas where winds of gas blowing away from massive stars have collided with each other. This causes the gas to become hotter and produce X-rays. The less energetic emission probably comes from gas in the cluster colliding with gas surrounding the cluster.
    Two separate papers describing the Chandra data of Cygnus OB2 are available. The paper about the planetary danger zones, led by Mario Giuseppe Guarcello (National Institute for Astrophysics in Palermo, Italy), appeared in the November 2023 issue of the Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series, and is available here. The paper about the diffuse emission, led by Juan Facundo Albacete-Colombo (University of Rio Negro in Argentina) was published in the same issue of Astrophysical Journal Supplement, and is available here.
    NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center manages the Chandra program. The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory’s Chandra X-ray Center controls science operations from Cambridge, Massachusetts, and flight operations from Burlington, Massachusetts.
    NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) managed the Spitzer Space Telescope mission for the agency’s Science Mission Directorate until the mission was retired in January 2020. Science operations were conducted at the Spitzer Science Center at Caltech. Spacecraft operations were based at Lockheed Martin Space in Littleton, Colorado. Data are archived at the Infrared Science Archive operated by IPAC at Caltech. Caltech manages JPL for NASA.
    › Back to Top

    NASA recently evaluated initial flight data and imagery from Pathfinder Technology Demonstrator-4 (PTD-4), confirming proper checkout of the spacecraft’s systems including its on-board electronics as well as the payload’s support systems such as the small onboard camera. Shown is a test image of Earth taken by the payload camera, shortly after PTD-4 reached orbit. This camera will continue photographing the technology demonstration during the mission. 

    Payload operations are now underway for the primary objective of the PTD-4 mission – the demonstration of a new power and communications technology for future spacecraft. The payload, a deployable solar array with an integrated antenna called the Lightweight Integrated Solar Array and anTenna, or LISA-T, has initiated deployment of its central boom structure. The boom supports four solar power and communication arrays, also called petals. Releasing the central boom pushes the still-stowed petals nearly three feet away from the spacecraft bus. The mission team currently is working through an initial challenge to get LISA-T’s central boom to fully extend before unfolding the petals and beginning its power generation and communication operations.
    Small spacecraft on deep space missions require more electrical power than what is currently offered by existing technology. The four-petal solar array of LISA-T is a thin-film solar array that offers lower mass, lower stowed volume, and three times more power per mass and volume allocation than current solar arrays. The in-orbit technology demonstration includes deployment, operation, and environmental survivability of the thin-film solar array.  
    “The LISA-T experiment is an opportunity for NASA and the small spacecraft community to advance the packaging, deployment, and operation of thin-film, fully flexible solar and antenna arrays in space. The thin-film arrays will vastly improve power generation and communication capabilities throughout many different mission applications,” said John Carr, deputy center chief technologist at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. “These capabilities are critical for achieving higher value science alongside the exploration of deep space with small spacecraft.”

    [embedded content]
    NASA teams are testing a key technology demonstration known as LISA-T, short for the Lightweight Integrated Solar Array and anTenna. It’s a super compact, stowable, thin-film solar array that when fully deployed in space, offers both a power generation and communication capability for small spacecraft. LISA-T’s orbital flight test is part of the Pathfinder Technology Demonstrator series of missions. (NASA)

    The Pathfinder Technology Demonstration series of missions leverages a commercial platform which serves to test innovative technologies to increase the capability of small spacecraft. Deploying LISA-T’s thin solar array in the harsh environment of space presents inherent challenges such as deploying large highly flexible non-metallic structures with high area to mass ratios. Performing experiments such as LISA-T on a smaller, lower-cost spacecraft allows NASA the opportunity to take manageable risk with high probability of great return. The LISA-T experiment aims to enable future deep space missions with the ability to acquire and communicate data through improved power generation and communication capabilities on the same integrated array.
    The PTD-4 small spacecraft is hosting the in-orbit technology demonstration called LISA-T. The PTD-4 spacecraft deployed into low Earth orbit from SpaceX’s Transporter-11 rocket, which launched from Space Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on Aug. 16. Marshall designed and built the LISA-T technology as well as LISA-T’s supporting avionics system. NASA’s Small Spacecraft Technology program, based at NASA’s Ames Research Center and led by the agency’s Space Technology Mission Directorate, funds and manages the PTD-4 mission as well as the overall Pathfinder Technology Demonstration mission series. Terran Orbital Corporation of Irvine, California, developed and built the PTD-4 spacecraft bus, named Triumph.
    › Back to Top

    By Paola Pinto
    For more than two decades, the NASA Short-term Prediction Research and Transition Center (SPoRT) within the NASA Earth Science Office at Marshall Space Flight Center has been at the forefront of developing and maintaining decision-making tools for meteorological predictions.

    Jonathan Brazzell, a service hydrologist at the National Weather Service (NWS) office in Lake Charles, Louisiana, highlighted a recent example of SPoRT’s impact while he was doing forecasting for Texas streams.
    Brazzell, who manages the South Texas and South Louisiana regions, emphasized the practical applications and significant impacts of the Machine Learning model developed by NASA SPoRT to predict future stream heights, known as the SPoRT Streamflow A.I. During a heavy rainfall event this past spring, he noted the challenge of forecasting flooding beyond 48 hours. SPoRT has worked closely with the NWS offices to develop a machine learning tool capable of predicting river flooding beyond two days and powered by the SPoRT Land Information System.
    “Previously, we relied on actual gauge information and risk assessments based on predicted precipitation,” Brazzell said. “Now, with this machine learning, we have a modeling tool that provides a much-needed predictive capability.”
    During forecasted periods of heavy precipitation from early to mid-May, Brazzell monitored potential flooding events and their magnitude using NASA SPoRT’s Streamflow-AI, which provided essential support to the Pine Island Bayou and Big Cow Creek communities in south Texas.
    Streamflow A.I. enabled local authorities to provide advance notice, allowing residents to prepare adequately for the event. Due to the benefit of three to seven-day flood stage predictions, the accurate forecasts helped county officials decide on road closures and evacuation advisories; community officials advised residents to gather a seven-day supply of necessities and relocate their vehicles, minimizing disruption and potential damage.
    Brazzell highlighted specific instances where the machine learning outputs were critical. For example, during the event that peaked around May 6, Streamflow A.I. accurately predicted the rise in stream height, allowing for timely road closures and advisories. These predictions were shared with county officials and were pivotal in their decision-making process.

    Brazzell shared that integrating SPoRT’s machine learning capabilities with their existing tools, such as flood risk mapping, proved invaluable. Although the machine learning outputs had been operational for almost two years after Hurricane Harvey, this season has provided their first significant applications in real-time scenarios due to persistent conditions of below-normal precipitation and ongoing drought.
    He also mentioned the broader applications of Streamflow A.I., including its potential use in other sites beyond those currently being monitored. He expressed interest in expanding the use of machine learning stream height outputs to additional locations, citing the successful application in current sites as a compelling reason for broader implementation.
    NASA SPoRT users’ experiences emphasize how crucial advanced prediction technologies are in hydrometeorology and emergency management operations. Based on Brazzell’s example, it is reasonable to say that the product’s ability to provide accurate, timely data greatly improves decision-making processes and ensures public safety. The partnership between NASA SPoRT and operational agencies like NOAA/NWS and county response teams demonstrates how research and operations can be seamlessly integrated into everyday practices, making a tangible difference in communities vulnerable to high-impact events.
    As the Streamflow A.I. product continues to evolve and expand its applications, it holds significant promise for improving disaster preparedness and response efforts across various regions that experience different types of flooding events.
    The Streamflow-AI product provides a 7-day river height or stage forecasts at select gauges across the south/eastern U.S. You can find the SPoRT training item on Streamflow-AI here.
    Pinto is a research associate at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, specializing in communications and user engagement for NASA SPoRT.
    › Back to Top

    NASA has selected All Native Synergies Company of Winnebego, Nebraska, to provide custodial and refuse collection services at the agency’s Marshall Space Flight Center.

    The Custodial and Refuse Collection Services III contract is a firm-fixed-price contract with an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity provision. Its maximum potential value is approximately $33.5 million. The performance period began Oct. 23 and will extend four and a half years, with a one-year base period, four one-year options, and a six-month extension.
    This critical service contract provides custodial and refuse collection services for all Marshall facilities. Work under the contract includes floor maintenance, including elevators; trash removal; cleaning drinking fountains and restrooms; sweeping, mopping, and cleaning building entrances and stairways.
    › Back to Top

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Announcing Funding to Improve Energy Efficiency in Ontario’s Industrial Facilities  

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    News release

     October 30, 2024                        Toronto, Ontario                       Natural Resources Canada 

    Investments in energy-saving programs are essential to help industries and workers build a more prosperous and sustainable future. The Government of Canada is committed to innovative energy management solutions for industry partners across the country.

    Today, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced a federal investment of nearly $20 million to the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) from the Green Industrial Facilities and Manufacturing Program (GIFMP). This funding will support the extension of IESO’s Strategic Energy Management Program.

    NRCan has invested in this initiative to help IESO support industrial facilities across four areas:

    • Energy practitioners 
    • Energy managers 
    • Energy management systems 
    • Strategic energy management 

    Investments like these are key to reducing emissions, maximizing energy performance and increasing energy industry competitiveness in Canada. 

    Quotes

    “Supporting Canadian industry with energy efficiency targets is necessary if we want to improve our competitiveness in a growing global economy where the demand for energy is increasing while ultimately achieving our emissions reduction targets. The Independent Electricity System Operator’s Strategic Energy Management Program will reduce energy costs and environmental impacts in Ontario, creating more efficient and less expensive green power. By supporting programs like IESO’s, the federal government is playing a key role in the modernization and improvement of energy systems for Canadians from coast to coast to coast.”

    The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson

    Minister of Energy and Natural Resources

    “Energy efficiency means cost savings for Canadian business. Supporting Canadian industrial facilities with their efficiency targets is a necessary step toward improving competitiveness in the global economy. We are pleased to play a part in IESO’s Strategic Energy Management Program through an investment of nearly $20 million that will help deliver more efficient, reliable and cost-saving electricity for Ontarians.”

    Julie Dabrusin, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Member of Parliament for Toronto–Danforth

    “As demand for electricity grows in the industrial sector, this funding from Natural Resources Canada will enable the IESO to expand and enhance our energy management solutions. These programs help ensure that Ontario’s industrial facilities remain efficient and competitive while keeping our system affordable and reliable.”

    Lesley Gallinger

    President and CEO, the IESO

    Quick facts

    • Canada’s industrial sectors represented about 3,650 PJ — or more than 40 percent — of Canada’s total energy use in 2021. 

    • Funding for this program originates in investments from Budget 2022, which included $194 million over five years, starting in 2022–2023, for NRCan to expand its existing Industrial Energy Management program by offering cost-shared financial support for a holistic and comprehensive suite of energy efficiency measures up to March 2027.

    • Designed by Save on Energy — IESO’s source for energy-efficiency opportunities and knowledge in Ontario — the Strategic Energy Management Program will help organizations improve their energy performance by implementing best practices for more energy and cost savings.

    • The Green Industrial Facilities and Manufacturing Program is an expansion of NRCan’s Industrial Energy Management Program and provides support for the implementation of energy management systems, capital retrofits and related capacity-building activities.

    Associated links

    Contacts

    Natural Resources Canada
    Media Relations
    343-292-6100
    media@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca

    Cindy Caturao
    Press Secretary
    Office of the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
    613-795-5638
    cindy.caturao@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca

    Follow us on LinkedIn

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Carney, Carper, Coons, Blunt Rochester Announce Over $127 Million in Federal Funding to Decarbonize Port Wilmington

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE-AL)

    WILMINGTON, Del. – Today, Delaware Governor John Carney, U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons and U.S. Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester (all D-Del.) announced $127.5 million for Port Wilmington as part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Ports Program, a $3 billion investment by the Biden-Harris Administration in zero-emission port equipment and infrastructure.

    The Clean Ports Program was created by the historic Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) that Senators Carper, Coons, and Representative Blunt Rochester championed in Congress. As Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Environment and Public Works, Senator Carper was the primary author of the final environmental provisions in the IRA, including the Clean Ports Program at EPA. Senator Coons was a key negotiator of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act, and as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, he has long fought to ensure critical infrastructure programs have the necessary resources to fund projects up and down our state, including at Port Wilmington. Representative Blunt Rochester’s legislation, H.R. 862, the Climate Action Planning for Ports Act, served as the framework for the Clean Ports program in the House version of the IRA.

    “The Port has been a critical part of Delaware’s economy for decades,” said Governor Carney. “The investment announced today will ensure the Port continues to support good jobs and enhance environmental safety for years to come.”

    “Our ports are vital to Delaware’s economic well-being, but for too long, pollution from diesel emissions have disproportionately impacted the vulnerable communities closest to them,” said Senator Carper, Chair of the Environment and Public Works Committee. “Port electrification is one solution that will clean up the air that nearby communities breathe while also addressing the climate crisis and creating new jobs. This is why I fought for the final Clean Ports Program in the Inflation Reduction Act. Investing in clean ports will put Delaware – and our nation – on the path to a brighter future with healthier communities, cleaner air, and a stronger economy.”

    “Investing in our infrastructure strengthens our national security and builds a stronger economy where everyone can thrive,” said U.S. Senator Chris Coons. “As Delaware’s member of the Appropriations Committee, I’m proud to have secured this funding for the Port Wilmington that will support good-paying, union jobs for First State workers. As we increase economic growth and competitiveness through investments in Delaware’s infrastructure, we should look for more investments like this one that advance climate resilience, reduce inflation, and further equip Delaware to meet the needs of the 21st century.”

    “The resiliency of Port Wilmington is crucial to the strength of our economy, our workers, and our supply chains,” said Rep. Blunt Rochester, member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. “I’m proud to have delivered this significant investment in Port Wilmington through the Inflation Reduction Act’s Clean Ports Program, which is based on my Climate Action Planning for Ports Act. The goal of my bill was to reduce carbon emissions to improve public health and lower the environmental impact of our ports. Today’s investment meets that goal with urgency and equity, while advancing the Port’s clean energy future and benefiting our environmental justice communities.”

    “It’s one thing to talk about environmental justice, it’s another thing to do something about it,” said Delaware Secretary of State and Chairman of Diamond State Port Corporation, Jeffrey Bullock. “For years, people have been talking about the importance of cleaning up our ports and using “green” technology to better protect our workers and the people living in surrounding communities, but the money has never been available. This grant is going to make a huge difference by giving the existing port of Wilmington, and the new facility we are building the resources needed to improve environmental safety and make Delaware’s ports better for everyone living in our state.”

    “Our nation’s ports are critical to creating opportunity here in America, offering good-paying jobs, moving goods, and powering our economy,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Today’s historic $3 billion investment builds on President Biden’s vision of growing our economy while ensuring America leads in globally competitive solutions in the future. Delivering cleaner technologies and resources to U.S. ports will slash harmful air and climate pollution while protecting people who work in and live nearby ports communities.”

    The Clean Ports Program, established by the Inflation Reduction Act, is designed to help ports across the country transition to fully zero-emissions operations. The program consists of two competitions: the Climate and Air Quality Planning Competition and the Zero-Emission Technology Deployment Competition. Port Wilmington is an awardee for the latter, which will allow it to attain electric cargo handling equipment and charging infrastructure. EPA’s Clean Ports Program advances President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which aims to deliver 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain federal investments to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution. Disadvantaged communities will benefit from cleaner air and access to high quality jobs that will be created to operate zero emissions technologies at ports.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hello Earth? Space Calling

    Source: NASA

    How it started versus how it’s going for astronaut Nick Hague with ISS Ham Radio on the space station.
    Since November 2000, crew members like Hague have used ham radio to communicate with people on Earth through this educational program, also known as Amateur Radio on the International Space Station or ARISS. So far, there have been more than 1,700 events, directly engaging students and listeners from 49 U.S. states, 63 countries, and all seven continents. Students study the space station, radio waves, amateur radio technology, and related topics before their call from space, which encourages interest in STEM.
    Now through Nov 17, 2024, ARISS is accepting applications from formal and informal educational institutions and organizations that want to host events in summer or fall of 2025. There is no charge for these calls from space, although host locations may incur some equipment-related costs. Local amateur radio clubs help hosts prepare for their contacts.
    Read about how ISS Ham Radio and other station programs inspire students.
    Melissa GaskillInternational Space Station Research Communications TeamJohnson Space Center

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: AMSC Reports Second Quarter Fiscal Year 2024 Financial Results and Provides Business Outlook

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Financial Highlights:

    • Reported Second Quarter Net Income of Nearly $5 Million
    • Generated Nearly $13 Million of Operating Cash Flow During the Quarter
    • Increased Revenue by 60% Year Over Year to Above $54 Million

    Company to host conference call tomorrow, October 31, at 10:00 am ET 

    AYER, Mass., Oct. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — AMSC (Nasdaq: AMSC), a leading system provider of megawatt-scale power resiliency solutions that orchestrate the rhythm and harmony of power on the grid™ and protect and expand the capability and resiliency of our Navy’s fleet, today reported financial results for its second quarter of fiscal year 2024 ended September 30, 2024. The second quarter results include results from NWL, Inc. beginning as of the acquisition date, August 1, 2024.

    Revenues for the second quarter of fiscal 2024 were $54.5 million compared with $34.0 million for the same period of fiscal 2023. The year-over-year increase was primarily driven by the acquisition of NWL, Inc., increased shipments of new energy power systems and electrical control system shipments, versus the year ago period. 

    AMSC’s net income for the second quarter of fiscal 2024 was $4.9 million, or $0.13 per share, compared to a net loss of $2.5 million, or $0.09 per share, for the same period of fiscal 2023. The Company’s non-GAAP net income for the second quarter of fiscal 2024 was $10.0 million, or $0.27 per share, compared with a non-GAAP net income of less than $0.1 million, or $0.00 per share, in the same period of fiscal 2023. Please refer to the financial table below for a reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP results.

    Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash on September 30, 2024, totaled $74.8 million, compared with $95.5 million at June 30, 2024.

    “AMSC delivered fiscal second quarter net income of nearly $5 million and grew revenue by 60% when compared to the same period last year,” said Daniel P. McGahn, Chairman, President and CEO, AMSC. “During the second quarter of fiscal 2024 we booked nearly $60 million of new orders, with new energy power systems orders coming in stronger than previously demonstrated. We ended the quarter with over $200 million in 12-month backlog and over $300 million in total backlog. We are very excited for the second half of the fiscal year and remain focused on our execution as well as improving the resiliency of the power grid.”

    Business Outlook
    For the third quarter ending December 31, 2024, AMSC expects that its revenues will be in the range of $55.0 million to $60.0 million. The Company’s net loss for the third quarter of fiscal 2024 is expected not to exceed $1.0 million, or $0.03 per share. The Company’s non-GAAP net income (as defined below) is expected to exceed $2 million, or $0.05 per share.

    Conference Call Reminder
    In conjunction with this announcement, AMSC management will participate in a conference call with investors beginning at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, October 31, 2024, to discuss the Company’s financial results and business outlook. Those who wish to listen to the live or archived conference call webcast should visit the “Investors” section of the Company’s website at https://ir.amsc.com. The live call can be accessed by dialing 1-844-481-2802 or 1-412-317-0675 and asking to join the AMSC call. A replay of the call may be accessed 2 hours following the call by dialing 1-877-344-7529 and using conference passcode 5836897.

    About AMSC (Nasdaq: AMSC)
    AMSC generates the ideas, technologies and solutions that meet the world’s demand for smarter, cleaner … better energy™. Through its Gridtec™ Solutions, AMSC provides the engineering planning services and advanced grid systems that optimize network reliability, efficiency and performance.  Through its Marinetec™ Solutions, AMSC provides ship protection systems and is developing propulsion and power management solutions designed to help fleets increase system efficiencies, enhance power quality and boost operational safety.  Through its Windtec® Solutions, AMSC provides wind turbine electronic controls and systems, designs and engineering services that reduce the cost of wind energy. The Company’s solutions are enhancing the performance and reliability of power networks, increasing the operational safety of navy fleets, and powering gigawatts of renewable energy globally. Founded in 1987, AMSC is headquartered near Boston, Massachusetts with operations in Asia, Australia, Europe and North America. For more information, please visit www.amsc.com.

    AMSC, American Superconductor, D-VAR, D-VAR VVO, Gridtec, Marinetec, Windtec, Neeltran, NEPSI, Smarter, Cleaner … Better Energy, and Orchestrate the Rhythm and Harmony of Power on the Grid are trademarks or registered trademarks of American Superconductor Corporation. All other brand names, product names, trademarks or service marks belong to their respective holders.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Any statements in this release regarding execution of our goals and strategies; backlog; expectations regarding the second half of fiscal 2024; our expected GAAP and non-GAAP financial results for the quarter ending December 31, 2024; and other statements containing the words “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “expects,” “will” and similar expressions, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements represent management’s current expectations and are inherently uncertain. There are a number of important factors that could materially impact the value of our common stock or cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. These important factors include, but are not limited to: We have a history of operating losses, which may continue in the future. Our operating results may fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter and may fall below expectations in any particular fiscal quarter; We have a history of negative operating cash flows, and we may require additional financing in the future, which may not be available to us; Our technology and products could infringe intellectual property rights of others, which may require costly litigation and, if we are not successful, could cause us to pay substantial damages and disrupt our business; Changes in exchange rates could adversely affect our results of operations; We may be required to issue performance bonds or provide letters of credit, which restricts our ability to access any cash used as collateral for the bonds or letters of credit; If we fail to maintain proper and effective internal control over financial reporting, our ability to produce accurate and timely financial statements could be impaired and may lead investors and other users to lose confidence in our financial data; We may not realize all of the sales expected from our backlog of orders and contracts; Our contracts with the U.S. government are subject to audit, modification or termination by the U.S. government and include certain other provisions in favor of the government. The continued funding of such contracts remains subject to annual congressional appropriation, which, if not approved, could reduce our revenue and lower or eliminate our profit; Changes in U.S. government defense spending could negatively impact our financial position, results of operations, liquidity and overall business; Pandemics, epidemics or other public health crises may adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations; We rely upon third-party suppliers for the components and subassemblies of many of our Grid and Wind products, making us vulnerable to supply shortages and price fluctuations, which could harm our business; Uncertainty surrounding our prospects and financial condition may have an adverse effect on our customer and supplier relationship; Our success is dependent upon attracting and retaining qualified personnel and our inability to do so could significantly damage our business and prospects; A significant portion of our Wind segment revenues are derived from a single customer. If this customer’s business is negatively affected, it could adversely impact our business; Our success in addressing the wind energy market is dependent on the manufacturers that license our designs; Our business and operations would be adversely impacted in the event of a failure or security breach of our or any critical third parties’ information technology infrastructure and networks; We may acquire additional complementary businesses or technologies, which may require us to incur substantial costs for which we may never realize the anticipated benefits; Failure to comply with evolving data privacy and data protection laws and regulations or to otherwise protect personal data, may adversely impact our business and financial results; Many of our revenue opportunities are dependent upon subcontractors and other business collaborators; If we fail to implement our business strategy successfully, our financial performance could be harmed; Problems with product quality or product performance may cause us to incur warranty expenses and may damage our market reputation and prevent us from achieving increased sales and market share; Many of our customers outside of the United States may be either directly or indirectly related to governmental entities, and we could be adversely affected by violations of the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and similar worldwide anti-bribery laws outside the United States; We have had limited success marketing and selling our superconductor products and system-level solutions, and our failure to more broadly market and sell our products and solutions could lower our revenue and cash flow; We or third parties on whom we depend may be adversely affected by natural disasters, including events resulting from climate change, and our business continuity and disaster recovery plans may not adequately protect us or our value chain from such events; Adverse changes in domestic and global economic conditions could adversely affect our operating results; Our international operations are subject to risks that we do not face in the United States, which could have an adverse effect on our operating results; Our products face competition, which could limit our ability to acquire or retain customers; We have operations in, and depend on sales in, emerging markets, including India, and global conditions could negatively affect our operating results or limit our ability to expand our operations outside of these markets. Changes in India’s political, social, regulatory and economic environment may affect our financial performance; Our success depends upon the commercial adoption of the REG system, which is currently limited, and a widespread commercial market for our products may not develop; Industry consolidation could result in more powerful competitors and fewer customers; Increasing focus and scrutiny on environmental sustainability and social initiatives could increase our costs, and inaction could harm our reputation and adversely impact our financial results; Growth of the wind energy market depends largely on the availability and size of government subsidies, economic incentives and legislative programs designed to support the growth of wind energy: Lower prices for other energy sources may reduce the demand for wind energy development, which could have a material adverse effect on our ability to grow our Wind business; We may be unable to adequately prevent disclosure of trade secrets and other proprietary information; Our patents may not provide meaningful or long-term protection for our technology, which could result in us losing some or all of our market position; There are a number of technological challenges that must be successfully addressed before our superconductor products can gain widespread commercial acceptance, and our inability to address such technological challenges could adversely affect our ability to acquire customers for our products; Third parties have or may acquire patents that cover the materials, processes and technologies we use or may use in the future to manufacture our Amperium products, and our success depends on our ability to license such patents or other proprietary rights; Our common stock has experienced, and may continue to experience, market price and volume fluctuations, which may prevent our stockholders from selling our common stock at a profit and could lead to costly litigation against us that could divert our management’s attention; Unfavorable results of legal proceedings could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition; and the other important factors discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” in Part 1. Item 1A of our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, and our other reports filed with the SEC. These important factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by forward-looking statements made herein and presented elsewhere by management from time to time. Any such forward-looking statements represent management’s estimates as of the date of this press release. While we may elect to update such forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we disclaim any obligation to do so, even if subsequent events cause our views to change. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.

    UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
    (In thousands, except per share data)    		  
        Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
        September 30,     September 30,  
        2024     2023     2024     2023  
    Revenues                                
    Grid   $ 46,936     $ 28,515     $ 79,272     $ 54,251  
    Wind     7,535       5,489       15,489       10,007  
    Total revenues     54,471       34,004       94,761       64,258  
                                     
    Cost of revenues     38,858       25,418       66,923       49,390  
                                     
    Gross margin     15,613       8,586       27,838       14,868  
                                     
    Operating expenses:                                
    Research and development     2,646       1,641       4,931       3,493  
    Selling, general and administrative     10,525       7,946       19,423       15,815  
    Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles     433       538       845       1,076  
    Change in fair value of contingent consideration     2,762       850       6,682       2,200  
    Restructuring     —       (20 )     —       (14 )
    Total operating expenses     16,366       10,955       31,881       22,570  
                                     
    Operating loss     (753 )     (2,369 )     (4,043 )     (7,702 )
                                     
    Interest income, net     979       194       2,099       368  
    Other expense, net     (329 )     (204 )     (489 )     (321 )
    Loss before income tax expense (benefit)     (103 )     (2,379 )     (2,433 )     (7,655 )
                                     
    Income tax (benefit) expense     (4,990 )     106       (4,796 )     228  
                                     
    Net income (loss)   $ 4,887     $ (2,485 )   $ 2,363     $ (7,883 )
                                     
    Net income (loss) per common share                                
    Basic   $ 0.13     $ (0.09 )   $ 0.07     $ (0.28 )
    Diluted   $ 0.13     $ (0.09 )   $ 0.06     $ (0.28 )
                                     
    Weighted average number of common shares outstanding                                
    Basic     36,952       28,828       36,317       28,545  
    Diluted     37,499       28,828       36,951       28,545  
    UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
    (In thousands, except per share data)    		  
        September 30, 2024     March 31, 2024  
    ASSETS                
    Current assets:                
    Cash and cash equivalents   $ 72,131     $ 90,522  
    Accounts receivable, net     40,059       26,325  
    Inventory, net     70,880       41,857  
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets     10,806       7,295  
    Restricted cash     1,201       468  
    Total current assets     195,077       166,467  
                     
    Property, plant and equipment, net     38,765       10,861  
    Intangibles, net     7,329       6,369  
    Right-of-use assets     3,744       2,557  
    Goodwill     48,950       43,471  
    Restricted cash     1,454       1,290  
    Deferred tax assets     1,201       1,119  
    Equity-method investments     1,245       —  
    Other assets     683       637  
    Total assets   $ 298,448     $ 232,771  
                     
    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY                
                     
    Current liabilities:                
    Accounts payable and accrued expenses   $ 25,158     $ 24,235  
    Lease liability, current portion     555       716  
    Debt, current portion     —       25  
    Contingent consideration     —       3,100  
    Deferred tax liabilities, current portion     16       —  
    Deferred revenue, current portion     69,356       50,732  
    Total current liabilities     95,085       78,808  
                     
    Deferred revenue, long term portion     11,915       7,097  
    Lease liability, long term portion     2,814       1,968  
    Deferred tax liabilities     1,591       300  
    Other liabilities     28       27  
    Total liabilities     111,433       88,200  
                     
    Stockholders’ equity:                
    Common stock     398       373  
    Additional paid-in capital     1,253,168       1,212,913  
    Treasury stock     (3,765 )     (3,639 )
    Accumulated other comprehensive income     1,509       1,582  
    Accumulated deficit     (1,064,295 )     (1,066,658 )
    Total stockholders’ equity     187,015       144,571  
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity   $ 298,448     $ 232,771  
    UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
    (In thousands)    		  
        Six Months Ended September 30,  
        2024     2023  
    Cash flows from operating activities:                
                     
    Net income (loss)   $ 2,363     $ (7,883 )
    Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operations:                
    Depreciation and amortization     2,395       2,234  
    Stock-based compensation expense     2,072       2,468  
    Provision for excess and obsolete inventory     780       1,070  
    Amortization of operating lease right-of-use assets     546       122  
    Deferred income taxes     (5,165 )     —  
    Change in fair value of contingent consideration     6,682       2,200  
    Other non-cash items     (15 )     273  
    Changes in operating asset and liability accounts:                
    Accounts receivable     2,538       3,152  
    Inventory     (6,672 )     (11,935 )
    Prepaid expenses and other assets     (2,082 )     8,015  
    Operating leases     (1,048 )     (123 )
    Accounts payable and accrued expenses     (4,455 )     (9,399 )
    Deferred revenue     18,182       8,458  
    Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities     16,121       (1,348 )
                     
    Cash flows from investing activities:                
    Purchases of property, plant and equipment     (852 )     (430 )
    Cash paid to settle contingent consideration liabilities     (3,278 )     —  
    Cash paid for acquisition, net of cash acquired     (29,577 )     —  
    Change in other assets     218       (10 )
    Net cash used in investing activities     (33,489 )     (440 )
                     
    Cash flows from financing activities:                
    Repurchase of treasury stock     (126 )     —  
    Repayment of debt     (25 )     (33 )
    Cash paid related to registration of common stock shares     (148 )     —  
    Proceeds from exercise of employee stock options and ESPP     157       136  
    Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities     (142 )     103  
                     
    Effect of exchange rate changes on cash     16       (10 )
                     
    Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash     (17,494 )     (1,695 )
    Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period     92,280       25,675  
    Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period   $ 74,786     $ 23,980  
    RECONCILIATION OF GAAP NET INCOME (LOSS) TO NON-GAAP NET INCOME (LOSS)
    (In thousands, except per share data)    		  
        Three Months Ended
    September 30,    		     Six Months Ended
    September 30,    		  
        2024     2023     2024     2023  
    Net income (loss)   $ 4,887     $ (2,485 )   $ 2,363     $ (7,883 )
    Stock-based compensation     843       1,111       2,072       2,468  
    Acquisition costs     850       —       1,080       —  
    Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles     608       538       1,020       1,082  
    Change in fair value of contingent consideration     2,762       850       6,682       2,200  
    Non-GAAP net income (loss)   $ 9,950     $ 14     $ 13,217     $ (2,133 )
                                     
    Non-GAAP net income (loss) per share – basic   $ 0.27     $ –     $ 0.36     $ (0.07 )
    Non-GAAP net income (loss) per share – diluted   $ 0.27     $ –     $ 0.36     $ (0.07 )
    Weighted average shares outstanding – basic     36,952       28,828       36,317       28,545  
    Weighted average shares outstanding – diluted     37,499       28,828       36,951       28,545  
    Reconciliation of Forecast GAAP Net Loss to Non-GAAP Net Income
    (In millions, except per share data)
        Three Months Ending  
        December 31, 2024  
    Net loss   $ (1.0 )
    Stock-based compensation     2.3  
    Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles     0.7  
    Non-GAAP net income   $ 2.0  
    Non-GAAP net income per share   $ 0.05  
    Shares outstanding     38.5  


    Note: Non-GAAP net income (loss) is defined by the Company as net loss before; stock-based compensation; amortization of acquisition-related intangibles; acquisition costs; change in fair value of contingent consideration, other non-cash or unusual charges, and the tax effect of adjustments calculated at the relevant rate for our non-GAAP metric. The Company believes non-GAAP net income (loss) and non-GAAP net income (loss) per share assist management and investors in comparing the Company’s performance across reporting periods on a consistent basis by excluding these non-cash, non-recurring or other charges that it does not believe are indicative of its core operating performance. Actual GAAP and non-GAAP net loss for the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2024, including the above adjustments, may differ materially from those forecasted in the table above. Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company’s performance, financial position or cash flow that either excludes or includes amounts that are not normally excluded or included in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. The non-GAAP measure included in this release, however, should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for or superior to, operating income or other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP net loss is set forth in the table above.

    AMSC Contacts
    Investor Relations Contact:
    LHA Investor Relations
    Carolyn Capaccio
    (212) 838-3777
    amscIR@lhai.com

    Public Relations Contact:
    RooneyPartners
    Joe Luongo
    (914) 906-5903

    AMSC Director, Communications:
    Nicol Golez
    978-399-8344
    Nicol.Golez@amsc.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC. REPORTS THIRD QUARTER 2024 FINANCIAL AND OPERATING RESULTS

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FRISCO, TX, Oct. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Comstock Resources, Inc. (“Comstock” or the “Company”) (NYSE: CRK) today reported financial and operating results for the quarter ended September 30, 2024.

    Highlights of 2024‘s Third Quarter

    • Weak natural gas prices continued to weigh heavily on the third quarter financial results.
    • Natural gas and oil sales, including realized hedging gains, were $305 million.
    • Operating cash flow was $152 million or $0.52 per diluted share.
    • Adjusted EBITDAX for the quarter was $202 million.
    • Adjusted net loss was $48.5 million or $0.17 per share for the quarter.
    • Lower completion activity was planned for the quarter, resulting in eight (5.4 net) operated wells being turned to sales since the Company’s last update with an average initial production of 21 MMcf per day.
    • First horseshoe Haynesville well was successful with a 31 MMcf per day initial production rate.
    • Western Haynesville exploratory play continues to progress with acreage position up to 453,881 net acres and most recent well costs down to an estimated $2,814 per completed lateral foot. Comstock’s thirteenth Western Haynesville well is on flowback with another five wells in the play expected to be turned to sales in late 2024 through early 2025.

    Financial Results for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2024

    Comstock’s realized natural gas price for the third quarter of 2024 averaged $1.90 per Mcf before hedging and $2.28 per Mcf after hedging. As a result, Comstock’s natural gas and oil sales in the third quarter of 2024 decreased to $305.0 million (including realized hedging gains of $51.4 million) despite a 2% increase in production in the quarter. Operating cash flow (excluding changes in working capital) generated in the third quarter of 2024 was $152.3 million, and net loss for the third quarter was $25.7 million or $0.09 per share. Net loss in the quarter included a pre-tax $23.8 million unrealized gain on hedging contracts held for risk management and a gain on sale of assets of $0.9 million. Excluding these items, adjusted net loss for the third quarter of 2024 was $48.5 million, or $0.17 per share.

    Comstock’s production cost per Mcfe in the third quarter averaged $0.77 per Mcfe, which was comprised of $0.41 for gathering and transportation costs, $0.22 for lease operating costs, $0.09 for production and other taxes and $0.05 for cash general and administrative expenses. Comstock’s unhedged operating margin was 60% in the third quarter of 2024 and 67% after hedging.

    Financial Results for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024

    Natural gas and oil sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 totaled $919.1 million (including realized hedging gains of $160.0 million). Operating cash flow (excluding changes in working capital) generated during the first nine months of 2024 was $452.4 million, and net loss was $163.4 million or $0.57 per share. Net loss during the first nine months of 2024 included a pre-tax $70.7 million unrealized loss on hedging contracts held for risk management and a gain on sale of assets of $0.9 million. Excluding these items, adjusted net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was $121.3 million or $0.42 per share.

    Comstock’s production cost per Mcfe during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 averaged $0.78 per Mcfe, which was comprised of $0.37 for gathering and transportation costs, $0.25 for lease operating costs, $0.12 for production and other taxes and $0.04 for cash general and administrative expenses. Comstock’s unhedged operating margin was 58% during the first nine months of 2024 and 65% after hedging.

    Drilling Results

    Comstock drilled eight (6.2 net) operated horizontal Haynesville/Bossier shale wells in the third quarter of 2024 which had an average lateral length of 12,034 feet. Comstock turned 11 (8.0 net) operated wells to sales in the third quarter of 2024.

    Since its last operational update in July, Comstock has turned eight (5.4 net) operated Haynesville/Bossier shale wells to sales. These wells had initial daily production rates that averaged 21 MMcf per day. The completed lateral length of these wells averaged 12,391 feet. Included in the wells turned to sales was the Sebastian 11 #5H, the Company’s first horseshoe Haynesville well, which had a 9,382 foot completed lateral and an initial production rate of 31 MMcf per day.

    Other

    On October 30, 2024, Comstock also announced that its bank group reaffirmed the $2.0 billion borrowing base and approved the amendment of certain financial covenants under its $1.5 billion revolving credit facility.

    Earnings Call Information

    Comstock has planned a conference call for 10:00 a.m. Central Time on October 31, 2024, to discuss the third quarter 2024 operational and financial results. Investors wishing to listen should visit the Company’s website at www.comstockresources.com for a live webcast. Investors wishing to participate in the conference call telephonically will need to register at https://register.vevent.com/register/BI25940ff3de024e45b06512519e9e6 a64. Upon registering to participate in the conference call, participants will receive the dial-in number and a personal PIN number to access the conference call. On the day of the call, please dial in at least 15 minutes in advance to ensure a timely connection to the call. The conference call will also be broadcast live in listen-only mode and can be accessed via the website URL: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/27pqb8gi.

    If you are unable to participate in the original conference call, a web replay will be available for twelve months beginning at 1:00 p.m. CT on October 31, 2024. The replay of the conference can be accessed using the webcast link: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/27pqb8gi.

    This press release may contain “forward-looking statements” as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are based on management’s current expectations and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those described herein. Although the Company believes the expectations in such statements to be reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Information concerning the assumptions, uncertainties and risks that may affect the actual results can be found in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) available on the Company’s website or the SEC’s website at sec.gov.

    Comstock Resources, Inc. is a leading independent natural gas producer with operations focused on the development of the Haynesville shale in North Louisiana and East Texas. The Company’s stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol CRK.

    COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
    (In thousands, except per share amounts)

        Three Months Ended
    September 30,    		     Nine Months Ended
    September 30,    		  
        2024     2023     2024     2023  
    Revenues:                        
    Natural gas sales   $ 252,650     $ 304,141     $ 756,260     $ 911,065  
    Oil sales     975       1,309       2,925       4,111  
    Total natural gas and oil sales     253,625       305,450       759,185       915,176  
    Gas services     50,847       71,287       127,889       239,350  
    Total revenues     304,472       376,737       887,074       1,154,526  
    Operating expenses:                        
    Production and ad valorem taxes     12,578       25,386       49,730       59,891  
    Gathering and transportation     53,996       47,012       150,456       137,981  
    Lease operating     29,248       31,664       99,125       100,525  
    Exploration     —       —       —       1,775  
    Depreciation, depletion and amortization     208,350       148,190       593,281       422,350  
    Gas services     52,622       67,632       132,796       224,317  
    General and administrative     9,923       9,586       29,271       31,992  
    Gain on sale of assets     (910 )     —       (910 )     (125 )
    Total operating expenses     365,807       329,470       1,053,749       978,706  
    Operating income (loss)     (61,335 )     47,267       (166,675 )     175,820  
    Other income (expenses):                        
    Gain from derivative financial instruments     75,163       14,276       89,218       76,190  
    Other income     274       409       927       1,467  
    Interest expense     (54,516 )     (43,624 )     (156,005 )     (121,082 )
    Total other income (expenses)     20,921       (28,939 )     (65,860 )     (43,425 )
    Income (loss) before income taxes     (40,414 )     18,328       (232,535 )     132,395  
    (Provision for) benefit from income taxes     14,696       (3,608 )     69,094       (28,878 )
    Net income (loss)     (25,718 )     14,720       (163,441 )     103,517  
    Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest     (3,173 )     —       (8,081 )     —  
    Net income (loss) available to Comstock   $ (28,891 )   $ 14,720     $ (171,522 )   $ 103,517  
                             
    Net income (loss) per share                        
    Basic   $ (0.09 )   $ 0.05     $ (0.57 )   $ 0.37  
    Diluted   $ (0.09 )   $ 0.05     $ (0.57 )   $ 0.37  
    Weighted average shares outstanding:                        
    Basic     290,170       276,999       285,949       276,741  
    Diluted     290,170       276,999       285,949       276,741  
    Dividends per share   $ —     $ 0.125     $ —     $ 0.375  

    COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.
    OPERATING RESULTS
    (In thousands, except per unit amounts)

        Three Months Ended September 30,     Nine Months Ended September 30,  
        2024     2023     2024     2023  
    Natural gas production (MMcf)     133,116       130,528       403,420       383,902  
    Oil production (Mbbls)     13       17       40       57  
    Total production (MMcfe)     133,198       130,629       403,662       384,241  
                             
    Natural gas sales   $ 252,650     $ 304,141     $ 756,260     $ 911,065  
    Natural gas hedging settlements (1)     51,409       10,344       159,956       76,221  
    Total natural gas including hedging     304,059       314,485       916,216       987,286  
    Oil sales     975       1,309       2,925       4,111  
    Total natural gas and oil sales including hedging   $ 305,034     $ 315,794     $ 919,141     $ 991,397  
                             
    Average natural gas price (per Mcf)   $ 1.90     $ 2.33     $ 1.87     $ 2.37  
    Average natural gas price including hedging (per Mcf)   $ 2.28     $ 2.41     $ 2.27     $ 2.57  
    Average oil price (per barrel)   $ 75.00     $ 77.00     $ 73.13     $ 72.12  
    Average price (per Mcfe)   $ 1.90     $ 2.34     $ 1.88     $ 2.38  
    Average price including hedging (per Mcfe)   $ 2.29     $ 2.42     $ 2.28     $ 2.58  
                             
    Production and ad valorem taxes   $ 12,578     $ 25,386     $ 49,730     $ 59,891  
    Gathering and transportation     53,996       47,012       150,456       137,981  
    Lease operating     29,248       31,664       99,125       100,525  
    Cash general and administrative (2)     6,042       6,930       17,892       24,984  
    Total production costs   $ 101,864     $ 110,992     $ 317,203     $ 323,381  
                             
    Production and ad valorem taxes (per Mcfe)   $ 0.09     $ 0.20     $ 0.12     $ 0.16  
    Gathering and transportation (per Mcfe)     0.41       0.36       0.37       0.36  
    Lease operating (per Mcfe)     0.22       0.24       0.25       0.26  
    Cash general and administrative (per Mcfe)     0.05       0.05       0.04       0.07  
    Total production costs (per Mcfe)   $ 0.77     $ 0.85     $ 0.78     $ 0.85  
                             
    Unhedged operating margin     60 %     64 %     58 %     65 %
    Hedged operating margin     67 %     65 %     65 %     67 %
                             
    Gas services revenue   $ 50,847     $ 71,287     $ 127,889     $ 239,350  
    Gas services expenses     52,622       67,632       132,796       224,317  
    Gas services margin   $ (1,775 )   $ 3,655     $ (4,907 )   $ 15,033  
                             
    Natural Gas and Oil Capital Expenditures:                        
    Unproved property acquisitions   $ 8,800     $ 19,998     $ 87,938     $ 76,646  
    Total natural gas and oil properties acquisitions   $ 8,800     $ 19,998     $ 87,938     $ 76,646  
    Exploration and Development:                        
    Development leasehold   $ 5,623     $ 5,369     $ 12,153     $ 19,087  
    Exploratory drilling and completion     57,144       74,737       215,992       179,049  
    Development drilling and completion     114,172       229,594       411,315       740,808  
    Other development costs     7,453       1,418       22,175       18,868  
    Total exploration and development capital expenditures   $ 184,392     $ 311,118     $ 661,635     $ 957,812  

    (1)   Included in gain (loss) from derivative financial instruments in operating results.

    (2)   Excludes stock-based compensation.

    COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.
    NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
    (In thousands, except per share amounts)

        Three Months Ended
    September 30,    		     Nine Months Ended
    September 30,    		  
        2024     2023     2024     2023  
    ADJUSTED NET INCOME (LOSS):                        
    Net income (loss)   $ (25,718 )   $ 14,720     $ (163,441 )   $ 103,517  
    Unrealized (gain) loss from derivative financial instruments     (23,754 )     (3,932 )     70,738       31  
    Exploration expense     —       —       —       1,775  
    Gain on sale of assets     (910 )     —       (910 )     (125 )
    Adjustment to income taxes     1,873       946       (27,663 )     (418 )
    Adjusted net income (loss)   $ (48,509 )   $ 11,734     $ (121,276 )   $ 104,780  
                             
    Adjusted net income (loss) per share (2)   $ (0.17 )   $ 0.04     $ (0.42 )   $ 0.38  
    Diluted shares outstanding     290,170       276,999       285,949       276,741  
                             
                             
    ADJUSTED EBITDAX:                        
    Net income (loss)   $ (25,718 )   $ 14,720     $ (163,441 )   $ 103,517  
    Interest expense     54,516       43,624       156,005       121,082  
    Income taxes     (14,696 )     3,608       (69,094 )     28,878  
    Depreciation, depletion, and amortization     208,350       148,190       593,281       422,350  
    Exploration     —       —       —       1,775  
    Unrealized (gain) loss from derivative financial instruments     (23,754 )     (3,932 )     70,738       31  
    Stock-based compensation     3,883       2,655       11,380       7,006  
    Gain on sale of assets     (910 )     —       (910 )     (125 )
    Total Adjusted EBITDAX (3)   $ 201,671     $ 208,865     $ 597,959     $ 684,514  

    (1)   Adjusted net income (loss) is presented because of its acceptance by investors and by Comstock management as an indicator of the Company’s profitability excluding non-cash unrealized gains and losses on derivative financial instruments, gains and losses on sales of assets and other unusual items.

    (2)   Adjusted net income (loss) per share is calculated to include the dilutive effects of unvested restricted stock pursuant to the two-class method and performance stock units pursuant to the treasury stock method.

    (3)   Adjusted EBITDAX is presented in the earnings release because management believes that adjusted EBITDAX, which represents Comstock’s results from operations before interest, income taxes, and certain non-cash items, including depreciation, depletion and amortization, unrealized gains and losses on derivative financial instruments and exploration expense, is a common alternative measure of operating performance used by certain investors and financial analysts.

    COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.
    NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
    (In thousands)

        Three Months Ended
    September 30,    		     Nine Months Ended
    September 30,    		  
        2024     2023     2024     2023  
    OPERATING CASH FLOW (1):                        
    Net income (loss)   $ (25,718 )   $ 14,720     $ (163,441 )   $ 103,517  
    Reconciling items:                        
    Unrealized (gain) loss from derivative financial instruments     (23,754 )     (3,932 )     70,738       31  
    Deferred income taxes     (12,734 )     3,608       (67,165 )     28,878  
    Depreciation, depletion and amortization     208,350       148,190       593,281       422,350  
    Amortization of debt discount and issuance costs     3,136       1,989       8,519       5,980  
    Stock-based compensation     3,883       2,655       11,380       7,006  
    Gain on sale of assets     (910 )     —       (910 )     (125 )
    Operating cash flow   $ 152,253     $ 167,230     $ 452,402     $ 567,637  
    (Increase) decrease in accounts receivable     (658 )     (20,887 )     75,573       295,323  
    Increase in other current assets     (5,595 )     (1,825 )     (749 )     (624 )
    Decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses     (47,830 )     (73,753 )     (173,942 )     (73,697 )
    Net cash provided by operating activities   $ 98,170     $ 70,765     $ 353,284     $ 788,639  
        Three Months Ended
    September 30,    		     Nine Months Ended
    September 30,    		  
        2024     2023     2024     2023  
    FREE CASH FLOW (DEFICIT)(2):                        
    Operating cash flow   $ 152,253     $ 167,230     $ 452,402     $ 567,637  
    Less:                        
    Exploration and development capital expenditures     (184,392 )     (311,118 )     (661,635 )     (957,812 )
    Midstream capital expenditures     (30,251 )     —       (46,739 )     —  
    Other capital expenditures     (735 )     (10,563 )     (1,706 )     (22,076 )
    Contributions from midstream partner     19,000       —       36,000       —  
    Free cash deficit from operations   $ (44,125 )   $ (154,451 )   $ (221,678 )   $ (412,251 )
    Acquisitions     (8,800 )     (19,998 )     (87,938 )     (76,646 )
    Proceeds from divestitures     1,214       —       1,214       41,295  
    Free cash deficit after acquisition and divestiture activity   $ (51,711 )   $ (174,449 )   $ (308,402 )   $ (447,602 )

    (1)   Operating cash flow is presented in the earnings release because management believes it to be useful to investors as a common alternative measure of cash flows which excludes changes to other working capital accounts.

    (2)   Free cash flow (deficit) from operations and free cash flow (deficit) after acquisition and divestiture activity are presented in the earnings release because management believes them to be useful indicators of the Company’s ability to internally fund acquisitions and debt maturities after exploration and development capital expenditures, midstream and other capital expenditures, contributions from its midstream partner, proved and unproved property acquisitions, and proceeds from divestiture of natural gas and oil properties.

    COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.
    CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
    (In thousands)

        September 30,
    2024    		     December 31,
    2023    		  
    ASSETS            
    Cash and cash equivalents   $ 13,772     $ 16,669  
    Accounts receivable     155,857       231,430  
    Derivative financial instruments     71,704       126,775  
    Other current assets     58,379       86,619  
    Total current assets     299,712       461,493  
    Property and equipment, net     5,590,448       5,384,771  
    Goodwill     335,897       335,897  
    Operating lease right-of-use assets     82,124       71,462  
    Derivative financial instruments     4,828       —  
        $ 6,313,009     $ 6,253,623  
                 
    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY            
    Accounts payable   $ 358,336     $ 523,260  
    Accrued costs     106,057       134,466  
    Operating leases     35,372       23,765  
    Total current liabilities     499,765       681,491  
    Long-term debt     2,949,181       2,640,391  
    Deferred income taxes     402,870       470,035  
    Derivative financial instruments     20,495       —  
    Long-term operating leases     46,681       47,742  
    Asset retirement obligation     32,016       30,773  
    Total liabilities     3,951,008       3,870,432  
    Stockholders’ Equity:            
    Common stock     146,130       139,214  
    Additional paid-in capital     1,362,393       1,260,930  
    Accumulated earnings     786,748       958,270  
    Total stockholders’ equity attributable to Comstock     2,295,271       2,358,414  
    Noncontrolling interest     66,730       24,777  
    Total stockholders’ equity     2,362,001       2,383,191  
        $ 6,313,009     $ 6,253,623  

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: National Fuel Gas Company Continues Peer Leading Sustainability Initiatives Through EO100TM and MiQ Programs

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y., Oct. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — National Fuel Gas Midstream Company, LLC (Midstream), the Gathering segment of National Fuel Gas Company (NYSE: NFG) (National Fuel or the Company), has been re-verified under Equitable Origin’s EO100™ Standard for Responsible Energy Development. The re-verification independently confirms that Midstream continues to adhere to the performance obligations earned under Midstream’s initial EO100™ certification, achieved in 2023, while also verifying Midstream’s commitment to the continuous improvement plan established upon initial certification. During the re-verification process completed in October 2024, Midstream was awarded an “A-” grade, with Midstream recognized as the first entity in the EO100™ framework to improve two grades following initial certification. 100% of Midstream’s natural gas gathering system assets were subject to a series of rigorous performance targets that fall under the five principles of the EO100™ Standard, including corporate governance and ethics; social impacts, human rights and community engagement; Indigenous Peoples’ rights; occupational health, safety and fair labor standards; and environmental impacts, biodiversity and climate change. Midstream was the first gathering or midstream company and second National Fuel subsidiary to earn EO100™ Standard certification, joining Seneca Resources Company, LLC (Seneca Resources), which previously achieved certification of 100% of its natural gas production under the EO100TM Standard in 2021.

    Furthermore, Seneca Resources, NFG’s Upstream segment, announced it has been re-certified by MiQ and was awarded an “A” grade (the highest certification level available) for 100% of its Appalachian natural gas production assets, which produce over 1 billion cubic feet of gross production per day. The MiQ certification focuses on three emissions criteria, including: methane intensity, practices to manage methane emissions, and emissions monitoring technology deployment.

    “The EO100™ and MiQ re-certifications that Midstream and Seneca achieved demonstrate our dedication to sustainability through our proactive emissions reduction efforts and best practices,” said Justin Loweth, President of Seneca Resources Company, LLC and National Fuel Gas Midstream Company, LLC. “I am proud of the work our team has done to not only achieve these accolades, but their commitment to build upon these certifications, engraining these principles and practices into our everyday culture.”

    About National Fuel Gas Company:
    National Fuel is a diversified energy company headquartered in Western New York that operates an integrated collection of natural gas assets across four business segments: Exploration and Production, Pipeline and Storage, Gathering and Utility. Additional information about National Fuel is available at www.nationalfuel.com.

    NFG Contacts:
    Natalie Fischer
    Analyst Contact
    716-857-7315

    Karen Merkel
    Media Contact
    716-857-7654

    About Equitable Origin:
    Equitable Origin is a non-profit organization that created the first market-based mechanism to recognize and reward responsible energy producers and to empower energy purchasers through independent, site-level certification. The EO100™ Standard for Responsible Energy Development is grounded in a set of comprehensive, globally applicable ESG performance targets developed with extensive stakeholder input. Certification against the EO100™ Standard promotes best practices and drives improvements in ESG performance while enabling a market for differentiated energy production. To learn more visit energystandards.org.

    About MiQ:
    MiQ is an independent not-for-profit established by RMI and SYSTEMIQ to facilitate a rapid reduction in methane emissions from the oil and gas sector. MiQ works with operators across the full supply chain to provide the data needed to understand and reduce methane emissions. To learn more visit miq.org.

    Cautionary Statements
    Certain statements contained herein, including statements identified by the use of the words “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “predicts,” “projects,” “believes,” “will,” “may,” and similar expressions, and statements other than statements of historical facts, are “forward-looking statements” as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. While National Fuel’s expectations, beliefs, and projections are expressed in good faith and are believed to have a reasonable basis, actual results may differ materially from those projected in forward-looking statements. In addition to other factors, the following are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements: (1) National Fuel’s ability to estimate accurately the time and resources necessary to implement new practices; (2) governmental/regulatory actions and/or market pressures to reduce or eliminate reliance on natural gas; and (3) the other risks and uncertainties described in (i) National Fuel’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K at Item 7, MD&A, and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q at Item 2, MD&A, under the heading “Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking Statements,” and (ii) the “Risk Factors” included in National Fuel’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K at Item 1A and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q at Item 1A. National Fuel disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. Because of these risks and uncertainties, readers should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements or use them for anything other than their intended purpose.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Capito Accepts Inaugural West Virginia Women in Energy “Woman of the Year” Award

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, received the first annual West Virginia Women in Energy “Woman of the Year” award and provided acceptance remarks at the 2024 Governor’s Energy Summit. The award recognizes Senator Capito’s accomplishments and contributions across the energy sector and her dedication to women empowerment and leadership.
    “I’m honored to receive this award, and express my most heartfelt thankfulness to the West Virginia Office of Energy for recognizing me and my contributions to this vital industry. Energy is something that is synonymous with the very name of our state. For generations, the resources our state is blessed with and our diligent, tireless workforce have kept lights on and our country on the move. I have made it a central aspect of my career to support that tradition and find new and innovative ways to keep American energy generation right here in West Virginia. We must continue to generate the baseload power that our nation relies on, and you can be certain that I will always be an advocate for expanding that capacity in our state and supporting the men and women who make that possible,” Senator Capito said.
    Prior to receiving the award, Senator Capito participated in the summit’s “Women in Energy Breakfast” where she spoke to attendees about female empowerment and encouraged the women of the summit to support the next generation of West Virginia female leaders in the energy field.
    BACKGROUND:
    Throughout her time in Congress, Senator Capito has been a staunch advocate and defender of American energy generation in West Virginia. Her leadership has helped advance efforts and important legislation aimed at enhancing energy infrastructure and providing reliable energy sources to West Virginians and Americans.
    Some of Senator Capito’s energy accomplishments include:
    Championing and serving as a bill manager of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which funded the hydrogen hubs, priority West Virginia infrastructure projects, and other critical national energy projects. Senator Capito is also a founding member of the West Virginia Hydrogen Hub Coalition that led to the creation of the Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub (ARCH2).
    Leading efforts to support the completion of the Mountain Valley Pipeline, and authoring language included in the Fiscal Responsibility Act that finalized the pipeline.
    Championing 45Q Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS) Tax Credits, as well as serving an original co-sponsor of the USE It Act to reduce regulatory barriers to deployment of CCUS technology.
    Consistently supporting investments in new markets for coal, including carbon manufacturing and extracting rare earth elements essential to America’s high tech and defense sectors.
    Leading Congressional efforts to stop the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) attempt to shut down coal-fired power plants through the Obama Clean Power Plan and authored successful amicus brief, co-signed with 90 members of Congress, to the Supreme Court in West Virginia v. EPA.
    Additionally, as West Virginia’s first female United States Senator for West Virginia, Senator Capito has made it a point to inspire the next generation of female leaders. In an effort to do this, she launched her West Virginia Girls Rise Up program in 2015. The purpose of the initiative is to empower young women through education, physical fitness, and self-confidence. Earlier this month, Senator Capito completed her 34th event since the program’s launch. Learn more about Senator Capito’s West Virginia Girls Rise Up program here.
    Photos from today’s event are included below:

    U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) accepts the first annual West Virginia Women in Energy “Woman of the Year” award at the 2024 Governor’s Energy Summit in Charleston, W.Va. on Wednesday, October 30, 2024.

    U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) participates in the Women in Energy Breakfast at the 2024 Governor’s Energy Summit in Charleston, W.Va. on Wednesday, October 30, 2024.

    MIL OSI USA News –