NewzIntel.com

Category: Energy

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sen. Cramer: Department of Energy Awards Nearly $49 Million for Project Tundra Construction

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND)
    Click here to download audio.
    BISMARCK, N.D. – The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management announced the award of nearly $49 million to DCC East Project LLC in Grand Forks to construct a large-scale geologic carbon storage facility in support of Project Tundra. The project will add full-time equivalent jobs to the already existing 360 jobs at Minnkota’s Milton R. Young Station and the adjacent coal mine.
    “Project Tundra really is the embodiment of North Dakota’s energy dominance and, more importantly, innovation, and the state’s commitment to lignite coal always being available, low-cost, reliable, abundant and a chosen, clean form of generating electricity,” said U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee. “This award recognizes that leadership in responsible energy development and it gets this important project one step closer to completion.”
    This project, funded by the fully-paid-for Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will support the Carbon Storage Assurance Facility Enterprise (CarbonSAFE) Initiative. Established in 2016, the CarbonSAFE Initiative aims to address gaps in carbon capture and storage deployment.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Guatemala Prioritizes Capacity Building, Palliative Care and Strengthening Cancer Registry Following Cancer Control Review

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

    A laboratory technician analysing samples at the Totonicapan Hospital. (Photo: M. Nobile/IAEA) 

    Guatemala is setting new priorities for cancer control following a thorough review of its cancer care capacities and needs during an imPACT Review mission to the country. A team of nine international experts appointed by the IAEA, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) was on the ground in June 2024 to evaluate progress since the previous imPACT Review in 2010. The team also provided tailored and updated recommendations to the Ministry of Health on priority actions for cancer control.

    “The recent imPACT Review mission was an opportunity to thoroughly review and assess the quality of all cancer prevention and control services in the country,” said Silvia Palma, focal point for the imPACT Review at the Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare of Guatemala. “By setting priorities for human resource capacity building, strengthening the cancer registry and financing palliative care, Guatemala is taking a targeted, evidence-driven approach for more impactful cancer control,” she added.

    Close to 18 000 people are diagnosed with cancer each year in Guatemala, with numbers expected to substantially increase by 2045 (Globocan 2022). For women, cancers of the breast and cervix account for 40 per cent of all newly diagnosed cases. For this reason, prevention and early detection of these types of cancer in were high on the agenda during the visit.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Serious crash: Roscommon Road, Wiri

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Emergency services are responding to a crash on Roscommon Road in Wiri.

    The crash, involving a vehicle and a motorcycle, was reported to Police at 10.29am.

    One person has been injured and is reported to be in a critical condition.

    The crash has closed Roscommon Road heading north, near the intersections with Oil Terminal Road and Vogler Road.

    Diversions are being put in place and motorists are advised to expect delays or avoid the area if possible.

    The Serious Crash Unit has been notified and will conduct a scene examination.

    ENDS

    Tony Wright/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kaptur Announces USDA Drought Disaster Designation for Ohio Counties

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

    Toledo, OH – Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, announced that five additional Ohio counties have been designated as primary natural disaster areas by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) due to ongoing drought conditions. The affected counties include Defiance, Henry, Williams, Fulton, and Lucas, which have suffered from extreme and severe drought conditions during the critical growing season. On September 27th, Congresswoman Kaptur and Congressman Rulli (OH-06) led a bipartisan group of Ohio lawmakers in urging USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack to expand emergency haying and grazing measures under the Conservation Reserve Program.

    This designation, announced by USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, unlocks critical assistance for local farmers through USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency loan program and other relief options. The designation applies to counties that have experienced either a D2 (Severe) drought for eight or more consecutive weeks or a D3 (Extreme) or D4 (Exceptional) drought as indicated in the US Drought Monitor.

    “Our farmers’ stories are deeply personal and reflect the heart of our communities. This year’s drought has tested them in ways few can imagine, but, in their resilience, they show us what it means to endure,” said Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09). “This drought disaster designation is more than a federal response—it’s a recognition of their perseverance, and an opportunity to give them the support they need to recover. It’s our duty to stand with them, and I encourage every eligible farmer to take advantage of these vital resources.”

    Farmers in the designated counties have up to eight months from the date of the USDA disaster declaration to apply for emergency loans through their local FSA office. These loans can help farmers cover production losses, repair or replace essential property, and restore their agricultural operations. Eligibility for loans is based on the extent of loss, farm viability, and the applicant’s repayment ability.

    Farmers in both the primary and contiguous counties will be able to apply for assistance and should reach out to their local FSA office for more details on available programs.

    The designation also unlocks other federal programs that may be able to assist impacted farmers and rural communities.

    Counties designated as primary disaster areas:

    • Defiance
    • Henry
    • Williams
    • Fulton
    • Lucas

    Contiguous counties:

    • Ottawa
    • Wood
    • Hancock
    • Paulding
    • Putnam

    On October 9, 2024, Kaptur led 63 of her colleagues in urging House Speaker Mike Johnson to bring the US House of Representatives back into session to approve necessary funding for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Small Business Administration (SBA) to fulfill their Hurricane Helene and Milton relief missions. Recent legislation has provided initial relief funds but falls critically short of what will be necessary to address the scale of destruction and the recovery needs for Fiscal Year 2025.

    Additionally, on October 8, 2024, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers in urging Congressional leaders to include provisions from the Save Our Small Farms (SOS Farms) Act in the upcoming Farm Bill, advocating for critical reforms to crop insurance programs and disaster relief measures to better support small and mid-sized farmers.

    Farmers are encouraged to visit their local FSA office or visit the USDA website to inquire about the specific resources available to them and to begin the loan application process.

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Ombudsman to provide advice and dispute resolution for community members hosting renewable energy

    Source: New South Wales Ministerial News

    Published: 22 October 2024

    Released by: Minister for Energy and Climate Change

    The Minns Labor Government is taking further measures to ensure community members and landowners hosting renewable energy infrastructure projects are actively supported, by expanding the functions of the Energy & Water Ombudsman NSW.

    For the first time, the Ombudsman will provide impartial information and an external dispute resolution service to landholders and community members impacted by new major renewable energy transmission infrastructure and renewable energy infrastructure projects which will deliver more affordable and reliable power across NSW.

    $1.3 million in grant funding from the NSW Government will improve efficiency, transparency and accountability in addressing complaints by individual community members or landowners hosting renewable energy generation and transmission projects.

    The Energy & Water Ombudsman NSW will provide a ‘no wrong door’ referral service for residents, connecting them with the most appropriate channels to address their complaints where they fall outside the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction.

    The service will also provide an investigation and resolution process for residents dissatisfied with how their complaints are handled by the relevant transmission and renewable energy entities.

    The Energy & Water Ombudsman NSW will actively engage with residents to understand their concerns and identify any widespread issues requiring action.

    The Energy & Water Ombudsman NSW was established in 1998 as the NSW Government-approved dispute resolution scheme for electricity and gas customers, and some water customers. The external dispute resolution scheme operates independent of Government and industry.

    The new services will be rolled out by the NSW Energy & Water Ombudsman NSW from December.

    Quote attributable to Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Penny Sharpe:

    “We have listened to communities and understand that better engagement and support is needed for communities hosting renewable energy infrastructure.

    “The investment in expanding this dedicated complaint handling function proves our commitment to a fair and transparent energy sector.

    “Residents will no longer have to navigate a maze of agencies. The Energy & Water Ombudsman NSW will connect them with the right people to have concerns investigated and addressed.”

    Quote attributable to Energy and Water Ombudsman NSW, Janine Young:

    “The Energy & Water Ombudsman NSW is the established, trusted and independent dispute resolution scheme for NSW energy and water customers. We resolved more than 28,000 energy and water complaints last year.

    “This isn’t new territory for us. We already handle complaints about existing energy transmission and distribution infrastructure, so we’re well placed to expand into managing complaints and disputes regarding new network and renewable energy infrastructure projects.

    “The renewable energy sector is developing rapidly, and customers need a free and impartial Ombudsman scheme to help them navigate the energy transition.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Tātaki Auckland Unlimited’s sustainability story for 2023/24

    Source: Auckland Council

    Steps to creating a sustainable Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland are demonstrated by the region’s economic and cultural agency in its annual sustainability story, highlighting the organisation’s multifaceted approach to climate change and sustainability, and its commitment to continuous improvement.

    A snapshot for the 2023/24 financial year shows Tātaki Auckland Unlimited’s initiatives and achievements in fostering a more resilient and inclusive Auckland, on the heels of its strong annual results delivering value for Auckland and its people. It shows how the organisation is embedding sustainability practices internally while simultaneously taking on a leadership role across the region.

    Nick Hill, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited Chief Executive, emphasises the importance of a holistic approach.

    “This is testament to our commitment to creating a sustainable future for Auckland. While Tātaki Auckland Unlimited is charged with the social, cultural and economic outcomes of our activities, we are increasingly considering climate change and environment in decision-making. Taking an integrated approach is crucial for building a resilient, thriving and future-ready region.”

    Key highlights include:

    1. Climate Change and Environment Strategic Plan: This inaugural plan outlines Tātaki Auckland Unlimited’s actions for the next three years towards its sustainability goals and targets.

    2. Decarbonisation project at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki: A successful transition from gas- fired heating to electric heat pumps resulted in a 99 per cent reduction in natural gas consumption and a 22 per cent decrease in overall energy use within the first three months.

    3. Climate Connect Aotearoa initiatives: The climate innovation hub, established and led by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, brought together 115 stakeholders to explore Māori knowledge systems in climate action. This hui was an extension of He Kete Mātauranga, a knowledge hub to connect businesses, communities and organisations with Māori-led climate resources. Additionally, Climate Connect Aotearoa launched ClimateLink, a tool to increase access to connections, resources and funding for climate action.

    4. Proactive climate resilience planning: Adaptation planning for the Aotea Precinct to help mitigate risks associated with physical climate hazards, including extreme heat and flooding.

    5. PalmOil Scan app: Auckland Zoo released a mobile app in New Zealand and Australia to help consumers identify products using certified sustainable palm oil, supporting rainforest conservation and biodiversity.

    6. Commitment to diversity and inclusion: Initiatives include the refresh of Te Mahere Aronga (Māori Outcomes Plan), participation in the whāia te ao Māori self-assessment programme, support for the Rainbow Games and publication of gender and ethnic pay gap data.

    Dr Parin Rafiei-Thompson, Head of Climate Innovation and Sustainability at Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, says, “Our approach to sustainability aligns with Auckland’s broader climate goals in Te Tāruke-ā- Tāwhiri: Auckland’s Climate Plan. Our work in areas like decarbonisation, climate resilience and collaborative climate innovation demonstrates our commitment to driving meaningful change at Tātaki Auckland Unlimited for Tāmaki Makaurau. While there is a lot more work to be done, we are progressing year-on-year towards our goals and seeking out areas for improvement.”

    “We’re proud of the progress we’ve made, but we also recognise that this is an ongoing journey,” says Nick Hill. “We celebrate our achievements while also setting the stage for future actions. We’re committed to continuous improvement and transparent reporting of our progress.”

    Tātaki Auckland Unlimited’s ‘Our Sustainability Story’ is available on the organisation’s website, alongside the Climate Change and Environment Strategic Plan.

    More information is available here.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI: LNG Energy Group Provides an Operational Update and Change of Transfer Agent

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Highlights:

    • LNG Energy Group expects to issue a reserves update by month-end in respect of the reserves to be acquired in Venezuela.
    • Debt Repayments – Approximately U.S.$14.7 million amortization of term-loan debt principal.
    • ESG Initiatives – Lewis Energy Colombia obtains ISO certification and dedicates property to reforestation in advance of its carbon reduction initiatives in Colombia.
    • Natural Gas Compressor – New compressor will be used to optimize production and improve reserves life.
    • Commencement of new Oilfield Services Division.
    • Gas Sales Agreements – Amendments with off-takers allow for temporary lower nominations to facilitate maintenance and workover program.
    • Capital Expenditures – Expecting to drill a development and a re-entry at an existing development well in the fourth quarter of 2024.

    TORONTO, Oct. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — LNG Energy Group Corp. (TSXV: LNGE) (TSXV: LNGE.WT) (OTCQB: LNGNF) (FWB: E26) (the “Company” or “LNG Energy Group”) is pleased to an operational update on its projects in Venezuela and Colombia.

    Corporate

    Since August 2023, the Company has been able to repay approximately U.S.$14.7 million in amortization on its long-term bank debt.

    Colombia

    Environmental, Health and Safety and sustainability Practices

    The Company is pleased to announce that its wholly owned subsidiary, Lewis Energy Colombia, Inc. (“LEC”), has successfully completed the following ISO recertifications, after an audit performed by Bureau Veritas:

    • 9001:2015 – Quality Management System (QMS): this certification recognizes LEC for its successful implementation and continual improvement of its QMS.
    • 14001:2015 – Environmental Management Systems (EMS): this certification recognizes LEC’s commitment to take proactive measures to minimize its environmental footprint, comply with relevant legal requirements and achieve their environmental objectives.
    • 45001:2018 – Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) Management System: this certification recognizes LEC’s commitment to systematically assess hazards and implement risk control measures, leading to reduced workplace injuries, illnesses and incidents.

    LEC is also in the process of assigning 25 hectares (62 acres) to the Corporación Autónoma Regional del Atlántico (“CRA”), the environmental agency for the Atlántico state in northern Colombia. This land will be used for reforestation projects and for the purpose of protecting the local watershed. Currently, LEC has approximately 360 hectares (900 acres) in the area and this is land that will be used for environmental compensation purposes, contributing to a reduction in LEC’s carbon footprint.

    Compressor at the Bullerengue Field

    The Company is pleased to announce the completion of its new compressor project at the Bullerengue field. The compressor recently began operation and will be instrumental in increasing the reserves life of the field while facilitating access to an additional 1.67 Bcf of natural gas at the north side of the field. The compressor will also serve to increase LEC’s ability to respond to regulatory requirements and improve general operational efficiencies.

    Source: Company images of the new compressor and facilities at the Bullerengue field.

    Oilfield Services Division

    LEC is continuing studies to offer drilling rig services to third parties in Colombia, as a way of optimizing resource use to increase company income, while allowing us to maintain a strong core rig crew, which helps improve our operational efficiency.

    LEC has three rigs on the ground in its Sinú-San Jacinto Norte-1 Block (the “SSJN-1 block”) near Barranquilla, Colombia. They include one 1,600 HP top-drive drilling rig, one 1,000 HP top-drive drilling rig and one 550 HP workover rig. These rigs come complete with generators, pumps, BOPs, mud systems, tanks and other equipment needed to fully execute drilling and workovers operations. Together, the rigs and associated equipment have an estimated value of approximately U.S.$10 million.

    The Company looks to mobilize its equipment and personnel in the fourth quarter of 2024 to pursue workover and drilling activities.

    Gas Sales Agreements

    As a result of unexpected production restrictions at certain wells in the Bullerengue natural gas field, the Company has had to limit natural gas deliveries under certain gas sales agreements dedicated to supplying natural gas demand. As a result of careful review of the legal, social and security circumstances, the natural gas supply needs of the Colombian gas market, and the Company’s commitment to meet its commercial obligations with its off-takers and strategic partner contracts, the Company considers it prudent to pursue short term volume delivery amendments reducing volumes by 5.0 MMbtu/d for a period of four months with no significant changes to LEC’s average natural gas sales price.

    The Company is presently working on remediating this disruption and expects to have production back to normal levels upon execution of well maintenance and drilling activity. The Company is working on workover and drilling initiatives to make up for these sales volumes in the future and meet its average production and long-term valuation creation objectives and therefore does not expect this situation to have a long-term material impact on its operations and results.

    Capital Expenditures

    For the remainder of 2024, the Company expects to drill at least one additional development well and conduct a re-entry at an existing well at the SSJN-1 block onshore in Colombia in addition to its remaining workover campaign. The workover campaign is designed to address maintenance declines in production as well as increase production from the Company’s existing wells.

    Venezuela

    On April 17, 2024, LNG Energy Group’s wholly own subsidiary, LNGEG Growth I Corp. (“LNG Venezuela”) was conditionally entered into a binding agreement with PDVSA Petroleo S.A. (“PPSA”), a subsidiary of Petroleos de Venezuela S.A., the Venezuelan national oil company, for the operation of the Nipa-Nardo-Niebla and the Budare-Elotes CPPs in onshore Venezuela (collectively, the “Venezuela Blocks”). The Venezuela Blocks are currently producing 3,000 bbl/d of light and medium oil.

    The Company is preparing a baseline to understand the work program and activities required to take over operations of these fields and optimize production and is in the process of certifying the reserves at certain of the Venezuela Blocks in accordance with National Instrument 51-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Oil and Gas Activities. The disclosure of these reserves is subject to review and approval of PPSA.

    The CPPs were executed within the term of General License 44 issued by the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). License 44 has been replaced by License 44A, and the Corporation is following the applicable regulatory procedures to operate in full compliance with the applicable sanction regimes. LNG Venezuela and PPSA have mutually agreed to extend the outside date of the CPPs to November 30, 2024.

    Transfer Agent

    LNG Energy Group announces that Odyssey Trust Company (“Odyssey”) has replaced Computershare Investor Services Inc. (“Computershare”) as the registrar and transfer agent of the Company effective September 11, 2024. Shareholders need not take any action in respect of the change in transfer agent.

    All inquiries and correspondence relating to shareholders’ records, transfer of shares, lost certificates, or change of address should now be directed to Odyssey as follows:

    Odyssey Trust Company
    Trader’s Bank Building
    702 – 67 Yonge Street
    Toronto ON M5E 1J8

    Phone: 1-587-885-0960
    Fax:1-800-517-4553
    Email: clients@odysseytrust.com
    Website: http://www.odysseytrust.com/contact

    As of the date hereof, Computershare remains the trustee of any applicable warrants and escrow arrangements.

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

    About LNG Energy Group

    The Company is focused on the acquisition and development of oil and gas exploration and production assets in Latin America.

    For more information, please see below:

    Website:
    http://www.lngenergygroup.com

    Investor Relations:
    James Morris, Vice-President, Business Development and Investor Relations
    Email: investor.relations@lngenergygroup.com
    Telephone: 205-835-0676

    Find us on social media:
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lng-energy-group-inc/
    Instagram: @lngenergygroup

    X: @LNGEnergyCorp

    CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION:

    This news release contains “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” (collectively, “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often using phrases such as “expects”, “anticipates”, “plans”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “forecasts”, “estimates”, “believes” or “intends”, or variations of such words and phrases, or stating that certain actions, events or results “may” or “could”, “would”, “should”, “might” or “will” be taken to occur or be achieved, are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; delay or failure to receive any necessary board, shareholder or regulatory approvals, factors may occur which impede or prevent LNG Energy Group’s future business plans; and other factors beyond the control of LNG Energy Group. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. Except as required by law, LNG Energy Group assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, whether they change as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

    CPPs

    Please see the Company’s news release dated April 24, 2024 for additional information with respect to the CCPs. There can be no guarantee that the Company or LNG Venezuela shall be able to complete the acquisition terms required by PPSA.

    The CPPs were executed within the term of General License 44 issued by the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). License 44 has been replaced by License 44A requiring US persons to wind down oil operations in Venezuela before May 31, 2024. License 44 has been replaced by License 44A, and the Corporation is following the applicable regulatory procedures to operate in full compliance with the applicable sanction regimes.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2891cdb5-62b8-4666-80a7-49014f2eb929

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: APEC Finance Ministers Issue Joint Statement Lima, Peru | 21 October 2024 Issued by the APEC Finance Ministers’ Process

    Source: APEC – Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation

    Finance Ministers from the 21 APEC member economies released a joint statement at the conclusion of their meeting in Lima on Monday under the theme, “Sustainable + Digital + Resilient = APEC.”

    The statement reflects the outcomes of the 2024 APEC Finance Ministers’ Meeting chaired by José Arista Arbildo, Peru’s Minister of Economy and Finance. It describes joint actions to be taken forward by APEC member economies in the following priority areas:

    • Global and Regional Economy
    • Sustainable Finance
    • Domestic Carbon Pricing and Non-pricing Measures
    • Sustainable Energy Transitions
    • Sustainable Infrastructure Financing
    • Open Finance to Enhance Competition and Foster Innovation
    • Digital Financial Inclusion
    • Hydrometeorological Risk Financing
    • Modernization of the Finance Ministers’ Process

     

    View the 2024 APEC Joint Finance Ministerial Statement

    and accompanying Chair’s Statement

    Finance Ministers also launched the Sustainable Finance Initiative for the coordination and promotion of voluntary information sharing and capacity building on sustainable finance issues. They further welcomed the adoption of the guidance document for developing a new roadmap and endorsed a strategy to modernize the Finance Ministers’ Process.

    Read the accompanying annexes to the joint statement:

    Annex A. Sustainable Finance Initiative

    Annex B. Guidance Document for Developing a New Finance Ministers’ Process Roadmap

    Annex C. Second Strategy for Modernization of the Finance Ministers’ Process

    For further details, please contact:

    APEC Media at [email protected]

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: ADB to Help Improve Power Supply in West Bengal, India

    Source: Asia Development Bank

    MANILA, PHILIPPINES (22 October 2024) — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $241.3 million loan to improve the distribution of power supply in West Bengal, India, which will help enhance people’s quality of life by ensuring they have access to reliable, quality, and sustainable power supply.

    “This ADB program is aligned with the government’s Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme, which aims to strengthen the operational efficiency of power distribution companies,” said ADB Principal Energy Specialist Roka Sanda. “Reliable and sustainable electricity distribution and service is essential to West Bengal’s growth and development.”

    The West Bengal Distribution System Strengthening Program will improve electricity distribution for 8.96 million consumers in seven districts in West Bengal. The program will replace low-tension overhead lines with aerial bundled cables, separate electricity feeders for agriculture and non-agriculture users, and develop an integrated information and operation management system for power supply quality, performance monitoring, and corporate financial management.

    The program will raise the operational efficiency of the West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited by building its capacity on asset and financial management, promotion and introduction of renewable energy, tariff rationalization, and on gender equity and social inclusion.

    ADB will help update relevant safety policies and manuals, while supplying health and safety equipment such as first aid kits and personal protective equipment. The program will contribute to awareness-building in communities, particularly on electrical safety, and train district technical and engineering staff on behavioral safety.

    ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 69 members—49 from the region.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: New paths for clean energy in Asia-Pacific

    Source: Google

    The path to decarbonization — switching from the use of fossil fuels to renewable energy sources — cannot be treated as a one-size-fits all. Every area has its own energy landscape, geography and regulatory environment, meaning that electric decarbonization requires a tailored solution for each locale.

    In Asia-Pacific, the electricity grid and availability of clean energy resources can vary significantly from country to country. Our progress in the region to advance our 2030 goal for 24/7 carbon-free energy (CFE) has steadily been gaining momentum. Over the past year, we’ve announced long-term agreements for 275 megawatts of new clean energy generation capacity in the region, in addition to supporting the development of a 1 gigawatt pipeline of new solar capacity in Taiwan.

    Here are three ways we’re working to put more carbon-free energy onto our operated grids in Asia-Pacific.

    Challenges of local constraints

    In densely populated Japan, land for large-scale solar projects is limited. Here, we saw an opportunity to work with partners to develop a network of hundreds of small-scale solar plants on available plots of land across multiple prefectures. The energy aggregated from these small projects supports our data center, cloud region and office operations. This structure can serve as a model for other Asian markets facing similar land constraints.

    And in Singapore, where natural clean energy resources are limited, we worked with our industry partners to purchase power from a first-of-a-kind biomass power plant fueled by domestic waste resources and equipped with pilot technology to capture and use carbon dioxide. In land-constrained regions, ensuring high energy generation productivity is crucial. The annual electricity output from this project is approximately six times that of a comparably sized solar project in Singapore, delivering more power with less space.

    Partnerships for shared goals

    We know that we cannot achieve 24/7 CFE alone, and that industry collaboration is necessary for a sustainable digital future. In Australia and India, we’ve created unique contract structures involving multiple parties, expanding clean energy on each country’s grid and delivering carbon-free power to our cloud regions in Melbourne, Sydney, Mumbai and Delhi NCR.

    Our clean energy efforts also extend beyond our own operations. Through our partnership in Taiwan, we now have an opportunity to offer our semiconductor suppliers and manufacturers in the region a portion of this clean energy capacity so they, too, can advance their own sustainability goals. In turn, we’ll be able to reduce our Scope 3 emissions: the indirect emissions from our value chain.

    Policies for clean energy

    In tandem with our pursuit of new commercial solutions, we’re working to advance policies that promote cost-effective clean energy deployment and regional market integration. As a founding member of the Asia Clean Energy Coalition (ACEC), we’re uniting energy buyers, suppliers and policymakers to accelerate regional decarbonization efforts. ACEC supports regional interconnection through the ASEAN Power Grid, while advocating to expand clean energy supply and a broad portfolio of procurement options.

    As we continue driving progress on our 24/7 carbon-free goal, we’re proving that it’s possible to turn challenges into opportunities in Asia-Pacific and work together to power a cleaner future for everyone. To learn more, visit sustainability.google.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addresses NDTV World Summit 2024 in New Delhi

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addresses NDTV World Summit 2024 in New Delhi

    When the world is immersed in worry, India is spreading hope: PM

    Today India is working in every sector, in every area with unprecedented speed : PM

    India today is both a developing country and an emerging power: PM

    India is one of the youngest countries in the world with the potential of achieving great heights: PM

     India is now moving ahead with a forward looking thinking: PM

    140 crore people of India have joined the resolution of Viksit Bharat , they themselves are driving it: PM

    India has the advantage of double AI power, First AI, Artificial Intelligence, Second AI, Aspirational India: PM

    India does not believe in taken for granted relationships, the foundation of our relations is trust and reliability: PM

    India has shown the world a new path to digital public infrastructure by democratizing technology: PM

    India has shown that digital innovation and democratic values ​​can coexist: PM

    Posted On: 21 OCT 2024 12:18PM by PIB Delhi

    The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed the NDTV World Summit 2024 in New Delhi today. Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister welcomed all dignitaries and said that discussions on a multitude of issues would take place at the Summit. He also acknowledged the presence of global leaders from different sectors who would put forth their views.

    Reflecting on the past 4-5 years, the Prime Minister pointed out that discussions on the concerns of the future have been a common theme. He mentioned that the recent challenges of Covid pandemic, post covid economic stress, inflation & unemployment, climate change, ongoing wars, disruption of supply chains, death of innocents, geopolitical tensions and conflicts had become a point of discussions in all global summits. Drawing parallels with the discussions taking place in India at the time, the Prime Minister underlined that India is deliberating its century. “India has become a ray of hope in this era of global turmoil. When the world is worried, India is spreading hope”, the Prime Minister remarked. He underlined that even though India is affected by the global situation and the challenges before it, there is a sense of positivity that can be experienced.

    “Today, India is working in every sector and area with unprecedented speed”, the Prime Minister said. Noting the completion of 125 days of the third term of the government, Shri Modi threw light on the work done in the country. He mentioned the government’s approval for 3 crore new pucca houses for the poor, initiation of infrastructure projects worth Rs 9 lakh crore, flagging off of 15 new Vande Bharat Trains, foundation stone laying of 8 new airports, a 2 lakh crore package for the youth, Rs 21,000 crore transferred into the bank accounts of farmers, free treatment scheme for citizens above 70 years of age, installation of rooftop solar plants in about 5 lakh homes, plantation of 90 crore saplings under Ek Ped Maa ke Naam campaign, approval for 12 new industrial nodes, SENSEX and NIFTY growing about 5-7 percent, and India’s forex rising to USD 700 billion dollars among others. The Prime Minister also touched upon the global events taking place in India in the past 125 days and mentioned International SMU, Global Fintech Festival, discussion on Global Semiconductor Ecosystem, International Conference for Renewable Energy and Civil Aviation. “This is not merely a list of events but a list of hope associated with India that shows the country’s direction and the world’s hopes”, the Prime Minister said, underlining that these are issues which will shape the future of the world and these are being discussed in India.

    The Prime Minister stated that in the third term, India’s growth has accelerated to such an extent that many rating agencies have raised their growth forecasts. He also pointed out the enthusiasm of experts like Mark Mobius, who advised global funds to invest at least 50% of their funds in India’s share market. “When such seasoned experts advocate for major investments in India, it sends a strong message about our potential”, he added.

    “India of today is both a developing nation and an emerging  power”, the Prime Minister emphasized, stressing that India understands the challenges of poverty and knows how to pave the path of progress. He highlighted the government’s fast-paced policy-making and decision-making processes and new reforms. Addressing the issue of complacency, the Prime Minister said that this mindset does not drive a nation forward. He underlined that 25 crore people have come out of poverty over the past 10 years and 12 crore toilets have been built and 16 crore gas connections have been provided, but it is not enough.

    The Prime Minister further informed that in the last 10 years, India has built over 350 medical colleges and more than 15 AIIMS, established over 1.5 lakh startups and handed out Mudra loans to 8 crore young people. “This is not enough”, the Prime Minister stressed, emphasizing the need for continuous progress of India’s youth. He underlined that India’s potential as one of the world’s youngest nations can take us to great heights, and we have much more to achieve quickly and efficiently.

    Highlighting the nation’s shift in mindset, the Prime Minister noted that Governments often compare their achievements with previous administrations, considering surpassing them as success looking back 10-15 years. He emphasized that India is changing this approach and success is no longer measured by achievements but by course of the future’s direction. The Prime Minister further remarked on India’s forward-looking vision and said that India is now moving ahead with a future-focused approach. “Our goal of a Viksit Bharat by 2047 is not just a vision of the government but reflects the aspirations of 140 crore Indians. It’s no longer just a campaign for public participation, but a movement of national confidence”, Shri Modi remarked. He mentioned that lakhs of citizens contributed their suggestions when the government began working on the vision document for Viksit Bharat. He informed that debates and discussions were held in schools, colleges, universities and various organizations and the government set the goals for the next 25 years based on these inputs. “Today, discussions on Viksit Bharat are part of our national consciousness and have become a true example of transforming public power into national strength”, he added.

    Talking about AI, the Prime Minister said this is the era of AI and the present and future of the world is linked to AI. He said  India has the advantage of double AI power, the first AI, Artificial Intelligence and the second AI,Aspirational India. Shri Modi said when the power of Aspirational India and Artificial Intelligence combines then it is natural for the pace of development to be faster. Shri Modi underlined that artificial intelligence is not just a technology for India, but a gateway to new opportunities for India’s youth. He mentioned the launch of India AI Mission this year and laid emphasis on increasing the use of AI across sectors like healthcare, education and startups. “India is committed to delivering world-class AI solutions, and through platforms like Quad, we are taking significant initiatives to drive this forward”, he said. Focusing on Aspirational India, the Prime Minister said that the middle class, general citizens, enhancing the quality of life, empowering small businesses, MSMEs, youth, and women is at the heart of the government’s policy making process. The Prime Minister pointed to India’s remarkable progress in connectivity as a prime example of fulfilling national aspirations and said that the government has focused on fast, inclusive physical connectivity which is essential for a developing society, especially in a vast and diverse country like India. Due to this, the Prime Minister said that air travel was given special emphasis. Recalling his vision of affordable air travel, he said those wearing ‘hawai chappal’ should be able to afford air travel and mentioned the UDAN scheme which has completed 8 years in operation. He informed that new airport networks in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities have made air travel affordable for the masses. Highlighting the success of UDAN scheme, the Prime Minister mentioned that around 3 lakh flights have operated under UDAN, carrying 1.5 crore common citizens so far. He further added that there are over 600 routes under this initiative most connecting smaller towns. He pointed out that the number of airports in India have grown to more than 150 compared to around 70 airports in 2014.

    The Prime Minister emphasized the government’s commitment to empowering India’s youth to become a driving force for global growth and highlighted the government’s focus on education, skill development, research, and employment. He said that the result of the efforts in the last 10 years are now visible and mentioned India’s highest improvement globally in research quality as reflected in the latest Times Higher Education ranking. He noted that the participation of Indian universities in international rankings has grown from 30 to over 100 in the past 8–9 years. The Prime Minister  underlined that India’s presence in the QS World University Rankings has increased by more than 300% in the last ten years while the number of patents and trademarks filed in India is at an all-time high. He said that India is fast becoming a global hub for research and development where over 2,500 companies worldwide now have research centers in India, and the country’s startup ecosystem is undergoing unprecedented growth.

    Highlighting India’s rising global prominence as a trusted friend,  Shri Modi said India is taking the lead in providing direction to global future in several areas. Reflecting on the Covid-19 pandemic, Shri Modi said that India could have earned millions of dollars from its capacity of essential medicines and vaccines. “India would have benefited from that but humanity would have lost. These are not our values. We supplied medicines and life-saving vaccines to hundreds of countries during these challenging times,’ he said, adding,” I am satisfied that India was able to help the world in difficult moments.” Reinforcing India’s commitment towards building strong international relations, the Prime Minister said that the foundation of India’s relationships is trust and reliability ,it does not believe in taking relationships for granted and the world is also understanding this. Referring to India’s harmonious ties with the rest of the world, Shri Modi said, “India is a country whose progress does not invoke envy or jealousy from others. “The world rejoices from our progress because the entire world benefits from it.” Reflecting on India’s rich contribution to the world, Shri Modi said that in the past Bharat has played a positive role in increasing global growth, adding that its ideas, innovations and products left an indelible mark on the world for centuries. The Prime Minister said that Bharat could not take advantage of the industrial revolution due to colonization. “This is the era of Industry 4.0. India is no longer a slave. It has been 75 years since we gained independence, and therefore, now we are ready with our belts tightened,” Shri Modi added. 

    The Prime Minister emphasized that India is working swiftly on the skill sets and infrastructure required for Industry 4.0. He noted that during the past decade, he has participated in various global platforms, including G-20 and G-7 summits significant discussion about India’s Digital Public Infrastructure have taken place. “Today, the whole world is looking at India’s DPI,” he stated, referencing his discussions with Paul Romer, who praised India’s innovations like Aadhaar and DigiLocker. “India did not have the first-mover advantage in the era of the internet”, Shri Modi pointed out, noting that private platforms led the digital space in countries with the advantage. He said that India has provided a new model to the world by democratizing technology and highlighted the JAM trinity—Jan Dhan, Aadhaar, and Mobile which provides a robust system for faster and leakage-free service delivery. He also touched on UPI facilitating over 500 million daily digital transactions and said that the driving force behind this is not corporations but our small shopkeepers and street vendors. He also mentioned the PM Gati Shakti platform created to eliminate silos in infrastructure project construction which is now helping to transform the logistics ecosystem. Similarly, the ONDC platform is proving to be an innovation that democratizes and enhances transparency in online retail. Shri Modi underlined that India has demonstrated that digital innovation and democratic values can coexist and reinforced the notion that technology is a tool for inclusion, transparency, and empowerment, rather than control and division.

    Shri Modi stated that the 21st century is the most significant period in human history, emphasizing the urgent needs of today’s era: Stability, Sustainability, and Solutions. He noted that these elements are essential for a better future for humanity, with India striving to address them. He noted the unwavering support of the Indian public and said that the people have given a government their mandate for a third consecutive term, sending a strong message of stability for the first time in six decades referring to the recent elections in Haryana where the public reinforced this sentiment.

    The Prime Minister highlighted the global crisis of climate change, stating that this is a crisis faced by all of humanity. Despite India’s minimal contribution to the global climate challenge, the country is taking the lead in addressing it, he said. Shri Modi explained that the government has made green transition a key driver of growth adding that sustainability is at the core of India’s development planning. He gave examples of this commitment and mentioned PM Suryagarh Free Electricity Scheme and solar pump schemes for agriculture, EV revolution, Ethanol Blending Program, large wind energy farms, the LED light movement, solar Powered Airports and Biogas Plants. He further added that every program reflects the strong commitment to a green future and green jobs.

    The Prime Minister highlighted that alongside Stability and Sustainability, India is also focusing on providing Solutions to address global challenges. He said that over the past decade, India has worked on numerous initiatives essential for tackling these challenges, including the International Solar Alliance, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, the India-Middle East Economic Corridor, the Global Biofuel Alliance, as well as efforts in Yoga, Ayurveda, Mission Life, and Mission Millets. “All these initiatives represent India’s commitment to finding solutions to the world’s pressing issues” he stated.

    Expressing pride in India’s growth, the Prime Minister remarked, “As India progresses, the world will benefit even more.” He envisions a future where India’s century becomes a victory for all of humanity. He said that India’s century thrives on everyone’s talent and is enriched by innovations. Shri Modi stressed the significance of India’s efforts in promoting global stability and peace. “This is a century in which India’s initiatives contribute to a more stable world and enhance global peace”, Shri Modi concluded.

    *****

    MJPS/TS/RT

    (Release ID: 2066613) Visitor Counter : 11

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Shri Sarbananda Sonowal Dedicates Key Maritime Projects at 2nd Indian Lighthouse Festival

    Source: Government of India

    Shri Sarbananda Sonowal Dedicates Key Maritime Projects at 2nd Indian Lighthouse Festival

    Steps to Enable Coastal Communities around Lighthouses to Preserve, Protect & Promote as Tourist Hubs: Shri Sonowal

    The Union Minister announced Two New Lighthouses at Chaumuck and Dhamra on Odisha’s Coastline

    Shri Sarbananda Sonowal dedicates ‘New Kalwan Lighthouse’ in Jamnagar, Gujarat along with Stacker-cum-Reclaimant & a Flyover at the Paradip Port Authority, Odisha, to the nation

    Under the Visionary leadership of PM Shri Narendra Modi ji, Lighthouse Tourism soared by more than 400% since 2014: Shri Sonowal

    Shri Sonowal inaugurates multifaceted celebration with beach activities like Sand Art, Boat Art competition, Yoga session

    Shri Sarbananda Sonowal leads Swachhata Abhiyan at Niladri Beach, lauds efforts of people’s Participation

    2nd edition of Indian Lighthouse Festival witnessed electrifying performances by noted singers like Papon, Sona Mohapatra among others

    The Chief Minister of Odisha, Mohan Charan Majhi joined Union Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal at the Valedictory Session of the Festival

    Assam & Odisha share a close spiritual, historical, cultural, commercial ties as Srimanta Sankardeva, Lakshminath Bezbarua & Bholanath Barooah strengthened it over the years: Shri Sonowal

    Posted On: 20 OCT 2024 7:21PM by PIB Delhi

    The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal dedicated key maritime projects to the nation during the 2nd Indian Lighthouse Festival here today. At the valedictory session here, the Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal also announced that the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW), Govt of India, would take necessary steps to enable coastal communities around the Lighthouses in order to empower them to preserve & promote the lighthouses – the rich heritage of India’s marine sector. The Union Minister also announced two new lighthouses on Odisha’s coastline – one at Chaumuck at Narayanpur in Balasore district and another at Dhamra in Bhadrak district of the state. The Chief Minister of Odisha, Mohan Charan Majhi joined Sonowal as the second edition of Indian Lighthouse Festival draws a closure here today.

    The Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal announced that the coastal communities of the country would be developed as societies in order to enable and empower the communities within the vicinity of lighthouses. The effort is aimed at community engagement to take pride in the lighthouses for their preservation, protection, and promotion. A central association of all these societies would be created to give a national momentum to celebrate the lighthouse as national icons as cultural heritage & legacy of India’s rich maritime sector.

    The new Kalwan reef Lighthouse at Jamnagar in Gujarat as well as two projects in Padadip Port, Odisha; i.e., Stacker-cum-Reclaimant & a Flyover bridge, were inaugurated. The Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal also inaugurated Sand Art Competition, Boat Art Competition, Beach run, Beach Yoga and many other activities at the second day of the 2nd edition of multifaceted Indian Lighthouse Festival. Sonowal also led a Swachata Abhiyan at the Niladri beach where the collective effort led to removal of garbage.

    Speaking on the occasion, the Union Minister, Sarbananda Sonowal, said, “The Indian Lighthouse Festival or Bharatiya Prakash Sthamb Utsav has been receiving laurels from all quarters of the country as we continue our effort to further bolster facilities for the tourists – both domestic and foreign – for a memorable experience at these wonderful monuments. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, the government is taking all steps to realise the full potential of India’s rich cultural heritage as well as its historical legacy in propelling the economic growth of the country. Modiji’s call for an Atmanirbhar Bharat has resonated well with people and we, the Ministry, remain committed to usher in a new chapter of growth in India’s blue economy. Lighthouse Tourism is part of this vision of Modi ji. It gives me immense pleasure to inform you that a rise of more than 400% footfall of tourists in the lighthouses since 2014. From 4 lakhs in 2014, it reached 16 lakhs tourists in the last fiscal. We have already crossed 9 lakhs in the first half of the current fiscal, and it is evident, that the growing trend of lighthouses as tourists hotspots to continue. For years, the guardians of our shores have remained unnoticed, even while they guided vessels and seafarers through the most challenging nights. The ‘Lighthouse Festival’ is our effort to shift this perception. Our goal is to raise awareness, foster involvement, and enlighten people about the significant contribution these iconic structures have made to our country’s maritime legacy.”

    Highlighting the importance of coastal communities in preservation of the Lighthouses, the Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal announced, “In order to rope in the coastal community, the government is keen to enable and empower them to preserve, conserve, and promote these iconic structures. A national framework is being mooted to ensure that a well thought out system is in place for the coastal communities to preserve, protect & promote the lighthouses as the torchbearers of India’s rich maritime history and legacy.”

    During the festival, the Chief Minister of Odisha, Mohan Charan Majhi and the Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal felicitated eminent personalities from the fields of education, sports and culture. Among them, Odishi dancer, Mamta Ojha; artist Dr Ramesh Prasad Panigrahi; sand sculptor, Om Prakash Sahu; Mariner Nividita Acharya; Oriya Literary figure & poet, Dr Haldar Nath; footballer Sasmita Malik and social worker Sujit Mahapatra, were felicitated. Eight employees of the Directorate General of Lighthouse & Lightships (DGLL) were also felicitated for their good performance.

    Earlier, the 2nd edition of Indian Lighthouse Festival was inaugurated by the Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. The festival, in its second avatar here, aimed at rejuvenating the rich maritime history of India iconic lighthouses in a culturally vibrant atmosphere. The festival showcased rich flavours of coastal cuisine, amusement park, folk dance & music, coastal hut among many other interesting performances.

    On the historic relationship between Assam and Odisha, Sarbananda Sonowal added, “Assam & Odisha have always shared a close spiritual, historical, cultural, commercial ties through the lives of great saint Srimanta Sankardeva, literary genius Lakshminath Bezbarua & visionary trader Bholanath Barooah which has only strengthened over the years. It is heartening to witness cultural show by the artists of both Assam and Odisha here today celebrating the vibrancy of this festival.”

    The Chief Minister of Odisha, Mohan Charan Majhi joined the Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal at the valedictory session of the festival. The event was also attended by Shantanu Thakur, Union Minister of State, MoPSW; Pravati Parida, the Deputy Chief Minister, Odisha; Suresh Gopi, the Union Minister of State of Tourism & Petroleum and Natural Gas; Sambit Patra, MP as well as TK Ramachandran, IAS, Secretary, MoPSW among others.

    During the first day, the festival witnessed sessions on ‘Lighthouse Tourism & Heritage,’ ‘Preservation and conservation of Lighthouse.’

    The festivities began with the invocation dance, Ganesh Vandana, followed by a captivating medley of traditional Assamese performances, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Assam. The concluding performance began with the invocation dance, Shiva Stuti, followed folk dance. The festival was enthralled by some electrifying performances by noted singer Papon on the first night of the festival while Sona Mahapatra was slated to perform on the concluding night.

    With an investment of ₹60 crore, 75 iconic lighthouses across 9 coastal states and 1 union territory have been developed under the visionary leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister. Each lighthouse has become a beacon of both heritage and recreation, with modern amenities such as museums, amphitheaters, children’s parks, and more. In Odisha, five lighthouses—Gopalpur, Puri, Chandrabhaga, Paradip, and False Point—have been developed as part of this initiative to promote lighthouse tourism.

     

    In the fiscal year 2023-24 alone, the 75 dedicated lighthouses attracted an impressive 16 lakh visitors. As of September 2024, the current fiscal year 2024-25 has already welcomed more than 10 lakh visitors. These developments have also resulted in job creation, with 150 direct and 500 indirect employment opportunities emerging in nearby hotels, restaurants, tour operators, transportation services, and local shops and artisans.

    In 2023, the maiden edition of Indian Lighthouse Festival took place in Goa with a spotlight on 75 historical sites to be developed into tourists destinations. The ‘Bharatiya Prakash Sthamb Utsav’ was conceived with an intent to transform these historical sites into tourist destinations with the help of Public Private Partnerships. The key highlights of India’s First Lighthouse Festival were cultural exhibitions, session highlighting maritime history and culture, classical performances, light and sound shows, melodious evenings with celebrity singers, flavours of the coast and community engagements.

    In Odisha, the Sagarmala Programme encompasses 36 projects with a total value of ₹20,200 Cr. Among these, 15 projects, valued at approximately ₹4,330 Cr., have been successfully completed, while 21 projects, totalling around ₹15,850 Cr., are currently in various stages of implementation. One standout achievement of the Sagarmala Programme is the living example of Paradip Port’s growth Story. This Port today is the number one major port in cargo handling. Paradip Port will transform into a mega port with a formidable cargo handling capacity of over 300 MTPA very soon and will exceed 500 MTPA capacity by Amrit Kaal 2047. The mammoth traffic volume growth at the port in the recent years has been due to the successful implementation of Capacity augmentation projects under the Sagarmala projects. The Sagarmala program also envisions uplifting the fishermen community with the Modernization of Paradip Fishing Harbour project, with a project cost of  ₹108 Crores. The modern fishing harbour will be a strong step towards the coastal community development initiative in Odisha. For upliftment of fishermen community, a fishing harbour at Chandipur in Odisha has also been sanctioned under Sagarmala at a cost of ₹50 Cr. Paradip port is also being developed as a green hydrogen hub in the country.

    Odisha, a principal maritime state situated on the eastern coast of India, has a coastline of about 480 km. Paradip Port (290 MTPA Capacity, Cargo handled in 2023-24 – 145.38 MTPA) is the only Major Port in the State under the control of the Government of India. The Government of Odisha has already identified 14 potential sites for the development of Non – Major Ports, out of which, Dhamra (Adani – 100 MTPA Capacity) and Gopalpur (Shapoorji Pallonji & Odisha Stevedore Ltd. – 25 MTPA capacity) are already functioning.

    *****

    NKK/AK

    (Release ID: 2066548) Visitor Counter : 67

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi lays foundation stone and inaugurates multiple development projects in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

    Source: Government of India

    Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi lays foundation stone and inaugurates multiple development projects in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

    Inaugurates and lays foundation stone of multiple airport projects worth over Rs 6,100 crore

    Development initiatives of today will significantly benefit the citizens, especially our Yuva Shakti: PM

    In the last 10 years, we have started a huge campaign to build infrastructure in the country: PM

    Kashi is model city where development is taking place along with preservation of heritage:PM

    Government has given new emphasis to women empowerment ,society develops when the women and youth of the society are empowered: PM

    Posted On: 20 OCT 2024 6:47PM by PIB Delhi

    The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone and inaugurated multiple development projects in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh today. The projects of today include multiple airport projects worth over Rs 6,100 crore and multiple development initiatives in Varanasi.

    Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said that today is a very auspicious occasion for Kashi as he mentioned inaugurating RJ Sankara Eye Hospital earlier today. He said that the Hospital would be very helpful for the elderly and children. Referring to the development projects of today, the Prime Minister mentioned the inauguration of new airport terminals in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh including Babatpur Airport and Sarsawa Airport of Agra and Saharanpur. He emphasized that development projects pertaining to Education, Skill Development, Sports, Healthcare and Tourism among other sectors have been presented to Varanasi today which would not only boost services but also create employment opportunities for the youth. Shri Modi recalled participating in Abhidhamma Diwas a few days ago and mentioned inaugurating multiple development projects worth crores of rupees today related to the development of Sarnath, the land of Lord Buddha’s sermons. The Prime Minister highlighted the association of Sarnath and Varanasi With Pali and Prakrit languages and mentioned granting them the status of classical language recently. He said that it is a matter of great pride that languages used in the scriptures have been granted classical language status. The Prime Minister congratulated the people of Kashi and India for the development projects of today. 

    Recalling his promise to work three times more when he was given the opportunity to serve the people of Varanasi, the Prime Minister remarked that in less than 125 days of the formation of Government, the work on various schemes and projects worth more than Rs. 15 lakh crore had already begun. He added that the maximum budget of these was dedicated to the poor, farmers and the youths. Shri Modi said that today there was a discussion in every household about the work of Rs. 15 lakh crore as against the scams which were being reported in the newspapers a decade ago. He added that the change that the country desired where the money of the people was spent on the people along with the progress of the country with utmost honesty were the top priorities of the Government. 

    The Prime Minister underlined that the government has initiated a huge campaign for infrastructural development in the country in the last 10 years with two main objectives of improving services for the people and creating employment opportunities for the youth through investments. Giving examples of development works of modern highways, laying of railway tracks on new routes and establishment of new airports, the Prime Minister emphasized that it is enhancing convenience for the people and creating employment at the same time. He said that the construction of the highway for Babatpur Airport not only benefited the travelers but also gave a boost to agriculture, industry and tourism. He informed that work is already underway for the expansion of Babatpur Airport to increase its flight handling capacity.  

    Shri Modi highlighted that India’s airports and their magnificent buildings with amazing facilities is a topic of discussion all over the world. Shri Modi said that in 2014, there were only 70 airports, while today, there are more than 150 airports along with the renovation work of the old airports. He added that last year, the construction of new facilities was completed at more than a dozen airports in the country which include Aligarh, Moradabad, Shravasti and Chitrakoot airports. Shri Modi remarked that the grand international airport in Ayodhya was welcoming Ram devotees every day. The Prime Minister highlighted that today UP was known as ‘state of expressways’ as against the past when it was taunted for its dilapidated roads. He added that today UP was also known as a state with the most number of international airports with a grand international airport going to be built soon in Jewar, Noida. Shri Modi lauded the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Ministers of UP along with the entire team for the progress of UP.

    The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction with the rate of progress as a Member of Parliament from Varanasi and reiterated his dream of making Kashi a model city of urban development where progress and heritage go hand in hand. He said that today Kashi is identified by the grand and divine Dham of Baba Vishwanath, Rudraksh Convention Center, infrastructure projects like Ring Road and Ganjari Stadium and modern facilities like ropeway. “City’s wide roads and beautiful ghats of Ganga ji are captivating everyone today”, he added.

    The Prime Minister said that it is the Government’s constant endeavor to make Kashi and Purvanchal a huge center of trade and business as he mentioned  the construction of a new rail-road bridge over River Ganga a few days ago which would comprise a 6 lane highway and railway lines for several trains. He said that it would hugely benefit the people of Varanasi and Chandauli. 

    “Our Kashi is now becoming a very big center for sports”, said Shri Modi. He added that the revamped Sigra Stadium was in front of the people now and arrangements were made in the new stadium for preparations from national competitions to Olympics along with modern facilities for sports. The Prime Minister highlighted the potential of young players of Kashi, which was evident during the Member of Parliament sports competition and now youngsters of Purvanchal were provided with good facilities for preparing for bigger competitions.

    Underlining that development of society occurs when its women and youth are empowered, the Prime Minister stressed that the government has given new strength to women. He mentioned schemes like Mudra Yojna where crores of women have been facilitated loans to start their own businesses. “Today, efforts are being made to create ‘Lakhpati Didis’ in villages and women are even becoming drone pilots”, PM Modi said. Highlighting the belief in Kashi that even Lord Shiva seeks alms from Goddess Annapurna, the Prime Minister said that this belief has driven the government to place Nari Shakit at the center of every initiative for the goal of Viksit Bharat. He emphasized that under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, millions of women have been handed out their own homes including women of Varanasi. The Prime Minister also highlighted that the government is set to construct another three crore houses and assured that those women who have yet to receive homes under the PM Awas scheme will be given their houses soon. In addition to providing piped water, Ujjwala gas, and electricity, PM Modi said that the new PM Suryaghar Free Electricity Scheme will further ease the lives of women, allowing them to benefit from free power and even earn from it.

    “Our Kashi is a multi-hued cultural city, with the holy Jyotirlinga of Lord Shankar, a Moksha Tirtha like Manikarnika and also a place of knowledge like Sarnath”, said Shri Modi. He remarked that it was only after decades, that so much work was simultaneously carried out for the development of Banaras. Questioning the previous governments on the poor development and progress of Varanasi, Shri Modi remarked that his Government worked on the mantra of Sabka Saath. Sabka Vikas without any discrimination in any scheme. He added that the Government stuck to its words and cited the example of the grand Ram temple built in Ayodhya, as promised. He also mentioned the historic reservation for women in the Vidhan Sabha and Lok Sabha completed by the government. Shri Modi also mentioned the other achievements of abolition of Triple Talaq, granting constitutional status to the Backward Class Commission and granting 10 percent reservation to the economically backward classes of people.

    “We have done our work with sincerity, implemented policies with good intentions and strive to improve the lives of every family in the country,” said Prime Minister Modi. He emphasized that the nation’s continuous blessings are a result of the government’s efforts as recently seen in Haryana, where the ruling dispensation secured its third consecutive government. He also noted the record number of votes received in Jammu and Kashmir.

    Noting that dynastic politics is a significant danger to the country, especially to the youth, the Prime Minister explained that such form of politics often deprives young people of opportunities. He reiterated his clarion call from the Red Fort to bring one lakh young individuals into politics whose families have no political background. He stressed that this initiative will change the direction of Indian politics eradicating corruption and family-driven mindsets. Encouraging the youth of Kashi and Uttar Pradesh, the Prime Minister said, “I urge the youth to become the pivot of this new political movement. As the Member of Parliament of Kashi, I am committed to bringing forward as many young people as possible.” Concluding the address, the Prime Minister said that Kashi stands as a symbol of new benchmarks of development for the entire nation. He congratulated the states and people of Kashi on the new development programs launched today.

    Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Smt Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Yogi Adityanath and Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Shri Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu were present on the occasion among others. 

    Background

    In line with his commitment to boost connectivity, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for the expansion of the airport runway and construction of a new terminal building and allied works of Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, Varanasi worth around Rs 2870 crore. He also laid the foundation stone of New Civil Enclave at Agra Airport worth more than Rs 570 crore, Darbhanga Airport worth around Rs 910 crore and Bagdogra Airport worth around Rs 1550 crore.

    The Prime Minister inaugurated new terminal buildings of Rewa Airport, Maa Mahamaya Airport, Ambikapur and Sarsawa Airport worth over Rs 220 crore. The combined passenger handling capacity of these airports increases to more than 2.3 crore passengers annually. The designs of these airports are influenced and derived from the common elements of heritage structures of the region.

    In line with his vision to provide top-quality infrastructure for sports, the Prime Minister inaugurated Phases 2 and 3 of the redevelopment of Varanasi Sports Complex worth over Rs 210 crore under Khelo India scheme and the Smart City Mission. The project aims to create a state-of-the-art sports complex featuring a National Centre of Excellence, players’ hostels, sports science center, practice fields for various sports, indoor shooting ranges and combat sports arenas among others. He also inaugurated 100-bed girls’ and boys’ hostels and a public pavilion at Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar Sports Stadium, Lalpur.

    The Prime Minister inaugurated tourism development works in Buddhism-related areas in Sarnath. These enhancements include the construction of pedestrian-friendly streets, new sewer lines and upgraded drainage systems and organized vending zones with modern designer vending carts to promote local handicraft vendors, among others. The Prime Minister also inaugurated multiple other initiatives like tourism development works at Banasur Temple and Gurudham Temple along with beautification and redevelopment of parks etc.

     

     

    ***

    MJPS/SR/TS

    (Release ID: 2066539) Visitor Counter : 26

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: EPA Announces Over $5.5M to Missouri Selectees to Upgrade Older Diesel Engines to Cleaner and Zero-Emission Solutions

    Source: US Environment Protection Agency

    Selectees have projects benefitting Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska

    LENEXA, KAN. (OCT. 18, 2024) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced selections totaling nearly $125 million under the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) National Grants program, including over $5.5 million to Missouri selectees.

    This funding will incentivize and accelerate the upgrade or retirement of older diesel engines to cleaner and zero-emission solutions, leading to significant emission reductions and air quality and public health benefits.

    These awards are in final workplan negotiations with the tentatively selected applicants. The DERA program prioritizes projects in areas that face air quality impacts, especially those projects that benefit disadvantaged communities and other areas that face particular public health or environmental justice risks or impacts.

    “Every community deserves to breathe clean air, but too many communities are still over-burdened by pollution from older diesel equipment,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “With the latest round of funding, EPA’s successful DERA program will upgrade these sources of harmful pollution, and accelerate real progress toward a cleaner, more just, and healthier future for all Americans.”

    In total, EPA has tentatively selected approximately 70 national DERA projects to reduce diesel emissions across a range of transportation sectors, including the engine replacements and upgrades to school buses, port equipment, and construction equipment. In addition to funding new cleaner diesel technologies, over half of these selections will support replacing older equipment and vehicles with zero-emission technologies, such as all-electric school buses, terminal tractors, drayage trucks, and provide shore power to marine vessels.

    Missouri selectees may have projects in additional Region 7 states, as noted below:

    • The American Lung Association was selected to receive $1,715,131 to replace one diesel terminal tractor with one zero-emission terminal tractor; replace three diesel regional-haul delivery trucks with three zero-emission, regional-haul delivery trucks; replace 11 diesel refuse haulers with 11 compressed natural gas refuse haulers; and purchase eight auxiliary power units for line-haul locomotives. This selection will benefit projects in Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska.
    • The Metropolitan Energy Center Inc. was selected to receive $2,832,804 to replace three diesel school buses with propane buses; replace four terminal trucks with battery-electric and install two direct-current, fast charger charging stations; and replace eight Class 6-7 delivery vans with battery-electric models. This selection will benefit projects in Kansas and Missouri.
    • The Southeast Missouri Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission was selected to receive $117,164 to replace three dump trucks with new diesel engine vehicles.
    • The Leonardo Academy Inc. was selected to receive $912,017 to replace 16 diesel school buses with 16 propane-powered school buses. This selection will benefit projects in Missouri.

    All selected projects will reduce diesel pollution and benefit local communities, including disadvantaged communities and other areas facing environmental justice concerns. A small number of awards are still being processed. Once all legal and administrative requirements are satisfied and additional selections are finalized, EPA will update the DERA National Awards webpage.

    Background

    Eligible activities include the retrofit or replacement of existing diesel engines, vehicles, and equipment with EPA- and California Air Resources Board (CARB)-certified engine configurations and verified retrofit and idle reduction technologies. Reducing emissions from diesel engines is one of the most important air quality challenges facing the country. New diesel engines must meet tight standards, however, nearly 8 million legacy diesel engines across transportation sectors remain in service and emit higher levels of harmful nitrogen oxides and particulate matter than newer diesel engines. These pollutants are linked to a range of serious health problems including asthma, lung and heart disease, other respiratory ailments, and premature death.

    In selecting projects for awards, priority was given to projects that:

    • Are in areas designated as having poor air quality.
    • Reduce emissions from ports and other goods movement facilities.
    • Benefit local communities.
    • Incorporate local communities in project planning.
    • Demonstrate planning or action toward reducing vulnerabilities to climate impacts.
    • Illustrate preparation for workforce development.
    • Demonstrate an ability to continue efforts to reduce emissions after the project has ended.

    DERA advances environmental justice by prioritizing emissions reductions in areas particularly affected by health and environmental impacts from diesel fleets. EPA is committed to ensuring that the DERA program delivers on the Biden-Harris administration’s Justice40 Initiative, which set a goal that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.

    Read more about the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) program.

    # # #

    Learn more about EPA Region 7

    Visit the Region 7 Media page

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Biden-Harris Administration Announces $12.1 Million Across Mid-Atlantic to Upgrade Older Diesel Engines to Cleaner and Zero-Emission Solutions that are Better for Our Communities

    Source: US Environment Protection Agency

    Five selectees in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia will reduce diesel emissions across a range of projects, including upgrades to fire trucks, municipal fleets, and construction equipment

    PHILADELPHIA – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced selections across the Mid-Atlantic totaling approximately $12.1 million under the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) National Grants Program which will incentivize and accelerate the upgrade or retirement of older diesel engines to cleaner and zero-emission solutions in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. These upgrades will result in significant emission reductions and air quality and public health benefits.

    “Every community deserves to breathe clean air, but too many communities are still over-burdened by pollution from older diesel equipment,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “With the latest round of funding, EPA’s successful DERA program will upgrade these sources of harmful pollution, and accelerate real progress toward a cleaner, more just, and healthier future for all Americans.”

    “The Biden-Harris Administration is once again delivering on its commitments to ensure clear air for all, regardless of zip code or background,” said EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz. “These investments will have positive impacts on the neighbors of today and tomorrow, and on communities well into the future.”

    Mid-Atlantic Regional Selectees:

    • Government of the District of Columbia – $3,467,780
      • Replace one fire truck with one Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV)
      • Replace one refuse truck with one ZEV
      • Replace five Transportation Refrigeration Units with Zero Emission Equipment
      • Replace four transit vehicles with ZEVs
    • Greater Washington Region Clean Cities Coalition – $689,772
      • Replace 16 municipal on-road and nonroad utility vehicles with 10 new vehicles equipped with Selective Catalytic Reduction
    • Maryland Environmental Service – $3,474,392
      • Replace 13 terminal tractors with eight zero-emission units and five tier 4 final engines
      • Replace 23 forklifts with zero-emission units
      • Replace three tire manipulation trucks, two diesel-powered mobile pumps, and one diesel-powered air compressor with tier 4 final engines
    • James Madison University – $3,500,000
      • Replace 72 short haul combination diesel engines with renewable Compressed Natural Gas trucks
    • Virginia Port Authority – $972,000
      • Replace four diesel utility tractor rigs with four new battery electric utility tractor rigs

    In total, EPA has tentatively selected approximately 70 national DERA projects totally $125 million to reduce diesel emissions across a range of transportation sectors including the engine replacements and upgrades to school buses, port equipment, and construction equipment. In addition to funding new cleaner diesel technologies, more than half of these selections will support replacing older equipment and vehicles with zero-emission technologies, such as all-electric school buses, terminal tractors, drayage trucks and provide shore power to marine vessels. All selected projects will reduce diesel pollution and benefit local communities, including disadvantaged communities and other areas facing environmental justice concerns. A small number of awards are still under processing. Once all legal and administrative requirements are satisfied and additional selections are finalized, the EPA will update the DERA National Awards webpage.

    Eligible activities include the retrofit or replacement of existing diesel engines, vehicles, and equipment with EPA and California Air Resources Board (CARB) certified engine configurations and verified retrofit and idle reduction technologies. Reducing emissions from diesel engines is one of the most important air quality challenges facing the country. New diesel engines must meet tight standards, however, nearly eight million legacy diesel engines across transportation sectors remain in service and emit higher levels of harmful nitrogen oxides and particulate matter than newer diesel engines. These pollutants are linked to a range of serious health problems including asthma, lung and heart disease, other respiratory ailments, and premature death.

    In selecting projects for award, priority was given to projects that:

    • in areas designated as having poor air quality;
    • reduce emissions from ports and other goods movement facilities;
    • benefit local communities;
    • incorporate local communities in project planning;
    • demonstrate planning or action towards reducing vulnerabilities to climate impacts;
    • illustrate preparation for workforce development; and
    • demonstrate an ability to continue efforts to reduce emissions after the project has ended.

    DERA advances environmental justice by prioritizing emissions reductions in areas particularly affected by health and environmental impacts from diesel fleets. EPA is committed to ensuring the DERA Program delivers on the Biden-Harris Administration’s Justice40 Initiative, which set a goal that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.

    Read more information on the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) program.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: India to become one among the top 10 performing countries in sports : Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya

    Source: Government of India

    India to become one among the top 10 performing countries in sports : Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya

    Union Minister inaugurates upgraded SAI Trivandrum Golf Course

    Posted On: 20 OCT 2024 12:50PM by PIB Thiruvananthpuram

    Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya today said that India is set to become one among the top ten performing countries in the world in the field of sports. The minister was inaugurating the upgraded SAI Golf Course at Kowdiar, Thiruvananthapuram. Union Minister also emphasized the significance of the Trivandrum Golf Club as a cherished community and a symbol of sporting excellence.

    Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya also said that Olympics 2036 in India will nurture the talent in the country. Minister stressed that healthy people will make healthy society, healthy society will be wealthy society. Sports will make people physically, mentaly and culturally fit. Keeping this in mind, we work out from district level through Khelo India programme.

    Union Minister expressed immense pride in the establishment of SAI National Golf Academy, first of its kind in Kerala. The National Golf Academy is equipped with world-class facilities such as a nine-hole international-standard golf course, state-of-the-art fitness centre and modern recreational amenities. 

    The minister visited and examined the upgraded Golf Course after inauguration, and further explored the course by playing golf. The upgraded Golf Course has been established by the approval of the Ministry of Tourism in line with the Government of India’s commitment to enhancing sporting infrastructure, on March 31, 2017. An allocation of Rs. 9.27 crore was made to SAI’s Lakshmibai National College of Physical Education (LNCPE), and the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) has successfully completed this ambitious project, further elevating the club’s standards to meet international benchmarks.

    Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya felicitated international athletes of SAI, Thiruvananthapuram, as part of the event. Shri Suresh Gopi, Minister of state for Tourism & Minister of state for Petroleum and Natural Gas, presided over the function. While addressing the audience, thr minister of state said that the Golf club and Tennis club of Trivandrum has brought real talents from the lowest strata of society.

    Smt. Sarada Muraleedharan, Chief secretary, Government of Kerala, Shri. Suman Billa IAS, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India and Shri S.N. Raghuchandran Nair, Secretary, SAI TGC attended the event.

    ***

    SK

    (Release ID: 2066466) Visitor Counter : 110

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: India Chem 2024 concludes today in Mumbai

    Source: Government of India (2)

    India Chem 2024 concludes today in Mumbai

    India’s chemical and petrochemical industry is projected to surpass $300 billion by 2028 and is on track to reach $1 trillion by 2040: Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda, Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilizers

    Posted On: 20 OCT 2024 2:06PM by PIB Delhi

    The three-day event ‘India Chem-2024’ which was inaugurated on 17th concludes in Mumbai today.

    Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda, Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, and Chemicals & Fertilizers, Government of India, while addressing the keynote session in the august presence of the Chief Ministers of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha, highlighted the key role of the chemical and petrochemical sector in the economy, contributing over 9% to manufacturing gross value added and 7% to total exports. Shri Nadda stipulated that India’s chemical and petrochemical industry is projected to surpass $300 billion by 2028 and is on track to reach $1 trillion by 2040. He added that the sector will play a key role towards Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s goal of ‘ViksitBharat@2047”. He emphasized the importance of reducing reliance on imported feedstocks and focusing on alternative feed stocks, while also ensuring that India leads the global shift toward greener technologies. He noted that sustainability is the future of the industry and that India must take the lead in the adoption of circular economy principles. Referring to the need for more emphasis on R&D, safety and skilling, he elaborated upon the various steps being taken by the Government to boost innovation and investment. He assured the industry that the Government shall leave no stone unturned in realizing the full potential of the Indian Chemical and Petrochemical industry.

    Shri Bhupendra Rajnikant Patel, Chief Minister of Gujarat, remarked on Gujarat’s leadership in exports of chemicals and petrochemicals, and referred to the Government’s efforts to establish India as a leading destination for the chemical industry, fostering collaboration and excellence for a prosperous future. Shri Mohan CharanMajhi, Chief Minister of Odisha, highlighted Odisha’s strategic position as a rising hub for the chemical industry. Alluding to the strong infrastructure and highly skilled workforce available in Odisha, he invited industry leaders to explore the vast opportunities offered by the State. Shri Mohan Yadav, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, while speaking about his State’s leadership in the sector, highlighted the efforts being made by the State Government to further boost the development of the sector and create more employment opportunities.

    Ms. Anupriya Patel, Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare, and Chemicals & Fertilizers, Government of India, formally inaugurated the exhibition, which brought together over 150 exhibitors, from different industry segments. In her address at the keynote session, she mentioned that India’s manufacturing sector has shown remarkable growth, fueled by progressive policy reforms and rising domestic demand and that FDI has played a pivotal role in enhancing the growth and competitiveness of India’s chemical sector, which includes petrochemicals and specialty chemicals. The country has become an attractive destination for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), allowing 100% FDI in manufacturing through the automatic route. Over the past decade, she mentioned that the sector has attracted US $12.48 billion in investments in this sector alone.

    Ms. Nivedita Shukla Verma, Secretary, Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals, Government of India elaborated on the event theme of ‘Advantage Bharat’ and how the Indian Chemical and Petrochemical sector has been paving the future of the Indian economy towards the goal of Viksit Bharat@2047. She drew attention to the various measures undertaken by the Government towards boosting infrastructure, including railways, roads and ports, logistics infrastructure as well as digital infrastructure as also initiatives to promote green economy and circularity.  All these measures would enhance productivity and boost exports. In this context, she referred to various policy initiatives undertaken by the Department such as the Scheme for Centers of Excellence, PCPIRs, Quality Control Orders etc.,

    Shri Deepak Mehta, Chairman, FICCI National Chemical Committee, stated that India is at a pivotal point of growth, with the chemical industry set to expand significantly. Shri Nikhil Meswani, Executive Director, Reliance Limited, highlighted the importance of chemicals to modern life, stating that it is the backbone of future development in agriculture, electronics, and beyond.

    This was followed by a Global CEOs’ Conclave, presided over by the Union Minister for Chemicals & Fertilizers, wherein industry leaders from across the globe discussed the opportunities and challenges of the Indian chemical industry. The session witnessed insightful discussions and knowledge sharing, addressing key challenges and opportunities within the sector, with discussion on the meaningful discussion on the strengths of the Indian economy and possible interventions which may help propel the sector forward in the coming years.

    The Petrochemicals Forum was presided over by Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Government of India. The session was participated in by leading Indian and global industry leaders including Exxon Mobil, Reliance Limited, IOCL and SABIC, amongst others. The Minister said India’s per capita petrochemical consumption is far below developed nations, offering significant opportunities for higher investment in the sector. Stating that Indian companies have committed investments of more than $ 50 billion in the near future, he opined that India’s petrochemicals production is projected to increase from 29.62 million tons to 46 million tons by 2030.

    This event, organized jointly by the Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals and FICCI, provided a platform for brainstorming discussions amongst industry leaders and Government representatives on specific topics of relevance to the sector, facilitating dialogue on investment prospects, regulatory frameworks, and strategic challenges.

    One of the largest exhibition cum conferences for chemical and petrochemical industries not just in India, but in Asia, this edition of India-Chem was held with the theme of “Advantage Bharat: Indian Chemicals and Petrochemicals Paving the Future”.

    The exhibition consisted of pavilions from leading Indian and global companies in the sector, several Indian States including Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh, and also saw international participation from about 22 countries, including Belarus, Saudi Arabia, Germany and the Netherlands, with a footfall over more than 7,500 people across 3 days. Netherlands, with whom India shares a robust trade relationship, particularly in the chemical and petrochemical sector, was a partner country for the event.

    There were several sessions on issues ranging from dyes, and agrochemicals, to petrochemicals, which saw discussions on the latest developments in the field, as well as on the importance of innovation and adoption of sustainable practices. Besides, there were dedicated sessions focusing on geography-specific issues including the India-EU, India-East Asia, and India-US Chemicals & Petrochemicals Forums, bringing together key stakeholders from each of these regions. These sessions enabled in-depth discussions on market insights, regulatory landscapes, and investment trends shaping the future of the sector, while also providing an opportunity to the participants to forge possible strategic partnerships which transcend geographical boundaries, thereby exploring new avenues to accelerate growth in the chemical and petrochemical sector.

    On its third and final day, the event hosted an engaging job fair featuring 14 leading chemical companies from different sectors  such as  ABB Instruments Pvt Ltd., Aarti Industries, Dhanuka Agrotech, Atul Limited, Crystal Crop Care, etc. and students from CIPET – Central Institute of Plastic Engineering and Technology, which functions under the ambit of the Department of chemicals and petrochemicals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers. Institute is responsible for providing skilling through various undergraduate and postgraduate courses to almost 65,000 students per year.  During the job fair, the students of CIPET got an opportunity to interact with the industry to explore possible career prospects. This served as an exciting platform bringing together students and potential employers in the chemical industry, helping the students gain insights into the future of the sector.

     

    *******

    MV/AKS

    (Release ID: 2066478) Visitor Counter : 21

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare organized National Conference on Agriculture – Rabi Campaign 2024

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare organized National Conference on Agriculture – Rabi Campaign 2024

    Government of India will work collaboratively on every suggestion given by the Ministers and State representatives : Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan

    Posted On: 19 OCT 2024 7:02PM by PIB Delhi

    With an objective to review and assess the crop performance during the preceding crop seasons and fix crop-wise targets for rabi season, the Union Minister of Agriculture, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurated National Conference on Agriculture for Rabi Campaign 2024 to at NASC Complex, New Delhi. The conference aimed to promote discussions among all stakeholders about innovative agricultural practices and digital initiatives to ensure smooth supply of essential Agri-inputs and support adoption of state-of-the-art technologies, thereby enhancing crop production and productivity.

     

    Addressing the Conference, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said, “We need to move towards organic and natural farming to increase productivity and reduce dependency on chemicals and fertilizers. The aim is to increase per hectare yield while reducing the cost of production and offering genuine prices to the farmers.” A committee has been constituted to reduce the cost of transportation to reduce the gap between the procurement price and sale price. The States in collaboration with Centre need to work on increasing production based on Agro-climatic conditions to make India the largest food basket for the world. The national target of food grain production in 2024-25 will be 341.55 million tonnes. He assured that the Government of India will work collaboratively on every suggestion given by the Ministers and State representatives.

     

    At the conference, Shri Ramnath Thakur, Minister of State (Agriculture) requested the States to take immediate action to help farmers affected by crop damage due to floods and cyclone. The Senior Officers and Researchers need to assess the quality of Agri-inputs circulated in the market.

    The Minister of State (Agriculture), Shri Bhagirath Choudhary expressed his gratitude to research organizations for continuously working towards making the country self-reliant in production of pulses and oilseeds.

     

    The conference welcomed esteemed panelists from State Governments for interactive sessions on crucial topics covering enhancing productivity of oilseeds and pulses, clean plant programme, digital platforms like National Pest Surveillance System (NPSS) and Integrated Pesticide Management System (IPMS), DPIs under Digital Agriculture Mission and Seed Authentication, Traceability & Holistic Inventory (SATHI) portal.

    During the discussions, it was highlighted that to meet the increasing demand of edible oil in the country and to become self-reliant, the Government aims at increasing the production of oilseeds from 39.2 MMT in 2022-23 to 69.7 MMT in 2030-31, increase area under cultivation from existing 29 mha to 33 mha and improve yield from 1353 kg/ha to 2112 kg/ha by 2030-31. The panelists emphasized on the importance of conducting research on short-duration, high-yielding seed varieties and implementing comprehensive mechanization for the cultivation of pulses and oilseeds.

    The conference showcased the recent Agri-Tech initiatives of the Ministry for ensuring quality of agri-inputs and proactive pest management strategies. NPSS provides a nationwide view for predicting, planning, and managing pest and disease infestations and plays a pivotal role in protecting agricultural yields and promoting sustainable farming practices. Further, the role of IPMS to tackle the complaints / issues related to shortage of supply and misbranding of pesticides, real time monitoring of issuance of licenses, faceless and traceless quality assurance system using unique QR codes was highlighted. Likewise, the SATHI portal is a complete and integrated solution to encompass all the activities involved in production, inspection, processing, packing, tagging and disposal of all kinds of seeds ranging from Breeder, Foundation, Certified, TL seed.

    In the session on Digital Agriculture, the panelists deliberated on recently approved Digital Agriculture Mission, an umbrella scheme to support various Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) initiatives for Agriculture and Special Centre Assistance to States for Capital Investment. The Mission focuses on enabling a convergent DPI ecosystem that enables farmer-centric solutions using integrated registries through AgriStack and providing various advisories through Krishi Decision Support System.

    The panelists also discussed on the need for regulations to ensure import of disease-free planting materials in case of fruits and orchids. The Clean Plant Programme will work to resolve such issues and produce, maintain and distribute pathogen-tested propagative material using therapeutic processes to clean plants.

    While responding on various sessions in Conference, the state representatives have responded the following (a)for Agriculture, holistic approach needs to be adopted, (b) Mechanization  is needed for  Oilseeds and Pulses, Good Quality seeds are required, (c) Private sector be encouraged to Research (d) Specialized project from ICAR (e) For CPP, attention on soil is required and support to private sector is welcome (f) For IPMS, AI Chatbot/advisory would be more efficient if it is in audio form.

    Addressing the Conference, Dr. Devesh Chaturvedi, Secretary Agriculture instructed the States to ensure completion of farmer registry for all farmers in the State by 31st March 2025 in camp mode to enable farmers to avail benefit of PM-KISAN. He also highlighted on the need for increasing the productivity of oilseeds and pulses. A check needs to be placed on overdosing of pesticides, circulation of spurious pesticides and seeds in the market. He urged States to ensure use of applications like NPSS, IPMS and SATHI and spread awareness in their respective States.

    Sh. Rajat Kumar Mishra, Secretary Fertilizer emphasized on use of drones for nano urea and crop monitoring. Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Secretary (DARE) and DG (ICAR) requested States to increase use of bio-fortified seeds, use of new variety and climate resilient seeds and seed replacement for increasing the productivity.

    This was followed by an interaction session with Hon’ble Ministers and Senior Officers of the States to raise issues concerning their states for increasing area coverage, yield, production and productivity in their States. The Agriculture Ministers from States raised their issues in relation to farmers and requested the Government of India to work on resolution. They also made some suggestions for betterment of agriculture and farmers.

    The Conference had participation from various Ministries, representatives from State Governments / Union Territories and other organizations. Through interactive sessions, the conference facilitated a comprehensive dialogue that would lead to actionable strategies for the upcoming rabi season.

    ******

    SS

    (Release ID: 2066377) Visitor Counter : 26

    Read this release in: Hindi

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Shri Dharmendra Pradhan embarks on 7-Day tour to strengthen education ties with Singapore and Australia

    Source: Government of India

    Shri Dharmendra Pradhan embarks on 7-Day tour to strengthen education ties with Singapore and Australia

    Education Minister to meet Singapore’s Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and senior leaders

    Education Minister to meet his Australian Counterpart to foster collaboration and synergy in critical areas of mutual interest in education

    Shri Dharmendra Pradhan will address Australian International Education Conference

    Posted On: 19 OCT 2024 4:45PM by PIB Delhi

    In a significant move to enhance bilateral cooperation in the education sector, Union Minister for Education Shri Dharmendra Pradhan will visit Singapore and Australia from 20 to 26 October 2024. The visit is expected to foster collaboration, participation, and synergy in critical areas of mutual interest in education.

    During the two day visit in Singapore, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan will address the members of Indian diaspora on 20th October 2024. The next day, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan will meet the Prime Minister of Singapore, H.E. Lawrence Wong; Deputy Prime Minister, H.E. Gan Kim Yong; Education Minister, H.E. – Chan Chun Sing; and Foreign Minister H.E. Vivian Balakrishnan. Shri Pradhan will visit the National University of Singapore ranked No.1 in Asia. He will also visit a local secondary school to discuss the scope of syllabus integration, keeping AI in focus. He will meet academicians, eminent representatives from alumni of IITs and IIMs and engage in discussions related to the education ecosystem of both countries.

    During the 3-day visit to Australia, on 23rd October 2024, the Minister, in Melbourne, will meet Hon. Jason Clare MP, Minister for Education. Shri Pradhan will also deliver the Plenary address at the Australian International Education Conference. The Minister will be visiting the South Melbourne Primary School which is known for integrated approaches to learning.

    He will visit ‘Discovery to Device’ at RMIT University which is a unique centre for MedTech prototyping and manufacturing. The visit will explore collaborative approaches to the commercialisation of medical technologies and role of industry-academia linkages in driving innovation..

    Shri Pradhan will meet Hon. Jacinta Allan MP, Premiere of Victoria along with Australian Education Minister Hon Jason Clare MP. He will also visit Monash University to observe their Innovation Lab and Centre for Nano-fabrication.During his stay in Melbourne, Shri Pradhan will also interact with senior academics of Indian origin.

    To explore opportunities for partnerships in educating early childhood education workforces, Shri Pradhan will visit Auburn Long Day Child Care Centre in Sydney on 24th October 2024. The Minister will interact with the representatives of the Innovative Research Universities (IRU) and will attend the 2nd Australia India Education and Skills Council.

    On 25th October 2024, he will visit the Granville South Creative and Performing Arts High School.Shri Pradhan will visit the site of the Macquarie Park Innovation District (MPID). As home to over 180 multinational companies, MPID facilitates the practical application of research across telecommunications, digital industries, medical technology and pharmaceuticals for economic benefit.

    Later in the day, Shri Pradhan will interact with Indian research students hosted by the Group of Eight, Australia’s most research intensive universities.

    Shri Pradhan will visit the UNSW Energy Institute and the Trailblazer for Recycling and Clean Energy (TraCE) at the Tyree Energy Technologies Building, Kensington. Here, he will observe real-world examples of practical research applications with commercial impact through the UNSW Energy Institute, which brings together world-leading researchers and the energy industry.

    He will also visit UTS Moore Park Sports and Exercise Precinct to explore cooperation in sports education and sports research. UTS’s Moore Park Precinct is a state-of-the-art teaching, research and sporting facility.

    *****

    MV/AK

    (Release ID: 2066326) Visitor Counter : 39

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Four new petroleum liquids pipelines have been completed in the United States since 2023

    Source: US Energy Information Administration

    In-brief analysis

    October 21, 2024

    Since 2023, pipeline companies have completed four new petroleum liquids pipeline projects in the United States—three crude oil pipeline projects and one hydrocarbon gas liquids (HGL) project—according to our recently updated Liquids Pipeline Projects Database. No new petroleum product pipeline projects were completed during this period. Petroleum product pipelines carry gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and other refinery products.

    The completed projects are as follows:

    • South Bend Pipeline is a 150,000-barrel-per-day (b/d) pipeline developed by Bridger Pipeline, LLC, that transports crude oil about 137 miles from Johnsons Corner, North Dakota, to Baker, Montana. It was completed in 2023.
    • Keystone Port Neches Link is a 630,000-b/d pipeline developed by Port Neches Link, LLC, a joint venture of TC Energy and Motiva Enterprises, that begins at the Sunoco Logistics terminal in Nederland and ends at Motiva’s terminal in Port Neches (both in Texas). The pipeline is approximately five miles in length and was completed in 2023. The Motiva section is a 30-inch diameter pipe, and the TC Energy section is 36-inch diameter pipe.
    • Borger Express Pipeline is a 90,000-b/d pipeline developed by Navigator Energy Service that transports crude oil about 195 miles from Major County, Oklahoma, to Hutchinson County, Texas. It was completed in 2023.
    • Seminole Red Pipeline was converted by Enterprise Products Partners from a crude oil pipeline back to an HGL pipeline while it builds Bahia Pipeline, another HGL pipeline project that will also service the Permian Basin. Seminole Red Pipeline was originally an HGL pipeline before it was converted to a 210,000-b/d crude oil pipeline in 2019. The conversion back to HGL was completed in 2024.

    Our Liquids Pipeline Projects Database contains information about projects at various stages of construction. Currently, 9 projects have been announced, and 10 projects are under construction. Since we launched the database in 2010, 231 projects have been completed, and 17 projects have been permanently canceled.

    Our Liquids Pipeline Projects Database compiles information on more than 270 future, ongoing, and past liquids pipeline projects in the United States. These pipelines carry crude oil, HGL, and petroleum products. Our database contains project types, start dates, capacity, mileage, geographic information, and project status. We track expanded, reversed, converted, and new pipeline projects.

    Some projects are connected to each other and may carry the same fuels to their final destinations. As a result, adding together the capacity of all projects would result in overestimating or double-counting some pipeline capacity.

    The Liquids Pipeline Projects Database complements our natural gas pipeline projects database. We update our Liquids Pipeline Projects Database based on the best available information from pipeline company websites, trade press reports, and government documents, such as U.S. Department of State permits for border crossings. We update the database twice each year. The data reflect reported plans and do not reflect our assumptions on the likelihood or timing of project completion.

    Principal contributor: Jim O’Sullivan

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: The 2nd National Lighthouse Festival began with ‘Lighthouse Tourism Conclave 2024’

    Source: Government of India

    The 2nd National Lighthouse Festival began with ‘Lighthouse Tourism Conclave 2024’

    Lighthouse Tourism Conclave 2024 highlighted opportunities for Heritage and Preservation

    Odisha’s five heritage lighthouses among Key attractions, drawing Over 10 Lakh Visitors in 2024-25

    In line with vision to unlock the immense potential of India’s maritime heritage, MoPSW has embarked on a transformative journey to revitalize our historic lighthouses Shri Shantanu Thakur, MoS, MoPSW

    These majestic structures, which have long guided mariners, are now evolving into centres of tourism, culture, and learning: Shri Shantanu Thakur, MoS, MoPSW

    Posted On: 19 OCT 2024 4:39PM by PIB Delhi

    On the day one of 2nd National Lighthouse Festival , Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW) hosted the Lighthouse Tourism Conclave 2024 today in Puri, with over 100 participants, including government officials, tourism experts, and conservationists, in attendance. The event aimed to explore the vast potential of lighthouse tourism and strategies for preserving these maritime structures, blending tourism development with heritage conservation.

    The conclave was graced by dignitaries, including Shri Sambit Patra, Hon’ble MP from Puri; Shri Suresh Gopi, Hon’ble Minister of State for Petroleum, Natural Gas & Tourism; and Smt. Pravati Parida, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Odisha. Following the traditional lighting of the ceremonial lamp, the Hon’ble Minister of State for Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Shri Shantanu Thakur, delivered the keynote address, where he emphasized the importance of developing lighthouse tourism as a means to boost local economies and preserve India’s rich maritime heritage.

    ”In line with our vision to unlock the immense potential of India’s maritime heritage, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways has embarked on a transformative journey to revitalize our historic lighthouses. These majestic structures, which have long guided mariners, are now evolving into centres of tourism, culture, and learning. With the development of 75 iconic lighthouses across the nation, we are not only preserving history but also creating vibrant spaces for recreation and community engagement”.

    He warmly invited all visitors to explore these landmarks and experience the unique blend of heritage and modernity they offer.

    A detailed presentation by the Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships (DGL) showcased the current status and future prospects of lighthouse tourism in India, highlighting various initiatives underway. With an investment of ₹60 crore, 75 iconic lighthouses across 9 coastal states and 1 union territory have been developed under the visionary leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister. Each lighthouse has become a beacon of both heritage and recreation, with modern amenities such as museums, amphitheaters, children’s parks, and more. In Odisha, five lighthouses—Gopalpur, Puri, Chandrabhaga, Paradip, and False Point—have been developed as part of this initiative to promote lighthouse tourism.

    In the fiscal year 2023-24 alone, the 75 dedicated lighthouses attracted an impressive 16 lakh visitors. As of September 2024, the current fiscal year 2024-25 has already welcomed more than 10 lakh visitors. These developments have also resulted in job creation, with 150 direct and 500 indirect employment opportunities emerging in nearby hotels, restaurants, tour operators, transportation services, and local shops and artisans.

    The presentation was followed by two engaging panel sessions. The first session, moderated by Gaurav Nagar, focused on “Lighthouse Tourism and Heritage.” Speakers, including Kapil Mohan (AIS Retd.), Debasis Mishra, and renowned photographer Dinesh Khanna, discussed the cultural and economic significance of lighthouses and the untapped potential in leveraging them as tourist destinations. The second session, also moderated by Gaurav Nagar, concentrated on “Preservation and Conservation of Lighthouses.” Experts such as Raja Parija, Capt. Devabrat Mishra, and Sangeeta Thakur deliberated on sustainable preservation techniques, balancing heritage conservation with the growing demand for tourism.

    This interactive dialogue encouraged collaboration among key industry players to strengthen lighthouse tourism in India.

    Through this conclave, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways aims to raise awareness about the unique blend of history and tourism that lighthouses represent, and how their preservation is essential for future generations. The event sets the stage for upcoming initiatives and collaboration in the lighthouse tourism sector.

    Note: Later in the evening, the Lighthouse Tourism Festival at Talabania Ground, Puri, will witness a grand cultural celebration. The festivities will begin with the invocation dance, Ganesh Vandana, followed by a captivating medley of traditional Assamese performances, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Assam. To conclude the evening, renowned singer Papon will enthrall the audience with a special celebrity performance, adding a melodious touch to the celebration of India’s maritime heritage and lighthouse tourism. The event promises to be a blend of tradition, art, and entertainment, bringing people together in a vibrant cultural showcase.

    ********

    NKK/AK

    (Release ID: 2066322) Visitor Counter : 62

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI: NEWTON GOLF to Present at the LD Micro Main Event XVII

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CAMARILLO, CA, Oct. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NEWTON GOLF Company (Nasdaq: SPGC) (“NEWTON GOLF” or the “Company”), a technology-forward golf company with a growing portfolio of golf products, including putters, golf shafts, golf grips, and other golf-related accessories, announces that Greg Campbell, Executive Chairman, will present a corporate overview at the LD Micro Main Event XVII. The conference is being held on October 28 – 30, 2024 at the Luxe Sunset Boulevard Hotel in Los Angeles.

    Event:  LD Micro Main Event XVII
    Presentation Date:  Wednesday, October 30, 2024
    Time:   8:00 AM PT
    Register to watch presentation:  https://me24.sequireevents.com/
       

    Mr. Campbell will be available for one-on-one meetings with registered investors of the conference.

    About NEWTON GOLF: A Sacks Parente Company

    NEWTON GOLF: A Sacks Parente Company, is a technology-forward golf company that help golfers elevate their game. With a growing portfolio of golf products, including putters, golf shafts, golf grips, and other golf-related accessories, the Company’s innovative accomplishments include: the First Vernier Acuity putter, patented Ultra-Low Balance Point (ULBP) putter technology, weight-forward Center-of-Gravity (CG) design, and pioneering ultra-light carbon fiber putter shafts.

    In consideration of its growth opportunities in golf shaft technologies, the Company expanded its manufacturing business in April of 2022 to develop the advanced Newton brand of premium golf shafts by opening a new shaft manufacturing facility in St. Joseph, MO. It is the Company’s intent to manufacture and assemble substantially all products in the United States, while also expanding into golf apparel and other golf-related product lines to enhance its growth.

    The Company’s future expansions may include broadening its offerings through mergers, acquisitions or internal developments of product lines that are complementary to its premium brand. The Company currently sells its products through resellers, the Company’s websites, Club Champion retail stores, and distributors in the United States, Japan, and South Korea.

    For more information, please visit the Company’s website at http://www.newtongolfco.com or on social media at @newtongolfco.com, @newtonshafts, or @gravityputters.

    Media Contact for NEWTON GOLF
    Beth Gast
    BG Public Relations
    beth.gast@bgpublicrelations.com

    Investor Contact for NEWTON GOLF
    CORE IR
    516-222-2560
    investors@sacksparente.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: NCL Launches Sustainable Initiatives for a Greener Future Under Special Campaign 4.0

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 19 OCT 2024 3:19PM by PIB Delhi

    Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL), a leading subsidiary of Coal India Limited, has undertaken a series of innovative and sustainable initiatives as part of Special Campaign 4.0. With a strong focus on harnessing renewable energy, promoting health and hygiene, and implementing eco-friendly waste management practices, NCL is driving progress towards a cleaner, greener future while contributing to national development goals.

    Solar Energy Projects: Pioneering Clean Energy

    As part of its commitment to environmental sustainability, NCL is making significant strides in renewable energy. The company has successfully installed a 480 kW rooftop solar plant at its Jayant project and is currently expanding its solar capacity with the installation of 1.3 MW rooftop solar systems at the IWSS Khadia, Bina, and Kakri areas. These initiatives not only help reduce NCL’s carbon footprint but also align with India’s renewable energy targets.

    Promoting Health and Hygiene: Sanitary Napkin Vending Machines

    NCL is dedicated to improving the health and hygiene of young women in the Singrauli region. In line with this objective, the company has installed Sanitary Napkin Vending and Disposal Machines in four schools as part of Special Campaign 4.0. This initiative benefits around 1,850 female students by ensuring access to sanitary pads, thus promoting better menstrual health and hygiene.

    “Waste to Wealth”: Transforming Organic Waste into Fertilizer

    Under its “Waste to Wealth” initiative, NCL is promoting eco-friendly waste management practices by creating vermicompost beds. By recycling cow dung and organic waste, the company is producing nutrient-rich vermicompost in Birkunia and Khirwa villages. This initiative supports sustainable agriculture by offering a natural alternative to chemical fertilizers, improving soil fertility, and reducing environmental impact.

    Focus on Cleanliness and Zero Pendency

    As part of its campaign for cleanliness, NCL has identified 69 sites for cleaning and beautification, with 23 sites already completed. Additionally, NCL has made significant progress in scrap disposal, having disposed of 1,661 MT of scrap materials out of a targeted 2,180 MT. This effort underscores NCL’s commitment to maintaining cleanliness and minimizing waste.

    Efficient Record and Space Management

    To enhance office efficiency, NCL is implementing robust record and space management systems. To date, 400 old files have been transferred to record rooms, and 3,729 e-files and 207 physical files have been reviewed, contributing to better utilization of office space and streamlined operations.

    Public Grievance Redressal

    NCL remains committed to public service and has resolved 30 out of 37 grievances received during Special Campaign 4.0. The company’s focus on timely and effective grievance redressal reflects its dedication to public satisfaction and responsiveness.

    Through its proactive participation in Special Campaign 4.0, NCL is contributing to the national vision of a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future.

    ****

    ST

    (Release ID: 2066294) Visitor Counter : 44

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s grain barn reaps bumper harvest of soybean

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    A farmer pours green soybeans into a basket in Guancang of Jintang County, Chengdu of southwest China’s Sichuan Province, June 19, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Soybean harvesting in China’s major soybean producing area of Heihe in Heilongjiang Province is near completion, poised for a bumper harvest, according to the city’s agricultural authority on Wednesday.
    The harvesting has been completed in more than 90 percent of Heihe’s 1.38 million hectares of soybean planting area, which was 10 percent faster than that of last year, said Su Hui, deputy director of the city’s agriculture and rural affairs department.
    He said that the soybean production this year has been orderly. In harvested areas, growers and the local authorities have started to carry out soil conservation and preparation for achieving high yield next year.
    “Heihe’s soybean output this year is poised to increase, compared to that of last year, which should partly be attributed to high-quality soybean varieties and improved planting technology,” said Jia Hongchang, a researcher with the Heihe branch of the Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences.
    Heilongjiang, China’s major grain barn, is the country’s largest soybean-producing province. Heihe alone produces about one-seventh of the country’s soybean output. The city’s soybean output in 2023 amounted to 2.6 billion kg.
    Jia said that the province has accelerated the construction of the soybean seed breeding bases for developing high-quality seeds. Heihe’s plantation areas have realized a 100-percent coverage rate of high-quality soybean seeds.
    With the faster pace of harvesting, big grain purchasers are moving up their stock.
    “These days, our purchase volume has risen sharply to reach more than 300 tonnes a day at the highest. All of our 80 sets of automatic soybean oil pressing machines have powered on for processing soybeans,” said Chen Liang, chairman of Heilongjiang Xuda Cereals, Oils and Foods Co., Ltd.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: SEE attends Singapore International Energy Week in Singapore (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    SEE attends Singapore International Energy Week in Singapore (with photos)
    SEE attends Singapore International Energy Week in Singapore (with photos)
    **************************************************************************

         The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, attended the 17th Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW) today (October 21).      SIEW is organised by the Energy Market Authority under the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) of Singapore. The theme this year is “A Connected and Sustainable Energy World”. Mr Tse attended the SIEW Summit to speak on the topic of Asia’s Collaborative Journey to a Sustainable Energy Future, and engaged in in-depth discussions and exchanges with other participants.      Speaking at the Summit, Mr Tse said that Hong Kong strives to reduce carbon emissions and achieve carbon neutrality before 2050. The carbon emissions in Hong Kong peaked in 2014. Compared to the peak, the carbon emissions of Hong Kong have reduced by about a quarter and the target is to reduce them by half before 2035. Hydrogen energy is a low-carbon energy with development potential. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is advancing with prudence to create an environment conducive to the development of hydrogen energy, which includes improving legislation, setting up infrastructure and funding trial projects. He said, “Our country places great emphasis on developing hydrogen technology, and has a number of high-quality products and advanced technology. Hong Kong can grab the opportunity to become a hub for the country to promote different products and technologies, helping Hong Kong and other countries to promote a green transition.”      Mr Tse also pointed out that there are three key elements to promote regional collaboration, namely political will to set policy targets, active participation from industries and the establishment of an exchange platform for sharing experiences and seeking co-operation. He expressed his gratitude to SIEW for providing an excellent platform that brings together various parties to explore new opportunities and collaboration.      In the afternoon, Mr Tse met with the Senior Minister of State for the MTI, Ms Low Yen Ling, to exchange views on hydrogen development. He later met with officials of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore to learn more about the latest developments of green maritime fuel in Singapore.      Mr Tse also visited a local shipping company today and received a briefing on the supply chain and bunkering operations of green marine fuels, particularly the application of green methanol.       Tomorrow (October 22), Mr Tse will visit a local enterprise to understand better the developments and applications of sustainable aviation fuel. He will return to Hong Kong the same evening.

     
    Ends/Monday, October 21, 2024Issued at HKT 19:10

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Tse Chin-wan attends energy summit

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Secretary for Environment & Ecology Tse Chin-wan today attended the opening day of the 17th Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW).

     

    SIEW is organised by the Energy Market Authority under Singapore’s Ministry of Trade & Industry (MTI). The theme this year is ‘A Connected & Sustainable Energy World’.

     

    Mr Tse attended the SIEW Summit, where he gave an address on ‘Asia’s Collaborative Journey to a Sustainable Energy Future’, and held in-depth discussions with other participants.

     

    Mr Tse said Hong Kong is striving to reduce carbon emissions and achieve carbon neutrality before 2050. He highlighted that hydrogen energy is a low-carbon energy with enormous potential, and explained that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is taking steps towards creating an environment conducive to its development.

     

    He added that efforts have been made to improve legislation, set up infrastructure and fund trial projects.

     

    “Our country places great emphasis on developing hydrogen technology, and has a number of high-quality products and advanced technology,” he said. “Hong Kong can grab the opportunity to become a hub for the country to promote different products and technologies, helping Hong Kong and other countries to promote a green transition.”

     

    In the afternoon, Mr Tse met Singapore’s Senior Minister of State for the MTI Low Yen Ling, to exchange views on hydrogen development.

     

    He later met Maritime & Port Authority officials to learn more about the latest developments concerning green maritime fuels in Singapore.

     

    Mr Tse also visited a local shipping company and listened to a briefing on the supply chain and bunkering operations associated with green marine fuels, in particular green methanol.

     

    Tomorrow, Mr Tse will visit a local enterprise to hear about developments in and applications of sustainable aviation fuel. He will return to Hong Kong in the evening.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI: New Economic Report Finds Total Quantified Value of a Terrestrial GPS Backup is $14.6 Billion

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    RESTON, Va., Oct. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NextNav Inc. (Nasdaq: NN), a leader in next-generation positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) and 3D geolocation, announced today that its plan for a terrestrial PNT backup and complement to GPS in the Lower 900 MHz would prevent hundreds of millions of dollars in losses in the event of a global GPS outage. The Brattle Group’s economic analysis finds that a 1-day global GPS outage could cost the American economy $1.6 billion, and NextNav’s proposal could prevent a loss of $663 million to the economy for a 24-hour outage period.

    Adopting NextNav’s proposal to reconfigure the Lower 900 MHz band offers the US economy a $10.8 billion insurance policy to protect against GPS outages without taxpayer funding, plus additional benefits of $3.8 billion from increased resiliency. The total quantified value of a GPS backup is $14.6 billion based on The Brattle Group’s report.

    Conducted by economists Coleman Bazelon and Paroma Sanyal of the Brattle Group, a highly recognized global economics firm, the study carefully evaluates the potential economic impact of a GPS outage and explores various scenarios that could result in a GPS disruption. It also examines the benefits of adopting NextNav’s proposal, including enhanced location accuracy that would benefit first responders to help improve emergency services. More findings from the report are below. The full report is available here.

    “The need for greater resiliency in lifesaving and mission-critical terrestrial PNT technologies has been acknowledged by four Presidential administrations, yet few proposals have provided a clear path to a robust solution without substantial government intervention or taxpayer funding,” said Dr. Coleman Bazelon, lead economist of the report. “Our analysis shows that NextNav’s widescale solution provides a total economic value of $14.6 billion and the equivalent to more than a $10 billion insurance policy if GPS goes dark.”

    The Brattle Group Economic Analysis

    To estimate the private sector value, the Brattle Group treated the terrestrial PNT backup solution as an “insurance policy” against GPS outages. The analysis estimates the potential economic loss for a 1-day, 7-day, and 30-day GPS outage to be $1.6 billion, $12.2 billion, and $58.2 billion, respectively. In the event of an outage, NextNav’s solution could reduce losses by $663 million, $6 billion and $31.9 billion, respectively. Given the probability of these outage events, the value to the American economy of the proposed terrestrial PNT approach is the equivalent of offering a $10.8 billion economic insurance policy to protect against GPS outages.

    The report forecasts the top five sectors that would benefit most include telecommunications, maritime, telematics, location-based services, oil and gas.

    TABLE 5: POTENTIAL LOSSES BY SECTOR DUE TO A GPS OUTAGE ADRESSABLE BY NEXTNAV
    Sector   Potential Losses ($ millions)
        1-day Outage [A] 7-day Outage [B] 30-day Outage [C]
    Telecommunications [1] $51 $1,670 $13,528
    Maritime [2] $221 $1,545 $6,620
    Telematics [3] $164 $1,147 $4,915
    Location-based services [4] $89 $626 $2,681
    Oil and gas [5] $48 $333 $1,426
    Agriculture (soil mapping) [6] $42 $291 $1,247
    Mining [7] $30 $208 $890
    Surveying [8] $10 $72 $310
    Electricity [9] $9 $60 $258
    Finance [10] Negligible Negligible Negligible
    Total   $663 $5,951 $31,875
             

    Table: Summary of potential losses incurred by each sector for each outage scenario that are addressable by NextNav’s proposed 3D Terrestrial PNT Solution
    Source: The Brattle Group

    • The report also finds that additional resiliency for GPS backup has a value of $3.8 billion for the United States. Using the Government Accountability Office’s cost estimates for a jamming-resistant, military-grade GPS signal, the report estimates that NextNav’s proposal would result in additional benefits.
    • Finally, the Report examines a partial set of benefits from having a terrestrial PNT system that complements GPS. For example, first responders would benefit from more accurate location information, which would improve emergency services and save lives. The report notes that in a related context, the Federal Communications Commission stated that reducing emergency response times by one minute via improved location accuracy for emergency services could be valued at $97 billion annually.

    “The need for a reliable GPS backup is not just a national security issue, it’s an economic imperative,” said Mariam Sorond, CEO of NextNav. “Our proposal offers a solution to safeguard a system that underpins American commerce, public safety, and national security without relying on taxpayer funding. We are committed to being part of a solution that unleashes the Lower 900 MHz band’s potential and is a win for the American people.”

    Change drives innovation. With the NextNav proposal, the FCC has the opportunity to update legacy rules to ensure a safer tomorrow.

    About NextNav Inc.
    NextNav Inc. (Nasdaq: NN) is a leader in next generation positioning, navigation and timing (PNT), enabling a whole new ecosystem of applications and services that rely upon 3D geolocation and PNT technology. Powered by low-band licensed spectrum, NextNav’s positioning and timing technologies deliver accurate, reliable, and resilient 3D PNT solutions for critical infrastructure, GPS resiliency and commercial use cases.

    For more information, please visit https://nextnav.com/ or follow NextNav on X or LinkedIn.

    Media Contact:
    Howard Waterman
    hwaterma@nextnav.com
    917-359-5505

    About The Brattle Group
    The Brattle Group answers complex economic, regulatory, and financial questions for corporations, law firms, and governments around the world. We aim for the highest level of client service and quality in our industry. We are distinguished by our credibility and the clarity of our insights, which arise from the stature of our experts; affiliations with leading international academics and industry specialists; and thoughtful, timely, and transparent work. Our clients value our commitment to providing clear, independent results that withstand critical review. Brattle has over 400 talented professionals across three continents.

    Forward Looking Statements
    This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as “forecast,” “intend,” “seek,” “target,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “estimate,” “plan,” “outlook,” and “project” and other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These statements, which involve risks and uncertainties, relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results and estimates of amounts not yet determinable and may also relate to NextNav’s future prospects, developments and business strategies. In particular, such forward-looking statements include the achievement of certain FCC-related milestones, the ability to realize the broader spectrum capacity and the advancement of NextNav’s terrestrial 3D PNT services, NextNav’s position to drive growth in its 3D geolocation business and expansion of its next generation terrestrial 3D PNT technologies, the business plans, objectives, expectations and intentions of NextNav, and NextNav’s estimated and future business strategies, competitive position, industry environment, potential growth opportunities, revenue, expenses, and profitability. These statements are based on NextNav’s management’s current expectations and beliefs, as well as a number of assumptions concerning future events.

    Such forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors, many of which are outside NextNav’s control that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors include, but are not limited to, those included in Part II, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of the Company’s quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of the NextNav’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as well as those otherwise described or updated from time to time in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). You are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made, and NextNav undertakes no commitment to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    Source: NN-FIN

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Industrial action affecting Perth and Kinross schools

    Source: Scotland – City of Perth

    We are pleased to say several schools can open tomorrow or on other days this week. Where available we are providing information for the rest of this week to help parents and carers with their plans.

    However, please note the situation at each school may change on a daily basis. We intend to provide updates at 1pm each day for parents and carers on social media and through our website. Our School closures page will also be updated every day.

    Fairview School is closed. Intensive Support Provision (ISP) is also closed unless otherwise stated. Connections is closed but Navigate will be open.

    On Tuesday October 22 all secondaries will be open but St John’s Academy (Secondary) and Community School of Auchterarder are only open to pupils in S4 and S6.
     
    Crieff High School will be able to offer ISP for senior phase pupils only.

    Breadalbane is able to provide ISP to primary and secondary pupils but ELC is only open to three and four-year-olds.
     

    Primary Schools – OPEN

    Abernyte

    Blair Atholl

    Collace

    Dunning

    Forgandenny

    Glendelvine

    Glenlyon

    Kinloch Rannoch

    Portmoak

    Ruthvenfield

    St Dominic’s

    Primary Schools PARTIALLY OPEN

    Abernethy –  primary open, ELC closed

    Aberuthven – closed Monday and Fridays but open Tuesday to Thursday

    Alyth -primary open,  ELC closed

    Arngask – primary open, ELC closed

    Auchtergaven – primary open, ELC closed

    Blackford – open to P6 and P7 only. Open to P4 and P5 on Wednesdays.

    Braco – primary open, ELC closed        

    Comrie – primary open, ELC closed

    Craigie – primary open, ELC closed

    Fossoway – open Tuesday and Wednesday only

    Guildtown – primary open, ELC closed

    Invergowrie – closed Tuesday but open Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. ELC will remain closed all week.

    Kenmore – open Wednesday only

    Kinnoull – closed Tuesday, open Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

    Logiealmond – open Thursday and Friday only

    Luncarty – primary open,, ELC closed

    Methven – P1 and P2 only. ELC open.

    Moncreiffe – school closed ELC open

    Primary Schools CLOSED

    Balbeggie

    Burrelton

    Cleish

    Coupar Angus

    Crieff

    Dunbarney

    Goodlyburn

    Goodlyburn COPECC

    Grandtully

    Inchture

    Inch View

    Kettins

    Kinross

    Kirkmichael

    Letham

    Logierait

    Longforgan

    Milnathort

    Murthly

    Newhill

    Oakbank

    Our Lady’s

    Pitcairn

    Rattray

    Riverside

    RDM

    Royal School of Dunkeld

    St Madoe’s

    St Ninian’s Episcopal

    St Stephen’s

    Stanley

    Tulloch

    Viewlands

    Community School of Auchterarder (primary)

    St John’s Academy (primary)

    Pitlochry (primary)

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: BOEM Completes Environmental Review of Wind Lease Areas Offshore New York and New Jersey

    Source: US State of New Jersey

    TRENTON – In support of the Biden-Harris administration’s goal of deploying 30 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind energy capacity by 2030, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has completed an environmental review to assess potential wind development activities within six wind lease areas covering over 488,000 acres offshore New York and New Jersey in an area known as the New York Bight. BOEM estimates that full development of the lease areas could generate up to 7 GW of offshore wind energy, enough to power up to two million homes.

    “BOEM has collected input from Tribes, Federal and state government agencies, local communities, ocean users, and key stakeholders as part of our comprehensive environmental review,” said BOEM Director Elizabeth Klein. “We appreciate the feedback we have received, and we believe our regional approach will provide a solid baseline for future environmental reviews for any proposed offshore wind projects in the New York Bight.”

    In February 2022, BOEM held an auction that brought in over $4.3 billion for the rights to six lease areas in the New York Bight – a record amount for any U.S. offshore renewable or conventional energy lease sale.

    BOEM prepared a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) to analyze potential environmental impacts of offshore wind activities in the six New York Bight lease areas. The Proposed Action for the PEIS identifies avoidance, minimization, mitigation, and monitoring (AMMM) measures that BOEM may require as conditions for approval for activities proposed by lessees in the individual construction and operations plans submitted for these six lease areas. Additional environmental analyses specific to each proposed project would build on the PEIS. This is the first time BOEM has conducted a regional analysis of offshore renewable energy development activities across multiple lease areas.

    In early 2024, BOEM held five public meetings and eight regional environmental justice forums between 2022 and 2024 to receive input on the Draft PEIS from Tribal Nations, local community members, government partners, and ocean users. This public engagement was supported by funds from the Inflation Reduction Act. BOEM sought information on important resources and issues, potential impacts to the environment, and AMMM measures found in the Draft PEIS. BOEM received 1,568 unique comments from 560 submissions, which informed the Final PEIS, including the categorization and analysis of the AMMM measures. The Final PEIS analyzes 58 AMMM measures that have been applied previously to offshore wind activities, and eight that have not been applied previously but may help reduce potential impacts.

    Under the Biden-Harris administration, the Department of the Interior has approved more than 15 gigawatts of clean energy from ten offshore wind projects, enough to power nearly 5.25 million homes. It has also held five offshore wind lease auctions, including a record-breaking sale offshore New York and New Jersey and the first-ever sales offshore the Pacific and Gulf of Mexico coasts. Earlier this year, Secretary Haaland announced a schedule of potential additional lease sales through 2028.  

    The “Notice of Availability of a Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for Expected Wind Energy Development in the New York Bight” will publish in the Federal Register on October 25, 2024.

    For more information, see BOEM’s website.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Manchin Announces $50 Million for West Virginia Power Grid Updates

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Joe Manchin
    October 18, 2024
    Charleston, WV- Today, Senator Joe Manchin (I-WV), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, announced that First Energy will receive a $50 million award from the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Program to increase the reliability of electric power in West Virginia and surrounding states. The funding was provided by Chairman Manchin’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and is the third award from this program directly benefiting West Virginia.
    “Modernizing our state’s power grid is critical to ensuring the Mountain State has energy it needs,” said Chairman Manchin. “Thanks to my Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we are building a more reliable power grid to lower electric bills and improve the lives of West Virginians while also creating good paying jobs.”
    Other GRIP Program Awards secured by Chairman Manchin for West Virginia:
    To learn more about the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, click here.
    To learn more about the GRIP Program, click here.
    To learn more about the selected project, click here.

    MIL OSI USA News –