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Category: Energy

  • MIL-OSI Banking: IADC Student Chapters: Roundup of Activities in September!

    Source: International Association of Drilling Contractors – IADC

    Headline: IADC Student Chapters: Roundup of Activities in September!

    MIT Student Chapter celebrates 5 year anniversary with 1st Student Technology Meet 

    In the later part of September, the IADC Maharashtra Institute of Technology (MIT) Student Chapter hosted its inaugural Student Chapter Technology Meet. Program highlights included a Young Professionals panel, Women in Drilling, and technical insights into geothermal drilling. The event brought together industry experts to discuss the main panel topic, “Unlocking Drilling Efficiency for Geothermal Exploration and Production.” This special event marked the Chapter’s 5th Anniversary and was a valuable forum for students to gain industry insights and network with established professionals. 

    IADC PTI Student Chapter hosts 3-day quiz competition

    The IADC Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) Student Chapter recently hosted “Drilling Dynamics: Technical Challenge,” a 3-day quiz competition. There was a fantastic turnout for the event, with some days drawing over 160 students in attendance, eager to witness the competition. The event provided a platform for learning, fostering teamwork, and promoting healthy competition. Distinguished guests, including Engr. E.O. Ogunyemi, Mr. Frank Egede, and Engr. Dr. Adetona, added significant value to the event. 

    The PTI Student Chapter stated, “We extend our deepest appreciation to everyone who attended from Day 1 through to Day 3. Your support and enthusiasm have made this event truly special.”

    Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) Members visit companies & host “International Rig IQ Showdown” 

    On 24 September, the IADC UTP Student Chapter visited PETRONAS WRTC and Aberdeen Drilling International in Kuala Lumpur. At PETRONAS, the students dove deep into cutting-edge technology with the experts themselves. 

    Over at Aberdeen Drilling International, the students had a hands-on experience with the most advanced drilling simulator suites. They got to simulate real-life MPD operations, controlling pressure and managing different scenarios.

    On 30 September – 1 October , the UTP Student Chapter hosted the International Rig IQ Showdown. The event consisted of engaging lectures, challenging exams, and practical drilling simulation sessions. Teams faced real-world drilling challenges, from controlling wells under pressure to managing unexpected rig scenarios. Each team showcased their skills in handling equipment, making critical decisions, and working seamlessly together.

    University of Wyoming Student Chapter introduces new officers 

    The IADC University of Wyoming Student Chapter recently announced its new officers for the 2024-2025 academic year:

    President – Daniel McFadyen
    Vice President – Garrett Cox
    Treasurer – Eli Hernandez
    Secretary – John Bertschy

    According to the Chapter, “We’re looking forward to bringing a range of events, tours, speakers, and more to the University of Wyoming this year. Stay tuned for updates and opportunities to get involved!” 

    University of North Dakota hosts “Lunch & Learn” event 

    In mid-September, the IADC University of North Dakota Student Chapter hosted its first Lunch & Learn event to kick off activities for the semester. Speakers from TAQA (Industrialization & Energy Services Company) shared their insights with the students on drilling technologies and provided simple explanations of downhole drilling tools. This event provided an excellent platform for learning, networking, and collaboration. 

    KFUPM Student Chapter organizes movie night & celebrates new officers at dinner 

    The IADC Student Chapter at the King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM) recently hosted a special screening of Deepwater Horizon, providing an opportunity for students and professionals to reflect on one of the most pivotal events in oil & gas history. The movie sparked insightful discussions on industry challenges, safety protocols, and the human element in oilfield operations. The interactive quiz that followed added a competitive edge. 

    On a separate occasion, the Chapter gathered over dinner to celebrate the incoming officers. According to the Chapter, “It was a fantastic opportunity to strengthen bonds and discuss the exciting future of our chapter. The evening’s discussions revolved around our strategic plans, upcoming initiatives, and exploring innovative ways to improve and expand our impact. We are eager to see the collective effort of our new officers come to life as we continue to grow together.” 

    About IADC Student Chapters 

    IADC’s Student Chapter program was started in 2017 when the need for a formal vehicle for engaging with the next generation of young professionals was identified. At that time, students were also expressing a desire for opportunities to engage with the drilling industry while still in school. The IADC Student Chapter program serves as a supplement to the academic aspect provided by the universities. The Chapters provide unique opportunities for students to learn about the practical side of the industry and their future professions. These opportunities generally consist of attending conferences, rig tours, and other industry events.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI USA: The Bright and Dark Sides of Pacific Salmon Biotransport

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Each year millions of Pacific salmon make a grand journey from the ocean to their freshwater spawning grounds at the end of their life cycles. This migration has rippling effects through food webs and ecosystems along the way.

    Whether they decompose or are consumed by other animals, these salmon deliver both nutrients and contaminants they have accumulated in their bodies after spending most of their lives growing at sea. A team of researchers from UConn, the University of South Dakota, the U.S. Geological Survey, Natural Resource Consultants, the University of Saskatchewan, the University of Missouri, and Regis University set out to study the transport of these nutrients and contaminants and trends as the salmon community changed over 40 years. Their findings are published in the journal Nature.

    Jess Brandt, assistant professor in UConn’s College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources Department of Natural Resources and the Environment and the Center for Environmental Sciences and Engineering, led the project. The study considers the spawning migrations to North America for the five major Pacific salmon species including Chinook, chum, coho, pink, and sockeye salmon. The research team combined estimates of migrating fish biomass for the forty years between 1976 and 2015 with Pacific salmon nutrient and contaminant tissue concentrations from scientific studies and reports.

    Energy and nutrients that travel from one system to another and have positive effects are called ecological subsidies. Contaminants that move alongside nutrients that can have detrimental impacts are referred to as “the dark side of subsidies,” says Brandt.

    “This research is about the ‘bright and dark sides’ of Pacific salmon subsidies,” she says. “We usually study them separately in the context of transport by animals, but nutrients and contaminants go hand-in-hand.”

    To start, the researchers combined the biomass estimates for each species with nutrient and contaminant concentrations to estimate the movements of these materials carried by salmon. Brandt says these movements had not been estimated at the continental scale before, and the magnitudes of materials transported by Pacific salmon were compelling.

    “On average, there were an estimated 119 million Pacific salmon returning to North America each year in the 40-year period of the study. This involved the movement of thousands of tonnes of nutrients and kilograms of contaminants. The fluxes of nutrients by Pacific salmon we report are among the largest fluxes that have been estimated so far for large groups of animals that move materials when they emerge, migrate, or die in large numbers.”

    The second question they address is how changes in the Pacific salmon community over time have impacted nutrient and contaminant transport.

    They found the Pacific salmon community grew substantially over that 40-year period, both in terms of biomass and number of fish. Brandt says the estimated amount of nutrients and contaminants transported in 2015 was 30% higher than in 1976, and the increase in pink salmon biomass during this period accounted for nearly 80% of the increase they observed.

    “We were curious about how shifts in the structure of the Pacific salmon community translated to changes in nutrient and contaminant transport over time,” says Brandt.

    To understand the significance of these questions, it helps to look at some of the aspects of the lives of different Pacific salmon species. Brandt says that where a species feeds on the food chain (called its trophic level), how long it spends in the ocean, and how large it gets, are all important when considering contaminant concentrations. The environmental contaminants included in this study build up in food webs and increase in concentrations from prey to predators, in a process called biomagnification. This means animals higher in the food web accumulate higher concentrations of these contaminants.

    Brandt notes that contaminant concentrations in Pacific salmon are low, overall, relative to many other types of fish. Even still, there are clear differences in contaminant levels among the Pacific salmon species. Pink salmon feed lower on the food web, spend less time at sea, and are small when they return to spawning grounds. By comparison, Chinook salmon feed higher up, spend many years in the ocean, and are the largest of the Pacific salmon species. These differences influence the amounts of contaminants each species transports.

    “That’s where we started thinking about the loading potential of each species – in other words, how much of each chemical a fish carries – and how loadings of nutrients and contaminants compare. We found the higher trophic level fish, specifically Chinook salmon, will carry relatively high ratios of contaminants to nutrients. On the other hand, pink salmon carry more nutrients per contaminant.”

    Despite these differences, pink salmon transported the largest overall amounts of contaminants, and this comes down to sheer numbers, says Brandt,

    “We also asked which species were contributing the most to nutrient and contaminant transport by the Pacific salmon community. Even though pink salmon have the lowest tissue concentrations of contaminants, the entire group of pink salmon contributes the greatest share of contaminants transported to North America because they dominate the community. Their numbers have increased, and even if the concentration of the contaminant hasn’t changed, if more fish are carrying the contaminant, then there’s more contaminant transferred.”

    Finally, the researchers considered the tradeoffs in nutrient and contaminant co-exposure for animals that eat salmon, including people. They compared the benefits of the omega-3 fatty acids people get from eating salmon with the health risks associated with the contaminants included in the study. “The results for each species indicated that salmon consumption brings a net benefit to people,” says Brandt. “We believe this means that there is a net benefit to the ecosystem as well.”

    Studying nutrients and contaminants together gives powerful insight into the environmental impacts of migratory species like salmon.

    “We miss part of the story when we study nutrients and contaminants separately,” Brandt says. “We hope this study leads to future work focused on migratory species as transporters of nutrients and contaminants and the tradeoffs between the two types of inputs for recipient systems at large spatial scales.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Supporting Critical Minerals Development in Northern Ontario 

    Source: Government of Canada News

    News release

    October 9, 2024                                         Sudbury, Ontario                       Natural Resources Canada

    The Government of Canada is working to seize the generational opportunity presented by critical minerals while ensuring that Indigenous Peoples and communities share in those benefits. Canada is well positioned to be a global leader and first-class producer of a wide variety of critical minerals that are essential to power the clean economy — including nickel and copper — and, in turn, create good jobs and support economic opportunities across critical mineral value chains — from mining to processing, manufacturing and recycling.

    Today, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced funding to support the further development of critical minerals in Sudbury and the surrounding region.

    Minister Wilkinson announced up to $8.4 million in conditionally approved funding provided through the Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund (CMIF), pending final due diligence from Natural Resources Canada, for five critical mineral infrastructure development projects in the Sudbury and Timmins regions. This investment would include:

    • Up to $6.8 million for the Crawford Nickel Sulphide Project to inform the mine’s electrification and connection to the Ontario electricity grid. This includes:
      • Up to $2.4 million for Transmission Infrastructure Partnerships 1 Limited to advance a transmission line connecting the Crawford Nickel Sulphide Project to the Ontario power grid.
      • Up to $4.4 million for Canada Nickel Company Ltd. to conduct studies to inform the Crawford Nickel Sulphide Project’s electrification plan. When in production, the Project is expected to create over 1,500 high-paying jobs, according to Canada Nickel, and its electrification will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 60 percent compared with diesel-powered operations. 
    • Up to $1.6 million for Magna Mining Inc. to support pre-construction activities to help power the Shakespeare and Crean Hill mines with clean electricity and connect the Shakespeare mine to the Ontario highway system. These mines will produce nickel and copper and help meet demand for these critical minerals as demand for use in clean technologies increases. The Crean Hill project is restarting an existing mine to meet this demand.

    Also, with $2.7 million from Natural Resources Canada, Giyak Mishkawzid Shkagmikwe Inc. (GMS) and Taighwenini Technical Services Corporation (TTS), the economic development corporations of Atikameksheng Anishnawbek and Wahnapitae First Nation respectively, will purchase two production mining drills. These drills will be leased out to support First Nations training opportunities, wealth generation and participation in the clean economy. This purchase will help Indigenous partners participate in the revitalization at Vale’s Stobie mine, which is a nearly $1-billion joint project of Vale, Thiess, United Steel Workers and local First Nations, to produce more nickel and copper. The historic Stobie Pit, which ceased operations in 2017 after 100 years, will be restarted to continue providing good jobs for the people of Sudbury, and production is expected to ramp up in the coming years.

    Minister Wilkinson made the announcement while visiting the Vale Stobie mine site in Sudbury. The Minister was in Sudbury to participate in the Conference of Mining Regions and Cities hosted by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development.

    Critical minerals are essential components in products used for clean energy technologies such as electric vehicles, electrical transmission lines and batteries. Canada’s mining sector provides many of the building blocks of clean technologies, including nickel and copper, needed to fight climate change and build a clean economy.

    Across the country, clean energy solutions are providing enormous economic opportunity for Canada. The critical mineral sector is already highly valuable to our economy. In 2022, the minerals and metals sector directly employed 420,000 people and contributed $109 billion of Canada’s total gross domestic product (GDP). Since 2020, automotive and battery manufacturers have announced investments of over $40 billion in electric vehicle production and the battery supply chain. With government support and with demand for critical minerals expected to double by 2024, these sectors will only grow. Today’s investments in mining and critical minerals will help deliver jobs and economic opportunities for Northern Ontario, along with Indigenous partners and communities.  

    Quotes

    “Today’s investments are about fostering Northern Ontario’s mining expertise to create more jobs and drive economic growth.  It is our priority that Indigenous partners have a part to play in the development of natural resources on our way to a clean energy future. The mining industry is one of the top employers for Indigenous communities across Canada, and we want to continue to encourage collaboration between mining and Indigenous communities.”

    The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson

    Minister of Energy and Natural Resources

    “Canada is a mining nation and a leader in sustainable resource management. In Northern Ontario, particularly in Nickel Belt, our strong environmental, social and governance standards will be crucial as demand for critical minerals rises. By partnering with Indigenous communities and local mining partners, we ensure responsible sourcing of essential materials while protecting our planet and economy.”

    Marc G. Serré, MP for Nickel Belt, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Official Languages

    “Investing in critical minerals in Northern Ontario is vital for both our economic prosperity and future sustainability. Investing in our Indigenous communities is also fundamental to ensuring economic reconciliation. Northern Ontario has the key ingredients and partners to transition to a clean economy, and we know the right support is needed. These investments demonstrate our government’s commitment to supporting Indigenous communities and the mining and mining supply industry.” 

    Viviane Lapointe

    Member of Parliament, Sudbury

    “With our traditional territories spanning one of Canada’s key mining basins, it is critical that we take an active role in local mining activities. By owning and renting these drills, our communities will reap significant benefits, both economically and through the creation of meaningful employment opportunities.”

    Craig Nootchtai

    Gimaa (Chief), Atikameksheng Anishnawbek.

    “This marks the beginning of an exciting new venture for us. I believe this is a great example of how we, as First Nation communities, can support mining on our traditional territories when it is carried out in a way that respects and strengthens Indigenous Peoples, as well as our culture and history.”

    Larry Roque

    Chief, Wahnapitae First Nation

    “Canada Nickel is pleased to receive this contribution from the Government of Canada for the development of our clean energy infrastructure. With the CMIF’s support and meaningful Indigenous partnerships, Canada Nickel can integrate low-carbon grid power as we advance our Crawford Nickel Sulphide Project toward construction. Our flagship Project, anticipated to be Canada’s largest nickel mine, is expected to contribute a significant amount of nickel, cobalt and chromium to advance the Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy. Together, we are contributing to a future where resource development aligns with environmental stewardship and reconciliation.”

    Mark Selby

    CEO, Canada Nickel Company

    “These proposed investments from the Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund will make a significant contribution toward the success of Magna Mining’s Crean Hill and Shakespeare Projects in Sudbury. We expect that these projects will benefit many stakeholders in the Sudbury region over the coming years, including the Indigenous communities and Indigenous-owned businesses that will play key roles in the development of these mines. We look forward to continued collaboration with the Government of Canada as we bring multiple new critical mineral mines into production in Sudbury.”

    Paul Fowler

    Senior Vice President, Magna Mining Inc.

    Quick facts

    • Stainless steel is the largest end use for nickel, accounting for just under two-thirds of total consumption. Nickel is used as an alloying agent in the manufacture of both metal products that contain iron and those that do not. It is also used in electroplating, in which a thin layer of nickel is coated onto a metal object as a decorative feature or to provide resistance to corrosion and wear. While nickel is well known as a component in the manufacture of nickel-cadmium batteries, an important evolving use is in production of lithium-ion batteries for EVs.

    • In 2022, Canada produced 143,266 tonnes of nickel in concentrate. Ontario produced 50 percent of Canada’s mined nickel.

    • Ontario-based Electra Battery Materials is developing a cobalt and nickel sulfate production plant and a lithium-ion battery recycling plant north of Toronto.

    • The mining industry is the top private-sector industrial employer for Indigenous people in Canada.

    • Canada has developed its own critical minerals strategy with the aim of advancing the development of these resources and related value chains to drive the transition to a low-carbon economy and support advanced technology and manufacturing.

    • The Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy addresses five core objectives:

      o   supporting economic growth, competitiveness and job creation;

      o   promoting climate action and strong environmental management;

      o   enhancing global security and partnerships with allies;

      o   advancing reconciliation with Indigenous peoples; and

      o   fostering diverse and inclusive workforces and communities.

    • Canada’s whole-of-government approach to critical mineral development is collaborative, forward-looking, iterative, adaptive and long-term. The initiatives presented in the Strategy will be implemented and refined in collaboration with provincial, territorial, Indigenous, industry and other Canadian and international partners.

    • Budget 2022 allocated $100 million over five years starting in 2022–23, to renew and expand the Indigenous Partnerships Office (IPO) and the INRP Program to make it a national natural resource sector-wide program.

    • At least $25 million of the $80 million in INRP contribution funding is to be dedicated to early engagement and Indigenous communities’ capacity building to support their participation in the Critical Minerals Strategy.

    • The CMIF is a key program under the Strategy to support enabling clean energy and transportation infrastructure projects necessary to increase Canada’s supply of responsibly sourced critical minerals.

    • The CMIF supports strategic priorities such as decarbonizing industrial mining operations, strengthening supply chains through transportation infrastructure and advancing economic reconciliation by supporting the participation of Indigenous Peoples in infrastructure and critical minerals projects.

    • In addition, the federal government is helping to develop Canada’s abundant critical minerals through NRCan’s Regional Energy and Resource Tables. These regional tables are joint partnerships with individual provinces and territories — in collaboration with Indigenous partners and with the input of key stakeholders — to identify and accelerate shared economic priorities for a low-carbon future in the energy and resource sectors.

    Related products

    Associated links

    Contacts

    Natural Resources Canada
    Media Relations
    343-292-6100
    media@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca

    Cindy Caturao
    Press Secretary
    Office of the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
    613-795-5638
    cindy.caturao@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca

    Follow us on LinkedIn

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Fix the climate or appease the fossil fuel industry – we can’t do both

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Jack Marley, Environment + Energy Editor, UK edition

    Britain ended more than 140 years of coal power when it closed its last generator in September.

    Coal emits more heat-trapping gas to the atmosphere than any other fossil fuel, so its demise as a source of electricity is an unalloyed good for the climate. Yet, with another announcement a week later, the UK government has helped extend the reign of fossil fuels well into the 21st century.


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

    Less than six months from polling day, the UK Labour party (then the official opposition) scrapped a campaign commitment to provide an annual stimulus of £28 billion (US$36.6 billion) for green industries.



    Read more:
    Labour’s £28 billion green investment promise could be watered down – here’s why

    Six billion pounds shy of this figure will now be raised over 25 years, Keir Starmer’s Labour government has revealed, but for a specific purpose: carbon capture and storage.

    “The technology works by capturing CO₂ as it is being emitted by a power plant or another polluter, then storing it underground,” says Mark Maslin, a professor of natural sciences at UCL.

    The Guardian reports that oil companies BP and Equinor will invest in a cluster of carbon capture and storage installations in Teesside, north-east England. Eni, an Italian oil company, is expected to develop sites in north-west England and north Wales. In each case, emissions will probably be pumped via gas pipes beneath the seabed.

    Starmer anointed “a new era” for green jobs when announcing this funding, but experts claim he is actually offering symbolic and strategic support to climate-wrecking energy sources that have dominated for centuries.

    A new error

    “This announcement represents a massive bet on a still unproven technology, and will lock the UK into fossil fuel dependence for decades to come,” Maslin says.



    Read more:
    The UK’s £22 billion bet on carbon capture will lock in fossil fuels for decades

    “The Climate Change Act mandates the UK should achieve net zero emissions by 2050, yet this will be impossible if carbon capture leads to the UK building new gas power stations instead of wind and solar farms.”

    Our ability to capture all this carbon is not guaranteed.
    DimaBerlin/Shutterstock

    Maslin was one of several scientists who wrote to energy secretary Ed Miliband criticising the plans. As he sees it, the government would not fund these projects if it did not see a future for fossil fuels beyond the middle of this century, by which time scientists have said our interference in the climate must end.

    The message is clear: expensive imports of natural gas (essentially methane, a potent greenhouse gas) are here to stay. Even successful deployment of carbon scrubbers at the point of burning this gas would not erase its climate impact, Maslin says, as it leaks at all stages of its production and use.

    But Maslin also doubts carbon capture and storage can siphon off the emissions of gas-fired power plants without adding to climate change. This is why climate scientists often describe carbon capture and storage as an unproven technology for decarbonising electricity and heavy industry: most of its applications have been in natural gas processing facilities where CO₂ is extracted for commercial uses.

    “The track record of adding carbon capture to power plants is much worse, with the vast majority of projects abandoned,” Maslin explains.

    More damning still, almost 80% of all the CO₂ captured by existing installations has been reinjected into oil fields – to pump more oil.

    Could carbon capture and storage tech turn natural gas into zero-carbon hydrogen, as some hope? Again, Maslin is dubious. Water is a cleaner source for hydrogen and using this fuel to heat homes or decarbonise factories is a second-rate solution compared with renewable electricity, he says.

    The fruits of appeasement

    Maslin and his co-signatories say that carbon capture and storage should be limited to reducing emissions from existing fossil power plants or steel furnaces while these emission sources are rapidly phased out.

    Marc Hudson at the University of Sussex is a historian of climate politics and policy in Australia, the US, UK and internationally. He has encountered policy proposals for carbon capture dating back to the 1970s and in his view, their overwhelming effect has been to prolong the use of fossil fuels by justifying investment in their expansion.



    Read more:
    Relying on carbon capture and storage may be a dangerous trap for UK industry

    “It’s the equivalent of smoking more and more cigarettes each day and gambling that a cure for cancer will exist by the time you need it,” he says.



    Read more:
    Cumbria coal mine: empty promises of carbon capture tech have excused digging up more fossil fuel for decades

    When trying to explain why rational climate policies like the mass insulation of draughty homes tends to lose out to investment in carbon capture and storage, Nils Markusson, a lecturer in environmental politics at Lancaster University, found something similar:

    “Home insulation does nothing to shield the profits of fossil fuel companies or landlords in the large and growing private rental sector,” he says.



    Read more:
    Does carbon capture and storage hype delay emissions cuts? Here’s what research shows

    In other words, appeasing the fossil fuel industry is a proviso of policies drafted to address climate change. This limitation has also infiltrated scientific assessments of the climate.

    A new report shows that “overshoot” scenarios – that is, projections of future climate change which accept the global target of 1.5°C will be at least temporarily breached – are rife in mainstream climate science.

    This is despite evidence of the permanent damage such a breach would cause – and our doubtful ability to reverse warming once it has exceeded these dangerous levels using speculative carbon removal technology.

    There is not enough land or energy to rapidly restore the carbon we have emitted.
    Oksana Bali/Shutterstock

    What has led us here? Comprehending the climate crisis and its solutions on terms favourable to the fossil fuel industry say Wim Carton and Andreas Malm, political ecologists at Lund University.

    “Avoiding climate breakdown demands that we bury the fantasy of overshoot-and-return and with it another illusion as well: that the Paris targets can be met without uprooting the status-quo.



    Read more:
    How mainstream climate science endorsed the fantasy of a global warming time machine

    “One limit after the other will be broken unless we manage to strand the necessary fossil assets and curtail opportunities for continuing to profit from oil and gas and coal.”

    – ref. Fix the climate or appease the fossil fuel industry – we can’t do both – https://theconversation.com/fix-the-climate-or-appease-the-fossil-fuel-industry-we-cant-do-both-240694

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Despite progress on poverty, Mexico’s first female president inherits a shaky economy

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Nicolas Forsans, Professor of Management and Co-director of the Centre for Latin American & Caribbean Studies, University of Essex

    shutterstock Octavio Hoyos/Shutterstock

    Mexico’s first female president, leftwing academic and climate scientist Claudia Sheinbaum, has set out her agenda. She pledged to maintain the social policies of her mentor and predecessor, the widely popular former president Andrés Manuel López Obrador (commonly known by his initials, AMLO).

    She promised a transition to green energy, and set out the need for new infrastructure in railways, ports and airports. Sheinbaum inherits a US$1.79 trillion (£1.4 trillion) economy closely integrated to that of the US – in fact, Mexico has the second-largest economy in Latin America. It is also the most populous Spanish-speaking country in the world with 128 million people.

    But Sheinbaum also inherits Mexico’s largest budget deficit since the 1980s.

    Despite social policies that have seen 9.5 million Mexicans lifted from poverty during AMLO’s six-year term, 36% of Mexicans are still poor and 7% live in extreme poverty. Access to health services remains problematic, and has worsened for those living in deprivation.

    Gross domestic product per capita, a measure of wealth, actually fell during the previous administration, which means the “average” Mexican is worse off now than at the start of AMLO’s presidency. And next year, the central bank estimates GDP will grow by only 1.2%, which will inevitably constrain Sheinbaum in her early years in office.

    While campaigning, she promised to continue the social and political policies of her predecessor. Now in office, she will not only grapple with the country’s security situation but also navigate serious economic and fiscal challenges.



    Read more:
    As Mexico’s new president takes office, a renewed battle to contain cartel violence begins

    In 2018, AMLO took office in a relatively stable fiscal environment. His predecessor, Enrique Peña Nieto, had implemented significant reforms early in his term aimed at reducing reliance on oil revenues and energy subsidies.

    Nieto also sought to strengthen the country’s two stabilisation funds. The Oil Revenue Stabilisation Fund is aimed at protecting Mexico’s budget from fluctuations in oil revenues. Meanwhile, the Budget Income Stabilisation Fund seeks to stabilise budget revenues from non-oil sources, such as taxes.

    These funds have been crucial for maintaining economic stability given the volatility of commodity prices, especially since oil has historically been a key contributor to Mexico’s public finances. However, under AMLO’s administration, both funds were used to plug gaps, leaving them depleted and raising concerns about the country’s ability to weather economic downturns. The country has not balanced its books since 2007.

    High energy subsidies introduced in 2019 are putting a strain on public finances. Driven by a commitment by AMLO to shield consumers from rising international oil prices, subsidies increased as a result of the COVID pandemic in 2020, and again in 2022 amid the war in Ukraine.

    The recent rise in social spending to fund universal state pensions, social programmes and debt servicing has created considerable strain, pushing the deficit close to 6% of GDP. Mexico’s debt-to-GDP ratio is 50% this year, up from its 2018 level.

    The tax issue

    In most countries, tax revenues are used to fund social investment. But Mexico’s ability to raise taxes has been extremely limited – tax revenues amount to just 17% of the country’s GDP, below the Latin American average of 22%, and well below that of countries in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) at 34%.

    Mexico has a large informal economy, with many workers and businesses not registered with tax authorities. Corruption, inefficiencies in tax administration and lack of trust in government institutions have led to low tax compliance, while efforts to increase taxes on the wealthy have met political resistance.

    Mexico has high levels of income inequality, and the wealthiest segments of society contribute relatively little to the overall tax revenue. Instead, the country had historically relied on oil revenues – which have declined – to fund public services and investment.

    AMLO had launched popular social programmes aimed at reducing poverty and inequalities. Now Sheinbaum has promised increased social spending while maintaining “fiscal responsibility” and not reforming tax (at least in her early presidency). That promise seems unrealistic. Without a change of approach, a fiscal crisis looms.

    However, she is expected to be a more pragmatic president than her predecessor. In part because she is less ideology-driven, but also because she won’t have a choice. If she wants to boost the economy and keep reducing poverty, she will need to attract foreign investment and encourage the private sector to play a much bigger role.

    Infrastructure will be a key focus, not least to ensure Mexico can benefit from the process of “near-shoring” – the relocation by multinationals of key processes away from Asia closer to the US market in order to minimise supply chain disruptions.

    Mexico stands to gain from the current desire by many companies to operate closer to the USA. As a result of the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), and its predecessor Nafta (North American Free Trade Agreement), Mexico enjoys tariff-free trade with its northern neighbours.

    But the country has not fully benefited from those opportunities. It lacks a consolidated investment promotion strategy and needs to produce more energy, ensuring it is from cleaner sources.

    It’s expected that Sheinbaum will continue government efforts to lift disadvantaged Mexicans out of poverty.

    Companies keen to invest in Mexico need access to low-emission hydrocarbons, as well as renewable energy. But AMLO viewed oil as a key part of Mexico’s sovereignty, eradicating previous reforms that had opened up the energy sector to private companies and preventing private investment in renewable energy. Instead, public finances were used to prop up ailing state-owned oil monopoly Pemex and national electricity company CFE.

    Given the fiscal challenges Sheinbaum inherits, Mexicans can expect the private sector to play a much greater role in infrastructure investment and in making the green energy transition a reality.

    As mayor of Mexico City, she championed public-private partnerships (PPP) while promoting solar energy. But to entice factories from Asia, she will also have to weaken the grip of the criminal organisations which are believed to control as much as a third of Mexico.

    During her tenure as mayor she halved the number of murders in the capital. But attempting to replicate this success throughout the country will be no small undertaking.

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

    – ref. Despite progress on poverty, Mexico’s first female president inherits a shaky economy – https://theconversation.com/despite-progress-on-poverty-mexicos-first-female-president-inherits-a-shaky-economy-240136

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: How mainstream climate science endorsed the fantasy of a global warming time machine

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Wim Carton, Associate Professor of Political Ecology, Lund University

    When the Paris agreement on climate change was gavelled into being in December 2015, it briefly looked like that rarest of things: a political victory for climate activists and delegates from the poorest regions of the world that, due to colonisation by today’s wealthy nations, have contributed little to the climate crisis – but stand to suffer its worst ravages.

    The world had finally agreed an upper limit for global warming. And in a move that stunned most experts, it had embraced the stretch target of 1.5°C, the boundary that small island states, acutely threatened by sea-level rise, had tirelessly pushed for years.

    Or so, at least, it seemed. For soon, the ambitious Paris agreement limit turned out to be not much of a limit at all. When the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (or IPCC, the world’s foremost body of climate experts) lent its authority to the 1.5°C temperature target with its 2018 special report, something odd transpired.

    Nearly all modelled pathways for limiting global heating to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels involved temporarily transgressing this target. Each still arrived back at 1.5°C eventually (the deadline being the random end point of 2100), but not before first shooting past it.

    Scientists responsible for modelling the response of Earth’s climate to greenhouse gas emissions – primarily caused by burning fossil fuels – called these “overshoot” scenarios. They became the dominant path along which mitigating climate change was imagined to proceed, almost as soon as talk of temperature limits emerged.

    De facto, what they said was this: staying below a temperature limit is the same as first crossing it and then, a few decades hence, using methods of removing carbon from the atmosphere to dial temperatures back down again.

    From some corners of the scientific literature came the assertion that this was nothing more than fantasy. A new study published in Nature has now confirmed this critique. It found that humanity’s ability to restore Earth’s temperature below 1.5°C of warming, after overshooting it, cannot be guaranteed. Many impacts of climate change are essentially irreversible. Those that are might take decades to undo, well beyond the relevant horizon for climate politics. For policy makers of the future, it matters little that temperatures might eventually fall back again; the impacts they will need to plan for are those of the overshoot period itself.

    Not coming back: tropical coral reefs face permanent destruction.
    Sabangvideo/Shutterstock

    The rise of overshoot ideology

    Even if global average surface temperatures are ultimately reversed, climate conditions at regional levels might not necessarily follow the global trend and might end up different from before. Delayed changes in ocean currents, for instance, could mean that the North Atlantic or Southern Ocean continue warming while the rest of the planet does not.

    Any losses and damages that accumulate during the overshoot period itself would of course be permanent. For a farmer in Sudan whose livestock perishes in a heatwave that would have been avoided at 1.5°C, it will be scant consolation to know that temperatures are scheduled to return to that level when her children have grown up.

    Then there is the dubious feasibility of planetary-scale carbon removal. Planting enough trees or energy crops to make a dent in global temperatures would require whole continents of land. Direct air capture of gigatonnes of carbon would consume prodigious amounts of renewable energy and so compete with decarbonisation. Whose land are we going to use for this? Who will shoulder the burdens for all this excess energy use?

    If reversal cannot be guaranteed, then clearly it is irresponsible to sanction a supposedly temporary overshoot of the Paris targets. And yet this is exactly what scientists have done. What compelled them to go down this dangerous route?

    Our own book on this topic (Overshoot: How the World Surrendered to Climate Breakdown, published last week by Verso) offers a history and critique of the idea.

    When overshoot scenarios were summoned into being in the early 2000s, the single most important reason was economics. Rapid, near-term emissions cuts were deemed prohibitively costly and so unpalatable. Cost optimisation mandated that they be pushed into the future to the extent possible.

    The models for projecting possible mitigation trajectories had these principles written into their code and so for the most part could not compute “low” temperature targets like 1.5 or 2°C. And because modellers could not imagine transgressing the deeply conservative constraints that they worked within, something else had to be transgressed.

    One team stumbled upon the idea that large-scale removal of carbon might be possible in the future, and so help reverse climate change. The EU and then the IPCC picked up on it, and before long, overshoot scenarios had colonised the expert literature. Deference to mainstream economics yielded a defence of the political status quo. This in turn translated into reckless experimentation with the climate system. Conservatism or fatalism about society’s capacity for change flipped into extreme adventurism about nature.

    Time to bury the time machine

    Just as the climate movement scored an important political victory, compelling the world to rally behind an ambitious temperature limit, an influential group of scientists, amplified by the world’s most authoritative scientific body on the subject, effectively helped water it down. When all is said and written about the post-Paris era, this surely should stand as one of its greatest tragedies.

    By conjuring up the fantasy of overshoot-and-return, scientists invented a mechanism for delaying climate action and unwittingly lent credibility to those (and they are many) who have no real interest in reigning in emissions here and now; who will seize on any excuse to keep the oil and gas and coal flowing just a little longer.

    A stable climate is not compatible with rising oil profits.
    Igor Hotinsky/Shutterstock

    The findings of this new paper make it perfectly clear: There is no time machine waiting in the wings. Once 1.5°C lies behind us, we must consider that threshold permanently broken.

    There then remains only one road to ambitious mitigation of climate change, and no amount of carbon dioxide removal can absolve us of its inconvenient political implications.

    Avoiding climate breakdown demands that we bury the fantasy of overshoot-and-return and with it another illusion as well: that the Paris targets can be met without uprooting the status-quo. One limit after the other will be broken unless we manage to strand fossil fuel assets and curtail opportunities for continuing to profit from oil and gas and coal.

    We will not mitigate climate change without confronting and defeating fossil fuel interests. We should expect climate scientists to be candid about this.


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

    Get our award-winning weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 35,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.

    Wim Carton receives funding for his work on carbon removal from the Swedish Research Council for Sustainable Development (Formas), the Swedish Energy Agency, the Marianne and Marcus Wallenberg Foundation, and the Independent Research Fund Denmark (DFF).

    Andreas Malm receives funding for his work on carbon removal from the Swedish Research Council for Sustainable Development (Formas).

    – ref. How mainstream climate science endorsed the fantasy of a global warming time machine – https://theconversation.com/how-mainstream-climate-science-endorsed-the-fantasy-of-a-global-warming-time-machine-225597

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI: TC Energy announces pricing of cash tender offers for certain Canadian-dollar denominated debt securities

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES (SEE “OFFER AND DISTRIBUTION RESTRICTIONS” BELOW).

    CALGARY, Alberta, Oct. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — News Release – TC Energy Corporation (TSX, NYSE: TRP) (“TC Energy”) today announced that TransCanada PipeLines Limited (the “Company”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of TC Energy, has released the pricing terms of its previously announced separate offers (the “Offers”) to purchase for cash up to C$575,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of its 4.180% Senior Notes due 2048 (the “2048 Notes”) and its 3.390% Senior Notes due 2028 (the “2028 Notes”, and together with the 2048 Notes, the “Notes”).

    The Offers

    The Offers were made upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase dated Oct. 1, 2024 relating to the Notes (the “Offer to Purchase”). Capitalized terms used but not defined in this news release have the meanings given to them in the Offer to Purchase.

    The table below sets out the aggregate principal amount of 2048 Notes accepted for purchase, the Offer Yield and the Total Consideration in respect of the 2048 Notes validly tendered and accepted for purchase pursuant to the Offer for such Notes. The Company has not accepted for purchase any of the 2028 Notes tendered into the Offer for such Notes.

    Title of Notes(1) Principal
    Amount 
    Outstanding    		 CUSIP / ISIN
    Nos.     (1)    		 Reference 
    Security    		 Bloomberg 
    Reference
    Page    		 Offer
    Yield    		 Fixed
    Spread
    (Basis
    Points)    		 Total
    Consideration    (2)    		 Principal
    Amount
    Accepted    (3)
    4.180% Senior Notes due 2048 C$1,100,000,000 89353ZCC0 / CA89353ZCC01 CAN 2 ¾ 12/01/55 FIT CAN0-50 4.970% 160 C$890.60 C$575,000,000
                     
    (1) No representation is made by TC Energy or the Company as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number or ISIN listed in this news release or printed on the 2048 Notes. They are provided solely for convenience.
       
    (2) Per C$1,000 principal amount of 2048 Notes validly tendered, and not validly withdrawn, at or prior to the Expiration Date and accepted for purchase; excludes the Accrued Coupon Payment.
       
    (3) Rounded figure of aggregate principal amount. The actual aggregate principal amount of 2048 Notes accepted for purchase may be adjusted for rounding due to proration.
       

    Settlement

    Payment of Total Consideration for 2048 Notes accepted for purchase will be made by the Company on the Settlement Date, which is expected to occur on Oct. 15, 2024. In addition to the Total Consideration, Holders whose 2048 Notes are accepted for purchase will receive a cash payment equal to the Accrued Coupon Payment, representing accrued and unpaid interest on such 2048 Notes from and including the immediately preceding interest payment date for such 2048 Notes to, but excluding, the Settlement Date. Holders whose 2048 Notes are accepted for purchase will lose all rights as Holder of the tendered 2048 Notes and interest will cease to accrue on the Settlement Date for all 2048 Notes accepted in the Offers.

    Following consummation of the Offers, any 2048 Notes that are purchased in the Offers will be retired and cancelled and no longer remain outstanding. All Notes not accepted for purchase by the Company or not purchased due to proration will be returned without cost to the tendering Holders.

    Upon completion of the Offers, there will be approximately C$525,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the 2048 Notes outstanding.

    The Offers are subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions as described in the Offer to Purchase. The Company reserves the right, subject to applicable law, to waive any and all conditions to any Offer. If any of the conditions is not satisfied, the Company is not obligated to accept for payment, purchase or pay for, and may delay the acceptance for payment of, any tendered Notes, in each event subject to applicable laws, and may terminate or alter any or all of the Offers.

    Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. (“Deutsche Bank”), J.P. Morgan Securities Canada Inc. (“JPM”), Morgan Stanley Canada Limited (“MS”) and RBC Dominion Securities Inc. (“RBC”) are acting as the dealer managers (the “Dealer Managers”) for the Offers. Questions regarding the terms and conditions for the Offers or for copies of the Offer to Purchase should be directed to JPM at 1.403.532.2126, MS at 1.416.943.8400 or RBC at 1.877.381.2099 (toll-free) or 1.416.842.6311 (collect). Deutsche Bank is not registered as a dealer in any Canadian jurisdiction and, accordingly, neither it nor any of its affiliates will, directly or indirectly, advertise, solicit, facilitate, negotiate, effect or take any other act in furtherance of any purchase or tender of Notes in connection with the Offers and any such solicitation, advertisement or other act with respect to the Offers will be conducted by JPM, MS and RBC. You may also contact your broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee for assistance concerning the Offers.

    TSX Trust Company is acting as the Tender Agent for the Offers.

    If the Company terminates any Offer with respect to one or more series of Notes, it will give prompt notice to the Tender Agent, and all Notes tendered pursuant to such terminated Offer will be returned promptly to the tendering Holders thereof. With effect from such termination, any Notes blocked in CDS will be released.

    Offer and Distribution Restrictions

    The Offers were made solely pursuant to the Offer to Purchase. This news release does not constitute a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in the United States. No Offer constitutes an offer or an invitation by, or on behalf of, TC Energy, the Company or the Dealer Managers (i) to participate in the Offers in the United States; (ii) to, or for the account or benefit of, any “U.S. person” (as such term is defined in Regulation S of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended); or (iii) to participate in the Offers in any jurisdiction in which it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction, and such persons are not eligible to participate in or tender any securities pursuant to the Offers. No action has been or will be taken in the United States or any other jurisdiction that would permit the possession, circulation or distribution of this news release, the Offer to Purchase or any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the Offers to (i) any person in the United States; (ii) any U.S. person; (iii) anyone in any other jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation is not authorized; or (iv) any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation. Accordingly, neither this news release, the Offer to Purchase nor any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the Offers may be distributed or published, in or from the United States or any such other jurisdiction (except in compliance with any applicable rules or regulations of such other jurisdiction). Tenders will not be accepted from any holder located or resident in the United States.

    In any jurisdiction in which the securities laws require the Offers to be made by a licensed broker or dealer, the Offers will be deemed to have been made on behalf of the Company by the Dealer Managers or one or more registered brokers or dealers that are licensed under the laws of such jurisdiction.

    This news release is for informational purposes only. This news release is not an offer to purchase or a solicitation of an offer to sell any Notes or any other securities of TC Energy, the Company or any of their subsidiaries.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This news release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements as defined in applicable securities laws (collectively referred to as “forward-looking statements”). Forward-looking statements include: statements regarding the terms and timing for completion of the Offers, including the acceptance for purchase of any Notes validly tendered and the expected Settlement Date thereof; and the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions of the Offers.

    Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of TC Energy to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause actual results to vary include, but are not limited to, conditions in financial markets, investor response to the Offers, and other risk factors as detailed from time to time in TC Energy’s reports filed with Canadian securities administrators and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

    Readers are cautioned against unduly relying on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are made as of the date of the relevant document and, except as required by law, TC Energy undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information or future events or otherwise.

    About TC Energy

    We’re a team of 7,000+ energy problem solvers working to safely move, generate and store the energy North America relies on. Today, we’re delivering solutions to the world’s toughest energy challenges – from innovating to deliver the natural gas that feeds LNG to global markets, to working to reduce emissions from our assets, to partnering with our neighbours, customers and governments to build the energy system of the future. It’s all part of how we continue to deliver sustainable returns for our investors and create value for communities.

    TC Energy’s common shares trade on the Toronto (TSX) and New York (NYSE) stock exchanges under the symbol TRP. To learn more, visit us at TCEnergy.com.

    -30-

    Media Inquiries:
    Media Relations
    media@tcenergy.com
    403-920-7859 or 800-608-7859

    Investor & Analyst Inquiries:
    Gavin Wylie / Hunter Mau
    investor_relations@tcenergy.com
    403-920-7911 or 800-361-6522

    PDF available: http://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/d4cb9afa-ed66-422d-ae22-57edf08c84fa

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: IADC Proudly Supports & Participates in SPE’s International Health, Safety, Environment, & Sustainability Conference

    Source: International Association of Drilling Contractors – IADC

    Headline: IADC Proudly Supports & Participates in SPE’s International Health, Safety, Environment, & Sustainability Conference

    IADC is proud to support the SPE International Health, Safety, Environment, & Sustainability (IHSES) Conference & Exhibition, which took place 10-12 September in Abu Dhabi. Hisham Zebian, IADC VP – Eastern Hemisphere, participated in a panel on “Developing a Culture of Care and WellBeing in the Energy Sector.”

    During the session, Hisham spoke about the Mental Health in Energy initiative, originally launched by the IADC North Sea Chapter. As part of this initiative, the North Sea Chapter published a 15-page white paper titled “Changing Minds: Saving Lives – An urgent new approach to mental health in the North Sea.” The Chapter also hosted an interactive Mental Health in Energy Workshop in 2023. More recently, a task group has been formed and a Mental Health in Energy Charter has been established, with many companies pledging their support. 

    IADC appreciates the opportunity to support and participate in important conversations about the wellbeing of our workforce, such as those that took place at the SPE IHSES Conference. 

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Canada Invests in Critical Minerals Sector at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Conference on Mining in Sudbury

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced over $5.1 million in funding for 16 projects in the critical minerals sector, as part of the Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy (CCMS), to position Canada as the reliable supplier of choice the world is looking for.

    October 9, 2024         Sudbury, Ontario                     Natural Resources Canada

    Critical minerals are not just the building blocks of clean technology like solar panels and electric vehicle batteries — they are a key ingredient for creating middle-class jobs and growing a strong, globally competitive Canadian economy. As demand for critical minerals around the world continues to surge with the increased adoption of clean technologies, Canadian workers and businesses have a generational opportunity to be global leaders and suppliers of critical minerals.

    Today, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced over $5.1 million in funding for 16 projects in the critical minerals sector, as part of the Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy (CCMS), to position Canada as the reliable supplier of choice the world is looking for. This funding is provided through two key programs to increase the supply of responsibly sourced critical minerals and support the development of domestic and global value chains for the green and digital economy. This investment includes:

    ·        Critical Minerals Geoscience Data Initiative (CMGD): over $4.1 million is provided to support 10 projects to enhance access to important data and generate new insights on the geological potential of critical mineral sources.

    ·        Global Partnerships Initiative (GPI): close to $1 million is provided to support six projects that will reinforce Canada’s growing number of bilateral commitments and engagements in the critical minerals space. 

    Across Canada, clean energy solutions are providing enormous economic opportunity. The critical minerals sector is already highly valuable to the Canadian economy. In 2022, the minerals and metals sector directly employed 420,000 people and contributed $109 billion to Canada’s total gross domestic product (GDP). Since 2020, automotive and battery manufacturers have announced investments of over $40 billion in electric vehicle production and the battery supply chain. With government support and demand for critical minerals expected to double by 2024, these sectors will only grow. Today’s investments will help deliver jobs and economic opportunities for communities and businesses across the country. 

    • Budget 2022 provided $3.8 billion over eight years to implement the Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy. The funding covers a range of industrial activities, from geoscience and exploration to mineral processing, manufacturing and recycling applications.

    • The Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy is part of Canada’s strengthened climate plan, 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan: Clean Air, Strong Economy, which advances Canada’s goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40 to 45 percent below 2005 levels by 2030 and reaching net-zero emissions by 2050.

    • Funding for these projects comes from the $79.2 million in Budget 2021 allocated to the CMGD initiative to enhance the quality and availability of data and digital technologies to accelerate the responsible development of Canadian critical minerals resources and the $70 million allocated for the GPI in Budget 2022 to advance Canada’s global leadership on critical minerals under Canada’s Critical Minerals Strategy. 

    • The CMGD initiative includes $10 million in contribution funding for the provinces and territories to enhance access to important data and generate new insights on the geological potential of critical mineral sources. By harnessing the power of geoscience and data, we will pave the way for the responsible growth of industries that rely on these minerals, from technology and energy to defence and infrastructure. 

    • Through multilateral engagements, Canada is pursuing collective action on critical minerals to support the global transition to green energy and more-resilient supply chains. Canada currently produces 60 minerals and metals at 200 mines and 6,500 sand, gravel and stone quarries across the country.

    • Canada is home to almost half of the world’s publicly listed mining and mineral exploration companies, with a presence in more than 100 countries and a combined market capitalization of $520 billion.

    Cindy Caturao
    Press Secretary
    Office of the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
    613-795-5638
    cindy.caturao@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Amendments to the Clean Energy Act introduced

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    On Monday, October 7, the Government of Yukon introduced revised draft amendments to the Clean Energy Act in the Yukon Legislative Assembly that will legislate an intensity-based greenhouse gas emissions reduction target – or mining intensity target – of 45 per cent by 2035 for placer and quartz mining and the post-production and abandoned mine sectors.

    • Read more about Amendments to the Clean Energy Act introduced
    • Add new comment

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Going off grid is a financial win for some, but it’s a threat for poorer families and the environment

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Joshua M. Pearce, John M. Thompson Chair in Information Technology and Innovation and Professor, Western University

    How would you like to never have another electric bill? Advances in technology have made it possible for some consumers to disconnect from the power grid — a move that was once only available to the ultra-wealthy who could afford the associated costs, or survivalists willing to trade convenience for freedom. This is no longer the case.

    A recent study I coauthored with energy researcher Seyyed Ali Sadat reveals that the balance of economics has shifted and now many families may be better off financially by cutting ties to the grid. However, this might not be a good thing for everyone.

    How did we get here?

    Back in the 2000s, solar was costly. The solar industry’s goal was to push the cost of solar panels below $3 per watt because that would produce solar electricity at a low enough cost to be economically competitive without subsidies. Over the year, the cost of solar plummeted.

    By 2011, we showed for the first time in both the United States and Canada that the levelized cost of solar electricity had reached grid parity. This means people could have a net-metered, grid-connected solar system and pay the same for electricity as the grid costs.

    Your utility meter would spin backward during the day as you amassed solar electric credits, then spin forward at night when you used grid electricity. If you sized your solar correctly, you would never pay an electric bill.

    When I moved to Michigan in 2011, I installed solar, earning a return on investment of more than 10 per cent. Many other faculty members at Michigan Tech did the same, and our area was the first to hit Michigan’s arbitrarily mandated one per cent distributed generation limit.

    Solar costs kept dropping, and ten years later, I collaborated with an engineer from Sweden — where nearly every house has a heat pump — to show that solar costs were so low they could effectively subsidize heat pumps into profitability in both northern Michigan and Ontario. Although the return on investment was modest — only a few per cent — it was enough to make solar-powered heating more viable than natural gas.

    Concern among electric utilities

    Today, more heat pumps are sold that normal furnaces in the U.S., but Canada is still warming up to them. The price of solar modules has since dropped well below $1 per watt.

    This shift caused concern among some electric companies; under their traditional business models, every new solar customer reduces their profit. Forward-thinking companies embraced solar and funded it for their customers. Some even rented their customers’ roofs for solar panel use.

    Many electric companies, however, took a different path by trying to weaken net metering. Some manipulated the rate structure by increasing unavoidable charges for customers while decreasing the electric rate, making net-metered solar systems less appealing for customers. As off-grid systems are now more affordable, this strategy could push customers away.

    Solar costs continued to drop and are now the lowest cost power in history. The costs of electric batteries also plummeted by over 50 per cent just last year.

    Grid defection is a real option

    Grid-tied residential solar systems currently dominate the market, primarily due to historical net metering. As utility rate structures shift away from real net metering, increase unavoidable fees or restrict grid access, solar consumers are finding that going off-grid is becoming more economically viable.

    Our recent study shows that grid defection is economically advantageous for many families because of these rate structure changes.

    Consider a typical family in San Diego, for example. After an initial investment of $20,000 on the off-grid system (solar, diesel generator and batteries), they could pay 45 per cent less for electricity than if they remained connected to the grid.

    The system would pay for itself in just six years, and even with a battery replacement, they would break even again in year eight. Over the lifespan of the system, these families could save over $40,000 in electricity costs.

    Since our analysis using data from one year ago, battery costs have dropped even further, increasing the return on investment. Locations that were previously on the borderline of economic viability are now clear opportunities for grid defection.

    These trends, coupled with increasing grid electricity costs and decreases in both solar and battery costs, have made economic grid defection a salient issue.

    But this also raises concerns about potential “utility death spirals,” where as more customers leave the grid to save money, the ones who are left face higher electricity costs, prompting even more to leave until the utility is bankrupt.

    Stay on the grid

    This trend raises two major concerns. First, those who can’t afford to leave the grid — often the poorest households — will end up paying the most for left-over fossil fuel electricity from the grid. Leaving the grid requires a hefty up-front cost, and not everyone can afford it.

    Second, our research shows that the diesel generators used as back up for off-grid solar and battery systems will cause significant pollution — even more than the grid in some locations.

    Our results show that regulators must consider mass economic grid defection of PV-diesel generator-battery systems as a very real possibility in the near future. To prevent utility death spirals and increased carbon emissions, it’s imperative we have rate structures that encourage solar producers to remain on the grid.

    The worst thing regulators can do is allow the electric utilities to increase unavoidable costs for their short-term profits. This can backfire, as utilities will lose customers entirely in the long run. With solar and battery costs continuing to decline, this problem is only becoming more urgent.

    Joshua M. Pearce has received funding for research from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, the Canada Foundation for Innovation, Mitacs, the U.S. Department of Energy and the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy, U.S. Department of Defense, The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, and the National Science Foundation. His past and present consulting work and research is funded by the United Nations, the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine, and many companies in the energy and solar photovoltaic fields. He does not directly work for any solar manufacturer and has no direct conflicts of interests.

    – ref. Going off grid is a financial win for some, but it’s a threat for poorer families and the environment – https://theconversation.com/going-off-grid-is-a-financial-win-for-some-but-its-a-threat-for-poorer-families-and-the-environment-240615

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: 2024 IADC/SPE Managed Pressure Drilling & Underbalanced Operations Conference Convenes in Brazil

    Source: International Association of Drilling Contractors – IADC

    Headline: 2024 IADC/SPE Managed Pressure Drilling & Underbalanced Operations Conference Convenes in Brazil

    The 2024 IADC/SPE Managed Pressure Drilling & Underbalanced Operations Conference & Exhibition took place on 17-18 September in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

    Over two days, esteemed subject matter experts and young professionals came together to discuss:

    • Case Studies
    • Human Factors & Training
    • Non-Conventional MPD Operations
    • Riser Gas Handling
    • Completions
    • Design & Optimization
    • MPD Equipment & Control Systems
    • UBD
    • Well Control & Well Integrity

    Drilling Contractor Interviews from the 2024 IADC/SPE MPD & UBO Conference

    Last year, the IADC Underbalanced Operations and Managed Pressure Drilling (UBO &MPD) Committee published the Riser Gas Handling Guidelines to address challenges associated with gas in the riser during deepwater drilling while utilizing surface back pressure MPD or installed riser gas handling systems. During the 2024 IADC/SPE MPD & UBO Conference in Rio de Janeiro, members of IADC’s Gas in the Riser Subcommittee presented a series of papers discussing the underlying concepts behind the guidelines and the practical applications of the guidelines in the field.

    Speaking to DC from the conference, Mario Teixeira, Senior Engineer – Drilling and Wells at Equinor and a member of the subcommittee, spoke about these concepts. Some of these, he noted, are little known in industry or inconsistently applied in field operations. In particular, he discussed the uncontrolled riser unloading that can result from unaddressed gas-in-riser events and why it is important for industry to better understand the risks involved.

    Focusing on the human element is critical to preventing errors within any operation, including those involving managed pressure drilling (MPD). As automated systems decrease human interactions with complex equipment while increasing cognitive workloads, the need to account for human factors has become even more important. Understanding human factors and its role in safe drilling operations can help provide a path for drillers to mitigate errors and identify the root causes of those errors should they occur, said Matt Kvalo, VP of Engineering and Technology at Stasis Drilling Solutions.

    In this interview with DC from the 2024 IADC/SPE MPD & UBO Conference, Mr. Kvalo talks about how the definition of human factors has changed, from one that identifies the root cause of most errors to a model that identifies errors as a systemic problem.

    The IADC Underbalanced Operations and Managed Pressure Drilling (UBO & MPD) Committee is working on a number of initiatives aimed at helping the industry better understand the challenges associated with MPD operations. In this interview with DC taken from the 2024 IADC/SPE MPD & UBO Conference, Andre Alonso Fernandes, Chairman of the Committee, explains the IADC Riser Gas Handling Guidelines, a resource that was released last year. He also discusses the committee’s goal for opening a dialogue with industry and academia on the feasibility of the guidelines, plus any further challenges with gas-in-riser incidents that may need to be addressed in the future. Mr. Fernandes also spoke about the committee’s work in revising API RP 92M and API RP 92S, which each address MPD operations with surface back pressure.

    Thank you to everyone who attended, presented, exhibited, sponsored, and organized this conference! 

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Southern Arabian Peninsula Chapter Tackles Critical Issues at Q3 Gathering

    Source: International Association of Drilling Contractors – IADC

    Headline: Southern Arabian Peninsula Chapter Tackles Critical Issues at Q3 Gathering

    The IADC Southern Arabian Peninsula Chapter (SAPC) hosted its Q3 meeting in Doha, Qatar on 12 September. There were 129 total participants present, and the event was filled with insightful discussions and invaluable networking opportunities. 

    The meeting opened with updates regarding the Chapter, workgroups, IADC headquarters, and the SAPC Annual Golf Tournament. Afterward, a series of guest speakers presented on various topics: 

    • Manish Kumar, GM Wells at Shell, presented on “Job By Design V2.0 – Learning from Normal Work,” discussing the importance of designing jobs with safety and predictable results in mind.
    • Pamela Cordova, Principal Research Analyst at S&P Global, gave an insightful presentation on the “Jackup Market Outlook,” analyzing current trends and future projections for the industry.
    • Steve Beedie, Author of Unspoken Wounds, delivered an inspiring presentation titled “Open the Bleed Off – Inspiring Energy to Open Up,” addressing mental health and well-being in the oil and gas industry.
    • Mike Cadigan, President/CEO of Billy Pugh Company, presented on “Safety Innovations Through Industry Engagement,” focusing on the future of personnel transfer technology and safety improvements.

    Following the guest speakers, the Qatar-based winners of the SAPC 2023 Safety Awards were recognized for their outstanding safety initiatives:

    • 2023 Statistical Safety Performance Award ‘Number of Consecutive Years Recordable Incident -Free’ Best Individual Offshore Drilling Rig: Gulf Drilling International’s Al-Wajba
    • Safety Initiative Award’s ‘Highly Commendable Non-Drilling Contractor Initiative’ – ( Global Gravity Aps

    After the closing remarks, attendees had the opportunity to meet Steve Beedie for a book signing while the networking reception was being set up. 

    Congratulations to the SAPC for another successful event, and thank you to everyone who participated!

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Minister Wilkinson to Participate in Clean Energy–Related Engagements in Toronto

    Source: Government of Canada News

    The Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, will be participating in a fireside chat with the Toronto Regional Board of Trade.

    TORONTO — The Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, will be participating in a fireside chat with the Toronto Regional Board of Trade.

    Date: October 10, 2024

    Time: 9:30 a.m. ET         

    Later that day, Minister Wilkinson and Julie Dabrusin, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, will make a clean energy announcement. A media availability will follow.

    Date: October 10, 2024

    Time: 2 p.m. ET

    All accredited media are asked to pre-register for the afternoon announcement by emailing media@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca. A dial-in line is available for media and will be provided upon registration.  

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Wholesale electricity prices in eastern Europe – P-001709/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Commission promotes market integration and interconnectivity in the region through the trans-European network framework, the process to establish a list of Projects of Common and Mutual Interest (PCI/PMI) and the work of the Central and South-Eastern Europe Energy Connectivity (CESEC) High-Level group[1]. Several of the region’s PCIs were financially supported from the Connecting Europe Facility in the past[2], increasing interconnectivity.

    The existing PCI list contains several projects in the region, such as the interconnector between Hungary and Romania. A new PCI/PMI selection process started in September 2024.

    The Commission welcomes projects that will address inter alia a closer integration of the Southeast European region with the other regions in Europe.

    While the Commission continues to monitor the situation, it appears that the high prices result from a structural shortage of flexibility in the electricity system of the region in times when it is needed to meet peak demand.

    The reform of the electricity market design sets out rules addressing these situations[3]. It aims to make electricity bills more independent from short-term prices and to provide greater incentives for non-fossil flexibility such as demand response and storage.

    Union legislation also enables Member States to protect vulnerable consumers with regulated prices at retail level, subject to specific conditions[4].

    • [1] https://energy.ec.europa.eu/topics/infrastructure/high-level-groups/central-and-south-eastern-europe-energy-connectivity_en
    • [2] https://cinea.ec.europa.eu/programmes/connecting-europe-facility_en
    • [3] Regulation (EU) 2024/1747 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2024 amending Regulations (EU) 2019/942 and (EU) 2019/943 as regards improving the Union’s electricity market design (OJ L, 2024/1747).
    • [4] Directive (EU) 2019/944 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 June 2019 on common rules for the internal market for electricity and amending Directive 2012/27/EU (OJ 2019, L 158).
    Last updated: 9 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Minister Shri Pralhad Joshi Concludes Successful Three Day Visit to Germany, Boosts Energy Cooperation

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 09 OCT 2024 5:43PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Shri Pralhad Joshi, completed a successful visit to Germany from 6th to 9th October 2024. The visit, which coincided with the Hamburg Sustainability Conference (HSC), underscored India’s commitment to global sustainability and renewable energy, and facilitated key discussions on enhancing bilateral cooperation in the energy sector.

    On 7th October, the Minister delivered the keynote address at Hamburg Sustainability Conference, where he highlighted India’s role in global renewable energy and energy transition initiatives, including the International Solar Alliance, which now has the support of over 100 countries. Shri Joshi underscored India’s remarkable progress in renewable energy over the last decade, driven by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision and leadership. He emphasized India’s commitment to sustainability, particularly in sectors like green shipping, and called for strengthening international collaboration to tackle the challenges posed by the global energy transition.

    As part of the visit, Shri Joshi held numerous bilateral meetings with global leaders. His meeting with Mr. Achim Steiner, Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), focused on India’s growing renewable energy landscape and future collaborations for sustainable development. He also met Ms. Svenja Schulze, German Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), to discuss shared priorities in green energy and sustainability.

    Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy Shri Pralhad Joshi interacts with Chancellor of Germany Mr. Olaf Scholz

    On the sidelines of the HSC, Shri Joshi exchanged pleasantries with Mr. Olaf Scholz, the Chancellor of Germany. Union Minister Joshi also interacted with Mr. Karim Badawi, Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum and Natural Resources, and discussed bilateral relations and enhancing cooperation. He also met Ms. Roberta Casali, Vice President of the Asian Development Bank, and deliberated on renewable energy investments in India. Shri Joshi further engaged with Dr Jamshid Khodjaev, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance of Uzbekistan, where they discussed global shifts in the energy landscape and avenues to support energy transition.

    The Minister also met with Ms. Anneliese Dodds, the UK’s Minister of Development, and they deliberated on scaling up international cooperation for a cleaner, more sustainable future. He also exchanged views with Ms. Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), on the IMF’s role in supporting global sustainability projects, and Mr. Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank, regarding India’s leadership in the green energy space.

    Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy Shri Pralhad Joshi with Dr. Robert Habeck, Germany’s Vice-Chancellor and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action

     

    In Berlin, Union Minister Shri Joshi was warmly received by Dr. Robert Habeck, Germany’s Vice-Chancellor and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action. Dr. Habeck also gave a special guided tour of German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action. Dr Habeck acknowledged the stunning growth of India’s Renewable sector in the last 10 years to Union Minister Joshi and was very optimistic on India’s journey towards Mission 500 GW from Renewable energy.  Shri Joshi posted on X

    “Held a bilateral meeting with Dr. Robert Habeck, Germany’s Vice-Chancellor and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, on the sidelines of #HSC2024. We had a fruitful discussion on strengthening cooperation in renewable energy. Deliberation on opportunities in green hydrogen, offshore wind, biogas, and recycling of solar waste was also held during the meeting. We were happy to note that India and Germany’s cooperation on energy transition is progressing well. Expressed confidence that in the coming years, India will emerge as a trusted source of green hydrogen for Germany.”

    Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy Shri Pralhad Joshi with Indian Diaspora in Berlin, Germany

    During his time in Berlin, Shri Joshi interacted with members of the Indian diaspora at an event hosted by the Embassy of India, where he lauded their contributions to Germany’s economy and their role in enhancing India’s global presence.

    During the RE-INVEST 2024 held in September, 2024, India and Germany had launched the India-Germany Platform for Investment in Renewable Energies showing the growing bond between the two countries in Renewable Energy. The platform will facilitate to create further business opportunities and new avenues for the increasing demand for capital, support technology transfer and enhance the development of innovative technical solutions in RE.

    Shri Pralhad Joshi’s visit to Germany concluded with a commitment to furthering India’s leadership in renewable energy cooperation and energy transition initiatives. The meetings and interactions during the visit have laid a strong foundation for deeper collaboration in energy transition, reinforcing India’s role as a global leader in the pursuit of a sustainable future.

    Navin Sreejith

    (Release ID: 2063572) Visitor Counter : 29

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Funding Strategies for Nonprofits and Schools: Incentives and Rebates and How to Find Them

    Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)

    Nonprofits and schools often dedicate so much time and money to serving their communities that Investing in essential building improvements can feel impossible. To support organizations with energy upgrades which boost efficiency and save money, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) hosted a webinar in an ongoing series called, “Funding Strategies for Nonprofits.”

    The webinar covers the value of utility rebates and incentives and how they can be part of an organization’s capital stack for infrastructure projects. Speakers highlight resources available to identify local rebate and incentive programs and demonstrated the tangible first step to accessing this funding.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMVbnHzUlng

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Administrator Samantha Power Meets with Indian Ambassador to the United States Vinay Kwatra

    Source: USAID

    The below is attributable to Spokesperson Benjamin Suarato:‎

    On October 7, Administrator Samantha Power met with India’s new Ambassador to the United States Vinay Kwatra. The Administrator highlighted opportunities to build on the U.S. and India’s evolving strategic development partnership to address shared global goals and emphasized our joint work in the Indo-Pacific under the Triangular Development Partnership (TriDeP). 

    Administrator Power and Ambassador Kwatra discussed India’s leadership role in catalyzing regional clean energy ambitions, and Administrator Power reaffirmed USAID’s commitment to the U.S.-India Climate and Clean Energy Agenda 2030 Partnership.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kaptur Statement on the Passing of Former Congressman Dave Hobson

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

    Toledo, Ohio — Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), the Dean of Ohio’s delegation to Congress, released the following statement on the passing of former Congressman Dave Hobson (OH-07):

    “Congressman David Hobson was a true patriot. He was a public servant first. His lifetime of service to the people of greater Springfield and Ohio was marked by results and perseverance.

    “He understood America’s role in the world, and as he rose to Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development and Chair of the Subcommittee on Military Construction, he distinguished himself and never forgot his roots in Ohio. He had a precious ability to work across the aisle and actually enjoyed it, working with many members, myself included. National security, was Paramount in his priorities and his achievements stand at Normandy and Springfield as his living legacy. 

    “I shall miss his visits, his council his humor and his dedication. May I offer my deepest sympathy to his beloved wife, Carolyn, his family, his friends, and constituents. Dave remained true to his family, his community, and his country. I shall especially miss his wit, ingenuity, laughter, and unceasing efforts to better the living conditions for the people of our nation.”

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: FACT SHEET: UPDATE: Biden-⁠ Harris Administration Continues Life-Saving Preparations for Hurricane  Milton

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    The Biden-Harris Administration continues to mobilize a whole-of-government effort to prepare for the impacts of Hurricane Milton, including pre-positioning resources and personnel and expediting debris removal efforts in Florida. These actions supplement the ongoing response and recovery efforts to the impacts of Hurricane Helene across the Southeast and Appalachia.
    Today, President Biden was briefed by members of his Administration who are driving preparations for Hurricane Milton and recovery efforts for Hurricane Helene. The President directed his team to do everything possible to save lives and help communities before, during, and after these extreme weather events.
    The President urges everyone to be aware of the evacuation orders that are in effect in multiple Florida counties. Shelters are open, and evacuation assistance is available. If you are told to evacuate, do so immediately for your safety and that of your loved ones. If you need a safe place to go nearby, text SHELTER & your zip code to 43362 to get a list of open shelters near you.
    Yesterday, President Biden had calls with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Tampa Mayor Jane Castor to get firsthand reports on recovery efforts for Hurricane Helene and to discuss preparations for Hurricane Milton. The President also spoke with National Weather Service Director Ken Graham, who briefed the President in detail on the forecast and expected impacts of Hurricane Milton for the State of Florida. 
    At the direction of President Biden, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell was on the ground in Tampa, Florida, yesterday, where she met with local leaders to coordinate preparations ahead of Milton’s landfall.
    Yesterday, President Biden quickly approved the Governor of Florida’s request for a pre-landfall emergency declaration. Under an emergency declaration, FEMA provides direct Federal support to states for life-saving activities and other emergency protective measures, such as evacuation, sheltering, and search and rescue. Earlier today, the President also approved an emergency declaration request from the Chairman of the Seminole Tribe of Florida.
    The Administration has been in touch with officials from the State of Florida, as well as more than 60 local officials in cities and counties along the likely path of impact, to ensure needs are met in advance of the storm. The Administration has also been in touch with officials from the Seminole and Miccosukee Tribes. The Administration has also reached out to state officials in South Carolina and Georgia and will continue outreach efforts based on Hurricane Milton’s latest trajectory.
    FEMA has sufficient funding to both support the response to Hurricane Milton and continue to support the ongoing response to and recovery from Hurricane Helene– including funding to support first responders and provide immediate assistance to disaster survivors.
    Additional updates include:
    Pre-Staging Personnel and Resources
    FEMA is pre-staging a full slate of response capabilities in Florida and the region, including seven FEMA Incident Management Assistance Teams, eight FEMA Urban Search & Rescue and swift water rescue teams, three U.S. Coast Guard Swift Water Rescue teams, four Health Care System Assessment Teams, five Disaster Medical Assistance Teams and an Incident Management Team from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
    Additional pre-staged capabilities include U.S Army Corps of Engineers temporary power teams, debris experts and a roofing team, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency debris removal and wastewater experts, and 300 ambulances. In addition, the U.S. Department of Defense is posturing and staging forces to support FEMA and state partners including helicopters for search-and-rescue operations and to enable movement of personnel, equipment and commodities; and High Water Vehicles.  
    FEMA has five incident staging bases with commodities including food and water. Right now, FEMA currently has 20 million meals and 40 million liters of water in the pipeline to deploy as needed to address ongoing Helene and Milton response efforts and can expand as needed.
    Protecting Public Health and Health Care Systems
    Today, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra declared a Public Health Emergency for Florida to address the health impacts of Hurricane Milton, the second public health emergency declaration for the state to aid in a hurricane response within the past two weeks.
    The Department’s Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) pre-positioned approximately 100 responders in Atlanta along with medical equipment and supplies to support the delivery of health care services in Florida following the landfall of Hurricane Milton. The deployed personnel include ASPR Health Care Situational Assessment Teams who stand ready to work with state officials to assess the storm’s impacts on hospitals, nursing homes, dialysis centers, and other health care facilities and a Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) from ASPR’s National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) for rapid response following health care assessments. A second DMAT is being pre-positioned in Atlanta to support additional response to either Hurricane Helene or Hurricane Milton, as needed.
    In addition to the assessment teams and disaster medical system personnel, ASPR deployed personnel from an Incident Management Team and Regional Emergency Coordinators who integrate with FEMA, state health authorities, and emergency response officials to anticipate and assist Florida in meeting public health and medical needs in the wake of the storm. Logisticians and security personnel are also pre-positioned to provide support. ASPR is prepared to facilitate Public Health Emergencies for Hurricane Milton upon request. ASPR has also supported the HHS emPOWER program, which is available to identify the number of Medicare beneficiaries in affected zips codes who rely on electricity-dependent durable medical equipment and certain healthcare services, such as dialysis, oxygen tank, or home health, to help anticipate, plan for, and respond to the needs of at-risk citizens in potentially impacted areas.
    Preparing for Impacts to Infrastructure
    The Department of Transportation is deploying a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Air Traffic Field Incident Response (FIR) team to Florida and pre-staging operations in Jacksonville to prepare support for any impacted towers and airports. The team will work with the state and local authorities and the Department of Defense within the established Emergency Operations Center. The Department of Transportation is also deploying the FAA Communication Support Team (CST), which plays a critical role in supporting communication restoration at impacted airports. Specifically, the CST will set up Starlink and Mobile Phone Bonding kits, which increase signal stability and data throughout the region. The FAA is placing aircraft on standby to transport personnel from various agencies, mobilize resources, and support damage assessments to infrastructure.
    In addition, similar to the approach on Hurricane Helene, the FAA will continue to closely coordinate with the Department of Defense, the Armed Services, including Active Duty and National Guard units, and State Emergency Operations Centers to support their use of drones to support response and recovery.  Drones can play a critical role in supporting search and rescue operations and damage assessments by providing real time video, imagery, and sensor capabilities in hard-to-reach places.       The Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration is coordinating with the Florida Department of Transportation and monitoring the situation to be prepared to support.
    The Environmental Protection Agency is working closely with Federal, state, local, and Tribal partners to support water systems, prepare for debris management, and ensure facilities, including Superfund sites, maintain critical public health and environmental protections while they recover from Hurricane Helene and prepare for Hurricane Milton. The agency has personnel on the ground in regional and national operations centers who are continuing to respond to Hurricane Helene and are preparing to offer support, guidance, and assistance to the State of Florida and everyone in the new storm’s path.
    Additional Pre-Landfall Preparations
    The Department of the Interior’s U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is deploying wave sensors at eight locations in Florida between Naples and Crystal River to measure the coastal waves caused by the storm. USGS Field crews are also installing one rapid-deployment gauge on the Sunshine Skyway bridge in St. Petersburg, Florida. This specialized piece of equipment is a fully-functional streamgage designed to be deployed quickly and temporarily to measure and transmit real-time water level data in emergency situations. This data can be used by decision makers and emergency managers to monitor water levels as they work to save lives and property.
    The Department of Energy’s Energy Response Organization remains activated to respond to storm impacts. Via the Electricity Sub-Sector Coordinating Council and Oil and Natural Gas Sub-Sector Coordinating Council, the Department of Energy has been coordinating continuously with energy sector partners on both the ongoing Hurricane Helene response and potential impacts from Hurricane Milton.
    The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has notified local public housing authorities and owners of its assisted multifamily and heath care properties within the State of Florida to immediately implement all appropriate safety protocols for residents and workers. HUD is committed to ensuring that residents of its assisted homes and properties receive critical information that can save lives during extreme weather events. HUD is also conducting outreach and communications on the programmatic flexibilities and waivers that can be utilized to assist communities and survivors.
    The Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) announced it is extending measures to assist customers, U.S. exporters, and financial institutions impacted by Hurricane Helene and forecasted to be impacted by Hurricane Milton. EXIM is offering assistance to allow businesses and financial institutions that participate in EXIM’s programs to return to their business concerns when appropriate and without penalty due to missed deadlines or other timeliness issues.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Brown Calls on Administration to Provide Disaster Loans to Small Businesses Affected by May Explosion in Downtown Youngstown

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Ohio Sherrod Brown

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) called on the Biden Administration to grant Ohio’s request to make Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) available to Youngstown businesses impacted by the downtown Realty Tower explosion on May 28, 2024.

    In a letter to U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman and Associate Administrator Francisco Sánchez Jr., Brown detailed the impact of the explosion on local businesses and urged SBA to provide assistance. The letter follows an official request from the state that was submitted on Monday.

    “While downtown businesses have re-opened, many were significantly impacted and have requested help. Following the May explosion, I heard directly from businesses, workers, and residents who were negatively affected by the explosion. Business owners shared the economic challenges this emergency brought, and I urge you to answer their call for support,” Brown wrote.

    In July, Brown called on the Secretary of the Treasury and the IRS Commissioner to declare that relief payments Youngstown residents received from the Red Cross, the United Way, and Enbridge Gas in connection to the explosion be deemed tax exempt. Brown is pushing the IRS to declare the tragic explosion “of a catastrophic nature,” and qualify the payments as nontaxable. Earlier that week, Brown hosted a roundtable with government officials, businesses, workers and residents of downtown Youngstown who have been negatively affected by the May 28 Realty Tower Explosion. Brown and residents discussed the ongoing recovery efforts.

    Full text of the letter can be found HERE or below.

    Dear Administrator Casillas Guzman and Administrator Sanchez: 

    I write to urge you to act swiftly on the request by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine for the Small Business Administration (SBA) to make Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) available to Youngstown businesses impacted by the downtown explosion on May 28, 2024. 

    The explosion resulted in one fatality, nine serious injuries, and massive property damage. In addition, the event displaced hundreds of residents from their homes, forced several businesses to close temporarily, and required the demolition of a historic building.

    While downtown businesses have re-opened, many were significantly impacted and have requested help. Following the May explosion, I heard directly from businesses, workers, and residents who were negatively affected by the explosion. Business owners shared the economic challenges this emergency brought, and I urge you to answer their call for support. In his request for SBA EIDL assistance, Governor DeWine has found that the sustained losses to businesses meet the threshold for SBA disaster assistance and that businesses are in need of financial assistance not otherwise available on reasonable terms.

    I fully support Governor DeWine’s request and urge your prompt consideration. Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. 

    Thank you,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Australia – CommSec nudges 3 million users as mobile and international trading takes off

    Source: Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA)

    Nearly half of CommSec customers and 75 per cent of CommSec Pocket users are under 40.

    Young Australians are flocking to self-directed investing according to CommSec with new accounts increasing by 37 percent year-on-year, taking Australia’s leading digital investment platform to almost 3 million customers.  

    According to CommSec data , investors under 40 make up nearly half of all CommSec’s customers and 48 per cent of trades are now made via mobile.  

    The analysis also reveals the popularity of international trading and CommSec Pocket, with new accounts up 96 per cent and 50 per cent respectively over the year to June 30, 2024.

    CommSec’s international trading platform offers a fast account set-up experience and easy access to 13 international equity markets including the US, Canada, Japan and the UK, with brokerage rates starting from USD$5 on US markets.

    Through CommSec Pocket, investors with as little as $50 can build an investing portfolio over time by choosing from ten themed investment options, providing the opportunity to align their investments to their interests, whether that be tech, sustainability leaders, or the biggest 200 companies on the Aussie market, or globally.

    “The growing popularity of our international trading platform and CommSec Pocket points to investor demand for a simple, accessible, low-cost trading experience and we’re pleased to see significant customer growth across both platforms over the past year,” said CommSec Executive General Manager James Fowle.

    “With investors under 40 making up nearly half of our 2.9 million customers, CommSec’s low-cost, intuitive and educational investment platform has been built to meet the needs of the next generation of investors. Likewise, our investment in delivering a market-leading mobile experience continues to gather momentum as trading via this channel grows across our customer base,” Mr Fowle added.

    Female investors now make up 38 per cent of CommSec accounts, with data indicating that they were more likely to invest in the ASX200 than their male counterparts over the past year.

    The CommSec data revealed a number of additional insights into customers:

    343,000 new CommSec accounts opened in FY241
    The five most traded domestic shares by value2:

    BHP Group Ltd (ASX:BHP)
    Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX:CBA)
    Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG)
    Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX:WDS)
    Pilbara Minerals (ASX:PLS)
     

    The five most traded international shares by value:

    NVIDIA Corp (NASDAQ:NVDA)
    Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA)
    ProShares UltraPro QQQ (NASDAQ:TQQQ)
    Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL)
    MicroStrategy Inc (NASDAQ) MSTR

    5 August 2024 was the highest value trading day since 14 June 2022, coinciding with a 3% drop in the S&P 500 index following a disappointing U.S. employment report.

    CommSec is Australia’s leading online broker, offering the best mobile trading solutions for self-directed retail investors and has been recognised by Canstar for its category leading features. CommSec is a subsidiary of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia.

    For more information, visit: commsec.com.au

    1CommSec customer insights as at 30/6/24
    2CommSec customer insights in the six months to 29/9/24

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Gabe Vasquez Touts Good Paying Jobs, Inflation Reduction Act at Array Technologies

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Gabe Vasquez’s (NM-02)

    ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Today, October 2, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (N.M.-02) toured Array Technologies and spoke with executives, site leaders and New Mexico’s Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department officials about the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) on solar manufacturing.

    “New Mexico’s homegrown company, Array Technologies, is creating domestic manufacturing jobs thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act. These jobs are leading the way to securing our domestic energy supply and harnessing the power of our natural resources. Array’s new facility in my district will employ over 300 New Mexicans, powering the growth of the West Mesa,” said Vasquez. “Array’s expansion is expected to inject over $300 million into the local economy over the next decade. This is the kind of economic impact that strengthens our district and keeps families here in New Mexico.” 

    During the roundtable, they discussed plans for the new production facility in the district and how these investments will bring more good-paying jobs to the area. Array Technologies, an Albuquerque-based global leader in solar tracking systems, recently broke ground on a new production facility on Albuquerque’s West Side. 

    The IRA is a game changer for renewable energy. The 45X Advanced Manufacturing Production Tax Credit is directly supporting the growth of solar manufacturing at Array. This credit incentivizes domestic production, which means more investments in local workforces and supply chains. These efforts, along with the strategic investments in solar manufacturing, are part of Vasquez’s broader commitment to ensuring New Mexico remains a hub for renewable energy innovation.

    Once fully operational, Array’s new facility will increase production of solar tracker systems, key elements of utility-scale solar installations. Thanks to the domestic content bonus credit from the IRA, Array is on track to offer 100 percent U.S.-made solar trackers by 2025, strengthening local supply chains and creating more opportunities.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: For National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day, NREL Spotlights Innovations To Make, Move, Store, and Use Hydrogen

    Source: US National Renewable Energy Laboratory

    NREL’s Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Research Is Unlocking the Energy Potential of Hydrogen

    Researchers work on an electrolyzer stack that splits water into hydrogen and oxygen using renewable electricity. Photo by Werner Slocum, NREL

    October 8 (10.08) is national hydrogen and fuel cell day—a nod to the atomic weight of the most abundant element in the universe: 1.008.

    This year, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) marks the occasion by spotlighting its hydrogen and fuel cell research, which is lowering the cost and increasing the scale of technologies to make, store, move, and use hydrogen across multiple energy sectors.

    Hydrogen is a simple and versatile energy carrier that can provide clean energy for the most difficult-to-decarbonize sectors. Together, those attributes make hydrogen a key part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) efforts to enable a clean and low-carbon economy. Through its Hydrogen Shot, DOE aims to reduce the cost of clean hydrogen to $1 per kilogram by 2031.

    NREL research and development (R&D) supports DOE goals and enables industry to take advantage of the broad potential of hydrogen—whether used as fuel for heavy-duty vehicles, a feedstock for sustainable chemical and steel production, or a medium for storing energy.

    Below are some highlights from the last year of NREL hydrogen R&D.

    R&D Highlights

    Megawatt-Scale Hydrogen Systems Research Kicks Off at NREL’s Flatirons Campus

    NREL highlighted the status and initial performance of the grid-integrated megawatt-scale hydrogen electrolysis, compression, storage, and fuel cell generator system at NREL’s Flatirons Campus in a webinar. The presentation included details about ongoing research using NREL’s Advanced Research on Integrated Energy Systems capabilities as well as future areas of research asset development.

    NREL’s integrated megawatt-scale hydrogen technologies system allows partners and researchers to create, store, and use hydrogen in a full grid environment. Photo by Josh Bauer/Bryan Bechtold, NREL

    Offshore Wind Turbines Offer Path for Clean Hydrogen Production

    Producing hydrogen at a cost that approaches the DOE goal for low-cost clean hydrogen depends significantly on both the technology used and production location. Using electricity generated by offshore wind turbines as one pathway to split water to produce clean hydrogen may make economic sense, particularly along the U.S. Atlantic Coast and in the Gulf of Mexico, according to researchers at NREL.

    NREL Selected as Part of $1.6M in Federal Funding To Explore Potential of Geologic Hydrogen

    Geologic hydrogen is currently a poorly understood but potentially groundbreaking energy resource involving certain types of rocks and subsurface environments that produce natural hydrogen. NREL was recently selected as one of 16 teams to research enhanced production of geologic hydrogen. Together with partners, NREL will help stimulate hydrogen production from iron-rich mafic and ultramafic rocks via chemical, mechanical, and biological processes.

    New NREL-Led Lab Consortium To Enable High-Volume Manufacturing of Electrolyzers and Fuel Cells

    Launched in 2024, the Roll-to-Roll (R2R) Consortium aims to advance efficient, high-throughput, and high-quality manufacturing methods and processes to accelerate domestic manufacturing and reduce the cost of durable, high-performance proton exchange membrane fuel cell and electrolyzer systems. R2R joins a expanding group of national laboratory consortia, each with a strategic focus to facilitate low-cost, clean hydrogen technologies.

    NREL’s roll-to-roll web line is used for research of in-line quality control monitoring techniques for battery, electrolyzer, and fuel cell materials. Photo by Werner Slocum, NREL

    NREL Advances Hydrogen Fuel Dispensing for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles

    In another webinar, NREL highlighted research advances in fueling protocols, dispensing hardware, codes and standards, and station architecture for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. Researchers performed fast-flow fueling tests at NREL and benchmarked system performance exceeding industry and DOE targets; adapted the H2FillS model for heavy-duty applications; and performed analysis of fueling protocol impacts on station design, station cost, and vehicle cost. Several team members were also recognized by DOE for their outstanding leadership and contributions.

    NREL’s heavy-duty hydrogen fueling team. Photo by Agata Bogucka, NREL

    NREL Model Fast-Tracks Hydrogen Supply Chain Infrastructure Deployment

    Reducing capital and viability risks for infrastructure investment decisions will accelerate the adoption of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles. NREL is helping stakeholders forecast demand and minimize infrastructure buildout costs. NREL’s Scenario Evaluation and Regionalization Analysis model optimizes hydrogen infrastructure buildout necessary to meet the growing needs of an emerging, dynamic market at a geographic and temporal level.

    Project Demonstrates Clean Supply Chain of the Future, Using Today’s Technology

    For 12 months, zero-emissions vehicles powered a clean demonstration supply chain—from battery-electric harbor cranes, which unloaded cargo containers from ships, to hydrogen-powered trucks, which drove goods from ports to storefronts across Southern California. Then NREL researchers quantified the findings. Now, the results from the Port of Los Angeles’ Shore to Store project are in: A zero-tailpipe-emissions supply chain is possible, using today’s technologies.

    Learn More

    Read the DOE blog, Celebrate Hydrogen Day All Week Long, to learn about how you can get involved in this week’s celebration and learn a few fun facts about hydrogen!

    Learn more about NREL’s research in hydrogen and fuel cells.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: PHOTOS AVAILABLE: Governor Cooper, FEMA Administrator Criswell, Federal Highway Administration Officials Travel to Yancey and Mitchell Counties to Survey Damage, Thank First Responders

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: PHOTOS AVAILABLE: Governor Cooper, FEMA Administrator Criswell, Federal Highway Administration Officials Travel to Yancey and Mitchell Counties to Survey Damage, Thank First Responders

    PHOTOS AVAILABLE: Governor Cooper, FEMA Administrator Criswell, Federal Highway Administration Officials Travel to Yancey and Mitchell Counties to Survey Damage, Thank First Responders
    mseets

    Today, Governor Roy Cooper traveled to Burnsville in Yancey County and Spruce Pine in Mitchell County and was joined by FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, Federal Highway Administration Acting Administrator Kristin White and other state and federal officials to assess storm damage, thank volunteers and speak with people impacted by Hurricane Helene. The Governor visited the Burnsville and Spruce Pine fire departments and toured the Sibelco Quartz Mine in Spruce Pine, a facility that is integral to the global production of solar panels and semiconductor chips and a major employer in Mitchell County. The facility has been temporarily shut down due to impacts from Helene.

    “Today I visited Burnsville and Spruce Pine where more heroic work is being done by volunteers and first responders to save lives and get relief to people who need it,” said Governor Cooper. “We’ll continue our around-the-clock work to surge resources and aid into Western North Carolina, helping communities recover and working to re-open facilities like the Sibelco Quartz Mine that are critical for both local and global economies.”

    The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is working to quickly get food, water and baby formula to impacted areas in Western North Carolina. DHHS has distributed over 30,000 gallons of water to Mitchell County and nearly 25,000 gallons to Yancey County. In addition, over 95,000 meals ready to eat (MREs) have been distributed to Mitchell County and over 55,000 to Yancey County. Eight pallets of formula via the National Guard have been distributed to 34 feeding sites across Western North Carolina.

    Photos from the Governor’s visit to Yancey and Mitchell counties can be found here.

    North Carolina National Guard and Military Response

    More than 3,000 Soldiers and Airmen are now working in Western North Carolina. Joint Task Force- North Carolina, the task force led by the North Carolina National Guard is made up of Soldiers and Airmen from 12 different states, two different XVIII Airborne Corps units from Ft. Liberty, a unit from Ft. Campbell’s 101st Airborne Division, and numerous civilian entities are working side-by-side to get the much-needed help to the citizens in western North Carolina.

    National Guard and military personnel are operating more than 40 helicopters and more than 1,200 specialized vehicles in Western North Carolina to facilitate these missions. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is helping to assess water and wastewater plants and dams. Residents can track the status of the public water supply in their area through a website launched on Saturday.

    FEMA Assistance

    More than $37 million in FEMA Individual Assistance funds have been paid so far to Western NC disaster survivors and more than 123,000 people have registered for Individual Assistance. Approximately 2,600 people are now housed in hotels through FEMA’s Transitional Sheltering Assistance. Federal partners have delivered approximately 9.78 million liters of water and approximately 7.7 million meals in North Carolina to support both responders and people living in the affected communities.

    More than 900 FEMA staff are in the state to help with the western North Carolina relief effort. In addition to search and rescue and providing commodities, they are meeting with disaster survivors in shelters and neighborhoods to provide rapid access to relief resources. They can be identified by their FEMA logo apparel and federal government identification.

    The Major Disaster Declaration requested by Governor Cooper and granted by President Biden now includes 27 North Carolina counties (Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey) and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

    North Carolinians can apply for Individual Assistance by calling 1-800-621-3362 from 7am to 11pm daily or by visiting www.disasterassistance.gov, or by downloading the FEMA app. FEMA may be able to help with serious needs, displacement, temporary lodging, basic home repair costs, personal property loss or other disaster-caused needs.

    Help from Other States

    More than 1,300 responders from 35 state and local agencies have performed 118 missions supporting the response and recovery efforts through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC). This includes public health nurses, emergency management teams supporting local governments, veterinarians, teams with search dogs and more.

    Beware of Misinformation

    North Carolina Emergency Management and local officials are cautioning the public about false Helene reports and misinformation being shared on social media. NCEM has launched a fact versus rumor response webpage to provide factual information in the wake of this storm. FEMA also has a rumor response webpage.

    Food, Water and Commodity Points of Distribution

    Efforts continue to provide food, water and basic necessities to residents in affected communities, using both ground resources and air drops from the NC National Guard. More than 20,000 hot meals a day are being prepared and served by mobile kitchens. Food, water and commodity points of distribution are open throughout western North Carolina. For information on these sites in your community, visit your local emergency management and local government social media and websites or visit ncdps.gov/Helene.

    Missing Persons

    To report a missing person or request non-emergency support, please call NC 211 or 1-888-892-1162 if calling from out-of-state. NC 211 also has a registry page for missing persons and welfare check requests.

    Shelters

    A total of 17 shelters are open in Western North Carolina serving 737 people and 106 pets.

    Storm Damage Cleanup

    If your home has damages and you need assistance with clean up, please call Crisis Cleanup for access to volunteer organizations that can assist you at 844-965-1386.

    Power Outages

    Across Western North Carolina, more than 107,000 customers remain without power as of Tuesday, down from a peak of more than 1 million. Overall power outage numbers will fluctuate up and down as power crews temporarily take circuits or substations offline to make repairs and restore additional customers.

    Road Closures

    Travel remains dangerous, with hundreds of roads closed. Many of these roads are primary routes connecting the region. As connectivity and reporting measures improve, these number may increase.

    NCDOT is asking people to avoid unnecessary travel to or in Western North Carolina. NCDOT has posted at ncdot.gov an interstate detour map for travelers to avoid western N.C. NCDOT currently has more than 2,050 employees and 1,100 pieces of equipment working on approximately 4,700 damaged road sites.

    Fatalities

    Eighty-nine storm-related deaths have been confirmed in North Carolina by the Office of Chief Medical Examiner. We expect that this number will continue to rise over the coming days. The North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will continue to confirm numbers twice daily. If you have an emergency or believe that someone is in danger, please call 911. To report that you have been unable to reach a person in Western North Carolina, please call 211.

    Volunteers and Donations

    Due to dangerous road conditions and the need to maintain open routes for emergency operations, travel to Western North Carolina is strongly discouraged. Instead, consider the following options for donations and volunteer opportunities:

    • If you would like to donate to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund, visit nc.gov/donate. Donations will help to support local nonprofits working on the ground.
    • For information on volunteer opportunities, please visit nc.gov/volunteernc

    Additional Assistance

    There is no right or wrong way to feel in response to the trauma of a hurricane. If you have been impacted by the storm and need someone to talk to, call or text the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990. Help is also available to anyone, anytime in English or Spanish through a call, text or chat to 988. Learn more at 988Lifeline.org.

    If you are seeking a representative from the North Carolina Joint Information Center, please email ncempio@ncdps.gov or call 919-825-2599.

    For general information, access to resources, or answers to frequently asked questions, please visit ncdps.gov/helene.

    If you are seeking information on resources for recovery help for a resident impacted from the storm, please email IArecovery@ncdps.gov.

    ###

    Oct 8, 2024

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: The renewable energy hidden in our wastewater ponds – here’s how it could work

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Faith Jeremiah, Lecturer in Business Management (Entrepreneurship and Innovation), Lincoln University, New Zealand

    Getty Images

    New Zealand is confronting a perfect storm.

    Its energy grid faces three pressing challenges at once: an unreliable electricity supply, strict emissions reduction targets and ongoing environmental issues related to wastewater ponds.

    As the country prepares to meet growing energy demands, the variability of wind, solar and hydroelectric power has made year-round electricity generation hard to ensure.

    Compounding the issue are New Zealand’s emissions targets and avoidable emissions from wastewater treatment plants.

    We need immediate, practical solutions. One lies hidden within our wastewater systems.

    Three challenges, one solution

    In the search for viable renewable energy sources, one option is to install floating solar panels on wastewater ponds. However, the initial costs and environmental concerns related to manufacturing and disposal may pose temporary challenges.

    A more immediate and cost-effective solution is already available: biogas membrane covers.

    These covers generate continuous energy at half the cost of solar while addressing environmental concerns such as methane emissions and algal growth.

    Even greater efficiency and environmental benefits are possible through combining biogas covers with heat systems and floating solar panels. Together, these three technologies suggest a multi-pronged solution that could help stabilise the grid, meet emissions targets and improve wastewater management.

    Biogas from wasterwater

    Methane emissions from wastewater ponds are a major environmental concern, contributing significantly to New Zealand’s overall greenhouse gas footprint. By installing biogas membrane covers, this methane can be captured before it escapes into the atmosphere, and instead be used to generate electricity.

    This creates a year-round, consistent energy supply – something traditional renewables such as wind, solar and hydro cannot always guarantee.

    From a cost perspective, biogas systems are about 50% cheaper to install than solar power per kilowatt of energy produced. Also, because these systems produce energy continuously, they are ten times more cost-effective than solar panels, which suffer from intermittency issues.

    But beyond energy production, these covers offer other environmental benefits. They limit harmful emissions and curb ongoing complaints about unpleasant odours in neighbourhoods near wastewater treatment plants.

    Excessive algal growth is a recurring problem for wastewater treatment plants.
    Getty Images

    Repurposing excess heat

    While biogas systems have enormous potential, they do have one significant drawback. The heat generated during methane combustion can cause wastewater ponds to overheat, leading to operational challenges such as excessive algal growth.

    This is where cogeneration or combined heat and power systems come into play.

    These systems capture the excess heat from biogas combustion and convert it into additional electricity. This not only improves energy efficiency but also regulates the temperature of the wastewater ponds, helping to reduce algal growth and evaporation.

    The third part of an integrated solution involves solar panels which can be installed on top of the biogas covers. While these are more expensive to install initially, they collectively contribute valuable gains. When installed on the surface of wastewater ponds, the panels generate additional renewable energy without taking up valuable land space.

    Floating solar panels can also help manage the ponds themselves. By reducing sunlight penetration, they help limit the growth of algae.

    Wastewater ponds as energy hubs

    The beauty of an integrated approach is that it addresses several problems simultaneously.

    By rethinking wastewater ponds as renewable energy hubs, New Zealand can turn an existing problem into a key part of the solution.

    Biogas membrane covers provide immediate energy and emissions benefits. Combined heat and power systems boost efficiency by converting waste heat into electricity. And floating solar panels maximise renewable output while improving wastewater management.

    Independently, these systems have been successful overseas. In Melbourne, methane from wastewater ponds is captured and converted into renewable energy, powering thousands of homes. Meanwhile, in parts of the United States, floating solar panels are increasingly being used to boost energy production while managing water systems.

    The success of these projects provides a blueprint for New Zealand. By combining these technologies into cohesive systems, New Zealand could demonstrate how environmental challenges can be transformed into opportunities.

    The future of renewable energy will require continued exploration and integration of emerging technologies, such as tandem solar cells capable of producing 60% more energy. These could be integrated into biogas membrane covers.

    For now, though, an integration of biogas, heat and floating solar panels represents a significant step forward for New Zealand. It could generate enough power to supply about 27% of households with renewable energy from wastewater ponds, offering immediate relief from the electricity crisis while supporting emissions reduction targets.

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

    – ref. The renewable energy hidden in our wastewater ponds – here’s how it could work – https://theconversation.com/the-renewable-energy-hidden-in-our-wastewater-ponds-heres-how-it-could-work-240300

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Van Drew Calls for Federal Investigation into Atlantic City Electric

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jeff Van Drew (NJ02)

    Washington, DC –Today, Congressman Van Drew formally requested that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) launch a comprehensive federal audit and investigation into the market practices and billing procedures of Atlantic City Electric (ACE). This follows a surge of complaints from South Jersey residents facing massive spikes in their electricity bills, with many seeing charges double, triple, or even quadruple without explanation.

    “These outrageous bills have been crippling for families, and the field hearing we held today on this growing crisis confirmed what we have suspected all along: ACE’s practices demand federal scrutiny,” said Congressman Van Drew. “The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) has failed in its responsibility to act, leaving us no choice but to escalate this to the federal level. I am formally requesting that FERC and the DOJ conduct a thorough investigation to not only determine if ACE’s inconsistent practices are lawful but also to demand justice for the people of South Jersey by imposing penalties against ACE and mandating rebates for those who have been unfairly overcharged. I will not tolerate these unjust practices and I will not stop fighting until the people of South Jersey get the accountability and relief they deserve.”

    The information gathered during today’s hearing will be sent to FERC and the DOJ for immediate review. To watch the full hearing, click here.

    To read the full letter to FERC, click here.

    To read the full letter to the DOJ, click here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: Council of Ministers meeting on 9 October 2024

    MIL OSI Translation. Timor-Leste Portuguese to English –

    Presidency of the Council of Ministers

    Spokesperson for the Government of Timor-Leste
    ……………………………………………. ……………………………………………. …………………….

    Press release

    Council of Ministers meeting on 9 October 2024

    The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace in Dili and decided to grant full powers to the Minister of Planning and Strategic Investment, Gastão Francisco de Sousa, to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Government of the Republic of Indonesia, within the scope of development cooperation. The agreement is expected to be signed on October 11, during the official visit of Minister Gastão Francisco de Sousa to Jakarta.

    This memorandum of understanding covers several areas of development cooperation, including building basic infrastructure, promoting affordable renewable energy, creating sustainable cities and communities, fostering agriculture and rural development, encouraging tourism, improving the health and education sectors, stimulating private sector investment, promoting digital development, social inclusion, and climate change mitigation efforts. ENDS

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI: (Updated) NANO Nuclear Energy Reinforces its Nuclear Technology and Engineering Team Further with the Addition of Leading Researchers

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York, N.Y., Oct. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: NNE) (“NANO Nuclear” or “the Company”), a leading advanced nuclear energy and technology company focused on developing portable, clean energy solutions, today announced that Professor Andrew W. Woods, Ph.D. and Alejandra de Lara, BSc, MPhil have joined its Nuclear Technology and Engineering Team.

    “It is a pleasure to see our Nuclear Technology and Engineering team grow with the additions of Dr. Woods and Alejandra,” said Prof. Ian Farnan, Lead for Nuclear Fuel Cycle, Radiation and Materials at NANO Nuclear Energy. “Their experience and unique expertise are a timely addition to the team and the next phase of the development of the ‘ODIN’ microreactor.”

    “We are very happy to welcome Dr. Woods and Alejandra to the team,” said Eugene Shwageraus, Lead of Nuclear Reactor Engineering of NANO Nuclear Energy. “The next steps in the development of ‘ODIN’ require a dedicated team of experts to ensure the technology is ready to meet regulatory requirements and progress towards commercialization. I am delighted to work alongside Dr. Woods and Alejandra and develop a portable, secure and reliable solution to the world’s growing energy needs.”

    Dr. Woods’ research focuses on developing simplified mathematical and experimental models to study complex fluid flow and heat transfer processes in single and multiphase flow. Applications of his work span various fields, including the dynamics of explosive volcanic eruptions, geothermal power generation, carbon sequestration, and large scale, subsurface energy storage. In recognition of his contributions, Dr. Woods was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) in 2017. He is a Professor in the University of Cambridge.

    Figure 1 – NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. Bolsters its Nuclear Technology and Engineering Team with the Additions of Professor Andrew W. Woods (left) and Alejandra de Lara, BSc, MPhil (right).

    Alejandra de Lara has submitted her Ph.D. for examination at the University of Cambridge. Her Ph.D. project was sponsored by Framatome and focused on adapting fuel behavior prediction codes to molten salt-cooled reactors and analyzing their benefits compared to Light Water Reactors.

    Her research demonstrated several fuel design features that would improve the performance of salt-cooled reactors. High-temperature operation of such reactors enables greater thermodynamic efficiency in power conversion using advanced cycles, while also allowing for the direct use of nuclear heat to drive industrial processes such as synthetic fuel production, hydrogen generation, and district heating.

    “The ‘ODIN’ team has grown rapidly in recent months, and it is a pleasure to welcome Dr. Woods and Alejandra,” said James Walker, Chief Executive Officer, and Head of Reactor Development of NANO Nuclear Energy. “Dr. Woods is an experienced and well-versed leader in the field of complex fluid flow and heat transfer processes and I am certain his skills will be invaluable in the next steps of ‘ODIN’s” development. Similarly, Alejandra has proven herself as a leading young researcher and is the perfect example of the next generation’s excellence in nuclear science.”

    About NANO Nuclear Energy, Inc.

    NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: NNE) is an advanced technology-driven nuclear energy company seeking to become a commercially focused, diversified, and vertically integrated company across four business lines: (i) cutting edge portable microreactor technology, (ii) nuclear fuel fabrication, (iii) nuclear fuel transportation and (iv) nuclear industry consulting services. NANO Nuclear believes it is the first portable nuclear microreactor company to be listed publicly in the U.S.

    Led by a world-class nuclear engineering team, NANO Nuclear’s products in technical development are “ZEUS”, a solid core battery reactor, and “ODIN”, a low-pressure coolant reactor, each representing advanced developments in clean energy solutions that are portable, on-demand capable, advanced nuclear microreactors.

    Advanced Fuel Transportation Inc. (AFT), a NANO Nuclear subsidiary, is led by former executives from the largest transportation company in the world aiming to build a North American transportation company that will provide commercial quantities of HALEU fuel to small modular reactors, microreactor companies, national laboratories, military, and DOE programs. Through NANO Nuclear, AFT is the exclusive licensee of a patented high-capacity HALEU fuel transportation basket developed by three major U.S. national nuclear laboratories and funded by the Department of Energy. Assuming development and commercialization, AFT is expected to form part of the only vertically integrated nuclear fuel business of its kind in North America.

    HALEU Energy Fuel Inc. (HEF), a NANO Nuclear subsidiary, is focusing on the future development of a domestic source for a High-Assay, Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) fuel fabrication pipeline for NANO Nuclear’s own microreactors as well as the broader advanced nuclear reactor industry.

    For more corporate information please visit: https://NanoNuclearEnergy.com/

    For further information, please contact:

    Email: IR@NANONuclearEnergy.com
    Business Tel: (212) 634-9206
    PLEASE FOLLOW OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES HERE:
    NANO Nuclear Energy LINKEDIN
    NANO Nuclear Energy YOUTUBE
    NANO Nuclear Energy TWITTER

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

    This news release and statements of NANO Nuclear’s management in connection with this news release or related events contain or may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In this context, forward-looking statements (including the anticipated benefits to NANO Nuclear of the engineering personnel described herein and statements regarding NANO Nuclear’s regulatory and licensing processes) mean statements related to future events, which may impact our expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as “expects”, “anticipates”, “intends”, “plans”, “believes”, “potential”, “will”, “should”, “could”, “would” or “may” and other words of similar meaning. These forward-looking statements are based on information available to us as of the date of this news release and represent management’s current views and assumptions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, events or results and involve significant known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may be beyond our control. For NANO Nuclear, particular risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements include but are not limited to the following: (i) risks related to our U.S. Department of Energy (“DOE”) nuclear fuel manufacturing submission and the development of new or advanced technology, including difficulties with design and testing, cost overruns, development of competitive technology, (ii) our ability to obtain contracts and funding to be able to continue operations, (iii) risks related to uncertainty regarding our ability to technologically develop and commercially deploy a competitive advanced nuclear reactor technology, (iv) risks related to the impact of government regulation and policies including by the DOE and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, including those associated with the recently enacted ADVANCE Act, and (v) similar risks and uncertainties associated with the business of a start-up business operating a highly regulated industry. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this news release. These factors may not constitute all factors that could cause actual results to differ from those discussed in any forward-looking statement, and the NANO Nuclear therefore encourages investors to review other factors that may affect future results in its filings with the SEC, which are available for review at http://www.sec.gov and at https://ir.nanonuclearenergy.com/financial-information/sec-filings. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as a predictor of actual results. We do not undertake to update our forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this news release, except as required by law.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI China: Heavy-duty gas turbine undergoes first ignition test

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    A view of China’s self-developed 300 MW F-class heavy-duty gas turbine. [Photo/Xinhua]

    China’s independently developed 300 megawatt F-class heavy-duty gas turbine successfully completed its first ignition test on Monday in Shanghai’s Lingang area, underscoring the nation’s advancements toward enhanced energy security and sustainable development.

    The 300MW F-class unit, developed by China United Gas Turbine Technology Co, represents the largest and most technologically advanced heavy-duty gas turbine China has developed entirely through domestic efforts. Its technical indicators match those of mainstream international F-class turbine models currently in operation worldwide, according to the website of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

    The ignition validates the turbine’s overall design integrity, manufacturing quality and functionality of the testing systems, paving the way for comprehensive operational verification trials.

    “This breakthrough follows over eight years of intensive research and development,” said Minister Jin Zhuanglong. “This successful ignition is another milestone following the rollout of the first prototype in February, officially advancing the program into full machine testing and validation.”

    Mo Jingfei, director of the science and technology management department at China United Gas Turbine Technology, highlighted the unit’s generating capacity.

    “It is estimated that under a combined cycle configuration, a single set of this equipment could generate approximately 450,000 kilowatts per hour — equivalent to one-eighth of the average hourly electricity consumption in Beijing,” he was quoted by Xinhua News Agency.

    Compared with the generation efficiency of 35-46 percent for conventional thermal power, the generation efficiency of combined cycle power plants can reach 55 percent, and can be coupled with new energy to better meet user demands in peak adjustment, Mo added.

    As a type of internal combustion and a core engine in the energy sector, gas turbines generate power by burning fuel like natural gas mixed with air to spin turbine blades. They can operate continuously for long periods in high-temperature, high-stress and highly corrosive environments. Based on operating temperatures, the heavy-duty units are classified into E, F, G/H and J classes, with F-class representing the mainstream global model operating at around 1,400 C.

    Compared to traditional coal and oil-fired power plants, natural gas-fired turbines emit significantly lower levels of pollutants. Their carbon dioxide emissions are approximately half those of coal-fired power plants, making this cleaner, more sustainable technology essential for China and other nations striving to meet environmental goals. These turbines have widespread applications in ground-based power generation and peak shaving for power grids.

    However, developing huge, ultrahigh temperature gas turbines is widely regarded as an immense engineering challenge. As reported by local news portal The Paper, for about six decades, the global heavy-duty gas turbine market has been dominated by US, German and Japanese manufacturers, and China’s gas turbine industry has been plagued by latecomer challenges such as design complexity and restricted access to proprietary foreign technologies.

    The tide began to turn in 2012 when China’s State Council launched the national strategic program focused on aero engines and gas turbines. In 2014, major enterprises, including the former China Power Investment Corporation, joined forces to establish a united company in Shanghai to spearhead development efforts through independent design efforts and strategic technology cooperation.

    In 2017, the united company became China United Gas Turbine Technology Co, which was tasked with leading national R&D initiatives from fundamental research to prototype manufacturing and validation.

    MIL OSI China News –