overnor Kathy Hochul today announced the completion of the rehabilitation of Ellicott Town Center, a decades-old 281-unit affordable housing development near downtown in the City of Buffalo. Developed by Beacon Communities and First Shiloh Development LLC, an affiliate of the First Shiloh Baptist Church, the project builds on the State’s historic $50 million investment in Buffalo’s East Side. The $71 million rehabilitation also includes 24 units set aside for older New Yorkers. Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, New York State Homes and Community Renewal has financed more than 11,000 affordable homes in Erie County, including nearly 8,000 in Buffalo. Ellicott Town Center continues this effort and complements Governor Hochul’s $25 billion five-year housing plan, which is on track to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes statewide.
“The $71 million rehabilitation of Ellicott Town Center demonstrates our commitment to revitalizing the East Side and working with faith-based organizations like the First Shiloh Baptist Church to ensure more individuals and families have access to safe, affordable housing,” Governor Hochul said. “This project preserves 281 homes and continues my administration’s focus on building a stronger, more affordable future for all New Yorkers.”
Ellicott Town Center includes four high-rise towers which feature 257 affordable apartments originally built in 1958 and called the Ellicott Mall. The development also includes 24 townhome units, originally constructed in 1998, which remain reserved for New Yorkers age 55 and older. All units are affordable to households with incomes at or below 90 percent of the Area Median Income.
The rehabilitation features both interior and exterior improvements to the buildings, including kitchen and bathroom updates in all apartments, new roofs, windows, siding, sidewalks, and enhanced lighting. The improvements have increased the building’s efficiency and are expected to lead to a 20 percent energy savings.
Construction at Ellicott Town Center took place in phases, with residents temporarily moved to vacant units during the project.
State financing for Ellicott Town Center rehabilitation includes support from HCR’s Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program that generated $31 million in equity, nearly $36 million in tax exempt housing bonds, and nearly $23 million in HCR subsidy. The development also benefits from $300,000 in Clean Energy Initiative, a partnership between HCR and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) that aligns the development and preservation of affordable housing with New York’s affordable and just transition to a clean energy economy.
New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, “The $71 million revitalization of Ellicott Town Center not only preserves 281 affordable homes on Buffalo’s East Side, it also transforms underutilized and aging buildings into vibrant, modern homes that will serve this neighborhood for years to come. Thank you to our partners at Beacon Communities and First Shiloh Development LLC for their work on this remarkable development that contributes to Governor Hochul’s vision for a more equitable and sustainable future for Western New York.”
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority President and CEO Doreen Harris said, “New York continues to transform its aging building stock with the latest clean energy technologies, demonstrating pathways to affordable, modern housing throughout the state. This project maintains the development’s original mission to serve older New Yorkers and invest in Buffalo’s East Side community while allowing current and future residents to benefit from an energy efficient, quality and comfortable living environment.”
Senator Chuck Schumer said, “Every family in Buffalo deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. I’m proud that the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit that I worked hard to protect and expand has delivered millions to rehabilitate nearly 300 homes at Ellicott Town Center on Buffalo’s East Side. High housing costs are a key driver of inflation so we must build more housing for working people to bring down those high prices. I applaud Governor Hochul’s work increasing access to affordable housing in Buffalo and across Western New York, and I will continue working to deliver federal resources to ensure that every New Yorker has a roof over their heads.”
State Senator April Baskin said, “Just two years ago, ground was broken on a project designed to ensure access to quality housing on East Eagle Street. Now that concept has come to fruition, allowing older residents to live in safe, sustainable, affordable apartments and townhomes. Thanks to state and federal tax credits, along with the partnership between First Shiloh Development LLC and Beacon Communities, successful projects like the Ellicott Town Center are proof that we will celebrate these victories and never stop addressing the systemic social and economic inequalities that continue to impact this community.”
Assemblymember Crystal Peoples-Stokes said, “The rehabilitation of Ellicott Town Homes is a substantial commitment from the state towards equity and investment for our seniors and residents of Buffalo’s east side. Modernized, energy-efficient housing ushers in a brighter future for Ellicott Town Homes residents. I thank Governor Hochul, NYS Housing & Community Renewal, First Shiloh Development LLC and Beacon for putting this project together for the benefit of our community.”
Buffalo Mayor Chris Scanlon said, “As the Mayor of Buffalo, having access to affordable housing is crucial for all City residents. The completion of renovations at the Ellicott Town Center affordable housing complex provides Buffalo seniors and families with a safe, highly efficient, and comfortable living environment. This $71 million rehab and preservation project is another great collaboration between community-based organizations, religious institutions, private sector investments and multiple levels of government support, including the approval of a partial loan forgiveness by The Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency. I’d like to thank Governor Kathy Hochul and all of our partners for their continued commitment to provide affordable housing in East Buffalo.”
Buffalo Common Council Majority Leader Halton-Pope said, “The rehabilitation of Ellicott Town Center is more than a construction project — it’s a promise kept to the residents of Buffalo’s East Side. By preserving 281 affordable homes, including those for older adults, this investment reinforces our commitment to dignified housing, community stability, and equitable development. I’m especially proud to see faith-based institutions like First Shiloh Baptist Church leading the way in this work, reminding us that progress is strongest when it’s rooted in partnership and purpose.”
Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz said, “Affordable housing continues to be a critical issue in Erie County, just as it is across America, and the Ellicott Town Center project is an example of how to tackle the issue the right way. These investments build stronger communities, improve residents’ lives, and create better places to live.”
Beacon Communities CEO Dara Kovel said, “This long-awaited renovation is an investment in the future of the City of Buffalo. Ellicott Town Center will provide residents with the high-quality, affordable, and sustainable housing they deserve so that they may continue to contribute to the vitality of this City. We’re grateful to our partners at First Shiloh Housing Corporations and our public and private sector partners for their vision and commitment to creating housing opportunities for all citizens of New York State.”
First Shiloh Baptist Church Reverend Dr. Jonathan R. Staples said, “We are thrilled to announce the reopening of Ellicott Town Center, a cornerstone of our mission, to serve our community with compassion and dignity. Since its inception, this project has been a beacon of hope, providing safe and stable housing to those in need. Through the grace of God and the unwavering support of our congregation, partners, and volunteers, we have revitalized this initiative to continue offering refuge, restoration, and renewal. As we reopen our doors, we reaffirm our commitment to fostering a welcoming environment where everyone is valued and uplifted. We invite you to join us in celebrating this milestone and in working together to build a future rooted in faith, community, and love. May this housing program remain a source of strength and support for all who seek shelter and belonging.”
Governor Hochul’s Housing Agenda
Governor Hochul is dedicated to addressing New York’s housing crisis and making the State more affordable and more livable for all New Yorkers. As part of the FY25 Enacted Budget, the Governor secured a landmark agreement to increase New York’s housing supply through new tax incentives, capital funding, and new protections for renters and homeowners. Building on this commitment, the FY26 Enacted Budget includes more than $1.5 billion in new State funding for housing, a Housing Access Voucher pilot program, and new policies to improve affordability for tenants and homebuyers. These measures complement the Governor’s five-year, $25 billion Housing Plan, included in the FY23 Enacted Budget, to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes statewide, including 10,000 with support services for vulnerable populations, plus the electrification of an additional 50,000 homes. More than 60,000 homes have been created or preserved to date.
The FY25 and FY26 Enacted Budgets also strengthened the Governor’s Pro-Housing Community Program — which allows certified localities exclusive access to up to $750 million in discretionary State funding. Currently, more than 300 communities have received Pro Housing certification, including Buffalo
Source: Government of Ireland – Department of Jobs Enterprise and Innovation
11th June 2025
The Cost of Business Advisory Forum met today for the first time
Group chaired by Former Labour Court Judge Kevin Foley, and Vice Chaired by Mr. Ronan Byrne, Manager of Bloomfield Hotel
The Inaugural meeting of a new Department of Enterprise-led group to examine the costs involved in running a business held its first meeting today.
The Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke has established the new group with the aim of reducing the cost of running a business, and addressing delays which can impact the operation of businesses in Ireland. For the first time, regulators will be directly in the room to hear from business owners and representatives themselves.
The Forum brings together business owners, retailers, tourism operators, accounting professionals and representative groups—alongside regulators and state agencies—to look at the structural issues that are driving up costs and the steps that could be taken to mitigate them.
“I’ve been looking forward to the first meeting of the Cost of Business Advisory Forum, and hearing directly from the people who run businesses, employ our citizens and keep our economy strong. I believe it is important for our regulators, our Government Departments and our decision-makers to hear directly from this key cohort, the people that are at the coal face when we implement policy and regulations.
“I want to thank Mr. Kevin Foley, former Chair of the Labour Court, and Mr. Ronan Byrne, General Manager of Bloomfield Hotel for agreeing to be our Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson, respectively. This Forum is about balance and reflecting all sectors of business, and ensuring all voices are heard in this important discussion.
“After our initial meeting, each subsequent session will focus on a specific theme, like licensing, infrastructure, or regulatory fees, with the relevant regulators invited to attend and respond. The goal is to create a space where businesses can speak directly to decision-makers about the real-world impact of rules and charges—and identify areas to make practical changes.”
TORONTO, June 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL), Canada’s premier nuclear science and technology laboratory, and Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL), Canada’s nuclear Crown corporation, are pleased to announce that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the University Network of Excellence in Nuclear Engineering (UNENE) to pursue the development of the Canadian Nuclear Learning Centre (CNLC). The vision of the centre is to coordinate education, training, knowledge management and workforce development across Canada’s growing nuclear sector.
“CNL has always played a critical role in developing highly qualified people for Canada’s nuclear workforce,” says Dr. Stephen Bushby, CNL’s Vice-President, Science & Technology. “This effort will continue through the creation of the Canadian Nuclear Learning Centre, which will provide learning opportunities to build a talent pipeline for both CNL and the industry as a whole. The CNLC, with the support of AECL’s Federal Nuclear Science and Technology Work Plan, provides an excellent complement to our Academic Partnership Program that began in 2022.”
The new agreement addresses collaborative work the three organizations will undertake to establish the centre. These include expanding UNENE programming and activities to incorporate use of the world-class facilities and expertise at Chalk River Laboratories and other CNL sites, while exploring both the development of micro-credential offerings and the opportunity for regional hubs via academic and other national laboratory partners. Central to the collaboration is advancing nuclear education to support workforce development priorities. Each organization will also look to leverage their long-term relationships with Canadian academic institutions to examine opportunities for joint project coordination.
“Canada’s national nuclear laboratories play a vital role in developing the next generation of scientific talent,” noted Dr. Amy Gottschling, Vice President of Science, Technology, and Commercial Oversight at AECL. “We know that it’s not enough to have world class scientific facilities; we are always thinking about how we can contribute to the growth of the next generation of nuclear leaders and innovators. That’s what makes UNENE such an important partner for AECL and CNL. Wherever today’s students ultimately make their careers, the investment we make today in building their expertise will pay huge dividends for all of us in the future.”
Since 2002, UNENE has worked to advance nuclear knowledge – offering nuclear engineering, science and technology research and education programming. With the support of its partners and funding organizations, including CNL and AECL, it is the centre of a network of universities, industry and government that is focused on building capacity and heightening visibility of Canada’s university excellence as an important contribution to the country’s tier one nuclear nation.
“UNENE has a proud history of contributing to nuclear education and training in Canada, including our activities to enable collaboration between industry and academia,” says Jerry Hopwood, President, UNENE. “Today, the momentum is rapidly increasing for nuclear technology as part of the growing clean energy sector. The learning centre initiative is a vital contributor to the crucial task of developing a capable nuclear workforce for tomorrow, and broadening understanding of nuclear technology. This initiative will enable Canadians to grow valuable, practical skills towards a qualified workforce, and will provide a pathway for information and insight to students and stakeholders who wish to learn more about nuclear science and technology. UNENE is looking forward to being part of this exciting initiative.”
As part of the collaborative work to develop the centre, the organizations will present an initial concept of the centre for input at CNL and AECL’s Second Annual University Day this July. An initial plan for the centre is expected to be finalized in Fall 2025.
About CNL
As Canada’s premier nuclear science and technology laboratory and working under the direction of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL), CNL is a world leader in the development of innovative nuclear science and technology products and services. Guided by an ambitious corporate strategy known as Vision 2030, CNL fulfills three strategic priorities of national importance – restoring and protecting the environment, advancing clean energy technologies, and contributing to the health of Canadians.
By leveraging the assets owned by AECL, CNL also serves as the nexus between government, the nuclear industry, the broader private sector and the academic community. CNL works in collaboration with these sectors to advance innovative Canadian products and services towards real-world use, including carbon-free energy, cancer treatments and other therapies, non-proliferation technologies and waste management solutions.
Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) is a federal Crown corporation with a mandate to drive nuclear opportunities for Canada. Working through a government-owned / contractor-operated (GoCo) model that is executed by its contractor, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, AECL enables nuclear science and technology through its Chalk River Laboratories, Canada’s largest research complex, and by engaging with academia and private industry to advance nuclear innovation. It is committed to advancing reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. It also manages the Government of Canada’s radioactive waste responsibilities. AECL continues to own the intellectual property for the CANDU® reactor technology and is accountable for deriving optimal benefit from this technology for Canada. Read more on AECL at www.aecl.ca.
About UNENE
The University Network of Excellence in Nuclear Engineering (UNENE), founded in 2002, is a network of Canadian and partner international universities offering nuclear engineering, science and technology research and education programming. Its members also include Canadian industry participants and Canada’s national nuclear science and technology institution. With its partners and funding organizations, UNENE works to advance nuclear knowledge, build capacity and heighten the visibility of Canada’s strength as a global partner, and to elevate the role of nuclear in advancing global sustainability, prosperity and a clean energy future. Learn more about UNENE at www.unene.ca.
CNL Contact: Philip Kompass Director, Corporate Communications 1-866-886-2325 media@cnl.ca
Headline: Microreactor pilot reaches major project milestone
The Department of the Air Force, in coordination with the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Energy Office, reached a critical milestone in piloting advanced nuclear energy technology with the issuance of a Notice of Intent to Award (NOITA) to Oklo, Inc.
The Department of the Air Force, in coordination with the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Energy Office, reached a critical milestone in piloting advanced nuclear energy technology with the issuance of a Notice of Intent to Award (NOITA) to Oklo, Inc.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3
Press release
Spending Review: Billions to back Scottish jobs
UK Government’s Plan for Change delivers record settlement for Scottish Government with an extra £9.1 billion over the SR period to deliver public services
Working people across Scotland will benefit from significant investment in clean energy and innovation, creating thousands of high-skilled jobs and strengthening Scotland’s position as the home of the United Kingdom’s clean energy revolution.
The UK Government has confirmed £8.3 billion in funding for GB Energy-Nuclear and GB Energy in Aberdeen. This is alongside an increased commitment to the Acorn Carbon Capture, Usage and Storage project, which will receive development funding.
The Spending Review, outlined today, Wednesday 11 June, announces targeted investment in Scotland’s most promising sectors to grow the economy and put more money in working people’s pockets. It delivers an extra £9.1 billion over Phase 2 of the Spending Review, through the Barnett formula.
The government also confirmed £25 million for the Inverness and Cromarty Firth Freeport.
These investments are part of a wider package, with funding for hydrogen production projects at Cromarty and Whitelee.
Secretary of State for Scotland, Ian Murray, said:
Putting more money in the pockets of working Scots by investing in the country’s renewal is at the heart of this Spending Review and our Plan for Change.
The Chancellor has unleashed a new era of growth for Scotland, confirming billions of pounds of investment in clean energy – including new development funding for Acorn – creating thousands of high-skilled jobs.
Scotland’s leading role at the heart of UK defence policy has been strengthened and there is also significant investment in our trailblazing innovation, research and development sectors.
And the Scotland Office will work with local partners to ensure hundreds of millions of pounds of new targeted support for Scottish communities and businesses goes to projects that matter to local people. This means that the UK Government is now investing almost £1.7 billion in dozens of important growth schemes across Scotland over 10 years.
To maximise the benefit of recent trade deals with India, US and the EU we are continuing the Brand Scotland programme to promote inward investment opportunities boosting Scottish exports of our globally celebrated products.
And we are delivering a record real-terms funding settlement for the Scottish Government with an extra £9.1 billion over the Spending Review period through the Barnett formula. That’s more money than ever before for them to invest in Scottish public services like our NHS, police, housing and schools.
This is a historic Spending Review for Scotland that chooses investment over decline and delivers on the promise that there would be no return to austerity.
Investment in Scotland to strengthen UK defence
Speaking in the House of Commons today, the Chancellor reaffirmed the government’s commitment to increase defence spending to 2.6% of GDP by April 2027, backing our Armed Forces, creating British jobs in British industries, and prioritising the security of Britain when it is most needed.
The long-term future of the Clyde is secured through an initial £250 million investment over three years which will begin a multi-decade, multi-billion pound redevelopment of HM Naval Base Clyde through the ‘Clyde 2070’ programme.
Investing in innovation and R&D
Scotland will also become home to the UK’s largest and most powerful supercomputer, with up to £750 million committed to its development at Edinburgh University. This world-class facility will give scientists across all UK universities access to extraordinary computer power, further strengthening Scotland’s research and innovation capability.
The UK Government is backing Scottish industry with a share of increased UK-wide R&D spending set to grow from £20.4 billion in 2025-26 to over £22.6 billion per year by 2029-30. Scotland will also benefit from a £410 million UK-wide Local Innovation Partnerships Fund.
Targeted support for Scottish communities
The government is also investing £160 million over 10 years for Investment Zones in the North East of Scotland and in Glasgow City Region, and confirming £452 million over four years for City and Growth Deals across Scotland.
A £100 million joint investment for the Falkirk and Grangemouth Growth deal with the Scottish Government (£50 million from UK Government and £50 million from Scottish Government), demonstrating the UK Government’s continued commitment to the Grangemouth industrial area.
A new local growth fund, and investments in up to 350 deprived communities across the UK, will maintain the same cash level as in 2025-26 under the Shared Prosperity Fund. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Scotland Office, will work with local partners and the Scottish Government, to ensure money goes to projects that matter to local people. This investment will help drive growth and improve communities across Scotland.
Supporting Scottish businesses
The National Wealth Fund (NWF) is trialling a Strategic Partnership with Glasgow City Region to provide enhanced, hands-on support to help it develop and finance long term investment opportunities. The NWF has already made its first investment in Scotland with £43.5 million in direct equity for a sustainable packaging company, which is to build its first commercial-scale manufacturing facility near Glasgow.
Through its Nations and Regions Investment programme the British Business Bank is delivering £150 million across Scotland to break down access to finance barriers and drive economic growth.
The settlement also allocates £0.75 million each year to champion our ‘Brand Scotland’ trade missions to promote Scotland’s goods and services on the world stage and to encourage further growth and investment.
A record settlement for Scottish public services
The Government has been clear that local decision-making against local priorities is central to delivering growth.
The Scottish Government will receive the largest real terms settlement since devolution began in 1998, with an average £50.9 billion per year between 2026-27 and 2028-29, enabling the Scottish Government to deliver for working people in Scotland. This includes £2.9 billion per year on average through the operation of the Barnett formula, with £2.4 billion resource between 2026-27 and 2028-29 and £510 million capital between 2026-27 and 2029-30.
This investment and record settlement is made possible by the tough but necessary decisions taken in the October Budget.
Cabinet reshuffle can no longer be used as an excuse to delay publication of Scotland’s first carbon budgets, says Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie MSP.
Today, the First Minister confirmed that Gillian Martin will remain in her role as Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy, with Mairi McAllan returning from maternity leave in a new role as Cabinet Secretary for Housing.
“The delay in setting Scotland’s first carbon budget has already caused serious concern, and some had blamed it on the imminent reshuffle.
“Now that Gillian Martin has been made permanent in the job she was covering for, this can no longer be the explanation.
“It’s urgent that she comes to the Chamber in the days ahead to explain the delay and to publish the Government’s proposals immediately. There is no time to waste.
“We welcome Mairi McAllan back from maternity leave. She will also have a critical role to play here, and must restore boldness to Government action on both rent controls and clean heating that the Greens kick started, but which the SNP have watered down ever since.”
Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) released the following statement in response to an opinion issued by the Trump Administration’s Department of Justice asserting that Presidents can modify or revoke national monument designations made using the Antiquities Act of 1906. This position contradicts long-held views of the Justice Department dating back to 1938.
“At Donald Trump’s order, his Justice Department is attempting to clear a path to erase national monuments.
“Here’s what they don’t understand: Our national monuments are about who we are. They tell the story of our ancestors, support jobs and our rural economies, and connect Americans to our history and the land itself. No president can erase that.
“I will oppose any attempt by President Trump or Congressional Republicans to rip away our national monuments, using this outrageous path or otherwise. We’re ready to fight back — and we won’t back down.”
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government has strengthened India’s public sector undertakings (PSUs) in the last 11 years, turning them into wealth creators and making them integral to the nation’s growth, the data-focused X handle infoindata showed on Wednesday.
With focused reforms, strategic autonomy, and capital support, PSU market cap surged across the energy, power, and infrastructure sectors.
While NTPC saw its market cap reach Rs 3.27 lakh crore in 2025, from 0.99 lakh crore in 2014, Power Grid saw its market cap touch Rs 2.80 lakh crore in 2025, from 0.55 lakh crore in 2014 (till June 9), as per data sourced from the DIPAM and the Department of Public Enterprises.
Other PSUs like IOCL, Power Finance, BPCL, GAIL, NHPC, BHEL, etc, also saw a meteoric rise in their market caps in the last 11 years.
On the other hand, the market cap of public sector banks (PSBs) also surged in the last 11 years.
The SBI saw its market cap reach Rs 7.32 lakh crore in FY26, from Rs 1.51 lakh crore in FY16.
PNB saw its market cap touch Rs 1.29 lakh crore in FY26 from 0.06 lakh crore in FY16, while Bank of Baroda’s market cap reached Rs 1.28 lakh crore from 0.34 lakh crore in the same time frame, as per the data.
“In 11 years, the Modi government transformed public sector banks from the NPA crisis of the UPA era to record market capitalisation through structural reforms such as asset quality review, bank mergers, targeted recapitalisation, and measures to resolve bad loans,” said infoindata on X.
Meanwhile, India’s top public sector companies in the financial, power and energy sectors recorded a robust growth in profit during the January-March quarter of 2024-25, which is expected to further strengthen the government’s fiscal position.
The country’s largest lender, State Bank of India (SBI), and insurance giant Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) led the charge with a net profit of Rs 18,643 crore and Rs 19,013 crore, respectively. SBI’s net profit for the financial year 2024-25 has now soared to Rs 70,901 crore, while LIC has recorded an impressive net profit of Rs 48,151 crore for the year.
In the energy sector, Coal India earned a net profit of Rs 9,604 crore during the fourth quarter, while Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) registered a net profit of Rs 7,265 crore, with upstream oil exploration giant ONGC registering a net profit of Rs 6,448 crore during the quarter.
In the power sector, the country’s largest electricity producer, NTPC, recorded a net profit of Rs 7,897 crore, while Power Finance Corporation (PFC), which also comes under the Ministry of Power, earned a robust Rs 8,358 crore. Power Grid Corporation of India also registered a strong profit of Rs 4,143 crore during the January-March quarter.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Scott Peters (52nd District of California)
Washington, D.C. – Today, during an Energy and Commerce Committee Hearing on the Department of Energy’s (DOE) budget, DOE Secretary Chris Wright agreed that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission should give electric transmission lines the same fast-track, one-stop-shop permitting process, that natural gas pipelines and Liquid Natural Gas export facilities currently get.
Large, high-voltage, interregional transmission lines are crucial for moving energy from all sources, including clean energy from renewables and nuclear, from where it is produced to where it is needed. Currently, the process to permit and build transmission lines requires reviews by states, localities, multiple federal agencies and can take more than two decades to complete. In comparison, natural gas pipelines go through one unified federal review at FERC and can be completed significantly faster as compared to transmission.
During the hearing, Representative Peters asked Secretary Wright, “Since 2005, FERC has had the authority to act as the sole permitting agency for large multi-state transmission lines that your department deems to be in the national interest, but the federal government has not once used this authority due to litigation and endless bureaucracy regarding DOE’s role in the process. That’s Bush, Obama, Trump, Biden, never use the authority. The backstop permitting authority for transmission is also a fraction of the authority that FERC has long had over natural gas pipelines and LNG, which always get their one-stop permitting shop at FERC. So, my question is, would you support bipartisan efforts in Congress to streamline this permit authority for large transmission lines, including would you be supportive of establishing permitting parity at FERC between natural gas and transmission?
Secretary Wright responded, “Absolutely. The United States needs to build more energy infrastructure of all kinds and certainly including transmission lines.”
Watch Rep. Peters’ full question line here.
Background:
SPEED & Reliability Act Representative Peters’ and Senator Hickenlooper’s SPEED and Reliability Act would accelerate the siting and permitting of interregional transmission lines by:
Allowing individual transmission lines to be deemed as “national interest high-impact transmission facilities.”
Requiring the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to conduct a single environmental review for these transmission lines, rather than requiring duplicative reviews by FERC and the Department of Energy.
FASTER Act:
Representative Peters’ FASTER Act will strengthen FERC’s permitting authorities by designating it as the lead agency for large, interstate transmission lines and by:
Giving the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) siting authority and establishes it as the lead agency to coordinate state, local, and federal authorizations for National Interest Electric Transmission Facilities, defined as 345 kV or 750 MW, crosses two states, or a designation from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) that the route proposed by a developer is consistent with the purpose of a National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor.
Incentivizing communities and project sponsors to negotiate an enforceable Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) and ensures greater community engagement by developing clear protocols to help communities negotiate a CBA.
BIG WIRES Act Representative Peters’ and Senator Hickenlooper’s BIG Wires Act would update the country’s patchwork energy transmission system by:
Coordinating the construction of an interregional transmission system.
Establishing minimum-transfer requirements to move large amounts of energy from one U.S. grid region to another.
Source: US Whitehouse
America is beating inflation as President Donald J. Trump leads the country into the new Golden Age with lower costs, higher pay, and economic opportunity for all.
Here’s what you need to know from the latest Consumer Price Index:
In May, inflation came in lighter than expected for yet another month.
Since President Trump took office, inflation has come in below economists’ expectations every single month.
Core inflation held steady and remains at the lowest level since March 2021.
Under President Trump, core inflation has tracked at just 2.0% on an annual basis — levels not seen since the first Trump Administration, when prices were low and stable.
Wage growth remains strong under President Trump.
In May, real wages for production and nonsupervisory workers saw the highest monthly increase in nearly a year — rising each month since President Trump took office and up nearly 2% over last year.
The average private sector worker is on track to see their real earnings increase by around $1,200, adjusted for inflation.
Prices for everyday Americans continue to fall.
Energy prices fell by 1.0% over the last month — down 3.5% over the past year.
Gasoline prices have fallen each month since President Trump took office, down 2.6% over the past month and down 12% over the past year.
Prices in key areas — such as meats, poultry, eggs, airfares, used and new cars, and apparel — all went down over the past month.
Here’s what they’re saying:
CNN’s Matt Egan: “We got ANOTHER month of positive inflation news. Despite these historic tariffs, the latest numbers do show that inflation remained relatively tame in May … This was better than expected … We did see a drop in energy prices. In particular, gas prices were low.”
CNBC’s Mike Santoli: “There’s no way to look at these numbers and say they’re not welcome news.”
CNBC’s Steve Liesman: “Not only did we get a decline in inflation expectations earlier this week from the important New York Fed report … I do not see broader impacts on inflation from the tariffs.”
CNBC’s Rick Santelli: “Inflation certainly looks like it is cooling.”
Fox Business Network’s Maria Bartiromo: “That is much better than expected.”
Commentator Adam Johnson: “Now we’re talking about numbers that are down in the low twos — under 2.5% — and we’re seeing that now for three months in a row, so this is wonderful news.”
Significant progress has been made in restoring electricity supply to areas affected by severe weather conditions in the Eastern Cape over the past 48 hours.
Gale force winds, heavy snowfall, and damaging gusts have left thousands in the province without power earlier this week.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday, Eskom Eastern Cape Distribution, electricity had been restored to approximately 136 000 customers, marking a substantial improvement from 300 000 customers that were without power as of Tuesday morning.
“Some of the customers brough back online include over 50 000 in Umzimvubu and Elundini Local Municipalities, 15 000 within Port St Johns Local Municipality, and 20 000 customers in Tsolo within King Mhlontlo Local Municipality. Electricity to all these customers was restored yesterday evening [Tuesday].
“Eskom teams have resumed this morning to continue with the restoration efforts to the outstanding 164 000 customers in areas that include Qumbu, Matatiele, Mthatha, Ntabankulu, Bizana, Mqanduli, and Willowvalley,” Eskom said.
The entity has urged the remaining customers to be patient and to continue treating all electricity appliances as live during this period.
“As the weather is starting to clear, we trust that there will be access to some of the sites to speed up electricity supply restoration.”
Eskom has also urged affected customers to remain patient and treat all electrical appliances as live for safety reasons.
Customers are reminded to use the available platforms to report supply issues including: • Alfred the Chatbot by connecting to https://alfred.eskom.co.za/chatroom/. • USSD string: Dial *120*37566# on any mobile phones. • MyEskom Customer App: Available on Google Play Store for Android devices and iPhone App Store for iPhone.
“Customers now have the option of contacting Eskom directly via WhatsApp on 08600 37566 to log a fault or use email: EasternCape@Eskom.co.za,” Eskom said. – SAnews.gov.za
Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:
New centers being built at Embakasi and Suswa with advanced grid technology for efficient electricity transmission.
GE Vernova to provide advanced grid technology and software, with Larsen & Toubro handling all civil works.
Project financed by France through the French Development Agency and the French Treasury.
GE Vernova Inc.(NYSE:GEV) (www.GEVernova.com) today announced that the GE Vernova-Larsen & Toubro (L&T) consortium will build an advanced National System Control Center (NSCC) for Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO) to monitor and manage Kenya’s national electricity grid. The work will include constructing a Main Control Centre building in Embakasi, equipped with advanced grid software solutions and the latest substation automation, monitoring, and communication equipment. Additionally, an Emergency Control Centre building in Suswa will be constructed, featuring the same systems and an Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) system for transmission operations. GE Vernova booked the order in the first quarter of 2025.
Kenya’s Electricity Goals
Kenya has set ambitious electricity goals aimed at achieving universal access and transitioning to a sustainable energy future. The country aims to ensure that 100% of its population has access to reliable and affordable electricity by 2030 (https://apo-opa.co/4dXKxLr). To achieve this, Kenya is investing heavily in expanding its electricity grid and enhancing generation capacity. Additionally, Kenya is focusing on enhancing energy efficiency and developing smart grid technologies to optimize electricity transmission, distribution and consumption.
“A new, advanced NSCC is essential for managing increased electricity demand as Kenya’s economy grows. When commissioned, the new NSCC system would play a critical role in supporting our mandate as System Operator(SO). It will ensure reliable, secure, and efficient electricity transmission across the country. It is a game-changer for Kenya’s electricity transmission capabilities, significantly improving our ability to manage the grid, enhance the quality of power, and integrate renewable energy sources,” said Dr. Eng. John Mativo, MBS, Managing Director and CEO at KETRACO.
Consortium Roles and Responsibilities
GE Vernova, through its French entity Grid Solutions SAS, will lead the consortium and provide advanced grid technology from its Electrification Software and Grid Automation portfolio. This technology includes two solutions from its GridOS® orchestration software portfolio—Advanced Energy Management Systems (AEMS) (https://apo-opa.co/43XaPc4) and Wide Area Management Systems (WAMS) (https://apo-opa.co/3ZpEj0V)—Enterprise Asset Management Systems (EAM), and several solutions from its grid automation portfolio – GridBeats™ (https://apo-opa.co/444Wqee) – Asset Performance Management System (APM), Condition Monitoring devices (https://apo-opa.co/4kCf9on), Substation Automation Systems (https://apo-opa.co/4kyVG7V), and Telecommunication Systems (https://apo-opa.co/3HPMbCK). Larsen & Toubro will handle all civil works, including the construction of two fully equipped greenfield control center buildings, equipment installation, and support for system configuration, testing, and commissioning. The project is expected to be completed within three years.
“GE Vernova is uniquely positioned to handle projects of this scale and complexity, requiring both advanced software solutions and grid automation equipment, as well as unique financing solutions. With our comprehensive capabilities in managing such projects end-to-end, we believe KETRACO will significantly benefit from GE Vernova’s expertise, ensuring seamless integration and operational efficiency from project inception to completion,” said Philippe Piron, CEO of GE Vernova’s Electrification Systems businesses. “By providing Kenya with an advanced electricity control center, we’re aiming to enhance the reliability and efficiency of its national grid. This is a pivotal step in paving the way for a more sustainable future that supports the country’s electrification and decarbonization goals.”
Financial and Development Support
The project is made possible through a financing partnership with the French Development Agency (AFD) and the French Treasury, which are providing vital support to KETRACO for the development of a stronger and more sustainable electricity grid in Kenya. This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to advancing Kenya’s energy goals by enabling more reliable and efficient power infrastructure.
“France is committed to supporting sustainable infrastructure projects in Kenya, notably in the Power sector, as part of the broader ongoing collaboration between Kenya and France on energy transition and climate. A modern NSCC will make the Kenyan grid more resilient and reliable, enabling the integration of more variable renewable energy and ultimately providing more reliable and affordable power to Kenya’s businesses and households. The project is fully financed by France with two separate and complementary financing from AFD and the French Treasury, supported by a related grand from the European Union dedicated to Capacity building,” said H.E Arnaud Suquet, the French Ambassador to Kenya.
GE Vernova’s Financial Services business played an integral role in the procurement process, advising the consortium and securing concessional financing from the French Treasury to supplement AFD’s funding. This seamless partnership showcases the importance of combining technical expertise with innovative financing to deliver impactful, future-ready energy solutions.
– on behalf of GE.
Notes to Editors: A National System Control Center (NSCC) is like a central brain of a country’s electricity grid. It’s responsible for monitoring, controlling, and optimizing the flow of electricity across the entire power system. It can also effectively integrate renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and geothermal into the grid. Real-time monitoring allows for prompt corrective actions, improving grid stability and reducing the risk of power outages and blackouts.
Media Contact – GE Vernova: Rachel Van Reen Media Relations GE Vernova rachael.vanreen@gevernova.com +1 678 896 6754
Anshul Madaan Media Relations GE Vernova anshul.madaan@gevernova.com +91 8377880468
Winnie Gathage Africa Communications Leader GE Vernova winnie.gathage@gevernova.com +254 704 873 459
Social Media: Linkedin: https://apo-opa.co/3HAtinq
About GE Vernova: GE Vernova Inc. (NYSE: GEV) is a purpose-built global energy company that includes Power, Wind, and Electrification segments and is supported by its accelerator businesses. Building on over 130 years of experience tackling the world’s challenges, GE Vernova is uniquely positioned to help lead the energy transition by continuing to electrify the world while simultaneously working to decarbonize it. GE Vernova helps customers power economies and deliver electricity that is vital to health, safety, security, and improved quality of life. GE Vernova is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S., with approximately 75,000 employees across 100+ countries around the world. Supported by the Company’s purpose, The Energy to Change the World, GE Vernova technology helps deliver a more affordable, reliable, sustainable, and secure energy future. Learn more: GE Vernova (www.GEVernova.com) and GE Vernova in Middle East & Africa (https://apo-opa.co/3Tjv0vT).
GE Vernova’s Electrification segment includes Grid Solutions, Power Conversion, Solar and Storage Solutions, —collectively referred to as Electrification Systems —and digital technologies, referred to as Electrification Software. The solutions offered by this segment are essential for the transmission, distribution, conversion, storage, and orchestration of electricity from point of generation to point of consumption.
About KETRACO: KETRACO, owned by the Government of Kenya, was incorporated on 2nd December 2008 under the Companies Act, pursuant to the reforms in Sessional Paper No.4 to plan, design, construct, own, operate, and maintain high voltage national electricity transmission lines and regional power inter-connector which form the backbone of the National Electricity Grid.
In carrying out its mandate, the Company is developing a new robust grid system to:
Improve quality, reliability, and safety of electricity supply throughout the Country.
Transmit electricity to areas that are currently not supplied by the national grid.
Evacuate power from planned generation points.
Provide a link with the neighbouring countries to facilitate power exchange and trade in the East Africa Region
Reduce electricity transmission losses hence reducing the cost to the economy.
Protect electricity consumers from the high costs of power by absorbing the capital transmission infrastructure.
Forward Looking Statements: This document contains forward-looking statements – that is, statements related to future events that by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain. These forward-looking statements address GE Vernova’s expected future business and financial performance, and the expected performance of its products, the impact of its services and the results they may generate or produce, and often contain words such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek,” “see,” “will,” “would,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “target,” “preliminary,” or “range.” Forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain, such as statements about planned and potential transactions, investments or projects and their expected results and the impacts of macroeconomic and market conditions and volatility on business operations, financial results and financial position and on the global supply chain and world economy.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green Ohio)
Today, Congressman Bob Latta (R-OH-5), Chairman of the Energy Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and Secretary of Energy Chris Wright discussed strengthening American energy policy during an Energy Subcommittee hearing. Congressman Latta emphasized the urgent need to unleash domestic energy production and secure U.S. energy dominance.
To watch Congressman Latta’s opening statement, click here.
Below, please find excerpts from Latta’s conversation with Secretary Wright:
Congressman Latta:“Do we need to have more energy or less energy produced in this country?”
Secretary Wright: “Unquestionably more energy.”
Congressman Latta:“You know, as, we look at this, we’re looking at a widening gap between our projected reshoring of domestic manufacturing, the amount of reliable energy entering the system to meet that demand. As you know, record levels of base load generation are prematurely retiring. How is the department viewing this existential threat, and what do you see as a potential consequences for not meeting the moment?”
Secretary Wright: “If we’re to look at recent data, growth in electricity production and energy more broadly in China has been rapid. And in the United States, particularly in the electricity sector, we saw almost no growth in American electricity production during the four years of the last administration. Yet with almost no growth in production, we saw across the country an average 25 increase in electricity prices. This is clearly a pathway to losing the AI arms race. If we can’t grow our electricity production and keep prices in check, America’s in trouble. Our administration is entirely focused on unleashing private capital, getting the government out of the way to grow and expand our supply of reliable firm electricity. That’s what AI needs, 24/7/365 electricity. But, of course, that’s what the American electricity grid needs as well.”
Samsung Electronics is showcasing its latest display technologies, solutions and partner-integrated offerings at InfoComm, the largest professional audio-visual industry trade show in North America, held in Orlando, Fla., from June 11 to 13. This year, Samsung is expanding its presence across the show floor through strategic partner collaborations and a dedicated meeting space (Room W206BC).
“The future of connected experiences lies in bringing together the best in display technology, immersive sound and collaboration tools,” said David Phelps, Head of Display Division, Samsung Electronics America. “By integrating partner technologies into our display ecosystem, we’re helping businesses rethink how they engage employees, serve customers, deliver content and optimize their spaces. Whether it’s flexible meeting rooms, interactive classrooms or seamless retail environments, we’re setting new standards for experience-led innovation.”
Cisco and Samsung showcase stunning collaboration experiences
During Infocomm, Samsung and Cisco (Booth #3381) will debut a new collaboration featuring the Samsung 105-inch 5K UHD Smart Signage display, which will be the first 21:9 screen to receive certification from Cisco. To harness the capabilities of the ultra-wide screen, Cisco has optimized RoomOS for its devices to support the 21:9 aspect ratio natively, resulting in a better view of meeting participants and shared content in Microsoft Teams Rooms and Webex Meetings. The widened display area allows new ways to display both meeting participants and shared content on a single display in an engaging meeting experience.
Additionally, large supersized displays, like the new Samsung 136-inch The Wall 16:9 All-in-One LED paired with Cisco collaboration devices, and the newly announced Cisco Room Vision PTZ cameras, delivers a highly immersive large-screen meeting experience. Stunning video quality with natural, eye-level views are possible with a solution that’s simple to install. Deploy in hours, not days with Samsung’s modular all-in-one screen assembly and Cisco’s single-cable power over ethernet (PoE) cameras.
“We are delighted that the innovative partnership between Cisco and Samsung continues to deliver the most engaging and inclusive employee experiences in the industry,” said Espen Løberg VP Product Management, Cisco. “Our certification program creates a solid foundation for seamless integrations that reduce complexity and enable scalable deployment and maintenance of collaboration rooms.”
Together, Samsung and Cisco are raising the bar on the collaboration experience possible with these advanced displays. Powered by NVIDIA chipsets and Cisco RoomOS software, Cisco collaboration devices intelligently track, group and frame meeting participants, optimizing the use of screen real-estate afforded by Samsung Smart Signage displays, ensuring everyone can be seen in amazing detail.
Samsung’s 136-inch The Wall with 16:9 aspect ratio, and 105-inch 5K UHD Smart Signage 21:9 aspect ratio will be on display in Cisco’s Partner Lounge (W203A) at Infocomm. During the show, demonstrations will highlight how Samsung displays paired with Cisco’s solutions and cameras optimize the meeting experience in corporate workspaces. Demonstrations will take place on Wednesday, June 11 and Thursday, June 12 from 9:00-10:00 a.m. ET.
Logitech and Samsung redefine the modern workplace
Building on their five-year-long partnership in video conferencing and productivity, Samsung and Logitech are collaborating to showcase joint solutions for Microsoft Teams and Copilot. These integrated offerings will be on display at Logitech’s booth (#3012). Highlights include an entry-level Teams Room setup featuring the Logitech MeetUp 2 and Tap with USB Kit, paired with a Samsung 65-inch display. Attendees can also view a demonstration of multi-stream functionality in Teams Rooms on Windows, also utilizing a Samsung 65-inch display. Additionally, the booth will present a desktop productivity package that combines Logitech’s MK955 keyboard-mouse combo—with dedicated Windows and Copilot keys—with Samsung monitors, offering an optimized Microsoft 365 Copilot experience for enterprise users. The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to innovation, simplicity and enhanced productivity in modern work environments.
“Our enduring partnership with Samsung has always centered on transforming workplace experiences through smarter, more seamless solutions,” said Sudeep Trivedi, Head of Alliances and Go-to-Market, Logitech. “By innovating on solutions for Microsoft Teams and Copilot, we’re making significant gains in addressing the needs of Microsoft 365 users. Together, we’re redefining productivity and enabling businesses to thrive in today’s dynamic work environments.”
Integrated partner display solutions drive customer success
Throughout the show floor, InfoComm attendees can explore how Samsung’s portfolio of commercial display products integrates seamlessly with best-in-class technologies from its ecosystem partners. These integrated solutions are designed to elevate customer and employee engagement, streamline operations and drive better business outcomes across industries.
For instance, FORTÉ (Booth #1742), the leading provider of communication and collaboration solutions designed to transform the modern workplace, will feature the Samsung 146-inch The Wall All-In-One 4K and WMB Interactive Display in its booth. Vu Technologies, another key partner of Samsung, will showcase its all-in-one studio solution, Vu One Mini, integrated with the Samsung 146-inch The Wall display. The activation will be fully powered by Vu’s proprietary production software, Vu Studio.
ADI Global Distribution (Booth #3728), the leading distributor of security, AV and low-voltage products, will showcase the WAD Interactive Display and The Wall All-In-One 4K on the show floor.
InfoComm attendees can experience how Samsung displays and solutions empower businesses to redefine visual engagement and operational efficiencies at additional partners’ booths, including:
Bluestar (Booth #980)
TD Synnex (Booth #1900)
United Communication (Booth #3817)
Elevating corporate, retail, educational and other business environments with display innovations
In its dedicated meeting room W206BC, Samsung will showcase recently launched displays, including the Color E-Paper, 105-inch 5k UHD Smart Signage and WAF Interactive Display, as well as software solutions like the Visual eXperience Transformation (VXT) platform and SmartThings Pro. Welcoming guests at the entrance of the meeting space is a larger-than-life 136-inch model of The Wall that delivers stunning picture quality with optimized brightness and contrast powered by the advanced NQM AI Processor.
Launched on June 5, Samsung Color E-Paper expands upon its portfolio of energy-efficient digital signage. Featuring digital ink technology, this latest model delivers ultra-low power consumption, high visibility and a lightweight design, offering businesses a sustainable and flexible display alternative. With a fully charged integrated battery, users have the ability to install and use Color E-Paper freely without being connected to a power source. During content updates, the display still uses significantly less energy than LCD digital signage, which helps reduce operational costs.
The Samsung 105-inch 5K UHD Smart Signage display elevates workplace collaboration and audience engagement. At just 48.1mm in depth, the display’s slim design makes it a perfect fit for sleek and modern workspaces, retail stores and high-traffic places such as airports, rail stations or sports arenas. Users can make a big impression by installing the QPD-5K display vertically, with its screen reaching eight feet tall in portrait mode. The 105-inch display’s expansive, ultra-wide screen is an ideal solution for video conferencing in modern meeting spaces. Ultra-clear 5K resolution and non-glare technology ensure crisp, vivid visuals to deliver important information from every angle.
Available in 65-, 75- and 86-inch models, the WAF Interactive Display delivers a captivating classroom experience for students. Powered by the Android 14 operating system, the WAF builds on the successes of Samsung’s first Google Enterprise Devices Licensing Agreement (EDLA)-certified classroom display, the WAD series, and introduces new features to enhance classroom instruction and engagement. The “Annotation” button empowers users to take notes anytime without interruptions, even over videos and other visuals on the screen, making collaborating and engaging during lessons more seamless and less intrusive. The Note app on the display has been updated to allow multiple students to use the whiteboard at once. Dr. Micah Shippee, Director of Education Solutions & Channel Sales, Samsung, will be in the Samsung meeting room and at the Cisco, TD SYNNEX and Bluestar booths demonstrating the WAF’s capabilities.
Samsung solutions unlock the full potential of display ecosystems
The newest iteration of VXT, a cloud-native Content Management Solution (CMS) that combines content and remote B2B screen management, adds expanded compatibility and app enhancements to streamline operations management and a new hybrid cloud deployment option. The solution is compatible with Samsung’s latest digital signage products and offers robust screen management for Android and Windows devices within an organization’s B2B display network.
Users can now remotely adjust screen settings, including backlights and screen orientation, and security controls. Scheduling allows remote control of screen operations based on business hours or holidays to help optimize energy usage. Additionally, VXT provides over 200 templates and Pre-Integrated Repeatable Solutions (PIRS) apps created by Samsung and its partners to simplify custom content development.
Samsung has launched the VXT CMS Transformer, an innovative application designed to help users transition smoothly from the legacy Samsung MagicINFO digital signage platform to VXT. To make the transition even easier, Samsung now offers a powerful on-premise compatibility analysis tool that automatically scans users’ existing MagicINFO setup to identify which devices and content are ready for VXT, flag potential compatibility issues and generate a clear, actionable migration-readiness report—all without requiring server access.
For a limited time, Samsung is offering a special migration incentive to help users get started with minimal cost and maximum value. To take advantage of this offer, simply download the VXT CMS Transformer and run the compatibility analysis report today.
Newly launched integrations between PIRS apps and the SmartThings Pro IoT platform enable dynamic automation, allowing screens to display content based on sensor triggers, such as exit directions in the event of an emergency. SmartThings Pro extends Samsung’s hyper-connected smart home technology to business environments, providing a scalable platform for intelligent device management. With its intuitive dashboard, users can monitor, control and create custom automations for connected devices across their business. It also features an AI Energy Mode, an intelligent power-saving technology that reduces energy consumption based on ambient brightness, content analysis and motion detection.
Samsung’s commitment to delivering sustainable signage has earned a Silver rating from the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT), an environmental rating system managed by the Green Electronics Council (GEC) in the United States. EPEAT evaluates products across a range of sustainability criteria, including hazardous substance use, energy efficiency, recycled packaging and corporate social responsibility. This recognition is especially noteworthy as every model in Samsung’s standalone signage lineup is now certified with a Silver rating.
Samsung offers special savings this summer
Samsung is running special promotions in June and July on select displays to show its support for small businesses. Throughout June, Samsung is offering up to $1,000 off its 105-inch 5K UHD Smart Signage and up to $500 off the Color E-Paper display. Additionally, Samsung is offering up to $400 off its LCD Video Walls, which create a virtually seamless large-format viewing experience to elevate any business setting, and up to $280 off the Samsung Kiosk, which meets the demands of any high-traffic self-service environment. Business owners can enjoy up to $200 off Samsung Pro TVs — which range from 43- to 85-inches — to match the screen size requirements of any location.
From now until the end of July, customers can also take advantage of the buy one WAF Interactive Display, get one Samsung Pro TV free promotion.
Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)
The UK rollout of energy smart meters is a key part of the clean energy transition, but the programme has faced ongoing criticism. the Energy Security and Net Zero Committee will question key industry and consumer bodies—including Citizens Advice, Energy UK and Smart Energy GB, which leads on public engagement—about the reliability and cost-effectiveness of smart meters.
The survey Form EIA-860 collects generator-level specific information about existing and planned generators and associated environmental equipment at electric power plants with 1 megawatt or greater of combined nameplate capacity. Summary level data can be found in the Electric Power Annual.
Starting with 2013 data, the EIA-860 began collecting construction cost data for new electric generators. Aggregated average construction cost information can be found on the Construction cost data for electric generators page.
Detailed data are compressed (zip) and contain the following files:
LayoutYyyyy — Provides a directory of all (published) data elements collected on the Form EIA-860 together with the related description, specific file location(s), and, where appropriate, an explanation of codes.
1___UtilityYyyyy — Contains utility-level data for the plants and generators surveyed in the reporting year.
2___PlantYyyyy — Contains plant-level data for the generators surveyed in all available years.
3_1_GeneratorYyyyy — Contains generator-level data for the surveyed generators, split into three tabs.
The Operable tab includes those generators which are currently operating, out of service or on standby;
The Proposed tab includes those generators which are planned and not yet in operation; and
The Retired and Canceled tab includes those generators which were cancelled prior to completion and operation and retired generators at existing plants.
The retired tab only includes those retired generators which were reported in the most current data cycle. This is not a comprehensive list. Starting with March 2017 data, Preliminary Monthly Electric Generator Inventory includes a comprehensive list of generators which retired since 2002. The list can be found on the Retired tab of the data file.
3_2_WindYyyyy — Contains additional details for surveyed generators that use wind as an energy source, split into two tabs:
The Operable tab includes those generators which are currently operating, out of service or on standby; and
The Retired and Canceled tab includes those generators which were cancelled prior to completion and operation and retired generators at existing plants.
3_3_SolarYyyyy — Contains additional details for surveyed generators that use solar as an energy source, split into two tabs:
The Operable tab includes those generators which are currently operating, out of service or on standby;
The Retired and Canceled tab includes those generators which were cancelled prior to completion and operation and retired generators at existing plants.
3_4_Energy_StorageYyyyy — Contains additional details of surveyed generators for the energy storage technology, split into two tabs:
The Operable tab includes those generators which are currently operating, out of service or on standby;
The Retired and Canceled tab includes those generators which were cancelled prior to completion and operation and retired generators at existing plants.
3_5_MultiFuelYyyyy — Contains data on fuel-switching and the use of multiple fuels by surveyed generators, split into three tabs:
The Operable tab includes those generators which are currently operating, out of service or on standby; and
The Proposed tab includes those generators which are planned and not yet in operation; and
The Retired and Canceled tab includes those generators which were cancelled prior to completion and operation and retired generators at existing plants.
4___OwnerYyyyy — Contains owner and/or operator data for generators with shared ownership and generators that are wholly-owned by an entity other than the operator (generators not appearing in the file are wholly-owned by their operator).
6_1_EnviroAssocYyyyy — Contains boiler association data for the environmental equipment data collected on the Form EIA-860.
The Boiler Generator identifies which boilers are associated with each generator;
The Boiler Cooling tab shows which cooling systems are associated with each boiler;
The Boiler Particulate Matter tab shows which flue gas particulate (FGP) collectors are associated with each boiler;
The Boiler SO2 tab shows which flue gas desulfurization (FGD) systems are associated with each boiler
The Boiler NOx tab shows which nitrogen oxide control equipment is associated with each boiler;
The Boiler Mercury tab shows which mercury control equipment is associated with each boiler
The Boiler Stack Flue tab shows which stacks and flues are associated with each boiler; and
The Emissions Control Equipment tab shows the operational status, in-service date, and installation costs of all the environmental equipment.
6_2_EnviroEquipYyyyy — Contains environmental equipment data for the surveyed generators.
The Emission Standards & Strategies tab shows boiler data as collected on Schedule 6, Part B of the Form EIA-860;
The Boiler Info & Design Parameters tab shows boiler data as collected on Schedule 6, Part C;
The Cooling tab shows cooling system data as collected on Schedule 6, Part D;
The FGP tab shows FGP data as collected on Schedule 6, Part E;
The FGD tab shows FGD data as collected on Schedule 6, Part F; and
The StackFlue tab shows stack and flue data as collected on Schedule 6, Part G.
Superseded Form EIA-860A (Utility) & B (Non-Utility) — Retired Annual Electric Generator Report
Electric utility generator level data includes information for company, facility, unit type, prime mover, in-service date, energy source, heat content, nameplate capacity, summer and winter capability, etc.
860-A (Utility) Data are compressed into a zip file that expands into xls data files and a txt layout file:
PLANTYyy — plant-level data
UTILYyy — utility-level data
TYPE3Yyy & TYPE4Yyy — 2 generator files for 1990-1997 or GeneratorOwnershipyyyy, ProposedGeneratorsyyyy, ExistingGeneratorsyyyy — 3 generator files for 1998-2000
LAYOUT — ASCII layout file
860-B (Non-Utility) Data are compressed into a zip file that expands into xls data files and a txt layout file:
Developers plan to add 18.7 gigawatts (GW) of combined-cycle capacity to the grid by 2028, with 4.3 GW already under construction, according to our latest Preliminary Monthly Electric Generator Inventory. Although electricity generators fueled by natural gas have provided more electricity in the United States than any other source since 2016, hardly any new natural gas capacity came online last year.
Combined-cycle units contribute to grid operation, reliability Relatively efficient combined-cycle gas turbines (CCGTs) account for most of the natural gas-fired generating capacity in the United States. CCGT units are flexible and can quickly ramp up or down to respond to changes in power supply, supporting the reliability of the transmission system especially as more renewable capacity is integrated in the system.
The design lifetime of CCGT units is typically 25 years to 30 years. However, with comprehensive maintenance, component replacements, and strategic upgrades, their lifetime can be significantly extended.
Only one CCGT came online last year Only one industrial sector CCGT power generator came online last year, adding 98 megawatts of CCGT capacity to the existing power plant at Plaquemines LNG. The recent decline in CCGT capacity additions can be partly attributed to a shift to bring more renewable capacity online, mainly solar and wind. Operators have also developed battery storage capacity that is often paired with renewables. Decreasing construction costs for renewables as well as federal tax incentives and other policies further encourage investment in renewable energy projects.
Another 18.7 GW of CCGT capacity could come online through 2028 Developers plan to add 1.6 GW of CCGT in 2025, according to our latest Preliminary Monthly Electric Generator Inventory, which compiles the current status of existing and proposed utility-scale generating units. Two of the four new plants—the Intermountain Power Project in Utah and Magnolia Power in Louisiana—will include the capability to co-fire with hydrogen and have a combined capacity of 1.5 GW.
In our monthly survey, we ask respondents to provide statuses of planned units to distinguish whether a generator is in early stages of development, such as seeking regulatory approval, or in later stages of construction. More than half of the 3.3 GW of capacity that developers expect to bring online in 2026 is already under construction. Most of the 3.3 GW capacity developers plan to bring online in 2027 is not yet under construction.
Another 10.6 GW might be added in 2028. If realized, that would be the most CCGT capacity coming online in any year since 2018. However, developers of all those planned units are working through regulatory approvals and securing needed equipment, both of which add uncertainty to their construction costs and initial operation date.
Principal contributors: Lindsay Aramayo, Mark Schipper, Mark Morey
LEICESTER has been named as a global leader on climate action, achieving a top score on CDP’s ‘Cities A List’ for the sixth year running.
It means Leicester’s bold leadership, ambition and transparency on environmental action in its response to the climate emergency highlights the city as one of only 112 cities worldwide to receive an A rating from environmental impact charity CDP.
This year, over 970 cities around the world were rated for their climate action by CDP, with Leicester among the 15 per cent to receive the top A rating.
Just 48 European cities are on this year’s ‘Cities A List’.
In achieving its A rating, Leicester was able to demonstrate that it has a city-wide emissions inventory, has set an emissions reduction target and published a climate action plan, and has completed a climate adaptation plan to demonstrate how it will tackle climate hazards, among other actions.
Hanah Paik, CDP Global Director for Cities, States and Regions, said: “The cities, states and regions on CDP’s 2024 A List are setting the global benchmark for environmental leadership. Through robust disclosure and decisive action, they are ensuring that essential data is surfaced for informed decision-making across governments, markets and communities – and for unlocking access to the climate finance needed for implementation. They are not only accelerating their own progress but also charting a path for others to follow.”
Assistant city mayor Cllr Geoff Whittle, who leads on environment and transport, said: “We’re very proud that Leicester has been recognised by CDP for its work on climate action with a place on its A List for the sixth year in a row.
“As a council, we remain committed to reducing our own emissions and to support local people, schools and business to make the changes needed to help reduce the city’s overall carbon footprint.
“Being on the CDP’s global A List provides an important acknowledgement of the action we are taking to ensure that Leicester is a climate ready city.”.
When the council declared a climate emergency in Leicester in 2019, there was no doubt about the challenge involved in responding to this as a city.
“We’ve achieved a great deal since then and our ambitious Climate Ready Leicester Plan aims to build on that momentum with a focus on putting people first in the way we promote and support change towards net zero.”
A new climate ready action guide for residents, that includes more than 50 actions that people can take to help reduce their carbon impact at home and in their daily lives, is also available to download.
Residents can also explore how they can make their homes more energy efficient, save money and reduce their carbon footprint by using the new Homewise digital advice tool, developed by Energy Saving Trust.
This free online service helps homeowners identify energy efficiency improvements they could make to their homes. By completing a simple online survey, people can get a personalised action plan tailored to their needs and budget. They’ll also receive a breakdown of the cost for any improvements and potential savings.
ROCHESTER, N.Y., June 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Cellec Technologies has been awarded a $100,000 SuperBoost grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) Energy Storage Engine in Upstate New York, supporting the commercialization of its 0V-stable Z-safe™ technology to enhance lithium-ion battery safety and performance in extreme conditions.
The funding will accelerate the development of Cellec’s multi-functional 18650 cylindrical cell, which remains electrochemically stable at 0 volts state-of-charge (SoC) and operates in temperatures ranging from -20°C to 70°C. By integrating semi-solid electrolyte systems, this innovation aims to meet growing industry demand for safer, more reliable battery solutions in EVs, aerospace, and defense applications.
National security and defense applications are a key focus for Cellec’s work, particularly as the United States seeks to strengthen domestic supply chains and enhance operational resilience. The company’s Z-safe™ technology is positioned to play a critical role in supporting electrified platforms that require rapid charging, extended cycle life, and stable performance under extreme conditions.
“Battery safety and reliability in extreme conditions remain critical challenges across multiple industries,” said Christopher Schauerman, CEO of Cellec Technologies. “With support from the Upstate New York Energy Storage Engine, we can accelerate the development and commercialization of our Z-safe™ technology, ensuring that our next-generation batteries meet the growing demands for safety, durability, and extreme-temperature performance.”
The SuperBoost program, a key initiative of the Energy Storage Engine, is designed to accelerate commercialization timelines, reducing traditional technology development cycles from five or more years to less than two years. By providing funding and connecting startups with leading testbeds, manufacturing infrastructure, and research institutions, the program strengthens upstate New York’s position as a leader in energy storage innovation.
As part of this initiative, Cellec will conduct rigorous testing and validation cycles to prepare its technology for commercialization. Fernando Gómez-Baquero, director of the Translation Pillar at the NSF Energy Storage Engine, highlighted the significance of these efforts. “Cellec Technologies is addressing one of the most urgent challenges in battery safety and performance,” he said. “By integrating its proprietary Z-safe™ technology with advanced electrolyte systems, Cellec is pioneering innovations that could redefine the energy storage industry. We are excited to support their journey through the SuperBoost program as they bring this critical technology to market.”
The Energy Storage Engine in Upstate New York is committed to expanding the national energy storage ecosystem by advancing battery innovation and manufacturing. Meera Sampath, CEO of the Engine, emphasized the broader mission of the program: “The Engine plays a pivotal role in fostering a strong, interconnected network of battery innovators and manufacturers. Cellec’s advancements in extreme-temperature resilience and battery safety align perfectly with our goal of strengthening the U.S. battery supply chain, advancing national security interests, and positioning upstate New York as a leader in energy storage technology.”
With this support, Cellec Technologies will advance its electrode and electrolyte development, conduct rigorous testing, and validate its next-generation battery technology for commercial applications. These efforts will play a critical role in expanding the availability of safe, high- performance energy storage solutions for EVs, aerospace, and defense.
AboutCellecTechnologies
Cellec Technologies is a leading battery technology company focused on improving safety, reliability, and sustainability in lithium-ion energy storage. Its patented 0V-stable Z-safe™ technology and semi-solid electrolyte systems enable lithium-ion batteries to function safely and effectively in extreme-temperature environments. Cellec’s innovations support electric vehicles, aerospace, defense, and grid storage applications.
Contact: Christopher Schauerman CEO, Cellec Technologies Email: chris@cellectech.com
About the NSF Energy Storage Engine in Upstate New York
The NSF Energy Storage Engine in Upstate New York, led by Binghamton University, is a National Science Foundation-funded, place-based innovation program. The coalition of 40+ academic, industry, nonprofit, state, and community organizations includes Cornell University, Rochester Institute of Technology, Syracuse University, Launch-NY and NY-BEST as core partners. The Engine advances next-gen battery technology development and manufacturing to drive economic growth and bolster national security. Its vision is to transform upstate New York into America’s Battery Capital.
DALIAN, China, June 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CBAK Energy Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: CBAT) (“CBAK Energy” or the “Company”), a leading manufacturer of lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries and a provider of comprehensive electric energy solutions in China, today announced that members of its Research & Development and Sales teams recently visited China First Automotive Works (FAW) Group Co., Ltd. at the company’s headquarters in Changchun, Jilin Province.
The delegation was led by Mr. Suijun Shang, Principal of the Academy of Research & Development at CBAK Energy, and included senior managers from the Sales Department. They were received by the Principal of FAW’s own Academy of Research & Development. During the meeting, both parties exchanged insights on potential collaboration opportunities, including the prospective supply of CBAK Energy’s upcoming Model 46950 cell, which shares key design characteristics with the widely recognized Model 46800.
CBAK Energy’s Series 46 production line includes two variants of the Model 46950, utilizing either NCM (Nickel Cobalt Manganese) chemistry or a hybrid of LMFP (Lithium Manganese Iron Phosphate) and NCM. Specifically engineered for electric vehicle (EV) applications, these advanced cells deliver an energy density approximately 65.64% and 22.70% higher, respectively, than the Company’s current flagship cell, the Model 32140. Moreover, both versions of the Model 46950 support 4C fast charging, doubling the 2C charging capability of the Model 32140.
These innovative products are currently undergoing laboratory testing and are expected to be officially launched next year. With the introduction of the Model 46950, CBAK Energy is positioning itself to re-enter the EV battery market.
Zhiguang Hu, Chief Executive Officer of CBAK Energy, stated: “We are pleased to have engaged in meaningful discussions with FAW, one of China’s leading EV manufacturers. Reestablishing connections with former partners, especially with the forthcoming Model 46950, signals our strategic intention to return to the EV market. We anticipate that this type of industry dialogue will become increasingly frequent as we move closer to announcing the mass production of the Model 46950.”
About CBAK Energy CBAK Energy Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: CBAT) is a leading high-tech enterprise in China engaged in the development, manufacturing, and sales of new energy high power lithium batteries and raw materials for use in manufacturing high power lithium batteries. The applications of the Company’s products and solutions include electric vehicles, light electric vehicles, electric tools, energy storage, uninterruptible power supply (UPS), and other high-power applications. In January 2006, CBAK Energy became the first lithium battery manufacturer in China listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market. CBAK Energy has multiple operating subsidiaries in Dalian, Nanjing and Shaoxing, as well as a large-scale R&D and production base in Dalian.
Safe Harbor Statement This press release contains “forward-looking statements” that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release, including statements regarding our future results of operations and financial position, strategy and plans, and our expectations for future operations, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. We have attempted to identify forward-looking statements by terminology including “anticipates,” “believes,” “can,” “continue,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “plans,” “potential,” “predicts,” “should,” or “will” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Our actual results may differ materially or perhaps significantly from those discussed herein, or implied by, these forward-looking statements.
The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made as of the date of this press release and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, other than as required by applicable law.
For further inquiries, please contact: In China: CBAK Energy Technology, Inc. Investor Relations Department Email: ir@cbak.com.cn
WASHINGTON, June 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CleanChoice Energy (“CleanChoice”), the first 100% green company in the U.S. to provide ‘farm-to-table’ renewable energy by owning solar generation assets and supplying only clean energy to consumers, announced the acquisition of two solar projects in New York State, located in Washington and Rensselaer Counties. When completed, the solar projects will generate a combined 54.2 MW of clean electricity — effectively doubling CleanChoice’s generation capacity in the Mid-Atlantic region. This news comes six months after CleanChoice unveiled its first solar project, located in Franklin County, Penn.; the company is also continuing construction on a second solar project, located in Kylertown, Penn.
The Dolan project in Washington County and Hawthorn project in Rensselaer County were selected by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) as part of its latest round of large-scale renewable energy contract awards. Dolan and Hawthorn are two of only 26 projects selected statewide, highlighting their strategic importance to achieving New York’s 70% clean electricity by 2030 goal.
The new projects significantly expand CleanChoice’s generation portfolio and represent a major step in the company’s long-term strategy to own and operate solar farms that give communities a direct connection to locally-generated solar. Construction of both solar projects is expected to begin during Fall 2025, with a planned interconnection date of Q4 2026. The 133-acre Dolan project and 117-acre Hawthorn project will each have a capacity of 27.1 MW. When completed, both solar farms will interconnect to National Grid.
“CleanChoice Energy is committed to making renewable energy more accessible, and our two solar projects in New York will soon double the amount of clean energy that we deliver to the Mid-Atlantic region,” said Zoë Gamble, President of CleanChoice. “With electric grids struggling to keep up with ever-increasing demand, along with growing consumer demand for more sustainable energy options, investing in solar generation is a win-win solution for everyone.”
Reinforcing CleanChoice’s commitment to sustainability, both solar projects will include features that support the local ecosystem. The company’s investment extends beyond the environment as well. CleanChoice recently donated $70,000 to the Hoosick Fire District in Rensselaer County and will launch annual scholarships for graduating seniors in the local counties pursuing sustainability-related fields.
Gamble continued, “Bringing a solar project to completion is more than just putting clean energy on the grid. It’s important that we are good stewards of the land by incorporating practices that support the local ecosystem and benefit the surrounding community.”
CleanChoice is acquiring the projects from CS Energy, who originated these projects and led the development of them for the past five years.
“We’re proud to contribute to New York’s clean energy future through the development of these two utility-scale solar projects,” said Eric Millard, Chief Commercial Officer of CS Energy. “They represent our continued commitment to developing and building high-quality, energy projects while cultivating the strong partnerships needed to help achieve the state’s ambitious climate and clean energy goals.”
ABOUT CLEANCHOICE ENERGY CleanChoice Energy is one of the leading 100% renewable energy suppliers in the U.S. providing ‘farm-to-table’ clean energy by building solar farms and providing consumers with alternative ways to access clean energy. CleanChoice has redefined cleantech, making it easy for people to live cleaner lives with pollution-free, renewable energy for their homes and businesses. With CleanChoice, every kilowatt of electricity used is replenished onto the grid with 100% clean energy from regional wind and solar projects. Founded in 2012, CleanChoice has become one of the fastest-growing businesses in America, as ranked on the Inc 5000 and Deloitte’s Technology Fast 500™. CleanChoice Energy is majority-owned by Funds managed by True Green Capital Management LLC. For more information or to become a clean energy customer, visitCleanChoiceEnergy.com.
ABOUT CS ENERGY CS Energy is an industry-leading engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) renewable energy company that develops, designs and builds optimized solar, energy storage, and emerging energy projects. CS Energy has successfully designed and installed over 2 GW of solar and 650 MWh of energy storage projects across the United States. Owned by American Securities, a leading US private equity firm, CS Energy leverages strong relationships with solar developers, IPPs, utilities, off-takers, suppliers, and landowners to help our customers streamline the project development process, lower project costs, and create value for all stakeholders as a trusted and long-term partner.
Imagine your parents leave you and your siblings a share of land that’s been in your family for generations. Several of your relatives already live on the land, and you’d like to do the same; but you can’t get a loan to build or renovate a home without permission from all the relatives who also share ownership. And at any moment, another heir could sell their share, triggering a court-ordered sale that could force you off the land – and lose everything you’ve invested in.
This is the reality of what’s known as heirs’ property: land passed down informally, without clear wills or deeds, which results in a “tangled” or “clouded” title.
It’s more common than you might think in the U.S., especially in rural areas, and it presents significant challenges to long-term housing stability.
Research shows that within 44 states and the District of Columbia, there are an estimated 508,371
heirs’ properties, with an assessed value of US$32 billion. (There wasn’t reliable enough data in six states.)
It’s more of an issue in some states, such as Alabama. But it’s also a problem in cities such as New York City and Philadelphia.
Because it’s so difficult to finance home construction on this land, sell it or leverage it, heirs’ property can leave families vulnerable to exploitation and perpetuate cycles of poverty. Despite these challenges, many families have nonetheless lived together and supported one another on shared land for generations.
As faculty and collaborators with Auburn University’s Rural Studio, we study heirs’ property and its role in shaping housing access. Based in Hale County, Alabama, Rural Studio has completed over 200 projects – many of them homes built on heirs’ property – providing critical housing for families facing complex land ownership challenges.
Land with no clear owner
The lack of a clear will or deed often happens due to inadequate access to – and distrust of – the legal system.
Once the land is passed down to the next generation, the heirs are known as “tenants in common,” meaning they own an undivided interest in the entire property. As the property continues to pass down from generation to generation, the number of tenants in common increases exponentially.
When a couple passes down land to their children – and then those kids pass it down to their kids – the number of heirs dramatically increases. Auburn University Rural Studio, CC BY-SA
Without clear title, no single person or group can make decisions about the property. Every heir must legally sign off on any action, which makes it nearly impossible to secure traditional forms of financing, obtain insurance, access disaster relief, or use the land as collateral.
Those living on the land often pay their share of property taxes, but distant or unaware heirs might not, which puts the entire property at risk of being lost through a tax lien sale. This leaves families with property in “tangled” status exposed to predatory land acquisition practices that often lead to land loss.
Any tenant in common can sell their share to an outside party. These outside parties – either individuals or companies – can then request a court to order what’s called a partition by sale, which can push every other owner off the land.
Imagine three siblings inherit a piece of land from their parents and are now tenants in common. One sibling sells their share to a real estate investor. That investor then goes to court and requests a partition by sale. The court then orders the entire property sold and the proceeds split among the owners, effectively forcing the other two siblings off the land, even if they wanted to keep it.
Our research in Hale County, Alabama, finds that Black families in particular have supported one another for generations while living on heirs’ property.
These multigenerational kinship networks rely on one another for child care, elder care, food, transportation and shared utility costs. But the value of this sort of living situation goes beyond social and economic benefits. The land can be woven into family lore or be steeped in the history of the surrounding area.
So, despite the legal and financial challenges, many extended families will do whatever they can to continue living together on their land. Even a small stake in heirs’ property offers connection to the past and a place to return home in the future.
Family members often live in different homes spread across heirs’ property, which often exists in a legal gray area. Auburn University Rural Studio, CC BY-SA
These informal kinship networks can provide support and resilience in ways that traditional forms of land and homeownership do not. Putting all of the people who own the land on the title – what’s known as “clearing title” – is not only costly and time-consuming, but it also often requires dividing up the property into smaller parcels, which can prevent some family members from living on the land altogether.
Meanwhile, traditional legal and financial products – think mortgages and land-use agreements with farmers – tend to be structured with sole ownership in mind. Most banks and institutions simply won’t lend to heirs’ property with tangled titles.
There have been recent efforts to protect these informal arrangements. The Uniform Partition of Heirs Property Act, which has been enacted in 25 states, ensures due process and sets up safeguards against immediate partition by sale actions.
For example, if a suit is brought by a co-owner, a fair market value appraisal – or an agreed-upon value by all parties – must be conducted. The other shareholders of the land also have the option to buy out the shareholder bringing the suit. Under the statute, additional partition methods may be considered. And if a sale is required, it’s done on the open market.
Many organizations are working to address issues related to heirs’ property and tangled titles. Most of the work centers on clearing title, establishing shared land agreements and teaching landowners how to avoid having their property fall into a tangled title situation. For example, the Florida Housing Coalition, Housing Assistance Council and the Alabama Heirs Property Alliance are actively engaged in community education, legal support, data mapping and policy advocacy.
Build first, ask permission later
Many rural families on heirs’ property have limited pathways to homeownership. Financial constraints, limited access to quality housing options and lot restrictions have often forced residents to settle for older, substandard, manufactured homes. Small utility sheds have even begun to replace broken-down trailer homes in many rural areas.
Utility sheds are increasingly being used as homes across the U.S. South. Auburn University Rural Studio, CC BY-SA
There’s clearly a need for safe, durable housing that enables these families to build generational wealth. And that’s where Rural Studio comes in.
Building new housing or renovating existing structures means dealing with a web of zoning laws, building codes and land development ordinances, which are all tied to financing and lending systems. While many efforts to address heirs’ property aim to change legal policies, we approach this issue through housing.
We use what we call a “build first” strategy. Using funds from research grants and donations, we simply start building on heirs’ properties with the permission of families. In the process, we show that if tangled titles were no longer an obstacle, much more housing could be built.
One of our recent Rural Studio projects is the 18×18 House, a compact, multistory home built for a young man living on heirs’ property in Alabama.
The 18X18 House is a multistory home that was on heirs’ property in Alabama. Auburn University Rural Studio. Photo by Timothy Hursley, CC BY-SA
The home is nestled between several other family members’ homes. We had to work around existing electrical lines, a septic field, roads and steep topography. Despite these site constraints, the house is an ideal starter home: big enough for the young man and a future partner to live comfortably on the family plot. If he ever decides to leave, other family members can move in.
Rather than focusing on one-off products, our goal with the 18×18 House is to develop replicable housing prototypes that respond to the realities of intergenerational living on family land. We also hope that tangible housing will help policymakers understand the value of reform.
The question isn’t whether design can respond to these challenges, but how it can lead by pushing antiquated regulatory and legal frameworks to evolve.
Jennifer Pindyck receives funding from Fannie Mae, Wells Fargo and the Center for Architecture, in partnership with AIA New York. She is affiliated with the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture and is a registered architect in the state of Georgia.
Christian Ayala Lopez work is funded through a diverse range of organizations such as Fannie Mae, USDA, and Center for Architecture NY. He is affiliated to Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture, National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, and member of Florida Housing Coalition.
Rusty Smith receives funding from Fannie Mae, USDA, Wells Fargo and Regions Bank. He is affiliated with the Housing Assistance Council, the American Institute of Architects, the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory Innovation Incubator, the EPA Collegiate/Underserved Community Partnership and the Bipartisan Policy Center.
As summer arrives, people are turning on air conditioners in most of the U.S. But if you’re like me, you always feel a little guilty about that. Past generations managed without air conditioning – do I really need it? And how bad is it to use all this electricity for cooling in a warming world?
If I leave my air conditioner off, I get too hot. But if everyone turns on their air conditioner at the same time, electricity demand spikes, which can force power grid operators to activate some of the most expensive, and dirtiest, power plants. Sometimes those spikes can ask too much of the grid and lead to brownouts or blackouts.
Research I recently published with a team of scholars makes me feel a little better, though. We have found that it is possible to coordinate the operation of large numbers of home air-conditioning units, balancing supply and demand on the power grid – and without making people endure high temperatures inside their homes.
Studies along these lines, using remote control of air conditioners to support the grid, have for many years explored theoretical possibilities like this. However, few approaches have been demonstrated in practice and never for such a high-value application and at this scale. The system we developed not only demonstrated the ability to balance the grid on timescales of seconds, but also proved it was possible to do so without affecting residents’ comfort.
The benefits include increasing the reliability of the power grid, which makes it easier for the grid to accept more renewable energy. Our goal is to turn air conditioners from a challenge for the power grid into an asset, supporting a shift away from fossil fuels toward cleaner energy.
Originally, the U.S. electric grid was built to transport electricity from large power plants to customers’ homes and businesses. And originally, power plants were large, centralized operations that burned coal or natural gas, or harvested energy from nuclear reactions. These plants were typically always available and could adjust how much power they generated in response to customer demand, so the grid would be balanced between power coming in from producers and being used by consumers.
But the grid has changed. There are more renewable energy sources, from which power isn’t always available – like solar panels at night or wind turbines on calm days. And there are the devices and equipment I study. These newer options, called “distributed energy resources,” generate or store energy near where consumers need it – or adjust how much energy they’re using in real time.
One aspect of the grid hasn’t changed, though: There’s not much storage built into the system. So every time you turn on a light, for a moment there’s not enough electricity to supply everything that wants it right then: The grid needs a power producer to generate a little more power. And when you turn off a light, there’s a little too much: A power producer needs to ramp down.
The way power plants know what real-time power adjustments are needed is by closely monitoring the grid frequency. The goal is to provide electricity at a constant frequency – 60 hertz – at all times. If more power is needed than is being produced, the frequency drops and a power plant boosts output. If there’s too much power being produced, the frequency rises and a power plant slows production a little. These actions, a process called “frequency regulation,” happen in a matter of seconds to keep the grid balanced.
This output flexibility, primarily from power plants, is key to keeping the lights on for everyone.
I’m interested in how distributed energy resources can improve flexibility in the grid. They can release more energy, or consume less, to respond to the changing supply or demand, and help balance the grid, ensuring the frequency remains near 60 hertz.
Some people fear that doing so might be invasive, giving someone outside your home the ability to control your battery or air conditioner. Therefore, we wanted to see if we could help balance the grid with frequency regulation using home air-conditioning units rather than power plants – without affecting how residents use their appliances or how comfortable they are in their homes.
From 2019 to 2023, my group at the University of Michigan tried this approach, in collaboration with researchers at Pecan Street Inc., Los Alamos National Laboratory and the University of California, Berkeley, with funding from the U.S. Department of Energy Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy.
We recruited 100 homeowners in Austin, Texas, to do a real-world test of our system. All the homes had whole-house forced-air cooling systems, which we connected to custom control boards and sensors the owners allowed us to install in their homes. This equipment let us send instructions to the air-conditioning units based on the frequency of the grid.
Before I explain how the system worked, I first need to explain how thermostats work. When people set thermostats, they pick a temperature, and the thermostat switches the air-conditioning compressor on and off to maintain the air temperature within a small range around that set point. If the temperature is set at 68 degrees, the thermostat turns the AC on when the temperature is, say, 70, and turns it off when it’s cooled down to, say, 66.
Every few seconds, our system slightly changed the timing of air-conditioning compressor switching for some of the 100 air conditioners, causing the units’ aggregate power consumption to change. In this way, our small group of home air conditioners reacted to grid changes the way a power plant would – using more or less energy to balance the grid and keep the frequency near 60 hertz.
Moreover, our system was designed to kept home temperatures within the same small temperature range around the set point.
Smart thermostats could have frequency regulation capabilities available to interested consumers, to help balance the electricity grid. Danielle Mead/iStock/Getty Images Plus
Testing the approach
We ran our system in four tests, each lasting one hour. We found two encouraging results.
First, the air conditioners were able to provide frequency regulation at least as accurately as a traditional power plant. Therefore, we showed that air conditioners could play a significant role in increasing grid flexibility. But perhaps more importantly – at least in terms of encouraging people to participate in these types of systems – we found that we were able to do so without affecting people’s comfort in their homes.
We found that home temperatures did not deviate more than 1.6 Fahrenheit from their set point. Homeowners were allowed to override the controls if they got uncomfortable, but most didn’t. For most tests, we received zero override requests. In the worst case, we received override requests from two of the 100 homes in our test.
In practice, this sort of technology could be added to commercially available internet-connected thermostats. In exchange for credits on their energy bills, users could choose to join a service run by the thermostat company, their utility provider or some other third party.
Then people could turn on the air conditioning in the summer heat without that pang of guilt, knowing they were helping to make the grid more reliable and more capable of accommodating renewable energy sources – without sacrificing their own comfort in the process.
Johanna Mathieu works for the University of Michigan. She has received funding from the National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, ARPA-E, and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. She is affiliated with the IEEE.
Ten British AI breakthroughs set to cut bills and heat homes more efficiently
Millions of families could see warmer homes and lower energy bills, as ministers back ten new AI innovations which will help make the UK a clean energy superpower through the government’s Plan for Change.
Manchester Prize finalists announced.
Ten AI pioneers are being supported to develop AI solutions which slash energy bills and accelerate the UK’s clean energy superpower ambitions.
Technologies include AI-powered heat mapping drones and smart panels that warm homes from the outside.
Winners will compete for £1 million Manchester Prize, helping to unlock AI innovation and growth to deliver the government’s Plan for Change.
Millions of families could see warmer homes and lower energy bills, as ministers back ten new AI innovations which will help make the UK a clean energy superpower through the government’s Plan for Change.
The ten finalists for the second round of the Manchester Prize include revolutionary technologies that could transform how Britain tackles climate change, while cutting costs for working families.
Among them is a system using AI to design bespoke panels, turning bricks into radiators to warm homes from the outside in, keeping a comfortable inside temperature all year round and simplifying the installation of heat pumps in older homes while reducing costs.
Another team uses AI-enabled drones to map heat loss across entire neighbourhoods, helping councils identify exactly which homes need urgent insulation upgrades – which could save households hundreds on their annual energy bill.
The Manchester Prize, funded by the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology and delivered by Challenge Works (part of the Nesta group), is rewarding UK-led AI breakthroughs that support the public good, including growing the economy, improving public services and helping to create a just transition to Net Zero for everyone.
Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Peter Kyle said:
AI is opening up transformative new ways to tackle climate change and support the UK’s ambition to become a clean energy superpower.
That includes using the technology to keep our homes warm, while also supporting projects which will use AI to slash carbon emissions in our cement and steel industries – sectors which account for 16% of global emissions.
This is how we deliver our Plan for Change – harnessing innovation to solve major challenges, cut energy bills, and improve lives across Britain.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said:
Clean power is the economic opportunity of the 21st century and these projects will help households and businesses take advantage of lower bills, in a smarter and faster way than ever before.
From specially designed radiator walls to a smart power grid that flicks on and off as we need, AI has the potential to help every home in Britain to feel the benefits of warmer homes and homegrown clean energy.
Julia King, Baroness Brown of Cambridge, chair of the Manchester Prize judging panel said:
We are at a critical juncture in the journey to net zero, the next decade is make or break if the world is to keep global temperatures from exceeding 1.5C by 2050. Global emissions need to halve by 2030 compared to 1990 levels if we are to stay on track, while electricity production will need to double by 2050 to meet the demands of an electrified economy – clean energy innovation is essential.
The rapid advancement of AI means we have tools like never before to achieve the goal of decarbonising the economy while supporting individuals, communities and businesses to thrive.
Other finalists include AI technologies to help the logistics industry cut its emissions, and AI being used to ensure the energy grid remains balanced at all times – as more and more of our energy supplies comes from wind and solar.
The ten teams behind the advanced AI solutions have each received £100,000 in seed funding, plus £60,000 worth of compute credits to help train and scale their models. They will also benefit from non-financial support including investor readiness guidance and access to a network of experts, positioning them for success in the pursuit of the £1 million grand prize in spring 2026. The winning solution will demonstrate not only technical innovation, but also an evidenced road map to near-term (2030) adoption, scale and impact.
These shortlisted finalists will now follow in the footsteps of Polaron – the inaugural winners of the Manchester Prize which speeds up the development of advanced materials used in all walks of life – from wind turbines to electric batteries.
The winning innovation will be announced early next year, taking home the grand prize of £1 million to bring their cutting-edge ideas to life.
It builds on the AI Opportunities Action Plan, the UK government’s blueprint to accelerate the use of AI across the economy. By harnessing cutting-edge solutions like these, AI is driving breakthroughs in industry, transforming public services, and improving the lives of citizens across the country.
Notes to Editors
About the first Manchester Prize
The Manchester Prize is a multi-million-pound challenge prize from the UK’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology to reward UK-led breakthroughs in artificial intelligence for public good. It is rewarding innovations that will help to transform the lives of the people across the UK and continue to secure the UK’s place as a global leader in cutting edge innovation.
In its second year, the Manchester Prize will reward UK-led breakthroughs in artificial intelligence that will accelerate action towards the UK’s ambitious clean energy and net zero goals – manchesterprize.org.
About Challenge Works
Challenge Works is a global leader in designing and delivering high-impact challenge prizes that incentivise cutting-edge innovation for social good. It is part of UK innovation foundation agency Nesta. For more than a decade, it has run more than 97 prizes, distributed more than £210 million in funding and engaged with 16,000 innovators.
Manchester Prize (year 2) finalists
Agent Net Zero
Agent Net Zero by University of Sheffield and AMRC. Agent Net Zero is an innovative AI system that helps industrial companies become more sustainable by analysing their environmental impact in real-time. The system continuously monitors energy usage and emissions by connecting to various data sources across operations. Using advanced AI techniques, Agent Net Zero identifies environmental hotspots and automatically suggests practical improvements. This gives businesses clear, actionable insights to reduce their carbon footprint while maintaining productivity and competitiveness, essentially providing a “sustainability assistant” that works 24/7 to help companies achieve their net-zero goals.
BiofuelAi
BiofuelAi by University of Surrey. BiofuelAi brings cutting-edge AI and machine learning to the biofuel industry, optimising complex, variable processes in real time. Traditional biogas production often relies on operator intuition due to unpredictable biological systems because biofuels are made from multiple material inputs. BiofuelAi solves this with advanced predictive models that create a digital twin of each site, enabling whole-system optimisation – from daily feedstock recipes to long-term acquisition strategies. Developed by AI and sustainability experts, the platform boosts efficiency, profitability, and environmental impact, offering a scalable solution for cleaner, data-driven energy production worldwide.
Carbon Re
Carbon Re by Carbon Re. Cement forms the foundation of our modern world but it has a sustainability problem – it is responsible for around 8% of global CO₂ emissions. Carbon Re is tackling this challenge by building AI process control software to cut emissions in cement production. Acting like self-driving for industrial plants, Carbon Re optimises industrial processes in real-time, helping manufacturers cut both costs and carbon while transitioning to low-carbon operations. A joint spin out of University College London and the University of Cambridge, Carbon Re was founded to deliver immediate climate impact for heavy industry.
Cavolo
Cavolo by Kale AI. Cavolo uses advanced AI to make city deliveries more efficient and eco-friendly. The system helps businesses switch from traditional delivery vans to Light Electric Vehicles (LEVs), which are more efficient in busy cities. By using AI, Cavolo optimises delivery routes in real-time, reducing traffic, energy use, and emissions. The technology helps make urban logistics faster and greener, allowing businesses to deliver goods quickly while saving time and reducing their environmental impact.
Deep.Optimiser-PhyX
Deep.Optimiser-PhyX by Deep.Meta. Deep.Meta is tackling carbon emissions in the steel industry with an AI-powered Digital Twin – a smart digital replica of the production process that combines physics and machine learning to optimise furnace operations. By using real-time sensor data and material science, Deep.Meta more accurately predicts steel slab temperatures and improves scheduling, boosting energy efficiency and significantly cutting emissions. Unlike black-box AI, which can discourage adoption, Deep.Meta’s explainable, physics-based models offer clear reasoning, building trust with users. Founded by experts in metallurgy and machine learning, Deep.Meta is already partnering with global steelmakers and aims to scale through broader industry collaboration.
DRIVE
DRIVE (Deep Re-enforcement learning for Intelligent Vehicle and Energy optimisation) by Flexible Power Systems. Flexible Power Systems (FPS) helps big fleets like vans, trucks, and buses switch to electric by managing vehicles, chargers, and schedules with smart software. FPS uses advanced AI called Deep Reinforcement Learning to solve complex, fast-changing problems – like where and when to charge – more quickly and efficiently. After training in a virtual world, the AI can make smart decisions in real time. First used in EV fleets, this technology could also help with bigger energy challenges in the future.
EnergyWall
EnergyWall by Underheat, in partnership with University of Salford. EnergyWall upgrades a building’s walls, gently warming or cooling homes from the outside, turning bricks into radiators that maintain a comfortable internal temperature all year round. Using AI to analyse a building and off-site manufacturing, it designs and installs pipe systems into insulation panels for the walls of a building, making retrofitting buildings with heat pumps faster, cheaper, and less disruptive. This approach is ideal for social housing, helping reduce carbon emissions, cut energy bills, and tackle condensation that causes mould. It’s a smarter, scalable way to decarbonise heating and fight fuel poverty across the UK.
Green Loops
Green Loops by University of Wolverhampton, in partnership with ABCircular GmbH Berlin. Green Loops tackles the challenge of recycling end-of-life photovoltaic (PV) cells by creating high-efficiency solar panels from recycled materials. It uses machine learning to analyse the optical properties of materials and structures of solar cells. Using highly conductive artificially engineered MXene-based metamaterials, Green Loops optimises the design of solar cells to enhance energy performance while reducing manufacturing costs. With the growing e-waste problem from old solar panels, the technology helps reduce waste, supports a circular economy, and makes solar energy more sustainable and accessible.
Grid Stability
Grid Stability by University of Manchester. For electricity grids to function, there must be balance between the electricity going into the grid and the electricity leaving it. Grid Stability Monitor uses AI and machine learning to quickly analyse power grid stability as more low-carbon technologies like wind, solar, EVs and heat pumps connect. It replaces slow, complex simulations with rapid, AI-driven assessments, enabling real-time monitoring, faster decision-making, and more confident planning. This helps grid operators maintain reliability while scaling up clean energy solutions and cutting emissions.
Rapid Thermal Performance Assessment algorithms (RaThPAs) by Kestrix. Kestrix uses AI and thermal drones to map heat loss across entire neighbourhoods, acting as fast, 3D energy surveys from the sky. This helps stakeholders like utilities, councils and housing providers plan energy upgrades with fewer costly, time-consuming site visits. Like a “Google Maps of heat loss,” the system shows where buildings are leaking heat and recommends fixes. With a team of experts in computer vision and physics, Kestrix aims to speed up home retrofits, in turn cutting emissions, saving households money, and making homes warmer and healthier at scale.
Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:
Gil Holzman, President and CEO of independent oil and gas exploration company Eco (Atlantic) Oil & Gas, has confirmed his participation as a speaker at the upcoming African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies conference, scheduled to take place from September 29 to October 3, 2025, in Cape Town. As an independent with strategic assets in Namibia and South Africa, Eco (Atlantic) Oil & Gas’ Holzman is well-positioned to shape discussions around the opportunities within the African oil and gas sector.
Eco (Atlantic) Oil & Gas is accelerating exploration across several key assets in the Orange Basin, one of the world’s most promising exploration frontiers located offshore South Africa and Namibia. In June 2025, the company secured the exploration right and transfer of 75% interest in Block 1. The milestone follows an announcement made in May 2025 that the company acquired 2D and 3D seismic data for Block 1 offshore South Africa to support a future drilling campaign.
The block – where wells drilled in the 1980s indicated high-quality, commercial-scale oil and gas deposits – became part of Eco (Atlantic) Oil & Gas’ portfolio in June 2024 through the acquisition of a 75% working interest from Orange Basin Oil and Gas. According to Eco (Atlantic) Oil & Gas, the acquisition of the block is a testament to the firm’s commitment to unlock the vast hydrocarbon potential of the Orange Basin to drive a just and inclusive energy transition for the region. Meanwhile, Eco (Atlantic) Oil & Gas is also planning an intensive drilling program in South Africa’s Block 3B/4B, having raised CAD$11.5 million via a farm out deal in the block in January 2025. Eco (Atlantic) Oil & Gas holds a 5.25% carried interest in the block.
In Namibia, Eco (Atlantic) Oil & Gas continues to advance exploration activities across four Petroleum Exploration Licenses – PEL 97, 98, 99 and 100 – while actively seeking farm-out partners to increase funding and technical expertise. The company holds operatorship and an 85% interest in each PEL, which represent a combined total area of 28,593 km2 in the Walvis Basin. As a frontier basin, Walvis holds immense opportunities for play-opening discoveries. Holzman’s participation at AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 provides a strategic opportunity to engage potential investors and collaborators to fast-track these developments.
“Eco (Atlantic) Oil & Gas is bullish about unlocking one of the world’s most prolific basins, the Orange Basin. The company’s commitment, investments and technical capabilities are vital to securing energy independence for South Africa, Namibia and the broader southern African region on the back of oil and gas exploitation,” stated Tomás Gerbasio, Vice President of Commercial and Strategic Engagement at the African Energy Chamber.
At AEW: Invest in African Energies, Holzman will participate in high-level discussions and showcase Eco Atlantic’s project pipeline, reaffirming the company’s commitment to Africa’s energy future. Holzman will join leading stakeholders to discuss how African oil and gas reserves – estimated at 125 billion barrels of oil and 620 trillion cubic feet of gas – can serve as critical enablers of energy access, industrialization and economic transformation across the continent. With over 600 million Africans lacking electricity and 900 million without access to clean cooking, hydrocarbons are vital for bridging the continent’s energy gap.
– on behalf of African Energy Chamber.
About AEW: Invest in African Energies: AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit http://www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Speech
IAEA Board of Governors on the JCPoA, June 2025: E3 statement
France, Germany and the UK (E3) gave a joint statement to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors on Iran’s implementation of its nuclear commitments under the JCPoA
Chair,
On behalf of France, Germany and the United Kingdom, I thank Director General Grossi for his latest report on Iran’s nuclear programme, which once again demonstrates the Agency’s professional, independent and impartial work providing objective reporting on Iran’s nuclear programme and its implementation of its nuclear-related commitments under UN Security Council resolution 2231.
The content of this latest report is far from positive. As we have heard many times before, it details more escalation in Iran’s nuclear programme, moving Iran even further from its JCPoA commitments, while at the same time Iran fails to improve its cooperation with the IAEA, despite the Board’s appeals. As the DG notes, Iran’s enrichment to 60% is unprecedented for a state without nuclear weapons, and has no credible civilian justification. The IAEA is currently unable to verify that Iran’s escalating nuclear programme is exclusively peaceful. That must be a concern for us all.
Since the last report, Iran has continued expanding its enriched uranium stockpile, particularly its production of high enriched uranium, far exceeding its JCPoA commitments. Iran’s stockpile of uranium enriched up to 60 % has increased by roughly 50 % since the last Board and now is more than 400 kg. This is very concerning. Iran now has more than nine IAEA significant quantities of high enriched uranium and is producing just under one significant quantity of high enriched uranium per month. As a reminder, a significant quantity is the approximate amount required, as defined by the IAEA, of material from which the possibility of manufacturing a nuclear explosive device cannot be excluded. Iran’s overall stockpile exceeds the limits laid out in the JCPoA by more than 40 times. We echo the DG’s “serious concern” with this issue.
And Iran is not stopping there. In his latest report, the DG points out that Iran has continued to expand its enrichment infrastructure by installing and partly operating new advanced centrifuges. Iran’s installed enrichment capacity is over ten times the limits Iran agreed in the JCPoA. Likewise, Iran’s continued operation of the Fordow underground facility is another breach of Iran’s JCPoA commitments and is alarming given Fordow’s status as a former undeclared enrichment facility.
Meanwhile, Iran refuses to re-designate several experienced Agency inspectors. This is a politically motivated decision which seriously affects the IAEA’s ability to conduct its verification in Iran, particularly at its enrichment facilities.
As a result of Iran’s continued non-cooperation and lack of implementation of almost all transparency commitments made under the JCPoA, the DG’s latest report restates that the Agency has permanently lost the continuity of knowledge on key parts of Iran’s nuclear programme that relate to the production and inventory of centrifuges, rotors and bellows, heavy water and uranium ore concentrate.
The DG also observes that it has been four years since Iran stopped provisionally applying its Additional Protocol, thus denying the Agency complementary access to any sites or other locations in Iran.
As a result of all these shortcomings, the Agency is yet again not able to ascertain whether Iran’s nuclear programme is exclusively peaceful. This fact, taken together with continued rhetoric from Iranian officials about Iran’s capability to assemble a nuclear weapon and about the option to change Iran’s so-called ‘nuclear doctrine’, as well as Iran’s threats to leave the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, pose a serious threat to international security, and the non-proliferation regime.
Chair,
The E3 have consistently worked towards a diplomatic solution to address Iran’s nuclear programme and to remove all doubts about its exclusively peaceful nature. Yet, in 2022, Iran twice refused a viable deal that would have brought it back into compliance with the JCPoA, with a return to United States participation, and instead Iran chose to continue to expand its nuclear activities. And this year, while engaging in dialogue with the United States and the E3, Iran has continued its nuclear escalation unabatedly, even further beyond any credible civilian justification.
We therefore call again on Iran to urgently change course:
Iran must halt and reverse its nuclear escalation and refrain from making threats regarding a change of its nuclear doctrine, which are in themselves highly destabilising and not consistent with Iran’s status as a state without nuclear weapons under the NPT;
Iran must return to compliance with its JCPoA commitments;
Iran must restore full transparency with its nuclear programme and implement the verification measures it committed to under the JCPoA and other transparency commitments, in particular its legal obligations under its Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement. It must also reverse its September 2023 decision to de-designate several experienced IAEA inspectors in order to allow the Agency to fully implement its mandate; and finally:
Iran must urgently re-implement and ratify the Additional Protocol.
Chair,
We, the IAEA, and many in this Board have repeated this message for years now – this matter is urgent, Iran must demonstrate its commitment to a diplomatic solution by taking concrete steps to address the international community’s concerns. The E3 wants to see a diplomatic solution. We welcome the ongoing efforts to achieve this. Through our engagement there is a clear, common message: Iran cannot be allowed to develop or acquire nuclear weapons. The E3 will spare no efforts to work towards a diplomatic solution to achieve this goal. Absent a satisfying deal, the E3 will consider triggering the snapback mechanism to address threats to international peace and security arising from Iran’s nuclear programme.
We ask the Director General to keep the Board informed on all relevant activities and developments relating to Iran’s nuclear programme by regular and, if necessary, extraordinary reporting.
Finally, we ask for this report to be made public.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Glenn Thompson (5th District Pennsylvania)
COUDERSPORT, Pa. – U.S. Representative Glenn “GT” Thompson today announced that Mr. Lucas Gaston, of Brookville, Pa. has accepted a fully qualified appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y.
Gaston is a senior at Brookville Area High School. He is the son of Becky and Mike Gaston of Brookville. He is the grandson of Hazel and Joe Gaston of Brookville and Nancy and Ted Fox of Brookville.
“Lucas is an exceptional young man who has distinguished himself in the classroom, in athletics, and throughout his community,” Rep. Thompson said. “His achievements speak to a deep sense of purpose and a readiness to meet the challenges of the United States Military Academy. I have no doubt that he will thrive at West Point, and I wish him the very best as he begins this exciting new chapter.”
Gaston is currently serving as the Secretary of his class. He is a track and field and golf athlete, participates in the concert and marching band, is a Special Olympics Volunteer, and a member of the National Honor Society.
TORONTO, June 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Apollo Technology Capital Corporation (“Apollo Capital”), which together with its affiliates and associates collectively is one of the largest shareholders of MediPharm Labs Corp. (TSX: LABS) (OTCQB: MEDIF) (FSE: MLZ) (“MediPharm”, “MediPharm Labs”, or the “Company”), owning approximately 3% of the Company’s common stock, today issued apresentationto set forth their ambitious plan to grow your investment and help turn MediPharm around.
Outlines Commitment to Immediately and Aggressively Execute on Action Plan to 10X+ Share Price and Create Value for All Shareholders
Details Specific and Measurable Initiatives to Save MediPharm Labs from Insolvency at the Hands of Greedy, Reckless, and Maligned Leaders
Sets Forth Plan to Stop Exorbitant Executive Compensation Pay-for-Failure and End 3 Years of Value Destructive Actions
THE TIME TO ACT IS NOW. VOTE THEGOLDCARD TODAY.
SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO PROTECT THEIR INVESTMENT BY VOTING THEGOLDPROXY CARD “FOR” APOLLO CAPITAL’S SIX HIGHLY-QUALIFIED DIRECTOR NOMINEES AND DISREGARD MEDIPHARM LABS’ GREEN PROXY CARD.
TOGETHER LET’S SAVE MEDIPHARM AND DELIVER THE VALUE THAT SHAREHOLDERS DESERVE.
For more information on our detailed value creation plan and instructions on how to vote, please see our websitewww.curemedipharm.com.
Contacts
For Shareholders: Carson Proxy North American Toll-Free Phone: 1-800-530-5189 Local or Text Message: 416-751-2066 (collect calls accepted) E: info@carsonproxy.com
This solicitation is being made by and on behalf of Apollo Capital, who, as of the date of this Circular, beneficially owns or controls, directly and indirectly through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Nobul Technologies Inc., 12,491,500 common shares of the Company (“Common Shares”), representing approximately 3% of the total Common Shares issued and outstanding, and not by the management of the Company.
Legal Disclosures
Information in Support of Public Broadcast Exemption under Canadian Law
In connection with the annual general and special meeting (the “Annual Meeting”) of shareholders of MediPharm, Apollo Capital has filed an amended and restated dissident information circular dated May 15, 2025 (the “Circular”), as amended and supplemented by an addendum to the Circular subsequently filed by Apollo Capital and Patrick McCutcheon (together, the “Concerned Stakeholder”) dated June 4, 2025 (the “Addendum” and together with the Circular, the “Amended Circular”), each in compliance with applicable corporate and securities laws. The Concerned Stakeholder has provided in, or incorporated by reference into, this press release the disclosure required under section 9.2(4) of NI 51-102 – Continuous Disclosure Obligations (“NI 51-102”) and the corresponding exemption under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario), and has filed the Amended Circular, available under MediPharm’s profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. The Amended Circular contains disclosure prescribed by applicable corporate law and disclosure required under section 9.2(6) of NI 51-102 in respect of the Concerned Stakeholder’s director nominees, in accordance with corporate and securities laws applicable to public broadcast solicitations. The Amended Circular is hereby incorporated by reference into this press release and is available under MediPharm’s profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. The registered office of the Company is 151 John Street, Barrie, Ontario, Canada L4N 2L1.
SHAREHOLDERS OF MEDIPHARM ARE URGED TO READ THE AMENDED CIRCULAR CAREFULLY BECAUSE IT CONTAINS IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Investors and shareholders are able to obtain free copies of the Amended Circular and any amendments or supplements thereto and further proxy circulars at no charge under MediPharm’s profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. In addition, shareholders are also able to obtain free copies of the Amended Circular and other relevant documents by contacting the Concerned Stakeholder’s proxy solicitor, Carson Proxy Advisors Ltd. (“Carson Proxy”) at 1-800-530-5189, local (collect outside North America): 416-751-2066 or by email at info@carsonproxy.com. Finally, the Amended Circular is available on this website https://www.curemedipharm.com/historical-filing/investor-flyer.
Proxies may be revoked in accordance with subsection 110(4) of the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) by a registered shareholder of Company shares: (a) by completing and signing a valid proxy bearing a later date and returning it in accordance with the instructions contained in the accompanying form of proxy; (b) by depositing an instrument in writing executed by the shareholder or by the shareholder’s attorney authorized in writing; (c) by transmitting by telephonic or electronic means a revocation that is signed by electronic signature in accordance with applicable law, as the case may be: (i) at the registered office of the Company at any time up to and including the last business day preceding the day the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement of the Annual Meeting is to be held, or (ii) with the chair of the Annual Meeting on the day of the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement of the Annual Meeting; or (d) in any other manner permitted by law. In addition, proxies may be revoked by a non-registered holder of Company shares at any time by written notice to the intermediary in accordance with the instructions given to the non-registered holder by its intermediary. It should be noted that revocation of proxies or voting instructions by a non-registered holder can take several days or even longer to complete and, accordingly, any such revocation should be completed well in advance of the deadline prescribed in the form of proxy or voting instruction form to ensure it is given effect in respect of the Annual Meeting.
The costs incurred in the preparation and mailing of any circular or proxy solicitation by the Concerned Stakeholder and any other participants named herein will be borne directly and indirectly by Apollo Capital. However, to the extent permitted under applicable law, Apollo Capital intends to seek reimbursement from the Company of all expenses incurred in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the election of its director nominees at the Annual Meeting.
This press release and any solicitation made by the Concerned Stakeholder is, or will be, as applicable, made by such parties, and not by or on behalf of the management of the Company. Proxies may be solicited by proxy circular, mail, telephone, email or other electronic means, as well as by newspaper or other media advertising and in person by managers, directors, officers and employees of the Concerned Stakeholder who will not be specifically remunerated therefor. In addition, the Concerned Stakeholder may solicit proxies by way of public broadcast, including press release, speech or publication and any other manner permitted under applicable Canadian laws, and may engage the services of one or more agents and authorize other persons to assist it in soliciting proxies on their behalf.
Apollo Capital has entered into an agreement with Carson Proxy for solicitation and advisory services in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Concerned Stakeholder for the Annual Meeting, for which Carson Proxy will receive a fee from Apollo Capital not to exceed $250,000, together with reimbursement for reasonable and out-of-pocket expenses. Apollo Capital has also engaged Gasthalter & Co. LP (“G&Co”) to act as communications consultant to provide the Concerned Stakeholder with certain communications, public relations and related services, for which G&Co will receive, from Apollo Capital, a minimum fee of US$75,000 in addition to a performance fee of US$250,000 in the event that the Concerned Stakeholder’s nominees make up a majority of the board of directors of MediPharm (the “Board”) following the Annual Meeting, plus excess fees, related costs and expenses.
No member of the Concerned Stakeholder nor any of their respective associates or affiliates has or has had any material interest, direct or indirect, in any transaction since the beginning of the Company’s last completed financial year or in any proposed transaction that has materially affected or will or would materially affect the Company or any of the Company’s affiliates. No member of the Concerned Stakeholder nor any of their respective associates or affiliates has any material interest, direct or indirect, by way of beneficial ownership of securities or otherwise, in any matter to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting, other than setting the number of directors and the election of directors to the Board.
This press release contains forward‐looking statements. All statements contained in this filing that are not clearly historical in nature or that necessarily depend on future events are forward‐looking, and the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “estimate,” “plan,” and similar expressions are generally intended to identify forward‐looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations of the Concerned Stakeholder and currently available information. They are not guarantees of future performance, involve certain risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict, and are based upon assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. All forward-looking statements contained herein are made only as of the date hereof and the Concerned Stakeholder disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any such forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that subsequently occur, or of which the Concerned Stakeholder hereafter becomes aware, except as required by applicable law.
