NewzIntel.com

Category: Environment

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Worcestershire brook pollution brings prosecution of 2 companies

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The companies have been ordered to pay fines and costs in excess of £90,000 for causing trade effluent to pollute 3 kilometres of a Worcestershire brook.

    • Fines and costs totalling over £90,000 imposed by court
    • Human error and corporate failings caused 3 kilometres of brook to be impacted
    • Case heard at Worcester Crown Court on 24 October 2024

    A prosecution by the Environment Agency has resulted in the conviction of 2 companies for causing trade effluent to pollute 3 kilometres of a Worcestershire brook. The companies have been ordered to pay fines and costs in excess of £90,000.

    At Worcester Crown Court on 24 October 2024, Elisabeth The Chef (ETC) and Civil Environmental Project Services Ltd (CEPS) were sentenced for causing the discharge into the Laugherne Brook in September 2017.

    ETC, a food manufacturer operating in Lower Broadheath, was fined £18,000 and ordered to pay prosecution costs of £52,000. CEPS, an engineering company in Bidford-upon-Avon was fined £4,000 and ordered to pay prosecution costs of £20,000.

    The discharge

    The Court was told that the discharge caused the deaths of a significant number of fish and that it followed a series of human and corporate failings.

    The manufacturing process at ETC produces around 40,000 gallons per day of trade effluent and human sewage.

    CEPS provided quarterly maintenance, and a telemetry monitoring service, for a pumping station at ETC’s premises. It was designed to pump trade effluent and sewage from the works to a foul sewer.

    On 1 September 2017, an employee of CEPS attended the ETC site’s pumping station to conduct routine maintenance.  Following completion of the maintenance work, the employee failed to switch the pumps within the pumping station back on.

    As a result, trade effluent built up in the pump well rather than being sent to the foul sewer.  This caused an overflow of trade effluent from the pumping station into a containment lagoon.

    The containment lagoon filled up and then discharged the pollutant through a broken sluice gate and into a ditch running alongside the factory.

    This pollution discharge flowed from the ditch into the Laugherne Brook, flowing towards Worcester and the River Teme in the south of the city.

    The situation was compounded by the same CEPS employee reporting to ETC on 4 September 2017, whilst the pollution was going on, stating that it was ‘working ok’.

    The same employee had also attended the ETC site in April 2017 and erroneously fitted an alarm too high within the pumpwell. This meant that the alarm did not function properly and consequently ETC was not notified that the pumping station was not working.

    Environment Agency response to the incident

    On 5 September 2017, members of the public contacted the Environment Agency to report that the Laugherne Brook was cloudy and dead fish were on the surface. 

    The Environment Agency managed the response to the incident and identified the source of the pollution and ETC then took action to stop the pollution.

    Officers carried out water quality testing and found that there had been a severe short-term impact covering some 3 kilometres of the Laugherne Brook.

    Some 86 dead fish were counted in the accessible sections of the Brook, including brown trout, bullhead, dace, and gudgeon.

    Hundreds of fish were estimated to have been killed as a result of the incident.

    ETC, a company with previous convictions for environmental offending, initially blamed CEPS for the incident.

    But subsequently accepted that it had failed to put in checks and procedures to ensure its on-site pumping station was working correctly.

    The company also accepted that it had failed to conduct day-to-day physical checks of its pumping station and containment lagoon.

    CEPS was vicariously liable for the actions of its employee. It had failed to put in place appropriate checks and monitoring to instruct its employee to ensure that work was done competently.

    The sentence

    In sentencing, the Court remarked that the state of rivers were ‘at the front of the public consciousness’ and that this was a ‘serious breach of law’.

    In mitigation, the Court remarked that both companies had undertaken investigations and taken all remedial action to prevent a recurrence. 

    The Court noted that ETC had been under different ownership when the pollution event occurred. But the new owners were taking the company’s environmental responsibilities seriously. 

    The Court also noted that there have been no further pollution events at the site since 2017.

    CEPS admitted responsibility for the incident at an early stage.

    The Court noted that the company’s engagement and co-operation with the Environment Agency’s investigation was ‘impressive.’ It had no previous convictions of any kind.

    Kelly Horsley, an Environment Officer for the West Midlands Environment Agency, said:

    We welcome this sentence as this was a serious pollution which caused considerable disruption besides fish deaths. 

    The Environment Agency will pursue any company that fails to uphold the law or protect nature and will continue to press for the strongest possible penalties. 

    Failure to comply with these legal requirements is a serious offence that can damage the environment and harm human health.    

     If anyone has environmental concerns they should call our 24/7 hotline on 0800 80 70 60 or Crimestoppers anonymously and in confidence on 0800 555 111. 

    The Charge

    Between 1 September 2017 and 5 September 2017, (1) Elisabeth the Chef Ltd and (2) Civil and Environmental Project Services Ltd caused a water discharge activity.

    This was namely a discharge of polluting trade effluent into a ditch adjacent to and joining the Laugherne Brook, Worcester.

    This was not authorised by an environmental permit, contrary to Regulation 38(1)(a) and Regulation 12(1)(b) of the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016.

    Updates to this page

    Published 29 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Patrushev took part in the keel-laying ceremony of the research expedition vessel Ivan Frolov in St. Petersburg

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev, as part of a working visit to St. Petersburg, together with the city’s governor, Alexander Beglov, took part in the ceremonial laying of the keel of the scientific expedition vessel Ivan Frolov.

    Dmitry Patrushev took part in the keel-laying ceremony of the research expedition vessel Ivan Frolov in St. Petersburg

    October 29, 2024

    Keel-laying ceremony of the research expedition vessel “Ivan Frolov”

    October 29, 2024

    Keel-laying ceremony of the research expedition vessel “Ivan Frolov” in St. Petersburg

    October 29, 2024

    Dmitry Patrushev took part in the keel-laying ceremony of the research expedition vessel Ivan Frolov in St. Petersburg

    October 29, 2024

    Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Alexander Kozlov took part in the keel-laying ceremony of the research expedition vessel Ivan Frolov in St. Petersburg

    October 29, 2024

    Keel-laying ceremony of the research expedition vessel “Ivan Frolov”

    October 29, 2024

    Keel-laying ceremony of the research expedition vessel “Ivan Frolov”

    October 29, 2024

    Keel-laying ceremony of the research expedition vessel “Ivan Frolov”

    October 29, 2024

    Keel-laying ceremony of the research expedition vessel “Ivan Frolov”

    October 29, 2024

    Previous news Next news

    Dmitry Patrushev took part in the keel-laying ceremony of the research expedition vessel Ivan Frolov in St. Petersburg

    According to the Deputy Prime Minister, after commissioning, the vessel should become the flagship of the Roshydromet fleet. It will house a powerful scientific complex that will allow research to be conducted even in the harshest weather conditions. And in general, this multi-purpose project will ensure the uninterrupted operation of Roshydromet polar stations – five year-round and five field bases in Antarctica.

    “Studying the Arctic and Antarctic is one of the key areas of activity of the federal service. More than 20 expeditions are already conducted annually. They allow us to track climate change, collect data for the development of navigation along the Northern Sea Route and clarify the boundaries of the country’s continental shelf. The appearance of the new vessel “Ivan Frolov” will certainly strengthen our positions in the polar regions,” said Dmitry Patrushev.

    The Deputy Prime Minister noted that a range of advanced knowledge and technologies is being used in construction. This will contribute to the development of Russia’s competencies in high-tech areas.

    It is planned that the research and expedition vessel Ivan Frolov will replace the flagship of the polar fleet Akademik Fedorov and will remain in service for at least 30 years. The vessel will be about 165 m long. Up to 20 laboratories and a platform for helicopters will be located on board. The research vessel will allow scientific research to be carried out on modular programs of any complexity by different scientific teams. Dozens of scientific projects will be carried out on board at the same time – from research of the ocean floor to the upper atmosphere and space, depending on the need and priority of research in polar latitudes.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CE meets top ecology official

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Chief Executive John Lee today met Leading Party Members Group of the Ministry of Ecology & Environment Secretary Sun Jinlong to exchange views on issues of mutual concern.

    Mr Lee welcomed Mr Sun’s visit with his delegation to attend the opening ceremony of the 19th Eco Expo Asia and to learn more about Hong Kong’s work in improving harbour water quality and waste management through site visits. 

    The Chief Executive also thanked the central government and the Ministry of Ecology & Environment for their strong support to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government’s work in protecting the ecological environment.

    He said the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China focused on achieving the objective of building a beautiful China by ramping up green transition in all areas of economic and social development and improving the environmental governance system.

    “The Hong Kong SAR Government will continue to work closely with the Ministry of Ecology & Environment and the governments of provinces and cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) to promote environmental governance in the GBA, including improving water quality of Shenzhen River and enhancing regional air quality, in efforts to build a beautiful China and a beautiful Hong Kong.”

    Mr Lee also stated that the Hong Kong SAR Government will leverage the city’s unique advantages of enjoying strong national support while maintaining unparalleled connectivity with the world to introduce ecological protection and development technologies from the Mainland and internationally, with a view to establishing Hong Kong as a demonstration base for green technologies.

    He added that Hong Kong will play its role as a super connector and a super value-adder, combining its world-class professional services and advantages in financing to contribute to ecological protection and development.

    Secretary for Environment & Ecology Tse Chin-wan and Director of the Chief Executive’s Office Carol Yip also attended the meeting.      

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gateway: Centering Science

    Source: NASA

    Gateway is set to advance science in deep space, bringing groundbreaking research opportunities to lunar orbit.

    Stephanie Dudley sits at the intersection of human spaceflight and science for Gateway, humanity’s first lunar space station that will host astronauts and unique scientific investigations.
    Gateway’s mission integration and utilization manager, Dudley recently posed for this photo in a high-fidelity mockup of the space station’s HALO (Habitation and Logistics Outpost), where astronauts will live, conduct science, and prepare for missions to investigate the lunar South Pole region. Dudley works with NASA’s partner space agencies and academia to identify science opportunities on Gateway.
    HALO will host various science experiments, including the Heliophysics Environmental and Radiation Measurement Experiment Suite, led by NASA, and the Internal Dosimeter Array, led by ESA (European Space Agency) and JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency). The heliophysics experiment will fly on HALO’s exterior, and the dosimeter will be housed inside Gateway in a series of racks, mockups of which are shown to the right of Dudley in the image above. Both experiments will study solar and cosmic radiation to help the science community better understand how to protect astronauts and hardware during deep space travels to places like Mars.
    “We are building [Gateway] for a 15-year lifespan, but definitely hope that we go longer than that,” Dudley recently said on Houston We Have a Podcast. “And so that many years of scientific study in a place where humans have never worked and lived long-term, Gateway is going to allow us to do that.”
    Dudley pulls double duty as a deputy director for the Exploration Operations Office within NASA’s Moon to Mars Program, a role that connects her to Artemis science beyond Gateway, including science investigations on the Orion and Human Landing System spacecraft and lunar terrain vehicle.
    “My work…is helping to make sure that across all of the six [Artemis] programs, including Gateway, we’re all focusing on utilization in the same way,” Dudley said.
    Dudley’s team coordinates science payloads for Artemis II, the first mission to send humans to the Moon since 1972, and Artemis III, the first landing in the lunar South Pole region that is of keen interest to the global science community.
    Gateway’s HALO will launch with the space station’s Power and Propulsion Element ahead of the Artemis IV mission in 2028, the first lunar mission to include an orbiting space station.
    “Gateway sounds so science fiction, but it’s real,” Dudley recently said. “And we’re building it. And in a few years, it’s going to be around the Moon and that’s when the real work, the fun work in my opinion, is going to begin and science will never be the same.”
    Gateway is humanity’s first lunar space station as a central component of the Artemis campaign that will return humans to the Moon for scientific discovery and chart a path for the first human missions to Mars.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Locus Unveils Refrigerant Management Software Aligned with the EPA’s Final Rule on Hydrofluorocarbon Phasedown

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Oct. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Locus Technologies the sustainability and Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) compliance software leader, today announced the release of Locus Refrigerant Management software, the cloud-based, mobile-friendly product that generates exceedance alerts, facilitates leak detection, and automates response protocols in addition to providing comprehensive tracking of fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases), chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), and substitutes like hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). The software empowers companies to manage complex refrigerant phasedowns with accuracy and confidence, ultimately avoiding excessive emissions. The software also positions Locus clients to comply with tougher US federal regulations taking effect 14 months from now and to easily adapt as US and EU rules evolve in the future.

    On September 20, 2024, EPA Administrator, Michael S. Regan, signed the final rule Phasedown of Hydrofluorocarbons: Management of Certain Hydrofluorocarbons and Substitutes under of the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act which indicates tougher requirements will be phased in starting January 1, 2026. Refrigerants are the most potent of greenhouse gases, with some varieties having a global warming potential hundreds and even thousands of times greater than CO2. Even small leaks pack a big punch on the environment, which is why stricter regulations are emerging.

    “These next 12 months will be critical for companies to articulate their refrigerant management plans, train their technicians, and adopt technology that will help them avoid costly errors and get this right,” said Mark Harbin, veteran refrigerant compliance expert and Locus product designer. “Locus is pleased to bring to market refrigerant management software as well as refrigerant management training and certification to help each client manage the phase down and transition successfully.”

    Immediate regulatory priorities include detecting leaks and resolving them within mandated timeframes; comprehensive record keeping of equipment, inspections, refrigerant inventories, and rates of use; and meticulously disposing and reclaiming used refrigerants. Locus Refrigerant Management software simplifies these challenges. Locus manages everything from service records to cylinder barcodes and automatically alerts users when any dates or datapoints are out of compliance. Immediate notifications and dynamic dashboards deliver real-time insights, and the software’s fully configurable components flex to future demands.

    “Refrigeration and air conditioning cause up to 10 percent of global carbon emissions, and the leaks alone produce more carbon than all the air travel worldwide, which is why waiting on periodic reports pulled from static refrigerant databases just won’t cut it,” said Wes Hawthorne, President of Locus Technologies. “Locus software enables clients to act quickly; the software immediately alerts users of potential problems with their equipment so that issues can be resolved before becoming disastrous.”

    Locus Refrigerant Management is one of several integrated applications available in Locus software. Other Locus offerings include EHS risk and compliance, sustainable construction, waste management, water quality, incident management, ESG reporting, and robust environmental data management software. This collection of specialized and unified SaaS applications enables clients to manage every facet of refrigerant management and environmental data in one place. To learn more about Locus Refrigerant Management or the full suite of applications, please visit www.locustec.com.

    About Locus Technologies
    Locus Technologies, the global environmental, social, governance (ESG), sustainability, and EHS compliance software leader, empowers companies of every size and industry to be credible with ESG reporting. From 1997, Locus pioneered enterprise software-as-a-service (SaaS) for EHS compliance, water management, and ESG credible reporting. Locus apps and software solutions improve business performance by strengthening risk management and EHS for organizations across industries and government agencies. Organizations ranging from medium-sized businesses to Fortune 500 enterprises, such as Sempra, Corteva, Chevron, DuPont, Chemours, San Jose Water Company, The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Port of Seattle, and Los Alamos National Laboratory, have selected Locus. Locus is headquartered in Mountain View, California. For further information regarding Locus and its commitment to excellence in SaaS solutions, please visit www.locustec.com or email info@locustec.com.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Pan-European Strategy aims to align Transport, Health and Environment policies by 2050

    Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

    Transport plays a crucial role in society and in the economy, enabling access to jobs, services and people, while driving trade and tourism. However, it also brings significant socioeconomic, environmental and health challenges. In most countries, public policies at all levels do not deal with transport, health, environment, and urban planning issues holistically.

    This is about to change thanks to the adoption of the first Pan-European Strategy on Transport, Health and Environment – the result of a vision that connects transport policies with health and environmental goals. The strategy, adopted today in Geneva at the 22nd session of the Steering Committee of the Transport, Health and Environment Pan-European Programme (THE PEP), lays out a road map for the transformation of transport systems by 2050, promoting sustainable urban mobility, cleaner technologies and climate resilience. This brings synergies with other UNECE initiatives, such as the Inland Transport Committee’s Strategy on Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Inland Transport.

    The strategy aims to:  

    • Recognize the positive role of transport

    The strategy recognizes the transport sector as crucial to sustainable development, promoting health as well as the quality and livability of the environment. By working together, the transport, health and environment sectors can contribute significantly to improving people’s lives.

    • Adopt a holistic approach

    National, regional and local authorities must address transport, health and environmental issues together, in order to develop integrated policies and frameworks. In some countries, financing mechanisms for public transport and infrastructure for walking and cycling are neither sustainable nor adequate. The adoption of a holistic approach will lead to more effective regulations, better budget allocations and improved living conditions.

    • Allow for tailor-made solutions

    The strategy recognizes the diverse realities across the region and calls for tailored solutions that include all stakeholders – Governments, communities, businesses and civil society – to build an inclusive, greener mobility.

    • Support the shift to public transport and active mobility  

    The strategy aims to shift the modal split from the current car-dominated model towards increased public transport and active mobility (cycling and walking). These different modes will need to be treated equally across UNECE member States, with sustainable transport solutions being applied to rural and peri-urban areas. Cargo and freight transport will also become more sustainable. The approach to transport demand will promote proximity to services and enhance sustainable mobility through technology.

    • Address air and noise pollution

    Air pollution is a leading environmental risk to health, causing nearly 570,000 premature deaths in 53 countries of the region according to a 2023 World Health Organization publication. Over 90% of the region’s population is exposed to harmful levels of air pollutants, with road transport being a major source of such pollutants through exhaust and non-exhaust emissions. Road transport accounts for about 25% of energy-related greenhouse gas emissions and is thus a key contributor to climate change.

    The current shift towards vehicle electrification and fleet renewals will allow for the transition to cleaner mobility. At present, transport is the principal source of background noise pollution in urban areas in the region.

    • Maximize health benefits

    Active mobility can significantly reduce health risks, in particular obesity and non-communicable diseases, lessening the burden on healthcare systems. Expanding green spaces and infrastructure for active mobility will also foster mental well-being through greater social interaction.

    • Reinforce social inclusion  

    Lower-income groups tend to live in areas with poorer transport infrastructure, limiting access to services, jobs and social activities. Transport systems also often fail to address the varying needs of people according to gender, age and ability. Road traffic accidents are the main cause of death among people aged 5–29 years worldwide.

    The strategy emphasizes the inclusion of gender, age and disability needs in transport planning, ensuring that mobility is accessible to all. Green finance and fiscal incentives will have an important role to play in driving investment in sustainable transport, creating jobs, and stimulating the economy.

    • Collect and manage data

    The lack or limited quality of data is a recurring challenge and one of the most serious obstacles to informed policymaking in some UNECE member States. This prevents an objective assessment of the impact of transport on the environment and health from being carried out.

    Consistent data on transport, greenhouse gas emissions and mobility will inform policy across the region.

     

    In implementing the Strategy, under the framework of THE PEP, member States will also work on:

    • Directing investments, fiscal incentives and green finance initiatives towards sustainable transport, stimulating job creation and the economy;
    • Making the most of digitalization of transport and mobility services;
    • Increasing the resilience of transport systems to climate change, pandemics and other disasters.

    The next step will be for member States, within the framework of THE PEP and with other stakeholders, to discuss how to implement the Strategy and mobilize the appropriate resources to facilitate implementation, drawing on the knowledge-sharing and good practices of each member State.

    Note to editors

    At the Fifth High-level Meeting on Transport, Health and Environment (Vienna (online), 17–18 May 2021), member States agreed to develop a comprehensive pan-European strategy on transport, health and the environment, including a clear pathway for its implementation, to achieve the agreed vision, and to guide the further work of THE PEP. The Vienna Declaration is available at https://unece.org/pep/publications/vienna-declaration.

    In addition to being the first and only international programme designed to integrate environmental and health aspects into transport, mobility and urban planning policies, THE PEP is a policy framework that brings together the transport, health and environment sectors. It is jointly serviced by UNECE and the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe. All member States are invited to actively contribute to and support THE PEP and more information in its regard is available at https://unece.org/thepep.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: During COP16, Canada announces new partnerships to support global biodiversity and Indigenous-led action 

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    Biodiversity loss poses a fundamental threat to our everyday lives, impacting clean water, air, fertile soil, food, medicine, the global economy and climate control. The climate crisis is affecting biodiversity as events like wildfires become more severe and frequent in Canada and around the world.

    October 29, 2024 – Ottawa, Canada – Global Affairs Canada

    Biodiversity loss poses a fundamental threat to our everyday lives, impacting clean water, air, fertile soil, food, medicine, the global economy and climate control. The climate crisis is affecting biodiversity as events like wildfires become more severe and frequent in Canada and around the world.

    This week, delegations from around the world are meeting at the United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP16) in Cali, Colombia, to advance the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) to achieve the international community’s goal of living in harmony with nature by 2050.

    Canada is committed to working with all partners to halt and reverse the loss of nature and protect Indigenous rights. That’s why the Government of Canada supports conservation efforts to increase the resilience of communities in many parts of the world.

    Today, the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development, and the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, announced 7 projects, worth a total of $62 million, that aim to protect biodiversity in regions around the world, with a particular focus in Latin America. For example, Canada’s contribution will increase the resilience to climate change of Indigenous communities in the Amazon through the integration of ancestral practices to address climate variability.

    These projects will be implemented in partnership with the following institutions:

    • Conservation International – Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund
    • UN Development Programme – Biodiversity Ecosystem Restoration for Community Resilience in the Chittagong Hill Tracts in Bangladesh project
    • Fisheries and Oceans Canada – Supporting the Protection of Marine Biodiversity Within the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean project
    • WildAid – Strengthening Marine Law Enforcement in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean project
    • World Food Programme – Enhancing Indigenous Peoples’ Resilience to Climate Change in Colombia project
    • International Union for the Conservation of Nature – Podong Indigenous Peoples Initiative
    • UN Environment Programme – Accelerating Systemic Change for Gender Equality and Biodiversity Conservation Through the National Biodiversity Strategies and Actions Plans Accelerator Partnership 

    “Canada recognizes that biodiversity loss poses a fundamental threat to people, the planet and the global economy. We share the environment and depend on it for our livelihoods, survival and well-being. Canada’s support for Indigenous peoples, women and girls, and all actors working to counter biodiversity loss will help ensure that our communities and ecosystems are resilient and able to thrive.”

    – Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Backgrounder: Canada announces $62 million for sustaining livelihoods by protecting biodiversity in developing countries

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Today, during the United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP16), the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development, announced a total of $62 million in funding for the following projects

    Today, during the United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP16), the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development, announced a total of $62 million in funding for the following projects:

    Project: Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund
    Partner: Conservation International
    Funding: $20 million for fiscal years 2024 to 2025 and 2025 to 2026

    The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund aims to support the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in 3 biodiversity hot spots: the Cerrado in Brazil; countries in the Indo-Burma region, namely Cambodia, Laos and Thailand; and countries in the Tropical Andes region, namely Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. Canada’s contribution will advance gender equality by strengthening leadership skills among women conservationists and enhance locally driven conservation in key biodiversity areas through financial and technical support.

    Project: Biodiversity Ecosystem Restoration for Community Resilience in the Chittagong Hill Tracts in Bangladesh
    Partner: UN Development Programme
    Funding: $12.5 million for fiscal years 2024 to 2025 and 2025 to 2026

    This project aims to strengthen biodiversity conservation and resilient ecosystems in climate-vulnerable and marginalized communities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts region of Bangladesh. The project will work with these communities to develop and implement community-based biodiversity conservation plans. It will also increase women’s role in decision making and in implementing inclusive biodiversity ecosystem restoration plans with local government agencies, as well as improve the restoration of biodiversity ecosystems by vulnerable households and enhance resilient alternative livelihoods of ecosystem-dependent communities to improve market access and biodiversity conservation.

    Project: Supporting the Protection of Marine Biodiversity Within the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean Through Dark Vessel Detection Technologies
    Partner: Fisheries and Oceans Canada
    Funding: $5 million for fiscal years 2024 to 2025 and 2025 to 2026

    This project shares Canadian technical expertise to assist Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama and Peru in protecting their unique marine biodiversity and supporting coastal communities, specifically women, Indigenous people and Afro-descendants. The project will provide access to innovative Canadian satellite surveillance technology by MDA Space Ltd. to support monitoring and enforcement efforts to reduce the threats posed by illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing activities.

    Project: Strengthening Marine Law Enforcement in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean
    Partner: WildAid
    Funding: $5 million for fiscal years 2024 to 2025 to 2026 to 2027

    This project will help improve the protection and sustainable use of marine ecosystems in Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama and Peru. This will be achieved by strengthening the capacity of national marine authorities and government-endorsed community organizations to reduce the threats posed by illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. The project will increase the effectiveness of maritime law enforcement by advocating for compliance through education, outreach and the creation of community-wide benefits.

    Project: Enhancing Indigenous Peoples’ Resilience to Climate Change in Colombia
    Partner: World Food Programme
    Funding: $9.5 million for fiscal years 2023 to 2024 to 2027 to 2028

    This project will help increase the resilience of Indigenous communities in the Amazon. The rich and diverse ecosystems in the southern Colombian Amazon rainforest are highly sensitive to climate change, facing rapid alterations in temperature and water availability. This degradation directly affects the food security and nutrition of forest-dependent communities, particularly Indigenous people and women. The project will focus on climate adaptation, sustainable agriculture and environmental management by combining ancestral practices with modern technology. It will promote sustainable agri-food value chains to improve food security and enhance the role of women in climate governance. Project activities will be carried out in Putumayo, Caquetá and Amazonas.

    Project: Podong Indigenous Peoples Initiative
    Partner: International Union for the Conservation of Nature
    Funding: $7 million for fiscal years 2024 to 2025 and 2025 to 2026

    This initiative is the result of a collaboration between the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, Indigenous leaders and the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity. Canada’s contribution will help Indigenous people build their capacity to implement gender-responsive biodiversity conservation actions, build leadership skills to engage in global environmental forums and negotiations, and address the barriers Indigenous peoples face in accessing funding for their self-determined climate and biodiversity priorities and actions.

    This initiative will take place in Guatemala, Nepal, Panama and Tanzania. It advances the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, which emphasizes Indigenous peoples’ right to conservation and protection of the environment and the productive capacity of their land.

    Project: Accelerating Systemic Change for Gender Equality and Biodiversity Conservation Through the National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans Accelerator Partnership
    Partner: UN Environment Programme
    Funding: $3 million for fiscal years 2024 to 2025 and 2025 to 2026

    The National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) Accelerator Partnership is a global initiative launched in Montréal at COP15. It provides knowledge, technical and financial support to developing countries for the preparation and implementation of their national biodiversity strategies and action plans. NBSAPs are essential road maps that guide decision making and on-the-ground action to conserve and use biodiversity in a sustainable manner.

    Canada’s support will help Antigua and Barbuda, Comoros, Costa Rica, Eswatini, Tajikistan, Thailand and Togo develop and update their NBSAPs and ensure that they are gender-responsive and inclusive.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Patrushev: Roshydromet, as the main coordinating agency in its field, is among the top five services in the world

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Dmitry Patrushev at the opening of the Eighth All-Russian United Meteorological and Hydrological Congress

    October 29, 2024

    Dmitry Patrushev at the opening of the Eighth All-Russian United Meteorological and Hydrological Congress

    October 29, 2024

    Dmitry Patrushev at the opening of the Eighth All-Russian United Meteorological and Hydrological Congress

    October 29, 2024

    Previous news Next news

    Dmitry Patrushev at the opening of the Eighth All-Russian United Meteorological and Hydrological Congress

    This was stated by Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev during the opening of the VIII All-Russian United Meteorological and Hydrological Congress in St. Petersburg, dedicated to the 190th anniversary of the founding of the Russian Hydrometeorological Service. This year, specialists from two industry areas – hydrology and meteorology – gathered at one venue for the first time. The central theme of the event was the feasibility of developing a new strategy for the activities of hydrometeorology and related areas.

    Dmitry Patrushev noted that the sphere has come a long way almost two centuries long. All this time, the tools and methods of work have been improved. And today, of course, there are already significant results and reasons for pride.

    “Roshydromet, as the main coordinating agency in its field, is one of the top five services in the world. Nevertheless, work should continue in all key areas. In particular, the Strategy for Activities in the Field of Hydrometeorology until 2030 is currently being implemented. However, given the new tasks set by the President, I believe that it is necessary to think in advance about updating the document in the planning horizon until 2036,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

    According to the Deputy Prime Minister, first of all, it is necessary to improve the quality of forecasts and, in particular, increase the efficiency of emergency prevention. The uninterrupted functioning of a number of industries depends on this: the agro-industrial, fisheries and forestry complexes, the construction sector, energy and transport. But the main thing, of course, is the safety of people.

    This requires further modernization of the state observation network, which is the main source of information. The government, for its part, is working on the possibility of allocating additional funding for this. Dmitry Patrushev emphasized that the integration of new regions of Russia into the national observation network system must be completed by 2030. 8 billion rubles are allocated for this.

    Speaking about strategic tasks, the Deputy Prime Minister recalled that in accordance with the Presidential Decree on national development goals, the volume of harmful emissions in cities with the highest levels of air pollution should be halved. The relevant measures are aimed at this. At the same time, to assess their results, it is necessary to create a comprehensive system for analyzing the quality of the environment. Work is already underway within the framework of the national project “Ecology”. In 12 cities that became the first participants in the federal project “Clean Air”, the monitoring network has been completely modernized.

    In addition, infrastructure is being updated in populated areas near Lake Baikal. In the future, measures are also envisaged in the new national project “Ecological Well-Being”. In the future, the system of comprehensive air pollution monitoring should cover the entire territory of our country.

    Dmitry Patrushev also spoke about the work organized in the Arctic and Antarctic. Russia is implementing unique projects there that have no analogues in the world. This includes the ice-resistant platform “North Pole” and the new complex “Vostok” in Antarctica, which was put into operation in 2024. They allow expanding the geography of scientific research, using the most advanced technologies even in harsh polar conditions.

    The Deputy Prime Minister said that the renewal of the research fleet will definitely continue. Thus, in the coming years, the expedition vessel Ivan Frolov, which was laid down at the Admiralty Shipyards, will join it.

    As the Deputy Prime Minister noted, one of the most important areas of work of the hydrometeorological service is the analysis and forecasting of climate processes. A system for monitoring climate-active substances in the atmosphere is being created in Russia. Its full launch is expected by 2030. This will ensure a larger-scale collection and processing of data for an objective assessment of the state of the atmosphere and the Earth’s surface. The information obtained will be used in the implementation of measures aimed at adapting the economy to natural changes, including low-carbon transformation.

    In general, further updating of computing capacities and expansion of the scale of space monitoring are required to improve the efficiency of work. Within the framework of the Federal Space Program, the launch of several satellites at once is planned in the interests of Roshydromet.

    “You are facing very serious tasks. For our part, we are trying to do everything possible to improve the working conditions of specialists. This concerns not only the material and technical base, but also wages. On the instructions of the President, an additional 24 billion rubles will be allocated in the coming years to increase the wages of Roshydromet employees,” Dmitry Patrushev summed up.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: New NASA Instrument for Studying Snowpack Completes Airborne Testing

    Source: NASA

    The Rocky Mountains in Colorado, as seen from the International Space Station. Snowmelt from the mountainous western United States is an essential natural resource, making up as much as 75% of some states’ annual freshwater supply.

    Summer heat has significant effects in the mountainous regions of the western United States. Melted snow washes from snowy peaks into the rivers, reservoirs, and streams that supply millions of Americans with freshwater—as much as 75% of the annual freshwater supply for some states.

    But as climate change brings winter temperatures to new highs, these summer rushes of freshwater can sometimes slow to a trickle.

    “The runoff supports cities most people wouldn’t expect,” explained Chris Derksen, a glaciologist and Research Scientist with Environment and Climate Change Canada. “Big cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles get water from snowmelt.”

    To forecast snowmelt with greater accuracy, NASA’s Earth Science Technology Office (ESTO) and a team of researchers from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, are developing SNOWWI, a dual-frequency synthetic aperture radar that could one day be the cornerstone of future missions dedicated to measuring snow mass on a global scale – something the science community lacks.

    SNOWWI aims to fill this technology gap. In January and March 2024, the SNOWWI research team passed a key milestone, flying their prototype for the first time aboard a small, twin-engine aircraft in Grand Mesa, Colorado, and gathering useful data on the area’s winter snowfields.

    “I’d say the big development is that we’ve gone from pieces of hardware in a lab to something that makes meaningful data,” explained Paul Siqueira, professor of engineering at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and principal investigator for SNOWWI.

    SNOWWI stands for Snow Water-equivalent Wide Swath Interferometer and Scatterometer. The instrument probes snowpack with two Ku-band radar signals: a high-frequency signal that interacts with individual snow grains, and a low-frequency signal that passes through the snowpack to the ground. 

    The high-frequency signal gives researchers a clear look at the consistency of the snowpack, while the low-frequency signal helps researchers determine its total depth.

    “Having two frequencies allows us to better separate the influence of the snow microstructure from the influence of the snow depth,” said Derksen, who participated in the Grand Mesa field campaign. “One frequency is good, two frequencies are better.”

    The SNOWWI team in Grand Mesa, preparing to flight test their instrument. From an altitude of 4 kilometers (2.5 miles), SNOWWI can map 100 square kilometers (about 38 square miles) in just 30 minutes.

    As both of those scattered signals interact with the snowpack and bounce back towards the instrument, they lose energy. SNOWWI measures that lost energy, and researchers later correlate those losses to features within the snowpack, especially its depth, density, and mass.

    From an airborne platform with an altitude of 2.5 miles (4 kilometers), SNOWWI could map 40 square miles (100 square kilometers) of snowy terrain in just 30 minutes. From space, SNOWWI’s coverage would be even greater. Siqueira is working with Capella Space to develop a space-ready SNOWWI for satellite missions.

    But there’s still much work to be done before SNOWWI visits space. Siqueira plans to lead another field campaign, this time in the mountains of Idaho. Grand Mesa is relatively flat, and Siqueira wants to see how well SNOWWI can measure snowpack tucked in the folds of complex, asymmetrical terrain.

    For Derksen, who spends much of his time quantifying the freshwater content of snowpack in Canada, having a reliable database of global snowpack measurements would be game-changing.

    “Snowmelt is money. It has intrinsic economic value,” he said. “If you want your salmon to run in mountain streams in the spring, you must have snowmelt. But unlike other natural resources, at this time, we really can’t monitor it very well.”

    For information about opportunities to collaborate with NASA on novel, Earth-observing instruments, see ESTO’s catalog of open solicitations with its Instrument Incubator Program here.

    Project Leads: Dr. Paul Siqueira, University of Massachusetts (Principal Investigator); Hans-Peter Marshall, University of Idaho (Co-Investigator)

    Sponsoring Organizations: NASA’s Earth Science Technology Office (ESTO), Instrument Incubator Program (IIP)

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia Celebrates EPA Grant for Port Houston’s PORT SHIFT Initiative

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (TX-29)

    Houston, TX – Congresswoman Sylvia R. Garcia (D-TX-29) announced today that Port Houston’s innovative PORT SHIFT program has been selected to receive $2,983,457 in funding from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Ports Program. This grant, funded by the Inflation Reduction Act, is a critical investment in cleaner air, reduced emissions, and green job opportunities for the region. 

    “I’m thrilled that Port Houston has been chosen for this Environmental Protection Agency grant, which will bring real, lasting benefits for our environment, economy, and the health of all families in the region. With its ambitious PORT SHIFT program, Houston is taking a bold step toward a cleaner, more sustainable future, and I’m proud to have helped make this possible by voting for the Inflation Reduction Act,” said Congresswoman Garcia.

    “PORT SHIFT is about more than moving cargo—it’s about building a port that’s prepared for the future and a community that’s healthier and stronger. With investments in zero-emission trucks, cleaner cargo handling, workforce training, and community engagement, Port Houston is setting the standard for what ports across America can accomplish. The Inflation Reduction Act is already paying off for the greater Houston region, and I’m excited to see Houston lead the charge toward a sustainable, greener future that benefits all,” concluded Congresswoman Garcia.

    “Port Houston is vital to our local, state, and national economy. This funding from the Environmental Protection Agency will support moving towards a more sustainable way of conducting port operations through the deployment of new zero-emission technology and ensure shore power readiness at all seven wharves at the Bayport Container Terminal,” said Houston City Council Member Joaquin Martinez. 

    “More importantly, near port communities will benefit from the grant’s plan to focus on climate and air quality planning. I’m grateful to Congresswoman Garcia for her leadership in securing this funding from the EPA and look forward to our continued partnership towards achieving carbon neutrality by 2050,” concluded Martinez. 

    The grant funding announced today will support climate and air quality efforts at Port Houston, including: 

    • Emissions inventory
    • Emissions reduction strategy analysis including truck route analysis, infrastructure cost assessment, climate action planning, and developing a performance measurement framework
    • Stakeholder collaboration with communities, trucking industry, and workforce
    • Resiliency planning

    Congresswoman Garcia in May led a letter to EPA Administrator Michael Regan alongside her colleagues, urging support for Port Houston’s grant applications. The letter emphasized how PORT SHIFT’s climate and zero-emission technology initiatives would transform the freight sector, reduce diesel pollution, and engage and empower nearby communities, particularly low-income and disadvantaged neighborhoods.

    The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 allocated $3 billion to the EPA’s Clean Ports Program to fund zero-emission port equipment and climate planning at U.S. ports. This program aims to build a zero-emissions foundation across the port sector, improve public health, and set a new standard for environmental engagement in near-port communities.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: WARNER, KAINE, AND SCOTT APPLAUD $380 MILLION IN INFLATION REDUCTION ACT FUNDING FOR PORT OF VIRGINIA

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

    Headline: WARNER, KAINE, AND SCOTT APPLAUD $380 MILLION IN INFLATION REDUCTION ACT FUNDING FOR PORT OF VIRGINIA

    WASHINGTON, D.C. –  Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) and U.S. Representative Bobby Scott (D-VA-03) announced $380,000,000 in federal funding for the Port of Virginia to accelerate its plan to become carbon-neutral by 2040. Warner, Kaine, and Scott advocated for this funding and sent a letter of support for this grant. The funding was awarded through the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Ports Program, which was made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act that the members helped pass. 

    “The Port of Virginia is one of the largest and busiest ports on the eastern seaboard, and it’s critical to Virginia’s economy and offshore wind industry. As the Port of Virginia continues to grow thanks to investments we’re making, we must also ensure we’re reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which result in negative health and environmental impacts for our communities,” said the lawmakers. “That’s why we’re thrilled that this federal funding, which was made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act we supported, will accelerate the Port’s efforts to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2040 and further cement Virginia’s place as a leader in clean energy.”  

    The Inflation Reduction Act made historic investments to support clean energy projects. It included clean energy tax credits that have incentivized a series of corporate investments in Virginia, including:

    • A $681 million investment by LS GreenLink to build a state-of-the-art facility to manufacture high-voltage subsea cables used for offshore wind farms in Chesapeake, which will create over 330 jobs in Virginia.
    • An investment of over $400 million by Topsoe to build a new manufacturing facility in Chesterfield County, which will create at least 150 new jobs in Virginia.
    • An investment of $208 million by Mack and Volvo Trucks—in addition to a federal grant award of over $208 million for the company—to sustain 7,900 union jobs and create 295 new jobs in Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. Volvo Trucks is the second largest employer in the New River Valley, sustaining 3,600 jobs in Dublin, including 3,200 United Automobile Workers (UAW) jobs. In September 2024, Warner and Kaine visited Volvo’s New River Valley plant to celebrate the investment.

    Today’s announcement builds on other transformational investments made to the Port of Virginia by the Biden-Harris administration with the backing of Warner, Kaine, and Scott. That includes $225.4 million to fully fund the Norfolk Harbor Deepening and Widening Project, which will improve navigation and expand capacity by deepening and widening Norfolk Harbor’s shipping channels, allowing for two-way traffic in and out of the harbor. Of this amount, $141.7 million was made available through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and $83.7 million was provided through the Fiscal Year 2022 omnibus appropriations bill.

    The Port also previously received $20 million in federal funding from the Department of Transportation for improvements to Portsmouth Marine Terminal that will allow it to serve as a staging area to support the manufacturing and movement of offshore wind goods to support the 2.6 gigawatt Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind commercial project and other commercial offshore wind projects up-and-down the East Coast. Warner, Kaine, and Scott led a Virginia Congressional Delegation letter to Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg in support of the Port’s application for that funding.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Reed – “Britain back on global stage to support nature’s recovery”

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 2

    • UK to kickstart new international efforts to protect and restore nature at COP16 biodiversity conference with a renewed drive to implement the Global Biodiversity Framework

    A wildflower meadow on the Pembrokeshire coast

    • Government sets out the path to protecting 30% of land by 2030
    • Special Representative for Nature Ruth Davis will drive coordinated international action on nature

    The UK has today (29 October) taken a leading role at the UN Biodiversity COP16 conference announcing an ambitious international package to protect and restore nature across the world.  

    At the conference, Environment Secretary Steve Reed set out new criteria to meet England’s 30by30 targets.

     Achieving 30 percent of land and sea protected for nature is a key pillar of global efforts to halt the decline of nature and create new areas for wildlife with countries around the world signed up to the target. The Government has worked with farming groups and nature organisations to finalise the criteria for land that can count toward 30by30 in England and accelerate progress toward the target.  

     To ensure the final criteria are applied consistently across land in England, the update also confirms that Sites of Special Scientific Interest will only count towards 30by30 if they are in favourable or recovering condition. This revises existing estimates to show that approximately 7.1% of England’s land currently counts towards the target.  

    Environment Secretary Steve Reed, speaking at a meeting of the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People at COP16, said:        

    “Nature around the world is declining at an alarming rate.        

    “At COP16, we have put Britain back on the global stage to support nature’s recovery.  

    “The UK is calling for high ambition and momentum to reach our international targets to protect and restore the natural world.” 

    Analysis is now being undertaken to identify further land which may already be meeting the criteria and to understand where action and support is needed to accelerate progress. A 30by30 pilot is planned for later this year, and the government will work with partners to develop a 30by30 delivery strategy in 2025.  

    The announcement today follows the appointment of Ruth Davis as the very first Special Representative for Nature, alongside Rachel Kyte’s appointment as Special Representative for Climate, a role abolished by the previous government.   

    Tony Juniper, Chair of Natural England, said:   

     “It is vital that we halt and reverse the decline of Nature. Our planet’s web of life is fundamental for sustaining our health, wealth and security and further declines in the health of the natural world will undermine growth and well-being, threaten water and food supplies and diminish our resilience in the face of a fast-changing climate.    

     “We must take urgent action to restore nature in England at every level, and the criteria for delivering 30by30 is a welcome step which translates the ambitions of our international commitments into meaningful action on the ground.”  

    “As COP16 nature talks progress in Colombia, the UK is showing real rigour in its approach to 30by30.  

    “Now high-standard accounting must be matched by high-speed delivery. There’s a credible risk that Governments spend years adding up what should “count” toward 30by30 without actually improving the world.  

    “We welcome the new commitment to a 30by30 delivery strategy, which must begin without delay. Faster farming reform, spatial planning for nature’s recovery, and large-scale public and private investment will be the hallmarks of an effective delivery plan to meet the target. “

    Supercharging nature protection at home and abroad is a key part of the government’s mission to tackle the twin threats of climate change and biodiversity loss which threatens growth, our future prosperity and wellbeing.  

    This builds on swift action the government has taken to recover nature at home. This includes committing to a rapid review of the Environmental Improvement Plan and new delivery plans to meet targets on air quality, the circular economy and water.

    In the first few months of government, we have introduced legislation to put failing water companies under special measures to curb pollution in our waterways and introduced a Flood Resilience Taskforce to speed up the building of flood defences and implement nature-based solutions like planting trees to protect communities against the impact of extreme weather.

    Updates to this page

    Published 29 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Casey, Fetterman, Scanlon, Boyle, Evans Secure $79.6 Million to Make PhilaPort More Energy Efficient

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Pennsylvania Bob Casey

    New investment will support the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority’s efforts to transition to more energy efficient equipment and operations

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and John Fetterman (D-PA) and U.S. Representatives Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA-5), Brendan Boyle (D-PA-2), and Dwight Evans (D-PA-3) announced that Philadelphia Regional Port Authority (PhilaPort) is receiving a total of $79,650,965 in federal funding to plan and implement projects that will transition the port’s operations to zero-emissions equipment. The funding comes from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Ports Program, made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act.

    “This investment from the Inflation Reduction Act will allow PhilaPort to bring down its energy costs and improve air quality in surrounding communities while incorporating the technology of the future into its operations,” said Senator Casey. “I will always fight to improve our shipping hubs to ensure that the Commonwealth’s waterways boost economic growth and create and sustain good jobs.”

    “The nearly $80 million investment in PhilaPort is a transformative step toward a more efficient future for Philadelphia. Moving to zero-emission technology will help make our port cleaner and healthier for the community while boosting the local economy and creating good paying jobs. This is what the Inflation Reduction Act is all about—making big investments that keep Pennsylvania competitive and sustainable,” said Senator Fetterman.

    “The Port of Philadelphia is a critical driver of good-paying jobs for our region and a vital gateway for goods and passengers across the country,” said Representative Scanlon. “I’m so pleased to see funding from the Biden-Harris administration’s Investing in America agenda continue to flow into our region, helping clean up pollution at our ports and improving air quality and public health in neighboring communities.”

    “This funding, which I proudly supported as part of the Inflation Reduction Act, will enable PhilaPort to adopt cutting-edge technology that reduces carbon emissions and could help expand the port’s operations,” said Congressman Brendan F. Boyle. “Philadelphia’s ports are vital to our communities, providing jobs and positioning our city as a key hub of commerce. This investment not only supports the hardworking port workers who drive our economy but also ensures that PhilaPort can continue serving the nation sustainably for years to come.”

    “I was proud to vote for the Biden-Harris administration’s Inflation Reduction Act, a landmark clean-energy and health-care law, and this more than $79 million in federal funding for our area is just the latest way it’s benefiting Philadelphia and the region,” said Representative Evans.

    The Clean Ports Program funding will support two PhilaPort projects. $77.6 million will help Philaport deploy electric cargo handling equipment, install new charging infrastructure, and upgrade existing electrical infrastructure. An additional $2 million will support planning operations to better understand the port’s current emissions levels, identify areas where energy efficiency can be improved, and engage the surrounding community about the process of transitioning to zero-emission operations.

    The announcement comes just a month after the members secured $217 million for PhilaPort to expand the operational capacity of the SouthPort terminal.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: New federal funding for an improved performing arts facility in Saint John

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    News release

    Saint John, New Brunswick, October 29, 2024 — There will be growth in the theatre sector and better venues in southern New Brunswick after an additional $12 million investment from the federal government under the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings Program in the Sydney Street former courthouse. This funding was announced by MP Wayne Long, Mayor Donna Reardon and Dr. Sandra Bell, Saint John Theatre Company Board Chair.

    The project has evolved over the last 5 years and will result in an expanded performing arts facility, rehabilitating the old heritage courthouse on Sydney Street into a modern inclusive and accessible arts space. The centrepiece of the new facility will be a 250-seat venue. There will also be a secondary performance space as well as creative, rehearsal, training and administrative spaces.

    The Saint John Theatre Company has designed the space to be a home theatre for the Atlantic Repertory Company (ARC). The transformed courthouse will house a range of cultural events, while bringing much needed opportunities for professional theatre artists to advance their careers, and training opportunities for theatre artists at all levels. The new facility is critical to close the gap in the cultural infrastructure that currently exists in Saint John and will maximize programming opportunities for the benefit and enjoyment of residents and visitors.

    Financing for a more modest project was announced in 2019 by Canadian Heritage and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) for the former Sydney Street Courthouse. This new funding allows for the expanded redesign of the project that will triple the size of the existing structure.

    Quotes

    “This new green and inclusive cultural space will really put Saint John on the map in terms of performing arts. As a result, the public will have access to more high-quality performances and theatre, and artists in southern New Brunswick will have more opportunities to develop their careers and showcase their talents.”

    Wayne Long, Member of Parliament for Saint John–Rothesay, on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities

    “The City of Saint John is proud to support the important work the Saint John Theatre Company is undertaking to revitalize the former Sydney Street Courthouse with a contribution of $818,000 towards the new multi-purpose performance and event venue. This investment recognizes the key role that cultural infrastructure plays in the economic and social development of our city and will create a vibrant space where creativity and community can thrive. We are grateful to the SJTC for taking on the important responsibility of striving to protect and restore the architecture and craftmanship of this significant building, preserving an important part of our city’s historic uptown core and bringing a sense of pride to the local population.”

    Her Worship Donna Noade Reardon, Mayor of the City of Saint John

    “The Saint John Theatre Company is developing the Courthouse Stage to be the future permanent home of The Atlantic Repertory Company, creating a cultural epicentre for Atlantic Canadian artists. This state-of-the-art facility will retain local talent and attract national and international artists to New Brunswick. By expanding the community’s creative output, and creating a home for innovative artists, the Courthouse Stage will enhance the cultural vibrancy of our region.”

    Stephen Tobias, Executive Director, Saint John Theatre Company

    Quick facts

    • The federal government is investing $12 million in this project through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings (GICB) program. The Saint John Theatre Company is investing over $13 million and the City of Saint John is contributing $818,000.

    • A total of $2 million from Canadian Heritage and $500,000 from ACOA were previously announced for this project in April 2019.

    • The GICB program was created in support of Canada’s Strengthened Climate Plan: A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy. It is supporting the Plan’s first pillar by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing energy efficiency, and helping develop higher resilience to climate change.

    • The program launched in 2021 with an initial investment of $1.5 billion over five years towards green and accessible retrofits, repairs or upgrades. 

    • Budget 2024 announced an additional $500 million to support more projects through GICB until 2029.

    • At least 10% of funding is allocated to projects serving First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities, including Indigenous populations in urban centres.

    • The funding announced today builds on the federal government’s work through the Atlantic Growth Strategy to create well-paying jobs and strengthen local economies.

    • For more information, please visit the Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada website at: Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada – Green and Inclusive Community Buildings Program.

    Associated links

    Contacts

    For more information (media only), please contact:

    Sofia Ouslis
    Press Secretary
    Office of the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
    Sofia.Ouslis@infc.gc.ca

    Media Relations
    Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada
    613-960-9251
    Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
    Email: media-medias@infc.gc.ca
    Follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn
    Web: Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada

    Stephen Tobias
    Executive Director
    Saint John Theatre Company
    506-654-0532
    stephen@saintjohntheatrecompany.com

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Pallone Delivers $54.9 Million Federal Boost for Zero-Emission Ferry Project, Driving Cleaner Transit Solutions for Highlands and Central New Jersey

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Frank Pallone (6th District of New Jersey)

    Major Investment Made Possible Through Historic Inflation Reduction Act Championed by Pallone

    Highlands, NJ – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. has announced a major win for central New Jersey with $54.9 million in federal funding from the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Ports Program to advance zero-emission high-speed ferries through Seastreak, LLC. This award will support the deployment of zero-emission ferries and essential charging infrastructure, aimed at cutting dangerous pollution and easing travel between New Jersey and Manhattan. Pallone, who helped author the Inflation Reduction Act as the top Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, championed Seastreak’s proposal as a model for clean, efficient transit in coastal communities.

    “Bringing these federal dollars back to New Jersey means cleaner air, less traffic on our busiest routes, and a long-term boost for communities like Highlands,” said Pallone. “This project is about more than cutting dangerous pollution; it’s about strengthening our local economy and supporting sustainable transit solutions that benefit residents and businesses alike. Projects like this put New Jersey on the cutting edge of homegrown, clean energy.”

    Headquartered in Atlantic Highlands, Seastreak operates a vital ferry service for thousands of central New Jerseyans daily. This funding allows the company to take a critical first step in its fleet overhaul, advancing zero-emission technology and setting a national example in coastal air quality improvement. The project also includes workforce development initiatives, such as training partnerships with local schools and industry groups.

    “Seastreak is committed to being the one of the most environmentally friendly passenger ferry operators in the country,” said James D. Barker, Seastreak Vice President. “High-speed electric ferry technology is a new and quickly evolving space. With this grant, we are excited to contribute to a new frontier in maritime technology while continuing our efforts to improve air quality within the communities we serve. We’re grateful for Congressman Pallone’s work in Congress to make this project possible.”

    Additionally, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) will receive $344 million to expand zero-emission equipment across port operations. Programs like the ZE Equipment for Ports (ZEEP) Voucher Incentive Program and Green Drayage Accelerator (GDA) will help replace polluting cargo vehicles and install new charging stations to reduce harmful port emissions affecting neighboring communities.

    EPA announced the selection of 55 applicants across 27 states and territories to receive nearly $3 billion nationwide through EPA’s Clean Ports Program.

    “Our nation’s ports are critical to creating opportunity here in America, offering good-paying jobs, moving goods, and powering our economy,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Today’s historic $3 billion investment builds on President Biden’s vision of growing our economy while ensuring America leads in globally competitive solutions of the future. Delivering cleaner technologies and resources to U.S. ports will slash harmful air and climate pollution while protecting people who work in and live nearby ports communities.”

    The EPA’s Clean Ports Program, funded by the Inflation Reduction Act, reduces climate pollution from our nation’s ports.  It aims to cut harmful diesel pollution, including criteria pollutants, greenhouse gases, and air toxics, both at ports and in near-port communities by funding transformative infrastructure deployment and air quality planning. The EPA will work closely with Seastreak and PANYNJ to finalize agreements, ensuring these projects fulfill their commitment to cleaner, healthier communities across the New Jersey region.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Plans to cool the Earth by blocking sunlight are gaining momentum but critical voices risk being excluded

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Albert Van Wijngaarden, Phd Candidate, Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge

    Muratart / shutterstock

    Solar geoengineering research is advancing fast, after a recent flurry of funding announcements. Yet these technologies are still speculative and have many critics, and we worry their concerns won’t be heard. If geoengineering is essentially allowed to self-regulate, with no effective global governance, future research could easily take us down a dangerous path.

    Solar geoengineering refers to proposals to reduce global warming by reflecting a portion of sunlight back into space before it reaches the Earth’s surface. In its best-known form, this means using high-flying aircraft to inject tiny reflective particles into the upper atmosphere.

    This so-called “stratospheric aerosol injection” hasn’t actually happened yet, beyond a few very small experiments with balloons. Yet for a long time, such ideas remained fringe and too controversial to even consider – and for some academics they still are.

    The academic discussion was highly polarised from the start. Opponents, mainly governance scholars and social scientists, stood firmly entrenched against assumed proponents, mainly natural scientists and engineers. Both sides had their champions, arguments, assumptions, key publications and meetings, generally working on the topic without proper engagement with the other side.

    This polarisation is still visible in publishing today. Take, for example, articles on The Conversation. Critics focus on potential negatives such as altered rainfall patterns, the infringement of human rights, or even a catastrophic “termination shock”. Advocates highlight potential benefits such as reducing extreme heat and preserving ice caps, while others suggest we may soon be forced to try it.

    The authors of these articles are all academic experts. Yet they come from different disciplines and use different arguments.

    A public and private funding boom

    Though the two camps have not resolved their arguments, geoengineering research funding is suddenly booming. There are major philanthropic pledges of US$50 million (£38 million) and US$30 million from the Simons and Quadrature Climate foundations, which are vying for the title of biggest donor with the £10.5 million and £56.8 million of the UK government’s UKRI and Advanced Research and Innovation Agency programs.

    The 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines blocked so much sunlight the world temporarily cooled by a few tenths of a degree. Solar geoengineering works on a similar principle.
    Dave Harlow / USGS

    Other key organisations speaking about the need for more research include the European Commission, the US government and the World Climate Research Programme. This comes on top of the shock of controversial private enterprises pushing for solar geoengineering, most notoriously the US-based start-up Make Sunsets.

    Support is certainly not unanimous. Many prominent scholars have signed up to a call for a moratorium, for instance. And at a recent UN Environment Assembly session in Kenya many climate-vulnerable nations mobilised against calls for further research into what they see as a highly risky technology that would enable big emitters to carry on emitting.

    However, many powerful interests are seemingly in favour of more research, while the 1.5°C global warming target is moving ever further out of sight. In the near future, we can therefore expect further research, perhaps including including small-scale outdoor experiments.

    As PhD students working on geoengineering, situated somewhere between both camps, we have found this polarisation deeply unproductive and difficult to deal with. Our own research sometimes feels like wandering through a minefield of opinions and perspectives. Yet we can also see the valuable concerns and hopes of both sides.

    That’s why we believe that upcoming research projects must factor in the concerns of opponents, and not represent only supporters of geoengineering or those who have not been explicitly against it. Excluding critical voices would directly impact the scientific process, for one thing.

    But this exclusion is especially worrying as there are currently no governance structures for solar geoengineering. If efforts to develop such governance only involve supportive researchers, they could lack the critical capacity to prevent risks or undesired effects. Disasters in the financial sector and the chemical industry warn us of the perils of self-regulation without critical voices.

    Learn from the critics

    There are other critiques that ought to be factored into any major research project. They include concerns that simply researching the technology will create a slippery slope towards it being deployed, or worries that geoengineering ignores the social and political dynamics behind climate change and addresses only its outcomes. There are also major governance concerns over issues such as the role of the military (could geoengineering be deployed for security reasons in contested regions like the Arctic?), or the concentration of research at influential institutions in the US and Europe.

    Over time, geoengineering researchers have become more aware of such arguments and some are explicitly trying to include them in their work. The American Geophysical Union has recently published an ethical framework for geoengineering, which should provide valuable guidance for any research project. But without active dialogue with critical scholars, their arguments will likely only echo faintly in the pro-research space.

    In practice, more engagement between the two camps would come with many difficulties. For advocates, it can be tempting to avoid such debates and exclude those who disagree with the very foundations on which their research is built. On the flip side, some scholars who have already explicitly argued against the continuation of solar geoengineering research would nevertheless have to participate in it.

    The practical implications will therefore need to be carefully worked out. However, a more productive dialogue might still shape a future that can be acceptable to all sides.

    Albert Van Wijngaarden receives PhD funding from Gates Cambridge. He is involved in UArctic’s Frozen Arctic Conservation project, and was an advisory board member of Ocean Vision’s Sea Ice Roadmap.

    Adrian Hindes is also an analyst for Civilization Research Institute which does work pertaining to global catastrophic risks, including those related to emerging technologies such as solar geoengineering.

    Chloe Colomer receives PhD funding from the UK Research Institute (UKRI) Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) with the grants EP/R513143/1 and EP/T517793/1.

    – ref. Plans to cool the Earth by blocking sunlight are gaining momentum but critical voices risk being excluded – https://theconversation.com/plans-to-cool-the-earth-by-blocking-sunlight-are-gaining-momentum-but-critical-voices-risk-being-excluded-236882

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: USDA’s Agricultural Research Technology Center Breaks Ground in Davis, CA

    Source: US Agriculture Research Service

    USDA’s Agricultural Research Technology Center Breaks Ground in Davis, CA

    Contact: Amaani Lyle
    Email: Amaani.Lylew@usda.gov

    DAVIS, Calif., Oct. 29, 2024 — Advances in crop production and preservation are poised for new digs as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) broke ground today for a modernized facility to consolidate labs that are currently located at the University of California, Davis.

    The Agricultural Research and Technology Center (ARTC) is a cutting-edge facility that will include customized laboratories, greenhouses and capacity for scientists as part of the ARS’s ongoing efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change, water scarcity, emerging pests, and increasing global need in support of a resilient agricultural production system.

    The two-story 59,000 square foot building will house four ARS research units: Crops Pathology and Genetics, Invasive Species and Pollinator Health, National Clonal Germplasm Repository – Tree Fruit and Nut Crops and Grapes, and Sustainable Agricultural Water Systems.

    Collectively, these units improve the health, sustainability, and profitability of agricultural production and natural resources in California and the Western United States.

    “The building will be a nexus for scientists to investigate plant diseases, plant genetic resources, conventional and advanced plant breeding methods, soil health, invasive species management and myriad other areas driven by long-term agricultural research and climate-informed decision-making strategies,” said Dr. Simon Liu, ARS Administrator.

    A rendering of the new Agricultural Research and Technology Center in Davis, California. (Image courtesy of Burns & McDonnell)

    Collaborations between ARS, USDA’s chief in-house research agency, and UC Davis began in 1956 with the location of the Crops Pathology and Genetics Research Unit (CPGRU) led by ARS Plant Pathologist, Dr. Austin Goheen, on campus to research grape viruses.

    ARS scientists have since fanned across several UC Davis departments, including Plant Pathology, Viticulture and Enology; Entomology and Nematology; Plant Sciences; and Land, Air and Water Resources, which has facilitated many collaborations that have benefited various stakeholders in industries that include almond, walnut, rice, and grapes.

    ARS’s presence on campus has since grown to over 30 scientists with supporting staff across the four research units and the Western Human Nutrition Research Center.

    Strong collaborative research efforts between university extension specialists, farm advisors, and faculty will continue with the move to the ARTC.

    “This research will benefit growers, commodity groups, agricultural businesses, and U.S. consumers who rely on ARS to find solutions to agricultural and environmental problems,” said Dr. Amisha Poret-Peterson, CPGRU Acting Research Leader. “It’s incredible to celebrate current and future cooperative research among ARS, groundwater sustainability agencies, UC Davis researchers, and stakeholders in diverse specialty realms such as tree nut, rice, and beekeeping industries.”

    ARS remains committed to nationwide infrastructure modernization, empowering researchers to address agricultural challenges from animal science and crop production to climate change and sustainable farming practices.

    Notable speakers at the groundbreaking ceremony included:

    • Dr. Simon Liu, ARS Administrator
    • U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson, California 4th Congressional District
    • Dr. Tara McHugh, ARS Pacific West Area Director
    • Dr. Amisha Poret-Peterson, Acting Research Leader, CPGRU
    • Dr. Glenda Humiston, Vice President, University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources 
    • Dr. Helene Dillard, Dean, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at UC Davis

    The Agricultural Research Service is the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s chief scientific in-house research agency. Daily, ARS focuses on solutions to agricultural problems affecting America. Each dollar invested in U.S. agricultural research results in $20 of economic impact.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Celebrating 75 Years of USGS Science at the Idaho National Laboratory

    Source: US Geological Survey

    Established in 1949, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Idaho Operations (DOE-ID) office oversees work at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL), one of 21 DOE-operated national laboratories and technology centers. The USGS began working at what is now the INL in 1949 by monitoring the amount of groundwater that was available for the facility and determining baseline groundwater chemistry prior to the development and implementation of nuclear reactor research on site. 

    In those early days, USGS scientists travelled to the INL either from USGS headquarters in Reston, Virginia, or from the Idaho district office in Boise. In 1959, it was decided to house a permanent office at the INL in the same building as DOE’s Radiological and Environmental Sciences Laboratory. USGS staff commuted out to the INL until 1998 when project offices were established in Pocatello and Idaho Falls. 

    Our USGS mission at the INL is to maintain a comprehensive groundwater monitoring and hydrogeologic studies program to evaluate the availability and movement of water in the eastern Snake River Plain aquifer to align with DOE’s strategic goal of safeguarding the environment.  

    We are also tasked with describing the processes controlling the fate of contaminants (advective transport, dispersion, adsorption, dilution, diffusion, radioactive decay, and chemical reactions), and provide independent reviews of hydrogeological data and reports submitted by DOE and its contractors to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the State of Idaho.  

    Throughout this 75-year history, USGS scientists at the INL have been at the forefront of science development in groundwater flow modeling, geochemistry research, unsaturated zone research, and volcanic hazards assessments. The USGS INL Project Office has drilled or contracted to drill more than 300 wells, and has collected data from more than 475 sites, including 72,000 water-level measurements, 22,000 water samples, 1,500 geophysical logs from 137 sites, and 1,500 surface-water measurements. We have published our research in more than 385 scientific publications. 

    Roy Bartholomay is the director of the Idaho Water Science Center. He previously served as the chief of the Idaho National Laboratory Project Office and as the water-quality specialist and chief of the Huron Programs Office of the USGS South Dakota Water Science Center. His scientific research involves studies on groundwater geochemistry and water quality. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Cohen Announces $21.2 Million in USDA Regional Conservation Partnership Funding

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09)

    MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today announced that the Memphis-based MidSouth Development District will receive $21,250,000 through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Regional Conservation Partnership Program for a project providing sustainable improvements to agricultural land with its partners in Shelby, Tipton, Fayette and Lauderdale counties in Tennessee; Crittenden County in Arkansas; and DeSoto County in Mississippi.

    The project aims to enhance ecosystem health by establishing diverse habitats on the edges of production sites across the six counties, supporting ecosystem services that reduce synthetic inputs and improve water and soil quality. This approach will increase biodiversity, providing natural pest control and pollination, thereby promoting sustainable agriculture.

    Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

    “Mid-South agriculture and the livelihoods it supports are a critical foundation of our regional economy and promoting biodiversity is an important goal. Applying best practices for sustainable and environmentally protective farmland use with the help of this substantial funding will be an economic boon to our region, its workers, and its plants and animals.”

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Scanlon, Casey, Fetterman, Boyle, Evans Secure $79.6 Million to Make PhilaPort More Energy Efficient

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon(PA-5)

    Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) today joined Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and John Fetterman (D-PA) and Representatives Brendan Boyle (PA-02) and Dwight Evans (PA-03) in announcing that Philadelphia Regional Port Authority (PhilaPort) is receiving a total of $79,650,965 in federal funding to plan and implement projects that will transition the port’s operations to zero-emissions equipment. The funding comes from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Ports Program, made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act.

    “The Port of Philadelphia is a critical driver of good-paying jobs for our region and a vital gateway for goods and passengers across the country,” said Rep. Scanlon. “I’m so pleased to see funding from the Biden-Harris administration’s Investing in America agenda continue to flow into our region, helping clean up pollution at our ports and improving air quality and public health in neighboring communities.”

    “This investment from the Inflation Reduction Act will allow PhilaPort to bring down its energy costs and improve air quality in surrounding communities while incorporating the technology of the future into its operations,” said Senator Casey. “I will always fight to improve our shipping hubs to ensure that the Commonwealth’s waterways boost economic growth and create and sustain good jobs.”

    “The nearly $80 million investment in PhilaPort is a transformative step toward a more efficient future for Philadelphia. Moving to zero-emission technology will help make our port cleaner and healthier for the community while boosting the local economy and creating good paying jobs. This is what the Inflation Reduction Act is all about—making big investments that keep Pennsylvania competitive and sustainable,” said Senator Fetterman.

    “This funding, which I proudly supported as part of the Inflation Reduction Act, will enable PhilaPort to adopt cutting-edge technology that reduces carbon emissions and could help expand the port’s operations,” Rep. Boyle. “Philadelphia’s ports are vital to our communities, providing jobs and positioning our city as a key hub of commerce. This investment not only supports the hardworking port workers who drive our economy but also ensures that PhilaPort can continue serving the nation sustainably for years to come.”

    “I was proud to vote for the Biden-Harris administration’s Inflation Reduction Act, a landmark clean-energy and health-care law, and this more than $79 million in federal funding for our area is just the latest way it’s benefiting Philadelphia and the region,” said Rep. Evans.

    The Clean Ports Program funding will support two PhilaPort projects. $77.6 million will help PhilaPort deploy electric cargo handling equipment, install new charging infrastructure, and upgrade existing electrical infrastructure. An additional $2 million will support planning operations to better understand the port’s current emissions levels, identify areas where energy efficiency can be improved, and engage the surrounding community about the process of transitioning to zero-emission operations.

    The announcement comes just a month after the members secured $217 million for PhilaPort to expand the operational capacity of the SouthPort terminal.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Carissa Arillo: Testing Spacecraft, Penning the Owner’s Manuals

    Source: NASA

    Flight operations engineer Carissa Arillo helped ensure one of the instruments on NASA’s PACE mission made it successfully through its prelaunch testing. She and her group also documented the work rigorously, to ensure the flight team had a comprehensive manual to keep this Earth-observing satellite in good health for the duration of its mission.

    Name: Carissa M. ArilloFormal Job Classification: Flight Operations EngineerOrganization: Environmental Test Engineering and Integration Branch (Code 549)
    What do you do and what is most interesting about your role here at Goddard?
    I developed pre-launch test procedures for the HARP-2 instrument for the Phytoplankton, Aerosol, Cloud and Ecosystem (PACE) Mission. HARP-2 is a wide angle imaging polarimeter designed to measure aerosol particles and clouds, as well as properties of land and water surfaces.
    I also developed the flight operations routine and contingency procedures that governed the spacecraft after launch. It is interesting to think about how to design procedures that can sustain the observatory in space for the life of the mission so that the flight operations team that inherits the mission will have a seamless transition.
    What is your educational background?
    In 2019, I got a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from the University of Maryland, College Park. I am currently pursuing a master’s in robotics there as well.
    Why did you become an engineer?
    I like putting things together and understanding how they work. After starting my job at NASA Goddard, I became interested in coding and robotics.
    How did you come to Goddard?
    After getting my undergraduate degree, I worked at General Electric Aviation doing operations management for manufacturing aircraft engines. When I heard about an opening at Goddard, I applied and got my current position.
    What was involved in developing pre-launch test procedures for the HARP-2 instrument?
    I talked to the instrument manufacturer, which is a team from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and asked them what they wanted to confirm works every time we tested the instrument. We kept in constant communication while developing these test procedures to make sure we covered everything. The end product was code that was part of the comprehensive performance tests, the baseline tests throughout the prelaunch test campaign. Before, during, and after each prelaunch environmental test, we perform such a campaign. These prelaunch environmental tests include vibration, thermal (hot and cold), acoustic and radio frequency compatibility (making sure that different subsystems do not interfere with each other’s).
    What goes through your head in developing a flight operations procedure for an instrument?
    I think about a safe way of operating the instrument to accomplish the goals of the science team. I also think about not being able to constantly monitor the instrument. Every few hours, we can communicate with the instrument for about five to 10 minutes. We can, however, recover all the telemetry for the off-line time.
    When we discover an anomaly, we look at all the history that we have and consult with our contingency procedures, our failure review board and potentially the instrument manufacturer. Together we try to figure out a recovery.
    When developing a fight operations procedure, we must think of all possible scenarios. Our end product is a written book of procedures that lives with the mission and is updated as needed.
    New cars come with an owner’s manual. We create the same sort of manual for the new instrument.
    As a Flight Operations Team member, what else do you do?
    The flight operations team runs the Mission Operations Center — the “MOC” — for PACE. That is where we command the spacecraft for the life of the mission. My specialty is the HARP-2 instrument, but I still do many supporting functions for the MOC. For example, I helped develop procedures to automate ground station contacts to PACE. These ground stations are positioned all over the world and enable us to talk with the spacecraft during those five to 10 minutes of communication. This automation includes the standard things we do every time we talk to the spacecraft whether or not someone is in the MOC.

    How does it feel to be working on such an amazing mission so early in your career?
    It is awesome, I feel very lucky to be in my position. Everything is new to me. At times it is difficult to understand where the ship is going. I rely on my experienced team members to guide me and my robotics curriculum in school to equip me with skills.
    I have learned a lot from both the flight operations team and the integration and test team. The flight operations team has years of experience building MOCs that serve the needs of each unique mission. The integration and test team also has a lot of experience developing observatory functional procedures. I wish to thank both teams for taking me under their wings and educating me on the fly to support the prelaunch, launch and post-launch campaigns. I am very grateful to everyone for giving me this unbelievable opportunity.
    Who is your engineering hero?
    I don’t have one hero in particular but I love biographical movies that tell stories about influential people’s lives, such as the movie “Hidden Figures” that details the great endeavors and accomplishments of three female African-American mathematicians at NASA.
    What do you do for fun?
    I love to go to the beach and spend time with family and friends.
    Who is your favorite author?
    I like Kristen Hannah’s storytelling abilities.
    What do you hope to be doing in five years?
    I hope to be working on another exciting mission at Goddard that will bring us never-before-seen science.
    By Elizabeth M. JarrellNASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.

    Conversations With Goddard is a collection of Q&A profiles highlighting the breadth and depth of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center’s talented and diverse workforce. The Conversations have been published twice a month on average since May 2011. Read past editions on Goddard’s “Our People” webpage.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: UConn Health Helping Build Connecticut Youths Future Careers in Health and Science

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Approximately 100 high school and college students had the opportunity to engage with UConn Health fac­ulty, staff, medical, dental and graduate students in a series of activities to raise awareness about health and biomedical science careers and the admissions process for medical, dental, and graduate schools.

    (Photo by John Atashian)

    At UConn Health on October 19 the 2024 Bridge to the Future Health Career Pathways Mentoring Conference happily returned in-person. Since 2019 the annual event was held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The event was hosted by Dr. Marja Hurley, UConn Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor, professor of medicine and orthopedic surgery, and associate dean of the Health Career Opportunity Programs.

    This year’s conference was organized by the Department of Health Career Opportunity Programs (HCOP), the UConn Chapters of the Student National Medical Association (SNMA), the Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA), and the Student National Dental Association/ Hispanic Student Dental Association (SNDA/HSDA).

    Keynote speaker Dr. Nurudeen Osumah with Dr. Marja Hurley (Photo by John Atashian).

    The keynote speaker was Dr. Nurudeen Osumah, a UConn Health HCOP Pipeline participant and UConn School of Medicine Class of 2022 graduate who is an Emergency Medicine resident training at UConn Health. He spoke to the students about the impact of participating in a multitude of UConn Health HCOP preparatory programs and his personal journey through college and medical school.

    (Photo by John Atashian)

    Enrichment activities at the event for high school students included a “Road to Success” panel with Doctors Academy alumni, presentations and interactive activities on medical Spanish, taking a patient history, and clinical skills focused on blood pressure, suturing, surgical knots, and lumbar puncture conducted by members of LMSA and SNMA.

    The college students attended a research poster symposium with currently enrolled UConn medical, dental, and graduate student presenters to learn about biomedical research opportunities and an enrichment semi­nar to learn about the admissions process for graduate and medical school programs offered at UConn Health.

    (Photo by John Atashian)

    For college students specifically interested in dental med­icine, a Dental Impressions Workshop led by Jaelon Blandburg, third-year dental student and Dr. Gerald Birmingham, clinical assistant professor in General Dentistry, and assistant director of the Department of Health Career Opportunity Programs focused on a series of information sessions which included careers in dental medicine and a hands-on activity for taking dental impressions.

    (Photo by John Atashian)

    Additionally, college students interested in medicine engaged in a breakout session on medical patient history and case study led by Dr. Lenworth Ellis, assistant professor of medicine, interim chief of the Division of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, along with Professor Hurley and medical students.

    The college program concluded with a “Road to Success” scholar athlete panel moderated by Khaoula Ben Haj Frej, a fourth-year medical student and Jaelon Blandburg, a third-year dental student.  Currently enrolled students at the Schools of Medicine and Dental Medicine shared personal anecdotes, their experience as college student athletes, progres­sion through their respective schools, and answered questions about their successes and challenges faced on their journey.

    Dr. Marja Hurley (Photo by John Atashian)

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Brownley Secures $42M in Federal Funding to the Port of Hueneme to Reduce Emissions and Improve Air Quality

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Julia Brownley (D-CA)

    This historic investment will expand cleaner and more sustainable operations at the Port of Hueneme and will accelerate the Port’s efforts to become the first zero-emission port in the United States.

    Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) announced that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded a total of $42,287,893 to the Port of Hueneme through its Clean Ports Program, made possible by the Biden-Harris Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act. More specifically, the Port of Hueneme will receive $41,076,293 for zero-emission technology deployment and an additional $1,211,600 for climate and air quality planning to support the Port of Hueneme Reducing Emissions, Supporting Health (PHRESH) Project. This funding will be used for planning activities and deployment of zero-emission terminal equipment and a drayage truck incentive program. 

    “Over the past year, I have worked closely with the Port of Hueneme to secure over $42 million in federal funding to expand the Port’s innovative sustainability efforts,” said Congresswoman Brownley. “This historic investment will accelerate the Port’s zero-emission transformation and is a testament to its bold environmental initiatives. As an essential economic driver for Ventura County, the Port’s commitment to a cleaner future will yield substantial benefits for the community, including improved air quality, public health, job creation, and workforce development.”

    “This announcement by the EPA is exciting news for the Port of Hueneme,” said Celina Zacarias, President of the Oxnard Harbor District/Port of Hueneme. “We now have the funding to accelerate the Board of Harbor Commissioners’ 2019 adopted resolution to decarbonization, our goal is now our reality, we can put our words into action and create meaningful results for our community.” 

    “Congresswoman Brownley continues to trailblaze with leadership, tenacity, and know-how bringing a $43 million EPA grant to the Port of Hueneme for zero emission technology. This historic grant sets the pace for the Port to lead the way as the nation’s first fully zero emission port for cargo handling equipment and enables us to enhance the quality of life for our adjacent communities with state-of-the-art clean operations,” said Kristin Decas, President and CEO of the Port of Hueneme.

    This award funding was part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Ports Program. Today, the EPA announced the selection of 55 applicants across 27 states and territories to receive nearly $3 billion for human operated and human maintained zero-emission port equipment and infrastructure, and climate and air quality planning at U.S. ports. These grants are funded by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act – the largest climate investment in history – and will advance environmental justice by reducing diesel pollution from U.S. ports in surrounding communities while creating good-paying jobs. These grants seek to support efforts by our nation’s ports to reduce the environmental impacts of their operations and improve public health in surrounding communities. 

    The Port of Hueneme Reducing Emissions, Supporting Health (PHRESH) project consists of two components: PHRESH START (Sustainable, Thoughtful And Resilient Transformation), which includes planning activities, and PHRESH AIR (Accelerating Implementation and Results), which involves the deployment of roughly 35 pieces of zero-emissions terminal equipment and a drayage truck incentive program.

    ###

    Issues: 118th Congress, Environment, Jobs, Economy, and Small Business, Transportation and Infrastructure

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong rank among top 10 innovation cities globally: report

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong rank among the world’s top 10 innovation cities, alongside other cities from the United States, Britain and Japan, according to a recently released assessment report on sci-tech innovation.
    The report, published on Friday, was compiled by the Shenzhen International Science and Technology Information Center, the Center for Industrial Development and Environmental Governance of Tsinghua University, and research publishing and information analytics company Elsevier, the Science and Technology Daily reported on Saturday.
    The report is based on the collaborative development index of education, sci-tech and talent, and offers an in-depth evaluation of 30 cities around the world. It aims to provide insights into global urban innovation and development trends and highlights the strength of cities in science and technology innovation.
    The top 10 innovation cities are Boston, San Francisco, Beijing, London, New York, Los Angeles, Seattle, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Tokyo.
    In terms of education, Boston, London and Hong Kong rank as the top three, while London, Beijing, Shanghai and New York are cities with relatively balanced development in both basic and higher education.
    From the perspective of innovation, San Francisco, Boston and Beijing are the top three cities. The report suggests that strengthening the innovation ecosystem, including enhancing the economic foundation, promoting the integration of industry, academia and research, boosting scientific infrastructure, and fostering cross-regional cooperation, is crucial for Chinese cities to enhance their innovation capabilities.
    In terms of talent development, five cities from the United States and five from China, which include Beijing, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Guangzhou and Shanghai, rank in the top 10.
    According to the report, Chinese cities such as Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Shanghai also demonstrate exceptional performance in talent potential, reflecting strong momentum in talent development.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Vanuatu AG condemns Trump’s Paris climate treaty exit as ‘troubling precedent’

    By Harry Pearl of BenarNews

    Vanuatu’s top lawyer has called out the United States for “bad behavior” after newly inaugurated President Donald Trump withdrew the world’s biggest historic emitter of greenhouse gasses from the Paris Agreement for a second time.

    The Pacific nation’s Attorney-General Arnold Loughman, who led Vanuatu’s landmark International Court of Justice climate case at The Hague last month, said the withdrawal represented an “undeniable setback” for international action on global warming.

    “The Paris Agreement remains key to the world’s efforts to combat climate change and respond to its effects, and the participation of major economies like the US is crucial,” he told BenarNews in a statement.

    The withdrawal could also set a “troubling precedent” regarding the accountability of rich nations that are disproportionately responsible for global warming, said Loughman.

    “At the same time, the US’ bad behavior could inspire resolve on behalf of developed countries to act more responsibly to try and safeguard the international rule of law,” he said.

    “Ultimately, the whole world stands to lose if the international legal framework is allowed to erode.”

    Vanuatu’s Attorney-General Arnold Loughman at the International Court of Justice last month . . . “The whole world stands to lose if the international legal framework is allowed to erode.” Image: ICJ-CIJ

    Trump’s announcement on Monday came less than two weeks after scientists confirmed that 2024 was the hottest year on record and the first in which average temperatures exceeded 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

    Agreed to ‘pursue efforts’
    Under the Paris Agreement adopted in 2015, leaders agreed to “pursue efforts” to limit warming under the 1.5°C threshold or, failing that, keep rises “well below” 2°C  by the end of the century.

    Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said on Wednesday in a brief comment that Trump’s action would “force us to rethink our position” but the US president must do “what is in the best interest of the United States of America”.

    Other Pacific leaders and the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) regional intergovernmental body have not responded to BenarNews requests for comment.

    The forum — comprising 18 Pacific states and territories — in its 2018 Boe Declaration said: “Climate change remains the single greatest threat to the livelihoods, security and wellbeing of the peoples of the Pacific and [we reaffirm] our commitment to progress the implementation of the Paris Agreement.”

    Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka speaks at the opening of the new Nabouwalu Water Treatment Plant this week . . . Trump’s action would “force us to rethink our position”. Image: Fiji govt

    Trump’s executive order sparked dismay and criticism in the Pacific, where the impacts of a warming planet are already being felt in the form of more intense storms and rising seas.

    Jacynta Fa’amau, regional Pacific campaigner with environmental group 350 Pacific, said the withdrawal would be a diplomatic setback for the US.

    “The climate crisis has for a long time now been our greatest security threat, especially to the Pacific,” she told BenarNews.

    A clear signal
    “This withdrawal from the agreement is a clear signal about how much the US values the survival of Pacific nations and all communities on the front lines.”

    New Zealand’s former Minister for Pacific Peoples, Aupito William Sio, said that if the US withdrew from its traditional leadership roles in multilateral organisations China would fill the gap.

    “Some people may not like how China plays its role,” wrote the former Labour MP on Facebook. “But when the great USA withdraws from these global organisations . . . it just means China can now go about providing global leadership.”

    Analysts and former White House advisers told BenarNews last year that climate change could be a potential “flashpoint” between Pacific nations and a second Trump administration at a time of heightened geopolitical competition with China.

    Trump’s announcement was not unexpected. During his first term he withdrew the US from the Paris Agreement, only for former President Joe Biden to promptly rejoin in 2021.

    The latest withdrawal puts the US, the world’s largest historic emitter of greenhouse gases, alongside only Iran, Libya and Yemen outside the climate pact.

    In his executive order, Trump said the US would immediately begin withdrawing from the Paris Agreement and from any other commitments made under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

    US also ending climate finance
    The US would also end its international climate finance programme to developing countries — a blow to small Pacific island states that already struggle to obtain funding for resilience and mitigation.

    Press releases by the Biden administration were removed from the White House website immediately after President Donald Trump’s inauguration. Image: White House website/Screen capture on Monday

    A fact sheet published by the Biden administration on November 17, which has now been removed from the White House website, said that US international climate finance reached more than US$11 billion in 2024.

    Loughman said the cessation of climate finance payments was particularly concerning for the Pacific region.

    “These funds are essential for building resilience and supporting adaptation strategies,” he said. “Losing this support could severely hinder ongoing and future projects aimed at protecting our vulnerable ecosystems and communities.”

    George Carter, deputy head of the Department of Pacific Affairs at the Australian National University and member of the COP29 Scientific Council, said at the centre of the Biden administration’s re-engagement with the South Pacific was a regional programme on climate adaptation.

    “While the majority of climate finance that flows through the Pacific comes from Australia, Japan, European Union, New Zealand — then the United States — the climate networks and knowledge production from the US to the Pacific are substantial,” he said.

    Sala George Carter (third from right) hosted a panel discussion at COP29 highlighting key challenges Indigenous communities face from climate change last November. Image: Sera Sefeti/BenarNews

    Climate actions plans
    Pacific island states, like all other signatories to the Paris Agreement, will this year be submitting Nationally Determined Contributions, or NDCs, outlining their climate action plans for the next five years.

    “All climate actions, policies and activities are conditional on international climate finance,” Carter said.

    Pacific island nations are being disproportionately affected by climate change despite contributing just 0.02 percent of global emissions, according to a UN report released last year.

    Low-lying islands are particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels and extreme weather events like cyclones, floods and marine heatwaves, which are projected to occur more frequently this century as a result of higher average global temperatures.

    On January 10, the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) confirmed that last year for the first time the global mean temperature tipped over 1.5°C above the 1850-1900 average.

    WMO experts emphasised that a single year of more than 1.5°C does not mean that the world has failed to meet long-term temperature goals, which are measured over decades, but added that “leaders must act — now” to avert negative impacts.

    Harry Pearl is a BenarNews journalist. This article was first published by BenarNews and is republished at Asia Pacific Report with permission.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: The Taichung Port Technology Industrial Park’s Disaster Drill enhances regional joint emergency response capability.

    Source: Republic Of China Taiwan 2

    To improve the safety protection capabilities of the Taichung Port Technology Industrial Park (TPTIP), the Bureau of Industrial Parks (BIPs) of the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) teamed up with the Chemicals Administration (CHA) of the Ministry of Environment to hold a joint “Muti-Hazard Emergency Response and Regional Cooperation Drill” on October 23. Representatives from the CHA, the CTSP Bureau of the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Taichung City Government, and several industrial parks participated. The spirit of “collaborative cooperation” demonstrated in this drill is key to responding to large-scale disasters. Whether it’s adjusting water and electricity supply or supporting fire rescue resources, inter-agency collaboration between agencies is essential. Regular drills focusing on disaster reduction, response, and recovery are designed to ensure rapid resource integration during an actual disaster to effectively prevent escalation.
    The drill simulated a scenario where a strong earthquake caused an organic solvent leak, sparking a fire inside a factory, while toxic chemicals splashed onto personnel, creating a complex disaster. In addition to simulating on-site disaster reporting, personnel evacuation and headcount, emergency response division of labor, casualty rescue, and follow-up efforts, the drill also showcased the regional joint defense capability of Taichung Port and the Technology Industrial Parks. Various public and private entities worked together to adjust the power and water supply, dispatch fire trucks, and provide emergency equipment, demonstrating efficient teamwork in controlling the disaster.
    The Bureau of Industrial Parks (BIPs) emphasized that the drill focuses on the response efficiency and safety practices of various rescue support units. For example, when the Taichung Harbor Fire Brigade arrived at the disaster site, factory managers immediately provided critical rescue information, including the types, quantities, and locations of chemicals in the factory, and assigned personnel to assist. Additionally, a firefighting robot was also sent to the fire scene for extinguishing operations, reducing the need for rescue personnel to enter high-risk areas and thereby lowering rescue risk. Furthermore, the Central Taiwan technical team sent dispatched response vehicles and personnel to monitor chemical concentrations at the accident site, ensuring that rescue efforts were properly contained and that the disaster’s impact was minimized.
    This drill has once again enhanced the safety protection capabilities of the Taichung Port Technology Industrial Park, and has also strengthened the independent emergency response capabilities of companies within the park when facing complex disasters. In the future, the BIP will continue to deepen collaboration with various units, aiming to optimize the park’s joint defense and emergency response mechanism through more disaster drills to ensure that companies within the park can effectively protect personnel safety and minimize economic losses during major disasters.

    Spokesman: Mr. Liu Chi-Chuan (Deputy Director General, BIP)
    Contact Number: 886-7-3613349, 0911363680
    Email: lcc12@bip.gov.tw

    Contact Person: Liu, Chun-chuan (Environmental Safety and Labor Section, Taichung Branch)
    Contact Number: 886-4-2658-1215 ext 641
    Email: chunchuan@bip.gov.tw

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: FACT SHEET: President Joe  Biden Announces $3 Billion to Strengthen Port Infrastructure, Create Good-Paying and Union Jobs, Bring Cleaner Air to  Communities

    Source: The White House

    President Biden will travel to the Port of Baltimore to announce $147 million in awards, which will support up to 2,000 good-paying and union jobs at the Port

    Today, President Biden will travel to the Port of Baltimore to announce a $3 billion investment from his Inflation Reduction Act to improve and electrify port infrastructure, support an estimated 40,000 good-paying and union jobs, reduce pollution, and combat the climate crisis.  The announcement includes $147 million in awards for the Maryland Port Administration, which will support over 2,000 good-paying and union jobs by enabling the purchase and installation of zero-emission port equipment, charging infrastructure, and power improvements. During the visit, President Biden will highlight how his Investing in America agenda is making an historic impact on communities and workers in Baltimore and across the country.

    $3 Billion Investment to Strengthen Port Infrastructure

    Today, President Biden is announcing $3 billion in Environmental Protection Agency Clean Ports grants, funded by the Inflation Reduction Act, to 55 selectees across 27 states and territories, including $147 million in implementation and planning grants for the Maryland Port Administration. The nation’s ports are the lynchpin of our nation’s supply chains and employ over 100,000 union workers across the United States.

    This funding will protect and create good-paying and union jobs and better working conditions by upgrading port operations and infrastructure to cleaner equipment, while ensuring cleaner air for port workers and nearby communities. The Clean Ports program will support an estimated 40,000 jobs across the economy, including over 6,500 manufacturing jobs, and is expected to increase demand for American manufactured electric cargo handling equipment at least six-fold over the life of the program.

    While a major economic driver, our nation’s ports are a major source of pollution for workers and surrounding communities. Communities living near ports and other transportation corridors are exposed to toxic pollution which can cause respiratory and cardiovascular harm, especially in children. The Clean Ports program will improve air quality at ports across the country by installing clean, zero-emission freight and ferry technologies along with associated infrastructure, eliminating more than 3 million metric tons of carbon pollution over the first ten years of implementation, equivalent to 391,220 homes’ energy use for one year. The funds announced today will support the purchase of battery-electric and hydrogen-powered human-operated and human-maintained equipment, including over 1,500 units of cargo handling equipment, 1,000 drayage trucks, 10 locomotives, and 20 vessels, as well as shore power systems for ocean-going vessels, battery-electric and hydrogen vehicle charging and fueling infrastructure, and solar power generation. The Clean Ports program advances the President’s Justice40 Initiative and aligns with the Biden-Harris Administration’s goal for a zero-emission freight sector.

    Investing in the Port of Baltimore

    President Biden will announce the funding at the Port of Baltimore in Maryland. The Port of Baltimore is one of the busiest ports on the East Coast and is a major hub for the import and export of vehicles. More than 20,000 workers support daily Port operations, including unionized longshoreman and truckers. Each day the Port’s economic impact represents $192 million or more than $70 billion a year, representing 13% of Maryland’s gross domestic product.

    The Maryland Port Administration’s Equipment Electrification and Terminal Decarbonization project has been selected to receive over $145 million to purchase zero-emission cargo handling equipment and drayage trucks and facilitate the transition of the port to a zero-emission facility, as well as a nearly $2 million planning grant to help the port chart a path to greater emissions reductions in the future, delivering cleaner air for the port and neighboring communities. The port is a major economic engine for the region, providing thousands of jobs and contributing billions of dollars to the local economy—and this new investment will support over 2,000 jobs, including more than 350 manufacturing jobs.

    Creating Good Paying, Union Jobs in Baltimore and Across the Country

    President Biden is the most pro-union president in history. He’s the first and only president to walk a picket line, and under his Administration, unions have secured historic labor wins. Last month, President Biden signed an Executive Order that calls on agencies to promote strong labor standards such as family-sustaining wages, workplace safety, and the free and fair choice to join a union, and encourages agencies to implement these standards through their Investing in America programs. This builds on a record of pro-worker accomplishments throughout the Biden-Harris Administration. For example:

    • Workers are filing for union representation at twice the rate they were at the start of the Biden-Harris Administration—the first Administration in five decades to have an increase in union petitions. In Maryland, union petitions increased by 55% percent. The National Labor Relations Board has met this historic moment by reducing unnecessary delays in union representation elections and by expanding remedies available to workers when their employers engage in unionbusting.
    • The vast majority of Investing in America programs require grantees to pay Davis-Bacon prevailing wages for workers. The Administration also published the first update to Davis-Bacon prevailing wages in nearly 40 years, which will increase pay for one million construction workers over time.
    • The Department of the Treasury finalized a rule implementing prevailing wage and apprenticeship bonus credits for certain clean energy projects funded by the President’s Inflation Reduction Act to ensure clean energy workers are paid good wages and that these projects create equitable pipelines to these good jobs.

    Building on Historic Investments in Maryland’s Infrastructure and Economy

    Today’s announcement builds on a historic investment in the state of Maryland under the Biden-Harris Administration. To date, the Investing in America agenda has delivered over $13 billion for over 970 projects in Maryland, spurring over $3 billion in private sector investments.

    This includes a number of projects in Baltimore, for example:

    • $4.7 billion for Amtrak’s Frederick Douglass Tunnel—which will replace the 150-year-old Baltimore and Potomac tunnel that is currently one of the largest rail bottlenecks on the Northeast Corridor;
    • $213 million to replace the Maryland Transit Administration’s entire fleet of 52 aging light rail vehicles with new, modern rail cars;
    • $80 million for interchange improvements at the I-895 Baltimore Harbor Tunnel;
    • $68 million for upgrades at Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall airport;
    • $43 million to identify and replace toxic lead pipes across Maryland;
    • $31 million to rehabilitate a section of the Dundalk Marine Terminal at the Port; and
    • $9 million to Baltimore City Public Schools for clean school buses.

    Baltimore was also named an Investing in America Workforce Hub, where the Administration is bringing together industry, government, educators, non-profits and unions to help workers in Maryland access good jobs created by private and public sector investments in the state. In November 2023, Hub partners announced new efforts to train and hire local residents to support major infrastructure projects. These commitments include one from the State of Maryland to incorporate a Project Labor Agreement in the bidding process for nine projects covering $9 billion in investment and 11,000 jobs—including 7,000 construction jobs. One of these commitments includes Amtrak promising to invest at least $5 million in funding received through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to create recruitment and training programs for new jobs for Baltimore residents as part of the Frederick Douglass Tunnel Program.

    The Department of Commerce also awarded the Maryland Department of Labor $23 million through the Economic Development Administration’s Good Jobs Challenge to create a new apprenticeship model for the growing offshore wind industry in Maryland, working with leading employers and local unions to develop a training model focused on underserved populations. The Maritime Administration is further supporting the Maryland offshore wind industry through a $47 million grant to Sparrows Point Steel to retool, a former Bethlehem Steel mill in Baltimore, to establish an offshore wind logistics and manufacturing hub in partnership with the United Steelworkers.

    The Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda has also unleashed $3 billion in private sector manufacturing and clean energy investments in Maryland, including:

    • A $350 million investment by United Safety Technology in Baltimore to produce critical medical supplies, including personal protective equipment.
    • A $300 million investment by AstraZeneca in a state-of-the-art facility in Rockville to launch life-saving cell therapy platforms for cancer trials.
    • A $230 million investment by Catalent to expand its advanced gene therapy manufacturing campus in Harmans.

    The Administration’s Investing in America agenda continues to make critical investments that will improve the lives and futures of all Marylanders.

    The Biden-Harris Administration’s Ongoing Support for Baltimore

    President Biden was last in Baltimore in the immediate aftermath of the tragic collapse of the Francis Scott Key bridge, which claimed the lives of six construction workers and closed ship traffic in and out of the Port of Baltimore. There, he said his Administration would move heaven and earth to reopen the Port of Baltimore as quickly as possible to support Maryland’s workers and economy. A Unified Command led by the United States Coast Guard and the Army Corps of Engineers cleared 50,000 tons of wreckage from the channel, allowing the Port to fully reopen 78 days after the bridge collapse. The Department of Labor and Small Business Administration mobilized quickly to support workers and small businesses impacted by the port closure, including thousands of Longshoremen and Teamsters who rely on the port for their livelihood. And the Department of Transportation and the Supply Chain Disruptions Task Force worked to limit supply chain disruptions, keep costs down, and ensure cargo quickly returned to the Port once it reopened. Today, port workers are back on the job, once again moving more than 100,000 tons of cargo per day.

    The President also committed to rebuilding the bridge as quickly as possible. Thanks to close collaboration with the Department of Transportation, Maryland is on the fast track to rebuild the bridge. In July, the Federal Highway Administration issued a Categorical Exclusion, allowing the project to clear a critical permitting milestone. And in August, Maryland selected a contractor to design and build the new bridge.  Immediately following the bridge collapse, President Biden called on Congress to fully fund the replacement bridge and his Administration reiterated this request in July.

    The Biden-Harris Administration also committed to holding the owners of the DALI cargo ship accountable for the disaster. Just last week, the Department of Justice announced a settlement of over $100 million with the owners of the DALI to cover federal government costs incurred in responding to the collapse. While the State of Maryland continues to pursue a separate lawsuit for damages incurred to the local economy, community, and families impacted by the collapse, the Biden-Harris Administration remains committed to working with Baltimore and the State of Maryland to ensure the city’s long-term recovery and success.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Supporting food and drink businesses

    Source: Scottish Government

    New funding to promote regional products.

    Projects from across Scotland are being awarded grants of up to £5,000 to help to promote regional food and drink products and open up new markets.

    Food festivals, workshops and markets celebrating produce from shellfish to whisky are among the 17 local and collaborative projects to receive support from the latest round of the Scotland Food & Drink Partnership’s Regional Food Fund.

    The Fund, managed by Scotland Food & Drink, supports regional growth by backing projects to promote and sell produce from their areas.

    Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon said:

    “We have some of the best food and drink in the world – the industry is worth £15 billion to our economy, supports thousands of jobs and businesses and is a success story at home and internationally. The Regional Food Fund is providing much-needed support to local businesses, producers and community groups to showcase the best products that their regions have to offer.

    “Through this fund we have seen more than £750,000 awarded from the available funding to successful projects across Scotland. This round of funding celebrates some incredible produce at some wonderful locations that mean people will benefit from it all across the country, whether taking part in cookery events on Arran, learning about wild food in Glasgow or improving their culinary skills at Fife’s Cambo Snowdrop Festival.

    “I look forward to hearing how each of these exciting projects develops.”

    Scotland Food & Drink Head of Regional Food Fiona Richmond said:

    “It’s truly exciting to support 17 more collaborative food and drink projects through this latest round of the Regional Food Fund. The quality of the applications reflects the passion and commitment to enhancing local food and drink initiatives, which are vital to the continued growth of Scotland’s food, drink, and tourism sectors.

    “We congratulate all this year’s recipients and are eager to watch these projects unfold in the coming months, knowing they will leave a lasting and positive impact on communities across the country.”

    Background

    Regional Food Fund | Scotland Food & Drink (foodanddrink.scot)

    In 2018, the Connect Local Regional Food Fund was launched consisting of 4 funding rounds, which saw more than £350,000 awarded across 78 projects. In 2021, the Scotland Food & Drink Partnership’s Regional Food Fund was launched in place of the previous Connect Local Regional Food Fund. This will be the fifth round of the fund under Scotland Food & Drink which has seen more than £400,000 awarded across 87 projects to date.

    The successful applicants in this round are:

    Bellevue Farm, Arran. Development of Eating Facility          £5,000

    In collaboration with Arran’s Food Journey regional food group, project will create a catering facility within Bellevue Barn which can be used to showcase local produce & offer unique eating experiences.

    Cambo Heritage Trust, Fife. Made in Fife at the Cambo Snowdrop Festival £4,989

    Project builds on success of the café, snowdrop festival and Green Market programme to host market events with cookery workshops featuring ‘root to stalk’ methods and provide a space for other regional food and drink traders with the opportunity to showcase their products in a range of markets called ‘Made in Fife’ at Cambo Gardens.

    Clyde Fishermen’s Trust/Clyde Fishermen’s Association, Glasgow. Festival of the Sea £5,000

    Winter festival of the Sea, building on track record of delivering seafood festivals. Event will provide a collaborative showcase that brings together West Coast fishermen, seafood producers, and culinary experts to celebrate Scotland’s rich fishing heritage and exceptional produce.

    Dornoch BID, Highlands. Food on the Firth £1,300

    Series of out of season, food-focused weeks in Dornoch covering different sectors such as meat and shellfish.

    East Lothian Food and Drink, East Lothian. East Lothian Food and Drink Recipe Book £5,000

    East Lothian  Project will create a recipe book that features East Lothian Food and Drink members. From cocktails from Buck & Birch to non- alcoholic mocktails featuring Brose Oats. From our East coast seas to our rolling hills and farmland.

    Essential Edinburgh, Edinburgh. Eat Out Edinburgh £5,000

    Eat Out Edinburgh will be celebrating all things food and drink at a quieter time of the year, encouraging locals to eat out in the city centre supporting their local producers, suppliers, hospitality businesses and the local economy. Funds will support a promotional campaign to achieve this.

    Falkirk Delivers, Falkirk. Falkirk Producers Market Growth Initiative       £4,725

    Project aims to expand the reach and impact of the market by attracting new food and drink vendors and enhancing their promotional capabilities. Fund will support free stalls for 15 producers and digital campaign.

    Fife Whisky Festival Ltd, Fife. Fife Whisky Festival £4,985

    New Sunday event to showcase smaller, local food and drink producers under the festival umbrella. Event will provide cross-selling and marketing opportunities.

    Food Lochaber (part of Lochaber Environmental Group), Highlands. Food Lochaber £5,000

    Project aims to encourage Lochaber producers to work together to sell to local customers and, where appropriate, increase their production of food by giving them access to an online market place run by the producers.

    Forth Valley Food & Drink. Flavours of Forth Valley £5,000

    Forth Valley  Development project to support growth & sustainability of the group. Activities include strategic review; member showcase and local food film screening events.       

    Galloway Food Hub CIC, Dumfries and Galloway. Galloway Food Hub PR Campaign £5,000

    PR & digital campaign to promote this online marketplace for local producers.  

    Granton Project CIC, Edinburgh. The Pitt Market £5,000

    Creation of first collaborative market with local producers, street food traders and the community. This event will showcase the best of regional produce and local entrepreneurs and startups.       

    Great Perthshire. Perth & Kinross Farmers Markets          £5,000

    Project will bring the existing four Perth & Kinross farmers’ markets together to present a shared proposition to their customers & shoppers, collaborate on good practice & common objectives. Working group, shared information strategy & forum are amongst some of the activities planned.     

    Rosemains Steading CIC, Midlothian. Rosemains Steadings Markets £5,000

    Creation of regular markets at this collaborative hub for entrepreneurs, featuring new stalls, tastings & demonstrations.  

    Scottish Food & Drink Histories Partnership Lab (University of Glasgow), Glasgow. Scottish Food Heritage Symposium: Tea £5,000

    In partnership with Mackintosh at the Willow, project will debut a one-day symposium of history talks, live demonstrations, tasting sessions & panel discussions.     

    Scottish Maritime Museum, Ayrshire. Christmas Market £5,000

    Expansion of Christmas market to include food and drink producers in collaboration with Ayrshire Food An’ A’ That regional food group

    Scottish Wild Food Festival, Glasgow. Wild Food Producers Showcase, £5,000

    Various initiatives to increase promotion & sales of wild food products/wild food tourism experiences such as wild food directory; digital activities & market stalls at events     

    TOTAL         17 Applicants                   TOTAL GRANT CLAIM FUNDING   £80,999

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: CECO Environmental to Acquire Profire Energy for $125 Million

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • Expands CECO’s leadership position in niche energy and industrial markets with expanded environmental solutions for mission critical applications
    • Provides cost synergies and enhances Profire’s strategic growth by utilizing CECO’s established international operations and customer relationships
    • CECO to host its Quarterly Earnings call today at 8:30 a.m. ET including further commentary regarding the transaction

    DALLAS and LINDON, Utah, Oct. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CECO Environmental Corp. (Nasdaq: CECO) (“CECO”), a leading environmentally focused, diversified industrial company whose solutions protect people, the environment and industrial equipment, and Profire Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ: PFIE) (“Profire”), a technology company providing solutions that enhance the efficiency, safety, and reliability of industrial combustion appliances, today announced a definitive agreement where CECO will acquire Profire, in an all-cash transaction.

    Profire is a leader in burner management technology and combustion control systems that provide mission-critical combustion automation and control solutions and services to improve environmental efficiency, safety and reliability for industrial thermal applications globally. Profire estimates its 2024 sales to be greater than $60 million with adjusted EBITDA margins of approximately 20 percent.​

    “I am excited to announce the acquisition of Profire and we look forward to welcoming their tremendous organization to our portfolio of leading solution companies,” said Todd Gleason, CECO’s Chief Executive Officer. “With an installed base approaching 100,000 burner management systems and a growing industrial market product offering, we look forward to accelerating their global market expansion and introducing their high-efficiency solutions to more customers in industrial air and water. We are also confident that the increased scale and combined corporate organizations will generate meaningful efficiencies and synergies. The addition of Profire is another important step in our ongoing execution of programmatic M&A and we expect it will further advance our position as the leading environmental solutions provider in industrial markets.”

    “We are extremely pleased to announce this transaction with CECO which is a testament to the value that has been created for Profire employees, customers and shareholders,” said Cameron Tidball and Ryan Oviatt, co-CEOs of Profire. “The combination of our well-established leadership in niche energy and industrial mission critical applications with CECO’s proven track record of acquiring and investing in companies to enhance their growth and create scale will unlock even more value for all constituents.”

    Transaction Details and Timing

    Under the terms of the agreement, a subsidiary of CECO (“Merger Sub”) will commence a tender offer to acquire all issued and outstanding shares of Profire common stock at a price of $2.55 per share, in cash, without interest and subject to applicable withholding tax.  The tender offer will initially remain open for 20 business days from the date of commencement of the tender offer, subject to extension under certain circumstances. The transaction, which has been unanimously approved by Profire’s Board of Directors, implies an equity value of approximately $125 million and a total enterprise value for Profire of approximately $108 million.

    The tender offer is subject to customary closing conditions, including that at least a majority of the outstanding shares of Profire’s common stock are tendered and not withdrawn in the tender offer and the expiration of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976.

    The price represents a 46.5% premium over Profire’s closing share price of $1.74 on October 25, 2024 and a premium of 60.3% to Profire’s 30-day volume weighted average share price on October 25, 2024. 
    Following a successful completion of the tender offer, including the satisfaction of certain customary conditions, CECO will acquire all remaining untendered shares of Profire common stock at the same price of $2.55 per share in cash through a merger of Merger Sub with Profire, with Profire continuing as the surviving corporation.

    Upon completion of the transaction, Profire will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of CECO and shares of Profire’s common stock will no longer be listed on any public market. The parties anticipate that the combination will be completed in the first quarter of 2025.  

    Advisors

    Stephens Inc. is serving as financial advisor and Mayer Brown LLP is serving as legal counsel to Profire.
    CECO Environmental Corp. is being advised by Foley & Lardner LLP (Legal), and KPMG (tax).

    ABOUT CECO ENVIRONMENTAL
    CECO Environmental is a leading environmentally focused, diversified industrial company, serving a broad landscape of industrial air, industrial water, and energy transition markets across the globe through its key business segments: Engineered Systems and Industrial Process Solutions. Providing innovative technology and application expertise, CECO helps companies grow their business with safe, clean, and more efficient solutions that help protect people, the environment and industrial equipment. In regions around the world, CECO works to improve air quality, optimize the energy value chain, and provide custom solutions for applications including power generation, petrochemical processing, general industrial, refining, midstream oil and gas, electric vehicle production, polysilicon fabrication, battery recycling, beverage can, and water/wastewater treatment along with a wide range of other applications. CECO is listed on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol “CECO.” Incorporated in 1966, CECO’s global headquarters is in Dallas, Texas. For more information, please visit www.cecoenviro.com.

    ABOUT PROFIRE ENERGY, INC.
    Profire Energy is a technology company providing solutions that enhance the efficiency, safety, and reliability of industrial combustion appliances while mitigating potential environmental impacts related to the operation of these devices. It is primarily focused in the upstream, midstream, and downstream transmission segments of the oil and gas industry. However, in recent years, Profire has completed many installations of burner-management solutions in other industries that will be applicable to expand the addressable market over time. Profire specializes in the engineering and design of burner and combustion management systems and solutions used on a variety of natural and forced draft applications. Its products and services are sold primarily throughout North America. It has an experienced team of sales and service professionals that are strategically positioned across the United States and Canada. Profire has offices in Lindon, Utah; Victoria, Texas; Midland-Odessa, Texas; Homer, Pennsylvania; Greeley, Colorado; Millersburg, Ohio; and Acheson, Alberta, Canada. For additional information, visit www.profireenergy.com.

    SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT
    Any statements contained in this Press Release, other than statements of historical fact, including statements about management’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements and should be evaluated as such. These statements are made on the basis of management’s views and assumptions regarding future events and business performance and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding CECO’s full year 2024 outlook, statements about CECO’s expectations regarding the integration of Profire Energy, Inc., into CECO; the benefits of the acquisition of Profire Energy, Inc., and the expectations regarding the transaction’s impact on CECO’s strategic growth plan. We use words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intends,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “project,” “will,” “plan,” “should” and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. Potential risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially include risks regarding the parties’ ability to complete the proposed transactions in the anticipated timeframe or at all, the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the transaction agreement between the parties, the effect of the announcement or pendency of the proposed transaction on business relationships, operating results, and business generally, disruption of current plans and operations and potential difficulties in employee retention as a result of the proposed transaction, diversion of management’s attention from ongoing business operations, the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted related to the proposed transaction, the amount of the costs, fees, expenses and other charges related to the proposed transaction, the risk that competing offers or acquisition proposals will be made, the achievement of the anticipated benefits of the acquisition, the ability of Profire to achieve its 2024 earnings guidance, our ability to successfully integrate acquired businesses and realize the synergies from acquisitions, as well as a number of factors related to our business, including the sensitivity of our business to economic and financial market conditions generally and economic conditions in our service areas; dependence on fixed price contracts and the risks associated therewith, including actual costs exceeding estimates and method of accounting for revenue; the effect of growth on our infrastructure, resources, and existing sales; the ability to expand operations in both new and existing markets; the potential for contract delay or cancellation as a result of on-going or worsening supply chain challenges; liabilities arising from faulty services or products that could result in significant professional or product liability, warranty, or other claims; changes in or developments with respect to any litigation or investigation; failure to meet timely completion or performance standards that could result in higher cost and reduced profits or, in some cases, losses on projects; the potential for fluctuations in prices for manufactured components and raw materials, including as a result of tariffs and surcharges, and rising energy costs; inflationary pressures relating to rising raw material costs and the cost of labor; the substantial amount of debt incurred in connection with our strategic transactions and our ability to repay or refinance it or incur additional debt in the future; the impact of federal, state or local government regulations; our ability to repurchase shares of our common stock and the amounts and timing of repurchases, if any; our ability to successfully realize the expected benefits of our restructuring program; our ability to successfully integrate acquired businesses and realize the synergies from strategic transactions; the unpredictability and severity of catastrophic events, including cyber security threats, acts of terrorism or outbreak of war or hostilities or public health crises, as well as management’s response to any of the aforementioned factors; and our ability to remediate our material weakness, or any other material weakness that we may identify in the future that could result in material misstatements in our financial statements. Additional risks and uncertainties are discussed under “Part I – Item 1A. Risk Factors” of CECO’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 and may be included in subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Many of these risks are beyond management’s ability to control or predict. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should the assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material aspects from those currently anticipated. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements as they speak only to our views as of the date the statement is made. Except as required under the federal securities laws or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, we undertake no obligation to update or review any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    Additional Information about the Transaction and Where to Find It

    The tender offer has not yet commenced. This communication is neither an offer to buy nor a solicitation of an offer to sell any securities of Profire Energy, Inc., nor is it a recommendation by Profire Energy, Inc., its management or board of directors that any investors sell or otherwise tender any securities of Profire Energy, Inc. in connection with the transactions described elsewhere in this communication. The solicitation and the offer to buy shares of Profire Energy, Inc.’s common stock will only be made pursuant to a tender offer statement on Schedule TO, including an offer to purchase, a letter of transmittal and other related materials that a subsidiary of CECO Environmental Corp. intends to file with the SEC. In addition, Profire Energy, Inc. will file with the SEC a Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9 with respect to the tender offer. Once filed, investors will be able to obtain the tender statement on Schedule TO, the offer to purchase, the Recommendation Statement of Profire Energy, Inc. on Schedule 14D-9 and related materials filed with the SEC with respect to the tender offer and the merger, free of charge at the website of the SEC at www.sec.gov or from the information agent named in the tender offer materials. Investors are advised to read these documents when they become available, including the Recommendation Statement of Profire Energy, Inc. and any amendments thereto, as well as any other documents relating to the tender offer and the merger that are filed with the SEC, carefully and in their entirety prior to making any decisions with respect to whether to tender their shares in the tender offer because such documents contain important information, including the terms and conditions of the tender offer.

    CECO Company Contact:
    Peter Johansson
    Chief Financial and Strategy Officer
    888-990-6670

    PFIE Company Contact:
    Ryan Oviatt
    Co-CEO & CFO
    (801) 796-5127

    Investor Relations Contact:
    Steven Hooser
    Three Part Advisors
    214-872-2710
    Investor.Relations@OneCECO.com

    The MIL Network –