Category: Renewable Energy

MIL-OSI USA: Brownley Statement on the Climate Crisis and Trump’s Attack on Environmental Protections

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

Washington, DC – On Earth Day, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) issued the following statement condemning the Trump Administration’s failure to act on the climate crisis and its continued assault on environmental protections and the future of our planet:

“The climate crisis is not a distant threat – it’s already here. In Ventura County and across the Conejo Valley, we are seeing firsthand the consequences of inaction: more destructive wildfires, extreme weather events, and risks to critical infrastructure, including Naval Base Ventura County and the Port of Hueneme, which are vital to our national security and local economy.

“At the very moment when bold action is needed, the Trump Administration is doing the opposite. They have laid off thousands of climate scientists at NOAA, proposed a 65% cut to the EPA’s workforce, and frozen billions in funding for electric vehicle infrastructure.

“This is not leadership – it is climate denialism weaponized into policy, and it is leaving Americans more vulnerable by the day.

“This is an all-out attack on the policies and people protecting our environment and public health. They’re slashing science funding, dismantling oversight, and threatening to eliminate vital agencies like the EPA, NOAA, and FEMA and crippling our country’s ability to prepare for disasters and recover after them. These are deliberate acts of sabotage against our nation, the environment, our economy, and our future.

“They are also targeting the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service, putting treasured places like the Channel Islands National Park at risk. Over 4,000 park and forest workers have already been fired, including more than 10% of the Channel Islands National Park staff. These reckless cuts undermine wildfire prevention and threaten the long-term preservation of our public lands.

“Worse still, these policies are being driven not by science or the public interest, but by corporate polluters and fossil fuel lobbyists who have found willing allies in this administration. This administration is doling out giveaways to polluters and special interests at the expense of future generations.

“Not only are these policy mistakes, they are moral failures. The consequences of the Trump administration’s anti-climate actions will be felt for decades. They threaten our ecosystems, our local economy, and our ability to confront climate change before it is too late. And by walking away from climate leadership, this administration is weakening global efforts and ceding ground to other nations, risking not only our environment, but our standing in the world.

“As a member of the House Natural Resources Committee and the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition, I am working with my Democratic colleagues in Congress to fight back. Together, we are fighting to advance legislation to protect our public lands and waters, strengthen wildfire resilience, defend environmental safeguards, and invest in a clean energy future. We are committed to responsible stewardship of our planet and to holding accountable those who seek to destroy what generations of Americans have worked to preserve.

“In California, we know what’s at stake. When lives are lost, when homes are destroyed, when wildfires rage, we are reminded that climate change is not abstract. It’s real. It’s personal. And it demands action.

“This administration has made clear it is willing to sacrifice our planet and our children’s futures for short-term political gain. We cannot and will not stand by. The American people expect their leaders to protect them and not endanger their health, their homes, and their future. We all share the responsibility to be good stewards of our environment and to fight for the future we hope to see for our children and grandchildren.

“Our children and grandchildren are watching, and history will judge whether we met this moment or let it pass us by.”

###

Issues: 119th Congress, Climate Crisis, Environment

MIL OSI USA News –

April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: NISE’s New PV Lab to Set Global Benchmarks in Solar Testing Capabilities: Union Minister Shri Pralhad Joshi

Source: Government of India

NISE’s New PV Lab to Set Global Benchmarks in Solar Testing Capabilities: Union Minister Shri Pralhad Joshi

India on Track to Meet 500 GW Non-Fossil Fuel Target by 2030, Including 292 GW Solar: Union Minister Joshi

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi Inaugurates Solar PV Testing Facility at NISE, Gwal Pahari

Posted On: 22 APR 2025 5:13PM by PIB Delhi

Marking a major advancement in India’s renewable energy capabilities, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Shri Pralhad Joshi, inaugurated the PV Module Testing and Calibration Lab at the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE), Gwal Pahari, Bandhwari, Haryana. Speaking at the occasion, the Minister stated that the new lab will set global benchmarks in solar R&D, testing, training, and policy support while marking a bold step towards self-reliance, innovation, and global excellence.

Shri Joshi also said that NISE is now equipped to offer comprehensive testing, calibration, and certification services, particularly for photovoltaic modules and technologies where no established standards currently exist. He termed the lab a pioneering facility for India and further highlighted that as Indian companies scale up the production of large modules, this lab will ensure that products meet the highest quality standards. Shri Joshi noted that the lab also aligns with BIS standards and will provide a major boost to the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme and support India’s aspiration to become a global manufacturing hub.

The Minister also underlined the importance of NISE as a training ground for government officials, industry professionals, and international delegates. He appreciated NISE’s efforts in training over 55,000 Suryamitra technicians and for installing more than 300 solar air dryer-cum-space heating systems in Leh, which are being used by farmers to dry apricots. He said such initiatives strengthen technical capacity and foster collaboration among government, industry, and academia. Shri Joshi also stated that with the new facility, NISE will significantly improve its efficiency, quality, and research in accordance with global benchmarks.

Tremendous Growth in RE Sector

Highlighting the exponential growth under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Minister said that India’s installed solar capacity increased from 2.82 GW in 2014 to crossed 106 GW now, marking a growth of over 3700%. In terms of manufacturing, solar module production has increased from 2 GW in 2014 to 80 GW today, with a target of reaching 150 GW by 2030. Alongside solar progress, the Minister also underscored the achievement of 50 GW in wind energy capacity.

Emphasising the government’s ambitious targets, Union Minister Shri Pralhad Joshi said that India is firmly on track to achieve the 500 GW non-fossil fuel energy target by 2030, including 292 GW of solar energy, as envisioned by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

The Minister said that NISE should reflect the transformation India’s renewable energy sector has seen in the last 11 years under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership. He also urged the institute to step up efforts in global research impact and patent generation.

Emerging Technologies and Scalable Innovations

Union Minister Joshi highlighted the need for deep research, innovation, and global collaboration. He advised NISE to build partnerships, develop talent, and push boundaries so that its work resonates across laboratories, manufacturing units, and solar farms worldwide.

He also acknowledged that NISE is already working on advanced technologies like Perovskite Solar Cells and Bifacial Panels. Going forward, he said, NISE should undertake initiatives for mass adoption of innovations such as AI for Solar Power Forecasting, Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV), and Solar-Driven EV Charging Stations. He added that enabling sustainable EV charging through solar is a part of Prime Minister Modi’s vision and should be explored by NISE at scale.

Strengthening Global Solar Cooperation

The Minister also chaired a meeting to review the progress of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), along with MNRE Secretary Shri Santosh Kumar Sarangi, ISA Director General Shri Ashish Khanna and other senior officials. He emphasized the need for collaborative global efforts in solar energy adoption.

Commemorating Earth Day with Green Commitments

Shri Joshi also planted a tree as part of the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ plantation drive at NISE, calling it a heartfelt initiative by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. He stated that each sapling is a tribute to our mothers and a promise for a greener tomorrow. On World Earth Day, he called upon all to renew their commitment to building a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable planet.

Inaugurated the PV Module Testing & Calibration Lab at @Nise_Gurgaon, Haryana.

This pioneering facility empowers NISE to provide comprehensive testing, calibration, and certification services for photovoltaic modules and technologies. pic.twitter.com/RYl2HqZ6or

— Pralhad Joshi (@JoshiPralhad) April 22, 2025

Chaired a meeting to review the International Solar Alliance’s progress, along with @MNREIndia Secretary, @isolaralliance Director General, and other senior officials. Emphasised the importance of collaborative efforts to drive global solar energy adoption. pic.twitter.com/P4S4f4RF8S

— Pralhad Joshi (@JoshiPralhad) April 22, 2025

Planted a tree as part of the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ plantation drive at @Nise_Gurgaon — a heartfelt initiative by Hon’ble PM Shri @narendramodi ji. Each sapling is a tribute to our mothers and a promise of a greener future.

As today is also World Earth Day, let’s strengthen our… pic.twitter.com/Jhg9xfMBaW

— Pralhad Joshi (@JoshiPralhad) April 22, 2025

*****

Navin Sreejith

(Release ID: 2123490) Visitor Counter : 84

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: Premier’s, minister’s statements on Earth Day

Source: Government of Canada regional news

Premier David Eby has issued the following statement marking Earth Day:

“On Earth Day, people in British Columbia join other Canadians and people around the world in celebrating our planet as we rededicate our efforts to protect it.

“British Columbia is lucky to have so many marvelous natural wonders, from snowcapped mountains to verdant valleys to spectacular coastlines. Our government is working in partnership with more than 60 First Nations on stewardship projects embracing local and Indigenous knowledge to protect nature. Our unique biospheres are our inheritance. We have an obligation to preserve them as our legacy for future generations.

“For 55 years, Earth Day has been raising awareness and encouraging action on critically important environmental issues. This year’s Earth Day theme is Our Planet, Our Power. It is a call for the world to harness renewable energy to build a healthy, equitable and prosperous future. A transition to renewable energy is driving innovation in industry, transportation and agriculture, and spurring technological advancements, while creating millions of new jobs around the world, including here in British Columbia.

“The urgency has never been clearer. Our climate is changing. British Columbians have endured record-breaking wildfire seasons, as well as floods, droughts and heat waves. That is why we are building our province’s capacity to produce clean fuels, such as biofuels, hydrogen and hydroelectricity, as well as wind and solar power.

“Our province is already a clean-energy superpower. To build a clean economy and support growing communities, we need to expand our clean-energy capacity. BC Hydro’s $36-billion, 10-year capital plan is critical to our efforts to build a clean economy, powered by electricity, that works for everyone.

“First Nations have long been leaders in the clean-energy sector, and we will advance reconciliation by working in collaboration and partnership with First Nations to advance projects on their territories – including eight new wind-energy projects that have majority First Nations equity ownership.

“Our plan, called Powering Our Future: B.C.’s Clean Energy Strategy, also shows how investment in energy efficiency saves people and businesses on their energy bills, reduces energy waste and cuts down on harmful pollution, while creating jobs and economic opportunities.

“By working together, we will ensure our province remains a place where our children and our children’s children can continue to enjoy clean air, water and land.”

Tamara Davidson, Minister of Environment and Parks, said:

“People throughout British Columbia are blessed to be able to celebrate Earth Day where the beauty of nature is ever-present. We all cherish the natural wonders this province provides for us and we take this time to renew our efforts to protect it.

“Since 1970, Earth Day has stood as a time for all of us to reflect on how we can continue to care for our planet so it will continue to take care of us. With the ongoing effects of climate change being felt annually in the form of worsening drought, wildfires, heat waves and other weather events, now is the time to ramp up our efforts to work with our environment, not against it, for the betterment of all.

“The theme of this 55th Earth Day is Our Power, Our Planet, an idea we are passionate about. That’s why the Province is exempting wind-farm projects from environmental assessments and working on expediting reviews of projects such as solar farms. Producing clean energy to meet the electricity needs of people and the economy is pivotal to our future. We want to make it easier for investors to create this energy and, at the same time, fuel our economy.

“The people of British Columbia continue to show how much they cherish the beauty of this land by visiting provincial parks and recreation sites in high numbers year after year. As a vital part of our physical and mental well-being, our world-renowned parks and protected areas are more important than ever. They play a critical role in preserving unique species and ecosystems, along with cultural and historical values, and contribute to local economies through tourism.

“Since 2017, we’ve added more than 2,000 new campsites to BC Parks and recreation sites, with more to come. Accessibility upgrades continue to be made in parks throughout the province to ensure these natural treasures can be enjoyed by everyone.

“Earth Day allows us to reflect on where we are and where we need to go to build a cleaner, sustainable future. I am committed to do my part in stewarding our environment for future generations to benefit from, care and enjoy.”

MIL OSI Canada News –

April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Pingree, Heinrich Lead Charge to Reach Net-Zero Emissions, Boost Profitability in US Agriculture
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (1st District of Maine)

In honor of Earth Day, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) and Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) reintroduced the Agriculture Resilience Act (ARA), comprehensive legislation that aims to help the U.S. reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in the agricultural sector by 2040—while giving America’s farmers more tools and resources to increase their profitability.

“From historic droughts and wildfires to devastating floods and extreme weather, America’s farmers are directly impacted by the climate crisis,” said Pingree, a longtime organic farmer and senior member of the House Agriculture Committee. “With the Farm Bill in limbo and the Trump Administration actively undermining farmers’ interests, bold legislation like the Agriculture Resilience Act is more urgent than ever. These goals are ambitious—but they’re achievable. By helping farmers adopt practices that boost resilience and profitability, this bill charts a path to not only create a more sustainable future for America’s agriculture sector, but ensure greater economic viability for our farmers as well.”

“New Mexico’s agricultural producers and rural communities rely on the health of our land and water to sustain their families and communities. They are also the first to feel the impacts of climate change. That is why we need to provide our farmers and ranchers with new tools to not only protect their land and way of life, but also be part of the climate solution,” said Heinrich. “I’m pleased to reintroduce the Agriculture Resilience Act, which sets a national goal of achieving net-zero emissions in agriculture by 2040 through farmer-led, science-based initiatives. I’ll continue working to bring our communities the tools they need to improve soil health, expand conservation programs, increase research into climate-friendly agricultural practices, and support on-farm renewable energy projects.”

To reach net-zero agricultural emissions within the next 15 years, the ARA focuses on six concrete policy areas—and solutions that are rooted in science.

These goals include:
1. Increasing Research: The ARA would ensure existing agriculture research programs prioritize climate change research, increase funding for USDA’s Regional Climate Hubs, support public breed and cultivar research, and create a new SARE Agricultural and Food System Resilience Initiative for farmer and rancher research and demonstration grants.
2. Improving Soil Health: The ARA would create a new soil health grant program for state and tribal governments, authorize USDA to offer performance-based crop insurance discounts for practices that reduce climate risk, expand the National Agroforestry Center by authorizing three additional regional centers, and provide more technical assistance and flexibility in USDA conservation programs to support climate-smart practices.
3. Protecting existing farmland and supporting farm viability: ARA would increase funding for the Local Agriculture Market Program to help keep local farms profitable and create a new subprogram for farm viability and local climate resilience centers to help farmers reach new markets. The bill would also increase funding for the Agriculture Conservation Easement Program to make farmland affordable for the next generation.
4. Supporting pasture-based livestock systems: The ARA would create a new alternative manure management program to support an array of livestock methane management strategies and establish a new grant program to help small meat processors cover the costs associated with meeting federal inspection guidelines.
5. Boosting investments in on-farm energy initiatives: The ARA would increase funding for the Rural Energy for America Program to prioritize low-emissions electrification projects and direct USDA to study dual-use renewable energy and cropping or livestock systems.
6. Reducing food waste: The ARA would standardize food date labels to reduce consumer confusion about the shelf life of foods, create a new USDA program to reduce food waste in schools, and increase federal support for food waste research and outreach, composting, and anaerobic digestion food waste-to-energy projects.
The ARA is supported by dozens of national and local organizations including American Farmland Trust, the World Wildlife Fund, and Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, as well companies like Stonyfield and Organic Valley. Click here for a full list of endorsers.

READ WHAT ORGANIZATIONS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE ARA.

An organic farmer since the 1970s, Pingree has been recognized as a national policy leader on sustainable food and farming. Pingree is the founder of Congress’s first-ever Bipartisan Food Recovery Caucus and is Vice Chair of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition Climate and Agriculture Task Force. In addition to serving on the House Agriculture Committee, Pingree is a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, where she serves as Ranking Member on the Interior and Environment Subcommittee and on the Agriculture Subcommittee.

###

MIL OSI USA News –
April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: China’s solar capacity installations grew rapidly in 2024

Source: US Energy Information Administration

In-brief analysis

April 22, 2025

Utility-scale solar power capacity in China reached more than 880 gigawatts (GW) in 2024, according to China’s National Energy Administration. China has more utility-scale solar than any other country. The 277 GW of utility-scale solar capacity installed in China in 2024 alone is more than twice as much as the 121 GW of utility-scale solar capacity installed in the United States at the end of 2024.

Planned solar capacity projects will likely lead to continued growth in China’s solar capacity. More than 720 GW of solar capacity are in development: about 250 GW under construction, nearly 300 GW in pre-construction phases, and 177 GW of announced projects, according to the Global Solar Power Tracker compiled by Global Energy Monitor.

Some of the largest projects under development are in the Inner Mongolia region in northern China. The Kubuqi Desert in Inner Mongolia is the planned site of the largest collection of solar projects called the Great Solar Wall.

Plans for the Great Solar Wall, which is scheduled to be completed by 2030, provide for around 100 GW of installed capacity covering an area more than 250 miles long and 3 miles wide across Inner Mongolia and neighboring regions. Two components of the Great Solar Wall, the Inner Mongolia Kubuqi Desert North and South Megabase, are in pre-construction stages with planned installed capacities of 7 GW and 6 GW, respectively.

More projects are announced but not yet in pre-construction phases, such as Ordos Desert Control solar farm and the Xinjiang-Sichuan Power Export solar farms, which register the largest planned capacity among the announced developments. Each of those projects has an intended capacity of 8.5 GW.

Data source: Global Energy Monitor (GEM), Global Solar Power Tracker, February 2025
Note: The GEM data include projects of at least 1 megawatt of installed capacity.

Principal contributor: Katherine Antonio

MIL OSI USA News –

April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI: Next Hydrogen receives $5M working capital debt financing

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Next Hydrogen Solutions Inc. (“Next Hydrogen” or “Company”) (TSXV:NXH, OTC:NXHSF) is pleased to announce it has received a $5M working capital debt facility from Export Development Canada (“EDC”).

“We are grateful for this very meaningful support from EDC to help support our growth opportunities. We have a world class electrolyser design with a revolutionary cell architecture which enables highly efficient, large scale and low-cost green hydrogen production,” said Raveel Afzaal, President & CEO of Next Hydrogen. “With 75% of the world GDP having policies to grow the hydrogen economy, EDC is providing us with the opportunity to make a global impact to decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors.”

“EDC is thrilled to support Next Hydrogen’s ambitions for large scale adoption of green hydrogen solutions,” said Tushar Handiekar, group head and VP, Structured and Project Finance at EDC. “The deployment of its innovative electrolyser, combined with Next Hydrogen’s technical expertise and global partnerships can position the company as leader of Canadian innovation on the global stage, and EDC views this as the beginning of an important strategic relationship.”

About Next Hydrogen Solutions Inc.
Founded in 2007, Next Hydrogen Solutions Inc. is a designer and manufacturer of innovative water electrolyzers that use water and electricity as inputs to generate clean hydrogen for use as a green energy source or a green industrial feedstock. Next Hydrogen’s unique cell design architecture supported by 40 patents enables high current density operations and superior dynamic response to efficiently convert intermittent renewable electricity into green hydrogen on an infrastructure scale. Following successful pilots, Next Hydrogen is scaling up its technology to deliver commercial solutions to decarbonize transportation and industrial sectors. For further information: www.nexthydrogen.com

Contact Information

Raveel Afzaal, President and Chief Executive Officer
Next Hydrogen Solutions Inc.
Email: rafzaal@nexthydrogen.com
Phone: 647-961-6620
www.nexthydrogen.com

Cautionary Statements
This news release contains “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements”. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as “expects”, or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, “plans”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “forecasts”, “estimates”, “believes” or “intends” or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results “may” or “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: the risks associated with the hydrogen industry in general; delays or changes in plans with respect to infrastructure development or capital expenditures; the uncertainty of estimates and projections relating to costs and expenses; failure to obtain necessary regulatory approvals; health, safety and environmental risks; uncertainties resulting from potential delays or changes in plans with respect to infrastructure developments or capital expenditures; currency exchange rate fluctuations; as well as general economic conditions, stock market volatility; and the ability to access sufficient capital. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. Except as required by law, there will be no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change.

The MIL Network –

April 22, 2025
MIL-OSI China: China’s Antarctic station powered by new energy

Source: China State Council Information Office 2

Two droplet-shaped wind turbines spin in front of China’s Qinling station in Antarctica. [Photo/China Daily]
A clean energy system tailored for polar conditions has been put into operation in China’s Qinling station in Antarctica.
The breakthrough means China has become the first country to achieve the large-scale operation of a clean energy system under extreme Antarctic conditions.
Lead scientist Sun Hongbin, 56, told China Daily that the project marks an achievement in China’s green scientific exploration in the field of polar energy, and signifies that the nation’s polar exploration has developed from the diesel era into a new era of green energy.
The system will generate a wealth of data, as well as present challenges that will prompt continuous research, said Sun, who is also the chief scientist on polar clean energy at the Polar Research Institute of China and president of Taiyuan University of Technology in Shanxi province.
Since the launch of the system on March 1, it has replaced traditional diesel power sources, providing uninterrupted zero-carbon power for the research equipment and essential living facilities at Qinling station, which was established in February last year as China’s fifth Antarctic research station.
Photovoltaic and wind power account for 60 percent of the energy capacity of the system. In situations without wind or sunlight, stored hydrogen can provide power to the station, ensuring short-term operation for research equipment and basic living facilities.
Sun stressed the primary challenges in ensuring the reliability and safety of the equipment. For instance, the development of the droplet-shaped wind turbine capable of operating on ice caps and hydrogen fuel cells demands cold-resistant power-up technology.
Construction of the system at the station commenced in 2023.
As much of the equipment and facilities required specialized research and modification to adapt to the extreme conditions, Taiyuan University of Technology established a digital twin laboratory simulating the environment of Antarctica.
This laboratory possesses the capabilities to simulate nearly 10 extreme conditions, including extreme cold, strong winds, blizzards, polar day and night, intense geomagnetic fields, strong ultraviolet radiation, low pressure and low oxygen levels.
The primary purpose of establishing this laboratory was to address the challenges of research, testing and operation, Sun said.
“Once the equipment arrives in Antarctica, we have no means to procure a replacement if a single screw malfunctions,” he said. “Before deployment to Antarctica, various new energy devices underwent testing here. Now the laboratory receives and analyzes real-time data transmitted back from Antarctica.”
In recent years, various countries have explored approaches to develop clean energy in Antarctica, with solar and wind energy being the primary focus.
However, the extreme conditions and shortage of technologies make it tough for solar and wind power generation equipment to maintain stable and efficient operation.
China is the first country to implement hydrogen energy in the extreme environment of Antarctica on a large scale, said Dou Yinke, dean of the Taiyuan university’s College of Electrical and Power Engineering, and a leading expert who has participated in multiple Antarctic expeditions since 2004.
Against the backdrop of global warming and glacier melting, China proposed the concept of “green exploration” in 2017, Dou said. International organizations have repeatedly urged countries to transition from fuel-based power generation to clean energy in Antarctica.
As Antarctica possesses vast wind and solar energy potential, countries worldwide have been exploring clean energy in this area.
To date, approximately 30 Antarctic research stations have installed clean energy generation devices, with over half utilizing solar or wind, Dou said.
However, due to the lack of systematic application and development of clean energy technologies tailored to the Antarctic environment, these systems cannot yet fully replace traditional energy systems on the aspects of safety and stability, he said.
Currently, 80 to 90 percent of the world’s Antarctic research stations still rely on fuel-powered electricity generation, leading to significant environmental pollution in the polar regions, said Dou.
Last year, the Taiyuan university led the formulation of the “Twelve-Year Development Outline for Clean Energy Utilization Technologies in the Antarctic”, aiming to establish a comprehensive clean energy supply system for Antarctic research stations by 2035.
“I will dedicate my whole life to the cause. I believe we have just taken the first step on a long journey. It is a demonstration and an experiment,” Sun said. Key technology breakthroughs can also drive the energy revolution in the province, a major energy base in China, said Sun.
Sun hopes to establish a 20,000-square-meter Antarctic extreme environment simulation laboratory in Shanxi to enhance future research.
“With clean energy, people can survive in polar regions. In the future, we may even install and test this technology on the moon and Mars,” Sun said.

MIL OSI China News –

April 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Minister Shri Jayant Chaudhary launches NSDC-PDEU Centre offering 40 skill courses at Gandhinagar in Gujarat

Source: Government of India

Union Minister Shri Jayant Chaudhary launches NSDC-PDEU Centre offering 40 skill courses at Gandhinagar in Gujarat

Online and hybrid courses in semiconductors, solar, and smart manufacturing to be offered at NSDC-PDEU Centre

Union Minister emphasizes the need for empowering universities to make them engines of national growth

Posted On: 21 APR 2025 6:45PM by PIB Delhi

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship & Minister of State, Ministry of Education Shri Jayant Chaudhary launched a Centre of Excellence (CoE) – jointly set up by National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and Pandit Deendayal Energy University (PDEU) – at Gandhinagar in Gujarat.

“Universities are not merely centres of academic learning—they are transformative bridges connecting young minds to the dynamic realities of the world. By equipping students with both technical expertise and a broad-based liberal education, they cultivate the ability to think critically, innovate fearlessly, and adapt with agility. Gujarat has emerged as a frontrunner in this journey, reshaping its higher education landscape through a strong focus on academic rigor, industry partnerships, and holistic development. And our universities are producing a generation that is not only employable but also imaginative, responsible, and deeply committed to the nation’s progress.”

Shri Jayant Chaudhary further emphasized the need for universities across India to realign with the evolving demands of industry and actively skill students in response. “We must empower our universities to become engines of innovation—not just to serve market needs, but to advance national growth. When universities lead innovation, it is driven by purpose—for the benefit of society and the nation at large.”

The Centre will be equipped with advanced manufacturing capabilities labs to provide specialised training. The centre will offer over 40 online and hybrid courses in sectors such as semiconductors manufacturing, renewable and non-renewables energy, digital edge, smart manufacturing, and more.

A Memorandum of Association (MoA) was signed earlier this month between NSDC and PDEU in this regard. These courses will cater to students from ITI, Diploma, undergraduate, and postgraduate programs. The curriculum is designed to equip learners from Tier-1, Tier-2 and Tier-3 institutes with hands-on experience in niche manufacturing skill sets across critical sectors, including energy, health, water and food.

Shri Ved Mani Tiwari, CEO of NSDC and MD of NSDC International, said, “At NSDC, our core mission is to make youth employable, and this collaboration will strengthen the skilling ecosystem. This collaboration will support the development of training infrastructure in smart manufacturing, along with Centres of Excellence focused on automotive, EV charging, renewable energy, and semiconductors. Training in the semiconductor domain is already underway, paving the way for youth to gain practical exposure in high-demand, future-oriented fields. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the NSDC is placing a strong emphasis on global certification programmes that enable Indian students to access world-class skills and compete confidently in the international job market. We are dedicated to making India’s youth employable, entrepreneurial, and future-ready.

“Through hybrid-mode training in renewable, non-renewable, and hydrogen energy technologies, India is equipping its youth to lead in the global energy revolution. This initiative ensures nationwide access, bridging gaps and empowering students across the country. It’s more than skill development—it’s nation building. These efforts boost youth employability while positioning India as a future global leader in the energy sector.”

This CoE will serve as a hub for hands-on learning, R&D, and real-time industry engagement in semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, embedded systems, and VLSI design, directly addressing the talent needs of these sectors. It will act as a crucible for developing specialised skills aligned with the national priorities of sustainable development and energy security. Students will be trained to become “Energy Ambassadors for the Nation.”

PDEU Director General S Sundar Manoharan said, “Aligning seamlessly with the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and his mission to empower youth and advance skill development across India, PDEU is committed to empower countless individuals nationwide, with Centres of Excellence playing a vital role in realizing the goals of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat.”

Underscoring the Gujarat Government’s strategic investments in these centres, he noted their crucial contribution to national missions—particularly in the realm of semiconductors—cementing India’s position as a global innovation hub.

The NSDC will play a key role in the smooth functioning of the CoE and in the seamless delivery of programmes to students. It will periodically monitor project progress to ensure that students receive quality training and are prepared for future job roles.

The PDEU, which has been at the forefront of energy transition and skill development, will leverage its expertise in different verticals, including solar and wind energy, lithium and vanadium energy storage, carbon capture and smart hybrid grids to prepare students for careers in these fields. It will empower students with industry-standard manufacturing lines, including the “45 MW Solar PV Manufacturing Line” and the ATMP Semiconductor Packaging Line.

The partnership between NSDC and PDEU marks a transformative step towards building a future-ready workforce, which is crucial for India’s economic growth and technological leadership. It will play a vital role in Make-in-India Readiness movement and accelerate the progress of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

****

Beena Yadav/Divyanshu Kumar

(Release ID: 2123253) Visitor Counter : 31

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

April 22, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Twinkling star reveals the shocking secrets of turbulent plasma in our cosmic neighbourhood

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Daniel Reardon, Postdoctoral Researcher, Pulsar Timing and Gravitational Waves, Swinburne University of Technology

Artist’s impression of a pulsar bow shock scattering a radio beam. Carl Knox/Swinburne/OzGrav

With the most powerful radio telescope in the southern hemisphere, we have observed a twinkling star and discovered an abundance of mysterious plasma structures in our cosmic neighbourhood.

The plasma structures we see are variations in density or turbulence, akin to interstellar cyclones stirred up by energetic events in the galaxy.

The study, published today in Nature Astronomy, also describes the first measurements of plasma layers within an interstellar shock wave that surrounds a pulsar.

We now realise our local interstellar medium is filled with these structures and our findings also include a rare phenomenon that will challenge theories of pulsar shock waves.

What’s a pulsar and why does it have a shock wave?

Our observations honed in on the nearby fast-spinning pulsar, J0437-4715, which is 512 light-years away from Earth. A pulsar is a neutron star, a super-dense stellar remnant that produces beams of radio waves and an energetic “wind” of particles.

The pulsar and its wind move with supersonic speed through the interstellar medium – the stuff (gas, dust and plasma) between the stars. This creates a bow shock: a shock wave of heated gas that glows red.

The interstellar plasma is turbulent and scatters pulsar radio waves slightly away from a direct, straight line path. The scattered waves create a pattern of bright and dim patches that drifts over our radio telescopes as Earth, the pulsar and plasma all move through space.

From our vantage point, this causes the pulsar to twinkle, or “scintillate”. The effect is similar to how turbulence in Earth’s atmosphere makes stars twinkle in the night sky.

Pulsar scintillation gives us unique information about plasma structures that are too small and faint to be detected in any other way.

Twinkling little radio star

To the naked eye, the twinkling of a star might appear random. But for pulsars at least, there are hidden patterns.

With the right techniques, we can uncover ordered shapes from the interference pattern, called scintillation arcs. They detail the locations and velocities of compact structures in the interstellar plasma. Studying scintillation arcs is like performing a CT scan of the interstellar medium – each arc reveals a thin layer of plasma.

Usually, scintillation arc studies uncover just one, or at most a handful of these arcs, giving a view of only the most extreme (densest or most turbulent) plasma structures in our galaxy.

Our scintillation arc study broke new ground by unveiling an unprecedented 25 scintillation arcs, the most plasma structures observed for any pulsar to date.

The sensitivity of our study was only possible because of the close proximity of the pulsar (it’s our nearest millisecond pulsar neighbour) and the large collecting area of the MeerKAT radio telescope in South Africa.

Animation of 25 scintillation arcs changing in curvature with time according to the changing velocity of the pulsar. Each frame of the animation shows the scintillation arcs measured on one day, for six consecutive days. The inset scintillation arcs originate from the pulsar bow shock.
Reardon et al., Nature Astronomy

A Local Bubble surprise

Of the 25 scintillation arcs we found, 21 revealed structures in the interstellar medium. This was surprising because the pulsar – like our own Solar System – is located in a relatively quiet region of our galaxy called the Local Bubble.

About 14 million years ago, this part of our galaxy was lit up by stellar explosions that swept up material in the interstellar medium and inflated a hot void. Today, this bubble is still expanding and now extends up to 1,000 light-years from us.

Our new scintillation arc discoveries reveal that the Local Bubble is not as empty as previously thought. It is filled with compact plasma structures that could only be sustained if the bubble has cooled, at least in some areas, from millions of degrees down to a mild 10,000 degrees Celsius.

Shock discoveries

As the animation below shows, the pulsar is surrounded by its bow shock, which glows red with light from energised hydrogen atoms.

Artist’s animation of the bow shock scattering the pulsar beam. Carl Knox/Swinburne/OzGrav.

While most pulsars are thought to produce bow shocks, only a handful have ever been observed because they are faint objects. Until now, none had been studied using scintillation.

We traced the remaining four scintillation arcs to plasma structures inside the pulsar bow shock, marking the first time astronomers have peered inside one of these shock waves.

This gave us a CT-like view of the different layers of plasma. Using these arcs together with an optical image we constructed a new three-dimensional model of the shock, which appears to be tilted slightly away from us because of the motion of the pulsar through space.

The scintillation arcs also gave us the velocities of the plasma layers. Far from being as expected, we discovered that one inner plasma structure is moving towards the shock front against the flow of the shocked material in the opposite direction.

While such back flows can appear in simulations, they are rare. This finding will drive new models for this bow shock.

Scintillating science

With new and more sensitive radio telescopes being built around the world, we can expect to see scintillation from more pulsar bow shocks and other events in the interstellar medium.

This will uncover more about the energetic processes in our galaxy that create these otherwise invisible plasma structures.

The scintillation of this pulsar neighbour revealed unexpected plasma structures inside our Local Bubble and allowed us to map and measure the speed of plasma within a bow shock. It’s amazing what a twinkling little star can do.

Daniel Reardon receives funding from the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Gravitational Wave Discovery (OzGrav).

– ref. Twinkling star reveals the shocking secrets of turbulent plasma in our cosmic neighbourhood – https://theconversation.com/twinkling-star-reveals-the-shocking-secrets-of-turbulent-plasma-in-our-cosmic-neighbourhood-243022

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

April 21, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Indicators of alien life may have been found – astrophysicist explains what the new research means

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ian Whittaker, Senior Lecturer in Physics, Nottingham Trent University

Darryl Fonseka/Shutterstocl

What do you think of when it comes to extra terrestrial life? Most popular sci-fi books and TV shows suggest humanoid beings could live on other planets. But when astronomers are searching for extra-terrestrial life, it is usually in the form of emissions from bacteria or other tiny organisms.

A new research paper in the Astrophysical Journal suggests that Cambridge scientists have managed to find this type of emission with a certainty of 99.7% from a planet called K2-18b, 124 light years away. They used Nasa’s James Webb Space Telescope to analyse the chemical composition of the planet’s atmosphere and say they found promising evidence K2-18b could host life.

It’s an exciting breakthrough but it doesn’t confirm alien life.

Let’s look at why scientists largely do not accept the paper as proof of alien life.

Why it’s so hard to detect to alien life

Exoplanet hunting fell out of public interest quickly due to the staggering number of planets scientists are discovering. The first convincing exoplanet around a sun-like star was discovered in 1995 via radial velocity, where you don’t look at the planet but instead observe its effect on its nearest star. As the star wobbles back and forth it causes a tiny shift in the wavelength of the light it emits, which we can measure. We already know of roughly 7,500 planets.

Only 43 (to date) have been observed directly (about 0.5% of them). Most are discovered through indirect means, such as radial velocity or the transit method. The transit method is where you look at how the brightness of the star decreases as the planet passes in front of it. It will block a tiny amount of the light.

An exoplanet atmosphere

Looking at the atmosphere of an exoplanet is even more difficult. Scientists use spectroscopy to do this. The light coming out of the star can be observed directly and a small amount of it will also pass through the atmosphere of the planet. Researchers can estimate what an exoplanet’s atmosphere is made of by studying which light from the star is emitted or absorbed in the atmosphere.

Let’s try an analogy. You have a desk lamp at one end of a long table and you are standing at the other end, looking at the lamp. There is a glass of liquid in between you and the lamp. In very simple terms, the glass of liquid acting as the exoplanet and atmosphere, looks slightly blue, which allows you to identify it as water. In reality for scientists though, it’s more like the glass of water is a tiny glass bead which is rolling around while someone is messing around with a dimmer switch on the lamp. Then, freak weather results in a gentle mist forming on the table. The liquid is 99% pure water and 1% mineral water and the scientist is trying to see what minerals are in the water.

You can see that the expertise required to be perform this work is incredible. They observed molecules with a 99.7% confidence rate, which is a remarkable achievement.

The data from JWST and K2-18b

The key data in this study is in a graph fitting light absorption rates to which kind of molecules could be there and working out how abundant they are. It features in this short film about the discovery.

The graph produced by the study’s authors shows evidence for dimethyl sulphide and dimethyl disulphide (DMS).

Some scientists think of DMS as a biomarker – a molecular indicator of life on Earth. However DMS is not only produced by bacteria, but has also been found on comet 67P and in the gas and dust of the interstellar medium, the space between stars. It can even be generated by shining UV light onto a simulated atmosphere. The authors acknowledge this and claim the amount they determined was present cannot be produced by any of these conditions.

Similar to other claims of life?

Multiple studies have shown indicators for DMS and life in general on K2-18b and there are many other claims for other exoplanets.

The most recent is the idea that phosphine (another biomarker) was discovered in the Venusian atmosphere, so there must be bacteria in the clouds. This claim was quickly refuted by other researchers. Scientists pointed that a tiny error in the matching of data created results that showed a larger abundance of phosphine than was accurate. The Cambridge study is more rigorous and has more certainty in the result. But it is still not strong enough to convince the academic community, which needs 99.999% certainty.

The study authors suggest their findings indicate liquid oceans and a hydrogen atmosphere but others have countered it could be a gas giant, or a volcanic planet full of magma.

The Cambridge study is not proof of life, but it is an important step forward to characterising what other planets might be like and determining if we are alone or not. The study presented the best result yet and should inspire other scientists to take up the challenge.

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

– ref. Indicators of alien life may have been found – astrophysicist explains what the new research means – https://theconversation.com/indicators-of-alien-life-may-have-been-found-astrophysicist-explains-what-the-new-research-means-254843

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

April 20, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Scientists found a potential sign of life on a distant planet – an astronomer explains why many are still skeptical

Source: The Conversation – USA – By Daniel Apai, Associate Dean for Research and Professor of Astronomy and Planetary Sciences, University of Arizona

An illustration of the exoplanet K2-18b, which some research suggests may be covered by deep oceans. NASA, ESA, CSA, Joseph Olmsted (STScI)

A team of astronomers announced on April 16, 2025, that in the process of studying a planet around another star, they had found evidence for an unexpected atmospheric gas. On Earth, that gas – called dimethyl sulfide – is mostly produced by living organisms.

In April 2024, the James Webb Space Telescope stared at the host star of the planet K2-18b for nearly six hours. During that time, the orbiting planet passed in front of the star. Starlight filtered through its atmosphere, carrying the fingerprints of atmospheric molecules to the telescope.

JWST’s cameras can detect molecules in the atmosphere of a planet by looking at light that passed through that atmosphere.
European Space Agency

By comparing those fingerprints to 20 different molecules that they would potentially expect to observe in the atmosphere, the astronomers concluded that the most probable match was a gas that, on Earth, is a good indicator of life.

I am an astronomer and astrobiologist who studies planets around other stars and their atmospheres. In my work, I try to understand which nearby planets may be suitable for life.

K2-18b, a mysterious world

To understand what this discovery means, let’s start with the bizarre world it was found in. The planet’s name is K2-18b, meaning it is the first planet in the 18th planetary system found by the extended NASA Kepler mission, K2. Astronomers assign the “b” label to the first planet in the system, not “a,” to avoid possible confusion with the star.

K2-18b is a little over 120 light-years from Earth – on a galactic scale, this world is practically in our backyard.

Although astronomers know very little about K2-18b, we do know that it is very unlike Earth. To start, it is about eight times more massive than Earth, and it has a volume that’s about 18 times larger. This means that it’s only about half as dense as Earth. In other words, it must have a lot of water, which isn’t very dense, or a very big atmosphere, which is even less dense.

Astronomers think that this world could either be a smaller version of our solar system’s ice giant Neptune, called a mini-Neptune, or perhaps a rocky planet with no water but a massive hydrogen atmosphere, called a gas dwarf.

Another option, as University of Cambridge astronomer Nikku Madhusudhan recently proposed, is that the planet is a “hycean world”.

That term means hydrogen-over-ocean, since astronomers predict that hycean worlds are planets with global oceans many times deeper than Earth’s oceans, and without any continents. These oceans are covered by massive hydrogen atmospheres that are thousands of miles high.

Astronomers do not know yet for certain that hycean worlds exist, but models for what those would look like match the limited data JWST and other telescopes have collected on K2-18b.

This is where the story becomes exciting. Mini-Neptunes and gas dwarfs are unlikely to be hospitable for life, because they probably don’t have liquid water, and their interior surfaces have enormous pressures. But a hycean planet would have a large and likely temperate ocean. So could the oceans of hycean worlds be habitable – or even inhabited?

Detecting DMS

In 2023, Madhusudhan and his colleagues used the James Webb Space Telescope’s short-wavelength infrared camera to inspect starlight that filtered through K2-18b’s atmosphere for the first time.

They found evidence for the presence of two simple carbon-bearing molecules – carbon monoxide and methane – and showed that the planet’s upper atmosphere lacked water vapor. This atmospheric composition supported, but did not prove, the idea that K2-18b could be a hycean world. In a hycean world, water would be trapped in the deeper and warmer atmosphere, closer to the oceans than the upper atmosphere probed by JWST observations.

Intriguingly, the data also showed an additional, very weak signal. The team found that this weak signal matched a gas called dimethyl sulfide, or DMS. On Earth, DMS is produced in large quantities by marine algae. It has very few, if any, nonbiological sources.

This signal made the initial detection exciting: on a planet that may have a massive ocean, there is likely a gas that is, on Earth, emitted by biological organisms.

K2-18b could have a deep ocean spanning the planet, and a hydrogen atmosphere.
Amanda Smith, Nikku Madhusudhan (University of Cambridge), CC BY-SA

Scientists had a mixed response to this initial announcement. While the findings were exciting, some astronomers pointed out that the DMS signal seen was weak and that the hycean nature of K2-18b is very uncertain.

To address these concerns, Mashusudhan’s team turned JWST back to K2-18b a year later. This time, they used another camera on JWST that looks for another range of wavelengths of light. The new results – announced on April 16, 2025 – supported their initial findings.

These new data show a stronger – but still relatively weak – signal that the team attributes to DMS or a very similar molecule. The fact that the DMS signal showed up on another camera during another set of observations made the interpretation of DMS in the atmosphere stronger.

Madhusudhan’s team also presented a very detailed analysis of the uncertainties in the data and interpretation. In real-life measurements, there are always some uncertainties. They found that these uncertainties are unlikely to account for the signal in the data, further supporting the DMS interpretation. As an astronomer, I find that analysis exciting.

Is life out there?

Does this mean that scientists have found life on another world? Perhaps – but we still cannot be sure.

First, does K2-18b really have an ocean deep beneath its thick atmosphere? Astronomers should test this.

Second, is the signal seen in two cameras two years apart really from dimethyl sulfide? Scientists will need more sensitive measurements and more observations of the planet’s atmosphere to be sure.

Third, if it is indeed DMS, does this mean that there is life? This may be the most difficult question to answer. Life itself is not detectable with existing technology. Astronomers will need to evaluate and exclude all other potential options to build their confidence in this possibility.

The new measurements may lead researchers toward a historic discovery. However, important uncertainties remain. Astrobiologists will need a much deeper understanding of K2-18b and similar worlds before they can be confident in the presence of DMS and its interpretation as a signature of life.

Scientists around the world are already scrutinizing the published study and will work on new tests of the findings, since independent verification is at the heart of science.

Moving forward, K2-18b is going to be an important target for JWST, the world’s most sensitive telescope. JWST may soon observe other potential hycean worlds to see if the signal appears in the atmospheres of those planets, too.

With more data, these tentative conclusions may not stand the test of time. But for now, just the prospect that astronomers may have detected gasses emitted by an alien ecosystem that bubbled up in a dark, blue-hued alien ocean is an incredibly fascinating possibility.

Regardless of the true nature of K2-18b, the new results show how using the JWST to survey other worlds for clues of alien life will guarantee that the next years will be thrilling for astrobiologists.

Daniel Apai receives funding for astrobiology research from NASA, the Heising-Simons Foundation, and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.

– ref. Scientists found a potential sign of life on a distant planet – an astronomer explains why many are still skeptical – https://theconversation.com/scientists-found-a-potential-sign-of-life-on-a-distant-planet-an-astronomer-explains-why-many-are-still-skeptical-254900

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

April 19, 2025

MIL-OSI Canada: Reaching across the Pacific to expand our markets

Source: Government of Canada regional news (2)

While in Japan, Premier Smith will meet with government officials, importers and energy and agricultural sector leaders to position Alberta as the partner of choice to meet Japan’s growing demand for energy and food security.

In addition to making new inroads for Alberta in Japan, Premier Smith will head to Gangwon State, South Korea, to further entrench Alberta’s longest-standing sister province relationship. Premier Smith’s stop in Gangwon comes on the heels of last year’s visit to Alberta by Governor Kim Jin Tae of Gangwon State, Republic of Korea, to reaffirm this relationship and celebrate its Golden Jubilee.

“I am excited to head to Japan and South Korea to advance work under Alberta’s memorandum of understanding with the Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security and celebrate the success of our decades-long twinning relationships with Hokkaido, Japan and Gangwon State, South Korea. I will be taking this opportunity to strengthen the mutually beneficial ties rooted in these agreements, identify new opportunities for collaboration across our resource, agri-food and technology sectors and underscore Alberta’s position as a global leader in secure, reliable and responsible energy development.”

Danielle Smith, Premier

Japanese investment in Alberta’s energy sector over the years has helped fuel the province’s economy and support jobs for Albertans. As Japan looks for ways to secure and diversify its energy supply, Alberta is in a prime position to help them meet this need by supplying everything from oil, natural gas and hydrogen, while boosting collaboration in developing our energy and natural resources.

With this year marking a landmark 45 years of Alberta’s successful twinning relationship with Hokkaido, meetings with Japanese officials and private sector leaders will also focus on opportunities to strengthen our robust ties in agriculture and agri-food, while building on our long history of cooperation in sports, culture and educational exchanges.

While in South Korea, Premier Smith will meet with government officials and private sector leaders to build on decades of co-operation and strengthen our links in sustainable energy development, energy and agrifood export growth, technology and innovation, investment attraction and more. Premier Smith will also showcase Alberta’s strengths and offerings in sectors where Alberta and Korea show natural synergy and promise for mutually beneficial growth. Major Korean companies have also made a number of substantial investments in Alberta with several establishing Canadian headquarters in Calgary. This mission will serve as a launch pad for attracting even more investment to our province.

Mission expenses will be posted on the travel and expense disclosure page.

Quick facts

Canada and Japan have been members of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement since 2018.
- Bilateral trade between Alberta and Japan totalled more than $3.0 billion in 2024.
- In 2024, Japan was Alberta’s third-largest export market, with Alberta’s exports to Japan totalling almost $2.7 billion, and energy exports making up almost $1 billion of that total.
The Republic of Korea, known informally as South Korea, is an important economic partner for Alberta.
- Bilateral trade between Alberta and South Korea totalled about $1.5 billion in 2024.
- Alberta’s total exports to the region in 2024 totalled $1.2 billion, and consisted primarily of energy, nickel, meat and wood pulp.
- Several major South Korean energy companies have Canadian headquarters in Calgary, including KOGAS, Korea National Oil Corp and SK Eco-Engineering.

Itinerary for Premier Smith*

April 18-19	Travel to Tokyo, Japan.
April 20	Travel to Sapporo, Japan. Attend event hosted by the Government of Hokkaido.
April 21	Participate in meetings with Hokkaido government officials. Bilateral meeting with the Governor of Hokkaido. Lead roundtable with Hokkaido officials and representatives on sports, cultural and educational exchanges. Travel to Seoul, South Korea.
April 22	Travel to Chuncheon, Gangwon State, South Korea. Bilateral meeting with the Governor of Gangwon State. Attend luncheon hosted by the Governor of Gangwon State. Tour data center. Travel to Seoul, South Korea.
April 23	Meetings with representatives from a regional energy importer and national energy companies. Host working luncheon with leaders and representatives from South Korea’s energy and agriculture sectors. Travel to Tokyo, Japan.
April 24	Meetings with senior Japanese government officials. Meeting with representatives from the Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC). Chair energy roundtable with Japanese private sector leaders. Attend celebration honouring Alberta’s 55-year presence in Japan.
April 25	Tour Costco Japan head office and store. Meeting with Japanese oil and gas company.
April 26	Travel to Alberta.

*Subject to change.

Related news

Partnering with Japan to expand our energy horizons (Mar. 11, 2025)
Building on 50 years of friendship with Gangwon (Sept. 23, 2024)

MIL OSI Canada News –

April 19, 2025

MIL-OSI Global: Lawsuits seeking to address climate change have promise but face uncertain future

Source: The Conversation – USA – By Hannah Wiseman, Professor of Law, Penn State

Kelsey Juliana, a lead plaintiff in a federal lawsuit over responsibility for climate change, speaks at a 2019 rally in Oregon. AP Photo/Steve Dipaola

The U.S. Supreme Court in March 2025 ended a decade-old lawsuit filed by a group of children who sought to hold the federal government responsible for some of the consequences of climate change. But just two months earlier, the justices allowed a similar suit from the city and county of Honolulu, Hawaii, to continue against oil and gas companies.

Evidence shows that fossil fuel companies, electric utilities and the federal government have known about climate change, its dangers and its human causes for at least 50 years. But the steps taken by fossil fuel companies, utilities and governments, including the U.S. government, have not been enough to meet international climate targets.

So local and state governments and citizens have asked the courts to force companies and public agencies to act. Their results have varied, with limited victories to date. But the cases keep coming.

Attacking the emissions themselves

In general, legal claims in the U.S. can be based on the U.S. and state constitutions, federal and state laws, or what is called “common law” – legal principles created by courts over time.

Lawsuits have used state and federal laws to try to limit greenhouse gas pollution itself and to seek financial compensation for alleged industry cover-ups of the dangers of fossil fuels, among many other types of claims.

In 2007 the U.S. Supreme Court determined that greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide emitted from motor vehicles were a “pollutant” under the federal Clean Air Act. As a result, the court ordered the Environmental Protection Agency to either determine whether greenhouse gases from new vehicles contribute to climate change, and therefore endanger human health, or justify its refusal to study the issue.

In 2009 the EPA found that carbon dioxide emissions did in fact endanger human health – a decision called the “endangerment finding.” In 2010 it imposed limits on carbon dioxide emissions from new vehicles and, later, from newly constructed power plants.

But related EPA efforts to regulate emissions from older power plants – the ones that emit the most pollution – failed when challenged in court on the grounds that they went too far in limiting emissions beyond the power plants’ own properties.

The Biden administration had finalized a new rule to clean up these older plants, but the Trump administration is now seeking to withdraw it.

The Trump administration is also now beginning the complicated process of reviewing the 2009 endangerment finding. It could try to remove the legal basis for EPA greenhouse gas regulations.

A common-law approach

In response to this federal executive seesaw of climate action, some legal claims use a court-based, or common law, approach to address climate concerns. For instance, in Connecticut v. American Electric Power, filed in 2004, nine states asked a federal judge to order power plants to reduce their emissions. The states said those emissions contributed to global warming, which they argued met the federal common law definition of a “public nuisance.”

That case ended when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2011 that the existence of a statute – the federal Clean Air Act – meant common law did not apply. Other plaintiffs have tried to use the “public nuisance” claim or a related common-law claim of “trespass” to force large power plants or oil and gas producers to pay climate-related damages. But in those cases, too, courts found that the Clean Air Act overrode the common-law grounds for those claims.

With those case outcomes, many plaintiffs have shifted their strategies, focusing more on state courts and seeking to hold the fossil fuel industry responsible for allegedly deceiving the public about the causes and effects of climate change.

Three examples of petroleum industry advertisements a lawsuit alleges are misleading about the causes of climate change.
State of Maine v. BP, Chevron, ExxonMobil, Shell, Sunoco and American Petroleum Insititute

Examining deception

In many cases, state and local governments are arguing that the fossil fuel industry knew about the dangers of climate change and deceived the public about them, and that the industry exaggerated the extent of its investments in energy that doesn’t emit carbon.

Rather than directly asking courts to order reduced carbon emissions, these cases tend to seek damages that will help governments cover the costs associated with climate change, such as construction of cooling centers
and repair of roads damaged by increased precipitation.

In legal terms, the lawsuits are saying oil and gas companies violated consumer-protection laws and committed common-law civil violations such as negligence. For instance, the city of Chicago alleges that major petroleum giants – along with the industry trade association the American Petroleum Institute – had “abundant knowledge” of the public harms of fossil fuels yet “actively campaigned” to hide that information and deceive consumers. Many other complaints by states and local governments make similar allegations.

Another lawsuit, from the state of Maine, lists and provides photographs of a litany of internal industry documents showing industry knowledge of the threat of climate change. That lawsuit also cites a 1977 memo from an Exxon employee to Exxon executives, which stated that “current scientific opinion overwhelmingly favors attributing atmospheric carbon dioxide increase to fossil fuel consumption,” and a 1979 internal Exxon memo about the buildup of carbon dioxide emissions, which warned that “(t)he potential problem is great and urgent.”

These complaints also show organizations supported by fossil fuel companies published ads as far back as the 1990s, with titles such as “Apocalypse No” and “Who told you the earth was warming … Chicken Little?” Some of these ads – part of a broader campaign – were funded by a group called the Information Council for the Environment, supported by coal producers and electric utilities.

Courts have dismissed some of these complaints, finding that federal laws overrule the principles those suits are based on. But many are still winding their way through the courts.

In 2023 the Supreme Court of Hawaii found that federal laws do not prevent climate claims based on state common law. In January 2025 the U.S. Supreme Court allowed the case to continue.

Lead claimant Rikki Held, then 22, confers with lawyers before the beginning of a 2023 Montana trial about young people’s rights in a time of climate change.
William Campbell/Getty Images

Other approaches

Still other litigation approaches argue that governments inadequately reviewed the effects of greenhouse gas emissions, or even supported or subsidized those emissions caused by private industry. Those lawsuits – some of which were filed by children, with help from their parents or legal guardians – claim the governments’ actions violated people’s constitutional rights.

For instance, children in the Juliana v. United States case, first filed in 2015, said 50 years of petroleum-supporting actions by presidents and various federal agencies had violated their fundamental “right to a climate system capable of sustaining human life.” The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that their claim was a “political question” – meant for Congress, not the courts. The U.S. Supreme Court declined to reconsider that ruling in March 2025.

But children in Montana found more success. The Montana Constitution requires state officials and all residents to “maintain and improve a clean and healthful environment … for present and future generations.” In 2024 the Montana Supreme Court determined that this provision “includes a stable climate system that sustains human lives and liberties.”

The Montana Supreme Court also reviewed a state law banning officials from considering greenhouse gas emissions of projects approved by the state. The court found that the ban violated the state constitution, too. Since then, the Montana Supreme Court has specifically required state officials to review the climate effects of a project for which permits were challenged.

Concerned people and groups continue to file climate-related lawsuits across the country and around the world. They are seeing mixed results, but as the cases continue and more are filed, they are drawing attention to potential corporate and government wrongdoing, as well as the human costs of climate change. And they are inspiring shareholders and citizens to demand more accurate information and action from fossil fuel companies and electric utilities.

Hannah Wiseman receives funding from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, Arnold Ventures, and the National Science Foundation for work researching the energy transition, renewable energy policy, hydrogen, and carbon capture and sequestration. She is a scholar member of the Center for Progressive Reform.

– ref. Lawsuits seeking to address climate change have promise but face uncertain future – https://theconversation.com/lawsuits-seeking-to-address-climate-change-have-promise-but-face-uncertain-future-253484

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

April 19, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: “BioTech-2025”: Scientists Discuss Innovations in Biotechnology

Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

The 2nd All-Russian scientific and practical conference with international participation “BioTech-2025” was held at Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University.

Guests from Kazan, Ulan-Ude, Tambov, Yekaterinburg, Kaliningrad and the Republic of Belarus gathered at the Higher School of Biotechnology and Food Production of the Institute of Biomedical Systems and Biotechnology. An excursion to the SPbPU History Museum was organized for them.

The participants were greeted by the Director of the Institute of Biotechnology and Biotechnology Andrey Vasin, who noted that biotechnology is one of the priority areas of scientific and technological development of the country, therefore the specialty of biotechnologist is very popular among applicants.

The Chairperson of the Organizing Committee, Director of the Higher School of Biotechnology and Food Production Yulia Bazarnova emphasized that the exchange of experience and knowledge between young specialists will accelerate the development of innovative solutions and technologies, and that such meetings contribute to the birth of new ideas and projects.

Leading researchers in the field of food security, biomedicine and environmental biotechnology, as well as representatives of the conference partners, the companies Alkor Bio and Partiya Eda, spoke at the plenary session.

Oksana Pavlova, associate professor of Grodno State University, spoke about the long-term cooperation between Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University and Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno. She noted that the long-term experience of interaction confirms the high efficiency in the development of the international educational space and indicates significant potential for further expansion of scientific and pedagogical exchange formats.

Irina Cheglakova, Head of the Department for the Development of Biologically Active Supplements at Alkor Bio Group of Companies, presented the development prospects for one of the areas of the modern food industry and medicine — the creation and production of dietary supplements. Irina Potoroko, Professor at the South Ural State University, gave a report on food security.

Several final reports were made by SPbPU scientists. Professor of the Higher School of Social and Economics Marina Karpenko spoke about the various effects of manganese, which is toxic, but at the same time a vital microelement for human health and development. Prospects and methods of using microalgae to solve environmental problems were presented by Professor of the Higher School of Social and Economics Natalia Politaeva. She spoke about a method for obtaining biohydrogen from spent microalgae, which were previously used to purify wastewater from the food industry. According to experts, this approach will simultaneously provide access to renewable environmentally friendly fuel and reduce the impact of industrial wastewater on the environment.

In conclusion, leading technologists of the Food Party company, graduates of the Higher School of Business and Food Safety Vladimir Gnilitsky and Kristina Bogdanova shared their experience in the development of new dishes and the introduction of the latest methods of processing products to preserve their freshness.

In addition, meetings of the sections “Food Systems and Nutrition”, “Molecular and Cellular Biotechnology”, “Biotechnology for Plant Growing”, “Methods of Molecular Diagnostics and Environmental Biotechnology” were held.

The conference moderator, senior lecturer at the Higher School of Business and Public Policy Anna Sevastyanova, emphasized that the event provides a unique opportunity for young scientists to get acquainted with the experience of experienced researchers – professors, associate professors and leading employees of various scientific organizations.

It was interesting to listen to the reports on various problems related to biotesting of different environments: air, water and soil. After the presentations, it became clear that microalgae are a certain “favorite” in this topic. The use of biotechnology to increase crop yields and product quality also aroused keen interest. I would like to thank the organizers for the opportunity to exchange experiences, – shared 4th year student Andrey Voynov.

Based on the results of the conference, a collection of materials will be compiled.

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 –

April 18, 2025
MIL-OSI: Westport Announces Annual General and Special Meeting and Timing of Q1 2025 Financial Results

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Westport Fuel Systems Inc. (TSX: WPRT / Nasdaq: WPRT) (“Westport” or the “Company”) announces that the Company will release Q1 2025 financial results on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, after market close. A conference call and webcast to discuss the financial results and other corporate developments will be held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025.

Time: 10:00 a.m. ET (7:00 a.m. PT)
Call Link: https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BI73bcac200e5f4652873668cf803d72ed
Webcast: https://investors.wfsinc.com

Participants may register up to 60 minutes before the event by clicking on the call link and completing the online registration form. Upon registration, the user will receive dial-in info and a unique PIN, along with an email confirming the details.

The webcast will be archived on Westport’s website and a replay will be available at https://investors.wfsinc.com.

Annual General and Special Meeting

Westport will host its 2025 Annual General and Special Meeting (the “Meeting”) virtually on May 15, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. PT (1:00 p.m. ET).

To streamline the virtual meeting process, Westport encourages shareholders to vote in advance of the Meeting using the voting instruction form or the form of proxy which has been shared with shareholders with the Meeting materials. Further instructions on voting and accessing the meeting are contained in the Management Information Circular under “Section 1: Voting” – upon receipt, please review these materials carefully.

Registered Shareholders and duly appointed proxyholders can attend the meeting online at https://meetnow.global/MD2JR55 to participate, vote, or submit questions during the meeting’s live webcast.

About Westport Fuel Systems

At Westport Fuel Systems, we are driving innovation to power a cleaner tomorrow. We are a leading supplier of advanced fuel delivery components and systems for clean, low-carbon fuels such as natural gas, renewable natural gas, propane, and hydrogen to the global transportation industry. Our technology delivers the performance and fuel efficiency required by transportation applications and the environmental benefits that address climate change and urban air quality challenges. Headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, with operations in Europe, Asia, North America, and South America, we serve our customers in approximately 70 countries with leading global transportation brands. At Westport Fuel Systems, we think ahead. For more information, visit www.wfsinc.com.

Investor Inquiries:
Investor Relations
T: +1 604-718-2046
E: invest@wfsinc.com

The MIL Network –

April 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Why Katy Perry’s celebrity spaceflight blazed a trail for climate breakdown

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Steve Westlake, Lecturer, Environmental Psychology, University of Bath

What’s not to like about an all-female celebrity crew riding a rocket into space? Quite a lot, as it turns out.

Katy Perry and her companions were initially portrayed in the media as breaking down gender barriers. On their return to Earth, the team enthused about protecting the planet and blazing a trail for others. Perry even sang What a Wonderful World during the flight, and kissed the ground on exiting the spacecraft.

But the backlash was swift. Fellow celebrities piled in to highlight the “hypocrisy” of such an energy-intensive endeavour from a former Unicef climate champion. Evidence was quickly presented to dispute the pollution-free claims of the Blue Origin rocket, which is fuelled by oxygen and hydrogen. (In fact, the water vapour and nitrogen oxide emissions it creates add to global heating, on top of the emissions from the programme as a whole.)

But it’s the negative social effects of this kind of display from celebrities (of any gender) that our research sheds light on. I’m part of a team of social scientists researching the powerful effects of politicians, business leaders and celebrities who lead by example on climate change – or don’t.

Social kickback

Space tourism, and other energy-intensive activities by people in the public eye, such as using helicopters and private jets, have a much wider knock-on effect than the direct damage to the climate caused by the activity itself.

We carried out focus groups with members of the public to understand their reactions to the high-carbon behaviour of leaders in politics, culture and business. We also conducted experiments and surveys to test the effects of leaders “walking the talk” on climate change. We found that observing unnecessary high-carbon behaviour demotivates people and reduces the sense of collective effort that is essential for a successful societal response to climate change.

Solving climate change and other environmental crises requires fundamental changes to economies, societies and lifestyles according to climate science. Using much less energy, not just different kinds of energy, can play a big part in halting the damage. And it is the wealthiest people in the richest countries who use the most energy and set the standards and aspirations for the rest of society. That’s why the Blue Origin dream (of space exploration for the unfathomably wealthy) is a nightmare for the climate because it perpetuates an unsustainable culture.

Our findings reveal that when people see public figures behaving like this, they are less willing to make changes to their own lives. “Why should I do my bit for the climate when these celebrities are doing the opposite?” is the question people repeatedly asked in our research.

Many of the changes to behaviour necessary to tackle climate change will require people to accept trade-offs and embrace alternative ways of living. This includes using heat pumps instead of gas boilers, trading in large, fossil-fuelled vehicles (or even avoiding cars altogether) and forgoing flights – because there is no way to decarbonise long-distance flights in time.

When celebrities (or politicians and business leaders, for that matter) ignore the environmental damage of their choices, it sends a powerful signal that they are not really serious about addressing climate change.

Not only does this undermine people’s motivation to make changes, it reduces the credibility of leaders. That in turn makes coordinated climate action less likely, because shifting to a low-carbon society will require public trust in leadership and a sense of collective effort.

Individual choices matter

The widespread aversion to Perry’s space flight contradicts the popular argument that tackling the climate crisis “is not about individual behaviour”.

On the contrary, the response shows that these actions from celebrities and other leaders have much greater symbolic meaning than is captured by the idea of an “individual choice”. People are highly attuned to the behaviour of others because it signals and reinforces the values, morals and norms of our society. As such, few if any choices are truly “individual”.

Read more:
Think your efforts to help the climate don’t matter? African philosophers disagree

This message of collective responsibility is one our current economic and political system works hard to suppress by championing unlimited freedom to consume, while ignoring the loss of freedom that such behaviour causes: freedom to live in a stable climate, freedom from pollution, freedom from extreme weather, freedom for future generations.

In fact, research reveals that most people understand the interconnectedness of society and the need for a coordinated response to the climate crisis. Climate assemblies, which convene ordinary citizens to discuss and deliberate a course of climate action, have revealed a willingness to curtail some activities in a fair way.

When it comes to preserving a liveable planet and a stable climate, most people know that space tourism and ultra-high-carbon living are off the agenda. Celebrities have a positive role to play in leading by example. It’s not rocket science.

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

Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 45,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.

Steve Westlake has received funding from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).

– ref. Why Katy Perry’s celebrity spaceflight blazed a trail for climate breakdown – https://theconversation.com/why-katy-perrys-celebrity-spaceflight-blazed-a-trail-for-climate-breakdown-254824

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

April 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Indicators of alien life may have been found – astrophysicist explains what the new research means

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Ian Whittaker, Senior Lecturer in Physics, Nottingham Trent University

Darryl Fonseka/Shutterstocl

What do you think of when it comes to extra terrestrial life? Most popular sci-fi books and TV shows suggest humanoid beings could live on other planets. But when astronomers are searching for extra-terrestrial life, it is usually in the form of emissions from bacteria or other tiny organisms.

A new research paper in the Astrophysical Journal suggests that Cambridge scientists have managed to find this type of emission with a certainty of 99.7% from a planet called K2-18b, 124 light years away. They used Nasa’s James Webb Space Telescope for to analyse the chemical composition of the planet’s atmosphere and say they found promising evidence K2-18b could host life.

It’s an exciting breakthrough but it doesn’t confirm alien life.

Let’s look at why scientists largely do not accept the paper as proof of alien life.

Why it’s so hard to detect to alien life

Exoplanet hunting fell out of public interest quickly due to the staggering number of planets scientists are discovering. The first convincing exoplanet around a sun-like star was discovered in 1995 via radial velocity, where you don’t look at the planet but instead observe its effect on its nearest star. As the star wobbles back and forth it causes a tiny shift in the wavelength of the light it emits, which we can measure. We already know of roughly 7,500 planets.

Only 43 (to date) have been observed directly (about 0.5% of them). Most are discovered through indirect means, such as radial velocity or the transit method. The transit method is where you look at how the brightness of the star decreases as the planet passes in front of it. It will block a tiny amount of the light.

An exoplanet atmosphere

Looking at the atmosphere of an exoplanet is even more difficult. Scientists use spectroscopy to do this. The light coming out of the star can be observed directly and a small amount of it will also pass through the atmosphere of the planet. Researchers can estimate what an exoplanet’s atmosphere is made of by studying which light from the star is emitted or absorbed in the atmosphere.

Let’s try an analogy. You have a desk lamp at one end of a long table and you are standing at the other end, looking at the lamp. There is a glass of liquid in between you and the lamp. In very simple terms, the glass of liquid acting as the exoplanet and atmosphere, looks slightly blue, which allows you to identify it as water. In reality for scientists though, it’s more like the glass of water is a tiny glass bead which is rolling around while someone is messing around with a dimmer switch on the lamp. Then, freak weather results in a gentle mist forming on the table. The liquid is 99% pure water and 1% mineral water and the scientist is trying to see what minerals are in the water.

You can see that the expertise required to be perform this work is incredible. They observed molecules with a 99.7% confidence rate, which is a remarkable achievement.

The data from JWST and K2-18b

The key data in this study is in a graph fitting light absorption rates to which kind of molecules could be there and working out how abundant they are. It features in this short film about the discovery.

The graph produced by the study’s authors shows evidence for dimethyl sulphide and dimethyl disulphide (DMS).

Some scientists think of DMS as a biomarker – a molecular indicator of life on Earth. However DMS is not only produced by bacteria, but has also been found on comet 67P and in the gas and dust of the interstellar medium, the space between stars. It can even be generated by shining UV light onto a simulated atmosphere. The authors acknowledge this and claim the amount they determined was present cannot be produced by any of these conditions.

Similar to other claims of life?

Multiple studies have shown indicators for DMS and life in general on K2-18b and there are many other claims for other exoplanets.

The most recent is the idea that phosphine (another biomarker) was discovered in the Venusian atmosphere, so there must be bacteria in the clouds. This claim was quickly refuted by other researchers. Scientists pointed that a tiny error in the matching of data created results that showed a larger abundance of phosphine than was accurate. The Cambridge study is more rigorous and has more certainty in the result. But it is still not strong enough to convince the academic community, which needs 99.999% certainty.

The study authors suggest their findings indicate liquid oceans and a hydrogen atmosphere but others have countered it could be a gas giant, or a volcanic planet full of magma.

The Cambridge study is not proof of life, but it is an important step forward to characterising what other planets might be like and determining if we are alone or not. The study presented the best result yet and should inspire other scientists to take up the challenge.

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

– ref. Indicators of alien life may have been found – astrophysicist explains what the new research means – https://theconversation.com/indicators-of-alien-life-may-have-been-found-astrophysicist-explains-what-the-new-research-means-254843

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

April 18, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Site checks after suspension notice served
Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

Press release

Site checks after suspension notice served

Environment Agency officers, together with West Yorkshire Police, have been undertaking site checks at the Mineral Processing Ltd site.
Environment Agency and West Yorkshire Police Officers

The Environment Agency joined forces with the police this week to carry out checks outside a waste site that is subject to a suspension notice in West Yorkshire.

The suspension notice served on Mineral Processing Ltd in South Elmsall means the environmental permit does not currently authorise waste being brought on to the site.

The notice also requires the staged removal of waste that had been brought onto the site by the operator in breach of its environmental permit conditions.

The breaches of the environmental permit result in an increased risk of pollution, including the potential for odour, which has been impacting on the local community over recent months.

This week Environment Agency officers, together with West Yorkshire Police, followed up on concerns raised by the community about vehicles still arriving at the site while the suspension notice is in force.

The operation was to monitor vehicle movements to and from the site. While none arrived while partners were present, the Environment Agency will continue to act upon the information it receives.

The notice does not prevent non-waste products being imported.

An Environment Agency spokesperson said:

We understand the impact the odour from this site is having on the community and our increased regulatory response continues.

This includes ongoing odour monitoring and regular site inspections, as well as action to proactively monitor vehicle movements at the site while the suspension notice is in force.

During our inspections of the site breaches of the environmental permit conditions and suspension notice have been identified, and we are assessing all our enforcement options.

Mineral Processing Ltd has appealed the suspension notice via the Planning Inspectorate. The appeal decision has not been issued to date. The suspension notice remains in force while the Environment Agency waits for this decision.

If an operator does not comply with a suspension notice then it is committing an offence. This is the case even if it has submitted an appeal against the notice.

To build a detailed picture of air quality around the site the Environment Agency is using a handheld gas analyser, which monitors for hydrogen sulphide, and installed a Mobile Monitoring facility (MMF) nearby, which will be in situ for four months.

It’s also working with Wakefield Council – which is responsible for making sure planning conditions are complied with – to ensure that joint regulatory powers are used to bring about improvements.

Odour issues should be reported to the Environment Agency’s 24-hour Incident hotline on 0800 807060. To protect the safety and wellbeing of the public and ensure timely capture of information, any other information relating to the site should be reported to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or via or via or via crimestoppers-org.uk using the “Environmental Crime” tag.

Share this page

The following links open in a new tab

Share on Facebook (opens in new tab)

Share on Twitter (opens in new tab)

Updates to this page

Published 17 April 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
April 18, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: NASA’s SpaceX 32nd Commercial Resupply Mission Overview

Source: NASA

NASA and SpaceX are targeting no earlier than 4:15 a.m. EDT on Monday, April 21, for the next launch to deliver scientific investigations, supplies, and equipment to the International Space Station. Filled with about 6,700 pounds of supplies, the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, on the company’s Falcon 9 rocket, will lift off from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

NASA and SpaceX are targeting no earlier than 4:15 a.m. EDT on Monday, April 21, for the next launch to deliver scientific investigations, supplies, and equipment to the International Space Station. Filled with about 6,700 pounds of supplies, the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, on the company’s Falcon 9 rocket, will lift off from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
This launch is the 32nd SpaceX commercial resupply services mission to the orbital laboratory for the agency, and the 12th SpaceX launch under the Commercial Resupply Services-2 (CRS) contract. The first 20 launches were under the original resupply services contract.
NASA’s live launch coverage will begin at 3:55 a.m. on NASA+. Learn how to watch NASA content through a variety of platforms.

The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft will arrive at the space station and dock autonomously to the zenith port of the station’s Harmony module at approximately 8:20 a.m. Tuesday, April 22. Live coverage NASA’s coverage of the rendezvous and docking will begin at 6:45 a.m on NASA+. NASA astronaut Jonny Kim, Expedition 73 commander and JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Takuya Onishi will monitor the arrival of the spacecraft, which will stay docked to the orbiting laboratory for about one month before splashing down and returning critical science and hardware to teams on Earth.

Smartphone Video Guidance Sensor-2 (SVGS-2) uses the space station’s Astrobee robots to demonstrate using a NASA developed, vision-based sensor to control a formation flight of small satellites. Based on a previous in-space demonstration of the technology, this investigation is designed to refine the maneuvers of multiple robots and integrate the information with spacecraft systems.
Potential benefits of this technology include improved accuracy and reliability of systems for guidance, navigation, and control that could be applied to docking crewed spacecraft in orbit and remotely operating multiple robots on the lunar or Martian surface.

During spaceflight, especially long-duration missions, concentrations of airborne particles must be kept within ranges safe for crew health and hardware performance. The Aerosol Monitors investigation tests three different air quality monitors to determine which is best suited to protect crew health and ensure mission success.
The investigation also tests a device for distinguishing between smoke and dust. Aboard the orbital outpost, the presence of dust can cause false smoke alarms that require crew member response. Reducing false alarms could save valuable crew time while continuing to protect astronaut safety.

The newest Industrial Crystallization Cassette (ADSEP-ICC) investigation adds capabilities to an existing protein crystallization facility. The cassette can process more sample types, including tiny gold particles used in devices that detect cancer and other diseases or in targeted drug delivery systems. Microgravity makes it possible to produce larger and more uniform gold particles, which improves their use in research and real-life applications of technologies related to human health.

The DNA Nano Therapeutics-Mission 2 produces a special type of molecule formed by DNA-inspired, customizable building blocks known as Janus base nanomaterials. It also evaluates how well the materials reduce joint inflammation and whether they can help regenerate cartilage lost due to arthritis. These materials are less toxic, more stable, and more compatible with living tissues than current drug delivery technologies.
Environmental influences such as gravity can affect the quality of these materials and delivery systems. In microgravity, they are larger and have greater uniformity and structural integrity. This investigation could help identify the best formulations and methods for cost-effective in-space production. These nanomaterials also could be used to create novel systems targeting therapy delivery that improves patient outcomes with fewer side effects.

The Rhodium USAFA NIGHT payload examines how tomato plants respond to microgravity and whether a carbon dioxide replacement can reduce how much space-grown plants depend on photosynthesis. Because photosynthesis needs light, which requires spacecraft power to generate, alternatives would reduce energy use.
The investigation also examines whether using supplements increases plant growth on the space station, which has been observed in preflight testing on Earth. In future plant production facilities aboard spacecraft or on celestial bodies, supplements could come from available organic materials such as waste.
Understanding how plants adapt to microgravity could help grow food during long-duration space missions or harsh environments on Earth.

An ESA (European Space Agency) investigation, Atomic Clock Ensemble in Space (ACES), examines fundamental physics concepts such as Einstein’s theory of relativity using two next-generation atomic clocks operated in microgravity. Results have applications to scientific measurement studies, the search for dark matter, and fundamental physics research that relies on highly accurate atomic clocks in space. The experiment also tests a technology for synchronizing clocks worldwide using global navigation satellite networks.

Launch:

Catalytic Reactor – The catalytic reactor replacement unit oxidizes volatile organics from the wastewater so they can be removed by the gas separator and ion exchange bed replacement units as part of the station’s water recycling system. This unit failed in orbit and is being returned for analysis and refurbishment. This unit is being launched as an in-orbit spare.
Food Reach Tool Assembly – An L-shaped, hand-held tool that allows crew members to reach packages in the back of the food warmer without having to insert their hands. This tool is launching to replace a unit in orbit.

Reducer Cylinder Assembly – A cylinder tank that provides 15 minutes of oxygen to a crew member in case of an emergency. Launching two units as in-orbit spares.

Thermal Expansion Device – A device used to allow for thermal expansion of water within the Hydrogen Dome while it is being removed and replaced. Launching to maintain minimum in-orbit spares.

Return:

Urine Processor Assembly Pressure Control and Pump Assembly – This multi-tube purge pump enables the removal of non-condensable gas and water vapor from the distillation assembly within the greater urine processing assembly subsystem. This unit is returning to the ground for repair and refurbishment in support of the legacy environmental control and life support system fleet.

Assembly Contingency Transmitter Receiver Assembly – A part of the S-Band Radio Frequency Group, this assembly is a pressurized enclosure that contains electronics for this upper-level assembly. The Radio Frequency Group is used for command, control, and transmission communication for the space station. It was retrieved by NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore during US EVA 92 and will return for repair.

High Gain Antenna Feed Assembly – Part of the S-Band Radio Frequency Group, this system features a two-axis, gimballed assembly with a pedestal and a large horn antenna. It was retrieved by NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore during U.S. spacewalk 92 and will return for repair.

Low Gain Antenna Sub-Assembly – Part of the S-Band Radio Frequency Group, this sub-assembly consists of a helix antenna that provides a wide field of signal transmission capability. It was retrieved by NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore during U.S. spacewalk 92 and will return for repair.

Planar Reflector Assembly – With an aluminum base and reflective element, visiting spacecraft reflect a laser to compute relative range, velocity, and attitude to the space station. This broken unit was retrieved and replaced by NASA astronaut Suni Williams during U.S. spacewalk 91 and will return for repair.

Multifiltration Bed – Supporting the water processor assembly, this spare unit will continue the International Space Station program’s effort to replace a degraded fleet of units in-orbit that improve water quality through a single bed. This unit will return for refurbishment and re-flight.

Live coverage of the launch from NASA Kennedy will air at 3:55 a.m. on NASA+..
For additional information on the mission, visit: https://www.nasa.gov/mission/nasas-spacex-crs-32/

MIL OSI USA News –

April 17, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: ACP Statement on Offshore Wind Energy Stop Work Order

Source: American Clean Power Association (ACP)

Headline: ACP Statement on Offshore Wind Energy Stop Work Order

WASHINGTON D.C., April 16, 2025 — The American Clean Power Association (ACP) issued the following statement from ACP CEO Jason Grumet after the Department of the Interior issued a stop work order for offshore wind project construction activity impacting the Empire Wind 1 project (15-30 miles south of Long Island):
“Halting construction of fully permitted energy projects is the literal opposite of an energy abundance agenda. With skyrocketing energy demand and increasing consumer prices, we need streamlined permitting for all domestic energy resources. Doubling back to reconsider permits after projects are under construction sends a chilling signal to all energy investment.
“These political reversals are bad policy, whether applied to pipelines or wind farms. We encourage the Administration to quickly address perceived inadequacies in the prior permit approvals so that this project can complete construction and bring much needed power to the grid. At the end of the day, reliable energy systems depend on reliable political systems.”

MIL OSI Economics –

April 17, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: The sunny side of green energy

Source: European Investment Bank

A combination of characteristics makes Chile a potential leader in the production of green hydrogen in Latin America and the Caribbean (alongside Brazil and Colombia).

Green hydrogen is produced using electrolysers, which split water into hydrogen and oxygen through a process that requires substantial electricity. To qualify as green, this electricity must come entirely from renewable energy sources.

“Around 65% of the cost of green hydrogen production is related to electricity,” explains Enrique Rodriguez Flores, an energy transition specialist at the European Investment Bank. “The electricity needs to be green, so we look for places with the best renewable energy conditions for electricity generation. Wind and solar are intermittent by nature, but in some areas of Chile, especially in Patagonia in the south and in Atacama in the north, the conditions are so good that they offer a degree of stability.”

Chile also has political and economic stability. “Promoting billions of euros in private investment requires a secure environment for making investments,” Rodriguez Flores says. “This includes regulation, government support and other such aspects.”

The Green Hydrogen Fund for Chile – a Team Europe initiative by the European Investment Bank, the German development bank KfW and the EU delegation in Chile – will support a wide range of hydrogen projects, from water desalination and renewable power generation to storage and transport. As part of this initiative, the European Investment Bank is providing a €100 million loan to Chile to support private sector projects.

“The plan is to have the private sector develop green hydrogen, initially with the support from the public sector, via subsidies and other support from multilateral development banks, which offer more than just financing,” says Gorriño Larrañaga, the EIB loan officer. “They also offer their expertise and high environmental and social standards.”

MIL OSI Europe News –

April 17, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Negative impact of wind farms on the environment – E-001434/2025
Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-001434/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Kosma Złotowski (ECR)

The problem of birds and bats being killed by wind turbines is nothing new. Protected species are also among the birds that die in wind turbine collisions.

On 7 April 2025, a French court in Montpellier ruled that a wind farm in Aumelas in Hérault would have to suspend operations for four months for this very reason, and the company that owns the farm was fined. Last year, furthermore, a court in Nîmes ruled that a wind farm in Bernagues in the Grands Causses in Hérault had to be dismantled due to the damage it causes to the environment.

In this context, the EU Wind Power Action Plan may have a number of negative effects on the natural environment and lead to additional costs for wind farm operators.

1.Is the Commission monitoring cases involving onshore wind farms having an adverse impact on the environment and protected species, and if so, how large is the scale of this phenomenon, and have any EU-funded wind energy investments been suspended because of this?

2.Does the Commission have any estimates of how possible fines for environmental damage imposed by European courts could affect the prices of electricity from wind farms?

3.In the Commission’s view, what is the safe distance from valuable nature sites, nature reserves, parks, forests (especially Natura 2000 sites), but also buildings or houses, at which wind farms can be built without adverse consequences for the environment and human health?

Submitted: 9.4.2025
Last updated: 16 April 2025
MIL OSI Europe News –
April 17, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: India poised to become a trusted bridge of global connectivity through India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC): Shri Piyush Goyal

Source: Government of India

India poised to become a trusted bridge of global connectivity through India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC): Shri Piyush Goyal

IMEC to reduce logistics costs by up to 30% and transportation time by 40%, boosting global trade: Shri Goyal

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal addresses High-Level Roundtable on IMEC

Posted On: 16 APR 2025 10:52PM by PIB Delhi

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal addressed the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) High-Level Roundtable on Connectivity and Economic Growth in New Delhi today.

Shri Goyal said that the IMEC is a powerful endorsement of the leadership and partnership of India and Middle East and East Europe a very forward and visionary concept that has caught the fancy of the world, he noted.

The Minister stated that IMEC is not merely a trade route, but a modern-day Silk Route — a partnership of equals — that fosters synergy, connectivity, and inclusive prosperity. “It will bring down logistics costs by up to 30%, reduce transportation time by 40%, and create seamless trade linkages across continents,” he said. “We will not only be linking trade; we will be linking civilizations and cultures — from Southeast Asia to the Gulf, from the Middle East to Central Europe.”

Highlighting its potential reach, Shri Goyal added that IMEC could even enhance connectivity to Africa through the Middle East. The corridor would include railways, roadways, energy pipelines, and clean energy infrastructure, including undersea cables. “India is already in discussions with Singapore on clean energy transmission. We are also engaged in dialogue with Saudi Arabia and the UAE,” he shared.

Shri Goyal underscored the corridor’s emphasis on sustainability and digital connectivity. “This initiative respects sovereignty and territorial integrity. It is not about dominance or creating economic unions. It is a partnership built on mutual trust, inclusivity and sustainability,” he said.

He further outlined five key suggestions as a way forward for the IMEC initiative. First, Shri Goyal stressed the importance of viewing IMEC through the lens of a Public-Private Partnership (PPP). He emphasized that leaving the initiative solely to the government would limit its efficiency and financial viability. Instead, he called for a collaborative model where the private sector leads, bringing to the table its real-world expertise, needs, and innovative capabilities. This approach, he noted, would ensure smarter and more cost-effective planning, as the private sector can propose solutions that reflect practical utility. It would also allow policymakers to think systematically while the private sector introduces flexibility and innovation, ensuring the corridor remains viable, efficient, and sustainable in its execution.

Second, he highlighted the need to focus on Regulatory Connectivity, going beyond just physical infrastructure. Shri Goyal advocated for greater alignment in trade processes, customs procedures, and paperwork among participating nations. He cited India’s ongoing regulatory collaboration with the UAE as an example and pointed out that successful implementation of the corridor would require seamless cross-border movement without excessive checkpoints. Interoperable systems, digitization, electric vehicle charging ecosystems, and synchronized regulations would be key to unlocking economies of scale. He suggested that common digital payment systems, such as India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI), could serve as a model for enabling seamless financial transactions. With periodic settlement in globally accepted reserve currencies, such mechanisms could reduce transactional friction and banking costs. He proposed that such innovations, combined with virtual trade corridor frameworks like the India-UAE initiative, could be extended through IMEC. These would support broader agreements such as FTAs with GCC and EU countries and bolster joint work in green hydrogen, renewable energy, and supply chain resilience.

Third, Shri Goyal underlined the need for Innovative Financing Models to support both the development of the corridor and the trade it will generate. He called for active involvement of multilateral financial agencies and suggested exploring instruments like green bonds and the creation of long-term “IMEC Bonds”, to fund this transcontinental infrastructure in a sustainable and future-proof manner.

Fourth, he recommended active engagement with industry bodies and trade associations, asserting that their insights are essential for designing a corridor that aligns with the real needs of businesses. Such collaboration would help identify existing bottlenecks, promote best practices, and better integrate economies by removing trade frictions.

Lastly, Shri Goyal proposed bringing in Think Tanks and Academia to the visioning and design process. These institutions, he noted, bring creativity, research strength, and long-term thinking. Their involvement would support policy advocacy, contribute to out-of-the-box solutions, and assist in capacity-building efforts along the corridor. He called this a well-rounded package of five initiatives that could help IMEC evolve into a robust, viable, and inclusive project. Reiterating India’s clear and committed vision, he said the country is ready to act as a trusted, reliable bridge connecting regions and catalyzing global cooperation, under the guiding spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — the world is one family.

***

Abhishek Dayal/ Nihi Sharma/ Ishita Biswas

(Release ID: 2122299) Visitor Counter : 52

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

April 17, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: As a major breakthrough in shipping transport and inland waterway transport, Vice President CSIR and Minister Dr Jitendra Singh hails India’s first indigenously developed hydrogen fuel sea vessel; describes it as a success story emanating from the joint effort of public and private sectors:

Source: Government of India

As a major breakthrough in shipping transport and inland waterway transport, Vice President CSIR and Minister Dr Jitendra Singh hails India’s first indigenously developed hydrogen fuel sea vessel; describes it as a success story emanating from the joint effort of public and private sectors:

The Minister calls upon the CSIR authorities to continue strengthening the industry linkages, scale up innovations for societal impact:

Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of Science and Technology Reviews CSIR Activities; Lauds Breakthroughs under NMITLI Programme

Pushing forward the Atmanirbhar Bharat Vision envisaged by PM Sh Narendra Modi, Dr. Jitendra Singh Underscores the Need for Self-Reliance in Science, Technology and innovation

Posted On: 16 APR 2025 6:31PM by PIB Delhi

As a major breakthrough in shipping transport and inland waterway transport, Union Minister of Science & Technology and Vice President CSIR (Council of Scientific & Industrial Research) Dr Jitendra Singh has hailed India’s first indigenously developed hydrogen fuel sea vessel.

Describing it as a success story emanating from the joint effort of public and private sectors, the Minister disclosed that the country’s first indigenous green hydrogen fuel cell inland waterway vessel, which may later pave the the way for hydrogen fuel driven larger sea vessels or ships, was developed by Cochin Shipyard Ltd featuring a hydrogen fuel cell-based drivetrain built by KPIT, drawing upon the foundational work enabled by the CSIR.

Dr. Jitendra Singh was convening a high-level meeting today to review the ongoing initiatives and achievements of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). The meeting was attended by all Heads of CSIR Directorates, the Joint Secretary and Financial Adviser, CSIR.

Director General, CSIR, Dr. N. Kalaiselvi presented a detailed overview of CSIR’s current research activities, recent technological advancements, and collaborative engagements with industry. During the discussions, the Minister emphasized the importance of aligning CSIR’s scientific pursuits with the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for a Atma Nirbhar, especially in critical technology domains where indigenous development is key.

The Minister lauded the CSIR-New Millennium Indian Technology Leadership Initiative (NMITLI), calling it a unique example of collaborative innovation in the public-private space. As India’s largest publicly funded, industry-oriented R&D programme, NMITLI brings together top institutions, industrial partners, and research labs to pursue high-risk technological ventures with the potential for national impact.

Dr. Jitendra Singh particularly appreciated two recent breakthroughs supported under the NMITLI programme. The first is the development and commercialization of CSIR-TECHNOS Raman Spectrometers (CTR-300 and CTR-150), achieved through a partnership between CSIR–Advanced Materials and Processes Research Institute (CSIR–AMPRI), Bhopal, and M/s TechnoS Instruments, Jaipur.

These high-end Raman spectrometers, approved for marketing in January 2022, represent a significant milestone in India’s scientific instrumentation capabilities. Eleven units of indigenous Raman Spectrometers have been supplied across the country to date, demonstrating growing national adoption of this indigenous technology.

The second highlighted success, Dr Jitendra Singh noted, was the development of fuel cell technology under the Industry-Originated NMITLI programme. In this initiative, KPIT collaborated with CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL) Pune and CSIR-Central Electrochemical Research Institute (CSIR-CECRI) to develop and demonstrate low-temperature PEM fuel cell systems. The expertise developed through this collaboration has since been translated into applications for the marine, defence, and automotive sectors. A major outcome of this effort was the launch of the country’s first indigenous green hydrogen fuel cell inland waterway vessel by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, under the Harit Nauka initiative. The vessel, developed by Cochin Shipyard Ltd., features a hydrogen fuel cell-based drivetrain built by KPIT, drawing upon the foundational work enabled by CSIR.

Dr. Jitendra Singh underscored that these achievements exemplify the role of CSIR in driving technology-led growth and contributing to India’s self-reliance in frontier areas.

The Minister called upon the CSIR authorities to continue strengthening the industry linkages, scale up innovations for societal impact and pursue bold R&D initiatives aligned with national priorities.

***

NKR/PSM

(Release ID: 2122190) Visitor Counter : 17

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

April 17, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: New form of dark matter could solve decades-old Milky Way mystery

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Shyam Balaji, Postdoctoral Research Fellow of Physics, King’s College London

Susan Stolovy (SSC/Caltech) et al., NASA SPitzer/IRAC

Astronomers have long been puzzled by two strange phenomena at the heart of our galaxy. First, the gas in the central molecular zone (CMZ), a dense and chaotic region near the Milky Way’s core, appears to be ionised (meaning it is electrically charged because it has lost electrons) at a surprisingly high rate.

Second, telescopes have detected a mysterious glow of gamma rays with an energy of 511 kilo-electronvolts (keV) (which corresponds to the energy of an electron at rest).

Interestingly, such gamma rays are produced when an electron and its antimatter counterpart (all fundamental charged particles have antimatter versions of themselves that are near identical, but with opposite charge), the positron, collide and annihilate in a flash of light.

The causes of both effects have remained unclear, despite decades of observation. But in a new study, published in Physical Review Letters, we show that both could be linked to one of the most elusive ingredients in the universe: dark matter. In particular, we propose that a new form of dark matter, less massive than the types astronomers typically look for, could be the culprit.

Hidden process

The CMZ spans almost 700 light years and contains some of the most dense molecular gas in the galaxy. Over the years, scientists have found that this region is unusually ionised, meaning the hydrogen molecules there are being split into charged particles (electrons and nuclei) at a much faster rate than expected.

This could be the result of sources such as cosmic rays and star light that bombard the gas. However, these alone don’t seem to be able to account for the observed levels.

The other mystery, the 511keV emission, was first observed in the 1970s, but still has no clearly identified source. Several candidates have been proposed, including supernovas, massive stars, black holes and neutron stars. However, none fully explain the pattern or intensity of the emission.

We asked a simple question: could both phenomena be caused by the same hidden process?

Dark matter makes up around 85% of the matter in the universe, but it does not emit or absorb light. While its gravitational effects are clear, scientists do not yet know what it is made of.

One possibility, often overlooked, is that dark matter particles could be very light, with masses just a few million electronvolts, far lighter than a proton, and still play a cosmic role. These light dark matter candidates are generally called sub-GeV (giga electronvolts) dark matter particles.

Such dark matter particles may interact with their antiparticles. In our work, we studied what would happen if these light dark matter particles come in contact with their own antiparticles in the galactic centre and annihilate each other, producing electrons and positrons.

In the dense gas of the CMZ, these low-energy particles would quickly lose energy and ionise the surrounding hydrogen molecules very efficiently by knocking off their electrons. Because the region is so dense, the particles would not travel far. Instead, they would deposit most of their energy locally, which matches the observed ionisation profile quite well.

Using detailed simulations, we found that this simple process, dark matter particles annihilating into electrons and positrons, can naturally explain the ionisation rates observed in the CMZ.

Even better, the required properties of the dark matter, such as its mass and interaction strength, do not conflict with any known constraints from the early universe. Dark matter of this kind appears to be a serious option.

The positron puzzle

If dark matter is creating positrons in the CMZ, those particles will eventually slow down and eventually annihilate with electrons in the environment, producing gamma-rays at exactly 511keV energy. This would provide a direct link between the ionisation and the mysterious glow.

We found that while dark matter can explain the ionisation, it may also be able to replicate some amount of 511keV radiation as well. This striking finding suggests that the two signals may potentially originate from the same source, light dark matter.

The exact brightness of the 511keV line depends on several factors, including how efficiently positrons form bound states with electrons and where exactly they annihilate though. These details are still uncertain.

A new way to test the invisible

Regardless of whether the 511keV emission and the CMZ ionisation share a common source, the ionisation rate in the CMZ is emerging as a valuable new observation to study dark matter. In particular, it provides a way to test models involving light dark matter particles, which are difficult to detect using traditional laboratory experiments.

Move observations of the Milky Way could help test theories of dark matter.
ESO/Y. Beletsky, CC BY-SA

In our study, we showed that the predicted ionisation profile from dark matter is remarkably flat across the CMZ. This is important, because the observed ionisation is indeed spread relatively evenly.

Point sources such as the black hole at the centre of the galaxy or cosmic ray sources like supernovas (exploding stars) cannot easily explain this. But a smoothly distributed dark matter halo can.

Our findings suggest that the centre of the Milky Way may offer new clues about the fundamental nature of dark matter.

Future telescopes with better resolution will be able to provide more information on the spatial distribution and relationships between the 511 keV line and the CMZ ionisation rate. Meanwhile, continued observations of the CMZ may help rule out, or strengthen, the dark matter explanation.

Either way, these strange signals from the heart of the galaxy remind us that the universe is still full of surprises. Sometimes, looking inward, to the dynamic, glowing centre of our own galaxy, reveals the most unexpected hints of what lies beyond.

Shyam Balaji receives funding from the STFC under grant ST/X000753/1. He is affiliated with King’s College London.

– ref. New form of dark matter could solve decades-old Milky Way mystery – https://theconversation.com/new-form-of-dark-matter-could-solve-decades-old-milky-way-mystery-252194

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

April 17, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Oilfield Company, Its Executive, and a Support Services Company Plead Guilty and Are Sentenced for Worker Safety, Clean Air Act, and Safe Drinking Water Act Violations Resulting in the Death of an Employee and His Spouse

Source: US State of North Dakota

Aghorn Operating and Kodiak Roustabout to Pay $1.4M in Criminal Fines; Aghorn VP to Serve Five Months in Prison

Aghorn Operating Inc., an oilfield company, Trent Day, an executive of Aghorn, and Kodiak Roustabout Inc., entered guilty pleas and were sentenced yesterday in relation to criminal worker safety and federal clean air and safe drinking water violations. According to court documents, Aghorn owns and operates oil wells in and near Odessa, Texas. Odessa is in the Permian basin where oil reserves are “sour,” meaning they have high hydrogen sulfide content. Hydrogen sulfide gas can be deadly at high concentrations.

The case leading to these pleas is the result of an investigation of the Oct. 26, 2019, death of Aghorn employee Jacob Dean and his wife Natalee Dean. Both were overcome by hydrogen sulfide at an Aghorn facility in Odessa.

Day agreed to plead guilty to a Clean Air Act (CAA) negligent endangerment charge and serve five months in prison. Aghorn pleaded guilty to CAA negligent endangerment and an Occupational Safety and Health Act willful violation count for the death of Jacob Dean. Kodiak pleaded guilty to a felony violation of the Safe Drinking Water Act for falsifying oil well integrity tests. Aghorn will pay a $1 million criminal fine and Kodiak will pay a $400,000 criminal fine. These pleas were made under agreements the defendants entered into with the United States. Under the agreements, other pending charges will be dismissed. Yesterday, the court accepted the defendants’ guilty pleas and sentenced them in accordance with their plea agreements.

“Through these guilty pleas, the defendants accept responsibility for allowing hazards that should have been prevented,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “If they had done what the law requires, Jacob and Natalee might still be with us today. The Justice Department can’t stand by when employers put workers at such risk.”

“Energy production is vital, but it must be done competently and lawfully,” said Acting Assistant Administrator Jeffrey Hall of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “Operators who gravely endanger and kill others and those who lie to the government will be held accountable for their criminal conduct. EPA’s criminal investigation of these tragic deaths led to today’s plea deal.”

According to a factual statement accepted by Day and Aghorn, Jacob Dean responded to a call to check a pump at an Aghorn facility. There, he encountered deadly hydrogen sulfide gas, was overcome, and died. His wife, Natalee Dean, knew where Jacob had gone and started calling him when he did not return in a timely manner. When those calls went unanswered, Natalee drove to the facility. When Natalee arrived at the facility, she was also overcome while looking for Jacob and died.

Trent Day admitted that he should have controlled hydrogen sulfide emissions as part of his duties and that because he did not, he placed others in imminent danger of death. Aghorn admitted the same criminal negligence and to a separate charge that it willfully violated the Occupational Safety and Health Act regulations requiring companies to implement respiratory protection programs to address hazards like those at the facility. In addition to paying a $1 million fine, the company will maintain a set of improvements it made after the tragedy during its period of probation.

The investigation also uncovered false statements by Kodiak about injection well testing related to Aghorn’s oil operations. The mechanical integrity of an injection well must be evaluated by conducting pressure tests. These tests are part of programs under the Safe Drinking Water Act to prevent leaks from those wells. Such leaks could, under some circumstances, contaminate groundwater. In its plea agreement, Kodiak admitted that it sent forms and charts to the Texas Railroad Commission, claiming they were tests for specific wells when Kodiak knew they were not actual records of tests of those wells. Kodiak, in addition to its $400,000 fine, will guarantee that at least 33 tests conducted for Aghorn wells during its year of probation are witnessed or conducted by a third party.

The EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division investigated the case. The Justice Department and EPA would like to thank the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the Texas Railroad Commission, Ector County Environmental, and the Odessa Fire Department for their support of the investigation.

Senior Trial Attorney Christopher Costantini, Trial Attorney Mark Romley, and Assistant Section Chief Thomas T. Ballantine of ENRD’s Environmental Crimes Section are prosecuting the case.

MIL OSI USA News –

April 17, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Oilfield Company, Its Executive, and a Support Services Company Plead Guilty and Are Sentenced for Worker Safety, Clean Air Act, and Safe Drinking Water Act Violations Resulting in the Death of an Employee and His Spouse

Source: United States Attorneys General 1

Aghorn Operating and Kodiak Roustabout to Pay $1.4M in Criminal Fines; Aghorn VP to Serve Five Months in Prison

Aghorn Operating Inc., an oilfield company, Trent Day, an executive of Aghorn, and Kodiak Roustabout Inc., entered guilty pleas and were sentenced yesterday in relation to criminal worker safety and federal clean air and safe drinking water violations. According to court documents, Aghorn owns and operates oil wells in and near Odessa, Texas. Odessa is in the Permian basin where oil reserves are “sour,” meaning they have high hydrogen sulfide content. Hydrogen sulfide gas can be deadly at high concentrations.

The case leading to these pleas is the result of an investigation of the Oct. 26, 2019, death of Aghorn employee Jacob Dean and his wife Natalee Dean. Both were overcome by hydrogen sulfide at an Aghorn facility in Odessa.

Day agreed to plead guilty to a Clean Air Act (CAA) negligent endangerment charge and serve five months in prison. Aghorn pleaded guilty to CAA negligent endangerment and an Occupational Safety and Health Act willful violation count for the death of Jacob Dean. Kodiak pleaded guilty to a felony violation of the Safe Drinking Water Act for falsifying oil well integrity tests. Aghorn will pay a $1 million criminal fine and Kodiak will pay a $400,000 criminal fine. These pleas were made under agreements the defendants entered into with the United States. Under the agreements, other pending charges will be dismissed. Yesterday, the court accepted the defendants’ guilty pleas and sentenced them in accordance with their plea agreements.

“Through these guilty pleas, the defendants accept responsibility for allowing hazards that should have been prevented,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “If they had done what the law requires, Jacob and Natalee might still be with us today. The Justice Department can’t stand by when employers put workers at such risk.”

“Energy production is vital, but it must be done competently and lawfully,” said Acting Assistant Administrator Jeffrey Hall of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “Operators who gravely endanger and kill others and those who lie to the government will be held accountable for their criminal conduct. EPA’s criminal investigation of these tragic deaths led to today’s plea deal.”

According to a factual statement accepted by Day and Aghorn, Jacob Dean responded to a call to check a pump at an Aghorn facility. There, he encountered deadly hydrogen sulfide gas, was overcome, and died. His wife, Natalee Dean, knew where Jacob had gone and started calling him when he did not return in a timely manner. When those calls went unanswered, Natalee drove to the facility. When Natalee arrived at the facility, she was also overcome while looking for Jacob and died.

Trent Day admitted that he should have controlled hydrogen sulfide emissions as part of his duties and that because he did not, he placed others in imminent danger of death. Aghorn admitted the same criminal negligence and to a separate charge that it willfully violated the Occupational Safety and Health Act regulations requiring companies to implement respiratory protection programs to address hazards like those at the facility. In addition to paying a $1 million fine, the company will maintain a set of improvements it made after the tragedy during its period of probation.

The investigation also uncovered false statements by Kodiak about injection well testing related to Aghorn’s oil operations. The mechanical integrity of an injection well must be evaluated by conducting pressure tests. These tests are part of programs under the Safe Drinking Water Act to prevent leaks from those wells. Such leaks could, under some circumstances, contaminate groundwater. In its plea agreement, Kodiak admitted that it sent forms and charts to the Texas Railroad Commission, claiming they were tests for specific wells when Kodiak knew they were not actual records of tests of those wells. Kodiak, in addition to its $400,000 fine, will guarantee that at least 33 tests conducted for Aghorn wells during its year of probation are witnessed or conducted by a third party.

The EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division investigated the case. The Justice Department and EPA would like to thank the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the Texas Railroad Commission, Ector County Environmental, and the Odessa Fire Department for their support of the investigation.

Senior Trial Attorney Christopher Costantini, Trial Attorney Mark Romley, and Assistant Section Chief Thomas T. Ballantine of ENRD’s Environmental Crimes Section are prosecuting the case.

MIL Security OSI –

April 17, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: U.S. energy consumption growth decreases in the near term in the latest AEO

Source: US Energy Information Administration

In-brief analysis

April 15, 2025

U.S. energy consumption decreases in the next several years before increasing again in the early 2040s through 2050, according to our recently published Annual Energy Outlook 2025 (AEO2025). U.S. energy consumption in 2050 is lower than in 2024 in most of the scenarios we explore in AEO2025, but the range of outcomes varies significantly based on the underlying assumptions.

For AEO2025, we made significant updates to the model that underpins the results, adding a hydrogen market module; a carbon capture, allocation, transportation, and sequestration module; and an enhanced upstream oil and natural gas resources module. We also enhanced many existing modules to better reflect market dynamics and emerging technologies.

Our policy assumptions are central to understanding our AEO2025 projections. In most of the cases we modeled, we only considered laws and regulations implemented as of December 2024. Legislation, regulations, executive actions, and court rulings after that date are not included.

You can view and chart the full results on the AEO2025 web page.

In addition to our usual Reference case and eight side cases, we have included two alternative policy cases this year to examine the effects of electricity and transportation sector policies implemented since our last AEO.

Principal contributors: Office of Energy Analysis staff

MIL OSI USA News –

April 17, 2025

MIL-OSI: Questor Announces December 31, 2024 Results

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

CALGARY, Alberta, April 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Questor Technology Inc. (“Questor” or the “Company”) (TSX-V: QST) announced today its financial and operating results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2024.

Questor’s audited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2024 are available on the Company’s website at www.questortech.com/quarterly-reports and at www.sedarplus.ca.

Unless otherwise noted, all financial figures are presented in Canadian dollars, prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards and are unaudited for the three months ended December 31, 2024.

FOURTH QUARTER AND 2024 CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL RESULTS

	Three months ended December 31,		Twelve months ended December 31,
For the	2024	2023	2024	2023
(Stated in CDN $)
Revenue	1,775,892	1,445,128	4,520,580	7,190,871
Gross profit	595,405	738,031	1,233,410	2,730,907
Adjusted EBITA⁽¹⁾	5,246	152,543	(1,450,452)	488,787
Loss for the period	(1,041,393)	(891,982)	(3,233,997)	(4,806,412)
Loss per share – basic and diluted	(0.04)	(0.03)	(0.12)	(0.17)

As at			December 31, 2024		December 31, 2023
(Stated in CDN $)
Working capital⁽²⁾			7,570,934	11,844,178
Total assets			24,090,332	27,125,820
Total equity			21,110,076	24,357,652

⁽¹⁾Non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section at the end of this MD&A.
⁽²⁾Working capital is defined as total current assets less total current liabilities.

Revenue for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2024 was $1.8 million and $4.5 million compared to $1.4 million and $7.2 million for the same periods in 2023. The reduction was mainly attributed to a strategic shift in Questor’s business focus towards the international market. Questor’s USA sales team was hired in the second half of 2024 with a focus on rebuilding rental and sales revenue lost primarily due to merger and acquisition activity combined with regulatory changes in the space over the past few years. The revenue focus is primarily in the Permian basin, Colorado, North Dakota, New Mexico and Wyoming. The company is exploring potential rental opportunities in Mexico, with rental activities set to begin in Q1 2025. While short-term results were impacted by the change in our client base combined with regulatory changes, our refreshed focus on global markets with opportunities to eliminate methane and VOC emissions will position the Company for stronger, more diversified and ultimately more sustainable growth in the long term. As at the date of this press release, the Company has secured $4.5 million of committed equipment sales revenue, expected to be fulfilled in the first half of 2025.

Gross profit as a percentage of revenue for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2024 was 34 percent and 27 percent compared to 51 percent and 38 percent for the same periods in 2023. The reduction for the twelve and three months ended December 31, 2024 compared to the prior periods is mainly due to a lower revenue, where the Company continues to incur fixed costs and due to the revenue and sales mix. Additionally, 2024 cost of sales expense benefited from the absence of a $0.2 million valuation allowance for slow-moving inventory, which was recognized in 2023.

Adjusted EBITDA for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2024 was nil and negative $1.5 million, compared to positive $0.2 million and $0.5 million for the same periods in 2023. The reduction in Adjusted EBITDA is mainly due to lower revenue, where the Company continues to incur operational and administrative fixed costs.

The Company continues to have a strong financial position at December 31, 2024 including cash and cash equivalents of $5.3 million, $1.7 million of highly liquid short-term investments, and working capital of $7.6 million.

2024 HIGHLIGHTS AND SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

In the fourth quarter of 2024, Questor received the final payment of $1,393,246 for the milestone one of the Waste Heat to Power project from Sustainable Development Technology Canada (“SDTC”).

The construction of the 1500kW waste heat to power prototype neared completion in Q4, with final testing underway in Q1 2025. Commissioning is scheduled to begin in Q2 2025. Meanwhile, Questor has advanced negotiations and preparations for the prototype’s field demonstration, with the field deployment expected in the second half of 2025.

On February 9, 2024, Questor commenced Normal Course Issuer Bid (“NCIB”) allowing Questor to purchase a maximum of 1,400,000 common shares over the 12-month period for cancellation. NCIB is effective until the earliest of (i) February 7, 2025, (ii) the Company purchasing the maximum of 1,400,000 Shares, and (iii) the Company terminating the NCIB. In connection with the current NCIB, Questor entered into an automatic share purchase plan (“ASPP”) with its designated broker to enable the purchase of shares during blackout periods during which the Company would not ordinarily be permitted to purchase shares. Purchases under the ASPP during those periods are determined by the designated broker in its sole discretion based on the purchasing parameters set by Questor in accordance with the rules of the TSX Venture Exchange, applicable securities laws and the terms of the ASPP. Outside of the periods noted above, purchases under the current NCIB are completed at Questor’s discretion. As of December 31, 2024 under the current NCIB and the instructions in place with the broker, Questor purchased for cancellation of 671,500 shares for the weighted average of $0.48. Subsequent to the year-end, the Company’s NCIB expired and was formally concluded on February 7, 2025. As a result of the NCIB, which was active from February 9, 2024 to February 7, 2025, the Company repurchased and cancelled a total of 731,500 shares at a weighted average price of $0.47 per share.

In the first quarter of 2025, Questor announced a $0.9 million purchase order to supply clean combustion solutions for managing railcar vapours at Caltrax Inc.’s Calgary facility. During the same period, the company also secured a $2.4 million contract in Iraq, marking the second unit supplied in the MENA region for a leading global exploration and production company focused on reducing flaring and methane emissions.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

The global regulatory landscape for emissions is rapidly evolving, with increasing pressure from regulators, courts, investors, and the public to reduce flaring and venting in industrial operations. As a result, Questor is seeing significant global interest in our technology solutions to help address these critical challenges.

Flaring and venting not only waste valuable resources but also contribute significantly to air pollution. This practice releases methane, hydrocarbons, fine particulates (PM2.5), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, formaldehyde, and acetaldehyde into the atmosphere. These harmful pollutants have been directly linked to higher cancer rates, respiratory diseases, and other chronic health conditions. Methane, in particular, is a climate “super pollutant” with 86 times the warming potential of carbon dioxide over 20 years. It is responsible for 30% of observed global warming to date, making it a key target for climate change mitigation.

At Questor, we offer proven solutions to combat these challenges. Our ISO 14034-certified thermal oxidizer achieves a 99.99% combustion efficiency, ensuring that our clients can demonstrate compliance with emissions standards and eliminate the release of harmful pollutants. This clean combustion technology significantly reduces health risks in surrounding communities, including respiratory illnesses and cancers. Additionally, our organic Rankine cycle (ORC) repurposes heat from methane combustion, creating a revenue stream that offsets the costs of achieving net-zero carbon dioxide equivalent emissions.

Many major oil and gas producers have pledged to reduce flaring, venting, and methane emissions while working toward net-zero goals. Questor’s innovative combination of clean combustion and waste heat-to-power technology enables our clients to meet these all these commitments at a net-zero cost.

Questor’s multi-year strategy to intentionally diversify revenue streams globally has focussed on those jurisdictions that have created favorable conditions that have considered the environmental and social impacts of energy production and want to grow their future production in a sustainable manner. As an example, the Iraq contract awarded early 2025 in partnership with OilSERV was for TotalEnergies EP Ratawi Hub, as a part of the multi-energy Gas Growth Integrated Project (GGIP) operated by TotalEnergies. The GGIP is designed to enhance the development of Iraq’s natural resources to improve the country’s electricity supply. This 4-in-1 project comprises the recovery of gas that is currently flared at three oil fields in southern Iraq to supply electric power plants, the redevelopment of the Ratawi oil field, the construction of a 1 GWac (1.25GWp) solar farm and of a seawater treatment plant. The Questor Q5000 Unit will initially treat 2.1 MMSCFD of associated gas during the pilot phase. Subsequently, the unit will treat an additional 1.2 to 2 MMSCFD of low-pressure gas, maximizing the Q5000’s potential and reducing site GHG emissions in the frame of AGUP Phase 1 development. This is the second unit that TotalEnergies has purchased in the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region. TotalEnergies exemplifies the ideal partner for Questor’s solutions, utilizing our thermal oxidizer to reduce methane and VOC emissions, and the future potential of utilizing waste-heat in the GGIP and converting it to power with our 1.5MW Organic Rankin Cycle (ORC) generator.

To accelerate global adoption, we have partnered with key industry leaders. In Iraq, we collaborate with OilSERV, a top-tier integrated oilfield services provider in the Middle East. In Nigeria, we are represented by Ar-Rahman Technical Services Nig. Limited. In Latin America, our partnership with Hoerbiger, an established multinational company with over 120 locations in 50 countries, further expands our reach. In Mexico, we work with JHJ and GSM Carso, leading service providers supplying units to Pemex. Over the past three years, we have built strong relationships with these partners, educating them on our technology and supporting them in client engagements. With a 25-year track record of eliminating flaring and venting, we are confident that Questor can set the standard for best practices in these regions.

As global incentives for methane and VOC reduction continue to grow, Questor is uniquely positioned to help clients improve environmental performance while strengthening their community relations. We anticipate that both new and existing clients will view Questor as the ideal partner to accelerate the attainment of their environmental pledges—reducing emissions while simultaneously cutting costs and generating revenue.

Finally, we acknowledge the evolving political and economic landscape and its potential impact on our operations. We have assessed the risks associated with tariffs and remain confident in our ability to adapt. With strategically positioned inventory in Canada and the United States and established supply chains across North America, Questor is well-prepared to navigate uncertainties. Our global partnerships further diversify our revenue streams, ensuring continued resilience and growth.

As we move forward, Questor remains committed to driving innovation, sustainability, and global leadership in emissions reduction.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain information in this news release constitutes forward-looking statements. When used in this news release, the words “may”, “would”, “could”, “will”, “intend”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “seek”, “propose”, “estimate”, “expect”, and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. This news release contains forward-looking statements with respect to, among other things, business objectives, expected growth, results of operations, performance, business projects and opportunities and financial results. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the Company’s current views with respect to future events based on certain material factors and assumptions and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including without limitation, changes in market, competition, governmental or regulatory developments, general economic conditions and other factors set out in the Company’s public disclosure documents. Many factors could cause the Company’s actual results, performance or achievements to vary from those described in this news release, including without limitation those listed above. These factors should not be construed as exhaustive. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in this news release and such forward-looking statements included in, or incorporated by reference in this news release, should not be unduly relied upon. Such statements speak only as of the date of this news release. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

ABOUT QUESTOR TECHNOLOGY INC.

Questor Technology Inc., incorporated in Canada under the Business Companies Act (Alberta) is an environmental emissions reduction technology company founded in 1994, with global operations. The Company is focused on clean air technologies that safely and cost effectively improve air quality, support energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emission reductions. The Company designs, manufactures and services high efficiency clean combustion systems that destroy harmful pollutants, including Methane, Hydrogen Sulfide gas, Volatile Organic Hydrocarbons, Hazardous Air Pollutants and BTEX (Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene and Xylene) gases within waste gas streams at >99.99 percent efficiency per its ISO 14034 Certification. This enables its clients to meet emission regulations, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, address community concerns and improve safety at industrial sites.

The Company also has proprietary heat to power generation technology and is currently targeting new markets including landfill biogas, syngas, waste engine exhaust, geothermal and solar, cement plant waste heat in addition to a wide variety of oil and gas projects. The combination of Questor’s clean combustion and power generation technologies can help clients achieve net zero emission targets for minimal cost. The Company is also doing research and development on data solutions to deliver an integrated system that amalgamates all the emission detection data available to demonstrate a clear picture of the site’s emission profile.

The Company’s common shares are traded on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol “QST”. The address of the Company’s corporate and registered office is 1920, 707 – 8^th Avenue S.W. Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2P 1H5.

QUESTOR TRADES ON THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE UNDER THE SYMBOL ‘QST’

Investor Relations Contact

Aly Sumar – Chief Financial Officer

investor@questortech.com

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

This document is not intended for dissemination or distribution in the United States.

The MIL Network –

April 17, 2025

MIL-OSI USA: MATSUI, HUFFMAN, COLLEAGUES EXPRESS CONCERNS FOR INCREASED LOGGING ON PUBLIC LANDS

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-07) and Congressman Jared Huffman (CA-02) led a letter signed by 37 Members of Congress to Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins and Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, expressing concerns regarding the implementation of President Trump’s Executive Order (E.O.) 14225 calling for a fast-tracked expansion of U.S. timber production.

“We urge you to consider the devastating and long-lasting impacts that increased logging will have on our federal forests and future generations of Americans,” wrote the lawmakers.

Federal forests provide a multitude of services for all Americans, and unchecked expansion of logging on these lands threatens our access to clean air, clean water, and the iconic recreational spaces that millions of Americans visit every year. By issuing E.O. 14225, President Trump is prioritizing timber production over all other uses of public lands—regardless of ecological impacts or wildfire mitigation.

“We are particularly concerned that the President’s push to expand timber production will target older trees,” the lawmakers continued. “[…] Mature and old growth forests are a vital resource, providing important habitat for endangered species, mitigating climate change through the absorption and long-term storage of carbon, and protecting vital watersheds that many Americans depend on. Older trees are often more resilient to wildfires because of their thick protective bark and higher canopies. Clearing the way for the destruction of precisely the type of tree that is the best at resisting wildfires is counterproductive and ironic.”

As Co-Chair of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC) and Co-Chair of the SEEC Lands, Waters, and Nature Task Force, Congresswoman Matsui has long been a champion of protecting public lands and critical habitat, preserving the environment, and advancing nature-based approaches to addressing climate change. This letter follows a series of letters the Congresswoman led in April 2023, April 2024 and September 2024, urging the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to take additional measures to protect old-growth forests.

A copy of the letter can be found below and HERE.

Dear Secretary Rollins and Secretary Burgum,

We write to express our concerns regarding the implementation of President Trump’s Executive Order (E.O.) 14225 calling for a fast-tracked expansion of U.S. timber production. Our federal forests provide a multitude of services for all Americans, and unchecked expansion of logging on these lands threatens our access to clean air, clean water, and the iconic recreational spaces that millions of Americans visit every year. While ecologically appropriate thinning can be important for preventing and reducing the severity of wildfire in some circumstances, E.O. 14225 explicitly prioritizes timber production, regardless of ecological impacts or wildfire mitigation. We urge you to consider the devastating and long-lasting impacts that increased logging will have on our federal forests and future generations of Americans.

All of this comes as the Trump administration is working to dramatically reduce the workforce of federal land management agencies. Efforts to hollow out agencies raise significant concerns about the ability of the remaining personnel to facilitate the requirements of the E.O. while simultaneously preparing for the upcoming wildfire and tourism season. This is especially perplexing, and we encourage you to ensure that the desired focus on timber production does not come at the expense of other critical priorities.

We are particularly concerned that the President’s push to expand timber production will target older trees. There are alarmingly few old-growth forests left in the United States, and those that remain are found largely on federal lands. Mature and old growth forests are a vital resource, providing important habitat for endangered species, mitigating climate change through the absorption and long-term storage of carbon, and protecting vital watersheds that many Americans depend on. Older trees are often more resilient to wildfires because of their thick protective bark and higher canopies. Clearing the way for the destruction of precisely the type of tree that is the best at resisting wildfires is counterproductive and ironic.

Furthermore, E.O. 14225 entirely ignores the legal mandate from Congress to manage these public forests for multiple uses, not just timber production, in the National Forest Management Act. We are deeply concerned it directs agencies, including your own, to undermine both the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Endangered Species Act (ESA) in order to fast-track timber harvesting. NEPA guarantees that communities have a seat at the table to work in an informed and cooperative manner with the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management to generate the best alternatives for achieving desired conditions in our forests. Any policy changes directed by E.O. 14225 must not come at the expense of public involvement in decision making.

We are equally concerned about the direction to exploit ESA emergency provisions and the Endangered Species Committee; this seemingly attempts to allow logging projects to bypass essential protections for endangered species and worsen the ongoing biodiversity crisis.

Given the potentially devastating effects on the environment and human health of this rash and short-sighted E.O, we urge you to consider the long-term consequences. Our forests are essential to protect our climate, safeguard biodiversity, maintain our clean water supply, and provide the kind of recreation opportunities that have long been central to the American way of life.

We look forward to ongoing coordination and communication as your respective Departments interpret and implement the directives E.O. 14255.

# # #

MIL OSI USA News –

April 16, 2025

Category: Renewable Energy

NISE’s New PV Lab to Set Global Benchmarks in Solar Testing Capabilities: Union Minister Shri Pralhad JoshiIndia on Track to Meet 500 GW Non-Fossil Fuel Target by 2030, Including 292 GW Solar: Union Minister Joshi

Union Minister Shri Jayant Chaudhary launches NSDC-PDEU Centre offering 40 skill courses at Gandhinagar in GujaratOnline and hybrid courses in semiconductors, solar, and smart manufacturing to be offered at NSDC-PDEU Centre

What’s a pulsar and why does it have a shock wave?

Twinkling little radio star

A Local Bubble surprise

Shock discoveries

Scintillating science

Why it’s so hard to detect to alien life

An exoplanet atmosphere

The data from JWST and K2-18b

Similar to other claims of life?

K2-18b, a mysterious world

Detecting DMS

Is life out there?

Quick facts

Itinerary for Premier Smith*

Related news

Attacking the emissions themselves

A common-law approach

Examining deception

Other approaches

Social kickback

Individual choices matter

Why it’s so hard to detect to alien life

An exoplanet atmosphere

The data from JWST and K2-18b

Similar to other claims of life?

Site checks after suspension notice served

An Environment Agency spokesperson said:

Share this page

Updates to this page

India poised to become a trusted bridge of global connectivity through India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC): Shri Piyush GoyalIMEC to reduce logistics costs by up to 30% and transportation time by 40%, boosting global trade: Shri Goyal

Hidden process

The positron puzzle

A new way to test the invisible

NISE’s New PV Lab to Set Global Benchmarks in Solar Testing Capabilities: Union Minister Shri Pralhad Joshi

India on Track to Meet 500 GW Non-Fossil Fuel Target by 2030, Including 292 GW Solar: Union Minister Joshi

Union Minister Shri Jayant Chaudhary launches NSDC-PDEU Centre offering 40 skill courses at Gandhinagar in Gujarat

Online and hybrid courses in semiconductors, solar, and smart manufacturing to be offered at NSDC-PDEU Centre

India poised to become a trusted bridge of global connectivity through India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC): Shri Piyush Goyal

IMEC to reduce logistics costs by up to 30% and transportation time by 40%, boosting global trade: Shri Goyal