è To live the reality of the impoverished in a contemplative and creative way, knowing how to look, listen and respond in a committed way. [A critical look that analyses the causes and consequences. A look that leaves one affected (touched) by the poor. A look that leaves one questioned by the realities of the poor. Active and empathetic listening, that accepts and allows one to be accepted. It generates, with them, creative responses to their needs].
è To accept cordially and accompany individuals, marginalized groups and communities in such a way that they be protagonists in their own process of self-dignity, self-determination and liberation. [That all of our communities be houses for everybody, of welcome, of home, that builds fraternity and inclusion for everybody. Quality accompaniment that helps those with no voice to recover their own words. Ministry of consolation and reconciliation, from resilience and the construction of capabilities. To go out to meet other realities, making them also ours].
è Articulate processes of transformation, taking on a development that respects and promotes the proper culture and identity of the communities and peoples, that enables them to be active subjects of the new society. [Transformation of the individual: recovery of the individual. Transformation of collectives: communities, peoples. Transformation of an unjust economic structure to an economy of solidarity. Transformation that creates social inclusion. Transformation that promotes formation and insertion in work (employment). Transformation that creates CBC (Christian Basic Communities). Transformation of Claretian and Lay agents in the commitment to JPIC and Solidarity].
è Prophetic witness from a love that calls together and mobilizes, with passion and courage, for the Kingdom. [Witness of life in fraternity, simple and austere, and committed to the people and their causes. Witness that takes on risks, denounces injustice, resists threats with bravery. Witness that organizes and promotes the commitment to the cause of the poor].
è To promote and create associations or foundations to do the work of JPIC and Solidarity which, in turn, network with others, without pretending to be protagonists and being able to transfer it to others when appropriate. [Social Movements, political Movements, ecclesial Movements, inter-congregational Movements].
è Political and social involvement. Denouncing and struggle against the system that produces poverty, violence and the destruction of nature. [To favour a more critical and wider vision. To be involved in politics, constructively and critically. Favour active involvement].
è To promote the care and protection of creation. [Care of nature and its harmony: water, land, natural resources, maintaining sustainability, denouncing abusive exploitation. Ecological conversion: to begin a real change in our lifestyle, based on respect for nature and the promotion of life in its integrity. Educate and make aware of the ecological and social problems in the commitment to the care and defence of creation as a gift from God. Open ourselves to the ecological wisdom of our peoples that our mission may be able to reconcile both human beings and nature].
è To foster a culture of peace in sincere dialogue. [Inter-cultural, inter-religious, and ecumenical dialogue. Education for Peace: prevention, mediation and resolution of conflicts, reconciliation. Recovering the right of victims for truth, justice and integral reparation. Promote international humanitarian justice in favour of native / indigenous peoples throughout the world].


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text:
Indian Ocean is "Canary in the Coal Mine" for Climate Change
Cazzy Medley May 17, 2019 Features
Early this month, India's coastline was struck by Cyclone Fani, one of the strongest cyclones India has experienced in 20 years, according to a press release by India's Meteorological Department. Fani, pronounced "Foni", brought winds estimated to be 152 mph, the strength of a Category 4 hurricane, and intense rainfall that threatened flooding and landslides.
The impact of Cyclone Fani was devastating. At the time of this article's publication, 77 people have died and 5 million have lost their homes. This is especially urgent due to the impending monsoon season as the government attempts to secure temporary housing.
Fani originated on the equator and meandered into the Bay of Bengal, the northeastern part of the Indian Ocean on India's eastern coast. Over the last few decades, this area has seen an increased frequency of high intensity storms (sustained winds of 95 knot mean) while less intense storms (sustained winds of 63 knots) have remained steady.
"This is consistent with global warming," says Raghu Murtugudde in a new article detailing the impact of climate change on cyclones, "The total number of cyclones will not necessarily increase but the number of high-intensity storms will increase."
Murtugudde is a Professor at ESSIC and Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences. He works mostly on the role of the oceans in climate variability and change, including ocean conditions that favor cyclogenesis or hurricane genesis. He looks at processes that determine the warming of the ocean, like heat moving from the Southern Ocean to the Indian and Pacific Oceans and why the Southern Ocean warms faster and deeper.
Murtugudde details this phenomena in the context of Cyclone Fani in several recent articles published in First Post, an Indian news outlet, along with some posts on his own blog on the ESSIC website.
When it comes to tropical cyclone response to global warming, the Indian Ocean is the canary in the coal mine, writes Murtugudde.
With sea surface temperatures ranging between 72 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit, the Indian Ocean is the world's warmest ocean. The Bay of Bengal is on the higher side of that spectrum with temperatures above 82.4°F, the threshold for atmospheric deep convection. Unlike the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal is not exposed to the cooling monsoon southwesterly winds during summer and dry continental winds during winter, instead remaining a "hot bathtub all year long".
These warm temperatures serve as an energy source for cyclones and can cause a tropical depression to grow into a tropical storm or a severe or very severe storm. Warm weather can also lead to higher rates of evaporation that pump more moisture into the cyclone, leading to extreme amounts of rain when a storm hits land.
Due to these unique circulation features, the Indian Ocean has warmed faster and more monotonically than other tropical oceans.
"If we are looking for the hurricane response to global warming, especially ocean warming, then an ocean that is warming up to 40% faster than other tropical oceans is likely to give us an early clue on what may happen over the entire tropics," says Murtugudde.
Murtugudde believes that further warming through climate change will only drive more convection to get rid of the excess energy over the Bay of Bengal, leading to stronger tropical storms.
"The rapid intensification of hurricanes we are seeing now and their continued strength as they hit the coast line and the amount of rainfall they bring are all just indicators of where we are headed," he warns.
The cooler Atlantic Ocean is already experiencing these changes. Hurricanes are arriving earlier than the official hurricane season and coming in stronger. In 2016, tropical storms with wind speeds over 250 kilometers (155 mph) were three times more frequent than they were in 1980.
"Fani over the Bay of Bengal was the strongest April cyclone on record and it was also the longest lasting which are both made possible by a warmer ocean," he says.
Last week, CO2 levels hit a new record of 415 parts per million, an all-time high. Murtugudde urges the necessity of scalable solutions, including carbon capture and sequestration.
"Some game changer is needed."
Tagged climate change, india, raghu murtugudde
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text:
Construction Project Management Plan - Altona Wind-Farm Project
September 8, 2017 | Author: Mark K. Dacquel | Category: Construction Bidding, Project Management, Wind Power, Specification (Technical Standard), Wind Farm
An assignment in Project Administration as per the Civil/Environmental Engineering Technology Diploma program at Red Riv...
Civil Engineering Technology Project Management CIVC-1044
Prepared for:
Dr. Dave Woytowich, P. Eng, PhD.
Altona Wind-Farm Project Prepared by:
Mark Dacquel, CET, EPt
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Pattern is a premium independent power company. We own and operate ten wind power projects in the United States, Canada and Chile that use proven, best-in-class technology and have a total owned capacity of 1,255 MW. These projects generate stable long-term cash flows in attractive markets that have strong growth potential. Each of our projects has contracted to sell all of its energy output, or a majority, on a long-term, fixed-price power purchase agreement with a creditworthy counterparty. Ninety-five percent of the electricity to be generated by our projects will be sold under these power purchase agreements, which have a weighted average remaining contract life of approximately 19 years. (Pattern Energy, 2014) Pattern and Manitoba Hydro collaborated on a joint venture with the successful negotiation of a 27-year power purchase from the St. Joseph Wind-Farm Project, where 60 wind turbines were erected on 125 square km in the rural municipalities of Montcalm and Rhineland. The project contributed to the local economy, creating 225 construction jobs, 15 permanent positions and an estimated $38 million in total to land owners and an additional $44 million in local municipal taxes over the life of the wind-farm. (Government of Manitoba, 2010) The success of the St. Joseph Wind-Farm Project has prompted Pattern Energy to construct Manitoba's largest wind-farm in Altona, Manitoba by erecting 85 wind turbines on 200 square km of agricultural land and producing renewable energy for a guaranteed 25 years. Another power purchase agreement will be formalized with Manitoba Hydro seeing Pattern Energy investing $120 and Manitoba Hydro and the Provincial Government of Manitoba lending Pattern Energy $370 million which is to be repaid over 20 years.
TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................................. i 1.0 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................... 1 2.0 STAGES OF PROJECT DEVELOPMENT ..................................................................................... 1 2.1 PRE-CONSTRUCTION STAGE............................................................................................... 2 2.2 CONSTRUCTION STAGE ...................................................................................................... 2 2.3 COMMISSIONING STAGE ................................................................................................... 3 3.0 PROJECT SCHEDULE ............................................................................................................... 3 3.1 CRITICAL PATH ................................................................................................................... 3 3.2 MILESTONES ...................................................................................................................... 5 4.0 CONCLUSIONS ....................................................................................................................... 5 5.0 REFERENCES .......................................................................................................................... 7 APPENDICES ................................................................................................................................ 8 APPENDIX A: PROJECT CHARTER .............................................................................................. 9 APPENDIX B: WORK BREAKDOWN STRUCTURE ...................................................................... 12 APPENDIX C: WORK BREAKDOWN STRUCTURE DICTIONARY.................................................. 14 APPENDIX D: PROJECT SCHEDULE .......................................................................................... 18
CONSTRUCTION PROJECT MANAGEMENT PLAN
PATTERN ENERGY
1.0 INTRODUCTION Altona is a town in southern Manitoba in the rural municipality of Rhineland about 100 km south-west of Winnipeg and 133 km north of Grand Forks, North Dakota. Pattern Energy has plans to build Manitoba's largest wind-farm in Altona by erecting 85 wind turbine generators producing 195.5 MW of renewable energy on 200 square km of leased agricultural land. The project delivery method for the Altona Wind-Farm Project will be based on the Traditional Method of Design-BidBuild and commissioning of the power system and all auxiliary equipment. The project budget is estimated at $490 million using comparative unit pricing with the St. Joseph Wind-Farm Project. Financing will be made available through the Provincial Government of Manitoba and Manitoba Hydro. The authorization date of the Altona Wind-Farm Project is September 22, 2014 and the projected finish date is October 30, 2015. Assumptions and constraints include the leasing of land, financing from Manitoba Hydro, financing from the Government of Manitoba and the formalizing of a long term power purchase agreement with Manitoba Hydro. Risks include delays in construction due to weather and timely shipping of wind turbine generators. Project success criteria will be based on the completion of the project within the specified duration and budget and the satisfaction of the residents of Altona, municipal/provincial governments and Manitoba Hydro.
2.0 STAGES OF PROJECT DEVELOPMENT The project life cycle of the Altona Wind-Farm Project will consist of three stages of project development: • • •
Pre-Construction Stage Construction Stage Commissioning Stage
2.1 PRE-CONSTRUCTION STAGE Upon authorization of the Altona Wind-Farm project, the project management team will initiate the planning of the project and hold an informal public consultation with residents and governing figures of Altona and the province to address issues and answer any questions. A Project Charter will be drafted and finalized formally identifying project goals, scope, project organization and providing summary of objectives and management. Site investigations and initiation of a pre-feasibility report and feasibility analysis report will be done in house with the mobilization of surveying, environmental and geotechnical departments. Formalization of land leases and the power purchase agreement with Manitoba Hydro will prompt the design phase. Project engineers, designers and technologist will prepare preliminary and detailed design specifications and drawings as per reports and site analysis which will be reviewed at 50% and 75% completion to ensure requirements are being met and all quality procedures are being followed by the design team. Contract Documents will be tendered for the bidding phase, upon which a contractor will be selected. A Contract Statement of Work will be drafted and finalized prompting the construction stage to commence.
2.2 CONSTRUCTION STAGE The mobilization phase will secure permits, bonds, licenses and insurance. A project schedule will be developed for all tasks and a kick-off meeting will be held with stakeholder's and Pattern staff to clarify the scope and ensure a complete understanding of the project's requirements. (Bennett, 2003) Equipment and resources will be mobilized to prepare the site f or the construction phase, upon which bi weekly site inspections will occur for the monitoring and control of quality management, to assure that the work complies with the technical requirements set forth in the contract documents. Procurement of turbines will take place during the construction of roadways, crane pads and turbine foundations. Any civil engineering work including changes to work, shop drawings, record drawings and structural calculations will occur awaiting timely delivery of turbines will be erected upon completion of foundation work and all auxiliary equipment will be installed and connected. A project closing phase will conclude all activities including project "Post-Mortem" Meeting, finalizing all subcontracts, archiving project documentation, and performing a "Lessons Learned" Report to formally close the project.
2.3 COMMISSIONING STAGE The commissioning stage involves activation of the power system and verification that all the equipment and infrastructure that make up the wind farm is in compliance of specifications and code guaranteeing its operability in terms of performance, reliability, safety and information traceability. The site will be cleaned and construction equipment and materials will be taken off site. Access roads will be restored to their original vegetative condition and erosion control will be implemented. Upon completion of all tests of the power system and auxiliary equipment, a report will be documented stating all requirements have been met and commercial commissioning is approved. The transition of the project to operations will be formalized marking the project's completion. A warranty period will address any warranty issues to the power system and warranty service will be provided for up to 90 days.
3.0 PROJECT SCHEDULE The Altona Wind-Farm is a fast track project. In order to meet the projected schedule, it is paramount that survey, environmental and geotechnical reports and design reviews are completed within 1 calendar day of receipt. Many tasks will be executed concurrently as per project schedule, attached as APPENDIX D.
3.1 CRITICAL PATH The "Critical Path" is the sequence of activities that determine the project duration. The Altona Wind-Farm Project's critical path is as follows: •
1.1.1 Initiate project planning
1.1.2 Conduct public consultation
1.1.3 Finalize "Project Charter"
1.1.4 Survey selected sites
1.1.5 Conduct environmental assessment
1.1.6 Conduct geotechnical assessment
1.1.7 Assess the site's wind energy potential
1.1.8 Finalize "Feasibility Analysis" Report
1.1.9 Obtain land rights
1.1.10 Formalize "Power Purchase" agreement 3
1.2.3 Review generator and transmitter specifications
1.2.4 Design civil engineering infrastructure
1.2.5 Design mechanical and electrical systems
1.2.6 Finalize Tender procurement documents
1.3.1 Call Tender
1.3.2 Open Tender
1.3.3 Select contractor
1.3.4 Formalize "Contract Statement of Work"
2.1.1 Obtain building permits
2.1.3 Obtain project liability insurance
2.1.4 Conduct Project "Kick-off" Meeting
2.1.5 Mobilize equipment
2.1.6 Preparation of site
2.2.2 Procurement of turbines
2.2.3 Prepare construction and maintenance of infrastructure
2.2.4 Perform civil engineering work
2.2.5 Erect turbines
2.2.6 Install and connect electrical equipment
2.3.1 Conduct Project "Post-Mortem" Meeting
2.3.2 Finalize and close all sub-contracts
2.3.3 Archive project documentation
2.3.4 Perform and finalize a "Lessons Learned" Report
3.1.4 Clean site
3.1.5 Approve commercial commissioning
3.1.6 Finalize transition
3.1.7 Project Completion
3.2.1 Provide warranty service
3.2 MILESTONES TASK 1.1.3 Finalize "Project Charter" 1.1.8 Finalize "Feasibility Analysis" Report 1.1.9 Obtain land rights 1.1.10 Formalize "Power Purchase" agreement 1.2.6 Finalize Tender procurement documents 1.3.1 Call Tender 1.3.2 Open Tender 1.3.3 Select contractor 1.3.4 Formalize "Contract Statement of Work" 2.1.4 Conduct Project "Kick-off" Meeting 2.1.6 Preparation of site 2.2.4 Perform civil engineering work 2.2.5 Erect turbines 2.2.6 Install and connect electrical equipment 2.3.1 Conduct Project "Post-Mortem" Meeting 2.3.4 Perform and finalize a "Lessons Learned" Report 3.1.6 Finalize transition 3.1.7 Project Completion
DATE Tue 9/23/14 Thu 10/9/14 Fri 10/10/14 Mon 10/13/14 Mon 10/13/14 Tue 11/25/14 Wed 11/26/14 Wed 12/31/14 Wed 12/31/14 Wed 12/31/14 Thu 2/12/15 Thu 5/28/15 Fri 7/17/15 Tue 9/8/15 Tue 9/8/15 Wed 9/30/15 Fri 10/30/15 Fri 10/30/15
4.0 CONCLUSIONS Outlined below is a concluding summary of activities and practices that will be utilized in the Altona Wind-Farm Project: • • • • • • •
Pattern Energy to construct a 195.5 MW wind-farm in Altona, Manitoba Power generated will be sold via power purchase agreements with Manitoba Hydro. 200 square km of agricultural land will be leased in the RM of Rhineland Project delivery method will be based on the Traditional Method of DesignBid-Build. Project management process will mirror principles set by the Project Manager Institute A Project Charter will formally recognize the existence of project and provide summary of objectives and management. Pre-construction stage will include Pre-design, Design and Bidding Phases.
CONSTRUCTION PROJECT MANAGEMENT PLAN • • • • •
Construction stage will include Mobilization, Construction and Project close out phases. Commissioning stage will include System activation and warranty phases. A project schedule will be developed via MS Project to keep track of project activities, resources, budget and schedule. Milestones and critical tasks will be monitored closely. Kick-off meetings and site inspections will occur for the monitoring and control of quality management, to assure that the work complies with the technical requirements set forth in the contract documents. Pattern's engineering work is executed under a series of ISO 9001 engineering practices and procedures developed within the company's engineering department. Pattern recognizes that an effective H&S program is one that is in continuous development and improvement. Our Workplace Health and Safety group reviews and updates existing health and safety practices to ensure optimum people and environmental stewardship. Our engineering focus on constructability derived from our substantial wind-farm construction experience. It will ensure a smooth transition from engineering to construction. Our prior experience with structural engineering as applied to wind turbines and various geotechnical conditions will benefit the project by resulting in the selection of the most appropriate foundation design, yielding optimal quality and cost efficiency. Our understanding and stake in the Canadian environment will ensure total care in respect to the ecological impact of this project on the local forest and wetlands.
5.0 REFERENCES Bennett, F. L. (2003). Project Mobilization Phase. In F. L. Bennet, The Management of Construction (p. 9). Burlington: Butterworth-Heinemann. eolien. (2011, January 1). Wind Energy in Quebec. Retrieved February 17, 2014, from Wind Energy TechnCentre: https://www.eolien.qc.ca/en/eolien-inquebec/wind-farm-development-stages.html Government of Manitoba. (2010, April 29). News Release - Manitoba. Retrieved February 17, 2014, from Government of Manitoba: http://news.gov.mb.ca/news/index.html?archive=2010-4-01&item=8342 Pattern Energy. (2014, January 1). About Pattern Energy. Retrieved February 17, 2014, from Pattern Energy: http://www.patternenergy.com/en/about/ Schwalbe, K. (2012). An Introduction to Project Management, Fourth Edition. In K. Schwalbe, An Introduction to Project Management, Fourth Edition (pp. 73-326). Minneapolis: Kathy Schwalbe, LLC. University of California. (2012, January 1). Pre-Design Phase. Retrieved February 17, 2014, from University of California: http://www.ucop.edu/construction-services/facilities-manual/volume-2/vol2-chapter-6.html
APPENDIX A: PROJECT CHARTER Project Title: Altona Wind-farm by Pattern Energy
Authorization Date: September 22, 2014 Projected Finish Date: October 30, 2015
Project Manager: Macauley Siemens Mark Dacquel David Mandrick Project Objectives: 1. Construct Manitoba's largest wind-farm in Altona Manitoba by the erecting 85 wind turbines. The Altona wind farm will produce sustainable energy for roughly 75000 homes for a guaranteed 25 years. 2. Lease of 200 km2 of agricultural land (at the cost of $3 million annually) for locations of the 85 turbines for length of the Altona Wind-farm (2039). 3. Reach a new long term power purchase agreement with Manitoba Hydro for the duration of the Altona Wind-farm. Approach: 1. Pre-Construction Phase 1.1 Pre-Design Phase 1.2 Design Phase 1.3 Bidding Phase 2. Construction 2.1 Mobilization 2.2 Construction 2.3 Project Close-out 3. Commissioning Phase 3.1 System Activation 3.2 Warranty Period
Milestones • Kick-off meeting • Call tender • Open Tender • Select Contractor • Ground breaking ceremony • Construction of all windmills • Project Completion Budget Information: $490 million (approx. $5.8 million/turbine) which has been gathered through funding from MB Hydro as well as funding from the Provincial Government. About a tenth of the cost of this project expansion is going towards labour costs. Project Success Criteria: • Successfully completed within timeframe of October 15, 2015. • Budget Requirements met. • Provide Manitoba Hydro with an environmentally-sustainable source of energy. This wind-farm will produce enough power to meet the needs of nearly 70,000 homes annually. Assumptions and Constraints: • Leasing vital land requirements from landholders. • Funding from Manitoba Hydro and Provincial Government. • Expanding long term power purchase agreement with Manitoba Hydro Risks: • Delays in construction schedule due to the inability of erecting windmills because of wind or weather conditions. • Shipment and availability of Siemens windmill turbines.
Stakeholder Register: Internal Stakeholders
Macauley Siemens
Mark Dacquel
David Mandrick
Roy Vermette
Rosann Wowchuk
External Stakeholders
R.M. of Rhineland
Denis Klassen
C.A.O.
Gilbert Lavallee
Town of Altona
Derek Sabourin
Sign-off
APPENDIX B: WORK BREAKDOWN STRUCTURE 1.0 Pre-Construction Stage 1.1 Pre-Design Phase 1.1.1
Initiate project planning
Conduct public consultation
Finalize "Project Charter"
Survey selected sites
Conduct environmental assessment
Conduct geotechnical assessment
Assess the site's wind energy potential
Finalize "Feasibility Analysis" Report
Obtain land rights
1.1.10 Formalize "Power Purchase" agreement 1.2 Design Phase 1.2.1
Review foundation requirements
Review specifications and drawings of turbines
Review generator and transmitter specifications
Design civil engineering infrastructure
Design mechanical and electrical systems
Finalize Tender procurement documents
1.3 Bidding Phase 1.3.1
Call tender
Select contractor
Formalize "Contract Statement of Work"
2.0 Construction Stage 2.1 Mobilization Phase 2.1.1
Obtain building permits
CONSTRUCTION PROJECT MANAGEMENT PLAN 2.1.2
Develop project schedule
Obtain project liability insurance
Conduct Project "Kick-off" Meeting
Mobilize equipment
Preparation of site
2.2 Construction Phase 2.2.1
Commence bi-weekly site inspections
Procurement of turbines
Prepare construction and maintenance infrastructure
Perform civil engineering work
Erect turbines
Install and connect electrical equipment
2.3 Project Close-out 2.3.1
Conduct Project "Post-Mortem" Meeting
Finalize and close all sub-contracts
Archive project documentation
Perform and finalize a "Lessons Learned" Report
3.0 Commissioning Stage 3.1 System Activation 3.1.1
Perform mechanical tests
Verify electrical and communication systems
Restore condition of access roads and control erosion
Clean site
Approve commercial commissioning
Finalize transition
3.2 Warranty period 3.2.1
Provide warranty service
APPENDIX C: WORK BREAKDOWN STRUCTURE DICTIONARY 1.0 Pre-Construction Stage: Commence Pre-design, Design and Bidding Phase 1.1 Pre-design Phase: During the pre-design phase, studies are done to analyze space requirement issues, the constraints and opportunities of the proposed site, and the cost versus the budget. (University of California, 2012) 1.1.1 Initiate project planning: Commence planning of project identifying project goals, scope, project organization, stakeholders, business case and constraints 1.1.2 Conduct public consultation: Conduct informal public consultation to seek input on project. 1.1.3 Finalize "Project Charter": Finalize document formally recognizing the existence of project and provides summary of objectives and management. 1.1.4 Survey Selected Sites: Survey ideal sites to establish maps and network scheme for new turbines 1.1.5 Conduct environmental assessment: Assess environmental, social and economic impacts of project. 1.1.6 Conduct geotechnical assessment: Perform soil testing of selected sites to make recommendations for turbine foundations. 1.1.7 Assess the site's wind energy potential: Analyze wind data from St. Joseph and St Leon wind-farms. 1.1.8 Finalize "Feasibility Analysis" Report: Complete evaluation and analysis of the project for Manitoba Hydro. 1.1.9 Obtain land rights: Finalize land lease agreements. 1.1.10 Formalize Power Purchase agreement: Formalize power purchase agreement with Manitoba Hydro. 1.2 Design Phase: Create design that will correctly and completely implement all requirements. 1.2.1 Review foundation requirements: Review foundation requirements as per geotechnical report.
1.2.2 Review specifications and drawings of turbines: Review Siemen's 2.3MW turbine specifications and drawings as per manufacturer manual. 1.2.3 Review generator and transmitter specifications: Review generator and transmitter specifications as per Electrical Engineer's report. 1.2.4 Design civil engineering infrastructure: Design road layout, crane pads, turbine foundations, structural calculations and construction specifications. 1.2.5 Design mechanical and electrical systems: Design collection system and interconnection substation. 1.2.6 Finalize Tender procurement documents: Complete tender and contract documents including all survey and design work needed to prepare quantities and guideline costs. 1.3 Bidding Phase: Negotiate and conclude calls for tenders and contracts. 1.3.1 Call Tender: Announce award of public contract through open tender to maximize economy and efficiency in public procurement. 1.3.2 Open Tender: To maintain transparency in the opening of tenders, opening of tenders will occur in presence of bidders. 1.3.3 Select contractor: Choose contractor with highest score via evaluation modalities. 1.3.4 Formalize "Contract Statement of Work": Sign-off of Contract Statement of Work between parties. 2.0 Construction Stage: Consists of Mobilization, Construction and Project close out phases. 2.1 Mobilization Phase: Secure contractual issues as permits, bonding and insurance and develop project schedule. 2.2.1 Obtain building permits: Submit and get approval for development and building permits. 2.1.2 Develop project schedule: Develop project schedule to monitor and control project activities. 2.1.3 Obtain project liability insurance: Apply and get approval for insurance policies.
2.1.4 Conduct Project "Kick-off" Meeting: Conduct Project Kick-off meeting to improve competencies, team interaction and the overall team environment to enhance project performance. 2.1.5 Mobilize equipment: Mobilize forces and equipment necessary to perform required work. 2.1.6 Preparation of site: Clear vegetation and surface soil. 2.2 Construction Phase: Initiation of construction phase. 2.2.1 Commence bi-weekly site inspection: Commence bi-weekly site inspection for duration of project. 2.2.2 Procurement of turbines: Procurement of Siemen's 2.3 MW turbines 2.2.3 Prepare construction and maintenance infrastructure: Construction of roadways, crane pads and turbine foundations. 2.2.4 Perform civil engineering work: Perform all civil engineering work including changes to work, shop drawings, record drawings and structural calculations. 2.2.4 Erect turbines: Erect 85 Siemen's 2.3MW turbines. 2.2.5 Install and connect electrical equipment: Connect wind turbine power system to all auxiliary components. 2.3 Project Close-out Phase: Commence all activities to formally conclude project. 2.3.1 Conduct Project "Post-Mortem" Meeting: Conduct Project "PostMortem" Meeting to assess the project and reflect on team member, stakeholder and management relationships. 2.3.2 Finalize and close all sub-contracts: Terminate contracts as per completion of work. 2.3.3 Archive project documentation: Archive project documentation for future auditing purposes. 2.3.4 Perform and finalize a "Lessons Learned" Report: Complete Lesson's Learned Report to promote the recurrence of desirable outcomes, preclude the recurrence of undesirable outcomes and archive best practices.
3.0 Commissioning Stage: Verifying all equipment and infrastructure of wind farm power system and marks the beginning of the project's operation phase. 3.1 System Activation: Commence start-up of power system. 3.1.1 Perform mechanical tests: Perform mechanical tests to ensure compliance with specifications. 3.1.2 Verify electrical and communication systems: Verify electrical and communication systems are in compliance of specifications 3.1.3 Restore condition of access roads and control erosion: Restoration of access roads to their original vegetative condition. 3.1.4 Clean site: Clean site of excess construction materials and waste. 3.1.5 Approve commercial commissioning: Assess entire power system project and give approval for transitioning to operations party. 3.1.6 Finalize transition: Formalize transition of power system to operations party. 3.1.7 Project Completion: Acknowledgement of project completion. 3.2 Warranty period: Address warranty issues. 3.2.1 Provide warranty service: Provide warranty service of power system and auxiliary equipment for up to 90 days.
APPENDIX D: PROJECT SCHEDULE
Mark Dacquel Environmental Technology ID
Task Name 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59
Altona Wind-Farm 1.0 Pre-Construction Stage 1.1 Pre-design Phase 1.1.1 Initiate project planning 1.1.2 Conduct public consultation 1.1.3 Finalize "Project Charter" 1.1.4 Survey selected sites 1.1.5 Conduct environmental assessment 1.1.6 Conduct geotechnical assessment 1.1.7 Assess the site's wind energy potential 1.1.8 Finalize "Feasibility Analysis" Report 1.1.9 Obtain land rights 1.1.10 Formalize "Power Purchase" agreement 1.2 Design Phase 1.2.1 Review foundation requirements 1.2.2 Review specifications & drawings of turbines 1.2.3 Review generator and transmitter specifications 1.2.4 Design civil engineering infrastructure 1.2.5 Design mechanical and electrical systems 1.2.6 Finalize Tender procurement documents 1.3 Bidding Phase 1.3.1 Call Tender 1.3.2 Open Tender 1.3.3 Select contractor 1.3.4 Formalize "Contract Statement of Work" 2.0 Construction Stage 2.1 Mobilization Phase 2.1.1 Obtain building permits 2.1.2 Develop project schedule 2.1.3 Obtain project liability insurance 2.1.4 Conduct Project "Kick-off" Meeting 2.1.5 Mobilze equipment 2.1.6 Preparation of site 2.2 Construction Phase 2.2.1 Commence bi-weekly site inspections 2.2.2 Procurement of turbines 2.2.3 Prepare construction and maintenance of infrastructure 2.2.4 Perform civil engineering work 2.2.5 Erect turbines 2.2.6 Install and connect electrical equipment 2.3 Project Close-out 2.3.1 Conduct Project "Post-Mortem" Meeting 2.3.2 Finalize and close all sub-contracts 2.3.3 Archive project documentation 2.3.4 Perform and finalize a "Lessons Learned" Report 3.0 Commissioning Stage 3.1 System Activation 3.1.1 Perform mechanical tests 3.1.2 Verify electrical and communication systems 3.1.3 Restore condition of access roads and control erosion 3.1.4 Clean site 3.1.5 Approve commercial commissioning 3.1.6 Finalize transition 3.1.7 Project Completion 3.2 Warranty Period 3.2.1 Provide warranty service
Appendix D Project Schedule Duration
278.56 days 55.06 days 16 days 1 day 0.5 days 0.5 days 10 days 10 days 10 days 10 days 2 days 1 day 1 day 16 days 5 days 5 days 5 days 10 days 10 days 1 day 23.06 days 14 days 0.5 hrs 7 days 2 days 219.19 days 45.5 days 10 days 1 day 5 days 0.5 days 10 days 20 days 173.69 days 29.25 days 0.5 days 35 days 35 days 35 days 35 days 16.5 days 0.5 days 10 days 3 days 3 days 21 days 21 days 15 days 15 days 15 days 15 days 3 days 3 days 0 days 0 days 0 days
Mon 9/22/14 Mon 9/22/14 Mon 9/22/14 Mon 9/22/14 Tue 9/23/14 Tue 9/23/14 Wed 9/24/14 Wed 9/24/14 Wed 9/24/14 Wed 9/24/14 Wed 10/8/14 Fri 10/10/14 Mon 10/13/14 Tue 10/14/14 Tue 10/14/14 Tue 10/14/14 Tue 10/14/14 Tue 10/21/14 Tue 10/21/14 Tue 11/4/14 Wed 11/5/14 Wed 11/5/14 Wed 11/26/14 Wed 11/26/14 Fri 12/5/14 Tue 12/9/14 Tue 12/9/14 Tue 12/9/14 Tue 12/23/14 Tue 12/23/14 Wed 12/31/14 Wed 12/31/14 Thu 1/15/15 Thu 2/12/15 Mon 9/14/15 Thu 2/12/15 Fri 2/13/15 Wed 4/8/15 Thu 5/28/15 Fri 7/17/15 Tue 9/8/15 Tue 9/8/15 Tue 9/8/15 Tue 9/22/15 Fri 9/25/15 Wed 9/30/15 Wed 9/30/15 Wed 9/30/15 Wed 9/30/15 Wed 9/30/15 Wed 9/30/15 Thu 10/22/15 Tue 10/27/15 Fri 10/30/15 Fri 10/30/15 Fri 10/30/15
Predecessors
Fri 10/30/15 Tue 12/9/14 Mon 10/13/14 Mon 9/22/14 Tue 9/23/14 3 Tue 9/23/14 4 Tue 10/7/14 5 Tue 10/7/14 5 Tue 10/7/14 5 Tue 10/7/14 5 Thu 10/9/14 6,7,8,9 Fri 10/10/14 10 Mon 10/13/14 11 Tue 11/4/14 Mon 10/20/14 12 Mon 10/20/14 12 Mon 10/20/14 12 Mon 11/3/14 16 Mon 11/3/14 16 Tue 11/4/14 17,18 Tue 12/9/14 Tue 11/25/14 19 Wed 11/26/14 21 Fri 12/5/14 22 Tue 12/9/14 23 Mon 10/26/15 Thu 2/12/15 Tue 12/23/14 24 Wed 12/24/14 27 Wed 12/31/14 27 Wed 12/31/14 29 Thu 1/15/15 30 Thu 2/12/15 31 Mon 10/26/15 Mon 10/26/15 Fri 2/13/15 32 Wed 4/8/15 39 Thu 5/28/15 40 Fri 7/17/15 41 Tue 9/8/15 42 Wed 9/30/15 Tue 9/8/15 43 Tue 9/22/15 45 Fri 9/25/15 46 Wed 9/30/15 47 Fri 10/30/15 Fri 10/30/15 Thu 10/22/15 48 Thu 10/22/15 48 Thu 10/22/15 48 Thu 10/22/15 48 Tue 10/27/15 54 Fri 10/30/15 55 Fri 10/30/15 56 Fri 10/30/15 Fri 10/30/15 57
October 1 9/14 10/26
January 1 12/7 1/18
Project Engineer Project Engineer Project Engineer Project Engineer 9/23/2014 Survey Crew Geotechnical Crew Environmental Crew Project Engineer,Technologist 10/9/2014 10/10/2014 10/13/2014 Design Engineer,Project Engineer,Technologist Design Engineer,Project Engineer,Technologist Design Engineer,Project Engineer,Technologist Design Engineer,Project Engineer,Technologist Design Engineer,Project Engineer,Technologist Design Engineer,Project Engineer,Technologist 11/4/2014 Project Engineer 11/25/2014 11/26/2014 12/5/2014 12/9/2014 Project Engineer,General Contractor,Technologist General Contractor,Project Engineer,Technologist General Contractor,Project Engineer,Technologist General Contractor,Project Engineer,Technologist General Contractor,Project Engineer,Technologist 12/31/2014 General Contractor,Project Engineer,Technologist 2/12/2015 General Contractor,Project Engineer,Technologist Project Engineer,General Contractor,Technologist Project Engineer,General Contractor,Technologist 5/28/2015 7/17/2015 9/8/2015 Project Engineer,Technologist 9/8/2015 Project Engineer,Technologist Project Engineer,Technologist 9/30/2015 Project Engineer,Technician,Technologist Project Engineer,Technician,Technologist Project Engineer,Technician,Technologist Project Engineer,Technician,Technologist Project Engineer,Technician,Technologist Project Engineer,Technician,Technologist Project Engineer,Technician,Technologist 10/30/2015 10/30/2015 10/30/2015
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Beyond sports: 4 ways investments in athletic facilities improve communities
By Scott Klaus
Athletic facilities and the millions spent on them each year are about more than just sports. They are a point of pride for communities.
As entire sports seasons have been put on hold or canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the absence of sports has served to remind us of their importance. From gridirons to gymnasiums, from ice rinks to aquatic centers, athletic facilities serve as the anchor for many communities to congregate and participate in or cheer on games of friendly competition. They bring us together. And while they may look different in a post-COVID-19 world, these facilities will remain integral parts of our lives.
Millions of dollars are spent each year on athletic programs and facilities at every level, from high school programs to elite professional organizations. Athletic facilities are integral to our communities, schools, and cities serving people of all ages and skill levels. But why are sports so important and why do they play such a large part in our society? Why do we spend such large amounts of money on facilities for these sports to take place? Here are four ways athletics facilities impact students, schools, and the community.
1. The building blocks for important life skills
With most schools and athletic facilities shuttered during the pandemic, coaches have worked diligently to stay engaged with their student athletes by holding conference calls and providing workouts for athletes to stay in shape. However, training independently can only be successful to a point. Student athletes need access to facilities and to work with their teammates in order to hone their skills and learn from each other, and athletes and coaches alike are looking forward to the day these spaces can safely reopen.
Scott Klaus
Principal, Senior Design Architect
Gearing up for the game at Planet Ford Stadium in Spring Independent School District, Harris County, Texas.
In addition to keeping students active and healthy, athletics provide an opportunity for students to learn skills that they might not otherwise obtain in a classroom or other life experiences. Sports builds character and self-esteem by requiring students to understand what it means to compete, work hard, and lead. They can see the work that goes into practice translates into positive results on the field. It also teaches students to handle failure, criticism, pressure, adversity, and how to learn from their mistakes.
The ability to be coached is a life skill that serves all athletes well throughout their lives. Sports teaches students what it means to be part of a team that works together toward a common goal—and feeling accountable to others and accepting other's mistakes.
2. A brighter social and economic future
Students who participate in sports also have higher attendance rates, missing five fewer school days per year, along with increased levels of engagement and better academic success in the form of higher grades and graduation rates. Additional studies have shown that student athletes are less likely to get pregnant or use drugs, both of which can have a detrimental effect on their ability to earn a high school diploma and maximize their lifetime earnings.
Athletics also provide opportunities for students who, due to their economic status, might not have the opportunity to get an education beyond high school. While the number of athletics scholarships by percentage is low, the NCAA reports that more than 150,000 student athletes receive nearly $3 billion in athletics scholarships every year from Division I and II schools. Division III schools are not allowed to award scholarships, but they are typically smaller private colleges who give merit awards for student accomplishments. Most of these athletes do not go into professional sports, but they are given the opportunity to earn a degree and choose a career, ultimately ending up with a much higher earning potential than they would have had otherwise.
3. A beacon of pride for the school and community
Athletic facilities represent a school district or community and are often the first introduction for visiting schools and communities that travel to watch their own students compete. Communities can have great pride in the facilities that they have been able to provide for their students. Likewise, facilities that are outdated, poorly maintained, or in disrepair can also be a source of shame. The pride an athletic facility creates can have a positive or negative impact on the attitude of the athletes and the overall performance of a team. We see this firsthand with projects like the Del Valle High School Athletics Facility, where the transformation from an inadequate sports complex to a collegiate-level design that celebrates hard work and student achievement has boosted athletic performance and created a sense of place and belonging.
Athletics provide an opportunity for students to learn skills that they might not otherwise obtain in a classroom or other life experiences.
Communities can also benefit economically by providing athletic accommodations. For example, the 1,200-seat Westside Aquatic Center in Lewisville Independent School District, home to one of the only Myrtha competition pools in Texas, is capable of hosting large meets ranging from district championships and pro-am events to an international water polo tournament where teams from the US, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, and Japan competed for a spot in the 2016 FINA World League Super Final. These events draw people who then purchase goods, eat, and sleep in the area. Surrounding communities with lesser amenities are also likely to ask to rent out a neighboring facility like this for a playoff game to accommodate more spectators. Facilities can also be rented out to local teams and groups to help create revenue or offset maintenance costs.
While the impact of COVID-19 will almost certainly change the spectator experience, it will not eliminate in-person viewing in the long term. The world continues to adapt to new physical distancing standards to support public health, and sports complexes can use the lessons learned from other industries to ensure the safety of visitors. Changes in cleaning regimens and operational protocols will allow facilities to host spectators, which will continue to provide an economic boost for communities.
The Westside Aquatic Center in Lewisville, Texas, houses the local high school swimming and diving programs, serves competitive swim teams, and provides scuba diving and swimming lessons to the surrounding communities.
4. Improving the experience for everyone
Modern educational sports facilities are being created to be more multipurpose and serve more than just the student athletes and marching bands. They are being created to support learning for careers that revolve around sports. Those careers include marketing, video editing, broadcast, technology, physical training, physical therapy, culinary, and event management. The sport facilities can simulate an experience that students could receive in the real world. In some cases, like Planet Ford Stadium, students are given a small stipend to operate the scoreboard for an evening.
There is often a negative perception about the funding that is allocated to the creation of stadiums and sport complexes, but the overall benefit to students and communities is immeasurable. I have great pride as an architect who has had the opportunity to design and deliver stadiums, arenas, natatoriums, and practice facilities to communities. There is nothing like seeing the excitement and joy on the faces of students, coaches, parents, and spectators on opening night. It is also wonderful to know what impact these places will have on communities for years to come.
A design architect, Scott focuses on athletic facilities and education projects.


The United Nations (UN) proclaimed the years 2005 to 2014 the World Decade on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). As a follow up on the World Decade, the UN launched a Global Action Programme (GAP) that is designed to set the framework for international activities on ESD. The GAP focuses on five priority areas that are of high relevance for further implementation of ESD in educational systems.
The research presented in this paper results from a training research course that was conducted with advanced bachelor students in environmental and sustainability science. This project pursued two main objectives on different levels: the aim of the research aspect was to identify well-documented success factors for specific research questions associated with the GAP designated priority action areas by means of conducting systematic literature reviews. The aim of the training was to enable students enrolled in the university course to experience systematic review and critical appraisal of the current state of research in the various fields of ESD. As a result, the paper summarizes and discusses both the findings of the research projects and university course. Inclusive is the potential of the teaching approach and its contribution to advancing higher education for sustainable development.
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Rieckmann, M., & Stoltenberg, U. (2011). Partizipation als zentrales Element von Bildung für eine nachhaltige Entwicklung [Participation as a key element of education for sustainable development]. In Heinrichs, H., Kuhn, K. & Newig, J. (Eds.), Nachhaltige Gesellschaft: Welche Rolle für Partizipation und Kooperation? [Sustainable Society: Which Role for Participation and Cooperation?] (pp. 117–131). Wiesbaden: VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften.
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Webster, C.M., & Kenney, J. (2011). Embedding research activities to enhance student learning, International Journal of Educational Management, 25 (4), 361–377.


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Dispatch: Does the World's Longest Undersea Tunnel Have a China Problem? Does the World's Longest Undersea Tunnel H...
Does the World's Longest Undersea Tunnel Have a China Problem?
A Chinese-financed project to connect the Estonian and Finnish capitals has hit a snag as Europe ponders how to deal with Beijing's economic heft.
By Reid Standish
| October 7, 2019, 2:42 PM
Workers take down a panel outside the venue for the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing on April 27. GREG BAKER/AFP/Getty Images
HELSINKI—A Chinese-funded project to build the world's longest undersea rail tunnel in the Baltic Sea is being held up over concerns about its financing, making it a focal point of larger European questions about the influence of China.
The idea of building a tunnel between the Finnish and Estonian capitals of Helsinki and Tallinn is not new, but fresh concerns arose about the project after Peter Vesterbacka, a Finnish tech entrepreneur, inked a deal this year with Touchstone Capital Partners, a financial firm that invests the resources of state-owned Chinese enterprises. The deal will supply $17 billion to fund the three Chinese companies that have signed on to build and design the tunnel.
Should the project break ground, it would become the largest Chinese investment in Northern Europe and open up a slew of other opportunities to build infrastructure across the region.
In July, however, Estonian Public Administration Minister Jaak Aab said the current timeline to open the tunnel in 2024 wasn't realistic and questioned Vesterbacka's business plan while also raising serious concerns about the source of the private financing: China.
The tunnel controversy is playing out against the backdrop of an ongoing trade war between Washington and Beijing, and greater concern about China's growing presence across Europe. Even as individual countries cut deals, the European Union has begun to take a tougher approach to China's rise, making an unprecedented declaration this year that Beijing was a "systemic rival" in some areas, as well as a competitor or potential partner in others. In late September, Japan and the EU also signed a major deal to build infrastructure and set development standards around the world, in what was seen as a response to Beijing's amorphous Belt and Road Initiative. The moves came on the heels of a series of Chinese acquisitions across Europe, which sparked new EU rules that allow for closer scrutiny of foreign investments and led to an ongoing debate over updating the bloc's procurement, competition, and industrial policies to better adjust to China's economic pull.
"There is more strategic thinking about China now than ever before in Europe," said Erik Brattberg, the director of the Europe program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, "but there isn't a coherent European strategy yet."
Vesterbacka says concerns over Chinese involvement are overblown. He argues that the tunnel will be majority-owned and operated by FinEstBay, the development company he co-founded, not the Chinese investors and contractors.
"We need to do more to alleviate the fears and concerns over Chinese involvement, but I think that's very much doable," Vesterbacka told Foreign Policy in an interview. "The Chinese are investing in this because they see it as a good business case."
Indeed, until Beijing entered the picture, the political will and public funds had never fully materialized for such an ambitious undertaking. So, Vesterbacka, who made his name as the former chief marketing officer at Rovio, the game-maker behind the international hit Angry Birds, decided to launch a privately funded version in 2016. Since then, Vesterbacka has moved quickly to bring the project to fruition by lining up tunnel boring companies to drill under the Baltic, developing a ticketing system for the trains, bringing private investors on board, and setting an ambitious December 2024 deadline for the 62-mile tunnel. His deal with the Chinese companies was intended to help make the project a reality.
Instead, the episode has opened up a conversation about how best to finance and build large-scale infrastructure projects and provided a window into the growing tension between geopolitics and business when it comes to China-linked projects in the European Union.
Bit by bit, despite pressure from the Trump administration, EU countries are demonstrating a willingness to engage in big projects with China. In March, Italy became the first G-7 country to sign up to the Belt and Road Initiative, joining 23 other European countries that signed memorandums of understanding with Beijing's signature foreign-policy initiative. Meanwhile, countries such as Hungary, Greece, and Portugal continue to welcome Chinese investments in their railways, ports, and energy infrastructure, and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has signaled that China will play a big part in the country's post-Brexit economy. France and Germany are also still searching for a balance to strike in their dealings with Beijing, using tough rhetoric while still courting Chinese cash.
"Europe wants to address its concerns, but there is no desire to follow the Trump administration in confronting and decoupling from China," Brattberg said.
Vesterbacka says the venture could be transformative for both Finland and Estonia. In the Finnish entrepreneur's plans, which entail the construction of at least one artificial island in the middle of the Baltic Sea, the new connection would turn the current two-hour ferry ride between Helsinki and Tallinn, which is one of Europe's busiest crossings, into a 30-minute trip, increasing opportunities for travel, work, investment, and also provide a fast cargo link between Northern Europe and the continent that could increase trade.
The tunnel's wider potential won over the previous Finnish and Estonian governments, which expressed tentative support for the venture and acknowledged that private funding would be needed in order to complete the project. A state-led version of the same tunnel relying on EU support has also long been discussed, but a 2018 feasibility study found that such a venture would require an EU grant to cover 40 percent of the costs and also both Estonia and Finland to provide subsidies. The project also likely couldn't be completed until 2040.
With money on offer and a desire to break ground as soon as possible, Vesterbacka believes his version is superior. But having not yet secured official backing from the two governments and the European Union, he now finds himself navigating bureaucratic hurdles and intensified scrutiny over his investors.
"It's very clear to me that some of the people involved are dragging their feet and not wanting to make a decision," Vesterbacka said.
The main concerns expressed by the Estonian government are related to security, particularly around ownership and financing, but also questions about the tunnel's estimated passenger and cargo volumes and Vesterbacka's short construction time frame.
"At the moment, we are in a stage where we are trying to get as much information about FinEstBay's plans as possible for our government to be able to decide on this project," said Eva Killar, an executive officer at the Transport Development and Investments Department of Estonia's Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications.
Sabina Lindstrom, the director-general of the Networks Department at Finland's Ministry of Transport and Communications, told Foreign Policy in emailed comments that the tunnel project is not part of the current government's policy program and that while unofficial talks with Estonian colleagues are ongoing, "an official request to sign [a memorandum of understanding] has not been received at the moment."
Economic relations between Europe and China have expanded dramatically over the last decade, with the EU becoming China's largest trading partner and China becoming the EU's second-largest after the United States. Building new trade and infrastructure links to Europe's massive consumer market is the end goal of Belt and Road, and Beijing has taken a stronger interest in Northern Europe in recent years as it looks to expand its presence in the Arctic. But China's rise has also led to a swift learning curve about Beijing's intentions amid concerns that its economic weight will be used to build up political influence among EU member states.
The added attention has coincided with several examples of Chinese investors losing bids or pulling out of projects in Europe. In June, a Chinese state-owned company withdrew its bid to build two strategic airport projects in Greenland, and Chinese investors abandoned plans in 2018 to build a deep-water port in Sweden amid local concerns about the project's environmental and security implications. Meanwhile, a high-speed rail link between Budapest and Belgrade has faced numerous obstacles, with the $3 billion project held up in an investigation about whether Hungary followed the EU's anti-corruption rules when awarding contracts to Chinese companies.
In Finland and Estonia, two countries that have maintained a welcoming attitude toward Chinese investment, China's involvement has also begun to be more scrutinized.
"The general attitude until a few years ago was fairly positive across the board," said Mikael Mattlin, a collegium researcher at the Turku Institute for Advanced Studies who studies China's presence in Finland. "Even now, it is not that critical, but the discussion is starting to reflect that there are security dimensions to Chinese investment."
Still, China has invested $8 billion in Finland since 2000, with promises for more, and Beijing has developed into one of the country's top trading partners. Estonia, meanwhile, has sought to stay in Beijing's good graces. The Baltic nation cooperates with China through the Belt and Road Initiative and is also a member of the 17+1 format, a China-initiated forum that allows the country to deepen relations and cut deals with smaller and more receptive European countries.
"Policy circles in Estonia view Russia as the main security issue," said Frank Juris, an expert on China's role in the region at the Estonian Foreign Policy Institute under the International Centre for Defence and Security in Tallinn. "Not many people have been thinking of China in these terms, and the national conversation [shows] that."
For the moment, the tunnel project's future is uncertain. Vesterbacka says that despite the recent stumbling blocks, he believes that his venture will move forward. But with large-scale Chinese investments being looked at more closely by individual governments and the EU, projects like his could be left waiting.
"With everything happening in the world, I understand that people are cautious and worried about competing interests," Vesterbacka said. "But China can't just be cut out—we can't view everything in this black-and-white way."
Reid Standish is an Alfa fellow and Foreign Policy's special correspondent covering Russia and Eurasia. He was formerly an associate editor. Twitter: @reidstan
Tags: China, European Union, global political economy
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Washington Report: June 12, 2020 … "We Are In A Recession, By The Way"
June 12, 2020 Washington Report
Remembering George Floyd … Justice In Policing Act … Seismic Shift On Police Bias … Video Of Crackdown Before Trump's Photo Op … Neither Pandemic Nor Protests Abating … Demilitarize or Defund? … We Are In A Recession, By The Way … and other news of the week.
"God Took The Rejected Stone And Made Him The Cornerstone …"
Politico "For more than four hours, the world watched together as relatives, preachers and musicians paid tribute to George Floyd at a memorial service in Houston. theSkimm "Big Floyd" grew up in Houston, Texas, was a high school football star, and was reportedly the first among his siblings to go to college. He eventually moved to Minneapolis for a fresh start. Family and friends remembered him as a "gentle giant."
As the service began, the New York Stock Exchange went silent for eight minutes, 46 seconds — the length of time a police officer held his knee on Floyd's neck. It was the longest moment of silence on the stock exchange floor in its 228-year history.
"God took the rejected stone and made him the cornerstone of a movement that's going to change the whole wide world."
-The Rev. Al Sharpton, referring to Psalm 118 in his eulogy
Real Life Changes Won By Protests
Axios "Marchers have delivered a clear message in the 19 days since George Floyd was killed — change how America's police treat black people, and do it now. The big picture: If you look beyond the symbolic gestures and focus on the concrete actions, there's a good deal of there there, even if it's still insufficient.
Here is just a partial list of the actions underway because of the protests:
Tactical rule changes: Dallas and Minneapolis mandated officers intervene when a colleague is using excessive force. Seattle banned the covering of badge numbers. Minneapolis banned chokeholds. Houston banned most of them. New York made them illegal.
Budget cuts: Los Angeles is considering cutting its police budget by up to $150 million. NYC is considering cuts, but hasn't disclosed specific numbers.
Defunding: Minneapolis' city council passed a resolution today to replace its police department with a community-centric model.
School contracts axed: Minneapolis, Denver and Portland have moved to end the presence of police officers in local schools. Police officers have a presence in the 25 biggest school districts nationwide, per Chalkbeat.
No-knock warrants ban: Louisville, Kentucky — where Breonna Taylor was killed by officers who raided her home with this type of warrant — has banned the practice.
Police transparency changes: New York removed a shield clause that locked down records of officers who'd been investigated for excessive force.Between the lines: It is ridiculously hard to fire police officers in the U.S., let alone getting criminal charges to stick. Chalk that up to unions, or qualified immunity, or weakness from elected officials — but it's a major roadblock to change. The Minneapolis Police Department said Wednesday that it is withdrawing from negotiations with its police union. The real effect of that is to be determined."
Congress Is Quiet Today
… BUT Washington has quite the next six weeks in store: Congress is going to try to cobble together a police reform package. … All parties appear in agreement that another coronavirus relief package needs to get done — including some sort of extension of unemployment insurance. Congress may begin the process of funding the government. … The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) needs to be completed. … Will Congress ever finish FISA? … There is also a fight brewing over whether and how to remove Confederate statues in the Capitol. … Oh, and Joe Biden said he intends to name is VP candidate by Aug 1st."
'Justice In Policing Act'
Politico "After holding a moment of silence in Emancipation Hall to honor George Floyd, congressional Democrats unveiled their sweeping legislation to reform police departments and stop police brutality. … House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) said he plans to call the House back as soon as the bill is ready for a vote, likely before the end of June.
Sen. TIM SCOTT (R-S.C.) – leading the effort in the Senate — said he has some changes he's making to the GOP police overhaul package, and hopes to file it by Tuesday or Wednesday. SO, TO RECAP: House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy is for banning chokeholds, and declined to name any issues he had with the House Dem bill. And Paul is for banning no-knock warrants. There is common ground beginning to surface between the two parties .. but things are never that simple."
An unforgettable, must watch 12 minute video. For Trump's 3-minute photo op.
Click Here For Video to watch the timeline.
DC Mayor Muriel E. Bowser denounced the action as unprovoked and renamed the street in front of the White House "Black Lives Matter Plaza" and had the slogan painted on the asphalt in massive yellow letters … to honor peaceful demonstrators who are urging changes in law enforcement practices after the killing of George Floyd.
Seismic Shift On Police Bias
Frank Luntz, a longtime GOP pollster, put it: "I've never seen opinion shift this fast or deeply. We are a different country today than just 30 days ago."
From a Washington Post-Schar School Poll … highlights how attitudes about police treatment of black Americans are changing dramatically. More than 2 in 3 Americans (69%) say the killing of Floyd represents a broader problem within law enforcement, compared with fewer than 1 in 3 (29%) who say the Minneapolis killing is an isolated incident. That finding marks a significant shift when compared with the reactions in 2014 to police killings of unarmed black men in Ferguson, Mo., and New York. Six years ago, 43% described those deaths as indicative of broader problems in policing while 51% saw them as isolated incidents. … Currently, 86% of Democrats, 69% of independents and 47% of Republicans say the Floyd killing represents a broader problem rather than an isolated incident. … Among both Republicans and independents, the shift is 28 points, while among Democrats it is 21 points. The biggest changes are among whites overall (a 33-point shift) and white women (38 points)." Trump receives negative marks for his handling of the protests: 61% disapprove and 35% approve."
10 Days Since Lafayette Square Have Not Been Kind To Trump
The joint chiefs chair publicly apologized for his participation. "I should not have been there," said Gen. Mark Milley.
His defense secretary Mark Esper publicly disagreed with him about invoking the Insurrection Act to use active duty military to police U.S. cities. So did his previous defense secretary, James Mattis.
His Senate allies broke with his Confederacy defenses: Only two, Sens. Josh Hawley and Tom Cotton, opposed an amendment to the annual defense funding bill that pushes to rename bases that honor Confederate generals. This was after Trump vowed no changes would be allowed.
His House allies aren't riding to his defense: Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy said he isn't opposed to renaming the bases, and House Democrats are working on a bill to remove Confederate statues from the U.S. Capitol.
Across the South, statues honoring Confederate generals are coming down in states ranging from Virginia to Alabama and Kentucky to Florida.
And NASCAR has publicly banned the display of the Confederate flag at its events, a suggestion that would have been inconceivable not so long ago.
THE KICKER: A majority of Americans support NFL players kneeling.
THE BOTTOM LINE: Trump staked out his side of the culture wars a long time ago, but that side seems to be shrinking fast.
Axios "In a flash, the culture wars seem to be leaving President Trump behind — and his photo op last week seems to have accelerated the process.
"Demilitarize" Or "Defund" ?
Deep Dive … WaPo "The civil unrest that erupted in the summer of 2014 in Ferguson, Mo., drew attention to the heavy militarization of local police departments. The police officer who fatally shot Michael Brown, an unarmed 18-year-old black man, was never charged with any crime. But one consequence of the conflagration was an executive order by then-President Barack Obama to significantly curtail a Pentagon program that had transferred billions of dollars' worth of equipment originally intended for overseas combat to local law enforcement agencies.
"We've seen how militarized gear sometimes gives people a feeling like they are an occupying force as opposed to a part of the community there to protect them," Obama said as he announced the changes in May 2015, following the recommendations of a working group he appointed after the fires went out in Ferguson. "Some equipment made for the battlefield is not appropriate for local police departments."
President Trump signed an executive order in August 2017 to rescind Obama's restrictions on what is known as the 1033 program, allowing once again for the military to provide bayonets, grenade launchers, .50-caliber ammunition and other equipment to local law enforcement agencies. Police unions widely praised the move, which was championed by then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions. This helps explain the ubiquitous images of Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected vehicles, also known as MRAPs, deployed during nationwide protests of police brutality after George Floyd was killed in Minneapolis police custody on Memorial Day. … government data show that more than $7.4 billion of materials has been transferred to local law enforcement departments since the program started, and more than 8,000 agencies have benefited.These tactical vehicles, designed amid the Iraqi insurgency 15 years ago to withstand IED attacks, have been cruising around American cities, often accompanied by officers who are armed in ways that even infantry veterans of the global war on terrorism find themselves taken aback by.
Stopping the steady stream of battlefield equipment into American cities will not solve systemic racism, but many criminal justice reformers see demilitarizing local departments as both an essential first step to restoring public trust and a far more realistic goal than the rallying cry among some protesters to "defund the police." Many Democratic strategists worry that calls for defunding the police will create political headaches, especially in swing states and the suburbs.
WaPo "Former vice president Joe Biden has signaled that he would restore Obama's restrictions on the 1033 program if he is elected in November."
ABC "64% of Americans oppose 'defund the police' movement, key goals," "Nearly two-thirds of Americans oppose calls for defunding police departments, compared to 34% who back the movement, and 60% specifically oppose reducing the budget for police to reallocate it to other public health and social programs, while 39% support that move."
Biden Opposes Defunding
Axios "Joe Biden's campaign said yesterday that he does not support defunding police, but is pushing for police reform and more spending on community, school, health and social programs. Why it matters: It directly takes on the Trump campaign's plan to put the former vice president on the spot about the idea, which has been at the heart of activist demands and is a potential wedge issue between moderate and progressive Democrats. Biden told CBS' Norah O'Donnell that he supports "conditioning federal aid to police, based on whether or not they meet certain basic standards of decency and honorableness."
We Are In A Recession, By The Way
Axios "The record U.S. expansion ended in February, Bloomberg writes, citing the academic panel that serves as the arbiter of recessions — the National Bureau of Economic Research's (NBER) Business Cycle Dating Committee:
"The committee has determined that a peak in monthly economic activity occurred in the U.S. economy in February 2020. The peak marks the end of the expansion that began in June 2009 and the beginning of a recession. The expansion lasted 128 months, the longest in the history of U.S. business cycles dating back to 1854. The previous record was held by the business expansion that lasted for 120 months from March 1991 to March 2001."
Fed Gets More Generous For Main Street
The Federal Reserve on Monday announced a broad expansion of its emergency lending program for midsize businesses, boosting stocks in the final 30 minutes of trading. The Fed is lowering the minimum loan amount, increasing the maximum loan size, upping the amount of risk it will take on for loans to already highly indebted companies, and lengthening the terms of the loans."
Black-Owned Businesses Collapse By 41%
Bloomberg "The Covid-19 economic shutdown has hurt African American businesses the most among racial and ethnic groups in U.S., with a 41% decline of black owners from February to April, a new study from the NBER shows. "While the pandemic has hit entrepreneurs across the board, closing some 3.3 million small businesses at least temporarily, the sidelining of 440,000 African Americans was especially severe. Black owners may have fared worse because fewer of them operated in industries deemed "essential" during the pandemic, among other factors, according to the NBER paper. Immigrant business owners also fared poorly, with a 36% drop during the period."
Little Better At Combating A Pandemic Than Our Great-grandparents
"Fifteen years ago, after the SARS and H5N1 outbreaks, this magazine ran an article called "Preparing for the Next Pandemic." Two years later came "Unprepared for a Pandemic" … Cut to 2017, after MERS and Ebola and Zika: "Ready for a Global Pandemic? The Trump Administration May Be Woefully Underprepared."
None of this was prescience. It was conventional wisdom among public health experts. Anybody who didn't understand the danger just wasn't paying attention."
-Foreign Affairs editor Gideon Rose writes in the forthcoming issue
Americans may be moving on, but the virus is not.
WaPo "Tony Fauci, who has been the federal government's top infectious-disease expert since 1984, told biotech executives on Tuesday that the coronavirus is "my worst nightmare" because it's brand new, highly transmissible, attacks the respiratory system and kills. "We've had outbreaks that have had one or two or three of those … but never all four," he said during a live stream. "Ebola was scary, but Ebola would never be easily transmitted. … HIV, as important as it is, was drawn out and over an extended period of time." Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said the coronavirus will not just "burn itself out with mere public health measures," but a vaccine will be required. "In a period of four months, it has devastated the whole world," he said. "And it isn't over yet."
BGov "Anthony Fauci says Americans should skip large gatherings, such as rallies held by President Trump or protests, if they want to avoid the risk of catching or spreading the coronavirus. The "best way that you can avoid – either acquiring or transmitting infection – is to avoid crowded places, to wear a mask whenever you're outside," Fauci, tells ABC News
"If you can do both, avoid the congregation of people and do the mask, that's great."
What Pandemic?
Politico "Battling the contagion has become a lower priority across the Trump administration. "… The Covid-19 task force has scaled back its once-daily internal meetings — the task force now meets twice per week … The coronavirus task force, which used to send daily updates to state officials, has done so with less regularity over the last several weeks … At the FDA … some staff in the health department's emergency response arm are pivoting away from Covid-19 and back toward natural disasters as hurricane season begins."
GOP Picks Jacksonville, FL
Axios "President Trump's acceptance speech as the Republican presidential nominee will be held in Jacksonville's VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena after official convention business in Charlotte. President Trump and the RNC pulled the convention's grand finale out of North Carolina after NC health officials declined to promise that they would allow the Republican National Committee to fill an arena in Charlotte for the Aug. 24-27 convention."
Chaos In Georgia
Politico "Georgia's primary quickly turned into an ordeal for voters who waited for hours Tuesday when it became clear officials were unprepared for an election on new voting computers during the coronavirus pandemic. Poll workers couldn't get voting machines to work. Precincts opened late. Social-distancing requirements created long lines. Some voters gave up and went home. The primary was a major test of Georgia's ability to run a highly anticipated election in a potential battleground state ahead of November's presidential election, when more than twice as many voters are expected. Elections officials fell short."
👀 "If this is a preview of November, then we're in trouble," said DeKalb County Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson.
The Room Where It Happened … The White House
Axios … In a memoir coming June 23 that the White House has tried to delay, former national security adviser John Bolton will offer multiple revelations about President Trump's conduct in office, with direct quotes by the president and senior officials, a source familiar with the book tells me.
In "The Room Where It Happened: A White House Memoir," Bolton will go beyond Ukraine, and argue there was "Trump misconduct with other countries," the source said. Axios granted anonymity to the source in order to give readers a window into the book ahead of publication.
Why it matters: Bolton, U.S. ambassador to the U.N. under President George W. Bush, is a lifelong conservative and longtime Fox News contributor who is well-known by the Trump base, the source pointed out. Behind the scenes: People close to Trump have worried about the book because Bolton was known as the most prolific note taker in high-level meetings. Bolton would sit there, filling yellow legal pad after yellow legal pad. … In short: Bolton saw a lot, and he wrote it down in real time. And when he left, the White House never got those notes back.
@kyledcheney: "Bolton book will say Trump committed 'Ukraine-like transgressions' across his entire foreign policy. Yet he and his deputy chose to legally fight efforts to tell Congress about it during impeachment."
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CR COMING ... HI-HO LONE RANGER ... INSERT DRIVING METAPHOR HERE ... READ THIS AND...
Good Friday morning. 18 days until ELECTION DAY. It's going to be a LONG 18...
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The shift towards alternatives to pre-closure remediation for CMBS loans increases the significance of Opinion of Probable Cost (OPC) reports.
The environmental due diligence required for loans that will be securitized into commercial mortgage backed securities (CMBS) does not differ much from that required by most other types of lenders. This consists of a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) that meets the requirements of the American Society for Testing and Materials ("ASTM") and is conducted by a reputable environmental consultant. In most cases the report must have been conducted within 12 months of loan origination.
A party related to the mortgagor having financial resources reasonably estimated to be adequate to address the situation is required to take action.
I don't blame you if you didn't read all of the above bullet points but they are important in that they present options to loan originators and borrowers. Historically if a REC was identified during an ESA then the most likely next step was a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment in which sampling was conducted and if no contamination was identified then the REC would be removed from the Phase I report and none of the above options would be needed.
In the last two years we have seen a significant increase in the number of deals where lenders and borrowers are forgoing a Phase II and going right to either the first bullet point (a 125% – 150% hold back of the cost to cure) or to the third bullet point (environmental insurance). The benefits of these options are that they are faster than conducting a Phase II investigation and they provide certainty of loan closure.
With these two mitigation options coming into the commercial real estate mainstream, some rating agencies have taken notice and are requiring engagement with environmental consultants to provide an Opinion of Probable Cost (OPC) (sometimes also referred to as Cost of Remediation) to confirm that the amount of the hold back or the amount of the environmental insurance policy is adequate to potentially address the identified environmental conditions.
Because the need for an OPC is a relatively new requirement, there is no standard OPC deliverable or framework for scope of assessment/reporting. Some rating agencies require formal letters with a detailed breakout of what the cost estimates are based upon, while other rating agencies require an email with the cost estimate or will accept a cost estimate provided in the executive summary of the ESA. There can be a lot of variability in how the Opinion of Probable Cost is determined and formulated, but the trend is clear that a formal OPC letter is quickly becoming the industry standard.
The OPC presents an opinion based upon the information provided and the experience of the consultant. They are based on many quantifiable and hypothetical scenarios, the uniqueness of the site, and the expertise of the consultant in a variety of environmental remediation techniques. Rating agencies do not hold the opinion of all consultants in the same regard. An OPC report from a well-respected consultant will give a more precise estimate for evaluating liability, planning, budgeting, and potential regulatory compliance. In turn, it will streamline the transaction process and ensure a successful investment.
Charles Tallinger, LEED AP, is a National Client Manager at Partner Engineering and Science, Inc. He has over 14 years of experience in the commercial real estate due diligence industry. He began his career as a project manager focusing on Phase II subsurface investigations and Phase III remediation projects. He has served as a project manager or executive senior reviewer on over 5,000 real estate transactions throughout his career. His core focus at Partner is to provide real estate lenders, investors, and equity owners with the advice they need to quantify hard asset risk in order for them to make informed real estate business decisions. Based in New York City, Mr. Tallinger is an industry leader with particular expertise in capital market-related transactions. Mr. Tallinger has a BS in earth science from Western Michigan University.


text:
URGENT: Comcast Is Censoring Political Content Again, Speak Out To Tell Comcast To Back Off Our Free Speech
Stop Comcast Censorship Action Page:
http://www.shirley08.com/petitions/pnum835.php
Apparently they did not take kindly to Golub's comparison of the political behavior of the current Speaker of the House to a rubber chicken, for her cowardice in not standing up to the Bush administration. But that's not their call, and in the meantime the 3 major non-cable broadcast outlets ARE running the ad and they all think it's a delightful hoot.
The real problem is that Shirley wanted to place these ads specifically to support Keith Olbermann on MSNBC cable, and Comcast by their action is making it immensely harder for her to mobilize those who are Olbermann's viewers, her natural base. It is simply outrageous for Comcast to refuse to air perfectly acceptable political speech because THEY don't like the content. We must flood them with complaints, or Olbermann himself, with his own uncompromising commentary, may not be far behind.
The action page above will send your message of complaint to Comcast CEO Brian Roberts, and let Keith Olbermann and MSNBC know what's going on.
With more that 30,000 YouTube views already this amazing TV ad is having a real impact. It was a featured news story for a full news cycle the first day it aired. And it is only because of your
contributions that this is happening. Please watch it again, and if you can make a donation to run even more of these spots on the stations that are accepting them, we can really put the heat on Comcast.
Rubber Chicken TV Spot: http://www.shirley08.com/rubber_chicken.php
You can make a real difference right now by telling Comcast that they need to back off. And if you can make a contribution of $100 or more, Shirley wants to send you one of the new bright orange "IMPEACH BOTH" caps to wear proudly. And if you can be a "tell it like it is" angel and donate $1,000 or more, Shirley will also send you one of her custom embroidered, satin baseball award jackets with the "I'm On The Table" message.
Keith Olberman himself has said much more unflattering things about members of the Bush administration than calling them chickens, and that's why we love him, for his truth telling. And it is critical for
Shirley mobilize the audience who watches Olbermann on cable, and in particular because only on cable can she focus on her constituents exactly within the limits of her congressional district.
The courage of Shirley Golub is a breaking news story. With your help in a matter of days we can break her out as true national leadership figure, and then won't Nancy Pelosi be running scared.
Paid for by Shirley Golub for Congress
Please take action NOW, so we can win all victories that are supposed to be ours, and forward this alert as widely as possible.
democracy@peaceteam.net
Journalists - Journalism
Media Outlet Trashes Marines on Day of Attack
Rachel Maddow is Leaving MSNBC
SOTN: CNN Hit With $100 Million Lawsuit
X22REPORT: Fake News Prepares For The Fall Out, The [DS] System Is About To Be Exposed WW, AF1 – Ep. 2485
CNN's Ratings Worse Than Expected Since Biden Took Office


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Gambling technology giant Novomatic has posted an operating loss of €131.9m (£113.9m/$147.0m) for 2018 as higher costs offset a 10.5% year-on-year rise in revenue.
Nevada's licensed sportsbooks generated total handle of $596.8m in March, setting a new record for amounts wagered in a month where basketball dominated the market.
Racecourse Media Group (RMG) will pay out £109.7m (€127.1m/$141.6m) to 37 UK racecourses after reporting an 18% increase in revenue from media and data rights in 2018.
The Jockey Club, the UK's largest commercial horse racing organisation, has reported a 6.7% year-on-year increase in revenue to £214.6m (€248.6m/$277.0m) for 2018, but warned betting shop closures are likely to impact industry growth in 2019.
The Indiana House and Senate have voted through a repackaged bill that would legalise certain forms of sports betting in the state, with a mobile wagering component restored. Governor Eric Holcomb will now consider signing the bill into law.
H2 Gambling Capital and iGaming Business are pleased to bring you the LatAm iGaming Dashboard, featuring growth projections for the Latin American region. With markets such as Brazil and Argentina moving towards introducing regulation, and the Colombian market already open for business, gross win for the region is expected to almost double from 2019 to 2024.
Players get what they've asked for as NetEnt follows up its cult classic with Dead or Alive 2. The game features extremely high volatility, multiple free spin versions and a number of upgrades and twists.
Live dealer software supplier Evolution Gaming has posted double-digit growth across both revenue and profit in the first quarter, as it felt the benefit of higher commission income from existing customers.
Tennessee is closing in on legal sports betting after the state's House of Representatives passed a bill yesterday (April 24), while its companion bill is headed for a floor vote in the Senate.
The Louisiana Senate is to hold a full debate on a bill that would legalise certain forms of sports betting in the state. SB153 would permit wagering at horse racing tracks, casinos and riverboats in Louisiana.
US racetrack and casino operator Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI) has cited the positive impact of gaming M&A as a key drivers of a 40% year-on-year increase in revenue during the first quarter.
Swedish gaming operator Svenska Spel has reported a 5.9% decline in net gaming revenue for the first quarter of 2019, with growth in the new Sport & Casino igaming division offset by struggles in its lottery and land-based gaming units.
This week's State of the Union, in partnership with Segev LLP, sees Pennslyvania set a launch date for igaming, while Delaware North has taken legal action in the wake of its sports betting struggles in West Virginia. Elsewhere, Iowa is one step away from legal igaming and a bid to regulate sports betting is underway in Colorado.
Mississippi's regulated sports betting market has seen revenue grow strongly in March, as a result of punters betting heavily on basketball over the month. Handle climbed to $32.4m, with a market hold of 15.11% resulting in $4.9m of taxable revenue.


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Q: I have a problem lighting an LED in a microcontroller stm32f373 discovery I have a problem lighting the LED in the microcontroller device discovery stm32f373
I used STM32 cube mx and the HAL library the program was executed, but the LED did not light up. Performed work according to STM instruction. Lesson 4. HAL library. STM32 CUBE MX. LEDs and button link russian

*

*set pins for power, inputs and outputs
discovery

*Turn on the rcc-> HSE bus

*In Clock Configuration, enabled HSE. Configured by manipulated as follows
clock

*Added an endless loop changing it.

  while (1)
  {
    /* USER CODE END WHILE */

    /* USER CODE BEGIN 3 */
    HAL_Delay(5000); //1 minut
    HAL_GPIO_TogglePin(GPIOD, GPIO_PIN_8);
    HAL_Delay(5000);
    HAL_GPIO_TogglePin(GPIOD, GPIO_PIN_8);
    HAL_GPIO_TogglePin(GPIOD, GPIO_PIN_9);
    HAL_Delay(5000);
    HAL_GPIO_TogglePin(GPIOD, GPIO_PIN_9);
}

*

*Did I do everything right?

*Explain the reason why the LED may not light.

*The pins of the microcontroller have their own identifier. Where can I find leg information? Will this fit Discovery Device Description ?

*I used the English documentation offered by the author of the lesson, only the version for my controller. Description of STM32F3 HAL and low-layer drivers STM32F373xx
LED pin PC9, PC8

A: You need a second delay with HAL_Delay. Otherwise you toggle the LED, jump to the begin of the while and toggle the LED again. So it might be that the LED is switched on for only a few clock cycles depending on the initial state of the I/O.
while (1)
{
    /* USER CODE END WHILE */

    /* USER CODE BEGIN 3 */
    HAL_Delay(500);
    HAL_GPIO_TogglePin(GPIOD, GPIO_PIN_8);
    HAL_Delay(500);
    HAL_GPIO_TogglePin(GPIOD, GPIO_PIN_8);
}

A: You need to enable the clock for the GPIO peripheral which the LED is connected to, before you set up pins as outputs and try to toggle them.
In the RCC->AHBENR there are bits to turn individual GPIO ports clocks on and off, GPIOD is bit 20, so RCC->AHBENR |= (1 << 20); would do. There will be defines existing depending on which librarys you're using, so use those instead of the (1 << 20) magic number.
EDIT
After your edit, you've added at the bottom that the LEDs are pins PC8 & PC9, your code is toggling PD8 and PD9. Check which way it should be.

A: Have you configured the GPIO as outputs in STM32CubeMX?
Is interrupts enabled? If not, you will notice when debugging that HAL_Delay never returns. Try to place a couple of breakpoints and see if your while-loop actually executes.

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