Cost overruns pose new concerns for Dominion’s long-delayed Atlantic Coast Pipeline
Cost overruns pose new concerns for Dominion’s long-delayed Atlantic Coast Pipeline FacebookTwitterLinkedInEmailPrint分享S&P Global Market Intelligence ($):Already estimated to be more than three years behind schedule and billions of dollars over an original budget for the 1.5-Bcf/d Atlantic Coast natural gas pipeline project, Dominion Energy Inc.’s Atlantic Coast Pipeline LLC faces the critical task of resolving cost-sharing arrangements with its shippers.Those talks, referenced during Dominion’s third-quarter earnings call Nov. 1, amount to another uncertainty for the project in addition to the regulatory and legal challenges that have caused the delays. Dominion has met with customers regarding the “equitable resolution of project cost increases” and expects to reach an agreement in principle by the end of December, Chairman, President and CEO Thomas Farrell said on the call. He added that he is confident that “the result will satisfactorily balance customer rates with project returns.”It was unclear whether current agreements between pipeline and customers cap the cost increases that would be borne by shippers. Dominion declined [Nov.] 13 to address this or whether there is a point at which the developers might consider abandoning the project if the cost is too high or the return too low.Atlantic Coast will have to decide if it is willing to proceed if the shippers reject the attempted contract restructuring, said Gary Kruse, director at energy research firm LawIQ. The 600-mile Atlantic Coast pipeline is a joint venture of Dominion, Duke Energy Corp. and Southern Co. Gas that will be operated by Dominion. It is designed to boost takeaway capacity from the Appalachian gas-producing region to downstream markets.“The situation is somewhat more complicated here because the joint venture partners also are affiliates of some of the shippers,” Kruse said. “So, the overall ‘best result’ for the corporate parent may not be what would have happened if only the shipper’s or pipeline’s best interest was involved.” In the end, the talks might focus more on the schedule than on the money, Kruse said. “I anticipate the timing of the projects will be the decisive factor, and if everyone can live with 2022, then they will somehow work out what that means from a monetary basis.”For now, Dominion is holding to its current timeline and cost estimate as it pursues a Supreme Court appeal of a lower court ruling involving U.S. Forest Service authorizations for the pipeline to cross the Appalachian Trail. At a price tag of up to $7.8 billion, Atlantic Coast promises to be one of the most expensive U.S. natural gas pipeline projects. At the time the operator filed its permit application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in September 2015, it was estimated that Atlantic Coast Pipeline would enter service by Nov. 1, 2018, at a total cost of $5.1 billion. Since then, opposition from environmental groups and court challenges have pushed the project’s timeline off track again and again.More ($): Customer rate talks are another wildcard for gas Atlantic Coast Pipeline
Bill examines dress codes Button-downed lawyers stood up for leather-clad bikers when Sen. Skip Campbell’s bill prohibiting discriminatory practices at clubs passed the Senate Judiciary Committee 6-to-1 on March 25.The big laugh came when Sen. Dave Aronberg, D-Greenacres, a lawyer and one of the fresh new faces in the Senate, said: “I’ve been rejected in South Beach clubs for not having the right gear. Will it protect me, too?”Lawyer and Senate Judiciary Chair Alex Villalobos, R-Miami, joked, “Sen. Aronberg, the reason they don’t let you in the bars in South Beach is because you have to be 21.”Lawyer Campbell, D-Tamarac, said yes, his bill would protect not only Aronberg from being discriminated against for not being cool enough for South Beach bars, but it would also protect people if they are “tall, short, fat, skinny, ugly, and believed in the Constitution, the Bible, or the Koran.”Sen. Alex Diaz de la Portilla, R-Miami, asked about snazzy restaurants that require coat and tie. Would they have to put up with T-shirts and flip-flops during a fine dining experience?Campbell responded the dress codes are legal. “But if they don’t have a dress code, they can’t discriminate.”“Yes, but ‘no shirts, no shoes, no service’ is a good idea,” tossed in Sen. Rod Smith, D-Gainesville, another lawyer, adding that he is troubled about taking something as trivial as clothing and translating that as discrimination, as if it were race, sex, or religion.Since the bill addresses “mode of transportation” — such as motorcycles — Sen. Daniel Webster, R-Winter Garden, asked what would happen if a small club, with a parking lot limited to 20 spaces, told a Greyhound bus driver to go elsewhere.“That would not be a violation, because it’s not based on discrimination, but on the reason there is not enough room in the parking lot,” Campbell replied.That prompted Sen. Durell Peaden, R-Crestview, to ask: “Would it be any different if it were a cattle truck?”“No,” Campbell said.“Can Sen. Peaden come to the bar on his horse?” Villalobos wondered.“This bill is awful!” declared Diaz de la Portilla, among tittering, but he said he would support it because he is a friend of Sen. Campbell.“That’s all I need today, and I’ll work with you tomorrow,” said Campbell, grinning.But the mood instantly turned serious when James Reichenbach II — better known as “Doc,” the president of ABATE (American Bikers Aimed Toward Education) of Florida, Inc. — took to the podium, his long ponytail neatly clasped with black leather and a tiny American flag.“I did three tours in Vietnam. I have three Purple Hearts. So you’re telling me I’m not allowed to go in somewhere because of what I’ve got on? I’m so angry right now, I can’t stand it,” Reichenbach said.“I’m the one who walked across six lanes, and they told me I couldn’t be served and take my bike across the street. I said, ‘Fine. I don’t need to spend my money here.’ So I did leave. But I’ve been angry about it for five years.”The motorcyclists he represents only want to be treated like everybody else, he said, adding he has walked into a restaurant wearing his ABATE T-shirt, only to be told, “Get out! You’re a gang member!”“This isn’t a joke bill. This is a serious bill. No one should be discriminated against in this state.” Reichenbach said.If money talks, Reichenbach’s message came through as loud as the rumble of a Harley-Davidson.“Last year alone in the state of Florida.. . our people brought in $1 billion into this economy. Would you tell me anyone else who brought that in as a single entity? That’s Bike Week, Biketoberfest, and motorcycle registrations went up 20.4 percent. Alone, that’s $60 million in sales tax. So do I have to tell other states, please don’t come here because Florida discriminates?”Villalobos said: “Thank you, Doc. I’ve known you for a long time, and you raise a good point. In all the time you’ve been coming up here, we’ve had problems with people in coats and ties, and we’ve never had any problem with you.” Bill examines dress codes
April 15, 2003 Regular News
August 15, 2004 Regular News Leadership by Design Leadership by Design MIAMI BEACH BAR ASSOCIATIONmembers Jamie Segal and Bruce Reich look over information at the recent Voluntary Bar Leaders Conference in Tallahassee. The annual workshop gives participants an opportunity to discuss voluntary bar association programs, share what works in their communities, and gather helpful tips to improve existing programs. It included topics such as membership recruitment and retention, fundraising and other sources of nondues revenue, association finances, pro bono outreach, membership profiling, and trends in association communications. Susan S. Demers, president-elect of the Clearwater Bar Association, provided the keynote address and provided tips on being an effective leader, which, she says, also requires being a good listener.
1SHARESShareShareSharePrintMailGooglePinterestDiggRedditStumbleuponDeliciousBufferTumblr The former chief executive of a failed credit union was sentenced Friday to 18 years in prison for stealing more than $16 million that was supposed to fund non-profit health clinics for poor families and the homeless.After testimony from more than 50 witnesses and nearly 700 exhibits during an 18-day trial in May and June in U.S. District Court in Birmingham, Ala., a jury convicted Jonathan Wade Dunning, 53, of 62 counts of wire fraud, 33 counts of money laundering, two counts of bank fraud and one count of conspiracy.What’s more, court testimony and NCUA confidential documents revealed that the federal agency successfully demanded Dunning to return nearly $4 million in suspicious non-member deposits. That action by NCUA examiners prevented a greater financial loss for the NCUSIF. continue reading »
continue reading » ShareShareSharePrintMailGooglePinterestDiggRedditStumbleuponDeliciousBufferTumblr As they labor to adapt to the digital age, banks and credit unions wonder whether all the investment and angst required to bring innovation to life will be justified by financial results. Does it actually pay to be on the leading edge? Or is the digital movement so hyped that the fast followers and even the “wait and see” pack could wind up doing just as well as those who step out ahead of the crowd?Research by Accenture finds that being a pioneer is paying off, in two ways.First, for those institutions that are truly “all in” on technology, which the firm calls “digital focused” players, efforts have started producing definite financial gains over those who are less committed, which the firm calls “digital active,” as well as over “the rest.”Second, Accenture’s international study finds that digital focused institutions around the world are being rewarded for their efforts by the financial markets.
Topics : President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo plodded through winds and rain during a visit to Mount Ainslie in Canberra, Australia, on Sunday, to study the development of the neighboring country’s capital city amid Indonesia’s own plans to build a new capital.Jokowi said he wanted to understand what it took to develop a capital city such as Canberra as his government went ahead with a plan to relocate the nation’s capital from Jakarta to East Kalimantan.“I asked the governor a lot of questions, as well as Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and National Capital Authority CEO Sally Barnes – we want to have a complete picture of what it takes to develop Canberra, how to [construct a capital] from scratch,” Jokowi said in a statement issued by the Presidential Palace on Sunday. He visited the hill on the sidelines of an official presidential trip following the recent ratification of the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA) by Indonesia’s House of Representatives.Presiden @jokowi meninjau Mount Ainslie, di Canberra, Australia, Minggu (9/2). Di Mount Ainslie, dapat terlihat Kota Canberra secara keseluruhan. Presiden ingin mendapat bayangan tata kota & manajemen Kota Canberra. Nantinya, yg baik akan diambil untuk pembangunan ibu kota baru. pic.twitter.com/8Xy9FSfnuR— Sekretariat Kabinet (@setkabgoid) February 9, 2020Jokowi said he was impressed by spatial planning in Canberra – a city constructed in 1913 with a population of 400,000.“We saw that the spatial planning was very good. We’ll study the positive aspects to improve the development of our new capital – both in terms of management and planning. We noticed that there were no administrative buildings that were more than seven stories high. But areas that are far away from the seat of the government allow [the construction of skyscrapers]; it’s a very good [policy],” he said.He went on to reiterate the government’s commitment to the relocation of Indonesia’s capital to East Kalimantan. The research phase of the relocation began five years ago and a design competition also commenced a year ago, he said.“We have made a decision; all there’s left to do is wait for a new law courtesy of the House of Representatives. Once the law is established, we will commence land clearing, as well as the construction of basic infrastructure. I think that’s what we’ll be doing,” he said.Jokowi previously announced in August last year that the province’s North Penajam Paser and Kutai Kertanegara regencies would host the country’s new capital, replacing the overpopulated and sinking Jakarta. (rfa)
Read also: Indonesia sees gloomy outlook on economy as growth falls below 5%Speaking at a seminar on Indonesia’s export prospects in Jakarta on Tuesday, Center of Reform on Economics (CORE) director Mohammad Faisal estimated that the economic growth rate would fall to 4.9 percent this year from 5.02 percent last year.This, he argued, was primarily because the coronavirus outbreak that emerged in late December 2019 in Wuhan, China, was expected to increase pressure on a global economy that had already been burdened by the prolonged United States-China trade war and growing US-Iran tensionsLike most of analysts, Sri Mulyani also expressed fear the coronavirus outbreak would further derail the global economy, although there have been signs the US-China trade war may be coming to an end with the signing of the so called “phase one” trade agreement between the two countries in mid-January.“The deal brought positive momentum for us in the beginning of this year, but it was quickly buried by news of the virus,” she said.Despite the virus outbreak, Bank Mandiri analysts have confidence the government’s plan to front-load social welfare and rural development spending will help keep household spending strong in the first half of this year.The government said it would disburse village funds in three phases, as it did last year. However, 80 percent of the funds will be disbursed in the first half of the year, an increase from 60 percent over the same period in 2019.The change will mean Rp 132.5 trillion (US$9.5 billion) will be disbursed for village funds in the first half of the year, 18 percent higher than over the same period in 2019.The front-loaded spending, coupled with expectations of an improved rice harvest in March and April thanks to better weather, is expected to provide enough support for the household spending growth to remain at 5 percent in 2020.However, as the coronavirus infection count and death toll continues to rise, Bank Danamon economist Dian Ayu Yustina said in a research report published on Feb. 6, that the global economy may take time to recover, as the outbreak would force China to place some of its cities under quarantine and close flight routes.She also warned the outbreak could pose risks to Indonesia’s economy due to a decline in the number of Chinese tourists, who account for 12.8 percent of the country’s foreign tourist arrivals. It could also potentially delay Chinese investment projects in the country, she said.Other than Chinese investment, State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) Minister Erick Thohir said on Monday that investment from other countries could also be hampered, including the newly signed US$6.8 billion investment deal with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), should the virus continue to spread over a prolonged period of time.While the forecast for the virus’ impact on the Indonesian economy might be bleak, Dian said Indonesia was less vulnerable than other countries because of its relatively low trade with China, which receives only 16 percent of Indonesia’s exports.She predicted GDP growth in 2020 to remain steady at 5 percent this year with household spending to grow at 4.9 percent.Topics : “We will increase social spending to prevent household spending from falling,” she explained.Front-loading means the government will disburse a larger portion of its yearly allocation for certain programs and projects earlier in the fiscal year.Although Indonesia maintained its economic growth at 5.02 percent year-on-year (yoy) in 2019, according to Statistics Indonesia (BPS) data the country’s quarterly growth reached only 4.97 percent yoy in the fourth quarter of last year.The slowdown in the last three months of 2019 was caused by a decline in household spending, which accounted for more than 50 percent of the country’s GDP growth during the period. The government will front-load its spending on social welfare and rural development to boost household expenditure in an effort to counter the potential economic impacts of the coronavirus epidemic.Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said the front-loaded spending was necessary to minimize the potential impacts of growing global economic uncertainty on the country’s GDP.At a press briefing in Jakarta on Friday, she said that a large portion of the year’s social spending, for programs such as the Family Hope Program (PKH), School Operational Assistance (BOS) for elementary and high schools, the non-cash food program as well as village funds for rural development, would be disbursed in the first quarter of this year.
Español, Press Release, Public Health La Administración Wolf emitió hoy una guía preliminar para que los equipos de deportes de escuela secundaria y recreativos reanuden los entrenamientos voluntarios y otras actividades en persona en las fases amarilla y verde del estado. La guía incluye deportes universitarios y profesionales.“Pennsylvania tiene algunos de los mejores atletas y equipos del país y ahora pueden comenzar a regresar de manera segura a los deportes organizados”, dijo el Gobernador Wolf. Esta guía logra el equilibro entre mantener a los alumnos atletas a salvo de la COVID-19 al tiempo que les permite participar en una parte importante de sus vidas.“Este es otro paso hacia la reapertura de nuestro estado para volver a poner las cosas en marcha. A medida que los alumnos y compañeros de equipo se preparan para entrenar y competir, es necesario que cumplan con las precauciones para protegerse entre sí y a su comunidad del riesgo de la COVID-19”.La guía preliminar es un punto de partida para los equipos deportivos de verano y la Administración Wolf continuará trabajando con las partes interesadas. La guía para las temporadas deportivas de otoño, invierno y primavera puede actualizarse.Las escuelas públicas y privadas de grados K-12 conforme a la Asociación Atlética Interescolar de Pennsylvania(PIAA, por sus siglas en inglés)y la Asociación Atlética de Escuelas Independientes de Pennsylvania (PISAA, por sus siglas en inglés) que estén en la fase amarilla y verde pueden reanudar los entrenamientos voluntarios relacionados con los deportes. Las escuelas primero deben desarrollar un plan de salud y seguridad atlética de conformidad con la Guía preliminar para la reapertura gradual de las escuelas del Departamento de Educación, que esté aprobada por la junta local de directores y publicada en el sitio de Internet de la escuela.Los equipos deportivos recreativos y aficionados de los estados que están en la fase verde y que no están afiliados a una escuela K-12 pueden realizar actividades en persona, incluidos juegos y prácticas. Algunos ejemplos incluyen baloncesto, hockey, hockey sobre césped, fútbol americano, fútbol, natación, béisbol, sóftbol, lacrosse, gimnasia y kickball. Las organizaciones deportivas juveniles deben seguir las guías de los CDC.Las reuniones de todos los participantes, incluidos los jugadores, el personal deportivo, los funcionarios y los espectadores, se limitan a 25 en la fase amarilla y 250, o el 50% de su capacidad, en la fase verde, como se describe en el Proceso de reapertura de Pennsylvania.El personal de la liga y de cada equipo deben revisar la guía de los CDC para los deportes juveniles. Los entrenadores y otro tipo de personal adulto deben usar máscaras faciales y evaluar a los atletas para detectar si presentan síntomas antes de las prácticas y de los juegos. Todos los participantes deben cumplir con las prácticas seguras de higiene y de distanciamiento social, evitar el contacto físico innecesario y limpiar y desinfectar los equipos e instalaciones. Se recomienda a los equipos escalonar los horarios de llegada y salida en los lugares al aire libre y designar entradas y salidas de las instalaciones.Los padres y otros espectadores deben practicar el distanciamiento social, cubrirse la cara y no entrar al área del campo o de bancos. Los padres deben supervisar a sus hijos para detectar síntomas de COVID-19 y evaluar a los niños con mayor riesgo de enfermedades graves.Los deportes universitarios avalados por la asociación Nacional Deportiva Universitaria (NCAA, por sus siglas en inglés), incluidos los deportes que se juegan entre muros y de clubes, pueden reanudar las actividades en persona después de desarrollar un plan atlético de salud y seguridad en consonancia con la guía para Instituciones de educación postsecundaria y programas de educación para adultos (Postsecondary Education Institutions and Adult Education Programs) de PDE.Los deportes profesionales pueden reanudarse de inmediato. Los equipos o las ligas en condados que están en la fase amarilla, o si hubiera más de 250 personas en el sitio y están en la fase verde, deben tener un plan de seguridad contra la COVID-19 aprobado por el Departamento de Salud.La guía publicada hoy brinda información adicional.La Administración Wolf también actualizó hoy la guía sobre la recreación al aire libre y la guía de verano para campamentos, piscinas y cuidado infantil que ya había sido presentada.Todos los condados están en la fase amarilla o verde.View this information in English. La Administración Wolf presenta una guía para reanudar los deportes de escuela secundaria y otros deportes de verano SHARE Email Facebook Twitter
June 10, 2020
A luxury Queensland mansion set over four levels in Ascot and built on a hill with stunning views of Brisbane has been listed for the first time.Located 7km from the CBD, the Morgan St property isn’t typical of the Queenslander style characterised by other homes in the inner-city suburb.Video Player is loading.Play VideoPlayNext playlist itemMuteCurrent Time 0:00/Duration 1:47Loaded: 0%Stream Type LIVESeek to live, currently playing liveLIVERemaining Time -1:47 Playback Rate1xChaptersChaptersDescriptionsdescriptions off, selectedCaptionscaptions settings, opens captions settings dialogcaptions off, selectedQuality Levels360p360p240p240pAutoA, selectedAudio Trackdefault, selectedFullscreenThis is a modal window.Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.TextColorWhiteBlackRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanTransparencyOpaqueSemi-TransparentBackgroundColorBlackWhiteRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanTransparencyOpaqueSemi-TransparentTransparentWindowColorBlackWhiteRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanTransparencyTransparentSemi-TransparentOpaqueFont Size50%75%100%125%150%175%200%300%400%Text Edge StyleNoneRaisedDepressedUniformDropshadowFont FamilyProportional Sans-SerifMonospace Sans-SerifProportional SerifMonospace SerifCasualScriptSmall CapsReset restore all settings to the default valuesDoneClose Modal DialogEnd of dialog window.This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button.Close Modal DialogThis is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button.PlayMuteCurrent Time 0:00/Duration 0:00Loaded: 0%Stream Type LIVESeek to live, currently playing liveLIVERemaining Time -0:00 Playback Rate1xFullscreenFour storey mansion hits Brisbane market01:48Pioneer: Inside one of the Original Queenslander style homesSet on a 912 sqm block, the contemporary property combines a sleek and dark look with an emphasis on an indoor-outdoor lifestyle.The 1470sqm home has five bedrooms, four with ensuites, plus two other bathrooms and multiple living areas.The home is spread over four levels.The house was designed by architect James Forbes, who has worked on a number of Brisbane projects including the IBM tower and the Normanby Hotel.Forbes says simple materials have been used to create a timeless look.“It’s a home that’s typically built for a Queensland climate.”“It has respected the site’s orientation and the house has an ability to open up,” he says.The property is situated on Bartley’s Hill.The architect says the design emphasises the stunning views to the city and Mount Coot-tha.“One of the most interesting things about the house is that it has many levels and it has a great connection. You go past the private office area, and you move through the different levels of the public realm of the house – it has a great journey and you get great city views as you move up,” he says.$300k: Big home, small price The home incorporates simple materials to create a timeless look.Built over a decade ago, the house’s main living level has a backyard nestled into a hill.The open-plan living area will allow guests to dine with a view.Matt Lancashire, of Ray White New Farm, says the value of the house will only grow.More from newsMould, age, not enough to stop 17 bidders fighting for this home3 hours agoBuyers ‘crazy’ not to take govt freebies, says 28-yr-old investor9 hours ago“It’s one of those homes that’s going to keep growing in value, due to its location and the views and due to the physical site – there’s hardly any properties like this that will be approved to have a house built on it,” he says.“There hasn’t been one part of the house that hasn’t been thought out.”There are generous living spaces on each level.Several luxury features are included with the home, such as a fully-equipped gym, infinity pool and climate-controlled wine cellar.It has an internal lift servicing three levels, giving easy access to the five bedrooms.Stunning: A restored Queenslander heritage sensationThe house includes a retreat for parents with impressive views.The property is being sold by tender with the deadline for offers closing on the 7th June at 5pm.Beneficial: Why more people are installing lifts inside their homes
In August, the Houthis claimedresponsibility for a missile and drone attack on a parade in Aden, the seat ofthe internationally recognized government, killing around 36 people, includinga prominent commander.(Reuters) Seven people died, among them fourchildren, and 25 were injured, according to the local forces’ spokesman. DUBAI – A missile fired by theIran-aligned Houthi group struck a military parade in Yemen’s town of al-Dhalea,killing at least seven people and wounding others, government-allied forcessaid on Sunday. The missile struck a parade groundwhere a military graduation for Security Belt forces had just finished,officials said. No one claimed responsibility for the incident. People inspect the scene of a blast which struck a military graduation parade in the town of al-Dhalea, Yemen on Dec. 29. REUTERS/STRINGER