Daily Archives: September 3, 2022

Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service: Migratory Bird Hunting; Final 202223 Frameworks for Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations -…

Posted: September 3, 2022 at 4:36 pm

B-334544

August 31, 2022

The Honorable Thomas R. CarperChairmanThe Honorable Shelley Moore CapitoRanking MemberCommittee on Environment and Public WorksUnited States Senate

The Honorable Ral M. GrijalvaChairmanThe Honorable Bruce WestermanRanking MemberCommittee on Natural ResourcesHouse of Representatives

Subject: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service: Migratory Bird Hunting; Final 202223 Frameworks for Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations

Pursuant to section 801(a)(2)(A) of title 5, United States Code, this is our report on a major rule promulgated by the Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) titled Migratory Bird Hunting; Final 202223 Frameworks for Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations (RIN: 1018-BF07). We received the rule on August 16, 2022. It was published in the Federal Register as a final rule on July 15, 2022. 87 Fed. Reg. 42598. The effective date is July 15, 2022.

According to FWS, it is establishing the 20222023 final frameworks from which states may select season dates, limits, and other options for the 20222023 migratory game bird hunting season for certain migratory game birds. FWS stated that it prescribes, on an annual basis, outside limits (which it calls frameworks) within which states may select hunting seasons. According to FWS, frameworks specify the outside dates, season lengths, shooting hours, bag and possession limits, and areas where migratory game bird hunting may occur. FWS stated that these frameworks are necessary to allow state selections of seasons and limits and to allow harvest at levels compatible with migratory game bird population status and habitat conditions. FWS also stated that migratory game bird hunting seasons provide opportunities for recreation and sustenance, and aid federal, state, and tribal governments in the management of migratory game birds.

The Congressional Review Act (CRA) requires a 60-day delay in the effective date of a major rule from the date of publication in the Federal Register or receipt of the rule by Congress, whichever is later. 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(3)(A). The 60-day delay in effective date can be waived, however, for any rule that establishes, modifies, opens, closes, or conducts a regulatory program for a commercial, recreational, or subsistence activity related to hunting, fishing, or camping. 5 U.S.C. 808(1). In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 808(1), FWS stated that it did not defer the effective date of this final rule because the rule establishes regulations for hunting.

Enclosed is our assessment of FWSs compliance with the procedural steps required by section 801(a)(1)(B)(i) through (iv) of title 5 with respect to the rule. If you have any questions about this report or wish to contact GAO officials responsible for the evaluation work relating to the subject matter of the rule, please contact Shari Brewster, Assistant General Counsel, at (202) 512-6398.

Shirley A. JonesManaging Associate General Counsel

Enclosure

cc: Gregory W. FlemingWildlife BiologistFish and Wildlife Service

ENCLOSURE

REPORT UNDER 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(2)(A) ON A MAJOR RULEISSUED BY THEDEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICETITLEDMIGRATORY BIRD HUNTING; FINAL 202223 FRAMEWORKSFOR MIGRATORY BIRD HUNTING REGULATIONS(RIN: 1018-BF07)

(i) Cost-benefit analysis

The Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) prepared an economic analysis for the 20222023 migratory bird hunting season. FWS estimated the consumer surplus of three alternatives for duck hunting regulations. According to FWS, the Office of Management and Budgets (OMB) Circular A-4, states that consumer surplus is the difference between what a consumer pays for a unit of a good or service and the maximum amount the consumer would be willing to pay for that unit. FWS noted that the duck hunting regulatory alternatives are (1) issue restrictive regulations allowing fewer days than those issued during the 20212022 season, (2) issue moderate regulations allowing more days than those in Alternative 1, and (3) issue liberal regulations similar to the regulations in the 20212022 season. FWS stated that for the 20212022 season, it chose Alternative 3, with an estimated consumer surplus across all flyways of $270$358 million with a mid-point estimate of $314 million.

(ii) Agency actions relevant to the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), 5 U.S.C. 603605, 607, and 609

According to FWS, this rule will have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities under RFA. FWS estimated that migratory bird hunters would spend approximately $2.2 billion at small businesses in 2022.

(iii) Agency actions relevant to sections 202205 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995, 2 U.S.C. 15321535

FWS certified that this rulemaking will not impose a cost of $100 million or more in any given year on local or state government, or private entities. Therefore, FWS stated, this rule is not a significant regulatory action under the Act.

(iv) Other relevant information or requirements under acts and executive orders

Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. 551 et seq.

FWS stated that the process for promulgating annual regulations for the hunting of migratory game birds involves the publication of a series of proposed and final rulemaking documents. Accordingly, on August 31, 2021, FWS published a proposed rule titled, Migratory Bird Hunting; Proposed 202223 Migratory Game Bird Hunting Regulations (Preliminary) With Requests for Indian Tribal Proposals; Notification of Meetings. 86 Fed. Reg. 48649. Additionally, FWSs Service Regulation Committee (SRC) conducted an open meeting with the Flyway Council on April 6, 2021, and on September 2829, 2021, to discuss preliminary issues concerning 20222023 proposed regulations. See 86 Fed. Reg. 15957 (Mar. 25, 2021) (announcing the April 6, 2021, meeting). On February 2, 2022, FWS published a proposed rule titled, Migratory Bird Hunting; 202223 Frameworks for Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations. 87 Fed. Reg. 5946. FWS stated that it considered all pertinent comments received, which includes comments submitted in response to both proposed rules and the September SRC meeting. FWS also stated that this final rule establishes final regulatory frameworks for migratory game bird hunting regulations for the 20222023 season and includes no substantive changes from theFebruary 2, 2022, proposed rule except a minor correction.

Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), 44 U.S.C. 35013520

According to FWS, this rule does not contain any new collection of information that requires approval by OMB under PRA. FWS stated that OMB has previously approved the information collection requirements associated with migratory bird surveys and the procedures for establishing annual migratory bird hunting seasons under the following OMB Control Numbers: 1018-0019, North American Woodcock Singing Ground Survey (expires Feb. 29, 2024); 10180023, Migratory Bird Surveys, 50 CFR 20.20 (expires Apr. 30, 2023); and 1018-0171, Establishment of Annual Migratory Bird Hunting Seasons, 50 C.F.R. Part 20 (expires Oct. 31, 2023).

Statutory authorization for the rule

FWS promulgated this final rule pursuant to chapter 128 of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, codified at sections 703711 of title 16, United States Code.

Executive Order No. 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review)

According to FWS, OMBs Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs has determined that this final rule is economically significant under the Order.

Executive Order No. 13132 (Federalism)

FWS stated that this final rule will not impose significant federalism effects and will not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a federalism summary impact statement.

Read more from the original source:

Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service: Migratory Bird Hunting; Final 202223 Frameworks for Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations -...

Posted in Federalism | Comments Off on Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service: Migratory Bird Hunting; Final 202223 Frameworks for Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations -…

The online gambling industry wants into California but do we want to let them in? – Valley Voice

Posted: at 4:35 pm

Do your eyes glaze over every time a campaign ad flashes across your screen about Proposition 27 or 26?

Both sides have spent a combined $320 million to get your vote, but their ads dont always paint an accurate or complete picture.

Here is a more realistic synopsis.

In 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court legalized sports betting outside of Nevada, meaning gamblers could now bet on football and baseball and almost all other sporting events.

Now each state is free to decide for themselves, and since the Supreme Court ruling, 34 states and the District of Columbia have legalized sports betting either online or in-person.

Both Prop 26 and 27 would legalize sports betting in California if passed.

The difference is that Prop 26 only legalizes sports betting in person and Prop 27 makes it legal to gamble online.

Prop 27 is being pushed by the out-of-state online gambling industry and will generate billions of dollars for their companies, most of which will leave the state.

Prop 26 is backed by many of the Native American tribes who run the larger casinos. The tribal casinos will see an influx of tens of millions of dollars on sports betting done at their casinos, and most of it will stay in the state.

In a strange twist of fate in these partisan times, the state Republican and Democratic parties oppose Prop 27 as do their leaders in the Assembly and Senate. The state GOP also opposes 26, while the Democratic Party is neutral.

The official line on the propositions

Prop 26, or the California Sports Wagering Regulation and Unlawful Gambling Enforcement Act, would allow tribal casinos and the states four horse race tracks to offer sports betting. It would also allow tribal casinos to expand their gambling offerings to roulette and dice games.

AYESvote on 26 measure means according to the California Attorney General:

ANOvote on 26 measure means:

Prop 27 is called California Solutions to Homelessness and Mental Health Act and would legalize online sports betting outside of Native American lands, and allow gaming companies to offer online sports betting if they partner with a tribe.

AYESvote on 27 measure means as prepared by the CA Attorney General:

ANOvote on 27 measure means:

What does your vote mean?

If you vote yes on both Prop 26 and 27 both new laws will go into effect because they do not necessarily cancel each other out. But it is widely accepted that the tribal casinos will file a lawsuit to keep Prop 27 from becoming law and to prevent online betting.

If you vote no on both Prop 26 and 27, sports betting online or in person will remain illegal in California.

If you vote yes on Prop 27 and no on Prop 26, anyone with a cell phone will be able to gamble online on sporting events.

If you vote yes on Prop 26 and no on Pro 27, betting on sporting events will have to be done in person at a casino. Prop 26 also has a provision in it that might force the states 84 card rooms out of business.

Who is for and against Proposition 27 and where does the money go?

According to a report done by McClatchy, Online gambling companies: FanDuel, DraftKings and other giants of internet wagering have contributed $150 million to pass Proposition 27, which would open up online sports betting and raise hundreds of millions in new taxes for homeless programs. Proposition 27 says the companies would have to partner with a tribe. Tribes could also operate online sports betting on their own.

Tribes who run large casinos have contributed $118 million into Prop 26. According to McClatchy, among the big donors is the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, owner of Cache Creek Casino. Tribes argue that the rival plan, promoted by online gambling companies, would harm their business and erode their hard-won economic gains.

But not all the California tribes are in lock step against Prop 27.

The Tachi Yokuts that runs Tachi Palace in Kings County is one of three tribes who have joined the Yes on 27 campaign. Tachi says online sports betting would generate far greater prosperity for their people. Limiting sports betting to in-person they say will favor the larger casinos.

However the Tule River Tribe that runs Eagle Mountain in Tulare County outside of Porterville is steadfastly against Prop 27.

The Desert Sun stated, The reason for the tribes mobilization against the online measure is clear. Online sports betting accounts for between 85% and 90% of the total market in states where its legal, were going to see decreases in people going to the physical casinos, and I think thats the big concern for the tribes here.

Eagle Mountain is relocating to a location right off Highway 65 and enlarging their casino.

Homeless advocate organizations are also split on Proposition 27. Some have endorsed the Yes on 27 campaign along with the mayors of Oakland, Sacramento and Fresnos Jerry Dyer who all are battling their own homeless crisis.

But according to a report by McClatchy, some homeless advocates have branded Proposition 27 a cynical ploy that wont solve the problem. The online companies would take their profits out of the state and leave just a few crumbs for homeless programs, they argue.

The legislative budget analysis has predicted online betting would generate approximately $500 million annually.

But California allots $10 billion in the state budget to go towards homelessness.

Governor Gavin Newsom said during a speech at a Los Angeles housing project that, maybe it will provide a few dollars.

Its not a homeless initiative, and I know Angelenos can read between the lines and know better, he said.

Card room are also opposed to Prop 26. They fear that Prop 26 would put themout of business, placing thousands of jobs at risks and putting a dent in local governments revenue streams. They have contributed $41 million to oppose Prop 26 saying they are concerned about a provision that would allow tribes to sue card rooms for alleged improprieties in their gaming operations.

Who wins?

Historically, California initiatives are more likely to fail than pass. Add to that, when voters are confused by two dueling initiatives the likelihood of them passing goes down even further

In a poll taken by FM3, a company used by Visalia for past ballot measures, 58% of voters opposed Prop 27 and 33% said they were likely to vote yes.

And so what is expected to be the costliest initiative campaign in U.S. history may all have been for naught.

If Proposition 26 passes, tribes that run casinos will be able to increase their profits by the tens of millions a year through in person sports betting.

But online betting is a horse of a different color.

The gambling industry has been desperate to infiltrate Californias market since the 2018 Supreme Court decision. With a population of 40 million, California is the goose that laid the golden egg and if Proposition 27 passes we will be handing over billions of dollars a year to the out-of-state online gambling industry.

And so naming Prop 27 California Solutions to Homelessness and Mental Health Act could be interpreted as less than honest.

According to McClatchy, Amid the confusion, one thing is clear: Online sports betting would represent a staggering expansion of gambling in California. Tens of billions of dollars would likely be wagered. The online companies share, after paying off the winning bets, would come to an estimated $3.2 billion a year, said D.J. Leary, director of business development at market research firm Eilers & Krejcik Gaming.

You exponentially increase the number of people betting on sports, said Richard Auxier, an analyst with the Urban Institute think tank.

Read the original:

The online gambling industry wants into California but do we want to let them in? - Valley Voice

Posted in Roulette | Comments Off on The online gambling industry wants into California but do we want to let them in? – Valley Voice

The Top Live Casino Games You Can Play at NJ Online Casinos – Pokerfuse

Posted: at 4:35 pm

iStockPhoto

Live Dealer Games have been all the craze lately at online casinos worldwide, and New Jersey online casinos are no exception. There is a growing demand for this type of virtual gambling entertainment that tries to bridge the gap between the online and in-person experience.

While things started somewhat slowly in terms of live table games in the US, they have picked up over the recent months. Thanks to this, players at the best online casinos in NJ now have access to a great variety of live casino options to cater to every taste.

Whether you are into classics like roulette and blackjack or want something different and innovative, these sites have you covered. Keep on reading to find out what you can expect to find in the live casino sections at NJ online casinos.

Special Signup Offer

100% deposit bonus up to $1000!

The first and the most popular group encompasses the live dealer versions of classic table games popular at brick-and-mortar casinos. These are blackjack, roulette, and, to a somewhat lesser extent, baccarat.

These games are available at all regulated NJ casinos, including on the BetMGM Casino NJ App and DraftKings Casino NJ App, and desktop platforms. They are primarily powered by Evolution Gaming, the biggest company in this niche, but you will also find tables streamed live from Ezugi studios.

Besides traditional variations (such as American and European roulette and Classic Blackjack), you can also try your luck with new inventions, such as Lightning Roulette. The game plays like European roulette but with lower base payouts. To compensate for that, it adds multipliers to random numbers at the start of each spin, which can go up to 500x.

Given the popularity of traditional poker (played against other players), it is no surprise that casinos have come up with many house-banked variations of the game. These have standard rules, but, like all casino games, they also maintain a fixed house edge that guarantees a profit for the operator.

Real money online casinos in New Jersey feature several decent live dealer options for the players looking for these types of poker games:

These games are generally available around the clock, with no breaks, which is one of the most significant advantages live dealer online casino games have over their brick-and-mortar counterparts. The action truly never stops here.

Special Signup Offer

100% deposit bonus up to $2000!

Another area where live dealer casinos genuinely excel and have the upper hand over their traditional counterparts is innovation. Gaming studios have much more room to experiment with new ideas, as they can rely much more on modern technologies.

Companies like Evolution Gaming have taken full advantage of these opportunities, creating a range of innovative games that are unavailable in any brick-and-mortar establishments. These are games like Dream Catcher, where players enjoy special bonus features, and live hosts do their best to make every round as entertaining as possible.

You will find these games at NJ online casinos under the Game Shows category, as they draw their inspiration from famous TV shows. Game-show-inspired titles may not be for everyone, but they are popular with newer generations of online players. These players want more entertainment value for their money and online casinos and game developers alike are happy to oblige!

Start playing Live Casino games with BetMGM Casino NJ or DraftKings NJ

Continue reading here:

The Top Live Casino Games You Can Play at NJ Online Casinos - Pokerfuse

Posted in Roulette | Comments Off on The Top Live Casino Games You Can Play at NJ Online Casinos – Pokerfuse

Moore vs. Valdes: One of the First Boxing Matches Funded by a Casino – UrbanMatter

Posted: at 4:35 pm

Over the years, Las Vegas has worn a number of faces. What began as a tiny settlement based around a passing railroad would become a base for Hoover Dam workers during the inter-war years. This massive construction project would ultimately lead to the issuance of the first gambling license to the Northern Club, as bored workers sought entertainment after gruelling days in the desert sun.

Via nuclear testing, we end up in modern times. However, a tale of Vegas history wouldnt be complete without mentioning boxing. Sin City is curiously bereft of sports franchises, with just three major professional teams within its limits, namely, Las Vegas Raiders, Vegas Golden Knights, and Las Vegas Aces, all of which emerged after 2018. Boxing has been part of the citys heritage since the mid-fifties.

Its difficult to separate boxing from local casinos but the very first bout that involved a casino didnt actually take place inside one. The second meeting of Archie Moore vs. Nino Valdes on May 2nd, 1955, was held on a baseball field in Downtown Las Vegas. Cashman Field, now a soccer stadium for Las Vegas Lights, is arguably where boxings partnership with the casino industry began.

It happened almost by accident. Boxing was just the latest experiment held by a town desperate to create something that would bring the punters in. With $100,000 provided by local casino bosses, a figure that equates to about $1.1m today, theres a sense that somebody wanted boxing to become Vegas sweetheart. Moore vs. Valdes wasnt particularly popular in the end but it wouldnt be the last fight held in the city.

Of course, in hindsight, casinos always seemed destined to double as hubs for gaming and shows of all types. In the UK, the largest mixed entertainment venue in the country The Hippodrome Casino in Londons West End is one of these combined establishments, putting on theatre performances, poker events, and even the stage version of Magic Mike, which it has the exclusive rights for.

This kind of expansion mirrors that of Las Vegas venues. The concept of a residency for performing artists like Adele and Usher goes back decades, for example. Casinos are also likely to fold online entertainment into their business model, too. The Hippodrome Casino has an expansive online casino that incorporates slots, roulette, and live games, featuring a human dealer on a webcam.

Archie Moore beat Nuno Valdes on points in what was described as a fight for the World Heavyweight Championship of Nevada by promoter Jack Kearns. It was pitched as an event held by Happy Vics Bar, an area that now hosts the 1st Street Stage, in addition to a number of casinos, but its hard to escape the casinos influence over the bout. Happy Vics promised giant jackpots galore for visitors on that particular day.

Today, Vegas is perhaps better known for big money fights such as the $250m contest between Mayweather vs Pacquiao. Theres a lot of history behind Las Vegas boxing matches for those who are willing to go hunting, though.

Featured Image Source: Pexels.

See more here:

Moore vs. Valdes: One of the First Boxing Matches Funded by a Casino - UrbanMatter

Posted in Roulette | Comments Off on Moore vs. Valdes: One of the First Boxing Matches Funded by a Casino – UrbanMatter

Whats the Most Futuristic Car on Sale Right Now? – Jalopnik

Posted: at 4:34 pm

Is the Mercedes EQS the car of the future? Photo: Mercedes-Benz

Its all change in the car world these days. Gas-powered models are being shown the door while sleek, battery-powered models packed full of tech are being ushered in. And all this is happening while automakers are trying to decide what a modern car looks like and how it should act in 2022.

And this got us thinking. Of all the new models released in recent years, do any of them feel truly modern and like the cars we were promised wed be driving by the time we reached the 2020s? So today, we want to uncover the most futuristic cars you can buy right now.

Futuristic can mean a lot of things when it comes to cars. It could be as simple as a sleek, minimalist style that looks straight out of a sci-fi epic. Or, it could be all about the futuristic tech crammed into the cabin, as long as it all works. Or, there could be a powertrain that you think really is the basis of our automotive future.

Whatever the reasoning and whatever the car, we want to hear about it.

In terms of the cars that offer a tangible taste of a future predicted by the movies, I think theres no better pick than the Mercedes EQS Sedan. This porpoise-like EV has that orb-like form that was promised in films like Wall-E, yet its cabin is packed with the soft glow of an inordinate amount of touch screens.

G/O Media may get a commission

And while an argument could be made for Tesla a few years back, the companys impressive electric range is already being matched by other automakers. And, if you think its self-driving capabilities make up for that, then please refer to the earlier stipulation that any futuristic tech youre considering must actually work.

So, with all that in mind, why dont you make like a tree and head straight to the comments section to let us know your picks for the most futuristic cars on sale right now. Well round up some of the top responses in a slideshow next week.

Follow this link:
Whats the Most Futuristic Car on Sale Right Now? - Jalopnik

Posted in Futurist | Comments Off on Whats the Most Futuristic Car on Sale Right Now? – Jalopnik

Here’s How It’d Look If Chris Farley Played the Joker, According to AI – Futurism

Posted: at 4:34 pm

Why so serious?Jokerfied

The villainous Joker, from the world of "Batman," has been brought to life on screen in numerous memorable performances: Jack Nicholson in "Batman" (1989), Heath Ledger in "The Dark Knight" (2008) and even Juaquin Phoenix "Joker" (2019.)

One casting we never got to see was famed "Saturday Night Live" cast member Chris Farley as the iconic bad guy, since he tragically passed away in 1997. But thanks to the magic of text-to-image artificial intelligence Midjourney, now we can see what might have been:

The images are clearly evocative, rendering Farley's arresting countenance in the ominous face paint and purple-suited sleaze of the noted Batman nemesis, and they've been reverberating across the web for several days now. It's canny casting concept, not the least because Farley, like Ledger, died young under tragic circumstances.

But the shots also invoke philosophical questions with which the world is only starting to grapple in the age of advanced and increasingly democratized AI-powered creativity tools. After all, it's one thing to whip together a few images of a might-have-been casting decision, but we're rapidly entering a period in which machine learning might feasibly allow fans to recast favorite films using deepfakes, or even leverage similar software to create entirely movies on their own.

Just yesterday, for instance, we heard about a guy who's painstakingly using AI tech to generate an entire sci-fi movie. For now, the outputs are spooky but not quite up to par. It's provocative, though, to imagine a day when a long-dead actor could be inserted into a movie made after he passed away or even a new one, sprung from fans' imaginations and the startling creative potential of AI.

More on killer clowns: Facial Recognition Tech Is No Match for Juggalo Makeup

Read the original post:
Here's How It'd Look If Chris Farley Played the Joker, According to AI - Futurism

Posted in Futurist | Comments Off on Here’s How It’d Look If Chris Farley Played the Joker, According to AI – Futurism

Futuristic virtual reality experience opens in Colorado – Out There Colorado

Posted: at 4:34 pm

Sandbox VR, a company responsible for opening 25 virtually reality locations around theUnited States, Canada, Asia and Europe, has recently announced the opening of its newest VR hub in Denver.

"Sandbox VRs socially immersive gaming experience combines full-body motion capture and high-quality haptics to provide unprecedented realism and complete immersion thats not possible with home VR systems or other location-based VR venues, taking group VirtualReality gameplay and competitive socializing to the next level," a news release said.

The Denver Sandbox VR, to be located at the Park Meadow Mall, will include five gaming rooms, where groups of six at a time can explore virtual worlds together and play games.

Upon arrival, guests will receivea VR headset, a haptic vest, a backpack, and motion sensors on their wrists and ankles. These will help them physically and visually interact with the virtual world of theirchoosing. So far, the company has announced six VR storylines that players can immerse themselves in, including a zombie apocalypse, gladiator battles, a supernatural encounter, an underwater adventure, a battle against androids, and a Star Trek-themed mission.

"Players experience heart-pounding, exhilarating, and unforgettably immersive gameplay when they fend off zombie hordes, enter a world of swashbuckling adventure, soar into the clouds in a space elevator or compete against one another in a futuristic combat arena the true future of immersive entertainment," the release said.

The location will officially open to the public on September 9. For more information, visit the Sandbox VR websitehere.

STAY INFORMED:Sign-up for the daily OutThere Colorado newsletter here

Go here to read the rest:
Futuristic virtual reality experience opens in Colorado - Out There Colorado

Posted in Futurist | Comments Off on Futuristic virtual reality experience opens in Colorado – Out There Colorado

Amazon Secretly Shut Down All Its Solar Rooftops After They Started Catching Fire – Futurism

Posted: at 4:34 pm

According to a CNBC investigation, retail giant Amazon which made solar power a key pillar of its planto reach zero emissions by 2040 secretly switched off all rooftop warehouse solar panels amid multiple fires and safety concerns.

"Out of an abundance of caution, following a small number of isolated incidents with onsite solar systems owned and operated by third parties, Amazon proactively powered off our onsite solar installations in North America, and took immediate steps to re-inspect each installation by a leading solar technical expert firm," an Amazon spokesperson conceded to CNBC in a statement.

The issue here isn't necessarily that Amazon clearly had some faulty tech on their hands. And if equipment is catching fire and threatening employee safety as AmazonBasics products have done before it should definitely be powered down. But the company failed to make the malfunctions and the subsequent shut-downs known to the public, which means that the company was apparently withholding info about both employee safety andits environmental efforts and impact.

Internal documents obtained by CNBC showed that between April 2020 and June 2021, there were at least six separate incidents of rooftop solar panels either catching fire or suffering electrical explosions. Forty-seven North American Amazon warehouses had these panels installed, meaning the dangerous malfunctions impacted roughly 12.7 percent of all such sites.

"The rate of dangerous incidents is unacceptable," an Amazon employee reportedly wrote in one internal report obtained by CNBC, "and above industry averages."

But these incidents and the following string of shutdowns and evaluations remained undisclosed, even though the Amazon's 2021 sustainability report released long after those shutdowns and evaluations were underway praised itself for its commitment to solar energy, domestically and beyond US borders.

"Many of our fulfillment facilities throughout the US, Europe, and India are powered by on-site solar," reads the 2021 report, "where a rooftop installation can power up to 80 percent of the facility's energy use."

According to CNBC, the documents also detailed extensive and frankly, alarming issues with the thousands of panels, as discovered by the company's third-party inspector.

"Over the past five years," read one internal document, blaming outside parties for Amazon's failures, "solar malfunctions have been caused by improper installation techniques, improper commissioning of a new system, inadequate system maintenance and equipment malfunction."

Amazon is no stranger to workplace dangers, nor is it exactly a climate hero. But this seems especially egregious. Maybe new solar panels are a better use for all that Blue Origin money, hm?

READ MORE:Amazon took all U.S. solar rooftops offline last year after flurry of fires, electrical explosions[CNBC]

More on bad Amazon behavior: Jeff Bezos Says the FTC Is Being Vewy Vewy Mean

Read this article:
Amazon Secretly Shut Down All Its Solar Rooftops After They Started Catching Fire - Futurism

Posted in Futurist | Comments Off on Amazon Secretly Shut Down All Its Solar Rooftops After They Started Catching Fire – Futurism

Scientists Say They Found the Genes That Makes Immortal Jellyfish Immortal – Futurism

Posted: at 4:34 pm

This could be big.Over and Over

The secret of immortality may be contained within a jellyfish smaller than a human fingernail, so scientists have spent the last several decades trying to unlock the secrets ofTurritopsis dohrnii, more commonlycalled the immortal jellyfish.

On Monday, researchers from the Universidad de Oviedo in Spain published new research in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) that just may help crack that mystery. Long story short, the immortal jellyfish appear to have twice as many copies of the genes associated with repair and protection than its related but mortal cousin, the crimson jellyfish known as Turritopsis rubra.

"While aging affects most living organisms, the hydrozoanTurritopsis dohrnii is the only species able to rejuvenate repeatedly after sexual reproduction, becoming biologically immortal," the authors wrote in the paper. "We have identified variants and expansions of genes associated with replication, DNA repair, telomere maintenance, redox environment, stem cell population, and intercellular communication."

DNA repair and telomeres are particularly important to the critter. When times are tough or the jelly is starving, it re-absorbs its own tentacles and sinks to the seafloor, where it becomes a baby polyp once more and spouts off more jellies that will eventually mature into medusae.

The jelly's telomeres act like little DNA hard hats, protecting the ends of chromosomal strands as they reproduce. Normally, telomeres get shorter and are "used up" during this process, but that isn't the case with Turritopsis dohrnii.

It's easy to envy the immortal jellyfish, but it's equally important to be careful what you wish for. We still don't know how Turritopsis dohrniiedits its cells so easily, and on a semantic and philosophical level, it's not clear whether the resulting medusae are the same individual or not.

Still, researchers have cause to be excited one of the best explanatory videos on the web about this special jelly describes how learning how to replace brain cells, for instance, could unlock new treatments for diseases that humans haven't yet been able to treat, like Parkinson's or Alzheimer's.

In a statement, study author and Universidad de Oviedo professor confirmed the team hopes to find out how to help humans live longer.

"From this knowledge we hope to find better answers to the many diseases associated with aging that overwhelm us today," Carlos Lpez-Otn said.

More on medical needs: Illegal Online Pharmacies for Contraceptives Are Booming in Post-Roe America

More:
Scientists Say They Found the Genes That Makes Immortal Jellyfish Immortal - Futurism

Posted in Futurist | Comments Off on Scientists Say They Found the Genes That Makes Immortal Jellyfish Immortal – Futurism

Guy Who Has to Move NASA Moon Rocket Back to Hangar Very Annoyed – Futurism

Posted: at 4:34 pm

"I went to my management and said, 'I'm not bringing it back. It stays here.'"Behemoth on Wheels

The launch of NASAs Artemis 1 mission has been delay to September 3,or perhaps further.It's an anticlimactic setback for all involved, but theres one man whos particularly aggrieved by the situation: John Giles, the crawler overseer.

The crawlers, as they're called, are NASA's gargantuan vehicles 131 feet long and 114 feet wide and supported by suitably massive treads that move the agency's colossally heavy spacecraft aroundat the John F. Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Now, if the September 3 launch doesnt work out, the Space Launch System (SLS) launching the mission will need to be hauled back to its Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) for deeper diagnosis and repairs something Giles wants to avoid at all costs.

"I jokingly told them when we went to the pad and dropped it off this time, I went to my management and said, 'I'm not bringing it back. It stays here,'" Giles said in an interview with Mashable before the launch, originally scheduled for Monday, was delayed the first time. "'You gotta launch it because I'm not gonna take it back to the VAB.'"

Giles hilariously open chagrin is not unwarranted. Moving this marvel of engineering, which at the size of a skyscraper weighs millions of pounds and is precariously balanced atop an unwieldy vehicle, is monumentally stressful and boring. The crawler lumbers along at a literally sleep-inducing pace of less than one mile per hour, with drivers switching out along the way so none of them fall victim to its drowsy effects. All in all, it's an eight hour expedition from the hangar to the launchpad or vice versa.

"You get tired,"Giles toldMashable. "You start to see things."

Giles weary annoyance is so palpable, it may be enough to will this launch into actually happening. After all, who would want to draw the ire of the all important crawler overseer?

And Giles is already pretty worn and weary. The treads, known as "shoes," are a major point of concern for him, as each journey wears them thinner and thinner.

"Every roll stresses me because of the amount of weight and the amount of value of what we're carrying," Giles said in the Mashable interview.

NASA definitely doesn't want to piss this guy off any further.

More on NASA: James Webb Just Took Its First Direct Image of an Exoplanet

See the original post:
Guy Who Has to Move NASA Moon Rocket Back to Hangar Very Annoyed - Futurism

Posted in Futurist | Comments Off on Guy Who Has to Move NASA Moon Rocket Back to Hangar Very Annoyed – Futurism