Category Archives: Life Extension

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Empire Wind and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) announced today the extension to 2028 of their historic agreement to monitor large whales in the lease area of Empire Wind, an offshore wind project located in the New York Bight off the southern coast of Long Island.

The new agreement ensures that important data to protect wildlife in the New York Bight will be collected during the pre-construction, construction, and post-construction phases of the wind project.

Two deployed moored acoustic monitoring buoys located in the New York Bight within Empire Wind lease area have already compiled more than 2,000 days of monitoring data and have detected more than 18,000 whale sounds in near real-time, including more than 2,600 detections this year alone. The acoustic monitoring agreement is between Empire Wind, a joint venture between Equinor and bp, and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), which invented and operates the buoys.

As a new industry, it is crucial that we establish best-in -class practices throughout the development phase of our projects from the start. The technology that will be deployed over this ten-year agreement provides Equinor the ability to assess our activities in real-time and ensure that we are putting marine life first in our operations, said Siri Espedal Kindem, President Equinor Wind US.

New York State is proud to lead offshore wind development in the U.S. through an industry that is backed by science and environmental research and data. We applaud Equinor and the Wildlife Conservation Society for expanding their partnership and ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship and understanding marine life setting a strong example for how strategic collaboration can mitigate potential risks and support responsible project development, said Doreen M. Harris, President and CEO, NYSERDA.

The two buoys use WHOI-developed near real-time passive acoustic monitoring (NRT PAM) technology that detects the distinct sounds of different whale species (there is also an archival recorded aspect as well). Data collected will result in considerable new knowledge on whale occurrence and behavior in and around the Empire Wind lease area. The sounds that are detected and recorded by the buoys to date came from four large whale species: fin, humpback, sei, and North Atlantic right whales. The most commonly detected whale sound was a low frequency downsweep, called a 20Hz song note, that is produced by fin whales.

The data from this acoustic monitoring and our analyses clearly demonstrate that several large whale species are seasonally present, and some for extended periods of time in the New York Bight. This ongoing collaboration provides invaluable data on how these whales are using the New York Bight. In turn, this data can be used to inform best practices to minimize impacts on wildlife from the development of offshore wind energy, said Dr. Howard C. Rosenbaum, the Project Principal Investigator and Director of WCSs Ocean Giants Program.

The whale vocalizations detected by the buoys over the past six years highlights the importance of developing offshore wind responsibly and seeking ways to minimize impacts on marine mammals and other wildlife. Combined with individual sighting data from boats and aircraft, the vocalizations provide important baseline information on the frequency and number of animals present in and around the project area. We are delighted to continue our collaboration on this important topic with the experts at WCS, said Scott Lundin, Head of US Permitting and Environmental Affairs, from Equinor.

Mark Baumgartner, Project Principal Investigator and WHOI Marine Ecologist, said, These buoys are part of a network of identical buoys deployed all along the U.S. east coast designed to monitor for whales and alert stakeholders in near real time. This network is especially helpful for reducing risks to the North Atlantic right whale, a critically endangered species that lives on the east coasts of the U.S. and Canada.

The two acoustic buoys supported by the project are deployed as part of a broad effort to generate important data prior to construction of the Empire Wind project. The effort will continue to provide near real-time monitoring for more than a decade, both during and after construction, for the four species of large whales. This information will help Empire Wind and future offshore wind developments mitigate risks to these species from project activity, while also offering insight into any potential impact that wind farm construction and operation might have on these species. WCS began this monitoring in 2016 and Equinor began supporting it in 2019.

Information that is collected from the project is available to the public on whalesofnewyork.wcs.org and dcs.whoi.edu The data can also be accessed at an exhibit kiosk at WCSs New York Aquarium in Coney Island.

About Empire Wind

Empire Wind is being developed by Equinor and bp through their 50-50 strategic partnership in the US. Empire Wind will power more than 1 million homes and generate 2.1 GW of power. For more information, please visit http://www.empirewind.com.

About Equinor Renewables US

Equinor is one of the largest offshore wind developers in the U.S., where it operates two lease areas, Empire Wind and Beacon Wind. The projects plan to provide New York State with 3.3 gigawatts (GWs) of energyenough to power nearly two million homesincluding more than 2 GWs from Empire Wind and 1,230 megawatts from Beacon Wind 1.

bp in the US

bps ambition is to become a net zero company by 2050 or sooner, and to help the world get to net zero. bp has a larger economic footprint in the United States than anywhere else in the world, investing more than $130 billion in the economy and supporting about 245,000 jobs. For more information on bp in the US, visit http://www.bp.com/us.

WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society)

MISSION: WCS saves wildlife and wild places worldwide through science, conservation action, education, and inspiring people to value nature. To achieve our mission, WCS, based at the Bronx Zoo, harnesses the power of its Global Conservation Program in nearly 60 nations and in all the worlds oceans and its five wildlife parks in New York City, visited by 4 million people annually. WCS combines its expertise in the field, zoos, and aquarium to achieve its conservation mission. Visit: newsroom.wcs.org Follow: @WCSNewsroom. For more information: 347-840-1242. Listen to the WCS Wild Audio podcast HERE.

About Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) is a private, non-profit organization on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, dedicated to marine research, engineering, and higher education. Established in 1930, its primary mission is to understand the ocean and its interaction with the Earth as a whole, and to communicate an understanding of the oceans role in the changing global environment. For more information, visit http://www.whoi.edu

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Empire Wind and WCS Announce Extension of Historic Near Real-Time Acoustic Marine Monitoring Project In New York Bight - Business Wire

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CHALK RIVER, Ontario, Sept. 07, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Advanced Nuclear Materials Research Centre (ANMRC) is not only the cornerstone of the Government of Canadas $1.2 billion investment in the site revitalization of the Chalk River Laboratories, its the future facility for Canadas world-class research of next generation nuclear technologies. On September 9, Parliamentary Secretary Jenna Sudds, M.P., and the Chief Science Advisor of Canada, Dr. Mona Nemer will join both CNL and AECL leadership to celebrate the start of construction of the exciting new complex one of the largest nuclear research facilities ever constructed in Canada.

About the ANMRC

In addition to its role in advancing next generation nuclear technologies to support Canadas climate action plans, the 10,000 square metre ANMRC will be critical to the life extension and long-term reliability of existing reactors, including Canadas fleet of CANDU reactors and other designs deployed around the world. It will also support the national nuclear laboratorys other research priorities public health, environmental stewardship and global security.

For more information, please contact [emailprotected].

About CNL

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories is a world leader in nuclear science and technology offering unique capabilities and solutions across a wide range of industries. Actively involved with industry-driven research and development in nuclear, transportation, clean technology, energy, defence, security and life sciences, we provide solutions to keep these sectors competitive internationally.

With ongoing investments in new facilities and a focused mandate, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories is well positioned for the future. A new performance standard reinforced with a strong safety culture underscores every activity.

About AECLAECL is a federal Crown corporation with a mandate to drive nuclear opportunities for Canada. It owns the Chalk River Laboratories, Canadas largest science and technology complex, and other nuclear sites. AECL delivers its mandate through a long-term contract with CNL.

AECL supports industry and academia, as well as 14 federal government departments and agencies through the Federal Nuclear Science and Technology Work Plan, ensuring that nuclear science, research, and applications deliver value for Canadians in energy, health, environment, safety and security. It also manages the Government of Canadas responsibilities for legacy and historic radioactive waste.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/484cda6c-7cea-4e30-90d0-15d7075f7aee

CHIEF SCIENCE ADVISOR OF CANADA AND MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT JOIN CNL TO BREAK GROUND ON NEW NUCLEAR RESEARCH FACILITY

The Advanced Nuclear Materials Research Centre (ANMRC) is designed to support Canadas clean energy goals by providing services critical to the life extension and long-term reliability of existing reactors, including Canadas fleet of CANDU nuclear power reactors and other designs from around the world. In particular, as the largest single capital investment in the revitalization of the Chalk River campus, the ANMRC will feature 12 new shielded hot cells that will enable post-irradiation examination of small modular reactor (SMR) and next-generation nuclear fuels in addition to glovebox facilities to support the development of advanced fuel fabrication concepts.

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Media Advisory: Chalk River Laboratories Officially Breaks Ground on One of the Largest Nuclear Research Facilities Ever Constructed in Canada -...

Damakant Jayshi

The Wausau Water Works Commission on Tuesday approved yet another extension for a pilot study on PFAS removal but with a net cap of $15,000 for the citys utility.

This is the second extension for the continuation of the pilot study, approved despite the city acting on the studys report on installing a filtration system for the delayed new water treatment plant that, according to the City of Wausau officials, is likely to be operational next month.

In June, the commission approved adopting granular activated carbon, or GAC, technology in the citys filtration system in response to PFAS discovered in all six of the citys drinking water wells. Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances, PFAS, are also known has forever chemicals that contaminate water.

The cap of $15,000 was proposed by Commissioner John Robinson, who has repeatedly questioned the rationale for the continuation of the pilot study. He said gathering more information was great, but the commission has to be mindful of how much it will cost the taxpayers.

Robinson later said the cap is for the Department of Public Works and Utilities only and if the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources wants the study to continue, the state agency will have to fund it.

Both the consultants conducting the study and the Public Works Director, Eric Lindman, have said the extensions are necessary to collect data. In his Sept. 6 memo to the commission, Lindman said the study is the most accurate way to determine life cycle costs for PFAS treatment. He said the information would be provided to the DNR to determine the frequency of testing for PFAS.

However, Donohue & Associates, the consultants who are partnering with another consulting firm, Becher-Hoppe, on the PFAS removal design and bidding, and Lindman differed on how long the study was required. While Donohue representatives asked on Tuesday for the extension until the middle of this month, the DPW director again asked for the continuation as long as possible.

Last month, while pushing for at least a month-long extension, Lindman justified the request by saying the extended time would allow the utility to look for alternate sources of funding.

The DPW director has opposed any attempts to discontinue the pilot study. In his memo to the commission last month, he wrote that discontinuing the pilot study to save a few thousand dollars is NOT a sound engineering decision. For Tuesdays meeting, he wrote in another memo that the discontinuing the pilot study now would be irresponsible and would throw away some very critical data for determining operational costs.

Meanwhile, the scope of work done by another consulting firm, Wood Environment & Infrastructure Solutions, Inc., was reduced. The firm has been providing consulting services related to PFAS. Under the revised scope of the work, the budget is $49,013. The original total budget was $83,343.

When Commissioner Jim Force asked Lindman how much the city has spent so far, the director couldnt give him the figures. Earlier, Force asked the staff to provide the commission with a snapshot of all the current projects and those likely to be considered and the estimated costs for them.

Lindman and other senior staff working on drinking water and wastewater management have also continued to express concern over the shortage of staff due to lack of pay raises and a pay disparity with other cities. Lindman said that the staff shortage has impacted the utilitys work.

In a separate memo, Lindman reminded the commission that over the past year, recruitment/retention and staffing issues have been on the agenda for 10 of those months for discussion by the commission.

Damakant Jayshi can be reached at damakant@wausaupilotandreview.com. Contact Wausau Pilot & Reviews editor and publisher, Shereen Siewert, at editor@wasuaupilotandreview.com. Follow Wausau Pilot on Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/wausaupilot.

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PFAS pilot study gets yet another extension, scope and cost of another project reduced - wausaupilotandreview.com

The Nashville Predators are sticking with the Sinclair-owned Bally Sports regional networks. Predators games have been carried on the Fox and now Bally Sports regional networks since the teams inaugural season in 1998-99. Those games were initially on Fox Sports South, then they were on the Fox Sports Tennessee part-time sub-network that was carved out in 2008, which was then was merged back into the South network around the renaming of those networks to the Bally Sports brand in early 2021. Theyll continue to be carried on Bally Sports South under a new extension. The team announced that deal Thursday:

Here are some key quotes from that release, which notes that the Predators games will also be available through upcoming standalone streaming service Bally Sports+ (in-market; theyre available out-of-market through ESPN+s NHL out-of-market package). That service is set to launch for Bally Sports South on Sept. 26.

By extending our media rights agreement, we are excited to continue one of the first relationships the Predators ever forged, because as long as we have played, our games have been brought to life through our incredible partnership, Predators President and CEO Sean Henry said. We are fortunate that Bally Sports South continually shows a desire to invest in and improve all features surrounding our broadcast throughout the year. As we enter the new season, Bally Sports Souths direct-to-consumer streaming product is the latest example of its commitment to our fan base in making our broadcast and Predators games even more readily available and accessible.

We have a longstanding relationship with the Nashville Predators and are excited to continue to collaborate on new, innovative ways to bring Predators games to fans, said Jeff Genthner, Senior Vice President, General Manager of Bally Sports South. Our new Bally Sports+ streaming product adds another viewing option to our linear distribution channels this season, giving fans an option to pay directly for Bally Sports South.

The Predators local territory is interesting, as its not as extensive as Bally Sports Souths overall territory thanks to the Carolina Hurricanes (who also have their games broadcast on Bally Sports South). The Predators territory is Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky and Mississippi, while the Hurricanes have North and South Carolina.

There wasnt necessarily a logical other existing RSN for the Predators to go to, as there isnt a current prominent alternative in the Tennessee market. There was Comcast/Charter Sports Southeast, but that network shut down in 2014 after losing Atlanta Braves (in 2011) and SEC (in 2014) programming. And sticking with a reasonably well-distributed RSN (the release mentions its on AT&T U-verse, DIRECTV, DIRECTV STREAM, Spectrum and Xfinity, amongst other providers) makes some sense for the team, and maybe even more so now that theres going to be an over-the-top offering (although, that may be a tougher sell for Bally Sports South than some other RSNs, as they dont yet have Braves streaming rights).

But some teams have launched RSNs as the main tenant of those networks. So its notable that that didnt happen here. Instead, Bally Sports South has retained another one of its seven teams.

[NHL.com/predators]

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Predators extend deal with Bally Sports South - Awful Announcing

Welcome back to WWYDW, the only hockey column on the internet with a full no-movement clause until the year 2030.

Speaking of not-moving, it sounds as if thats the future for JT Miller of the Vancouver Canucks. After sitting through more than a calendar year of trade rumours, the 29-year-old forward signed a seven-year, $56 million extension, beginning with the 2023/24 season and carrying through all the way into the next decade.

Millers new contract comes with a cap hit of $8 million, a full NMC throughout, and a full no-trade clause for the first five years. Its also heavily laden with signing bonuses.

Its hefty, its considerable, and its signing has changed the very course of the future of the franchise.

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But right now, all of those concerns are secondary.

This week, what were really concerned about is knowing:

Let it be known in the comment section.

Last week, we asked:

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You answered below!

Hal:

Im going to go with Vegas, for the main reason that they could be the team that the Canucks will be in a battle with for 3rd in the Pacific.

LiborPolasek:

Seattle just to see how both Beniers and Wright are progressing, if Wright makes the team.

Jabs:

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I will keep it simple: Game One is game on for me. Bring on the Oilers in game one of the 2022-23 season, as that is what I am looking forward to. Let new rivalries commence, as this team improves this season. All I want is to see the puck drop in meaningful games with a team that hopefully can skate with the best of them.

I dont see the rivalries with this team being what they were in the previous decade. Matchups against Edmonton and Calgary are entertaining though, and I am glad to see the Oilers being the first to hear the Bruce, there it is! chant. Even though the game is in Edmontonthey will hear it.

Kanucked:

Colorado for me. How do they stack up against the champs?

Hockey Bunker:

(Sure, why not. Winner of the Eternal Optimist Award)

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Meeting Toronto in Stanley Cup Final (trying for the eternal optimist award).

Sandpaper:

I am looking forward to see how they match up against the Arizona Coyotes, especially when they play them in the Coyotes new 300-seat arena.

Rob:

(Winner of the authors weekly award for eloquence)

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I am looking forward to games against all of the Pacific teams. Games against Edmonton will show us how they can handle speed and superstar forwards. Games against Calgary will show us how they can handle an elite 5-on-5 team that is ridiculously deep down the middle. Games against LA will show us how they can handle a younger team on that rise that has something to prove. Games against Vegas will show us how they handle a one-time power-house with character issues that will likely turn the game dirty to try and win. Games against San Jose, Anaheim, and Seattle will show us how they handle games against teams they should be beating. I suspect that Vegas, Vancouver, and LA will be battling for the 3rd seed in the Pacific, and I am really looking forward to a meaningful rivalry forming somewhere in there.

But the matchup that I am looking forward to the most is the matchup against themselves. Does this team have the confidence and the swagger and the guts to step up and perform game after game after game? No thrown games against bottom-feeders. Handle adversity like they have been through it 100 times before. To put their foot on the neck of opponents when they have them on the ropes. To not mail in a game if they get off to a bad start (I swear to god, if Miller does this again Im going to pull out my hair). Those are the traits of a good team, I am excited to see if the Canucks fit the bill.

A River Named Curt:

Saturday, October 15 against the Canucks No. 1 playoff rival: the Bakersfield Condors.

HockeyFanMexico:

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Nothing really on the schedule that stands out that has not been mentioned. Arizona, we laugh but to get to see an NHL game live in a BCHL-sized arena will be pretty special, all jokes aside. Colorado, to see how we match up with our forward group. Mostly I am looking forward to BB pre- and post-game pressers. Always entertaining.

Kanuckhotep:

Life-long Canucks have always dreaded playing the also-ran clubs more than elite teams. Too many times, the ball has been dropped against lousier teams in clutch games, but they play the good teams actually far better. Still, the true test should be CGY, EDM, and the Cup-champ Avalanche if they plan on making noise this season. Bad clubs are the concern and always have been.

Defenceman Factory:

The match-up creating the most anxiety is the D-corps against father time. If we see no regression among any of the three top-four D-men over 30, the Canucks are a good team. The improvements at forward and a full year of Boudreau, and this is a playoff team. If even one of the top-four falters significantly or gets injured, the Canucks could really suffer. The drop-off to Rathbone and Dermott is a big one.

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WWYDW: Reactions to the Canucks' J.T. Miller extension - Canucks Army

NASA's Space Launch System might look like a mishmash of heritage Space Shuttle parts but it's all new hardware, and the team who built the twin boosters and engines have been talking about the challenges of bringing designs from the 1970s into a lunar future.

Northrop Grumman is the company behind the boosters used by the SLS. The work is overseen by NASA but, as the agency's Bruce Tiller (the SLS Booster Manager) puts it, "it's all one team."

One team it might be, but, as Tiller also admitted, "I have a small team on the government side, and they have a big team on the contractor side." This is not surprising, because Northrop Grumman (like a number of other big aerospace businesses) is recipient of quite a bit of US taxpayer money and is key to numerous aspects of the US space program.

The Register spoke to the teams on both the NASA and NG sides, responsible for the twin solid rocket boosters which, coupled with four RS-25 engines, are still sitting on the Florida launchpad after two scrubbed launch attempts.

Last week's planned launch was scrubbed after problems during fueling, and a second attempt went south on Saturday after yet another fuel leak.

It is hard to avoid thinking of a Shuttle stack (just without the Shuttle) when looking at the SLS, although the orange tank sitting between the boosters is a very different beast to the previous generation. The twin solid rocket boosters are, however, very much heritage parts. That said, there are changes. "We did two big things," said NASA's Tiller, "and a lot of small things."

The most visible of the big things is the addition of an extra booster segment: "That gives us another 20 per cent more power on those boosters" explained Tiller. "I like to kid my engine buddies: 'You can light all four of your engines and you're not going anywhere. Once you light those boosters, you're gone!"

It isn't really a joke, although a manager responsible for the engines described the boosters as the "sprinters" while his power units were more a "mile runner".

The solid rocket boosters provide around three-quarters of the initial thrust of the SLS at launch. Each consists of five segments, the casing designs of which are derived from the Space Shuttle era. "Two were on STS-135 I flew with them 11 years ago," Northrop Grumman senior director and pilot of the final Space Shuttle mission, Doug Hurley, told us.

However, unlike on Hurley's final Shuttle mission, these casings will not be floating back to Earth via parachute, and those RS-25 engines won't be gliding back on a Shuttle either.

"It's mostly performance," Tiller explained regarding the fate of the boosters and the deletion of the parachutes one of the big changes. "We saved eight flight sets knowing we were going to develop a more powerful booster [Northrop Grumman's Booster Obsolescence and Life Extension (BOLE) boosters]" That, coupled with a low anticipated flight cadence compared to the Space Shuttle, means the spent casings will be left to fall into the ocean.

"The more you fly," explained Tiller, "the more recovery makes sense. And it really saves you a lot of money. I wish we were flying that frequently," he added ruefully, "but we're not so"

So the boosters become expendable. Or go out in a blaze of glory. "It's just great to see them used in this manner," said Hurley, "as we go back to the Moon."

The same applies to the engines, formerly Space Shuttle Main Engines and now set to be dropped into the ocean after a final hurrah. Douglas Bradley, RS-25 deputy program director at Aerojet Rocketdyne, who had a hand in designing the units back in the 1970s, said production would account for the loss. "We've got 16 total engines from the Shuttle program," he explained, "so we can get to Artemis IV."

The SLS uses up four engines per vehicle (up from the three for the Shuttle) and will be run at 109 percent of rated thrust for Artemis I. This is something that was possible in the Shuttle days but, as Hurley and Northrop Grumman's director of business development Rick Mastracchio also a former Shuttle 'naut noted, that would take place only in the event of an emergency.

There is scope to push things further with Artemis engine thrust, and Aerojet Rocketdyne's Bradley added: "We've run lots of times at 109, 111 and 113, so we knew they were capable"

Why so high? "We know that sooner or later we're going to run at 111, and so our process at Aerojet Rocketdyne has always been to go two percentage points above that you usually have to run a little bit higher to ensure that every part has seen that type of strength."

Those engines (of which 14 were used in Shuttle missions) have been paragons of reliability during the life of the Shuttle, he said, but confessed to some mixed emotions knowing that the end is rapidly approaching. "We used them for so long, we kind of get to know them. You know - this one runs a little warmer. This one runs a little more specific impulse (ISP) and so on the one hand it's sad, but it's the coolest thing ever to have some engines I worked on taking us back to the Moon."

While Northrop Grumman is working on the BOLE project to replace the heritage SRB booster parts, Bradley detailed the challenges of restarting the production of the former Space Shuttle engines. "Some of the things we made in-house but people have retired. Some of the suppliers that we got our hardware from they're out of business. So we've had to somewhat relearn how to make the parts."

And more cheaply too Bradley told us that since the engines were to be expendable, the expectation was that they would be less expensive, although without degrading either reliability or performance. "In some cases," he said, "we had changes we were going to make during the Shuttle program, but ran out of time. So we incorporated those."

In other cases, modern manufacturing techniques can be used to cut costs - Bradley is quite the fan of 3D printing of rocket engine parts, something many other manufacturers are using to cut costs without sacrificing reliability.

As for other changes, the Aerojet engineer explained that an adaption program had been needed the Artemis stack is considerably taller than the Shuttle, for example, and the engines are clustered at the base. This means the operating pressures will be higher and so on.

While the RS-25s will come to life seconds before the SRBs, as in the Shuttle days, their position means that the familiar twang of the Shuttle stack, which would lean slightly upon ignition, will be gone.

"The twang," said Bradley, "was strange to see when I first saw it. It'll be weird to see it not [happen]."

Arguments over keeping the reusability of the heritage Shuttle parts have been rendered somewhat moot thanks to the lower flight cadence of the SLS and the need to wring every last bit of power from what is lurking in the storerooms.

While the engineers and ex-Shuttle astronauts all confessed to some mixed feelings over using and then dumping the equipment, all were also visibly delighted that rather than gathering dust in a museum, the hardware will be used one final time for a long-hoped for return to the Moon.

NASA said at the weekend that it has decided not to attempt another launch in early September, and will have to roll both the rocket and spacecraft back into the Vehicle Assembly Building after it decides on whether to perform work to replace a seal at the pad itself, where it can be tested under cryogenic conditions, or inside the Vehicle Assembly Building.

Because the launchpad is required for a flight to the International Space Station in early October, according to NASA director Bill Nelson, it is likely that Artemis-1's next launch attempt will not take place until the second launch window next month so any time from mid-October.

Continue reading here:

NASA's Artemis rocket makers explain that it's a marathon and a sprint - The Register

05 Sep 2022 --- Disruption in global supply chains, food shortages and the ongoing challenges of producing sustainable and nutritious food for the worlds ballooning population is observed by consumers and industry alike. With pressures continuing to mount, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic, Kerry is spotlighting the importance of food safety and integrity, as well as its solutions to maintaining safe supply chains.

In an exclusive interview, Noeleen Donegan, global vice president of Food Safety at Kerry, tells FoodIngredientsFirsthow the company is tackling these issues head-on.

Instances of raw ingredient and food product shortages have been rife in recent months due to a variety of factors. This means that many consumers have to turn to alternatives in their daily lives.

With key ingredients less readily available and the industry under pressure to limit retail price increases, she states that the global supply chain is now more than ever susceptible to food fraud and adulteration.

Supply chain transparencyThe company is an active member of global non-profit SSAFE, which works to strengthen food safety and improve well-being, alongside the Food Industry Intelligence Network (FIN) established in 2015, to ensure the integrity of food supply chains and protect the interests of the consumers.

Kerry takes an integrated approach with meat processors to meet food safety and shelf life expectations.It has also invested in Quality, Safety, Health and Environment (QSHE) projects.

However, the globalization of ingredient sourcing continues to make assessing food integrity risk across the supply chain ever more challenging and growing consumer and regulatory demand for food transparency and sustainability is pushing the industry to find better ways of sharing supply chain information.

Donegan says that industry must continue to collaborate if we are to achieve a fully transparent supply chain and the ability to share food fraud information across its increasingly global operations.

Participating in collaborative efforts such as FIIN and SSAFE is an important step toward this goal, she asserts.

Additionally, Kerry continues to monitor trends and local regulatory requirements. Doing so allows the company to support brands seeking to update or modify their preservation and protection processes, notes Donegan.

While progress has been made, the globalization of ingredient sourcing continues to create challenges in assessing food integrity and waste risk across supply chains.

Fortunately, notes Donegan, a growing consumer and regulatory demand for food transparency and sustainability is pushing the industry to find better ways of sharing supply chain information.

Kerry has the flexibility to share its raw material supply across regions as required and appropriate.

Food fraud infringement on industryWhen food fraud and ingredient adulteration happens across industry, the actions are widely undertaken for economic gain with genuine products being swapped out for low-quality alternatives and negatively impact consumer confidence and the reputation of food manufacturers.

It is estimated that economically motivated food adulteration costs the industry around 8 billion (US$7.9 billion) to 12 billion (US$11.9 billion) per year, according to the European Commission, explains Donegan.

While this kind of deception infringes the intellectual property rights of the impacted company, it also poses a direct threat from an allergen and safety point of view.

Notably, food integrity has long been recognized as an industry imperative, partly to reduce economic damage but most importantly to protect customers.

The World Health Organization has called for industry collaboration for decades and established an annual World Food Safety Day in 2018 to highlight the need for continued action, she underscores.

Which ingredients are consumers most concerned about?According to proprietary research which Kerry conducted last year, the company found that meat is the number one category of consumer concern when it comes to food safety.

Fresh meat topped the list, explains Donegan, with processed meat following close behind. Interestingly, meat alternatives also ranked high on the list.

This research also showed that 60% of consumers are more concerned about food safety since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Of course, having the proper food protection and preservation solutions in place is critical to ensuring a product is and stays safe for consumption.

Solutions for meat safetyAccording to Donegan, Kerry takes an integrated approach with meat processors to meet food safety and shelf life expectations.

Formulating meat food safety solutions requires trained microbiologists, in-application challenges, and shelf life studies. She elaborates that challenge studies mimic potentiaThe globalization of ingredient sourcing continues to make assessing food integrity risk across the supply chain challenging.l contamination to demonstrate that a preservative can keep food safe during a worst-case scenario.

One of our newest solutions in this space is an acetate-based preservation solution for meat.

This innovation is a unique blend of acetate and diacetate to provide exceptional efficacy and food safety. This is a dry product that can be used up to five times less than a traditional liquid lactate/diacetate blend to achieve the same level of food safety.

Because this solution is used at such a low dosage, it often has no negative impact on taste, she notes. The efficacy at low doses is due to higher undissociated acid content. This means less preservation product is needed while still meeting vital food safety standards. In more technical terms, the positive effects of acetates are higher in the neutral-pH zone a key reason lactates can be replaced by applying acetates at a much lower dose.

With many of the food safety preservative solutions currently on the market both conventional and those offering a clean label having a sodium base that contributes more to the final product, the need for solutions has led to a slow but steady shift in preservation protocols, Donegan details.

Meat applications are notoriously challenging in terms of meeting sodium targets, so she says sodium-based preservatives are ground zero for reformulators.

Our solution is sodium free to help meet processors sodium reduction goals while maintaining superior food safety in their meat products.

Uncertainties for plant-based alternativesMeanwhile, just as industry is exploring new realms of plant-based alternatives, so are consumers, and in getting to know the storage and cooking process of these new products, they remain wary, warns Donegan.

Almost half of the consumers voiced concerns over the food safety of plant-based meat alternatives, according to a survey carried out by Kerry last year, second only to the real deal. How do you know when a plant-based burger is cooked properly or past its use-by date? Can plant-based meat pass or fail a gone-off sniff test?

According to Donegan, these uncertainties pose an issue for increased food waste as customers err on caution. Research shows that only half of food waste can be reduced by shelf life extension or preservation innovation, while the remaining 50% is down to changing consumer behavior.

She presents the opportunity for businesses to clarify their food safety credentials in meat alternatives and innovate new ways of satisfying customers concerns.

Another challenge facing the sector in meat-free innovation is that statistically, a consumer of plant-based alternatives has more significant health-conscious needs and is highly mindful of a products ingredients label. Traditionally effective preservatives such as salt and sugar are less desirable and may even dissuade some consumers from purchasing a product.

Yet, without sufficient preservation, a products shelf life is shortened; its safety can be called into question, and the risk for food waste increases again.

Kerry is working to solve these issues in effective ways. One approach is to investigate the spoilage organisms in plant-based meat alternatives, which tend to be higher than other food products. By minimizing these through clean label preservation solutions, a products shelf life can be increased, resulting in a reduction of waste, Donegan concludes.

By Elizabeth Green

To contact our editorial team please email us at editorial@cnsmedia.com

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Food supply chains are susceptible to fraud and adulteration more than ever, warns Kerry - Food Ingredients First

Iconic Auckland food truck The White Lady has received a 12-month extension to its operating licence from Auckland Council.

Auckland Councillor Richard Hills confirmed the news on Thursday morning.

When I heard their extension was at risk I requested staff work with the White Lady to address issues to get a good outcome for such an iconic business in out city, he said.

I also asked that they not be blamed for things outside their control such as intoxicated people. Complaints from residents and businesses need to be followed up, theres also a need to take into consideration that the city centre is a different beast to most local neighbourhoods.

READ MORE:* The White Lady's fate hangs in balance as food truck licence set to run out

Operations Manager Max Washer said he was ecstatic about the news.

Chris McKeen/Stuff

This comes as the future of the truck was in doubt as its current mobile trading licence was set to expire on September 30.

On behalf of my family, our staff, and all our customers past, present and future we want to thank Auckland Council for believing that our little business has a place in this great city.

We know about the escalating violence in the city however I can tell you that the area around the White Lady is probably the safest in the city at night.

Whether theyre businesses on wheels, or brick and mortar, people want to be part of a positive vibrant night-life and thats what were here for, to feed hungry people living their lives.

This comes as the future of the truck was in doubt as its current mobile trading licence was set to expire on September 30.

The much-loved food truck, which is Auckland's longest-running food truck and has been going for more than 70 years, came under scrutiny in April when Auckland Council reduced its annual licence to six weeks.

Chris McKeen/Stuff

Operations Manager Max Washer said he was ecstatic about the news.

It came after a nearby business complained that smoke and odour was entering its store.

There were also complaints of litter and drunk customers blocking the stores entrance.

Operations manager Max Washer said theyd tried their best to rectify concerns raised by council inspectors who visited their site.

Signs were put up to discourage littering and loitering, more bins were set up, and staff conducted regular checks around the site to monitor rubbish.

Auckland Council licensing and regulatory compliance general manager Mervyn Chetty said on Wednesday they were heartened by the progress made by The White Lady team.

Auckland Council has been approached for comment.

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Reprieve for The White Lady as iconic food truck gets 12-month licence extension - Stuff

Gypsy moth undergoes four developmental life stages; these are the egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa, and adult. Gypsy moth females lay between 500 to 1,000 eggs in sheltered areas such as underneath the bark of trees. The eggs are covered with a dense mass of tan or buff-colored hairs. The egg mass is approximately 1.5 inches long and 0.75 inches wide. The eggs are the overwintering stage of the insect. Eggs are attached to trees, houses, or any outdoor objects. The eggs hatch in spring (April) into caterpillars.

Caterpillar (Larval Stage)

Gypsy moth caterpillars are easy to identify, because they possess characteristics not found on other leaf-feeding caterpillars. They have five pairs of blue dots followed by six pairs of red dots lining the back. In addition, they are dark-colored and covered with hairs. Young caterpillars primarily feed during the day whereas the older caterpillars feed at night. When present in large numbers, the older caterpillars feed day and night. Young caterpillars spread to new locations by crawling to the tops of trees, where they spin a silken thread and are caught on wind currents. Older caterpillars are approximately 1.5 to 2.0 inches long. Gypsy moth caterpillars do not produce a web, which distinguishes it from web-making caterpillars such as the Eastern tent caterpillar, Malacosoma americanum and the fall webworm, Hyphantria cunea. The Gypsy moth larval stage lasts approximately seven weeks.

Male Moth

Female Moth

In early summer (June to early July), Gypsy moth caterpillars enter a pupal or transitional stage. The pupae are dark brown, shell-like cases approximately two inches long and covered with hairs. They are primarily located in sheltered areas such as tree bark crevices or leaf litter. Adult Gypsy moths emerge from the pupae in 10 to 14 days. They are present from July into August. Females have white to cream-colored wings, a tan body, and a two-inch wingspan. Female Gypsy moths cannot fly. Males, which are smaller than females, with a 1.5-inch wingspan, are dark-brown and have feathery antennae. Both the adult female and male can be identified by the inverted V-shape that points to a dot on the wings.

Gypsy moth has only one generation per year. Gypsy moth populations will go through cycles in which the populations will increase for several years then decline, and then increase again. Area-wide outbreaks can occur for up to ten years, but generally population densities in localized areas remain high for two to three years.

Adapted from Entomology Fact Sheet, NHE-153 written by Raymond A. Cloyd and Philip L. Nixon, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, in cooperation with the Illinois Natural History Survey.

This site is for use by municipal forestry departments, park districts, the green industry and other concerned agencies to report gypsy moth findings in NortheasternIllinois. The site will be monitored by University of Illinois Extension staff and the Illinois Department of Agriculture to assist in the effort to suppress the spread of gypsy moth.

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Gypsy Moth Biology & Life Cycle - University of Illinois Extension

Johanna Hicks/ Front Porch News

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Agent, Johanna Hicks, and a team of Extension Specialists and Extension program administrators were honored at the 2022 National Health Outreach Conference in Kansas City, Missouri. The Priester Award is based on programs designed to meet an identified need at the individual and/or family level. The purpose of the award is to recognize Extension programs that positively influence the health of people across the United States by providing leadership to expand Extensions capacity to increase the number of Americans who are healthy at every stage of life.

Hicks and the Texas team of Extension Specialists and Extension program administrators received honors for the Cooking Well with Diabetes series, focusing on planning and preparing healthy meals for persons with type 2 diabetes. Hicks has been teaching the 4- session series since 2007. Recently, she served on the team to revise the curriculum which led to recognition by the National Health Outreach Priester Awards committee.

Hicks played a significant role in revising the Cooking Well with Diabetes curriculum to better reflect nutritional/dietary guidelines from the United States Department of Agriculture. The program has been met with great success from participants from across the state of Texas.

Hicks serves as the Family & Community Health Extension Agent in Hopkins County, headquartered in Sulphur Springs. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Tarleton State University and a secondary teaching certification and Master of Education Degree from Texas Christian University. She has been with the Extension service for 27 years and has served as a mentor for numerous Extension educators.

Contributed by Johanna Hicks, B.S., M.Ed.

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AgriLife's Johanna Hicks and Team Honored at 2022 National Health Outreach Conference - frontporchnewstexas.com