Latest news with #OMSI
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Officials approve bold plan to protect coastal region from mounting threats: 'This would far exceed ... the past millennia'
A British firm was recently awarded a contract to oversee a major infrastructure project in Belize as part of the country's efforts to realize its ambitious climate goals. As detailed by Environment+Energy Leader, Offshore Marine Subsea International, headquartered in Bristol, specializes in undersea engineering projects. OMSI will connect San Pedro and Caye Caulker to the mainland power grid. San Pedro is a town on Ambergris Caye, the largest of Belize's coastal islands, while Caye Caulker is a tiny island popular with tourists. The move is part of Belize's ambitious plan to get 75% of its energy from renewable sources by 2030, based on the nation's 2023 Energy Policy, reported on recently by the World Bank. It will help by reducing the reliance on locally sourced dirty fuels and providing more resilience against increasingly common and severe extreme weather events. Belize imports about half its energy from neighboring Mexico, according to the World Bank, and much of that comes from hydroelectricity. While hydroelectricity is indeed renewable, it does have drawbacks, namely the habitat destruction involved. Belize is also reportedly exploring solar and geothermal energy as part of a multifaceted approach. Though responsible for just 0.01% of planet-warming pollution worldwide, per the U.N. Development Programme, Belize is more vulnerable to the effects of the worsening climate than most nations. For example, Hurricane Lisa caused massive disruptions to power and water supplies in 2022. According to a study of storms that have passed over Belize's Great Blue Hole, there has been a steady increase in storms over millennia, but the researchers predicted a significant increase within this century tied to climate change. As Goethe University Frankfurt's Eberhard Gischler, one of the study's authors, explained: "Our results suggest that some 45 tropical storms and hurricanes could pass over this region in our century alone. This would far exceed the natural variability of the past millennia." The Great Blue Hole is part of Belize's barrier reef reserves system, a "biodiversity hotspot," per UNESCO, and is home to nearly 1,400 species. Infrastructure projects such as the one to be overseen by OMSI will play a key role in safeguarding Belize's natural treasures for generations to come. "The Belize Government will do all it can to ensure this treasure is ours to enjoy, not only Belizeans but the rest of the world," former Deputy Prime Minister Patrick Faber said in the UNESCO report. Should the government be paying people to hunt invasive species? Definitely Depends on the animal No way Just let people do it for free Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ranger Chocolate Co. expanding to home of Portland's inaugural craft chocolate festival
PORTLAND, Ore. () — A premium Portland chocolate brand is planning to expand to a building that will host the city's first-ever festival for all things cacao. Earlier this month, it would be leaving its current shop on 118 NE Martin Luther King Blvd. for the Olympic Mills building — located about a half-mile away in the Central Eastside District. OMSI projects paused after Trump administration's federal funding freeze The brand first opened its Portland factory in 2013. The upcoming move marks the next era for the company, with recent accolades including a bronze medal in the International Chocolate Awards and a mention from Bon Appétit magazine. Ranger's new home, found on 107 SE Washington St., dates back to its construction in 1920. The Olympic Mills building previously served as a cereal mill, and was added to the National Register of Historic Places for its significance in 1989. 'The Olympic Mills building is an iconic part of Portland's industrial history, and we're thrilled to make it our new home,' Ranger Chocolate Founder and CEO George Domurot said in a statement. 'Staying in the Central Eastside neighborhood allows us to continue our strong ties with the local maker community while elevating our production capabilities and refining our craft. We are excited to remain part of this dynamic area as we grow.' KOIN 6 Remarkable Woman nominee: Fun Eyes helps Rachel Mackenzlee Yee see world differently The property will allow the brand to continue making its premium chocolate, as well as offer more 'tasting and touring experiences.' Additionally, the building will host the inaugural Portland Craft Chocolate Festival slated for the weekend of Oct. 3. Ranger will invite other chocolate companies and artisans to showcase and discuss their top products at the event. Company leaders will release more details on the festival at a later date. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
OMSI projects paused after Trump administration's federal funding freeze
PORTLAND, Ore. () – The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry is pausing nearly two dozen projects after the Trump administration's efforts to freeze federal funding. A spokesperson for OMSI told KOIN 6 News the museum paused around 20 federally funded projects that are in various stages of completion, as first reported by . The Portland museum is looking for pathways to fund the projects if federal funding is discontinued. This comes as Congress approaches a Friday deadline to approve funding and avoid a government shutdown. Oregon Attorney General issues guidelines for schools amid Trump admin's DEI crackdown 'In light of the most recent information available, OMSI has made the decision to pause most OMSI-led federal grant related work starting on March 1. OMSI's teams will reassess the pause on federally funded projects beginning on March 14th when Congress either passes a Continuing Resolution or a budget to fund the federal government and more information is available,' OMSI said in a statement. 'The paused projects are important to both OMSI and our partners with whom we're working, and we truly hope our previously awarded funding is honored,' OMSI continued. 'We are planning multiple scenarios and continuing to advance the initiatives funded by private philanthropy and our operations.' DOGE cuts to USDA, Forest Service spark wildfire concerns in the Pacific Northwest The funding freeze was first announced in a January 27 memo from the Office of Management and Budget. The memo recieved pushback from lawmakers, including Oregon Governor Tina Kotek and Attorney General Dan Rayfield, who said the funding freeze impacted programs such as Head Start, Medicaid, child support, domestic violence programs and law enforcement grants. The Trump administration previously said the freeze was necessary to ensure federal spending complied with recent executive orders signed by President Trump, as reported by The Associated Press, noting less than two days later, the administration rescinded the memo. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now The federal funding freeze still faces challenges in federal court. On March 6, Rhode Island District Court Judge John McConnell granted a preliminary injunction, which extended a block against the federal funding freeze in a lawsuit brought by several attorneys general. 'The Executive has not pointed to any constitutional or statutory authority that would allow them to impose this type of categorical freeze,' McConnell wrote in his ruling. 'The Court is not limiting the Executive's discretion or micromanaging the administration of federal funds. Rather, consistent with the Constitution, statutes, and caselaw, the Court is simply holding that the Executive's discretion to impose its own policy preferences on appropriated funds can be exercised only if it is authorized by the congressionally approved appropriations statutes.' In Washington D.C., U.S. District Judge Loren AliKhan also extended an order blocking the federal funding freeze as requested by groups representing nonprofits and small businesses. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
