activistpost--2020-09-01--Update on Utilities Benefiting from “Dark Money” in Ohio and Illinois and How This Hurts ALL America

Update on Utilities Benefiting from “Dark Money” in Ohio and Illinois and How This Hurts ALL Americans

Activist Post has reported about recent legislator and utility bribery scandals in both Ohio and Illinois ( see 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ) .
Many don ’ t realize that utility companies have also benefited at the expense of customers with the deployment of utility “ Smart ” Meters – electric , gas , and water .
These meters DO NOT save meaningful amounts of energy and customer bills tend to go up – not down – after they are installed .
“ Smart ” Meters collect customer usage data 24/7 , whereas original 1-way transmitting analog @ @ @ @ @ @ @ analyze usage data so they can market more products and services to customers and/or sell data to 3rd parties .
Millions have already been installed by American utility companies and millions more are planned .
Only time will tell how much “ Dark Money ” played a role in their deployment as well .
Ohio bribery scandal increases scrutiny of how utilities use ‘ dark money ’ groups As Wall Street analysts and anxious shareholders continue to wait for more dominoes to fall from a federal corruption probe in Ohio , investor-owned utilities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ semblance of improper political activity by voluntarily disclosing contributions to “ dark money ” groups .
“ I think there will be efforts to create transparency .
I don ’ t know really what is going to end up happening , ” Glenrock Associates LLC analyst Paul Patterson told S & P Global Market Intelligence , expressing skepticism over a “ nationwide movement.
” “ I think it can vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction , ” Patterson said .
David Pomerantz , executive director of the Energy and Policy Institute , a utility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has led to “ increased scrutiny on utilities ’ use of 501 ( c ) ( 4 ) groups to covertly spend money in pursuit of their political agenda , both from policymakers and from investors .
”

By B.N. Frank
Activist Post has reported about recent legislator and utility bribery scandals in both Ohio and Illinois (see 1, 2, 3, 4). Many don’t realize that utility companies have also benefited at the expense of customers with the deployment of utility “Smart” Meters – electric, gas, and water. These meters DO NOT save meaningful amounts of energy and customer bills tend to go up – not down – after they are installed.
“Smart” Meters collect customer usage data 24/7, whereas original 1-way transmitting analog meters DO NOT. Utilities collect and analyze usage data so they can market more products and services to customers and/or sell data to 3rd parties. Millions have already been installed by American utility companies and millions more are planned. Only time will tell how much “Dark Money” played a role in their deployment as well.
From SP Global:
Ohio bribery scandal increases scrutiny of how utilities use ‘dark money’ groups
As Wall Street analysts and anxious shareholders continue to wait for more dominoes to fall from a federal corruption probe in Ohio, investor-owned utilities could feel greater pressure to avoid any semblance of improper political activity by voluntarily disclosing contributions to “dark money” groups.
“I think there will be efforts to create transparency. I don’t know really what is going to end up happening,” Glenrock Associates LLC analyst Paul Patterson told S&P Global Market Intelligence, expressing skepticism over a “nationwide movement.”
“I think it can vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction,” Patterson said.
David Pomerantz, executive director of the Energy and Policy Institute, a utility watchdog organization, said the Ohio scandal has led to “increased scrutiny on utilities’ use of 501(c)(4) groups to covertly spend money in pursuit of their political agenda, both from policymakers and from investors.”
Read full article


activistpost--2020-09-01--Pension Funds Start Looking to Gold to Avert Disaster

The first and most obvious threat to pensioners is that defined-benefit vehicles are severely underfunded .
By one estimate , pension systems taken as a whole are $ 638 billion in the red .
Some are in better shape financially than others .
But all pension plans will have to reckon with a second huge challenge going forward .
Namely , they are already entirely unable to meet their stated return objectives by owning conventional “ safe ” interest-bearing instruments such as Treasury bonds .
The Federal Reserve has effectively declared war on savers by vowing to hold short-term interest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to come .
Longer-term bond yields also plummeted to record lows ( below 1 % for most maturities ) this year .
An ultra-low interest rate environment is survivable for investors only so long as rates keep falling , thereby generating capital gains on bond holdings that supplement their diminutive coupon payments .
But what happens when the great bond bull market , which has been intact for nearly four decades , reverses ?
It will be a disaster for the assets of pension funds .
They could reach for yield elsewhere by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ portfolio would be too volatile for their conservative investing mandate .
Even the highest quality stocks got hammered during the virus-induced economic lockdown hysteria this spring .
Market volatility combined with rising liabilities has driven a 6 % increase in total adjusted pension debt this year , according to Moody ’ s Investor Services .
Meanwhile , the Federal Reserve recently announced that it would be changing its 2 % inflation “ target ” to an “ average.
” That gives central bankers the policy leeway to begin pushing inflation well above 2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And let ’ s not forget the Fed also uses the U.S. Government ’ s grossly understated inflation statistics . )
Pension Plans CAN Hold Gold – But Only These Two Do How can pension funds obtain protection from this threat ?
They can own gold .
Last week , Ohio ’ s $ 16 billion Police & Fire Pension Fund approved a 5 % allocation to the monetary metal .
This relatively small gold allocation provides at least some measure of portfolio diversification and could pay off in an outsized way if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mania phase .
Ohio will join Texas , through its Texas Teacher Retirement System , in having the only known public pension programs that hold precious metals .
See : 177 Different Ways to Generate Extra Income Each fund appears to be targeting about $ 1 billion in gold holdings .
Others have been urged to do so , including by the Sound Money Defense League and Money Metals Exchange , whose Sound Money Index ranks all 50 states on whether they hold gold in their pension or reserve funds .
Wyoming , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ idea early last year when gold was trading at just $ 1,300/oz .
In a contentious Wyoming senate hearing in February 2019 , the career deputy to the newly elected State Treasurer – having just turned in a staggering $ 300+ million loss on the state ’ s controversial investment in Third World debt – scoffed at gold while openly opposing his own boss who had just testified in favor of holding the monetary metal to protect the state .
Unfortunately , precious metals assets represent only about 0.5 % of all savings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The vast majority of pensioners and workers are thus vulnerable , like sitting ducks , to the threat of an inflation outbreak or a meltdown in the financial system .
The bias against gold runs deep , according to Larry Parks , Executive Director of the Foundation for the Advancement of Monetary Education ( FAME ) : “ Money managers , lawyers , actuaries , accountants , and other ‘ fiduciaries ’ recommend pension plans to not have gold in their portfolios .
They say that gold is too risky and too volatile.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ true : “ The real reason they try to discredit gold is that gold pays no fees , which is their principal concern .
Thus , they have an inherent conflict of interest with pensioners , who are by law the sole plan beneficiaries .
It is a scandal how pension trustees have been misled.
” Those who are now , or later will be , relying on a pension as their primary source of retirement income should develop a fail-safe backup plan .
The agency tasked with backing up pension programs , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ itself underfunded and could quickly become insolvent in the event of a rise in pension failures .
Of course , the risk of a pension program failing to keep pensioners ahead of inflation is closer to a certainty .
Conventional institutional asset allocation models will be exposed as deficient and even dangerous when their stock and bond portfolios wilt under a period of possible stagflation – an economic trend that investors haven ’ t had to navigate since the late 1970s .
The ultimate hedge against a regime of currency depreciation and an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paper is physical precious metals .
As FAME ’ s Larry Parks advises , “ If you want a secure retirement , you better own some physical gold.
” We would add that if you want the potential for some spectacular real gains in retirement above and beyond what gold delivers , you better own some physical silver as well .
Stefan Gleason is President of Money Metals Exchange , a precious metals dealer recently named “ Best in the USA ” by an independent global ratings group .
A graduate of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seasoned business leader , investor , political strategist , and grassroots activist .
Gleason has frequently appeared on national television networks such as CNN , FoxNews , and CNBC and in hundreds of publications such as the Wall Street Journal , The Street , and Seeking Alpha .
Subscribe to Activist Post for truth , peace , and freedom news .
Send resources to the front lines of peace and freedom HERE !
Follow us on SoMee , HIVE , Parler , Flote , Minds , and Twitter .
Provide , Protect and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Get a free issue of Counter Markets today .

By Stefan Gleason
Public and private pension plans face a dual crisis.
The first and most obvious threat to pensioners is that defined-benefit vehicles are severely underfunded. By one estimate, pension systems taken as a whole are $638 billion in the red.
Some are in better shape financially than others. But all pension plans will have to reckon with a second huge challenge going forward.
Namely, they are already entirely unable to meet their stated return objectives by owning conventional “safe” interest-bearing instruments such as Treasury bonds.
Fed Declares War on Savers
The Federal Reserve has effectively declared war on savers by vowing to hold short-term interest rates near zero, likely for years to come. Longer-term bond yields also plummeted to record lows (below 1% for most maturities) this year.
An ultra-low interest rate environment is survivable for investors only so long as rates keep falling, thereby generating capital gains on bond holdings that supplement their diminutive coupon payments.
But what happens when the great bond bull market, which has been intact for nearly four decades, reverses? It will be a disaster for the assets of pension funds.
They could reach for yield elsewhere by owning dividend-paying stocks. But an all-equity portfolio would be too volatile for their conservative investing mandate. Even the highest quality stocks got hammered during the virus-induced economic lockdown hysteria this spring.
Market volatility combined with rising liabilities has driven a 6% increase in total adjusted pension debt this year, according to Moody’s Investor Services.
Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve recently announced that it would be changing its 2% inflation “target” to an “average.” That gives central bankers the policy leeway to begin pushing inflation well above 2% for an extended period. (And let’s not forget the Fed also uses the U.S. Government’s grossly understated inflation statistics.)
Pension Plans CAN Hold Gold – But Only These Two Do
How can pension funds obtain protection from this threat? They can own gold.
Last week, Ohio’s $16 billion Police & Fire Pension Fund approved a 5% allocation to the monetary metal. This relatively small gold allocation provides at least some measure of portfolio diversification and could pay off in an outsized way if the gold market enters into a price-compounding mania phase.
Ohio will join Texas, through its Texas Teacher Retirement System, in having the only known public pension programs that hold precious metals.
Each fund appears to be targeting about $1 billion in gold holdings.
Others have been urged to do so, including by the Sound Money Defense League and Money Metals Exchange, whose Sound Money Index ranks all 50 states on whether they hold gold in their pension or reserve funds.
Wyoming, for example, considered and rejected the idea early last year when gold was trading at just $1,300/oz.
In a contentious Wyoming senate hearing in February 2019, the career deputy to the newly elected State Treasurer – having just turned in a staggering $300+ million loss on the state’s controversial investment in Third World debt – scoffed at gold while openly opposing his own boss who had just testified in favor of holding the monetary metal to protect the state.
Unfortunately, precious metals assets represent only about 0.5% of all savings and investments in the United States. The vast majority of pensioners and workers are thus vulnerable, like sitting ducks, to the threat of an inflation outbreak or a meltdown in the financial system.
The bias against gold runs deep, according to Larry Parks, Executive Director of the Foundation for the Advancement of Monetary Education (FAME): “Money managers, lawyers, actuaries, accountants, and other ‘fiduciaries’ recommend pension plans to not have gold in their portfolios. They say that gold is too risky and too volatile.”
But Parks says the opposite is true: “The real reason they try to discredit gold is that gold pays no fees, which is their principal concern. Thus, they have an inherent conflict of interest with pensioners, who are by law the sole plan beneficiaries. It is a scandal how pension trustees have been misled.”
A Secure Retirement Requires Physical Backup
Those who are now, or later will be, relying on a pension as their primary source of retirement income should develop a fail-safe backup plan.
The agency tasked with backing up pension programs, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, is itself underfunded and could quickly become insolvent in the event of a rise in pension failures.
Of course, the risk of a pension program failing to keep pensioners ahead of inflation is closer to a certainty.
Conventional institutional asset allocation models will be exposed as deficient and even dangerous when their stock and bond portfolios wilt under a period of possible stagflation – an economic trend that investors haven’t had to navigate since the late 1970s.
The ultimate hedge against a regime of currency depreciation and an environment of negative real returns on interest-bearing paper is physical precious metals.
As FAME’s Larry Parks advises, “If you want a secure retirement, you better own some physical gold.”
We would add that if you want the potential for some spectacular real gains in retirement above and beyond what gold delivers, you better own some physical silver as well.
Stefan Gleason is President of Money Metals Exchange, a precious metals dealer recently named “Best in the USA” by an independent global ratings group. A graduate of the University of Florida, Gleason is a seasoned business leader, investor, political strategist, and grassroots activist. Gleason has frequently appeared on national television networks such as CNN, FoxNews, and CNBC and in hundreds of publications such as the Wall Street Journal, The Street, and Seeking Alpha.
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Subscribe to Activist Post for truth, peace, and freedom news. Send resources to the front lines of peace and freedom HERE! Follow us on SoMee, HIVE, Parler, Flote, Minds, and Twitter.
Provide, Protect and Profit from what’s coming! Get a free issue of Counter Markets today.


activistpost--2020-09-01--“Corona World” Video Game Lets You Kill the Covidiots! — Propaganda Watch

Have you played Corona World yet ?
It ’ s the hot new online game from German public broadcasters ARD @ @ @ @ @ a nurse who has to go shopping while being assaulted by joggers , party people @ @ @ @ @ children .
So what do you do ?
You stomp them to death , of @ @ @ @ @ ages !
Corona World : The game for the crisis .
The Killer Game World @ @ @ @ @ – # NewWorldNextWeek Subscribe to Activist Post for truth , peace , and freedom news @ @ @ @ @ front lines of peace and freedom HERE !
Follow us on SoMee , HIVE , @ @ @ @ @ , and Twitter .
Provide , Protect and Profit from what ’ s coming !
@ @ @ @ @ Counter Markets today .

By The Corbett Report
Have you played Corona World yet? It’s the hot new online game from German public broadcasters ARD and ZDF where you play a nurse who has to go shopping while being assaulted by joggers, party people, preppers and highly contagious children.
So what do you do? You stomp them to death, of course! Fun for all ages!
SHOW NOTES:
Corona World: The game for the crisis.
The Killer Game
playcoronaworld.com
What is Funk?
World Rising Up Against the Lockdowns – #NewWorldNextWeek
?
Watch on Archive / BitChute / LBRY / Minds / YouTube
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activistpost--2020-09-01--Police Use Facial Recognition Smart Helmets To Conduct Indiscriminate Surveillance At Airports

When news broke about the Flint Bishop airport police becoming the first police department in the country to start using facial recognition police helmets , I thought , this must be an episode from the Twilight Zone .
But alas , it is reality , and once again DHS/TSA have taken government surveillance to a frightening new level .
As WXYZ 7 Detroit revealed .
“ This device is a game-changer , ” Airport Director Nino Sapone said .
“ It has the ability to perform several functions , including detecting the temperature of multiple people at a distance of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The helmet is the first mobile platform of its kind , allowing our Police Officers the flexibility to walk the terminal building and randomly screen both incoming and outgoing passengers .
We couldn ’ t be more pleased to be partnering with KeyBiz to spearhead the incorporation of this advanced technology in the United States.
” Allowing police to scan the faces of thousands of airline passengers is more than a game-changer , it is a privacy nightmare more suited for a Twilight Zone episode .
Imagine police officers on Segways traveling through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recognition smart helmets to identify you and your family with no option to opt-out .
How do you opt-out if a police officer with a smart helmet looks at you ?
Short Answer : you can ’ t .
Bishop International Airport Director Nino Sapone could not be more pleased about their police department “ spearheading the incorporation of this advanced technology in the United States.
” Why would an airport director be so excited about police surveilling everyone from 21 feet away .
And who is behind it ?
There it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been warning people about since the outbreak of the pandemic .
The feds are using our fear of catching COVID-19 as an excuse to use facial recognition/thermal imaging under the guise of public safety .
Become an Activist Post Patron for $ 1 per month at Patreon .
KeyBiz ’ s smart helmets also come equipped with license plate readers , essentially turning cops into mobile surveillance platforms .
Using police officers to indiscriminately scan everyone ’ s faces and license plates is a recipe for disaster .
According to an NBC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facial recognition smart helmets into airports looking for blacklisted or “ wanted criminals.
” Although the article does not specifically mention blacklisted people , it does mention that airport police use smart helmets to compare peoples faces to “ databases of alleged criminals.
” History has shown that airport police ( DHS/TSA ) have access to numerous databases of blacklisted people and a secret list of unruly passengers .
TSA ’ s “ Stay Healthy , Stay Secure ” campaign , encourages airline passengers to scan themselves .
Getting your boarding pass and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safer .
Gone are the days when you actually had to hand your ID to an TSA officer .
Now , you ’ ll be able to get your identification verified without any physical contact between you and a TSA officer .
However , the TSA officer may ask you to temporarily lower your face mask to verify you are who you say are .
But apparently the Feds do not believe that every American will scan themselves .
Hence , KeyBiz smart helmets that take all the guess work out of identifying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ redress ?
Do you approach the police officer and demand that they delete your picture ?
Too late , your image [ s ] has already been downloaded to the cloud and entered into a DHS/police database .
Welcome to pandemic America : You are now free to get up and travel throughout the country as long as you agree to be identified and treated like a suspected criminal .
There is zero justification for turning police into mobile surveillance platforms in an open society .
Subscribe to Activist Post for truth , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resources to the front lines of peace and freedom HERE !
Follow us on SoMee , HIVE , Parler , Flote , Minds , and Twitter .
Provide , Protect and Profit from what ’ s coming !
Get a free issue of Counter Markets today .

By MassPrivateI
When news broke about the Flint Bishop airport police becoming the first police department in the country to start using facial recognition police helmets, I thought, this must be an episode from the Twilight Zone.
But alas, it is reality, and once again DHS/TSA have taken government surveillance to a frightening new level. As WXYZ 7 Detroit revealed.
“This device is a game-changer,” Airport Director Nino Sapone said. “It has the ability to perform several functions, including detecting the temperature of multiple people at a distance of up to 21 feet with precision accuracy The helmet is the first mobile platform of its kind, allowing our Police Officers the flexibility to walk the terminal building and randomly screen both incoming and outgoing passengers. We couldn’t be more pleased to be partnering with KeyBiz to spearhead the incorporation of this advanced technology in the United States.”
Allowing police to scan the faces of thousands of airline passengers is more than a game-changer, it is a privacy nightmare more suited for a Twilight Zone episode.
Imagine police officers on Segways traveling through airport terminals across the country using facial recognition smart helmets to identify you and your family with no option to opt-out. How do you opt-out if a police officer with a smart helmet looks at you? Short Answer: you can’t.
Bishop International Airport Director Nino Sapone could not be more pleased about their police department “spearheading the incorporation of this advanced technology in the United States.”
Why would an airport director be so excited about police surveilling everyone from 21 feet away. And who is behind it?
Flint Bishop International Airport Police will stand alone as the first group in the country to utilize this new technology,” said Steve Lorincz, TSA’s Federal Security Director Detroit Field Office. “The airport, along with TSA’s initiatives from our ‘Stay Healthy. Stay Secure.’ Campaign, utilizing acrylic barriers and Credential Authentication Technology (CAT) units to minimize personal touch points, remain committed to the health and safety of our frontline workers and airline travelers to help minimize the spread of COVID-19.
There it is in black and white. Everything I have been warning people about since the outbreak of the pandemic. The feds are using our fear of catching COVID-19 as an excuse to use facial recognition/thermal imaging under the guise of public safety.
Become an Activist Post Patron for $1 per month at Patreon.
KeyBiz’s smart helmets also come equipped with license plate readers, essentially turning cops into mobile surveillance platforms. Using police officers to indiscriminately scan everyone’s faces and license plates is a recipe for disaster.
According to an NBC 25 News article the feds are sneaking facial recognition smart helmets into airports looking for blacklisted or “wanted criminals.”
Although the article does not specifically mention blacklisted people, it does mention that airport police use smart helmets to compare peoples faces to “databases of alleged criminals.” History has shown that airport police (DHS/TSA) have access to numerous databases of blacklisted people and a secret list of unruly passengers.
TSA’s “Stay Healthy, Stay Secure” campaign, encourages airline passengers to scan themselves.
Getting your boarding pass and Identification verified has now gotten easier and safer. Gone are the days when you actually had to hand your ID to an TSA officer. Now, you’ll be able to get your identification verified without any physical contact between you and a TSA officer. However, the TSA officer may ask you to temporarily lower your face mask to verify you are who you say are.
But apparently the Feds do not believe that every American will scan themselves. Hence, KeyBiz smart helmets that take all the guess work out of identifying everyone.
Where does one go for redress? Do you approach the police officer and demand that they delete your picture? Too late, your image[s] has already been downloaded to the cloud and entered into a DHS/police database.
Welcome to pandemic America: You are now free to get up and travel throughout the country as long as you agree to be identified and treated like a suspected criminal.
There is zero justification for turning police into mobile surveillance platforms in an open society.
Source: MassPrivateI Blog
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activistpost--2020-09-02--Richard Gage Delivers Updates on 9/11 Truth — Interview With James Corbett

Richard Gage of AE911Truth.org joins us to discuss the various actions , inquests , studies , documentaries and conferences that are happening around the 19th anniversary of 9/11 .
• AE911Truth Who We Are • A Tailor-Made Opportunity to Get the 9/11 Evidence into Court : Help This Family Obtain a New Inquest into the Death of Their Son • The Campaign for a Fresh Inquest into the Death of Geoffrey Thomas Campbell on September 11 , 2001 : A Summary • When is the News Not the News ?
– # PropagandaWatch • University Study Finds Fire Did Not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 9/11 • Short Version of New Documentary SEVEN Begins Airing Today on PBS Watch on Archive / BitChute / LBRY / Minds / YouTube or Download the mp4 Visit James Corbett at CorbettReport.com .
Subscribe to his channel on YouTube and Bitchute , and support him on Patreon .
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Send resources to the front lines of peace and freedom HERE !
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Provide , Protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ !
Get a free issue of Counter Markets today .

By The Corbett Report
Richard Gage of AE911Truth.org joins us to discuss the various actions, inquests, studies, documentaries and conferences that are happening around the 19th anniversary of 9/11.
SHOW NOTES:
?
Watch on Archive / BitChute / LBRY / Minds / YouTube or Download the mp4
Visit James Corbett at CorbettReport.com. Subscribe to his channel on YouTube and Bitchute, and support him on Patreon.
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activistpost--2020-09-02--United Airlines To Slash 16,370 Jobs As Air Travel Sinks

United Airlines joined American Airlines in the latest round of massive job cuts as the virus pandemic continues to batter the travel and tourism industry .
United said , in an internal memo , seen by Fox Business , that it will furlough 16,370 workers on Oct. 1 .
This includes 2,850 pilots , 6,920 flight attendants , and 2,010 technicians .
The Chicago-based carrier has over 90,000 workers and initially warned in July that 36,000 jobs were at risk of being lost as a demand crisis in air travel persisted through summer .
The pandemic has drawn us in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expert predicted , and in an environment where travel demand is so depressed , United can not continue with staffing levels that significantly exceed the schedule we fly , ” the company memo to employees said .
“ Sadly , we don ’ t expect demand to return to anything resembling normal until there is a widely available treatment or vaccine.
” Airlines were infused with $ 25 billion in stimulus in March from the federal government to keep tens of thousands of workers employed through September .
With the bailout funds depleted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a couple years , and some airlines warning that if more bailout money is not seen shortly , another round of massive layoffs could be seen .
President Trump has responded to the crisis earlier this week and said his administration will support struggling carriers .
“ We ’ ve got four executive actions that actually the president took , we ’ re going to take a few others , ” White House chief of staff Mark Meadows said last week .
“ Because if Congress is not going to work , this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and solve some problems .
So hopefully , we can help out the airlines and keep some of those employees from being furloughed.
” In July , United ’ s CEO Scott Kirby said air travel won ’ t recover until there ’ s a proven vaccine for COVID-19 .
With no proven vaccine in sight , just optimsic headlines from Trump to pump the stock market , Kirby had to defer all new aircraft deliveries due in 2022 .
The latest International Air Transport Association report in mid-August suggested that passenger demand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2024 .
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By Tyler Durden
United Airlines joined American Airlines in the latest round of massive job cuts as the virus pandemic continues to batter the travel and tourism industry.
United said, in an internal memo, seen by Fox Business, that it will furlough 16,370 workers on Oct. 1. This includes 2,850 pilots, 6,920 flight attendants, and 2,010 technicians.
The Chicago-based carrier has over 90,000 workers and initially warned in July that 36,000 jobs were at risk of being lost as a demand crisis in air travel persisted through summer.
The pandemic has drawn us in deeper and lasted longer than almost any expert predicted, and in an environment where travel demand is so depressed, United cannot continue with staffing levels that significantly exceed the schedule we fly,” the company memo to employees said. “Sadly, we don’t expect demand to return to anything resembling normal until there is a widely available treatment or vaccine.”
Airlines were infused with $25 billion in stimulus in March from the federal government to keep tens of thousands of workers employed through September. With the bailout funds depleted, air travel recovery that could take a couple years, and some airlines warning that if more bailout money is not seen shortly, another round of massive layoffs could be seen. President Trump has responded to the crisis earlier this week and said his administration will support struggling carriers.
“We’ve got four executive actions that actually the president took, we’re going to take a few others,” White House chief of staff Mark Meadows said last week. “Because if Congress is not going to work, this president is going to get to work and solve some problems. So hopefully, we can help out the airlines and keep some of those employees from being furloughed.”
In July, United’s CEO Scott Kirby said air travel won’t recover until there’s a proven vaccine for COVID-19. With no proven vaccine in sight, just optimsic headlines from Trump to pump the stock market, Kirby had to defer all new aircraft deliveries due in 2022.
The latest International Air Transport Association report in mid-August suggested that passenger demand might not return to 2019 levels until 2024.
Source: Zerohedge
Image: Pixabay
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activistpost--2020-09-02--Edison Electric Institute Trained Utility Execs and Lobbyists to Win Political Campaigns (Ohio Inclu

Edison Electric Institute Trained Utility Execs and Lobbyists to Win Political Campaigns (Ohio Included)

Although utility corruption in Ohio and Illinois is making headlines ( see 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ) it ’ s not isolated to these states .
According to a recent article , utility executives and lobbyists have received training by at least one organization to benefit at customers ’ expense : Edison Electric Institute ( EEI ) .
EEI used anti-clean energy campaigns as role models in political boot camp for utility execs EEI ’ s boot camp held up two companies as case studies – FirstEnergy and APS – despite both having become paragons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for investor-owned electric utilities ran a training camp last December to teach lobbyists and executives from the nation ’ s utilities how to run winning political campaigns , using as case studies some of the most controversial efforts by utilities to defeat clean energy policies in recent years .
The Edison Electric Institute ( EEI ) hosted its week-long “ Campaign Institute , ” at Georgetown University ’ s business school in December 2019 , billing the event as a “ partnership with Georgetown University.
” Dozens of high-ranking government affairs and communications @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like Alliant Energy , ConEdison , Dominion Energy , Duke Energy , DTE Energy , Entergy , Evergy , NationalGrid , NextEra Energy , PG & E , PNM , PPL , Xcel and their subsidiaries .
Materials from the week-long event obtained by the Energy and Policy Institute give the impression of an industry that perceives itself to be under siege from activists who are seeking a host of policy changes , many of them intended to force utilities to decarbonize in order to address climate change .
“ At Edison Electric @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more that we have issues that are being litigated not only in state legislatures , public utility commissions , but also at the ballot box with ballot initiatives , ” EEI Executive Vice President of Public Policy and External Affairs Brian Wolff in a video from EEI promoting the Institute .
We really want to educate and campaign-ready our companies and our executives and that ’ s what we ’ re doing at the Campaign Institute , ” Wolff continued .
EEI warned of emerging policy threats , many motivated by climate In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Industry Issues , ” EEI ’ s Executive Director of External Affairs Brad Viator divided the “ major categories of risk ” facing utilities into three areas : Climate , Infrastructure Projects , and Business Model Changes .
Viator ’ s presentation named more specific risks within each category , including : Climate : “ gas constraints along the coasts , ” including proposals to ban gas use in buildings in New York and Seattle ; climate action by Congress after the election .
Infrastructure : “ pipelines are increasingly difficult to build @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and earn high profits from them .
Business Model : “ restructuring proposals : NV , AZ , FL , VA ?
” ; campaigns to bring investor-owned utilities under municipal control in “ Pueblo [ CO ] , California , Maine , New York , Chicago ” ; “ community choice aggregation ” ; “ pressure to create wholesale markets – CO and the Carolinas.
” Viator also named solar net metering and renewable energy portfolio standards as ongoing challenges .
Advocates are pursuing most of the policies that Viator named as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from fossil fuels to clean energy by utilities , which are not voluntarily decarbonizing at rates necessary to stave off the worst impacts of climate change .
Viator referenced “ pressure to create wholesale markets ” in the Carolinas , for instance .
Analysts released a report this week noting how a regional transmission operator in the Southeast could reduce carbon emissions by 37 percent .
Utilities in the Southeast oppose the idea , and a dark-money group that appears aligned with the industry has been running ads against it .
FirstEnergy campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as case study The Campaign Institute ’ s curriculum featured three case studies from utility companies .
Two of those focused on highly controversial efforts by utilities to overturn or prevent clean energy-supportive policies .
One case study , from FirstEnergy , boasted of the company ’ s work to pass HB 6 in Ohio and to defend the legislation from a repeal ballot initiative .
HB 6 bailed out FirstEnergy ’ s coal and nuclear plants and ended Ohio ’ s clean energy and energy efficiency standards .
That effort by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month , when federal corruption charges stemming from HB 6 ’ s passage sent FirstEnergy ’ s stock cratering and the company into turmoil , with customers and investors lining up to file class-action suits against the utility .
Prosecutors have not charged FirstEnergy or its executives in the criminal case at this time .
FirstEnergy ’ s VP for State and Local Government Affairs and Economic Development , Joel Bailey , presented on the HB 6 campaign along with Holland Consulting Services ’ Ken Holland .
The presentation described the broad history @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including earlier failed efforts by FirstEnergy to secure bailouts from Ohio and from the Trump administration .
The slides did not reference the payment by FirstEnergy and its subsidiaries of over $ 60 million to a 501 ( c ) ( 4 ) dark money group that formed the slush fund at the root of the federal bribery charges , but they did include a snapshot of the Ohioans for Energy Security website with the identifying domain name .
Ohioans for Energy Security is the “ front company ” described by federal investigators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Enterprise at the heart of the alleged racketeering ring fueled by FirstEnergy ’ s money .
Bailey and Holland ’ s slides did note that “ HB 6 Supporters also employed ‘ blockers ’ to mirror signature gatherers and provide counter messages ” in an attempt to thwart an effort by environmentalists to repeal the law .
“ This was the first time blockers were used in Ohio election process , ” the slide continued .
“ This gained considerable negative media attention [ and ] Allegations of illegal activity and intimidation.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ settings about heaping praise on FirstEnergy for its now highly scandalous political work in Ohio .
EEI gave its “ Edwin D. Hill ” award , which it presents to “ leaders who advance issues at the state and local levels ” to FirstEnergy and some of the union chapters that worked with it for their efforts to secure passage of HB 6 .
“ Winning the Ed Hill Award is the World Series in public policy – there ’ s no greater honor to be honest with you , ” FirstEnergy SVP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a video about the award .
The criminal charges filed in Ohio suggest that the indicted former House Speaker Householder spoke with Dowling 14 times by phone as he worked to pass HB 6 .
“ [ FirstEnergy CEO ] Chuck Jones put together a tremendous coalition to get the job done , including labor , ” EEI President Tom Kuhn said in the same video .
“ But he is such a fantastic leader for our industry .
He cares , he cares about the industry , he cares about the customer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and his employees , so much .
And when he has an issue like this to deal with , he throws himself totally into it .
He passionately believes it , and that was a major driver to make this thing happen.
” Another case study at the Georgetown meeting , from Arizona Public Service , boasted of how that company defeated a 2018 ballot initiative that would have required utilities in Arizona to produce half of their electricity from clean sources by 2030 .
APS spent nearly $ 40 million to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opposition to the measure , along with unpopular rate hikes and controversial spending to influence the election of its regulators in 2014 and 2016 , led to APS ’ growing political toxicity in Arizona .
Within 18 months of the ballot initiative , APS ’ s CEO had resigned amid controversy , and the company had committed to almost the exact same clean energy pathway the ballot initiative , Prop 127 , would have required of it .
Based on notes in a powerpoint presentation , participants at the Georgetown meeting would have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ex-CEO Don Brandt and from Vice President of External Affairs Jessica Pacheco on how the company was able to defeat the initiative .
It ’ s not clear if Brandt attended the meeting , or dialed into it .
His speaker notes indicated that he targeted Tom Steyer and former commissioner Kris Mayes .
“ Here you see former Arizona Corporation Commission chairman Kris Mayes with Tom Steyer , who has provided funding for her aggressively anti-utility agenda .
In attempting to change the state ’ s constitution , Mayes built a close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it from Steyer ) because few in state will do business with her , ” Brandt said , according to the notes .
Brandt ’ s notes also attacked the media as biased against his industry .
“ Even if you have a good working relationship with your local media , they are not your friend .
They need a villain — and too often it is us .
The standard approach is anti-corporation .
We can navigate through it if we understand it.
” Brandt also planned to say , per his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you to engage with your partners at the national and local levels and with industry associations — NEI , EEI , NAM , chambers of commerce to name a few .
Engage them and coordinate efforts .
Make sure they are up to speed and understand what is happening on the ground .
Tom Kuhn and his staff at EEI were with us each step of the way , and their efforts were much appreciated.
” “ There is nobody who sees your message who should not understand it , ” Pacheco said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ What is Prop 127 going to do ?
It is going to raise your bills.
” The message that Prop 127 would raise customers bills was indeed the utility ’ s message throughout 2018 , but by the time of Pacheco ’ s presentation at Georgetown in late 2019 , the company ’ s new leadership appeared to be singing a different tune .
A month later in January , APS ’ new CEO Jeff Guldner committed the company to voluntarily meet a nearly identical goal to what Prop 127 would have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2030 .
In that announcement , APS said that it would transition to clean energy “ while maintaining affordable , reliable service for our customers.
” Pacheco was the key architect behind APS ’ spending via dark-money groups to influence the election of its regulators on the Arizona Corporation Commission in 2014 , beginning a period during which APS ’ political reputation grew increasingly toxic ; shareholder analysts have increasingly called that toxicity a major risk to the company .
Brandt left APS in November 2019 .
Pacheco will leave APS in early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an email Guldner sent last week .
The third utility presentation was from NV Energy , which described its successful defeat of a ballot initiative that would have restructured Nevada ’ s energy market , breaking the company ’ s monopoly over retail electricity sales .
EEI ’ s posture appears out of step with ESG investor concerns EEI ’ s highlighting of the Ohio and Arizona case studies indicates that while it aggressively works to rebrand the utility sector as clean , the trade association was , as of December , continuing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clean energy policies , and to at least look the other way on dark-money efforts by utilities to win political victories .
Those stances are increasingly out of step with the demands of large segments of “ ESG ” investors – those interested in environment , social and governance – as well as some mainstream investors In the wake of the FirstEnergy HB 6 scandal , analysts from Bank of America wrote notes examining which other utilities may be exposed to risks of dark-money spending of the type that FirstEnergy pursued and which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dark-money spending and other astroturf campaigns have been common in the utility sector in recent years .
A Norwegian asset manager just divested from Southern Company over that utility ’ s anti-climate political advocacy , echoing previous calls by other large asset managers for utilities to align their political advocacy with the Paris Agreement .
In addition to hearing the case studies , the utility executives received presentations from outside consultants , PR firms like Adfero and Georgetown faculty , who gave presentations with titles like “ Communicating with Special Interests ” and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Campaign.
” “ Avoid pay for play ; Real partnerships/relationships ” read one slide in a presentation from Mary Cheney of New Troy Strategies .
Another presentation from an election lawyer at Ballard Spahr offered utilities guidance on how to avoid violating laws when spending on elections ; much of the guidance runs contrary to the case studies presented by FirstEnergy and APS .
“ The best advocacy campaign can quickly derail into a legal and public relations nightmare if you don ’ t comply with the law , ” a description @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the scandal that would burst into the open a few months later in Ohio .
In the actual presentation , the lawyer advised : “ Do not be the sole or dominant funder of an organization ( if you want it to be viewed as “ independent ” ) , ” as APS has been for ballot initiatives and independent expenditures in Arizona elections for years .
A presentation from communications consultant Michael Maslansky , who for years has offered guidance to EEI on how utilities can brand themselves as greener to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve lost the benefit of the doubt ” and that “ they challenge your motives ” in a slide showing pictures of utility foundations offering checks to charities .
Utilities often use their charities tactically to support their political agenda .
“ What ’ s the message to protect the role of natural gas ?
” Maslansky asks the executives to consider in another slide .
EEI ’ s operating budget is funded by dues paid by the utilities , which in turn recover those costs from ratepayers .
That means that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and its partnership with Georgetown University would likely have been paid out of utility customers ’ electric bills .
Georgetown University announced in February of this year that it plans to divest from public securities of fossil fuel companies within the next five years .
Many Americans still don ’ t realize that utility companies have also benefited at customers ’ expense with “ Smart ” Grids and “ Smart ” Meters – electric , gas , and water .
These meters DO NOT save meaningful amounts of energy and customer bills usually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Smart ” Meters collect customer usage data 24/7 , whereas original 1-way transmitting analog meters DO NOT .
Utilities collect and analyze customer usage data so they can market more products and services to customers and/or sell data to 3rd parties .
This is sometimes referred to as “ Surveillance Capitalism.
” “ Smart ” Meters have been a disaster from the start – hence the documentary produced about them .
In addition to higher customer bills , they have been associated with fires , explosions , frequent replacement , unwanted surveillance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cybersecurity risks , and more ( see 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ) .
Millions of electric , gas , and water “ Smart ” Meters have already been installed by American utility companies – including by most if not all of the companies represented at the 2019 EEI “ Campaign Institute ” – and millions more are planned .
Activist Post reports regularly about “ Smart ” Meters and other unsafe technology .
For more information , visit our archives and the following websites : Subscribe to Activist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ freedom news .
Send resources to the front lines of peace and freedom HERE !
Follow us on SoMee , HIVE , Parler , Flote , Minds , and Twitter .
Provide , Protect and Profit from what ’ s coming !
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By B.N. Frank
Although utility corruption in Ohio and Illinois is making headlines (see 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) it’s not isolated to these states. According to a recent article, utility executives and lobbyists have received training by at least one organization to benefit at customers’ expense: Edison Electric Institute (EEI).
From Energy and Policy:
EEI used anti-clean energy campaigns as role models in political boot camp for utility execs
EEI’s boot camp held up two companies as case studies – FirstEnergy and APS – despite both having become paragons of utility corruption.
The trade association for investor-owned electric utilities ran a training camp last December to teach lobbyists and executives from the nation’s utilities how to run winning political campaigns, using as case studies some of the most controversial efforts by utilities to defeat clean energy policies in recent years.
The Edison Electric Institute (EEI) hosted its week-long “Campaign Institute,” at Georgetown University’s business school in December 2019, billing the event as a “partnership with Georgetown University.” Dozens of high-ranking government affairs and communications executives attended the training camp from companies like Alliant Energy, ConEdison, Dominion Energy, Duke Energy, DTE Energy, Entergy, Evergy, NationalGrid, NextEra Energy, PG&E, PNM, PPL, Xcel and their subsidiaries.
Materials from the week-long event obtained by the Energy and Policy Institute give the impression of an industry that perceives itself to be under siege from activists who are seeking a host of policy changes, many of them intended to force utilities to decarbonize in order to address climate change.
“At Edison Electric Institute, we were seeing more and more that we have issues that are being litigated not only in state legislatures, public utility commissions, but also at the ballot box with ballot initiatives,” EEI Executive Vice President of Public Policy and External Affairs Brian Wolff in a video from EEI promoting the Institute.

We really want to educate and campaign-ready our companies and our executives and that’s what we’re doing at the Campaign Institute,” Wolff continued.
EEI warned of emerging policy threats, many motivated by climate
In a presentation titled “Enduring and Emerging Industry Issues,” EEI’s Executive Director of External Affairs Brad Viator divided the “major categories of risk” facing utilities into three areas: Climate, Infrastructure Projects, and Business Model Changes.
Viator’s presentation named more specific risks within each category, including:
Climate: “gas constraints along the coasts,” including proposals to ban gas use in buildings in New York and Seattle; climate action by Congress after the election.
Infrastructure: “pipelines are increasingly difficult to build”; difficulty to build transmission lines and earn high profits from them.
Business Model: “restructuring proposals: NV, AZ, FL, VA?”; campaigns to bring investor-owned utilities under municipal control in “Pueblo [CO], California, Maine, New York, Chicago”; “community choice aggregation”; “pressure to create wholesale markets – CO and the Carolinas.”
Viator also named solar net metering and renewable energy portfolio standards as ongoing challenges.
Advocates are pursuing most of the policies that Viator named as challenges as levers to hasten the transition from fossil fuels to clean energy by utilities, which are not voluntarily decarbonizing at rates necessary to stave off the worst impacts of climate change.
Viator referenced “pressure to create wholesale markets” in the Carolinas, for instance. Analysts released a report this week noting how a regional transmission operator in the Southeast could reduce carbon emissions by 37 percent. Utilities in the Southeast oppose the idea, and a dark-money group that appears aligned with the industry has been running ads against it.
FirstEnergy campaign, now synonymous with corruption, presented as case study
The Campaign Institute’s curriculum featured three case studies from utility companies. Two of those focused on highly controversial efforts by utilities to overturn or prevent clean energy-supportive policies.
One case study, from FirstEnergy, boasted of the company’s work to pass HB 6 in Ohio and to defend the legislation from a repeal ballot initiative. HB 6 bailed out FirstEnergy’s coal and nuclear plants and ended Ohio’s clean energy and energy efficiency standards.
That effort by the company led to a bombshell scandal last month, when federal corruption charges stemming from HB 6’s passage sent FirstEnergy’s stock cratering and the company into turmoil, with customers and investors lining up to file class-action suits against the utility. Prosecutors have not charged FirstEnergy or its executives in the criminal case at this time.
FirstEnergy’s VP for State and Local Government Affairs and Economic Development, Joel Bailey, presented on the HB 6 campaign along with Holland Consulting Services’ Ken Holland.
The presentation described the broad history that led to HB 6 passage, including earlier failed efforts by FirstEnergy to secure bailouts from Ohio and from the Trump administration.
The slides did not reference the payment by FirstEnergy and its subsidiaries of over $60 million to a 501(c)(4) dark money group that formed the slush fund at the root of the federal bribery charges, but they did include a snapshot of the Ohioans for Energy Security website with the identifying domain name. Ohioans for Energy Security is the “front company” described by federal investigators as a major component of the criminal Enterprise at the heart of the alleged racketeering ring fueled by FirstEnergy’s money.
Bailey and Holland’s slides did note that “HB 6 Supporters also employed ‘blockers’ to mirror signature gatherers and provide counter messages” in an attempt to thwart an effort by environmentalists to repeal the law.
“This was the first time blockers were used in Ohio election process,” the slide continued. “This gained considerable negative media attention [and] Allegations of illegal activity and intimidation.”
EEI has not been shy in other settings about heaping praise on FirstEnergy for its now highly scandalous political work in Ohio. EEI gave its “Edwin D. Hill” award, which it presents to “leaders who advance issues at the state and local levels” to FirstEnergy and some of the union chapters that worked with it for their efforts to secure passage of HB 6.
“Winning the Ed Hill Award is the World Series in public policy – there’s no greater honor to be honest with you,” FirstEnergy SVP of External Affairs Michael Dowling said in a video about the award. The criminal charges filed in Ohio suggest that the indicted former House Speaker Householder spoke with Dowling 14 times by phone as he worked to pass HB 6.
“[FirstEnergy CEO] Chuck Jones put together a tremendous coalition to get the job done, including labor,” EEI President Tom Kuhn said in the same video. “But he is such a fantastic leader for our industry. He cares, he cares about the industry, he cares about the customer, and he cares about the people, and his employees, so much. And when he has an issue like this to deal with, he throws himself totally into it. He passionately believes it, and that was a major driver to make this thing happen.”
Former Arizona Public Service lobbyist presented on clean energy opposition
Another case study at the Georgetown meeting, from Arizona Public Service, boasted of how that company defeated a 2018 ballot initiative that would have required utilities in Arizona to produce half of their electricity from clean sources by 2030.
APS spent nearly $40 million to successfully defeat that effort, but its opposition to the measure, along with unpopular rate hikes and controversial spending to influence the election of its regulators in 2014 and 2016, led to APS’ growing political toxicity in Arizona. Within 18 months of the ballot initiative, APS’s CEO had resigned amid controversy, and the company had committed to almost the exact same clean energy pathway the ballot initiative, Prop 127, would have required of it.
Based on notes in a powerpoint presentation, participants at the Georgetown meeting would have heard from Arizona Public Service’s ex-CEO Don Brandt and from Vice President of External Affairs Jessica Pacheco on how the company was able to defeat the initiative.
It’s not clear if Brandt attended the meeting, or dialed into it. His speaker notes indicated that he targeted Tom Steyer and former commissioner Kris Mayes. “Here you see former Arizona Corporation Commission chairman Kris Mayes with Tom Steyer, who has provided funding for her aggressively anti-utility agenda. In attempting to change the state’s constitution, Mayes built a close partnership with out-of-state money (much of it from Steyer) because few in state will do business with her,” Brandt said, according to the notes.
Brandt’s notes also attacked the media as biased against his industry.
“Even if you have a good working relationship with your local media, they are not your friend. They need a villain — and too often it is us. The standard approach is anti-corporation. We can navigate through it if we understand it.”
Brandt also planned to say, per his notes, that he would “encourage you to engage with your partners at the national and local levels and with industry associations — NEI, EEI, NAM, chambers of commerce to name a few. Engage them and coordinate efforts. Make sure they are up to speed and understand what is happening on the ground. Tom Kuhn and his staff at EEI were with us each step of the way, and their efforts were much appreciated.”
“There is nobody who sees your message who should not understand it,” Pacheco said, according to the speaking notes. “What is Prop 127 going to do? It is going to raise your bills.”
The message that Prop 127 would raise customers bills was indeed the utility’s message throughout 2018, but by the time of Pacheco’s presentation at Georgetown in late 2019, the company’s new leadership appeared to be singing a different tune. A month later in January, APS’ new CEO Jeff Guldner committed the company to voluntarily meet a nearly identical goal to what Prop 127 would have mandated – 45 percent renewable energy by 2030. In that announcement, APS said that it would transition to clean energy “while maintaining affordable, reliable service for our customers.”
Pacheco was the key architect behind APS’ spending via dark-money groups to influence the election of its regulators on the Arizona Corporation Commission in 2014, beginning a period during which APS’ political reputation grew increasingly toxic; shareholder analysts have increasingly called that toxicity a major risk to the company.
Brandt left APS in November 2019. Pacheco will leave APS in early October of this year, according to an email Guldner sent last week.
The third utility presentation was from NV Energy, which described its successful defeat of a ballot initiative that would have restructured Nevada’s energy market, breaking the company’s monopoly over retail electricity sales.
EEI’s posture appears out of step with ESG investor concerns
EEI’s highlighting of the Ohio and Arizona case studies indicates that while it aggressively works to rebrand the utility sector as clean, the trade association was, as of December, continuing to pursue a hostile posture toward many clean energy policies, and to at least look the other way on dark-money efforts by utilities to win political victories.
Those stances are increasingly out of step with the demands of large segments of “ESG” investors – those interested in environment, social and governance – as well as some mainstream investors
In the wake of the FirstEnergy HB 6 scandal, analysts from Bank of America wrote notes examining which other utilities may be exposed to risks of dark-money spending of the type that FirstEnergy pursued and which led to the corruption charges there. Dark-money spending and other astroturf campaigns have been common in the utility sector in recent years.
A Norwegian asset manager just divested from Southern Company over that utility’s anti-climate political advocacy, echoing previous calls by other large asset managers for utilities to align their political advocacy with the Paris Agreement.
Georgetown faculty gave presentations to utilities
In addition to hearing the case studies, the utility executives received presentations from outside consultants, PR firms like Adfero and Georgetown faculty, who gave presentations with titles like “Communicating with Special Interests” and “CSR: Or How to Avoid a Campaign.”
“Avoid pay for play; Real partnerships/relationships” read one slide in a presentation from Mary Cheney of New Troy Strategies.
Another presentation from an election lawyer at Ballard Spahr offered utilities guidance on how to avoid violating laws when spending on elections; much of the guidance runs contrary to the case studies presented by FirstEnergy and APS.
“The best advocacy campaign can quickly derail into a legal and public relations nightmare if you don’t comply with the law,” a description of the session says, offering prescience into the scandal that would burst into the open a few months later in Ohio.
In the actual presentation, the lawyer advised: “Do not be the sole or dominant funder of an organization (if you want it to be viewed as “independent”),” as APS has been for ballot initiatives and independent expenditures in Arizona elections for years.
A presentation from communications consultant Michael Maslansky, who for years has offered guidance to EEI on how utilities can brand themselves as greener to customers, noted that “we’ve lost the benefit of the doubt” and that “they challenge your motives” in a slide showing pictures of utility foundations offering checks to charities. Utilities often use their charities tactically to support their political agenda.
“What’s the message to protect the role of natural gas?” Maslansky asks the executives to consider in another slide.
EEI’s operating budget is funded by dues paid by the utilities, which in turn recover those costs from ratepayers. That means that the costs of EEI’s Campaign Institute and its partnership with Georgetown University would likely have been paid out of utility customers’ electric bills.
Georgetown University announced in February of this year that it plans to divest from public securities of fossil fuel companies within the next five years.
See original article for additional documents.
Many Americans still don’t realize that utility companies have also benefited at customers’ expense with “Smart” Grids and “Smart” Meters – electric, gas, and water. These meters DO NOT save meaningful amounts of energy and customer bills usually go up when they are installed.
“Smart” Meters collect customer usage data 24/7, whereas original 1-way transmitting analog meters DO NOT. Utilities collect and analyze customer usage data so they can market more products and services to customers and/or sell data to 3rd parties. This is sometimes referred to as “Surveillance Capitalism.”
Activist Post Recommended Book: The Age of Surveillance Capitalism
“Smart” Meters have been a disaster from the start – hence the documentary produced about them. In addition to higher customer bills, they have been associated with fires, explosions, frequent replacement, unwanted surveillance (see 1, 2), cybersecurity risks, and more (see 1, 2, 3, 4, 5).
Millions of electric, gas, and water “Smart” Meters have already been installed by American utility companies – including by most if not all of the companies represented at the 2019 EEI “Campaign Institute” – and millions more are planned.
Activist Post reports regularly about “Smart” Meters and other unsafe technology. For more information, visit our archives and the following websites:
Image: Pixabay
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activistpost--2020-09-02--Telecom Expert Bruce Kushnick Exposes U.S. Gov’t Puppets for Verizon, AT&T, Cable Companies and thei

Telecom Expert Bruce Kushnick Exposes U.S. Gov’t Puppets for Verizon, AT&T, Cable Companies and their Associations

The Federal Communications Commission ( FCC ) is supposed to protect Americans by regulating the telecom industry .
They have a long history of being a corrupt and “ captured agency ” which pre-dates the current administration .
Unfortunately , they have become more daring and dangerous as well as more scrutinized since Trump took office ( see 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ) .
Lawsuits have been filed against the agency for NOT protecting Americans from unsafe levels of radiation as well as 5G on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3 , 4 , 5 ) and in space .
Activist Post has reported before about the telecom experts who are suing the FCC for swindling the public of billions of dollars among other unsavory acts ( see 1 , 2 , 3 ) .
An update from Bruce Kushnick was recently sent out to his subscribers : From : Bruce Kushnick Date : Mon , Aug 31 , 2020 at 1:15 AM Subject : EXPOSED : ROGUES GALLERY The Corrupt Trump Republican FCC : Puppets of Verizon and We were on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the groups with corporate ties has gotten worse , especially with the addition of ALEC .
EXPOSED : ROGUES GALLERY The Corrupt Trump Republican FCC : Puppets of Verizon and AT & T .
PART 1 : The FCC : The New Toxic Dump As I sit here remembering that famous Trump line — that he was going to drain the swamp — all I can do is smell the stench from the toxic waste dump that has formed , especially at the FCC .
The FCC is now just a captured government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ corporations that took over America ’ s communications agenda — AT & T , Verizon and the cable companies — and they have their associations — NCTA , CTIA , USTelecom , and , of course , ALEC , the American Legislative Exchange Council , doing much of the dirty work .
You know that your phone bills are unreadable and watched the prices continue to rise because there is no competition , while you wonder how do they get away with adding those made up fees or can claim that service is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the amount of broadband you use , then slice your speed to a crawl .
And somehow they can say anything about something called “ wireless 5G ” , which doesn ’ t work as advertised , or that it isn ’ t available where you are .
We now know that AT & T and Verizon are responsible for creating the Digital Divide while they got away with charging you and almost all Americans thousands of dollars extra each for a fiber optic future we did not get .
From going after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ online , to letting companies track you , then even letting them sell this information — these bad acts are on steroids — and will continue to get worse .
It ’ s always been trending towards a total capture of this government agency , but now we have reached new heights of hubris .
American opposition to 5G is not limited to biological and environmental risks ( see 1 , 2 ) .
Federal agencies and other experts have warned that 5G can threaten national security , public safety , and weather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 3 ) .
Congressional members have formally addressed the FCC with their concerns .
In addition to municipalities filing lawsuits against the agency , they have passed resolutions to ban 5G until studies prove it ’ s safe ( see 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ) and ordinances to limit and/or control installation .
State representatives in Hawaii have also introduced a bill to ban 5G until studies show that it ’ s safe .
Illinois legislators and candidates have also taken a stand .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Trump recently withdrew his re-nomination of a veteran FCC commissioner because of it AND the topic has been covered in Dilbert comic strips .
In 2019 , telecom executives gave U.S. congressional testimony that they had NO scientific evidence that 5G is safe .
The majority of scientists worldwide oppose deployment until studies show that it ’ s safe .
Despite all of this – Trump is still advocating a nationalized 5G plan .
Since 2018 people and animals have been getting sick where 5G has been installed and turned on ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4 ) .
Of course , other sources of wireless can cause illness too .
Nevertheless , cities worldwide AND entire countries have taken action to ban , delay , halt , and limit installation AS WELL AS issue moratoriums ( see 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ) .
Making the country great again doesn ’ t include 5G .
Apparently , Trump still hasn ’ t gotten the message .
Activist Post reports regularly about 5G and other unsafe technology .
For more information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Subscribe to Activist Post for truth , peace , and freedom news .
Send resources to the front lines of peace and freedom HERE !
Follow us on SoMee , HIVE , Parler , Flote , Minds , and Twitter .
Provide , Protect and Profit from what ’ s coming !
Get a free issue of Counter Markets today .

By B.N. Frank
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is supposed to protect Americans by regulating the telecom industry. They have a long history of being a corrupt and “captured agency” which pre-dates the current administration. Unfortunately, they have become more daring and dangerous as well as more scrutinized since Trump took office (see 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10). Lawsuits have been filed against the agency for NOT protecting Americans from unsafe levels of radiation as well as 5G on Earth (see 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) and in space.
Activist Post has reported before about the telecom experts who are suing the FCC for swindling the public of billions of dollars among other unsavory acts (see 1, 2, 3).
An update from Bruce Kushnick was recently sent out to his subscribers:
From: Bruce Kushnick
Date: Mon, Aug 31, 2020 at 1:15 AM
Subject: EXPOSED: ROGUES GALLERY The Corrupt Trump Republican FCC: Puppets of Verizon and
We were on the FCC Consumer Advisory Committee in 2003-2004 and the groups with corporate ties has gotten worse, especially with the addition of ALEC.
EXPOSED: ROGUES GALLERY The Corrupt Trump Republican FCC: Puppets of Verizon and AT&T.
PART 1: The FCC: The New Toxic Dump
https://bit.ly/3gypDmL
PART II: The Trump-Republican FCC Captured, Corrupted, Consumer Advisory Committee
https://bit.ly/2EDFBPq
As I sit here remembering that famous Trump line — that he was going to drain the swamp — all I can do is smell the stench from the toxic waste dump that has formed, especially at the FCC. The FCC is now just a captured government agency by the puppet masters, the corporations that took over America’s communications agenda — AT&T, Verizon and the cable companies — and they have their associations — NCTA, CTIA, USTelecom, and, of course, ALEC, the American Legislative Exchange Council, doing much of the dirty work.
You know that your phone bills are unreadable and watched the prices continue to rise because there is no competition, while you wonder how do they get away with adding those made up fees or can claim that service is ‘unlimited’ when they can cap the amount of broadband you use, then slice your speed to a crawl. And somehow they can say anything about something called “wireless 5G”, which doesn’t work as advertised, or that it isn’t available where you are. We now know that AT&T and Verizon are responsible for creating the Digital Divide while they got away with charging you and almost all Americans thousands of dollars extra each for a fiber optic future we did not get. From going after Net Neutrality regulations or limiting your privacy online, to letting companies track you, then even letting them sell this information — these bad acts are on steroids — and will continue to get worse. It’s always been trending towards a total capture of this government agency, but now we have reached new heights of hubris.
American opposition to 5G is not limited to biological and environmental risks (see 1, 2). Federal agencies and other experts have warned that 5G can threaten national security, public safety, and weather forecasting accuracy (see 1, 2, 3).
Congressional members have formally addressed the FCC with their concerns. In addition to municipalities filing lawsuits against the agency, they have passed resolutions to ban 5G until studies prove it’s safe (see 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) and ordinances to limit and/or control installation. State representatives in Hawaii have also introduced a bill to ban 5G until studies show that it’s safe. Illinois legislators and candidates have also taken a stand.
There is so much controversy regarding this technology that Trump recently withdrew his re-nomination of a veteran FCC commissioner because of it AND the topic has been covered in Dilbert comic strips. In 2019, telecom executives gave U.S. congressional testimony that they had NO scientific evidence that 5G is safe. The majority of scientists worldwide oppose deployment until studies show that it’s safe. Despite all of this – Trump is still advocating a nationalized 5G plan.
Since 2018 people and animals have been getting sick where 5G has been installed and turned on (see 1, 2, 3, 4). Of course, other sources of wireless can cause illness too. Nevertheless, cities worldwide AND entire countries have taken action to ban, delay, halt, and limit installation AS WELL AS issue moratoriums (see 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7).
Making the country great again doesn’t include 5G. Apparently, Trump still hasn’t gotten the message.
Activist Post reports regularly about 5G and other unsafe technology. For more information visit our archives and the following websites.
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activistpost--2020-09-02--Apple And Google Now Modifying Phones To Include Full Contact Tracing

Apple and Google power almost every smartphone on earth and now they have jointly agreed to build a full contact tracing app into their core operating systems .
This means that an Android phone can ‘ rat ’ on an iPhone , and vice versa .
The door is now wide open for a ubiquitous global command and control system for every person on earth .
Last May , both Google and Apple rolled out changes to their core operating system that included hooks for App developers to build tracing apps .
App developers are now summarily excluded from this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are collaborating with governments to activate the software within states and regions .
For those of you who will not comply , your choices are few and sub-optimal .
You should immediately investigate Faraday bags that block all incoming and outgoing signals from your phone .
⁃ Technocracy News & Trends Editor Patrick Wood The tech giants will allow state health agencies to use the software without creating a customized app Apple and Google said Tuesday they ’ re expanding coronavirus warning software so that state health agencies can participate without having to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , called “ exposure notifications express , ” removes one of the key barriers to adoption that led to a slow start to the software , which can warn people when they come in close contact with someone who has been diagnosed with the coronavirus .
So far , only six U.S. states have created apps that work with Apple and Google ’ s software .
The software , which is built into the operating systems on Google ’ s Android phones and Apple ’ s iPhones , uses Bluetooth to tell whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another .
If a participant in the exposure notification program tests positive for the coronavirus , that person ’ s close contacts may get a notification .
“ I would say this is an improvement , ” said Jeffrey Kahn , director of the Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics .
Kahn , who has been studying the use of technology to fight the virus , said states have been hamstrung by indecision around which technology vendors they should use to build their apps , among other issues .
He said this may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t be considered a magic bullet .
“ It ’ s still not probably serving all the interests that public health would want , but it ’ s better than nothing , ” he said .
First launched in May , coronavirus tracking software got off to a rocky start .
Some public health agencies in the United States and around the world had wanted to build mobile apps that would help them track the spread of the virus , a process known as “ contact tracing.
” But the contact-tracing apps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of limitations the two tech giants place on mobile apps distributed through their stores .
Citing privacy concerns and potential battery drain , Apple and Google declined to give public health agencies special access for the purpose of contact tracing .
Instead , Apple and Google launched their own software that is built into the operating system .
Public health agencies were asked to design their own apps that utilize the software .
But the Apple and Google software provides little information to public health agencies .
Tuesday ’ s announcement , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call , may help speed up adoption by allowing states to participate without creating customized apps .
Users who live in states that participate in the software may get a pop-up notification , prompting them to opt into the program .
By following simple steps , they can share their Bluetooth data and receive notifications if they come in contact with another participant who has tested positive .
Previously , users would have had to download a stand-alone app built by their state .
Now , the process is more like changing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Activist Post for truth , peace , and freedom news .
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Follow us on SoMee , HIVE , Parler , Flote , Minds , and Twitter .
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Get a free issue of Counter Markets today .

Apple and Google power almost every smartphone on earth and now they have jointly agreed to build a full contact tracing app into their core operating systems. This means that an Android phone can ‘rat’ on an iPhone, and vice versa. The door is now wide open for a ubiquitous global command and control system for every person on earth.
Last May, both Google and Apple rolled out changes to their core operating system that included hooks for App developers to build tracing apps. App developers are now summarily excluded from this market. Furthermore, both software giants are collaborating with governments to activate the software within states and regions.
For those of you who will not comply, your choices are few and sub-optimal. You should immediately investigate Faraday bags that block all incoming and outgoing signals from your phone. ⁃ Technocracy News & Trends Editor Patrick Wood
By:
The tech giants will allow state health agencies to use the software without creating a customized app
Apple and Google said Tuesday they’re expanding coronavirus warning software so that state health agencies can participate without having to create customized apps.
The new option, called “exposure notifications express,” removes one of the key barriers to adoption that led to a slow start to the software, which can warn people when they come in close contact with someone who has been diagnosed with the coronavirus. So far, only six U.S. states have created apps that work with Apple and Google’s software.
The software, which is built into the operating systems on Google’s Android phones and Apple’s iPhones, uses Bluetooth to tell whether people have spent significant time near one another. If a participant in the exposure notification program tests positive for the coronavirus, that person’s close contacts may get a notification.
“I would say this is an improvement,” said Jeffrey Kahn, director of the Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics. Kahn, who has been studying the use of technology to fight the virus, said states have been hamstrung by indecision around which technology vendors they should use to build their apps, among other issues. He said this may help speed up adoption, but shouldn’t be considered a magic bullet. “It’s still not probably serving all the interests that public health would want, but it’s better than nothing,” he said.
Protect Your Privacy with a Phone Shield Faraday Bag
First launched in May, coronavirus tracking software got off to a rocky start. Some public health agencies in the United States and around the world had wanted to build mobile apps that would help them track the spread of the virus, a process known as “contact tracing.” But the contact-tracing apps that initially launched did not function properly because of limitations the two tech giants place on mobile apps distributed through their stores. Citing privacy concerns and potential battery drain, Apple and Google declined to give public health agencies special access for the purpose of contact tracing.
Instead, Apple and Google launched their own software that is built into the operating system. Public health agencies were asked to design their own apps that utilize the software. But the Apple and Google software provides little information to public health agencies.
Tuesday’s announcement, the companies said in a joint conference call, may help speed up adoption by allowing states to participate without creating customized apps.
Users who live in states that participate in the software may get a pop-up notification, prompting them to opt into the program. By following simple steps, they can share their Bluetooth data and receive notifications if they come in contact with another participant who has tested positive. Previously, users would have had to download a stand-alone app built by their state. Now, the process is more like changing the settings on the phone.
Read full story here…
Source: Technocracy News & Trends
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activistpost--2020-09-02--TSA Tries Out Another (Illegal) Biometric “ID Verification” System

The new “ touchless ID verification ” stations at DCA include a webcam ( at top center of photo above ) a magnetic-stripe reader ( lower left ) for drivers licenses and other ID cards , and a photographic scanner for passports ( lower right ) .
Travelers who volunteer to use the new system are directed to insert their drivers license , ID card , or passport into the appropriate reader , stand on a marked spot in front of the webcam , and remove their face mask , so that the image from the ID ( or , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ database linked to the ID , although that hasn ’ t been disclosed ) and the image from the webcam can be compared by some undisclosed algorithm .
The TSA describes this system as “ touchless ” .
But while TSA staff don ’ t have to touch travelers ’ IDs , each traveler has to touch the same ID card or passport scanner .
Then , immediately after touching the scanner , they have to touch their face again to put their mask back on .
Become an Activist Post Patron for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The TSA press release ( reproduced in full below , since it doesn ’ t seem to be available on the TSA ’ s website ) doesn ’ t say how long this “ pilot ” will last .
In practice , expansions of TSA tracking of travelers have typically been rolled out incrementally , initially announced with reassuring statements that “ this is only a test ” and is “ voluntary ” , but then continued indefinitely and made compulsory as a condition of passage through TSA checkpoints .
The TSA signs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that mug shots are voluntary , but that “ You must still insert or scan your identity document in the device , even if you do not have your photo taken.
” No legal basis for this purported requirement is specified : The TSA signs ( visible in full on this TSA video released in conjunction with today ’ s press release ) include — typically for the TSA and DHS — no OMB Control Number or Paperwork Reduction Act notice , both of which are required for any collection of information by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the collection of information is optional or mandatory , and regardless of whether the information collected is retained .
As with the TSA ’ s illegal “ ID verification form ” ( Form 415 ) , we believe that in the absence of OMB arrproval , assignment of an OMB Control Number , and a valid PRA notice including that OMB Control Number , the pRA provides an absolute defense against any sanctions for declining to have data from an ID card or passport collected by the TSA .
Please let us know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your ID card or passport scanned ( on the basis of the PRA ) or to remove your face mask ( on the basis of local health orders ) .
The card readers and scanners show Idemia labels , but it ’ s unclear whether Idemia has also provided the image-comparison software or database connectivity : The following is the full text of today ’ s TSA press release : WASHINGTON – The Transportation Security Administration ( TSA ) is piloting a new touchless “ self-service ” technology that matches a traveler ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their ID .
The initiative automatically authenticates a traveler ’ s ID , matches the live photo with the image on their ID , and confirms their flight information in near real time .
“ In light of COVID-19 , advanced health and safety precautions have become a top priority and part of the new normal for TSA , ” said TSA Administrator David Pekoske .
“ As a result , we are exploring rapid testing and deployment of this touchless , self-service technology .
At the conclusion of the pilot , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positioning the new technology will allow passengers to use it themselves thereby providing a safer checkpoint experience , while adding significant security benefits.
” The current pilot at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport ( DCA ) follows a previous 30-day test of the credential authentication technology with a camera in September 2019 at McCarran International Airport with volunteer TSA PreCheck™ passengers .
Following that pilot , TSA refined the technology in partnership with the vendor and industry experts .
The pilot at DCA also includes volunteer TSA PreCheck travelers , who generally have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amount of physical contact while at a TSA checkpoint .
Travelers at DCA are now able to voluntarily participate in the pilot .
Passengers will be able to approach the device and insert their own ID into the scanner for authentication , rather than physically handing it to a TSA officer , thus promoting social distancing and reducing physical contact .
The device will also verify the identity of passengers by taking a photo of the traveler and comparing it with the image on their ID .
The device will display results for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flight information to the TSA officer , who will be behind an acrylic shield to further minimize contact between the officer and passengers .
The credential authentication technology units authenticate several thousand types of IDs including : • U.S. driver ’ s licenses and photo IDs issued by state motor vehicle departments Photographs of travelers taken as part of the program are not saved , as there is no capacity to do so .
The photographs are only used for identity verification to confirm that the photo matches the image on the traveler @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the true bearer of an authentic ID .
Signs near the checkpoint will provide notice to passengers on how to participate in the pilot , in addition to providing instructions on how to decline having their photo taken , although passenger IDs will still have to be scanned through the device for identity verification .
Participating travelers may complete a brief survey via a QR code regarding their experience and satisfaction with the self-service system and its usability .
For broadcast content , please see TSA courtesy B-roll of the new machines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Activist Post for truth , peace , and freedom news .
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By Edward Hasbrouck
The new “touchless ID verification” stations at DCA include a webcam (at top center of photo above) a magnetic-stripe reader (lower left) for drivers licenses and other ID cards, and a photographic scanner for passports (lower right).
Travelers who volunteer to use the new system are directed to insert their drivers license, ID card, or passport into the appropriate reader, stand on a marked spot in front of the webcam, and remove their face mask, so that the image from the ID (or, more likely, from some back-end image database linked to the ID, although that hasn’t been disclosed) and the image from the webcam can be compared by some undisclosed algorithm.
As we’ve noted previously, it appears to us that (1) the TSA has no general authority to require travelers to show their faces or remove face masks, and (2) in many jurisdictions, orders issued by state or local health authorities currently *require* all people in public places such as airports to wear masks.
The TSA describes this system as “touchless”. But while TSA staff don’t have to touch travelers’ IDs, each traveler has to touch the same ID card or passport scanner. Then, immediately after touching the scanner, they have to touch their face again to put their mask back on.
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The TSA press release (reproduced in full below, since it doesn’t seem to be available on the TSA’s website) doesn’t say how long this “pilot” will last. In practice, expansions of TSA tracking of travelers have typically been rolled out incrementally, initially announced with reassuring statements that “this is only a test” and is “voluntary”, but then continued indefinitely and made compulsory as a condition of passage through TSA checkpoints.
The TSA signs at the new ID verification stations says that mug shots are voluntary, but that “You must still insert or scan your identity document in the device, even if you do not have your photo taken.” No legal basis for this purported requirement is specified:
The TSA signs (visible in full on this TSA video released in conjunction with today’s press release) include — typically for the TSA and DHS — no OMB Control Number or Paperwork Reduction Act notice, both of which are required for any collection of information by a Federal agency, regardless of whether the collection of information is optional or mandatory, and regardless of whether the information collected is retained.
As with the TSA’s illegal “ID verification form” (Form 415), we believe that in the absence of OMB arrproval, assignment of an OMB Control Number, and a valid PRA notice including that OMB Control Number, the pRA provides an absolute defense against any sanctions for declining to have data from an ID card or passport collected by the TSA.
Please let us know what happens if you decline to have your ID card or passport scanned (on the basis of the PRA) or to remove your face mask (on the basis of local health orders).
The card readers and scanners show Idemia labels, but it’s unclear whether Idemia has also provided the image-comparison software or database connectivity:
The following is the full text of today’s TSA press release:
TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 1, 2020 TSA continues piloting “self-service” checkpoint technology Effort promotes social distancing, reduces contact between officers and passengers WASHINGTON – The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is piloting a new touchless “self-service” technology that matches a traveler’s live photo with the photo on their ID. The initiative automatically authenticates a traveler’s ID, matches the live photo with the image on their ID, and confirms their flight information in near real time. “In light of COVID-19, advanced health and safety precautions have become a top priority and part of the new normal for TSA,” said TSA Administrator David Pekoske. “As a result, we are exploring rapid testing and deployment of this touchless, self-service technology. At the conclusion of the pilot, we expect to be able to determine how positioning the new technology will allow passengers to use it themselves thereby providing a safer checkpoint experience, while adding significant security benefits.” The current pilot at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) follows a previous 30-day test of the credential authentication technology with a camera in September 2019 at McCarran International Airport with volunteer TSA PreCheck™ passengers. Following that pilot, TSA refined the technology in partnership with the vendor and industry experts. The pilot at DCA also includes volunteer TSA PreCheck travelers, who generally have the shortest wait times and the least amount of physical contact while at a TSA checkpoint. Travelers at DCA are now able to voluntarily participate in the pilot. Passengers will be able to approach the device and insert their own ID into the scanner for authentication, rather than physically handing it to a TSA officer, thus promoting social distancing and reducing physical contact. The device will also verify the identity of passengers by taking a photo of the traveler and comparing it with the image on their ID. The device will display results for face matching, ID authentication, and flight information to the TSA officer, who will be behind an acrylic shield to further minimize contact between the officer and passengers. The credential authentication technology units authenticate several thousand types of IDs including: U.S. driver’s licenses and photo IDs issued by state motor vehicle departments
U.S. passports/Permanent resident cards or visas
U.S. military common access cards/Retired and Uniformed service military ID cards
Department of Homeland Security Trusted Traveler ID cards Photographs of travelers taken as part of the program are not saved, as there is no capacity to do so. The photographs are only used for identity verification to confirm that the photo matches the image on the traveler’s ID and ensure the passenger is the true bearer of an authentic ID. Signs near the checkpoint will provide notice to passengers on how to participate in the pilot, in addition to providing instructions on how to decline having their photo taken, although passenger IDs will still have to be scanned through the device for identity verification. Participating travelers may complete a brief survey via a QR code regarding their experience and satisfaction with the self-service system and its usability. For broadcast content, please see TSA courtesy B-roll of the new machines in use at DCA.
Source: PapersPlease.org
Top image: Screen capture from TSA video
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