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Soda taxes don't just affect sales: They help change people's minds December 10, 2024 University of California - Berkeley The city of Berkeley's first-in-the-nation soda tax a decade ago, along with more recent Bay Area tax increases on sugar-sweetened drinks, have not only led to reduced sales. They are also associated with significant changes in social norms and attitudes about the healthfulness of sweet drinks. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIN Email It wasn't that long ago when cigarettes and soda were go-to convenience store vices, glamorized in movies and marketed toward, well, everyone. Then, lawmakers and voters raised taxes on cigarettes, and millions of dollars went into public education campaigns about smoking's harms. Decades of news coverage chronicled how addictive and dangerous cigarettes were and the enormous steps companies took to hide the risks and hook more users. The result: a radical shift in social norms that made it less acceptable to smoke and pushed cigarette use to historic lows, especially among minors. New UC Berkeley research suggests sugar-sweetened beverages may be on a similar path. The city of Berkeley's first-in-the-nation soda tax a decade ago, along with more recent Bay Area tax increases on sugar-sweetened drinks, have not only led to reduced sales. They are also associated with significant changes in social norms and attitudes about the healthfulness of sweet drinks, said Kristine A. Madsen, a professor at UC Berkeley's School of Public Health and senior author of a paper published Nov. 25 in the journal BMC Public Health. Over the span of just a few years, taxes coupled with significant media attention significantly affected the public's overall perceptions of sugar-sweetened beverages, which include sodas, some juices and sports drinks. Such a shift in the informal rules surrounding how people think and act could have major implications for public health efforts more broadly, Madsen said. "Social norms are really powerful. The significant shift we saw in how people are thinking about sugary drinks demonstrates what else we could do," Madsen said. "We could reimagine a healthier food system. It starts with people thinking, 'Why drink so much soda?' But what if we also said, 'Why isn't most of the food in our grocery stores food that makes us healthy?'" Madsen and colleagues from UC San Francisco and UC Davis analyzed surveys from 9,128 people living in lower-income neighborhoods in Berkeley, Oakland, San Francisco and Richmond. Using data from 2016 to 2019 and 2021, they studied year-to-year trends in people's perception of sugar-sweetened beverages. They wanted to understand how the four taxes in the Bay Area might have affected social norms surrounding sugary beverages -- the unwritten and often unspoken rules that influence the food and drinks we buy, the clothes we wear and our habits at the dinner table. Although social norms aren't visible, they are incredibly powerful forces on our actions and behaviors; just ask anyone who has bought something after an influencer promoted it on TikTok or Instagram. Researchers asked questions about how often people thought their neighbors drank sodas, sports drinks and fruity beverages. Participants also rated how healthy several drinks were, which conveyed their own attitudes about the beverages. The researchers found a 28% decline in the social acceptability of drinking sugar-sweetened beverages. In Oakland, positive perceptions of peers' consumption of sports drinks declined after the tax increase, relative to other cities. Similarly, in San Francisco, attitudes about the healthfulness of sugar-sweetened fruit drinks also declined. In other words, people believed their neighbors weren't drinking as many sugar-sweetened beverages, which affected their own interest in consuming soda, juices and sports drinks. "What it means when social norms change is that people say, 'Gosh, I guess we don't drink soda. That's just not what we do. Not as much. Not all the time,'" Madsen said. "And that's an amazing shift in mindsets." The research is the latest from UC Berkeley that examines how consumption patterns have changed in the decade since Berkeley implemented the nation's first soda tax. A 2016 study found a decrease in soda consumption and an increase in people turning to water. Research in 2019 documented a sharp decline in people turning to sugar-sweetened drinks. And earlier this year, Berkeley researchers documented that sugar-sweetened beverage purchases declined dramatically and steadily across five major American cities after taxes were put in place. The penny-per-ounce tax on beverages, which is levied on distributors of sugary drinks -- who ultimately pass that cost of doing business on to consumers -- is an important means of communicating about health with the public, Madsen said. Researchers tallied more than 700 media stories about the taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages during the study period. That level of messaging was likely a major force in driving public awareness and norms. It's also something Madsen said future public health interventions must consider. It was part of the progress made in cutting cigarette smoking and seems to be working with sugary drinks. And it's those interventions that can lead to individual action. "If we change our behaviors, the environment follows," Madsen said. "While policy really matters and is incredibly important, we as individuals have to advocate for a healthier food system." Story Source: Materials provided by University of California - Berkeley . Original written by Jason Pohl. Note: Content may be edited for style and length. Journal Reference : Cite This Page :None

By MICHELLE L. PRICE and ROB GILLIES NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s recent dinner with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his visit to Paris for the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral were not just exercises in policy and diplomacy. They were also prime trolling opportunities for Trump. Related Articles National Politics | Trump names Andrew Ferguson as head of Federal Trade Commission to replace Lina Khan National Politics | Biden says he was ‘stupid’ not to put his name on pandemic relief checks like Trump did National Politics | Biden issues veto threat on bill expanding federal judiciary as partisan split emerges National Politics | Trump lawyers and aide hit with 10 additional felony charges in Wisconsin over 2020 fake electors National Politics | After withdrawing as attorney general nominee, Matt Gaetz lands a talk show on OANN television Throughout his first term in the White House and during his campaign to return, Trump has spun out countless provocative, antagonizing and mocking statements. There were his belittling nicknames for political opponents, his impressions of other political figures and the plentiful memes he shared on social media. Now that’s he’s preparing to return to the Oval Office, Trump is back at it, and his trolling is attracting more attention — and eyerolls. On Sunday, Trump turned a photo of himself seated near a smiling first lady Jill Biden at the Notre Dame ceremony into a social media promo for his new perfume and cologne line, with the tag line, “A fragrance your enemies can’t resist!” The first lady’s office declined to comment. When Trudeau hastily flew to Florida to meet with Trump last month over the president-elect’s threat to impose a 25% tax on all Canadian products entering the U.S., the Republican tossed out the idea that Canada become the 51st U.S. state. The Canadians passed off the comment as a joke, but Trump has continued to play up the dig, including in a post Tuesday morning on his social media network referring to the prime minister as “Governor Justin Trudeau of the Great State of Canada.” After decades as an entertainer and tabloid fixture, Trump has a flair for the provocative that is aimed at attracting attention and, in his most recent incarnation as a politician, mobilizing fans. He has long relished poking at his opponents, both to demean and minimize them and to delight supporters who share his irreverent comments and posts widely online and cheer for them in person. Trump, to the joy of his fans, first publicly needled Canada on his social media network a week ago when he posted an AI-generated image that showed him standing on a mountain with a Canadian flag next to him and the caption “Oh Canada!” After his latest post, Canadian Immigration Minister Marc Miller said Tuesday: “It sounds like we’re living in a episode of South Park.” Trudeau said earlier this week that when it comes to Trump, “his approach will often be to challenge people, to destabilize a negotiating partner, to offer uncertainty and even sometimes a bit of chaos into the well established hallways of democracies and institutions and one of the most important things for us to do is not to freak out, not to panic.” Even Thanksgiving dinner isn’t a trolling-free zone for Trump’s adversaries. On Thanksgiving Day, Trump posted a movie clip from “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” with President Joe Biden and other Democrats’ faces superimposed on the characters in a spoof of the turkey-carving scene. The video shows Trump appearing to explode out of the turkey in a swirl of purple sparks, with the former president stiffly dancing to one of his favorite songs, Village People’s “Y.M.C.A.” In his most recent presidential campaign, Trump mocked Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, refusing to call his GOP primary opponent by his real name and instead dubbing him “Ron DeSanctimonious.” He added, for good measure, in a post on his Truth Social network: “I will never call Ron DeSanctimonious ‘Meatball’ Ron, as the Fake News is insisting I will.” As he campaigned against Biden, Trump taunted him in online posts and with comments and impressions at his rallies, deriding the president over his intellect, his walk, his golf game and even his beach body. After Vice President Kamala Harris took over Biden’s spot as the Democratic nominee, Trump repeatedly suggested she never worked at McDonalds while in college. Trump, true to form, turned his mocking into a spectacle by appearing at a Pennsylvania McDonalds in October, when he manned the fries station and held an impromptu news conference from the restaurant drive-thru. Trump’s team thinks people should get a sense of humor. “President Trump is a master at messaging and he’s always relatable to the average person, whereas many media members take themselves too seriously and have no concept of anything else other than suffering from Trump Derangement Syndrome,” said Steven Cheung, Trump’s communications director. “President Trump will Make America Great Again and we are getting back to a sense of optimism after a tumultuous four years.” Though both the Biden and Harris campaigns created and shared memes and launched other stunts to respond to Trump’s taunts, so far America’s neighbors to the north are not taking the bait. “I don’t think we should necessarily look on Truth Social for public policy,” Miller said. Gerald Butts, a former top adviser to Trudeau and a close friend, said Trump brought up the 51st state line to Trudeau repeatedly during Trump’s first term in office. “Oh God,” Butts said Tuesday, “At least a half dozen times.” “This is who he is and what he does. He’s trying to destabilize everybody and make people anxious,” Butts said. “He’s trying to get people on the defensive and anxious and therefore willing to do things they wouldn’t otherwise entertain if they had their wits about them. I don’t know why anybody is surprised by it.” Gillies reported from Toronto. Associated Press writer Darlene Superville contributed to this report.Bad Axe: Wisconsin wary of rival Minnesota with bowl bid in peril

Influential people who died in 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — As a Democrat who immersed himself in political news during the presidential campaign, Ziad Aunallah has much in common with many Americans since the election. He’s tuned out. “People are mentally exhausted,” said Aunallah, 45, of San Diego. “Everyone knows what is coming and we are just taking some time off.” Television ratings — and now a new poll — clearly illustrate the phenomenon. About two-thirds of American adults say they have recently felt the need to limit media consumption about politics and government because of overload, according to the survey from the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Smaller percentages of Americans are limiting their intake of news about overseas conflicts, the economy or climate change, the poll says. Politics stand out. Election news on CNN and MSNBC was taking up too much of Sam Gude’s time before the election, said the 47-year-old electrician from Lincoln, Nebraska. “The last thing I want to watch right now is the interregnum,” said Gude, a Democrat and no fan of President-elect Donald Trump. Poll finds more Democrats than Republicans stepping away from news The poll, conducted in early December, found that about 7 in 10 Democrats say they are stepping back from political news. The percentage isn’t as high for Republicans, who have reason to celebrate Trump’s victory. Still, about 6 in 10 Republicans say they’ve felt the need to take some time off too, and the share for independents is similar. The differences are far starker for the TV networks that have been consumed by political news. After election night through Dec. 13, the prime-time viewership of MSNBC was an average of 620,000, down 54% from the pre-election audience this year, the Nielsen company said. For the same time comparison, CNN’s average of 405,000 viewers was down 45%. At Fox News Channel, a favorite news network for Trump fans, the post-election average of 2.68 million viewers is up 13%, Nielsen said. Since the election, 72% of the people watching one of those three cable networks in the evening were watching Fox News, compared to 53% prior to election day. A post-election slump for fans of the losing candidate is not a new trend for networks that have become heavily identified for a partisan audience. MSNBC had similar issues after Trump was elected in 2016. Same for Fox in 2020, although that was complicated by anger: many of its viewers were outraged then by the network’s crucial election night call of Arizona for the Democratic presidential candidate, Joe Biden, and sought alternatives. MSNBC had its own anger issues after several “Morning Joe” viewers became upset that hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski visited Trump shortly after his victory last month. Yet while the show’s ratings are down 35% since Election Day, that’s a smaller drop than the network’s prime-time ratings. CNN points out that while it has been suffering in the television ratings, its streaming and digital ratings have been consistent. Will political interest rebound when Trump takes office? MSNBC can take some solace in history. In previous years, network ratings bounce back when the depression after an election loss lifts. When a new administration takes office, people who oppose it are frequently looking for a gathering place. “I’ll be tuning back in once the clown show starts,” Aunallah said. “You have no choice. Whether or not you want to hear it, it’s happening. If you care about your country, you have no choice but to pay attention.” But the ride may not be smooth. MSNBC’s slide is steeper than it was in 2016; and there’s some question about whether Trump opponents will want to be as engaged as they were during his first term. People are also unplugging from cable television in rates that are only getting more rapid, although MSNBC believes it has bucked this trend eating away at audiences before. The poll indicates that Americans want less talk about politics from public figures in general. After an election season where endorsements from celebrities like Taylor Swift made headlines, the survey found that Americans are more likely to disapprove than approve of celebrities, large companies and professional athletes speaking out about politics. Still, Gude is among those discovering other ways to get news to which he does want to pay attention, including on YouTube. MSNBC is also in the middle of some corporate upheaval that raises questions about potential changes. Parent company Comcast announced last month that the cable network is among some properties that will spin off into a new company, which will give MSNBC new corporate leadership and cut its ties to NBC News. Advice for networks who want to see the viewers return Some of the Americans who have turned away from political news lately also had some advice for getting them engaged again. Gude said, for example, that MSNBC will always have a hard-core audience of Trump haters. But if the network wants to expand its audience, “then you have to talk about issues, and you have to stop talking about Trump.” Kathleen Kendrick, a 36-year-old sales rep from Grand Junction, Colorado, who’s a registered independent voter, said she hears plenty of people loudly spouting off about their political opinions on the job. She wants more depth when she watches the news. Much of what she sees is one-sided and shallow, she said. “You get a story but only part of a story,” Kendrick said. “It would be nice if you could get both sides, and more research.” Aunallah, similarly, is looking for more depth and variety. He’s not interested “in watching the angry man on the corner yelling at me anymore,” he said. “It’s kind of their own fault that I’m not watching,” he said. “I felt they spent all this time talking about the election. They made it so much of their focus that when the main event ends, why would people want to keep watching?” The poll of 1,251 adults was conducted Dec. 5-9, 2024, using a sample drawn from NORC’s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for adults overall is plus or minus 3.7 percentage points.West Ham produced the perfect away performance as goals from Tomas Soucek and Aaron Wan-Bissaka secured a 2-0 victory over Newcastle to ease the pressure on head coach Julen Lopetegui. It is a win that Lopetegui will hope kickstarts his Hammers reign, having warned his side could not use a congested fixture schedule as an excuse for failing to ignite their season. The Irons headed to Newcastle for Monday Night Football having lost two of their last four Premier League games. The spotlight was firmly on Spanish coach Lopetegui and the direction of his team - with home fans having vented their frustrations on the back of a frustrating goalless draw against Everton before the international break. Player ratings Newcastle: Pope (6), Livramento (6), Schar (6), Kelly (5), Hall (7), Longstaff (5), Guimaraes (5), Willock (5), Gordon (5), Isak (6), Joelinton (6). Subs: Trippier (n/a), Tonali (6), Wilson (6), Barnes (6), Jacob Murphy (6). West Ham: Fabianski (8), Wan-Bissaka (8), Todibo (6), Kilman (8), Emerson Palmieri (7), Soucek (7), Bowen (7), Soler (7), Lucas Paqueta (9), Summerville (7), Antonio (8). Subs: Coufal (6), Mavropanos (6), Ings (n/a), Rodriguez (n/a), Irving (n/a). Player of the Match: Lucas Paqueta. Lopetegui, who took over from David Moyes in the summer, continues to shut out all the noise, and throughout the encounter on Tyneside his players showed their best face. Soucek's well-placed header after 10 minutes was protected at large by Lukasz Fabianski between the posts at the other end, with the veteran goalkeeper denying Anthony Gordon from point-blank range. Trending Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Newcastle - who drop a place to 10th on goal difference - had started well, denied the opener when Alexander Isak was fractionally ruled offside before producing a composed finish. The Sweden international then blasted wide, while Gordon flashed another opportunity off target after the restart when fed by substitute Harvey Barnes. It would prove a costly miss as, just two minutes later, Wan-Bissaka collected Jarrod Bowen's pass inside to arrow his low shot beyond Nick Pope via the far post. Also See: Stream the Premier League with NOW Watch Premier League highlights Live Premier League table Premier League fixtures A resurgent Arsenal are the next visitors to the London Stadium on November 30, which is swiftly followed by a midweek trip to Leicester and then successive Monday night fixtures against Wolves and at Bournemouth. With his side now six points clear of the relegation zone, Lopetegui will hope this is just the start of better things to come. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Carragher: Big result for Lopetegui Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher speaking on Monday Night Football: "It's a brilliant result for West Ham - but for any team going away to Newcastle on a Monday night, you know how tough it's going to be. "That would be a tough game for Man City and for Liverpool. The odds were stacked against them to win this game, but they've won it. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player "They've now got to use this as a springboard going forward. It's more important for the manager than for West Ham. "There's no doubt had they lost and then again against Arsenal, they'd have been closer to the bottom three. "There's no doubt about it, the situation with the crowd and the owners, it would have got very twitchy for the manager." West Ham lethal with Paqueta patrolling midfield Sky Sports' Ben Grounds: Crisis? What crisis? This is what West Ham fans have been crying out for this season: a team full of fight, grit and a cutting edge going forward. Soucek and Wan-Bissaka combined to burst Newcastle's bubble to hand Lopetegui breathing space with a priceless Premier League away win. Team news Eddie Howe's men were culpable for both goals, but also guilty of not using the wealth of possession they enjoyed effectively enough on a night when chances went begging and with it their hopes of climbing into the top six. By contrast, the visitors were lethal on the break and produced the most fluent passages of play. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Joe Willock whipped a shot just wide of Fabianski's left post but, with Carlos Soler linking well with player-of-the-match Lucas Paqueta in the centre of midfield and Bowen and Crysencio Summerville taking a direct approach from the flanks, the Hammers were a constant threat on the counter. The hosts were in disarray at the back and it took a series of blocks and Pope's saves from Soucek and Soler to preserve their hopes of a fightback. Callum Wilson's penalty appeals, to his astonishment, were waved away on his first appearance of the season following a clumsy challenge by fellow substitute Konstantinos Mavropanos. It was the slice of good fortune West Ham's performance deserved. Bowen: Big turning point in our season West Ham's Jarrod Bowen speaking to Sky Sports: "I said we needed a performance and we did that. Newcastle always score at home so to keep a clean sheet and score twice, it's a tough place to come to. "We did that perfectly. You always play to win the games. It was down to us to get the second goal, if you settle on a lead it can come back to haunt you. "That was the level it takes to play for this club. The desire, work rate and quality shown from everyone. It is important that we rest up. It's a massive game on Saturday [vs Arsenal]. "They are a top, top side. We can take a lot from this game. The group we have had are so good. There is a real togetherness but sometimes you can fall off with new players. "It's down to me to show what it means to play for this club. Every one understood the assignment. We have been disappointed with our standards this season but that was more like it. "We should be pushing for European football every season." Why West Ham love Mondays - Opta stats Story of the match in stats... What's coming up in the Premier League? 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Introduction This GT Alert highlights significant energy sector developments in Latin America from September and October 2024. A. Argentina The Argentine Wholesale Electricity Market Administration Company (CAMMESA) opened a new Renewable Energy Term Market (MATER) call to award up to 880 MW in transmission capacity, depending on the projects submitted. This third-quarter call offers less capacity than in previous rounds, especially in areas with better wind and solar resources. Key points: 209 MW will have full dispatch priority. Up to 881 MW will use the Referential “A” mechanism, with up to 8% curtailment. Capacity distribution will depend on project technology and location. For instance, the Misiones, NEA, and Litoral regions will receive most of the available capacity. B. Brazil Brazil has recently strengthened its commitment to transition to cleaner, more sustainable energy sources. Aiming to diversify its energy matrix, reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and meet its climate goals, the country has promoted solar, wind, biomass, green hydrogen and nuclear energy initiatives. Brazil has also implemented new policies and projects seeking to ensure long-term energy security and emissions reduction. Key developments from September and October 2024 include: C. Chile The modification to Chile’s Public Transport Subsidy Law aims to accelerate electric truck adoption across the country, closing the gap between Santiago and other regions. Óscar Moreno, in charge of electromobility at Chile’s Regional Public Transport Division, explained how the new regulation facilitates collaboration with regional governments and provides a framework for financing and operating electromobility projects. Key Changes: In summary, the Subsidy Law modifications have the potential transform the electromobility landscape in Chile, allowing a faster expansion of electric trucks in the regions, with a regulatory framework that enhances financing, management, and operational flexibility. Chile’s Minister of Energy Diego Pardow presented changes to the bill extending electricity subsidies to 4.7 million users. The modifications address energy sector concerns, particularly regarding the Small Means of Distributed Generation (PMGD), energy generation plants with a maximum total capacity of 9 MW, impact. Key points include: The amendments seek to balance the electricity subsidy with energy sector financial stability. D. Colombia The FES 2024 focused on Colombia's energy transition to more sustainable sources, emphasizing the country's environmental commitments. Key agreements include: 1. Accelerating the Energy Transition – Emissions reduction : Increase the share of non-conventional renewable energies (solar, wind, geothermal, and hydro) in Colombia's energy matrix. – Diversifying the energy matrix : Reduce fossil fuel dependence by integrating energy storage technologies and smart grids to optimize distribution. 2. Renewable Energy Infrastructure Development – Investment incentives : Create incentives to encourage energy infrastructure investment in areas with high renewable potential, such as Guajira for wind energy and other solar areas. – Strengthening transmission infrastructure : Modernize and expand the electricity transmission infrastructure to ensure renewable energy efficiently reaches consumption centers. 3. Developing Sustainable Energy Projects in Rural Areas – Access to energy in non-interconnected regions : Prioritize rural electrification using renewable technologies such as solar panels and small hydroelectric plants. – Energy autonomy : Promote decentralized energy generation models for rural community energy autonomy. 4. Decarbonization and Climate Change Commitments – Carbon neutrality goal : Achieve carbon neutrality in the energy sector by 2050, in line with the Paris Agreement. – Promote energy efficiency : Implement policies that seek to improve energy efficiency in various sectors and promote using cleaner technologies. 5. Strengthening Regulation and the Regulatory Framework – Regulatory reforms : Review and update energy regulations to encourage clean energy investment and promote competition in the market. – Tax and financial incentives : Create tax incentives and financing mechanisms for companies that invest in renewable energies and clean technologies. 6. Research, Innovation, and Technological Development – Innovation incentives : Promote investment in researching and developing clean technologies, such as renewable energies, energy storage, and smart grids. – Public-private collaboration : Encourage public-private collaboration to develop new energy technologies and create innovation centers. 7. Energy Justice and Equity – Universal access : Ensure that all Colombians have access to clean, reliable, and affordable energy. – Fair and regulated tariffs : Implement policies to avoid tariff mismatches and protect vulnerable users, especially in rural areas, from disproportionate tariff increases. E. Guatemala Empresa Eléctrica de Guatemala S.A. (EEGSA), part of the EPM Group, has enhanced its 1-24 EEGSA Open Tender to cover its short-term energy needs. The tender includes two blocks: Block B (107 MW for the seasonal period 2025-2026) and Block C (155 MW for a five-year contract starting in 2025 or 2026). Objectives and Key Changes: EEGSA seeks to increase the competitiveness of the auctions, which were held on Nov. 20 and 27, 2024. Process improvements include greater flexibility for bidders, allowing for power variation throughout the supply years and the possibility of starting supply in 2025 or 2026. The range of permitted technologies expanded to include hydroelectric, biomass, coal, bunker and petroleum coke, with the aim of attracting more generators and diversifying energy sources. Specific Improvements: Power flexibility: Bidders will be able to adjust the power they deliver over time. Block C modality expansion: Two new modalities were introduced in Block C to facilitate more generating plant participation. Technological diversification: The bidding process was opened to more technologies to increases competitiveness and offer more options to cover the country's energy needs. Strategic Objectives: Guarantee competitive and stable tariffs, seeking a sustainable energy matrix that aligns with the energy transition. The company emphasizes that, thanks to these efforts, it has achieved tariffs 30% lower than those of the first tender, despite the impacts of climatic phenomena and the Russia-Ukraine war. The process also included a period for receiving clarifications and possible adjustments until early November, seeking to ensure transparency and a competitive process. The tender responds to the need to meet energy demand with a focus on sustainability and diversifying energy sources. The Guatemalan Renewable Energy Association (AGER) identified 3,700 MW of potential renewable capacity for incorporation between 2024 and 2040. To achieve this, AGER recommends improving transmission infrastructure, simplifying administrative procedures, and fostering institutional cooperation and government support. Long-term tenders have been key to the success of the country's energy transition, allowing new renewable plant construction and reducing electricity tariffs. AGER proposes prioritizing renewable sources in tenders, separating them by technology, and allowing operating plants to accelerate clean energy incorporation. In addition, they suggest including storage systems to improve the electricity system’s flexibility and efficiency. With these measures, Guatemala could strengthen its regional leadership in renewable energies. F. Honduras In October 2024, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) visited Honduras to evaluate its energy sector, focusing on tariff schedules and the 1500 MW tender. The Regulatory Energy Commission (CRE) noted that they are in the final phase of approving the distribution tariffs and advancing transmission tariffs regulation, with a provisional tariff expected December 2024. The IMF expresses concern over delays of the 1500 MW tender, which will be carried out under the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model, in which investors finance plant construction for 15 years before transferring them to the Empresa Nacional de Energía Eléctrica (ENEE). However, ENEE's financial problems and uncertainty about investment recovery remain key challenges. The IMF also highlighted progress in reducing ENEE’s electricity losses, but stressed the need to continue structural reforms, such as reducing ENEE's payment arrears through bonds and improving government coordination. In the long term, the goal is to attract investment to expand generation capacity and ensure adequate energy supply. The IMF agreed with the Honduran authorities to move forward with these reforms, but the economic policies necessary to complete the financing agreement must be approved by the IMF Executive Board in the coming weeks. G. Mexico On Sept. 10, 2024, Mexico's Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE) published Agreement A/108/2024 in the Official Gazette of the Federation, establishing the General Administrative Provisions on Electromobility (DACGME). The provisions aim to regulate the connection of charging infrastructure for electric and hybrid electric vehicles to the National Electric System (SEN). The DACGME address important issues such as (i) the technical and administrative requirements that end users must comply with to connect their charging infrastructure to the SEN, (ii) the minimum information that end users and suppliers must provide to the Electromobility Platform, as well as (iii) the procedures to ensure continuity, reliability, and security in the electricity supply. On Oct. 31, 2024, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo published a decree amending the fifth paragraph of Article 25, the sixth and seventh paragraphs of Article 27 and the fourth paragraph of Article 28 of Mexico’s Consitution (CPEUM) in the Official Gazette of the Federation (DOF), regarding strategic areas and companies. The most relevant aspects of the reform include: (i) Article 25 (ii) Article 27 (iii) Article 28 (iv) Transitory Articles On Sept. 30, 2024, the CRE's Governing Body held an extraordinary session to approve the Agreement by which the General Administrative Provisions were issued for the Integration of Electric Energy Storage Systems to the National Electric System (DACG). The DACGs establish the modalities and general conditions under which the integration of Electric Energy Storage Systems (ESS) to the National Electric System (SEN) will be carried out in an orderly and economically viable manner, and have three specific objectives: (i) to establish the general conditions applicable to the ESS, as well as to define the modalities for integrating the ESS to the SEN; (ii) to establish the general requirements to be met by the interested parties in integrating the ESS and to participate in any of its modalities; and (iii) to establish the interconnection/connection procedure to be observed by those interested in integrating the ESS. For more information, see our October 2024 GT Alert . H. Panama On Oct. 2, 2024, Panama's National Assembly approved in first debate a bill that seeks to promote green hydrogen as an energy source in the country. The law assigns the National Energy Secretariat (SNE) the responsibility of regulating and developing strategies for producing, transporting, and using green hydrogen, excluding La Autoridad Nacional de los Servicios Públicos (ASEP) from the permitting process to simplify procedures and attract investment. Panama has ambitious goals, such as producing 500,000 tons of green hydrogen by 2030 and 2 million tons by 2040. The law also declares of national interest the production and industrialization of green hydrogen and offers incentives to companies that invest in this sector. The next step will be for the bill to pass to second and third debate in the National Assembly, and then the Executive Branch will have 150 days to regulate the law and put it into practice. This initiative is part of Panama's energy transition strategy and seeks to position it as a leader in the development of clean energy in the region. I. Puerto Rico Puerto Rico has issued a new Request for Proposals (RFP Tranche 4) to procure 500 MW of renewable generation capacity and 250 MW of energy storage (with four or six-hour duration options) on a long-term basis. This process is part of a broader effort under the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), which seeks to procure a total of 3,750 MW of renewable energy and 1,500 MW of storage. The solicitation is aimed at shovel-ready projects, i.e., those ready to begin construction. Key features of the RFP: Acquisition objectives: – 500 MW of renewable energy. – 250 MW of energy storage with a duration of four to six hours (1,000+ MWh). Maximum price: – Renewable energy: $125/MWh. – Four-hour storage: $25,000/MW-month. – Six-hour storage: $33,750/MW-month. Evaluation process: – Proposals will be evaluated primarily on price. – Cheaper projects that meet the requirements will be favored. – The evaluation process will be more streamlined compared to Tranche 3. Comparison with Tranche 3: Tranche 3 (cancelled): sought 1,000 MW of renewable energy and 500 MW of storage while Tranche 4 seeks 500 MW of renewable energy and 250 MW of storage, with the possibility of acquiring more depending on market response. In Tranche 3, no maximum price was set; in Tranche 4, a price limit has been set, as explained above. Deadlines and participation: Deadline for submission of proposals: Nov. 25, 2024. Eligible projects: Shovel-ready projects will be prioritized, meaning that they must have already secured permits and financing. This new procurement process is designed to secure competitively priced renewable energy and storage projects, with a focus on construction-ready projects and a more streamlined evaluation than in previous solicitations. J. Dominican Republic The National Energy Commission (CNE) has issued Resolution CNE-AD-0005-2024, which modifies the previous CNE-AD-0004-2023, and establishes new conditions for renewable energy projects with storage. The main objective is to integrate battery storage systems (BESS) in renewable energy projects to guarantee the National Interconnected Electric System (SENI)’s stability. Key points: Projects over 20 MWac must have a storage system equivalent to 50% of its capacity, with a four-hour minimum duration. Projects larger than 200 MWac require prior CNE technical evaluations to ensure feasibility and positive impact on the SENI. The CNE may reject projects from related companies that attempt to use the same energy injection point in order to avoid excessive generation concentration. This resolution seeks to strengthen energy storage infrastructure, promote sustainability, reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and position the Dominican Republic as a leader in the regional energy transition. Read in Spanish/Leer en Español.Cyber Crime Unit probes Tabuya’s video leak

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (AP) — Persistent high surf and flooding threats along California’s coast had residents on high alert a day after a major storm was blamed for one man’s death and the partial collapse of a pier , which propelled three people into the Pacific Ocean. The National Weather Service on Christmas Eve warned of dangerous, large-breaking waves of up to 35 feet (10.7 meters). Its latest high surf warning will be in effect until 6 p.m. Tuesday. “Large waves can sweep across the beach without warning, pulling people into the sea from rocks, jetties and beaches,” the weather service said in a Christmas Eve bulletin. In Santa Cruz, where a municipal wharf under construction partially collapsed on Monday, most beaches were cordoned off as they were inundated with high surf and debris. Residents received an alert on their phones Tuesday morning notifying them to “avoid all beaches including coastal overlook areas such as rocks, jetties or cliffs.” It warned powerful waves could sweep entire beaches unexpectedly. Local officials said there could be further damage to the wharf, but no more pieces broke off overnight. The wharf collapsed and fell into the ocean midday Monday, taking three people with it. Two people were rescued by lifeguards and a third swam to safety. No one was seriously injured. Santa Cruz Mayor Fred Keeley said in the weeks and months ahead officials will have to assess long-term solutions for protecting the coastal city from the impacts of climate change . “Hallelujah that no one was hurt in this, which could have been orders of magnitude worse in terms of any injuries to human beings and damage to property onshore and offshore,” he said at a media briefing Tuesday. “But I think we have somewhat of a question mark as we move through time,” he added. “And I don't think we're by ourselves. I think this is what coastal communities around the world are probably dealing with.” The structure was in the middle of a $4 million renovation following destructive storms last winter about 70 miles (112 kilometers) south of San Francisco. “It’s a catastrophe for those down at the end of the wharf,” said David Johnston, who was allowed onto the pier on Monday to check on his business, Venture Quest Kayaking. Tony Elliot, the head of the Santa Cruz Parks & Recreation Department, estimated that about 150 feet (45 meters) of the end of the wharf fell into the water. It was immediately evacuated and will remain closed indefinitely. Some of the wharf’s pilings are still in the ocean and remain “serious, serious hazards” to boats, the mayor said. Each piling weighs hundreds of pounds and is being pushed by powerful waves. “You are risking your life, and those of the people that would need to try and save you by getting in or too close to the water,” the National Weather Service’s Bay Area office said on the social platform X. Building inspectors were looking at the rest of the pier’s structural integrity. Some California cities ordered beachfront homes and hotels to evacuate early Monday afternoon as forecasters warned that storm swells would continue to increase throughout the day. In Watsonville along the Monterey Bay, first responders were called to Sunset State Beach, a state park, around 11:30 a.m. Monday for a report of a man trapped under debris. The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office believes a large wave pinned him there. The man was pronounced dead at a hospital. The storm’s high surf also likely pulled another man into the Pacific Ocean around noon Monday at Marina State Beach, nearly 13 miles (21 kilometers) south of Watsonville, authorities said. Strong currents and high waves forced searchers to abandon their efforts roughly two hours later as conditions worsened. The man remained missing Monday evening. Further south in Carmel Bay, a man remained missing as of Tuesday afternoon after reports that someone was swept off the rocks into the ocean at Pebble Beach on Monday, local emergency responders said. The U.S. Coast Guard will "transition to a recovery search as ocean conditions improve in the coming days,” officials said in a statement. In a post on X, the National Weather Service office in Portland, Oregon, said, “It will likely go down as some of the highest surf this winter.” Dazio reported from Los Angeles. Associated Press writers Sophie Austin in Sacramento and Jaimie Ding in Los Angeles contributed.