Goals and Objectives of the Agreement Agreement Goals The goals of this Agreement are to: ● Reduce wildfire risk related to the tree mortality crisis; ● Provide a financial model for funding and scaling proactive forestry management and wildfire remediation; ● Produce renewable bioenergy to spur uptake of tariffs in support of Senate Bill 1122 Bio Market Agreement Tariff (BioMat) for renewable bioenergy projects, and to meet California’s other statutory energy goals; ● Create clean energy jobs throughout the state; ● Reduce energy costs by generating cheap net-metered energy; ● Accelerate the deployment of distributed biomass gasification in California; and ● Mitigate climate change through the avoidance of conventional energy generation and the sequestration of fixed carbon from biomass waste. Ratepayer Benefits:2 This Agreement will result in the ratepayer benefits of greater electricity reliability, lower costs, and increased safety by creating a strong market demand for forestry biomass waste and generating cheap energy. This demand will increase safety by creating an economic driver to support forest thinning, thus reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfire and the associated damage to investor-owned utility (IOU) infrastructure, such as transmission lines and remote substations. Preventing this damage to or destruction of ratepayer-supported infrastructure lowers costs for ratepayers. Additionally, the ability of IOUs to use a higher- capacity Powertainer provides a much larger offset against the yearly billion-dollar vegetation management costs borne by IOUs (and hence by ratepayers). The PT+’s significant increase in waste processing capacity also significantly speeds up and improves the economics of wildfire risk reduction, magnifying the benefits listed above. The PT+ will directly increase PG&E’s grid reliability by reducing peak loading by up to 250 kilowatt (kW), and has the potential to increase grid reliability significantly when deployed at scale. The technology will provide on-demand, non- weather dependent, renewable energy. The uniquely flexible nature of this energy will offer grid managers new tools to enhance grid stability and reliability. The technology can be used to provide local capacity in hard-to-serve areas, while reducing peak demand. Technological Advancement and Breakthroughs:3 This Agreement will lead to technological advancement and breakthroughs to overcome barriers to the achievement of California’s statutory energy goals by substantially reducing the LCOE of distributed gasification, helping drive uptake of the undersubscribed BioMAT program and increasing the potential for mass commercial deployment of distributed biomass gasification technology, particularly through net energy metering. This breakthrough will help California achieve its goal of developing bioenergy markets (Bioenergy Action Plan 2012) and fulfil its ambitious renewable portfolio standard (SB X1-2, 2011-2012; SB350, 2015). The PT+ will also help overcome barriers to achieving California’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction (AB 32, 2006) and air quality improvement goals. It reduces greenhouse gas and criteria pollutants over three primary pathways: 1) The PT+’s increased capacity and Combined Heat and Power (CHP) module expand the displacement of emissions from conventional generation; 2) the biochar offtake enables the sequestration of hundreds of tons carbon that would otherwise have been released into the atmosphere; and 3) its increased processing capacity avoids GHG and criteria emissions by reducing the risk of GHG emissions from wildfire and other forms of disposal, such as open pile burning or decomposition. The carbon sequestration potential of the biochar offtake is particularly groundbreaking because very few technologies exist that can essentially sequester atmospheric carbon, which is what the PT+ enables when paired with the natural forest ecosystem––an innovative and groundbreaking bio-energy technology, with carbon capture and storage. Additionally, as noted in the Governor’s Clean Energy Jobs Plan (2011), clean energy jobs are a critical component of 2 California Public Resources Code, Section 25711.5(a) requires projects funded by the Electric Program Investment Charge (EPIC) to result in ratepayer benefits. The California Public Utilities Commission, which established the EPIC in 2011, defines ratepayer benefits as greater reliability, lower costs, and increased safety (See CPUC “Phase 2” Decision 00-00-000 at page 19, May 24, 2012, xxxx://xxxx.xxxx.xx.xxx/PublishedDocs/WORD_PDF/FINAL_DECISION/167664.PDF). 3 California Public Resources Code, Section 25711.5(a) also requires EPIC-funded projects to lead to technological advancement and breakthroughs to overcome barriers that prevent the achievement of the state’s statutory and energy goals. California’s energy goals. When deployed at scale, the PT+ will result in the creation of thousands of jobs across multiple sectors, including manufacturing, feedstock supply chain (harvesting, processing, and transportation), equipment operation, construction, and project development. Additional Co-benefits: ● Annual electricity and thermal savings; ● Expansion of forestry waste markets; ● Expansion/development of an agricultural biochar market; ● Peak load reduction; ● Flexible generation; ● Energy cost reductions; ● Reduced wildfire risk; ● Local air quality benefits; ● Water use reductions (through energy savings); and ● Watershed benefits.
Goals and Objectives The Parties acknowledge and agree that the specific goals and objectives of the Parties in entering into this Agreement are to:
State Employee Group Insurance Program (SEGIP) During the life of this Agreement, the Employer agrees to offer a Group Insurance Program that includes health, dental, life, and disability coverages equivalent to existing coverages, subject to the provisions of this Article. All insurance eligible employees will be provided with a Summary Plan Description (SPD) called “Your Employee Benefits”. Such SPD shall be provided no less than biennially and prior to the beginning of the insurance year. New insurance eligible employees shall receive a SPD within thirty (30) days of their date of eligibility.
Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan Pension Program Members For purposes of this Section 2, “employee” means an employee who is employed by the State on or after August 29, 2003 and who is not eligible to receive benefits under ORS Chapter 238 for service with the State pursuant to Section 2 of Chapter 733, Oregon Laws 2003.
Scope and Objectives 1. This Partnership Agreement (hereinafter referred to as the “Agreement”) defines the rights and obligations of the Parties and sets forth the terms and conditions of their cooperation in the implementation of the Project.
IRO Independence and Objectivity The IRO must perform the Claims Review in a professionally independent and objective fashion, as defined in the most recent Government Auditing Standards issued by the United States Government Accountability Office.
Are My Contributions to a Traditional IRA Tax Deductible Although you may make a contribution to a Traditional IRA within the limitations described above, all or a portion of your contribution may be nondeductible. No deduction is allowed for a rollover contribution (including a “direct rollover”) or transfer. For “regular” contributions, the taxability of your contribution depends upon your tax filing status, whether you (and in some cases your spouse) are an “active participant” in an employer-sponsored retirement plan, and your income level. An employer-sponsored retirement plan includes any of the following types of retirement plans: • a qualified pension, profit-sharing, or stock bonus plan established in accordance with IRC 401(a) or 401(k); • a Simplified Employee Pension Plan (SEP) (IRC 408(k)); • a deferred compensation plan maintained by a governmental unit or agency; • tax-sheltered annuities and custodial accounts (IRC 403(b) and 403(b)(7)); • a qualified annuity plan under IRC Section 403(a); or • a Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees of Small Employers (SIMPLE Plan). Generally, you are considered an “active participant” in a defined contribution plan if an employer contribution or forfeiture was credited to your account during the year. You are considered an “active participant” in a defined benefit plan if you are eligible to participate in a plan, even though you elect not to participate. You are also treated as an “active participant” if you make a voluntary or mandatory contribution to any type of plan, even if your employer makes no contribution to the plan. If you are not married (including a taxpayer filing under the “head of household” status), the following rules apply: • If you are not an “active participant” in an employer- sponsored retirement plan, you may make a contribution to a Traditional IRA (up to the contribution limits detailed in Section 3). • If you are single and you are an “active participant” in an employer-sponsored retirement plan, you may make a fully deductible contribution to a Traditional IRA (up to the contribution limits detailed in Section 3), but then the deductibility limits of a contribution are related to your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) as follows: Year Eligible to Make a Deductible Contribution if AGI is Less Than or Equal to: Eligible to Make a Partially Deductible Contribution if AGI is Between: Not Eligible to Make a Deductible Contribution if AGI is Over: 2020 $65,000 $65,000 - $75,000 $75,000 2021 & After - subject to COLA increases $66,000 $66,000 - $76,000 $76,000 If you are married, the following rules apply: • If you and your spouse file a joint tax return and neither you nor your spouse is an “active participant” in an employer-sponsored retirement plan, you and your spouse may make a fully deductible contribution to a Traditional IRA (up to the contribution limits detailed in Section 3). • If you and your spouse file a joint tax return and both you and your spouse are “active participants” in employer- sponsored retirement plans, you and your spouse may make fully deductible contributions to a Traditional IRA (up to the contribution limits detailed in Section 3), but then the deductibility limits of a contribution are as follows: Year Eligible to Make a Deductible Contribution if AGI is Less Than or Equal to: Eligible to Make a Partially Deductible Contribution if AGI is Between: Not Eligible to Make a Deductible Contribution if AGI is Over: 2020 $104,000 $104,000 - $124,000 $124,000 2021 & After - subject to COLA increases $105,000 $105,000 - $125,000 $125,000 • If you and your spouse file a joint tax return and only one of you is an “active participant” in an employer- sponsored retirement plan, special rules apply. If your spouse is the “active participant,” a fully deductible contribution can be made to your IRA (up to the contribution limits detailed in Section 3) if your combined modified adjusted gross income does not exceed $196,000 in 2020 or $198,000 in 2021. If your combined modified adjusted gross income is between $196,000 and $206,000 in 2020, or $198,000 and $208,000 in 2021, your deduction will be limited as described below. If your combined modified adjusted gross income exceeds $206,000 in 2020 or $208,000 in 2021, your contribution will not be deductible. Your spouse, as an “active participant” in an employer- sponsored retirement plan, may make a fully deductible contribution to a Traditional IRA if your combined modified adjusted gross income does not exceed the amounts listed in the table above. Conversely, if you are an “active” participant” and your spouse is not, a contribution to your Traditional IRA will be deductible if your combined modified adjusted gross income does not exceed the amounts listed above. • If you are married and file a separate return, and neither you nor your spouse is an “active participant” in an employer-sponsored retirement plan, you may make a fully deductible contribution to a Traditional IRA (up to the contribution limits detailed in Section 3). If you are married, filing separately, and either you or your spouse is an “active participant” in an employer-sponsored retirement plan, you may not make a fully deductible contribution to a Traditional IRA. Please note that the deduction limits are not the same as the contribution limits. You can contribute to your Traditional IRA in any amount up to the contribution limits detailed in Section 3. The amount of your contribution that is deductible for federal income tax purposes is based upon the rules described in this section. If you (or where applicable, your spouse) are an “active participant” in an employer- sponsored retirement plan, you can refer to IRS Publication 590-A: Figuring Your Modified AGI and Figuring Your Reduced IRA Deduction to calculate whether your contribution will be fully or partially deductible. Even if your income exceeds the limits described above, you may make a contribution to your IRA up to the contribution limitations described in Section 3. To the extent that your contribution exceeds the deductible limits, it will be nondeductible. However, earnings on all IRA contributions are tax deferred until distribution. You must designate on your federal income tax return the amount of your Traditional IRA contribution that is nondeductible and provide certain additional information concerning nondeductible contributions. Overstating the amount of nondeductible contributions will generally subject you to a penalty of $100 for each overstatement.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The partnership proposed by the Cooperator was selected due to merit review evaluations from the 2017 Notice of Funding Opportunity P17AS00037. The Cooperator demonstrated expertise in disciplines and subject areas of relevance to cooperative research and training. The Cooperator met the program interests of NPS with expertise, facilities, experience, diversity of programs, and history of collaborative research projects. The Cooperator helps the NPS-CESU to meet its objectives to: Provide research, technical assistance and education to NPS for land management, and research; Develop a program of research, technical assistance and education that involves the biological, physical, social, and cultural sciences needed to address resources issues and interdisciplinary problem-solving at multiple scales and in an ecosystem context at the local, regional, and national level; and Place special emphasis on the working collaboration among NPS, universities, and their related partner institutions. Title: Provide research, technical assistance and education for resource management and research The CESU network seeks to provide scientifically-based information on the nature and status of selected biological, physical, and cultural resources occurring within the parks in a form that increases its utility for making management decisions, conducting scientific research, educating the public, developing effective monitoring programs, and developing management strategies for resource protection. Studying the resources present in NPS parks benefits the Cooperator’s goal of advancing knowledge through scientific discovery, integration, application, and teaching, which lead toward a holistic understanding of our environmental and natural resources. The Cooperator is a public research university, sharing research, educational, and technological strengths with other institutions. Through inter-institutional collaboration, combined with the unique contributions of each constituent institution, the Cooperator strives to contribute substantially to the cultural, economic, environmental, scientific, social and technological advancement of the nation. The NPS expects there to be substantial involvement between itself and the Cooperator in carrying out the activities contemplated in this Agreement. The primary purpose of this study is not the acquisition of property or services for the direct benefit or use by the Federal Government, but rather to accomplish a public purpose of support or stimulation authorized the Legislative Authorities in ARTICLE II. This agreement fulfills the Public Purpose of support and economic stimulation for the following reasons: Projects will engage recipients, partners, communities, and/or visitors in shared environmental stewardship. Projects will promote greater public and private participation in historic preservation programs and activities. The project builds resource stewardship ethics in its participants. The information, products and/or services identified or developed by projects will be shared through a variety of strategies to increase public awareness, knowledge and support for historic preservation and stewardship of the nation’s cultural and historical heritage. Projects will support the Government’s objective to provide opportunities for youth to learn about the environment by spending time working on projects in National Parks. The NPS receives the indirect benefit of completing conservation projects. Projects will motivate youth participants to become involved in the natural, cultural and /or historical resource protection of their communities and beyond. Students gain “real world” or hands-on experience outside of the classroom of natural, cultural and/or historical resource projects. The scientific community and/or researchers external to NPS gains by new knowledge provided through research and related results dissemination of natural, cultural and/or historical resource information. Projects assist in the creation, promotion, facilitation, and/or improvement of the public’s understanding of natural, cultural, historic, recreational and other aspects of areas such as ecological conservation areas, and state and local parks. For performance under this cooperative agreement, the regulations set forth in 2 CFR, Part 200, supersedes OMB Circulars A–21 (2 CFR 220), A–87 (2 CFR 225), A–110, and A–122 (2 CFR 230); Circulars A–89, A–102, and A–133; and the guidance in Circular A–50 on Single Audit Act follow–up apply. The Cooperator shall adhere to 2 CFR, Part 200 in its entirety in addition to any terms and conditions of the master agreement not superseded by 2 CFR 200, as well as the terms and conditions set forth in this agreement. In the event of a conflict between the original terms of the master agreement and 2 CFR, Part 200, relating to this task agreement, 2 CFR, Part 200 shall take precedence.
Principles and Objectives 9.1.1 This Article recognizes and reflects the following principles:
Employee Facilities Employee Facilities. Restrooms and attendant facilities shall be provided as required in the orders and regulations of the State of Washington Department of Labor and Industries. A good faith effort will be made by the Employer to provide facilities for employees’ personal belongings.
