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Indigenous Diplomacy: Colombia’s U’wa Before the United Nations


“If there is no water, no territory, money won’t be of any use.
We can’t eat money.”
– Aura Tegria, U’wa spokesperson
For over two decades, Colombia’s U’wa people have proven experts at the internationalization of their inspiring struggle to defend the rivers, mountains, and cloud forests of their sacred territory. In recent years, they have added the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, an annual gathering at the UN headquarters in New York City, to their list of strategic international spaces in which to bring their message of dignity and resistance.

Following in the footsteps of Berito Cobaria and other U’wa leaders, Aura Tegria has emerged as a key U’wa emissary and spokesperson to the international community. Over the greater part of this year’s forum, she was able to participate in a whirlwind of meetings with high-level UN and other government officials, public presentations, and informal encounters with indigenous representatives from around the world.

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Wind Energy Information


by Aaron Severn
Director, Grassroots and Federal Legislative Affairs
American Wind Energy Association

 

I wanted to loop you in on the latest updates on American wind power.  The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) recently released its Annual Market Report for 2013, as well as its First Quarter 2014 Market Report.

So what’s new?

The U.S. wind industry did not install much wind power capacity in 2013, reflecting the impact of the policy uncertainty that the wind industry faced throughout 2012. 

The numbers were small:

  • 1,087 megawatts (MW) installed in 2013, compared to 13,131 in 2012 – a 92% drop in new capacity
  • Corresponding drop in investment, $2 billion into the US economy in 2013,  compared to $25 billion in 2012
  • Loss of thousands of manufacturing jobs – ending the year with 50,500 total wind industry jobs, as compared to 80,700 jobs at the end of 2012

In total, though, wind power is making impressive contributions to the U.S. electricity supply:
  • Wind now provides over 4% of our electricity nationally
  • Iowa and South Dakota get over 25% of their electricity from wind power; nine states get more than 10% and six states get more than 15% of their electricity from wind power

As you may recall, Congress allowed the PTC to expire at the end of 2012.  Then, our legislators extended the credit in early January 2013, allowing projects that started construction by the end of 2013 to qualify for the credit (rather than requiring that they be operational by the end of 2013, as  required in the past).  The uncertainty throughout 2012 caused wind project development to come to a halt, and manufacturing orders to cease, resulting in little development and significant job loss as noted above.

How’s this year looking so far?

The PTC extension in 2013 allowed developers to put plans back in motion.  As a result, 2014 is off to a great start:
  • Over 13,000 MW of wind power under construction – more than any other time in history – and including over 95 projects across 21 states
  • 214 MW of wind power installed so far — more than in the first three quarters of 2013
  • Utility companies and corporate purchasers continue to announce agreements to purchase wind power – they announced 8,000 MW of power purchase agreements in 2013, and about another 1,000 MW so far this year  

Is there a catch?

Yes – federal policy for the wind energy industry is still uncertain.  The PTC expired again, at the end of 2013.  Without an extension, the wind industry is looking at the prospect of near-term downturns in project development, and job layoffs as well.

The Senate Finance Committee has acted to extend the PTC, and a credit that developers can choose instead of the PTC, the investment tax credit (ITC).  They extended these provisions as part of the EXPIRE Act in early April.  The bill moves to the Senate floor for consideration next, and we will keep you updated on that front.  It will be important to weigh in with your Senators about the importance of extending the PTC through the EXPIRE Act.

Thanks, as always, for your support.  I encourage you to check out these resources if you’re interested in more information:

Sincerely,
Aaron

Aaron Severn
Director, Grassroots and Federal Legislative Affairs
American Wind Energy Association

 

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Jobs … Coming from Wind ~ a repost


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New Rules … How The Bipartisan Budget Act May Impact Your Retirement … April 30


Financial Planning Expert

As of November 2nd 2015, President Obama signed, and thereby enacted into law, the Bipartisan Budget Act (BBA) of 2015. Subtitle C, Section 831 of this bill includes significant changes to social security benefits.  These changes include the phase out of filing strategies referred to as “unintended loopholes” created previously by Congress back in 2000.

Who Do The New Rules Apply To?

Regardless of when you plan to retire, these changes can affect the retirement plan you’ve developed for yourself and your family, as the act prohibits the use of strategies traditionally utilized to maximize benefits. If you did not turn 62 by the end of 2015, these Social Security changes will affect you. Here are the two main changes coming down the pipeline:

1. Restrictions on spousal benefits. Before the BBA, if a beneficiary reached full retirement age, they were able to restrict their application to spousal benefits only so that their retirement benefits could continue to accrue.

However, under the new law, this will no longer be an option. Your spouse cannot collect their benefits unless you collect yours at the same time. No matter what age you are when you apply for benefits, you will have to take the highest benefit you’re eligible for, whether it’s a retirement or spousal benefit.

2. Collecting a retroactive lump sum is no longer an option. Before the BBA, you could suspend your benefits and reverse that decision later to claim a retroactive lump sum that dated back to the day you filed your application. Under the BBA, once you reach your full retirement age, the option to collect a retroactive lump sum is no longer available.

Who Will NOT Be Impacted By The BBA? 

The following people will not be impacted by these new regulations:

  • Anyone age 70 and over currently receiving Social Security benefits will not be affected by the changes from the BBA.
  • Anyone between the ages of 66 and 69 who suspends their benefits by April 30, 2016 will be “grandfathered in” and can still utilize the retroactive lump sum option.
  • Anyone between the ages of 66 and 69 can suspend their benefits by April 30, 2016 to allow them to grow. At the same time, their spouse can file a restricted application at full retirement age.
  • Anyone who turned 62 by December 31, 2015 will still have the option to file a restricted application when they reach full retirement age (66) as long as either their spouse has filed and suspended their benefit prior to April 30, 2016 or their spouses are already receiving their lifetime benefit.

Additional Frequently Asked Questions

  • Were you planning to file and suspend your benefits for a future retroactive lump sum?
  • Did you want to suspend your benefit and let it grow so that your spouse can file a restricted application?
  • Does spousal or retirement provide the highest benefit?

The answer to all of these questions is if you thought you’d be able to choose, the BBA has changed that law so that now you will receive the highest amount, regardless of which benefit it is.

Bottom Line

There are numerous questions surrounding the Bipartisan Budget Act and how it may impact your Social Security options.  If you are worried about how the new laws are going to affect you, please be sure to speak to a qualified financial advisor that can assist you. For additional information, download this free e-book, “Last Chance: Social Security’s Big Change.”

Follow Wes on Twitter, Facebook and at Wesmoss.com

For valuable financial tools and information on how to set yourself up for a happy retirement, check these out:

Social Security Optimizer, Retirement Calculator, 401k Allocator, Money & Happiness Quiz, Is It Time For An Economic Shutdown? and You Can Retire Sooner Than You Think

Disclosure:  This information is provided to you as a resource for informational purposes only.  It is being presented without consideration of the investment objectives, risk tolerance or financial circumstances of any specific investor and might not be suitable for all investors.  Past performance is not indicative of future results.  Investing involves risk including the possible loss of principal.  This information is not intended to, and should not, form a primary basis for any investment decision that you may make. Always consult your own legal, tax or investment advisor before making any investment/tax/estate/financial planning considerations or decisions.

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