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Ben Paulos

@paulosanalysis.com
8K followers 233 following 930 posts

Consulting on energy policy, technology and trends at PaulosAnalysis.com. Affiliated with the Incentive Finder (govcentives.com), Ava Community Energy, Clean Energy States Alliance, and @solarunitedneighbors.org but posts are my own.

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Ben Paulos @paulosanalysis.com · 26/09/2026
Even @microsoft.com is no better than crypto miners, setting up 130 MW of gas generators without a permit, to power Copilot. New Jersey fined them $1m but let them keep operating. Why @mikiesherrill.bsky.social? share.google/NwgmhdK4iHwm...
share.google
New Jersey hits data center powering Microsoft Copilot with $1m fine after drone expose 62 secretly-installed gas generators
A data center was using illegal gas generators
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Ben Paulos @paulosanalysis.com · 25/09/2026
Interest in plug-in solar seems boundless. I got interviewed for an article in @gizmodo.com today, for @cleanenergystates.bsky.social. gizmodo.com/the-balcony-...
gizmodo.com
The Balcony Solar Craze Has Reached the US. Here's What to Know Before You Buy
As electricity prices soar, more Americans are turning to plug-in solar panels to cut costs.
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Ben Paulos @paulosanalysis.com · 25/09/2026
Those radical communists at @reason.com lay out the impact of Trump’s trade wars on farmers, and the resulting political dissatisfaction. flip.it/vQWcbl
flip.it
The collapse of farm exports is the most underappreciated story in American politics
It was a direct result of President Donald Trump's trade war, as even the Department of Agriculture now admits.
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Ben Paulos @paulosanalysis.com · 25/09/2026
My son @jeromepaulos.com and I make a web tool that helps you find clean energy incentives and determines your eligibility, based on location and income. It's in use by 8 California CCAs and one REN. Here's how Ava Energy uses it to help customers participate in #DriveElectricMonth.
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Union of Concerned Scientists @ucs.org · 24/09/2026
A report by US Senate leaders details "transactional corruption" between the fossil fuel industry and the Trump administration. Dismantling pollution protections. Installing oil execs at the EPA. Over $190 BILLION in industry subsidies over the next decade. And that's just the tip of the iceberg🧵⬇️
Graphic showing a black-and-white government building beneath several industrial smokestacks releasing thick clouds of dark smoke. An American flag flies above the building. Large red and white text reads: “The Billion Dollar Deal: How the Fossil Fuel Industry Bought the Trump Administration, Cashed In, and Left Americans to Pay the Price.”
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Ben Paulos @paulosanalysis.com · 23/09/2026
You've heard of VPPs, but do you understand them? A new report by Adam Warren for the Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA) explains how virtual power plants operate and what is needed for their success. Learn the ABCs of VPPs! www.cesa.org/resource-lib...
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Possibly @askpossibly.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Advocates of plug-in solar panels say they’re an easy and cheap way to transition to renewable energy and reduce electricity costs. On this week's episode, we talk to @paulosanalysis.com to see if they live up to the hype. Listen now at the link below or wherever you get your podcasts.
oceanstatemedia.org
What is plug-in solar?
Advocates of plug-in solar panels say they’re an easy and cheap way to transition to renewable energy and reduce electricity costs. This week we see if they live up to the hype
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Ben Paulos @paulosanalysis.com · 22/09/2026
I'm on Possibly, a show from Rhode Island public radio (@oceanstatemedia.bsky.social), talking about plug-in solar. Just 4 minutes. The sponsor of the legislation there said it was a "love fest." www.oceanstatemedia.org/possibly/202...
oceanstatemedia.org
What is plug-in solar?
Advocates of plug-in solar panels say they’re an easy and cheap way to transition to renewable energy and reduce electricity costs. This week we see if they live up to the hype
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Ben Paulos @paulosanalysis.com · 21/09/2026
Here you go, the Progressive Policy Institute is identified as working for the fossil gas industry. Called a “trusted center-left ally.” Not any more! See slide 7. @energyandpolicy.org s3.documentcloud.org/documents/28...
s3.documentcloud.org
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Ben Paulos @paulosanalysis.com · 18/09/2026
EPA's cancellation of the Solar For All program has been overturned by a district court. With so many court cases going their way, you'd think the Trump people would get tired of all the winning... solarunitedneighbors.org/wp-content/u...
solarunitedneighbors.org
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Ben Paulos @paulosanalysis.com · 18/09/2026
This is exactly how solar development in farmland should happen. Listen to the quotes from the farmers: "it's good for the soil to give it a rest" "I'll be able to retire someday and the land will be in a profitable state so I can pass it on to my children" www.ketv.com/article/mill...
ketv.com
3,200-acre Mills County, Iowa solar farm project clears major hurdle
A proposed solar farm cleared a major hurdle in Mills County this week. Come 2028, it could be one of the largest solar farms in Iowa.
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Ben Paulos @paulosanalysis.com · 12/09/2026
No wonder Republicans talk about pedophiles so much. Another clip for your collection, @volts.wtf. www.twincities.com/2026/09/11/u...
twincities.com
Convicted sex offender offered opening prayer at rally for GOP Senate nominee in North Carolina
Records show pastor Daimon L. King was convicted twice for offenses involving children.
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Christian Roselund @roselund.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Finally got around to reading @sueanderbois.bsky.social's very detailed & comprehensive Energy Plan. This is the kind of vision that we need in #RhodeIsland & this is why I will be voting for Sue for Lt. Governor. (We at @climateactionri.org also endorsed her). www.sueanderbois.com/priorities
sueanderbois.com
Priorities | SueAnderBois.com
Sue AnderBois is running for Rhode Island lieutenant governor to make government work for Rhode Islanders, give the office a purpose, and get things done.
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Sue AnderBois @sueanderbois.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
‘Wow! I think I just met the real life Leslie Knope!’ We have heard this at nearly every campaign stop, house party, & community meeting. Sue really is Rhode Island’s Leslie Knope! And we have less than a week to elect Rhode Island’s real life Leslie Knope to be your next Lt Gov!
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Ben Paulos @paulosanalysis.com · 31/08/2026
@solarunitedneighbors.org has been doing group solar buys for a long time. Now they are getting a boost from a partnership with the State of Virginia. The numbers are much bigger! We might need more celebrity endorsements to reach bigger audiences.
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Will Gorman @wfgorman.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
ERCOT's "connect and manage" model gets the buzz in grid reform debates, but U.S. regions already offer a non-firm option: Energy Resource Interconnection Service. So why are IX queues still bottlenecked? Our new paper in Energy Policy investigates 🧵 👇️ www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
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Ben Paulos @paulosanalysis.com · 30/08/2026
I’m glad to see that California is “a challenging place for data center developers.” Why any state would offer tax breaks to attract them I don’t know. flip.it/Ao.qNI
flip.it
California lawmakers reach deal in high-stakes fight over regulating data centers
After weeks of intense negotiation, state lawmakers on Friday reached a compromise on legislation to regulate energy use by California's growing data center industry, action triggered by community ang...
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Ben Paulos @paulosanalysis.com · 28/08/2026
Very nice Sankey diagram of US trade flows for goods and services. I'm not sure why we're mad at Canada, since our net trade deficit is only $35b. Mexico and South Korea are much larger. Though I'd like to see this viz with more countries. public.tableau.com/app/profile/...
public.tableau.com
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Ben Paulos @paulosanalysis.com · 27/08/2026
The NYT says “The savings tend to be greater for people who live in energy-efficient apartments or houses that use relatively little electricity.” This is incorrect. We have tiered rates in CA so plug-in solar offsets higher tier 2 rates of large consumers. www.nytimes.com/2026/08/27/b...
nytimes.com
California Lawmakers Pass Plug-In Solar Bill
Legislatures in nearly a dozen states have voted to legalize use of the technology, which can help homeowners reduce their rising electricity costs.
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Senator Scott Wiener @scottwiener.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
BIG WIN FOR LOWER ENERGY BILLS AND CLEAN ENERGY: My legislation to allow people to use plug-in solar (aka balcony solar) just received final Senate sign-off and is on its way to the Governor!
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Berkeley Climate Equity Action @climateequity.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
California homes that already have solar can add up to 1 kilowatt of plug-in solar. Soon everyone else will be able to, as SB878 from @scottwiener.bsky.social is almost on the desk of @governor.ca.gov.
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Ben Paulos @paulosanalysis.com · 25/08/2026
The extremely low cost of solar panels is resulting in some things that used to be unthinkable. Like vertical mounted and flat mounted systems. Here’s one in Fresno with panels lying on the ground. No mounts.  share.google/NcaQnMYhWWde...
share.google
Direct-to-ground Erthos Earth Mount Solar installation goes live at Fresno water treatment plant - pv magazine USA
ForeFront Power chose Erthos Earth Mount Solar for the City of Fresno’s Northeast Surface Water Treatment Plant for many reasons, not the least of which were lower labor and materials costs compared t...
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É preciso dar um jeito, meu amigo @tela.myatproto.social · 22/08/2026
One of my sisters worked on the original legislation backed by MADD in part bc a cousin‘s father & husband were killed by drunk drivers & both times the cops were like “this shouldn’t ruin someone’s life.” Absolutely shameful that California is backsliding.
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Ben Paulos @paulosanalysis.com · 22/08/2026
The Vatican is building an 80 MW agrivoltaic plant. The Father, the Sun, and the Holy Goat! 🥁 flip.it/LO1lfY
flip.it
Vatican to build $148m renewable energy plant
The Vatican plans to build a €100 million agrivoltaic plant to power Vatican City with renewable energy and support energy self-sufficiency within two years. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more a...
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Ben Paulos @paulosanalysis.com · 22/08/2026
It’s good to see @senatorcervantes.bsky.social stand up for DRUNK DRIVERS! They only killed 1300 people in California last year. We’ve got to get those numbers up! calmatters.org/investigatio...
calmatters.org
Lawmakers gut major DUI reform through 'hostile amendments'
Sabrina Cervantes' committee's "hostile amendment" gutted a major DUI reform bill with widespread support in Sacramento.
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Ava Community Energy @avaenergy.org · 18/08/2026
Have a home solar & battery system or thinking of getting one? Franklin, Lunar, Enphase, & Tesla batteries are eligible for Ava SmartHome Battery. Get an upfront installation rebate & ongoing participation payments for joining Ava’s virtual power plant. Learn more: AvaEnergy.org/smarthome-battery
Image with a yellow background of a laptop open to Ava's website sitting on a wooden table. Text overlay reads: Ava SmartHome Battery. Meet the batteries: Looking to install a home battery backup system? These models are eligible for our rebate and incentive program.Yellow background with images and names of eligible batteries. Enphase: IQ Battery 3T, IQ Battery 10T, IQ Battery 5P, IQ Battery 10C. FranklinWH: aPower X, aPower 2, aPower 5. Lunar: LE-DC-UNIT, L2-ESS 10-20KWH, LE-ESS 15-20KWH. Tesla: Powerwall 2, Powerwall +, Powerwall 3.Black text on yellow background: Eligible models qualify for an installation rebate and can be enrolled in our virtual power plant for ongoing participation payments. Learn more about the program and find an installer near you at AvaEnergy.org/smarthome-battery
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Ben Paulos @paulosanalysis.com · 18/08/2026
With power grid reliability, if it ain’t one thing it’s another. Now it’s the wild turkeys.  share.google/fSKMhRmc8mnx...
share.google
What keeps shutting off power to this small CA town? The answer — wild turkeys
And it may not even be the first time the large birds have run afoul of the local power grid.
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Ben Paulos @paulosanalysis.com · 15/08/2026
If you want to support clean energy candidates, check out Sue AnderBois running for Lt Governor of Rhode Island.
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Ben Paulos @paulosanalysis.com · 13/08/2026
Important reading to understand the big money context of being a utility regulator. It’s a bad look for Google to get in bed with this. I hope @tnorris.bsky.social and Tyler Huebner reconsider.
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Dominic Bendinelli @dbendinelli7.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
🗳️Voting is the highest impact climate action an individual can take. Control of the House and Senate is the focal point in 2026. BUT local races in Nebraska could lead directly to the closure of a coal plant. 🏭 3 Omaha Public Power District board seats are on the ballot in Nov & YOU can help!
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Sue AnderBois @sueanderbois.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
Proud to share the first ad of our campaign for Lieutenant Governor: Deliver. The message is clear: RI'ers are tired of hearing the same politicians make the same empty promises. I am running for Lt Governor with a clear plan and a track record of turning progressive priorities into real results.
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Ben Paulos @paulosanalysis.com · 11/08/2026
The folks at @electrek.co were smart enough to do the math that California officials must not have done -- "a pot covering a few thousand rebates, handed to the brand that moves 500 eligible EVs a day, was never going to last more than a week."
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Lee West @whodat35.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
WTF? Amazon received a permit from the state of #Texas allowing its new gas power plant to emit 33 million tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere — the largest single source of pollution in the United States. newrepublic.com/post/214111/...
newrepublic.com
Amazon Is Creating the Biggest Pollution Source in the Entire Country
Amazon has bought a site in Texas where it plans to build a data center campus.
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Chris Nelder @chrisnelder.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
Now that the Energy Transition Show (@transitionshow.bsky.social) has ended chrisnelder.com/ets-terminat... I need to rebuild a following for my new platform, Transition Times (@transitiontimes.bsky.social) www.transitiontimes.net. 1/x
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Our World in Data @ourworldindata.org · 03/08/2026
The largest cause of deforestation is, and has been, the expansion of farmland. But the production of which products, in particular, has been driving this in recent decades? A recent study, published in Nature Food by Chandrakant Singh and Martin Persson, answered this question.
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Ben Paulos @paulosanalysis.com · 03/08/2026
I had the pleasure of working with the Illinois Power Agency to stand up the Solar For All program there. It's great to see the vision of legislators, advocates and administrators turning into reality.
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Ben Paulos @paulosanalysis.com · 02/08/2026
I installed my own plugin solar system on my garage roof in January. Total cost was around $700, with four used panels from Facebook. I just passed 1 megawatt hour of production (1000 kWh). Currently adding 7 kWh per day. Go solar!
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Ava Community Energy @avaenergy.org · 31/07/2026
In July's Direct Current, we celebrate 1 year of Bike Electric (& its 1 year extension), spotlight eligible batteries for SmartHome Battery, & remember our founding Board Chair Scott Haggerty. Plus: 3 tips to prep for outages, & a discount for this Sunday's Oakland Ballers game! / 📸 Jenny Pfeiffer
Image of girl wearing a pink bike helmet and blue dress with flowers, standing next to an e-bike. Text overlay reads "Direct Current: July 2026 Newsletter" and "One (More) Year of Ava Bike Electric!Orange text on off-white background reads "Plus: SmartHome Battery: Meet the Program-Eligible Batteries, How to Prepare for PSPS Events, Cheer on the Oakland Ballers with us!, Remembering Scott Haggerty. AvaEnergy.org/direct-current"
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Ben Paulos @paulosanalysis.com · 01/08/2026
In the latest episode of Veep— share.google/2TlFVinusvWB...
share.google
Prosecutors move to dismiss Reflecting Pool vandalism case, saying 'botched installation' to blame
The government had accused David Hearn of ripping a piece of sealant after a $14-million renovation. Hearn has repeatedly said that he simply touched the water in the pool out of curiosity last month.
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calcca.bsky.social @calcca.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
💰This month, CalCCA challenged CPUC decisions that unlawfully shifted more than $1 billion onto CCA customers. 📜 In 3 petitions, CalCCA makes 1 argument: the CPUC has changed the rules mid-course in ways that benefit IOU customers. Read more here: cal-cca.org/calcca-chall...
cal-cca.org
CalCCA Challenges CPUC Decisions That Shifted More Than $1 Billion Onto CCA Customers » California Community Choice Association (CalCCA)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 07.21.26 Media Contact: Matthew Lundy (408) 355-0247 | matt@cal-cca.org CalCCA Challenges CPUC Decisions That Shifted More Than $1 Billion Onto CCA Customers Court filings seek ...
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Ben Paulos @paulosanalysis.com · 30/07/2026
The attack of the Roombas! If the Trump Administration can’t do tariffs anymore, they’ll shake down companies on flimsy “national security“ allegations. Yesterday solar inverters, today vacuum cleaners. flip.it/HcCEWd
flip.it
The US government just banned almost all robot vacuums — here's why
It's bad news for Roombas — and almost every other robot vacuum
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Ben Paulos @paulosanalysis.com · 27/07/2026
I just came across some old reports I wrote in the late '90s. Sen. Jeffords and Rep. Kucinich had bills in 1999 to require 20% of US power from renewables by 2020. They didn't pass, nor did any federal RPS. Yet we got to 21% that year. So chin up, mates! www.eia.gov/todayinenerg...
eia.gov
Renewables became the second-most prevalent U.S. electricity source in 2020 - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)
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Ben Paulos @paulosanalysis.com · 23/07/2026
Here’s a glimpse of the future, if data centers are not matched with very large onsite batteries. A sudden trip could bring down whole regions of the country. share.google/Rc8nYrtmWW1D...
share.google
Massive disconnect of power roils largest US electric grid
A massive amount of data center power abruptly disconnected from the largest U.S. electric grid on Wednesday, causing a voltage disturbance that could be felt from Washington, D.C., to Chicago, accord...
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Ben Paulos @paulosanalysis.com · 20/07/2026
I’m surprised legislators let car companies explicitly break the law, programming self-driving features to speed. @buffywicks.bsky.social, @jessearreguin.bsky.social and @scottwiener.bsky.social can we do something about that? The law is the law, not a suggestion.
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Ben Paulos @paulosanalysis.com · 13/07/2026
I am in Iowa visiting my mom and heard a pro-MAGA radio ad for Rep Miller-Meeks — FUNDED BY TAXPAYER DOLLARS! She’s been doing it for a while. What a grifter! Vote for Christine @bohannaniowa.bsky.social! open.substack.com/pub/laurabel...
open.substack.com
Miller-Meeks touts praise from Trump in taxpayer-funded ads
Exclusive reporting
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Ben Paulos @paulosanalysis.com · 08/07/2026
I think I might have inspired this bill. About five years ago PG&E wanted to replace the gas line to my house, and I said why don't you give me that money instead, and I'll go all electric? To my shock they said okay, how about $20k? ...
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Ben Paulos @paulosanalysis.com · 07/07/2026
Are you a wind or solar developer? Is your project being delayed by "excessive red tape and permitting on the federal, state, or local levels"? According to USDA, that is "Lawfare," and you can report it to USDA so they can "address the situation." Have fun and report back! www.usda.gov/lawfare
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Berkeley Climate Equity Action @climateequity.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
The Golden State Rebates program is ending this month. You can get a point-of-sale discount of $400-$700 for a heat pump water heater, on top of other incentives or discounts. Reserve a retail coupon by July 23 and redeem it by July 31. goldenstaterebates.com/goldenstater...
goldenstaterebates.com
Heat pump water heaters | Golden State Rebates
*/
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Energy Markets & Planning at Berkeley Lab @berkeleylabemp.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
Last year the stack dropped 10% to 2.0 TW, as more than 750 GW withdrew. Gas proposals were up, especially in MISO, SPP, and ERCOT, but solar, storage, and wind capacity decreased. The usual caveat: not all projects in the queue will be built! But it is a strong indicator of near-term trends. 3/x
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Energy Markets & Planning at Berkeley Lab @berkeleylabemp.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
Queued Up 2026 can be found at emp.lbl.gov/queues. And join a webinar with the authors on July 16 at 1pm ET / 10am PT. Register here lbnl.zoom.us/webinar/regi.... /END
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