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Deloitte Corporate Finance LLC Advises Bankers Healthcare Group, Inc. in …

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As used in this document, “Deloitte” means Deloitte LLP. Please see www.deloitte.com/us/about for a detailed description of the legal structure of Deloitte LLP and its subsidiaries. Certain services may not be available to attest clients under the rules and regulations of public accounting.
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As used in this document, “Deloitte” means Deloitte LLP. Please see www.deloitte.com/us/about for a detailed description of the legal structure of Deloitte LLP and its subsidiaries. Certain services may not be available to attest clients under the rules and regulations of public accounting.
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CHARLOTTE, N.C., Feb. 9, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — Deloitte Corporate Finance LLC (“DCF”) acted as exclusive financial advisor to Bankers Healthcare Group, Inc. (“BHG”), a leading full-service commercial loan provider to healthcare professionals nationwide, in receiving a minority investment from Pinnacle Bank, a subsidiary of Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc. (“Pinnacle”), a commercial bank serving individuals and small-to-medium-sized businesses primarily in Tennessee. Pinnacle invested $75 million to acquire a 30% interest in BHG. The acquisition closed on Feb. 4, 2015.

BHG is a leading provider of financing solutions for healthcare professionals throughout the United States. BHG’s loan originations are sourced through a variety of distribution channels and primarily sold through an online auction process to a network of approximately 200 community banks.

“DCF was able to effectively position BHG by highlighting the Company’s high-touch customer service and expertise in the healthcare lending space. We are very excited about our affiliation with Pinnacle and believe that, as a result of this partnership, we will be even better positioned to continue the growth and profitability we have enjoyed. We look forward to exploring new opportunities that are available to both firms,” said Al Crawford, Chairman and CEO of BHG.

“We are pleased to have assisted BHG in finding an ideal strategic partner and look forward to continuing our relationship with the company,” said Charlie Welch, managing director, Deloitte Corporate Finance LLC. “We believe traditional banks will continue to pursue transactions with specialty lenders that offer growth in attractive asset classes.”

About Bankers Healthcare Group, Inc.
Since 2001, Bankers Healthcare Group has been committed to providing financing solutions for healthcare professionals, allowing them to remain focused on delivering high quality health care to their patients. BHG has provided more than $1 billion in funding to thousands of satisfied customers nationwide and has been recognized by Inc. magazine eight times as one of America’s fastest growing organizations. BHG has also been named one of the Top 10 Best Places to Work in Central New York in 2013 and 2014. The three founders and principals at BHG were awarded EY’s Entrepreneur of the Year in the financial services category for the state of Florida in 2012. For more information, visit www.bhg-inc.com.

About Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc.
Pinnacle Financial Partners provides a full range of banking, investment, trust, mortgage and insurance products and services designed for businesses and their owners and individuals interested in a comprehensive relationship with their financial institution. The firm began operations in a single downtown Nashville location in October 2000 and has since grown to approximately $6.0 billion in assets at Dec. 31, 2014. At Dec. 31, 2014, Pinnacle is the second-largest bank holding company headquartered in Tennessee, with 29 offices in eight Middle Tennessee counties and five offices in Knoxville. Pinnacle is listed on the NASDAQ exchange (NASDAQ: PNFP). For more information, visit www.pnfp.com.

About Deloitte Corporate Finance LLC
Deloitte Corporate Finance LLC (DCF) provides strategic advisory services and MA advice that help corporate, entrepreneurial and private equity clients create and act upon opportunities for liquidity, growth and long-term advantage. With an in-depth understanding of the marketplace and access to a global network of investment bankers, we help clients confidently pursue strategic transactions in both domestic and global markets. DCF, together with the Corporate Finance Advisory practices within the Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited network of member firms, include in excess of 1,900 professionals, who work collaboratively across 150 international locations. With our significant experience providing investment banking services across key industries, we are able to offer our clients solutions that help them to achieve their strategic objectives. For more information, visit www.investmentbanking.deloitte.com.

Prior engagement performance is no guarantee of future performance and may not be representative of the experience of other clients. This communication is for informational purposes only and is not intended as an offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of a security.

Deloitte Corporate Finance LLC, an SEC registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA and SIPC, is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Deloitte Financial Advisory Services LLP and affiliate of Deloitte Transactions and Business Analytics LLP. Investment banking products and services within the United States are offered exclusively through Deloitte Corporate Finance LLC. For more information, visit www.investmentbanking.deloitte.com. Please see www.deloitte.com/us/about for a detailed description of the legal structure of Deloitte LLP and its subsidiaries. Certain services may not be available to attest clients under the rules and regulations of public accounting.

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Will Georgia certificate of need laws prevent the FTC from requiring the …

Posted on February 9, 2015 by

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Federal and state courts are expected to rule on several nationally watched antitrust health care cases during the first half of 2015.

As we enter into the first week of the New Year, Nexsen Pruet associate Rachel Anna examines how the cases involve issues such as state action, health care provider mergers and certificate of need regulations.

Will Georgia Certificate of Need Laws Prevent the FTC from Requiring the Divestiture of Palmyra by Phoebe Putney?

In April 2011, the FTC challenged Phoebe Putney Health System Inc.’s (“Phoebe Putney”) acquisition of Palmyra Park Hospital (“Palmyra”) in Albany, Georgia. Phoebe Putney is a not-for-profit hospital system established by the Hospital Authority of Albany-Dougherty County (“the Authority”), a government entity that leases and manages Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital on behalf of the Authority. The FTC contends that the transaction created a “virtual monopoly.”

In dismissing the FTC’s complaint, the Georgia district court determined that the Authority, as a state entity, was immune from antitrust scrutiny under the state action doctrine.^[1] The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the lower court and the transaction was consummated in December 2011.^[2] The U.S. Supreme Court granted certiorari to address whether Phoebe Putney’s acquisition of Palmyra was executed pursuant to a clearly articulated state policy to lessen competition.

The Supreme Court reversed the Eleventh Circuit’s dismissal of the FTC’s complaint, holding that “[i]mmunity will only attach to the activities of local government entities if they are undertaken pursuant to a clearly articulated and affirmatively expressed state policy to displace competition.”^[3] Although a state’s policy to displace competition need not be explicit in the statute, it must be the “inherent, logical, or ordinary result of the exercise of authority delegated by the state legislature.” The state legislature must have “foreseen and implicitly endorsed” the anticompetitive effects in its policy goals and “delegated authority to act or regulate anticompetitively.” Applying the “clearly articulated” standard, the Supreme Court determined that “there is no evidence the State affirmatively contemplated that hospital authorities would displace competition by consolidating hospital ownership.” General corporate powers conferred upon hospital authorities (e.g., ability to purchase or acquire assets, enter into contracts, sue or be sued, borrow money, set prices, etc.) are insufficient to meet the clearly articulated standard.

The FTC later reached a settlement agreement with Phoebe Putney, which notably, did not require Phoebe Putney to divest Palmyra. At the time, the FTC believed the sale of Palmyra required certificate of need (“CON”) approval under Georgia law. The FTC explained that “Georgia’s CON statutes and regulations effectively prevent the Commission from effectuating a divestiture of either hospital in this case.” The FTC stressed that the agreement it reached with Phoebe Putney—and not seeking a divestiture—was “highly unusual” and “acceptable” only “under the unique circumstances” of the case in light of Georgia’s CON laws. Under the proposed settlement agreement, Phoebe Putney agreed to (1) stipulate that the transaction substantially lessened competition for hospital services in the Albany area, (2) refrain from objecting to CON applications by competitors to enter or expand into the geographic market for general-acute care hospitals, (3) submit any CON-related objections to the FTC related to inpatient or outpatient clinic facilities, and (4) provide prior notice to the FTC before acquiring any hospitals, inpatient or outpatient facilities, or physician practices for the next ten years.

However, on September 4, 2014, the FTC withdrew its proposed agreement with Phoebe Putney after receiving information from the Georgia Department of Community Health (“DCH”) indicating that Georgia CON laws would not impede a divestiture. Shortly after the parties resumed litigating whether the merger was anticompetitive in the FTC’s administrative court, a Georgia DCH official decided that a CON would indeed be necessary to separate Phoebe Putney and Palmyra. That decision is currently under appeal to the DCH Commissioner and potentially the state court. In light of the uncertainty regarding the applicability of the Georgia CON laws, the FTC has stayed the administrative litigation. The twists and turns of this case illustrate the lengths the FTC will go to in order to impose a structural remedy in merger cases. Yet if the DCH decision stands, the FTC will likely be forced to settle for the conduct remedies tendered in the original proposed agreement.

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‘Dangerously Cold Air’ Send Temperatures Plummeting Around The US

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Dangerously cold air has sent temperatures plummeting into the single digits around the U.S., with wind chills driving them even lower. Throw in the snow some areas are getting and you’ve got a bone chilling mix that may also be super messy.

The result?

School delays and cancellations, a fatal car pileup and worries about the homeless.

Here’s a look at what’s happening:

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DELAYING AND CANCELING SCHOOL

School districts from the South to the Northeast and Midwest delayed the start of classes or canceled school altogether.

Wind-chill readings were at or below zero in such places as Alabama and North Carolina, along with a chunk of the Midwest, the Plains and the Northeast. The wind chill was minus-40 in Saranac Lake in upstate New York on Thursday morning.

In northwest Georgia, schools in Catoosa County had a two-hour delayed start on Thursday because of temperatures expected to top out at 27 degrees and dip as low as minus 2 degrees with wind chills.

Many other cities modified school schedules, including Detroit, where it was 3 degrees early Thursday. Students got the day off Thursday at Detroit Public Schools, the state’s largest district, and at many other districts around Michigan.

School districts also closed schools in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Pennsylvania and Maine.

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DEATHS IN MICHIGAN

Authorities say the severe weather and blowing snow are factors in the deaths of two northern Michigan men — an 85-year-old who was struck by a car while crossing a road to get his mail and a 64-year-old who was hit by a car while clearing snow.

A car struck 85-year-old Carl Dewey on Wednesday in Helena Township, about 30 miles northeast of Traverse City, the Antrim County sheriff’s department said. There were whiteout conditions at the time, the department told The Grand Rapids Press.

The Kalkaska County sheriff’s department said 64-year-old Zane Chwastek of Bear Lake Township was using a snow blower in his driveway Wednesday when a car slid off the road and struck him.

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A PILEUP IN WHITEOUT CONDITIONS

An 18-vehicle pileup that happened in whiteout conditions on a western Pennsylvania interstate left two people dead and nearly two dozen injured.

Nine trucks, several of them tractor-trailers, and nine cars were involved in the crash Wednesday afternoon on Interstate 80 in Clarion Township, state police said. At least one of the trucks was carrying hazardous material, but no leaks were found.

None of the injuries was thought to be life-threatening, but three of the approximately 20 people taken to the hospital appeared to have serious injuries. The others were treated for everything from bumps to broken bones.

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HORSES KILLED IN FIRE

A space heater being used to thaw frozen pipes was the likely cause of a barn fire that killed more than a dozen horses in northern Ohio, fire officials said.

“It just engulfed the building. It went up in a hurry,” said Tim Kelly, an employee of the farm in Tallmadge, a suburb of Akron. “By the time you saw it, the building was just full of smoke with flames just coming through the roof.”

Firefighters were hindered by temperatures hovering around 3 degrees.

“We went in, but you couldn’t see and you couldn’t breathe,” Kelly told the Akron Beacon Journal. “You could hear them, but we couldn’t get them out.”

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COMMUTER FRUSTRATION

Below-freezing temperatures in the nation’s capital caused headaches for commuters.

In all, there were delays on five of the Metro system’s six lines Thursday morning.

The Washington transit agency says the system’s red line was delayed in both directions because of weather-related equipment problems on train cars. The other four lines were delayed because of broken or cracked rails.

Commuters vented their frustration on Twitter, with many posts including photos of stations and trains jam-packed with people. One Twitter user wrote that he loves being told to avoid lines that have delays, adding, “OK, I’ll just move my house and job for the day.”

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KEEPING RESIDENTS WARM

Many cities experiencing cold weather have opened warming stations for residents lacking heat. But extra care is being taken to protect the homeless.

In New Jersey, some officials have empowered law enforcement to move homeless people off the streets and into shelters.

Blankets were being given out at some of the 15 small tent cities around Huntsville, Alabama. Workers from a nonprofit organization there encouraged residents of the encampments to come inside. Some people planned to stay at a church that was opening as a shelter.

“We’ve got snow flurries as the temperatures continue to drop so they’re coming in,” said Clete Wetli, executive director of First Stop Inc., which provides transportation, mental health counseling and other services to the homeless. “The last thing we want is for someone to get hypothermia or die of frostbite.”

Officials in Ohio and Georgia warned residents never to use their kitchen ovens or stoves to heat their homes. It could prove deadly.

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A DOG’S TALE

A California couple is thanking animal control officers who rescued their dog after it spent 25 hours wandering in bitter cold after a housekeeper accidentally released the pooch from their Indiana hotel room.

The 3½-year-old Belgian Malinois named Sahara is back with Nick Hoeh and Rick Dunkle after her ordeal in Lafayette, Indiana, where the couple recently moved from California.

Animal control officers found the shivering canine Wednesday in a Lafayette resident’s backyard following several sightings.

A hotel housekeeper accidentally released Sahara from the couple’s hotel room Tuesday. The couple is staying at that hotel because a burst pipe damaged the new Lafayette home they had just purchased. The couple had saved Sahara from an abusive home.

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GETTING WORSE BEFORE BETTER

Another Alberta clipper barreling down from Canada is bringing more bad winter weather to the Dakotas.

The National Weather Service has posted a variety of blizzard and winter weather advisories, watches and warnings for the Dakotas through Thursday. Not a lot of snow is expected, but winds gusting to 50 mph will blow around the snow that’s on the ground.

In Minnesota, forecasters expect blizzard conditions to develop in a portion of the River Valley. Weather officials say wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph combined with fresh snow will significantly reduce visibility, especially in open, rural areas. A blizzard warning was posted in an area from Granite Falls southeast to Mankato and Albert Lea.

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THERE IS A BRIGHT SIDE

Temperatures have dropped to zero or below in southern New England and to 7 above in New York City, with wind chills getting into the minus-20s in some places. But little or no snow is forecast for most of the Northeast.

Around this time last year, parts of the region were digging out from 2 feet of snow accompanied by brutal polar air.

In fact, this season’s snowfall totals are way down from last year, one of the snowiest seasons on record.

Last year, Philadelphia, New York and Boston all got around 5 feet of snow from December through February, or about 1½ to 2½ feet more than normal. This year, they’ve seen only a few inches of snow since Dec. 1.

But then there’s western New York. The Buffalo area got slammed with more than 7 feet of snow in November and saw another foot on Tuesday. Thursday night and Friday could bring another 5 inches to 10 inches, weather forecasters say.

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MEANWHILE IN ARIZONA …

Phoenix posted a record high temperature of 80 degrees on Wednesday. That broke the old record of 79 set in 1948.

Over in Tempe, 74-year-old Bill Justice was wearing shorts while hanging out in his yard, just days after the National Weather Service announced that 2014 was the warmest year ever recorded in Arizona.

“We can enjoy all kinds of things in the winter and the same thing in the summer,” Justice said, adding that if he lived in Colorado or another cold climate, his swimming pool would be frozen by now.

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Will Volusia outlet mall boost Flagler tourism? – Daytona Beach News

Posted on February 8, 2015 by

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While a sparkling new shopping destination in Volusia County would likely pull some retail dollars south, an outlet mall at the junction of LPGA Boulevard and I-95 could also provide another boost to Flagler County’s tourist development efforts.

“I think it would enhance the overall visitor experience,” said Matt Dunn, vice president of tourism development at the Flagler County Chamber of Commerce. And it could provide another piece of the puzzle in attracting visitors to Flagler County.

The county has long touted itself as “The Quiet Side of Florida” in an effort to differentiate itself from other, busier tourist destinations.

Surrounded by major tourist areas to the north with St. Augustine, south in Daytona Beach and west to Orlando, Flagler County has worked hard to carve out its own niche in the travel and tourism market.

Visitors to Flagler County already have the option to drive north on the interstate to a big outlet mall in St. Augustine for some vacation bargain hunting, so another shopping option to the south would serve to accentuate the central location the county enjoys when it comes to tourism.

Dunn said in addition to highlighting Flagler County’s destinations, the tourist development effort also includes some areas outside the county.

“There’s Fort Matanzas,” he said. “We promote it as a visitor destination, even though its just over the St. Johns County line.”

Dunn said an outlet mall in Daytona Beach would provide the same opportunities for cross-promotion.

“Whenever we can partner with one of our neighboring destinations, we’re able to enhance the visitor experience,” he said.

Taking advantage of a potential tourist destination outside of Flagler County is not merely making lemonade out of lemons. It is a realization that shopping in general, and outlet malls in particular, have become an important part of the tourist development landscape.

Simon Property Group, an outlet mall developer, reported that international visitors to the United States spent more than $87 billion on shopping, lodging and recreation in the first half of 2013, a 7 percent increase compared with the previous year.

With outlet malls becoming destinations, the close proximity of two major outlet malls to the north and south could put Flagler County in a strong position to tout its central location to tourists.

On top of the potential boon for tourism, news that a developer is looking at a major project in the region also sends a strong signal about the area’s economic viability.

“The financial investment being made by the private sector to construct the destination retail facility is another indicator that there is confidence in the regional economy,” said Helga van Eckert, executive director at the Flagler County Department of Economic Opportunity.

Like the spillover the county receives from special events such as Bike Week and the Daytona 500, an outlet mall would likely give some impetus to tourism and economic development in Flagler County. While it may not be the golden ring, it’s not a bad consolation prize.

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LendingTree Announces Top Ten Customer-Rated Lenders for Q4 2014

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CHARLOTTE, N.C., Feb. 5, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — LendingTree, the nation’s leading online loan marketplace, today announced the top ten customer-rated lenders on its network based on actual customer reviews for the fourth quarter of 2014. The ‘Top Ten’ list is based on a weighted average of review rating and volume of customer reviews. Lenders were rated on mortgage rates, fees and closing costs, responsiveness, customer service and overall experience.

LendingTree provides more than 300 lenders from across the country a source of interested borrowers looking for home loans such as new purchase mortgage, refinance and home equity, as well as personal and auto loans. To learn more about our lenders, visit www.lendingtree.com/mortgage-lenders. For information about the joining the LendingTree network of lenders, please visit https://www.lendingtree.com/about/partner-with-us.

About LendingTree
LendingTree (NASDAQ: TREE) is the nation’s leading online loan marketplace, empowering consumers as they comparison-shop across a full suite of loan and credit-based offerings. LendingTree provides an online marketplace which connects consumers with multiple lenders that compete for their business, as well as an array of online tools and information to help consumers find the best loan. Since inception, LendingTree has facilitated more than 32 million loan requests. LendingTree provides access to lenders offering home loans, personal loans, student loans, home equity loans/lines of credit, auto loans and more. LendingTree, LLC is a subsidiary of LendingTree, Inc. For more information go to www.lendingtree.com , dial 800-555-TREE, join our Facebook page and/or follow us on Twitter @LendingTree .

MEDIA CONTACT:
Megan Greuling
(704) 943-8208
Megan.Greuling@tree.com

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Tagged with: Charlotte

City Council approves support for racing events, formation of tourism committee

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HURRICANE – Tourism and racing events were the main topics of discussion at the Hurricane City Council meeting Thursday. Two race promoters came seeking the city’s support for their events, and the city approved the formation of a city tourism committee.

6 and 25 Hours in Frog Hollow

Cimarron Chacon, of GRO Promotions, is the organizer of two mountain bike relay races, 6 and 25 Hours in Frog Hollow. Chacon presented to the City Council about her events, touting their economic impact to the Hurricane area. In their seventh year, the events use local vendors, provide significant press for the area and have encouraged the Bureau of Land Management to build more mountain biking trails, Chacon said.

Most of the race participants come from outside of Southern Utah. For instance, Chacon said, of the 228 racers in the 2014 6 Hours in Frog Hollow event, 61 percent came from northern Utah and 37 percent came from out of state – as far away as North Carolina, Rhode Island and British Columbia, Canada. The 2014 25 Hours in Frog Hollow race attracted 366 racers; 90 were from Denmark and 15 were from Canada.

One-third of race participants stayed in Hurricane lodging accommodations for at least one night and spent money at local stores and restaurants, Chacon said.

Some of the funds raised by the Hurricane Lion’s Club and GRO during the events will go toward the construction of the Hurricane Wayside Park, 200 East and State Street.

Chacon came specifically to ask the city to support the races by donating emergency medical services, but she met some resistance. Councilwoman Pam Humphries said she would rather help the event with advertising than with EMT services. Councilwoman Ethelyn Humphries said the events are wonderful, but she was not sure Hurricane businesses benefited as much as Chacon was saying.

“We’re not just building an event,” Chacon said after the councilwomen voiced their concerns. “We’re building a brand – Hurricane as a mountain biking destination.”

Not only do racers come for the events themselves, they return two to six times a year to ride with friends and family, Chacon said.

City Manager Clark Fawcett was on Chacon’s side, saying the city needed to promote events that will keep bringing people back to the area. Mayor John Bramall also sided with Chacon, saying that donating EMT services is a small investment to get so many people to come to town.

In the end, Ethelyn Humphries made the motion for the city to pay for just the EMT personnel costs for the events, contingent upon fire district approval, which amounted to $1,382.50 last year. Pam Humphries and Darin Larson voted no, while Kevin Tervort and Ethelyn Humphries voted yes. In Darin Thomas’s absence, Bramall cast the tiebreaking vote – the first time he has done so as mayor – in support of donating the EMT services.

“I very much appreciate your support,” Chacon said.

The dates for the two races this year are April 18 for 6 Hours in Frog Hollow and Nov. 7-8 for 25 Hours in Frog Hollow.

Sand Hollow Marathon and Hurricane Mud Run

The City Council’s discussion and approval of EMT support for the Frog Hollow mountain bike races worked in Chris Mathison’s favor. Mathison, of Red Dog Events, organizing entity for the Sand Hollow Marathon and the Hurricane Mud Run, received quick approval for donation of EMT services from the council for his events, with all but Pam Humphries voting in favor.

The Sand Hollow Marathon will be held April 11, and the Hurricane Mud Run will take place May 16.

Tourism committee

The council’s first agenda item included unanimous approval for the formation of a tourism committee that will be similar to Washington County’s Sports and Events Commission, tasked with helping promote Hurricane as a travel destination and serving as a liaison for the City Council in tourism matters. The mayor and City Council will appoint individuals from the community, many of whom work in tourism-related industries, to serve on the committee.

Amid the discussion on the racing events, Larson said the tourism committee would assist in such matters.

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Tagged with: North Carolina

Billy Graham column: Feb. 7, 2015

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Library Annex equipped with computer lab slated to open Monday in Bradenton

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Pro-Con – Drilling offshore the North Carolina coast

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Our coasts are a special place. They attract more than 11 million visitors each year from Corolla to Sunset Beach. They come to see the wild horses, the place where the Wright Brothers first took flight, or just to relax and play in the surf with their family. This is what we stand to lose if we allow drilling off of our coasts.

Where I grew up isn’t so different from the sandy shores of the Outer Banks. As a native of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, we too had beautiful barrier islands with wildlife like pelicans and dolphins. My grandfather had an old boat, and on Saturdays would take us out to Dauphin Island, where we would spend our days lying on the beaches, soaking up the sun and taking in the gorgeous views of the Gulf.

In April 2010 the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil disaster spilled 200 million gallons of crude oil into the Gulf and killed 11 workers. I remember when months passed and the oil was still spewing into the Gulf. I remember when tar balls began to wash up on the beaches I’d spent my childhood on. There is no doubt in my mind after seeing what the disaster can do to a community that offshore drilling just isn’t worth the risk.

My parents still live on the Gulf and their community, like North Carolina’s coasts, relies on tourism and a thriving fishing industry to support our economy.

Five years later, the fishing industry is still reeling from the disaster, and now one of the only reasons for people to visit their shores is to gain employment in the clean up efforts.

There will be accidents. They are unavoidable. The question is whether our coastlines are worth risking. And if a spill does happen we will have lost our chance to ensure that it doesn’t happen on our shores.

North Carolina has a choice. Interior Secretary Sally Jewell said this week that the places in the draft plan could change based on public input. They do not want to bring drilling to states that don’t want it. That’s why the coasts of California, Oregon, and Florida are off limits.

We have a voice. I urge my fellow North Carolinians who love our coasts to tell the Bureau of Ocean and Energy Management to keep North Carolina out of the draft plan.

Liz Kazal is a field associate with Environment North Carolina, an environmental advocacy group.

Drilling will provide much-needed jobs

North Carolina is on a roll. First, our unemployment rate dropped to 5.5 percent for the first time since 2008. Then the same day, news broke that our state may finally get the opportunity to add even more jobs through offshore energy development. As a Wilmington native, I appreciate what this opportunity means for our city, for this region and for the entire state.

The Obama administration’s move to allow oil and natural gas exploration off the Atlantic Coast could be an economic boon – generating 55,000 jobs and $4 billion in economic growth in North Carolina alone including $600 million in manufacturing spending per year. All told, offshore development of the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) could support nearly 280,000 jobs and $51 billion in government revenue within 18 years of lease sales, according to a 2013 study by Quest Offshore Resources. These jobs and economic impact would add to the many benefits North Carolina already receives from industries like tourism and fishing. Despite claims to the contrary, safe and responsible offshore energy development and a thriving tourism and seafood industry are not mutually exclusive.

As promising as our offshore potential appears to be, the Obama administration’s new direction on offshore should be kept in perspective. A full 87 percent of federal offshore acreage is off limits to exploration, and promising areas in the Pacific and Eastern Gulf of Mexico remain locked away – along with 200,000 potential jobs and $218 billion in government revenue. The Interior Department has proposed just one potential lease sale for the Atlantic coast, and even that would not happen until 2021.

The first step is exploration to better understand the resources that are out there. Existing estimates are based on surveys that were conducted over 30 years ago, and technology has advanced significantly during that time. In fact, the government’s estimate for recoverable oil in the Gulf of Mexico grew fivefold between 1987 and 2011 – a period of significant production.

By overwhelming margins, North Carolina voters recognize the connection between domestic production and energy security. New polling from last month shows 86 percent agree that producing more U.S. oil and natural gas could help lower energy costs for consumers while 85 percent agree increased production could strengthen America’s energy security. We’re in good company. Voters in Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida also support offshore exploration. Gov. Pat McCrory, other members of the OCS Governors Coalition, and many of our state and federal legislators are working together to implement policies that ensure coastal states take full advantage of safe exploration opportunities.

Both industry and the government have devoted incredible effort to enhancing safety in the years since the 2010 Gulf of Mexico accident. The private sector and regulators have worked together to strengthen safety standards and enhance the industry’s safety culture to ensure the safe, responsible development of our resources. Better tools have also been developed for capping subsea wells, and these are required to be pre-positioned for rapid deployment in the event of an incident. For all these reasons, the co-chairs of President Obama’s own Oil Spill Commission believe “offshore drilling is safer than it was” in 2010.

We’ve seen the windfall energy development has brought to other states. The job impact of the oil and natural gas industry grew by 600,000 jobs between 2009 and 2011 for a total of 9.8 million jobs supported. And jobs in this industry pay very well, with an average salary seven times higher than the minimum wage.

Besides the economic benefits, offshore energy has a critical role to play in the nation’s long-term energy security. We’ve become the world’s leading natural gas producer and are on track to overtake Saudi Arabia as the top crude oil producer this year, but we’re still operating essentially with one hand tied behind our back. The Gulf of Mexico alone contributes about 16 percent of the oil and 4.5 percent of the natural gas produced in the U.S. today. That’s enough energy to fuel 18.4 million cars and heat 17 million homes. Imagine the benefit to our energy security if we add Atlantic and Pacific production to the mix.

The more energy we produce at home, the less we’re impacted by disruptions in unstable areas overseas. That’s why it’s time for North Carolina to join the American energy renaissance. We can do just that while at the same time protecting the environment and the quality of life we all enjoy at the coast.

David McGowan III is executive director of the N.C. Petroleum Council, a division of the American Petroleum Institute. The institute represents members of the oil and gas industry.

Tagged with: North Carolina

A list of ten great travel surprises

Posted on February 8, 2015 by

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CHARLOTTE, NC, February 7, 2015 – Among the many joys of travel are the moments of spontaneous surprise or when an attraction or destination exceeds expectations.

For me, travel surprises are not necessarily “unknown” places. Rather they are sites that capture your imagination in a way that leaves a lasting impression. Here is a personal alphabetical list of ten unexpected treasures that should impress even the most veteran traveler.

Dramatic scenery of the Amalfi Coast, Italy (San Pietro)

1 – The Amalfi Coast (Italy) – Few places offer more breathtaking scenery per mile than the 25 mile serpentine ribbon of road called the Strada Statele along the Amalfi Coast. The most spectacular way to access the region is by car or bus from the Mount Vesuvius side of the mountainous spine that divides the coast from the congestion of Naples. After a 20 to 25 minute meandering ride through several small villages, you crest the mountaintop where an unbelievable vista spreads before you leading to Amalfi. If it doesn’t take your breath away, nothing will ever impress you.

The rockbound fortress of Masada overlooking the Dead Sea (Taylor)

2 – Masada (Israel) – Herod the Great began fortifying Masada nearly four decades before Christ as a personal refuge in case of a revolt. Though Herod never occupied the stronghold, a small group of approximately 500 Jewish rebels held off the Roman army from its strategic location overlooking the Dead Sea for several months in the first century CE. Today, the Israeli army pays tribute to Masada by honoring new recruits at the site.

Moscow's metro stations are museums of their own (wikipedia) — Moscow’s metro stations are museums of their own (wikipedia)

3 — Moscow Metro (Russia) – Like any mass transit system, Moscow’s subway system is frequently crowded and congested. Unlike other metros however, each station in the Russian capital is practically a museum within itself. These eclectic “peoples palaces” feature all manner of artistic styles and architecture including sculptures, friezes, chandeliers, stained glass windows, mosaics and historical reliefs from all aspects of life such as sports, war, industry, agriculture and history. The system began in the 1930s but the cultural magic remains today.

Interior of the spectacular Duomo in Orvieto, Italy (wikipedia)

4 – Orvieto (Italy) – The city of Orvieto sits upon a relatively flat volcanic outcropping of rock with vertical cliffs that not only make it dramatic, but naturally impregnable as well. Combined with its spectacular setting, Oriveto lays claim to a vast labyrinth of tunnels beneath its surface. The Duomo, or cathedral, which began in 1290 by Pope Nicholas IV, is an architectural masterpiece. If that isn’t enough, Umbrian wines are superb.

Facade of the Treasury at Petra, Jordan carved from the face of a mountain (wikipedia)

5 – Petra (Jordan) – Discovered by Swiss explorer Johann Burckhardt who disguised himself as a Bedouin to gain access, the “rose-red city half as old as time” has been listed by Smithsonian Magazine as one of “28 Places to See Before You Die.” This ancient Nabataean city located in modern-day Jordan is accessed through a narrow mile long canyon that eventually opens to the sculpted façade of the Treasury. Indiana Jones fans will recognize it immediately, but seeing it in person is infinitely more impressive.

Cascading waters of Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia (wikipedia)

6 — Plitvice Lakes (Croatia) – If you like cascading water, then you will love the Plitvice Lakes in Croatia. No less than 16 lakes merge in a myriad of natural dams and layered rock formations to create an incredible series of canyons and vegetation. Thanks to mineral content in the water, the lakes become a kaleidoscope of alternating colors which changes according to the sunlight. Plitivice gives new meaning to the word “waterfall.”

Excavated ruins of Pompeii with Mt. Vesuvius in the background (wikipedia)

7 – Pompeii (Italy) – The biggest surprise you will get at Pompeii is how big it is. The onetime Roman city that was covered in ash when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD is a fascinating look into the life and times of the Roman Empire at its peak. Visit with a guide for a wealth of information as you savor the excavated ruins of daily Roman life.

Helsinki's Temppeliaukia Church, the Rock Church carved within a giant stone outcropping (wikipedia) — Helsinki’s Temppeliaukia Church, the “Rock Church” carved within a giant stone outcropping (wikipedia)

8 – Rock Church (Finland) – What do you do when you have a giant rock in the center of town? You turn it into a church. That is what architects Timo and Tuomo Suomalainen did when they designed Temppeliaukio Church in Helsinki. The church features a glazed dome that allows natural light to pour through the interior. Because of the rock surfaces that comprise the walls, the Rock Church has superb acoustics that make it a popular site for concerts.

Michelangelo's fresco masterpieces in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican (wikipedia) — Michelangelo’s fresco masterpieces in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican (wikipedia)

9 –Sistine Chapel (Vatican City) – Michaelangelo’s frescoes on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel have been a masterpiece since they were completed in 1512. For nearly 500 years the stunning beauty of the ceiling enthralled visitors from all over the world. In 1984, a controversial restoration, which lasted two and half times longer to complete than it took the Florentine artist to paint the original, gave bold new meaning to the work. When the chapel re-opened in 1994, the magnificent colors that had been muted for almost five centuries completely altered previous interpretations of Michelangelo’s work and his techniques.

Thailand's former capital at Sukothai with sculptures and temples (wikipedia) — Thailand’s former capital at Sukothai with sculptures and temples (wikipedia)

10 – Sukhothai (Thailand) – The ruins of the ancient capital of modern-day Thailand are both mysterious and exotic. The Kingdom lasted two hundred years from 1238 until 1438. The ancient civilization filled with temples and Buddhas surrounded by lush vegetation transports visitors back in time to the realities of the past in a manner normally found only in the imagination.

Water, water everywhere at Plitvice National Park, Croatia (wikipedia)

This list is by no means definitive. Be brave. Challenge yourself and boldly journey through new gates of discovery.

Contact Bob at Google+

About the Author: Bob Taylor is a veteran writer who has traveled throughout the world. Taylor was an award winning television producer/reporter/anchor before focusing on writing about international events, people and cultures around the globe.

He is founder of The Magellan Travel Club (www.MagellanTravelClub.com)

His goal is to visit 100 countries or more during his lifetime.

Read more of Travels with Peabod and Bob Taylor at Communities Digital News

Follow Bob on Twitter @MrPeabod

This article is the copyrighted property of the writer and Communities Digital News, LLC. Written permission must be obtained before reprint in online or print media. REPRINTING CONTENT WITHOUT PERMISSION AND/OR PAYMENT IS THEFT AND PUNISHABLE BY LAW.

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Think it’s cold now? Consider Grandfather Mountain’s year in weather

Posted on February 8, 2015 by

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Press release from the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship foundation

LINVILLE — After an immensely rainy year in 2013, Grandfather Mountain rainfall rebounded to below-normal precipitation levels in 2014, according to weather data collected at the Mile High Swinging Bridge.

The mountain recorded 50.62 inches of precipitation in 2014, including 8.27 inches in July, the rainiest month.

That was about 20 percent below the mountain’s 59-year average annual rainfall, 64.49 inches, and nearly 60 percent lower than last year’s whopping 85.95 inches.

The mountain’s one-day rain record still stands at 11.3 inches on Sept. 8, 2004.

Wind

Grandfather Mountain recorded one gust above 100 mph early in 2014. On Jan. 25, a gust of 104 mph was charted by an automated weather station at the Mile High Swinging Bridge.

The record wind speed at that location is 120.7, set in December 2012.

Winds gusted above 60 mph at least 73 days in 2014.

Temperatures

A place known for its temperature swings, Grandfather Mountain experienced a temperature range of 93 degrees in 2014.

The highest temperature recorded at the Mile High Swinging Bridge was 75.28 degrees on July 1, and the lowest temperature was -17.89 on Jan. 6, a result of the Polar Vortex.

Grandfather Mountain did not beat its record low (-32 degrees) or its record high (83.2 degrees) in 2014.

The not-for-profit Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation strives to inspire conservation of the natural world by helping guests explore, understand and value the wonders of Grandfather Mountain.

For more information, call 800-468-7325 or visit www.grandfather.com.

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