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Contra Costa Council News The Contra Costa Council is a public policy advocacy organization that promotes the economic vitality of Contra Costa County and the region.
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Upcoming Events |
Energy Industry Workforce Development Summit
Wed., August 13
7:30 to 11:30 a.m. Las Positas College Lecture Hall - Room 2402 3000 Campus Drive Livermore Register at |
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News & Comment
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New green economy study challenges East Bay governments and industry to lead development of clean technology clustersAs has been said about the weather, everybody talks about
it, but nobody does anything about
it. Lest that be said about the green economy, the Contra Costa Economic Partnership earlier this year commissioned
an extensive study on the value of developing clean technology (cleantech) industry
clusters--to position the region as a global center of the green economy.
Entitled "East Bay Green Economy Industry Cluster Study:
Building a Sustainable Economy Based on Clean Technology," the impressive
150-page study is accompanied by a 28-page executive summary and actioin plan. The study will be
available shortly on the Council's website.
The report is being presented by Gary Craft at the Contra Costa Mayors' Conference, which is hosted
by the city of Martinez,
on Thursday, August 7. Consultant Craft of Craft Consulting Group, Lafayette, who
conducted the research and prepared the study, will present the findings at the
conference.
Industry clusters are defined as geographic concentrations of
interconnected
businesses, suppliers and associated institutions in a particular
field, in
this case, clean technology. Industry clusters enable individual
companies to increase their productivity, helping them to compete more
effectively--regionally,
nationally and globally.
"The study examines the strengths and opportunities for the East Bay
to develop green economy clusters," says Contra Costa Council President Linda Best. "It puts forth a suggested action plan for both the
public and private sectors to take the lead in developing economic development
strategies to support and grow key cleantech industry clusters focused on solar
technology, biofuels, environmental services and green building."
"With the emergence of the green economy, communities around
the country have begun to aggressively develop and promote the green sector and
are vying to attract clean technology as an engine for economic development and
job growth," notes the study's introduction.
The study finds that cleantech has led to a new paradigm--resulting from a shift from the "back-end-of-the-pipe" to the front end--leading to new
products, processes and technologies that are competitively priced and superior
in performance to conventional products.
The report concludes that the East Bay is well positioned to be a global center of the green economy, given these distinguishing features:
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An existing base of 161 core cleantech companies,
covering a range of technologies and economic activities. The majority of firms
are involved in green building, alternative energy, renewable fuels and
environmental services; a number have received substantial venture capital
funding.
- A growing market of East Bay
consumers who are already purchasing green products and services.
- A strong network of
specialized service providers featuring a large base of technical, scientific,
professional and executive personnel that includes environmental and
engineering consultants, lawyers, management consultants, and scientific and
technological professionals.
- Access to global and national transportation routes through Port of Oakland air, shipping, rail and other transportation carrier systems.
The study recommends that East Bay
governments develop sustainability master plans for their communities and
adopt policies that support new and emerging green industry clusters. Other recommended actions include the adoption of
environmentally preferable purchasing policies, installation of solar PV
systems to reduce annual energy costs, conversion of auto/truck fleets to
biofuel and the implementation of green building programs to reduce operating costs
and resource consumption.
The study also contains recommended "action items" for
building a sustainable economy based on clean technologies. These include
public-private partnerships, both public and private sector programs, and an
education and workforce development program. The latter emphasizes the need to
develop training and education programs, expand environmental education and
develop engineering, science and technical programs at local schools and colleges focused
on cleantech industries.
For more information about this important new study or to obtain a copy, please contact the Council office at [email protected]
or 925-246-1880.
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View from the Chair
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Council's policy-sharing role grows and evolves
by Ed Shaffer,
2008-09 Chairman, Contra Costa Council
I
have been active in the Council for 11 years. I confess that my main purpose in
joining was for business marketing. But over the years my involvement has
changed, just as the Council's role in shaping policy has grown.
Our
Board of Directors is filled with business and civic leaders who truly care about Contra Costa
County. Their passion
shows in the thoughtful and earnest debates before we adopt new positions. Our
Task Forces continue to expand as they tackle serious problems affecting both
our daily lives and our long-term goals. Being active in the Council means
working with people concerned about improving the quality of life and economic
vitality of the region--and that is a rare treat.
I
have felt honored to participate on the Executive Committee. Now it is my turn
to help serve the Council as its Chair. And I believe it really is more about
providing guidance than leadership, because the Contra Costa Council is unique.
Most organizations operate from the top down, with staff and a small core of
volunteers making decisions and carrying out day-to-day activities. But so many
people are active in the Council. Our Task Forces identify issues, recommend
policy, draft position papers, arrange interesting speakers and organize
presentations with broad appeal. Many members of the Board participate in our
advocacy efforts.
We
face challenges during the coming year. Concord
is planning the Naval Weapons Station, and we hope to offer input that balances
local concerns with regional goals. Problems facing the Delta grow more complex
and will affect many aspects of life in the county. Both issues involve several
of our Task Forces as we work with regulatory agencies and public officials to
find solutions. In addition, we will be working to figure out how the county
can weather current budget and housing problems. Most exciting is that we never
know when a new opportunity may arise for the Council to lend its voice to the
local, regional and statewide debate over new issues.
In
recent years, the Council has broadened its mission and its membership, as we
recognize that improving quality of life not only is necessary to stimulate
economic growth but important in its own right. The success of our Nonprofit/Business Task Force has
increased our visibility and our credibility with community leaders. All our
Task Forces benefit from participation by government and non-profit
representatives. While we remain primarily a business organization, we have
taken to heart the expression "It takes a village"--that all sectors must work
together to improve the health and well-being of the community and its
residents.
Steve Lesher finished his
year as Chair by cheering, "Fight on, Trojans!" Instead of college sports
references, I announced at the installation that this will be the
year of chocolate! So, participate in Council activities and remember
that it is impossible for someone to stay sad or angry when they are eating
chocolate. |
Advocacy Action
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Coalition urges legislature to "stop the gas tax raid" The
Contra Costa Council has joined a large coalition of state and regional organizations
and companies, both public and private, in urging the California legislature to reject any
proposals that would borrow the state sales tax on gasoline (Prop 42 funds) to
fill the state's budget void. The July 15 coalition letter to the legislature was signed for the Council by (former)
Transportation Task Force Co-chair Terry
Bowen.
"We
recognize the difficult choices facing lawmakers. But raiding these
transportation funds is a fiscally irresponsible decision that will only make
the budget situation worse in our years, hurt our economic and transportation
network, and break faith with the voters," wrote the coalition.
Council calls for a comprehensive solution to Bay/Delta crisis in comments on water board's workplan
In
a July 7 letter to the State Water Resources Control Board, the Contra Costa Council
urged the water board to take immediate action to remedy the health of the
Bay/Delta region fishery. As recommended by the Council's Water Task Force, the
Council called for expansion of the draft strategic workplan to include
seasonal water flows into the Bay, in addition to the southern Delta and San Joaquin River.
"The
Bay/Delta region defines the geographic features of Contra Costa
County in that the
waterways provide the physical boundaries for three sides of our county," wrote
Council President and CEO Linda Best.
"The catastrophic declines of estuarine fishery populations are of serious
concern. Any agency that has responsibilities to oversee the movement of water
through the estuary and its quality must view the current situation as acute. Actions
are urgently required to remedy the health of the fishery."
"The
decline of the fishery populations are indicative of failed past policies and
actions by all entities responsible for protection of the Bay/Delta estuary,"
Best wrote. "We urge that your boards complete the workplan as the highest
priority."
Scientific
evidence is compelling that many species are in dramatic decline, and not just
those listed as "endangered," she noted. "The Water Boards should consider the
entire fishery, not just endangered species. The Delta smelt is just an
indicator and should not be a main focus to the exclusion of other species."
Calling
the responsibilities of the water boards "essential to defining and enforcing
policies related to water rights and quality," Best continued, "We are
encouraged that the workplan identifies the importance of the 'public trust
doctrine' and its potential applicability to the Bay/Delta . . . the health of
the ecosystem (fishery) requires a reasoned policy that will protect that
quality."
Stating
the Council's support of the overall strategic plans formulated by the Delta Vision Blue Ribbon Task Force, the letter urges the water boards to incorporate the
recommended actions from the Task Force into the workplan. "One of those
recommendations relates to an overall governance structure for the Delta. While
the details are yet to be determined, the concepts are supportable, including
the important roles of the water boards.
"We
note that in the current structure, three separate boards and staff establish
and enforce policies related to the estuary . . . it is essential that a common
set of policies related to estuarine health and quality be implemented. Leaving
individual policies up to the interpretation of the respective staff and boards
only leads to confusion and ineffective protections," she wrote.
Some changes recommended to County's Delta Water Platform draft
In
a letter to the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors commenting on the
board's Delta Water Platform draft, the Contra Costa Council expressed its support and plan to work with the board "to ensure this great resource is adequately
protected."
While
noting that the draft platform is generally in agreement with the Council's Delta Vision Statement of Principles, the letter from Council President and CEO Linda Best offered these recommendations and comments: - Platform
No. 1: Conveyance--In addition to support of through-Delta conveyance and the "common
delta pool," recommend further study of dual conveyance facilities, with any
final proposal providing iron-clad protection for the Delta, with co-equal
values placed on ecosystem and water supply.
- Platform
No. 2: Water storage--Support multi-purpose surface storage opportunities as
well as groundwater storage/conjunctive use; modify language to support both
regional surface storage projects as well as large-scale, north-of-the-Delta
reservoirs, including Los Vaqueros.
- Platform
No. 4: Water conservation--Voiced concern about the statement regarding
eliminating agricultural crops that are a major component of the state's
economy, which "seems to be overreaching and weakens the overall impact of the
proposed platform."
- Platform
No. 6: Levee restoration--Strongly support statements about levee restoration
and will continue to work with the board to advocate for funding needed to
repair critical western and central Delta levees. Also support efforts to
increase coordinated emergency response efforts between the state, Delta
counties and local governments to protect the lives of residents, workers and visitors
located behind the existing levee system and funding needed for those efforts.
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Other News, Events & Briefings
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Joining the Council Board . . . Newly elected members of the Contra Costa Council Board of Directors are Jeff Johnson, principal of Corporate Finance Associates responsible for Northern California, and Stacey Street, executive director of the California Symphony.
Recently appointed to the Council Board are George Opacic, manager of governmental relations, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, and Peter Wilson, special assistant to the president, JFK University.
New Transportation
Task Force co-chair named . . . Bob Brown, Director Corporate Affairs, AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah,
has been named co-chair of the Transportation Task Force.
Brown succeeds Terry Bowen of Gray-Bowen and
Company, Inc., who has been named VP Task Forces. Brown's
co-chair on the Task Force is Hank Haugse
of Hatch Mott Macdonald.
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Task force Briefings
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Upcoming briefings
Special Green Economy study presentation
August 21 . . . All
Task Force members are invited to a special presentation by Gary Craft on the Green Economy study,
on Thursday, August 21, from 8 to 10 a.m., at PMI, 3003 Oak Road, Walnut Creek.
For questions, call the Council office at 925-246-1880.
New and prospective Council members are
welcome to attend Task Force meetings. Please notify a Task Force chair prior
to the meeting to confirm time and location. Here is a list of upcoming briefings, as
currently scheduled: Transportation Task Force . . . Tues.,
August 5, 8 to 9:30 a.m. . . . PMI Building, 3003 Oak Road, Walnut Creek. Teleconference with Jim Earp,
executive director of the California Alliance for Jobs (www.rebuildca.org) and
commissioner on the California Transportation Commission: Update on Prop. 42 preservation
discussions and the alliance's ongoing public awareness campaign; update on MTC's Transportation 2035 Plan. Next
meeting is Tues., September 2. Contacts: Hank Haugse
and Bob Brown
Land Use Task Force . . . Wed., August 13,
8 to 9 a.m. . . .
Morrison & Foerster, 101
Ygnacio Valley Rd. (opposite Walnut Creek BART). Contra Costa County Supervisor Mary Nejedly Piepho will attend this meeting as the Task Force's guest. Next
meeting is Wed., Sept. 10. Contacts: Dan Muller and Mike McGill
Water Task Force . . . Tues., August
19, 8:15 to 10 a.m. . . . Brown and Caldwell, 201 N. Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. Special guest is Les Grober of the State Water Resources Board. Next meeting is Tues., September 16. Contact: Bob Whitley
Small Business & Entrepreneur Task
Force . . . Tues.,
August 26, 7:30 a.m. . . . Mass Mutual Financial Group, 2121 N. California Blvd., Suite 395, Walnut
Creek. Heard recently from Jay Lifson of the
Lafayette Chamber of Commerce; updated by David Kelly on AB 2716. Next
meeting is Tues., September 23. Contacts: Stuart Bolinger and Zachary Sahar
Economic Development Task Force . . .
Wed., August 27, 8 to 9 a.m. . . . City
National Bank, 2001 N. Main St.,
Suite 200, Walnut Creek. Planning a special presentation to all Task Forces on the new Green Economy study on August 21 at PMI (see above). (Also see Task Force spotlight, this issue.) Next meeting is Wed., September 24. Contacts: Gary Craft and Mike Conlon
Health Care Task Force . . . Thurs.,
Sept. 4, 8:30 a.m. . . .
Morgan Miller Blair, 1331 N.
California Blvd., Suite 200, Walnut Creek.
Recent activities have included discussion of the current public television
documentary series, "Unnatural Causes," as the subject of a possible Council
event; also updates on state budget reform, doctor's hospital, legislation and
policy. Next meeting is Thurs., Oct. 2. Contacts: Ron Wetter
and Frank Puglisi, Jr.
Environmental/Manufacturing Task Force .
. . Fri., September 5, 8:15 to 9:30 a.m. . . . Brown and Caldwell, 201 N. Civic Drive, Suite
300, Walnut
Creek. Recently heard from Tom
Hendrey on fuel cells as an alternate energy source. The Task Force is
holding ongoing discussions about AB 32 with the Transportation
and Land Use Task Forces. Contacts: Peter McGaw and George Smith
Workforce Development & Education Task
Force . . . Thurs., September 18, 8:30 to 10 a.m. . . . JFK
University, 100 Ellinwood, Conference
Room S209, Pleasant Hill.
Continuing discussion about the impact of the state budget crisis on public
schools and pending legislation around longitudinal education data and career
technical education (AB 2648, SB 1298 and SB 1425). Contacts: April Treece
and Keith Archuleta
Nonprofit/Business Task Force . . . Thurs., September 25, 8 a.m. .
. . Chapman University, 2950 Buskirk Ave., Suite 200, Walnut
Creek. Recent presentation on "Unnatural Causes" by Barbara McCullough; the Task Force is
monitoring the state budget situation and considering advocacy strategies. (Event/Information
Subcommittee meets the second Tuesday, 9 to 9:30 a.m.; Policy Subcommittee
meets the third Thursday, 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon.) Contacts: Mike Erwin,
Mark Hughes and Terry Shoaff
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Task Force Spotlight
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Council's Economic Development Task
Force helps Contra Costa connect the dots While already a
member of the Contra Costa Council, Mike
Conlon got involved in the Council's Economic
Development Task Force when his colleague Gary Craft asked him to help chair the then-new Task
Force. Since then, Conlon has relished the opportunity "to try and raise issues we
believe are important" to the county's and the region's economic vitality.
A seasoned
economic consultant, Conlon (pictured above, at right) considers himself semi-retired and only takes on
"really cool" projects these days. With a background in capital markets, he has
worked on the financing of large-scale projects in several countries, has run
large development entities and has been involved in international
infrastructure projects. He also served as the budget director for the city of Philadelphia.
"As a longtime
Bay Area person and a Contra
Costa County
resident, I wanted to get involved in the area," says Conlon. "It has been very
interesting for me personally to find out a lot about the county, and the
reaction of the board to the Task Force's work has been very positive."
With a strong
background in economics and planning, Task Force Co-Chair Gary Craft (above, at left) has been a San
Francisco city planner and a construction manager. He has run a technology incubator and a
consulting firm, and served as regional director of a major, national,
commercial real estate development firm.
Craft founded
his own firm, Craft Consulting Group,
in Lafayette,
which specializes in market research, strategic planning,
and economic and financial analysis for private and public sector clients. As a
consultant with the Contra Costa Economic Partnership, he conducts the research
and analysis, and prepares the annual Contra Costa County Performance Index. He also researched and authored the new East Bay Green Economy Industry Cluster
Study (see lead article, this issue) as well as last year's Managing Public Sector Retiree Healthcare
Costs in Contra Costa County, the study that addressed the growing unfunded
liabilities of local governments, public schools and special districts.
Craft joined the
Council in 1991 as a representative of the Cowell Ranch development project. He
has participated in several task forces, including the Land Use Task Force, was
VP Membership, co-chaired the annual CCUSA event and is a former Council Chairman.
Important "economic gardening"
Taking a cue
from the Council's broad mission--to provide advocacy on public policy issues
affecting the economic vitality and quality of life in Contra Costa County and the
region--Craft sees the Economic Development Task Force's mission "to get
decision makers in both the public and private sector to recognize that
economic development is not just about attracting new business, but rather
about economic gardening."
Craft
explains that this concept involves creating a local business environment that
considers and incorporates all aspects of economic life. It includes developing
a "knowledge" workforce through education (K-12 through higher education),
improving the business environment, identifying and strengthening industry
clusters, and supporting innovation and entrepreneurship. "Local entrepreneurs
and entrepreneurship are critical," he says.
"From my
perspective, the Council advocates for improving the economic vitality of the
county, and our Task Force is about economic development," observes Conlon.
"Everything is connected to what we do. Education is important, adequate
infrastructure is important--it is all connected."
Greater complexity today
Craft explains
that when the Economic Partnership first established the county's Performance Index
report, very basic indicators were covered but no real analysis was offered.
"The message was that if you had a job, owned a house and were married with
kids--if you had all these things, you were living a good life. That's the way
people thought about the county. But that is an outdated view. Contra Costa is
more complex than that," he asserts.
With Craft's
involvement, the performance index began to include other indicators and
analysis, explaining trends as
opposed to short-term changes. "We tried to take the longer-term view and show
strengths or weaknesses that the county needed to focus on. In 2003, in The Changing Face of Contra Costa
County report, we explored the changing economic, social, demographic
and quality of life factors in the regional economy."
The 2008
performance index report, titled Major
Drivers of Contra Costa County's Economy: Dealing with Global Competition and
Accelerating Change, is even more analytical, Craft feels. It asks, what is
driving the county's economy? Where are the jobs and what is driving the
employment picture? The global economy has made the world a more competitive
place, elevating the need for greater regional collaboration, says Craft. "Contrast
the business-attraction mentality of the 1970s, and the Silicon
Valley myth of the garage start-up--these are not today's reality.
Economic development is a longer-term process today, requiring educated people,
a trained workforce and dedicated entrepreneurs who will start and grow new
businesses."
Task Force's best work
When asked about
projects the Task Force is most proud of, along with the Performance Index
reports, Craft points to the Managing Public Sector Retiree Healthcare Costs in Contra Costa County,
the OPEB report he and Conlon worked on last year. "County overspending
had left Contra Costa with a huge unfunded liability that would have affected
the funding of vital public services. This was a very important issue and
potentially very controversial," he says. "Yet the study was well received,
primarily because we weren't trying to push an agenda. Rather, we examined the
facts, looked at the alternatives and recommended solutions." This measured
approach both informed and enabled County government officials to perform some
cost containment measures and begin funding a trust to cover future
liabilities. "Hopefully, it helped the supervisors and staff to better
understand the issues, and I think it was very contributive. Through an
educational process, we showed that the business community is concerned about
these issues."
Most economic
theory is based on competition, notes Craft, but he suggests that through
economic collaboration, more is achieved. "If we work together, we'll all
benefit and achieve even greater success."
Maturing process
"When I first
joined the Council, we were focused primarily on housing and roads," observes
Craft. "If you look at the Council's activities today, we have people thinking
about water supply, the Delta Vision,
education, health care, small business and the nonprofit sector. We still address
housing and transportation, but it's no longer the primary focus, which I think
shows a maturing of the Council and its understanding of economic vitality in
the county.
"I am one of the
baby boomers who grew up with President John F. Kennedy, who said, 'Ask not
what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country.' I have
always had a public spirit and a vew of giving back to the community. I also
recognize that by giving back, and being involved in organizations such as the
Council, I gain professionally, personally and as a citizen of the county. The bottom
line is that I love being part of the Contra Costa Council. Some of the best
and brightest people participate in its work. It's exciting to be part of it."
"We have been
able to do a lot of good work, and the people on the Council are great," adds
Conlon. "It's nice to be able to follow through on things. As Woody Allen says,
'80 percent is just showing up.' It takes years to get anything of substance
done. I made a multi-year commitment and will stay around to see it gets done."
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Corporate Member Spotlight
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Mirant: Committed to California's success
Mirant is fairly new to the region, but its
employees are long-time residents. Mirant is an independent power producer that
helps ensure a reliable flow of electricity in the region. Mirant purchased its
three facilities in the Bay Area in 1999. The company operates three natural
gas-fired generating plants: one in San Francisco
near Potrero Hill; another in an unincorporated area of Contra
Costa County
near Antioch; and one in Pittsburg. Combined, these facilities have a
combined capacity of 2,347 megawatts; that's enough to power more than 2.3
million homes.
Since acquiring the facilities, Mirant has invested
more than $80 million in emission control technologies at the three plants, and
has reduced emissions of nitrogen/oxides (NOx) by more than 90 percent in
compliance with the Bay Area Air Quality Management District's Rule 9-11.
The 176 employees of Mirant California have a tall
order to fill: they must provide for the ever-growing energy requirements of
the Bay Area, yet they must also operate and maintain the facilities with
sensitivity to the beautiful environment that is the hallmark of the region.
It's a tough challenge, but Mirant employees continually strive for excellence
and balance.
Besides working to provide safe, reliable, and
environmentally responsible electrical generation, Mirant California employees
also engage passionately in community service. They participate in a variety of
activities, from cleaning coastal areas and waterways, to providing hands-on
support to high school shop classes. Mirant California also contributes funds to a wide
variety of local organizations.
As residents of the Bay Area, and mostly natives of
the region, Mirant employees are committed to helping maintain a high standard
of living here. For more information about the company's operations and
community efforts, visit www.mirant.com.
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Our Mission
The mission of the
Contra Costa Council is to provide advocacy on public policy issues
affecting the economic vitality and quality of life in Contra Costa
County.
The Council engages on issues of critical importance to the business
community and residents of Contra Costa County, balancing the needs of
a diverse county though policy efforts that provide for economic
development while retaining our quality of life. The Council also produces top-tier events, including Contra Costa USA,
the premier business event in the County, featuring major national
speakers as well as providing a local perspective on current events.
The Council retains a close relationship with local, state and federal
elected officials. These relationships provide regular opportunities
for our members to interact with their political representatives and
other business leaders.
For more information about the Council, please visit our website.
To comment about items in this newsletter, please contact Linda Best at the Contra Costa Council.
This issue was edited for the Contra Costa Council by Molly A. Walker of Walker Communications.
� 2008 Contra Costa Council
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