Latest news with #ClearLake
CBS News
29-05-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Sheep take on landscaping at Minnesota solar farm
Hundreds of sheep are hard at work this spring in central Minnesota — not on a farm, but beneath solar panels. At the Serco Solar Array in Clear Lake, more than 600 sheep are being used to manage vegetation around the 1,200-acre site. "We have 600 mews and all of them are with lambs, by the end of the summer we will have 1500 adult sheep and by the end of the project 7000 sheep," said Briana Beck with Minnesota Native Landscapes. Part of a growing relationship between Xcel Energy and MNL. The sheep graze between rows of solar panels, keeping grasses trimmed and allowing native prairie plants to thrive –— all without using gas powered equipment or herbicides. "Its really important for the health of the prairie, to get rid of that vegetation build up and also on solar sights for fire mitigation," said Beck. The sight itself is home to dozens of native prairie plants and flowers, one of which is essential to an endangered species. "Sundial Lupine, that's a legume species. It is the only known host plant for the Karner Blue Butterfly – Which is an endangered species," said Beck. "Its fantastic to see the lupine blooming out here." "MNL provides the seeds for the pollinator mix that we are using at the Sherco project," said Luke Molus, Head of Operations at Sherco Solar Array. The goal of the cooperation is to protect vulnerable prairie lands and animal species. While also keeping the land fertile for any future farming uses. "The top soil is pretty thin. Restoring the native prairie back to this area," said Molus. "It's actually going to help the topsoil become thicker and more healthy so that if the solar project gets decommissioned in say 30 years – If farmers do choose to come back, they'll actually have better soil to grow on,=." In the meantime, the field is part of Minnesota's broader effort to move away from fossil fuels. The Serco site will eventually try to replace the energy output once generated by the near-by Sherburne County Coal Plant. "Serco solar one is the first phase of the Serco solar project that Xcel is building to replace the Sherburne County Coal Plant," said Molus. "All three Serco projects will be a full replacement for the coal plant that retired back in 2023. Molus says that Serco Solar Array one is providing energy for 150,000 customers. Xcel Energy could expand the grazing project to other sites across the state in the coming years.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
EQ Inc. Reports First Quarter Financial Results
EQ Reports First Quarter Financial Results and Updates from the Company's AGM TORONTO, ON / / May 28, 2025 / EQ Inc. (TSXV:EQ.V) ("EQ Works" or the "Company"), a leader in AI and data driven software and solutions, announced its financial results today for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025. Proprietary data used for artificial intelligence and machine learning models continued to drive interest and excitement during the quarter. First-party data collected through the Paymi division, combined with advanced insights and analytics from the proprietary Clear Lake platform and the expert execution of EQ's media team, has equipped the Company with a unique and dynamic toolkit. This powerful combination enables businesses across multiple industries to make smarter decisions by gaining access to information that was previously unattainable. Backed by a robust suite of products that drive measurable value for our customers, the Company has built a strong pipeline of opportunities and a solid foundation for growth in 2025. Revenue for the quarter remained steady year-over-year at $1.4 million, while pipeline activities and proposals across all business units, including its proprietary SaaS product Clear Lake, have seen substantial growth. Additionally, EQ is actively pursuing new customer segments where demand for its proprietary data is rising and where it believes significant value can be generated. Looking ahead to 2025, the Company remains laser focused on delivering solutions that fully leverage AI-driven products and proprietary data assets. These strategic engagements not only create greater value for clients but also establish a more robust and sustainable recurring revenue model. Gross margin for the quarter of 40% was an improvement over Q4 2024, and the adjusted EBITDA loss of $0.6 million was consistent with the same period a year ago. In addition, EQ's backlog continues to grow and is currently forecasting its second quarter revenues to surpass those of the previous year and revenue for the first 6 months of 2025 to also exceed what the Company generated for the same period a year ago. "Profitability and growth continue to be our focus" said Geoffrey Rotstein, President and CEO of EQ Works. "A few years ago we set out to create a business division focused on generating unique proprietary data to help solve real business problems. Whether in marketing, data analytics, consumer behavior or competitive intelligence, we recognized that a strong proprietary data set was critical to delivering impactful and effective solutions. Today, we are delivering on that vision. Our team has developed a suite of products that combine real-time data with cutting-edge AI and machine learning technologies to empower our clients to operate more effectively. We are excited about the results we are seeing, the pipeline being generated, and the progress we are making in 2025". Subsequent to quarter end, at the Company's Annual and Special Meeting held on May 21, 2025, EQ elected two new Board members to the Company, John Kim and James Lanthier. In addition, following the AGM, the Company also welcomed Catherine Warren to the Board, as a third independent director. "I would like to welcome John, James and Catherine to the EQ Board and I know that their experience and skill sets will prove invaluable to EQ as we continue to execute our vision and drive value to our Shareholders," said Geoffrey Rotstein. "I would also like to sincerely thank Vernon Lobo and James Beriker for their invaluable contributions and dedicated service to EQ. Their leadership, expertise, and commitment have played a significant role in guiding the company through important milestones and growth phases and will have a lasting impact on the organization." Non-IFRS Financial Measures EQ Works measures the success of the Company's strategies and performance based on Adjusted EBITDA, which is outlined and reconciled with net loss in the section entitled "Reconciliation of net loss for the period to Adjusted EBITDA" in the MD&A. The Company defines Adjusted EBITDA as net loss from operations before: (a) depreciation of property and equipment and amortization of intangible assets, (b) share-based payments, (c) finance income and costs, net, and (d) restructuring costs. Management uses Adjusted EBITDA as a measure of the Company's operating performance because it provides information on the Company's ability to provide operating cash flows for working capital requirements, capital expenditures, and potential acquisitions. The Company also believes that analysts and investors use Adjusted EBITDA as a supplemental measure to evaluate the overall operating performance of companies in its industry. The non-IFRS financial measure is used in addition to, and in conjunction with, results presented in the Company's consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS and should not be relied upon to the exclusion of IFRS financial measures. Management strongly encourages investors to review the Company's consolidated financial statements in their entirety and to not rely on any single financial measure. Because non-IFRS financial measures are not standardized, it may not be possible to compare these financial measures with other companies non-IFRS financial measures having the same or similar names. In addition, the Company expects to continue to incur expenses similar to the non-IFRS adjustments described above, and exclusion of these items from the Company's non-IFRS measures should not be construed as an inference that these costs are unusual, infrequent, or non-recurring. The table below reconciles net loss from operations and Adjusted EBITDA for the periods presented: About EQ Works EQ Works ( enables businesses to understand, predict, and influence customer behaviour. Using unique data sets, advanced analytics, machine learning and artificial intelligence, EQ Works creates actionable intelligence for businesses to attract, retain, and grow the customers that matter most. The Company's proprietary SaaS platform mines insights from movement and geospatial data, enabling businesses to close the loop between digital and real-world consumer actions. Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX-V) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements". All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this press release, including, without limitation, those regarding the Company's future financial position and results of operations, strategy, plans, objectives, goals and targets, and any statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words "believe", "expect", "aim", "intend", "plan", "continue", "will", "may", "would", "anticipate", "estimate", "forecast", "predict", "project", "seek", "should" or similar expressions, or the negative thereof, are forward-looking statements. These statements are not historical facts but instead represent only the Company's expectations, estimates, and projections regarding future events. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve assumptions, risks, and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual results may differ materially from what is expressed, implied, or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. Additional factors that could cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially include, but are not limited to, the risk factors discussed in the Company's MD&A for the three months ended March 31, 2025. Management provides forward-looking statements because it believes they provide useful information to investors when considering their investment objectives but cautions investors not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements and any other cautionary statements or factors contained herein, and there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, the Company. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect subsequent information, events, or circumstances or otherwise, except as required by law. EQ Kahn, Chief Financial Officerpress@ SOURCE: EQ Inc. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
CTV News
23-05-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
MP calls on Parks Canada to explain Clear Lake motorized boat ban
The member of parliament for Riding Mountain is calling on Parks Canada to explain its decision for a motorized watercraft ban on Clear Lake. On Thursday, MP Dan Mazier wrote a letter to the Riding Mountain field unit superintendent, asking Parks Canada to hold a public meeting to clarify its reasoning for the ban. 'The decision to impose a ban just before the May long weekend with inadequate notice, consultation, or clear justification, has blindsided the community and undermined months of preparation,' the letter states, adding that the lack of transparency has fueled public frustration. Mazier's letter goes on to say that Parks Canada was still telling people that motorized watercraft would be allowed on Clear Lake as recently as May 12. 'Parks Canada is a public agency. It is accountable to the people it serves,' it says. 'Yet increasingly, the public feels shut out of decisions that deeply affect their lives and livelihoods. That must change.' Mazier's plea comes after Parks Canada announced last week that only non-motorized watercraft will be permitted on the lake in 2025 in an effort to stop the spread of zebra mussels. In a statement, a spokesperson for Riding Mountain National Park said they recognize the important place Clear Lake holds in the hearts of many Manitobans, as well as the strong connection that Indigenous communities have to the lake. The spokesperson notes that last summer Clear Lake was closed to all watercrafts, which drew negative reactions from residents and business owners who were concerned it would stop people from visiting. However, the park notes, 2024 saw Riding Mountain's busiest year since 2021, with 347,418 visitors. 'Parks Canada understands this change is disappointing to some, especially those who complied with mandatory inspections and tagging in previous years,' the statement says. 'Parks Canada is implementing these changes in an effort to continue protecting Clear Lake so that its health and those of downstream waterbodies can be maintained and visitors and residents can continue to enjoy them in the future.' Mazier's full letter can be found online.
CTV News
20-05-2025
- CTV News
Petition calling to allow motorized boats on Clear Lake garners thousands of signatures
Due to the ongoing zebra mussel problem, motorboats are banned on Clear Lake this summer. A petition calling on Riding Mountain National Park to allow motorized watercraft on Clear Lake this summer has garnered more than 2,000 signatures. The petition, which is available on says park officials previously said motorized boating would be back for the 2025 season. However, shortly before the May long weekend, Parks Canada announced this would not be the case because of zebra mussels. 'This blindsided visitors and devastated local businesses that rely on boating tourism,' the petition says. 'If zebra mussels are a concern, the solution is inspection and education—not a full ban that punishes responsible users.' Now the petition is calling on Riding Mountain National Park and Parks Canada to keep its original commitment and implement 'fair and proven' measures to manage zebra mussels. 'We're not asking for excuses. We're asking for action,' the petition states. This petition comes after Parks Canada announced that it will continue to restrict motorized watercraft on the lake. The government says it's taking a precautionary approach to protect the health of Clear Lake and other nearby bodies of water and reduce the spread of zebra mussels.
CBC
18-05-2025
- General
- CBC
Motorized watercraft banned on Clear Lake in 'disappointing journey' to fight zebra mussels
Social Sharing Parks Canada is banning the use of motorized watercraft on Clear Lake this year in what it hopes will be an attempt to curtail the spread of zebra mussels. While the ban is causing turmoil for businesses, a First Nation in the area sees it as a sign of hope in a "disappointing journey" to fight the invasive species. The federal agency announced in a Friday bulletin it had made the "difficult decision" to impose the restriction for a second time since last year"to protect the health of Clear Lake" after zebra mussels were first detected in the lake in November 2023. Under the restriction, non-motorized watercraft — including kayaks, canoes and inflatables — can still operate in Riding Mountain National Park under certain conditions, which include an annual permit, limitations on which bodies of water are used, an inspection and a cleaning protocol. "We're happy with Parks Canada's decision," said James Plewak, former chief of the Keeseekoowenin Ojibway First Nation, which borders the northwest corner of the lake. Plewak, who is also a senior official with a coalition of seven First Nations with interests in Riding Mountain National Park, said it has been a "disappointing journey" since the invasive species was first discovered. Parks Canada tried to contain zebra mussels by setting a two-kilometre underwater curtain at Boat Cove near Wasagaming last summer — but it dislodged just days after installation was completed. Months later, hundreds of live juvenile zebra mussels were found attached to docks and other structures near the east end of Clear Lake, indicating their spread was not isolated to the area where they had been originally found. Earlier this year Park Canada said the full extent of where the zebra mussels have spread is yet unknown, but eradicating them would require for the entire population to be identified, isolated and contained from the rest of the lake. Plewak is concerned that if zebra mussels migrate to shallower parts of the lake, they might distribute faster and trickle into outlets that flow into the Little Saskatchewan River and downstream through several communities. "The decision is based upon erring on the side of caution," he said. While Parks Canada has the jurisdiction to issue bans on Clear Lake, First Nations have a treaty right over Riding Mountain National Park, Plewak said. "We have a different level of responsibility towards the lake," he said. "Parks Canada made a responsible decision there and the First Nation is in support of it." Ban stands to 'ruin' business Kelsey Connor, who has been operating the Clear Lake Marina and the Martese tour boat out of Wasagaming in Riding Mountain National Park since 2015, said Parks Canada's decision is putting into question whether or not his business will cease to exist. "At the moment … I think that our business is ruined," he told CBC. The ban came as a surprise to Connor. He said Parks Canada had indicated to him this summer it would be "business as usual" on the lake, so the marina had already hired staff for the upcoming months in hopes of bouncing back from last year's restrictions. Connor learned of the decision an hour before the federal agency made it public on Friday, coming as a "complete shock" to him. "We trusted Parks Canada … and we felt obligated to hold up our end of the bargain and provide some services for visitors," he said. "We've only been positive contributors to the zebra mussel fight." The watercraft operated by Connor's marina pose no risk of introducing invasive species, he said, arguing using it at the capacity his company does could help with the problem. "I don't know why this is happening … It's hard to believe that it's not permanent because we just can't operate a business like this." Parks Canada said is taking on comprehensive research this year to determine "how motorized watercraft affect ecological, socioeconomic and cultural components of Clear Lake." But the federal agency said the approach it's taking is a balancing act between helping protect all water bodies in Riding Mountain National Park and ensuring lake users can resume the activities they missed last year, after similar bans on watercrafts were imposed. Kyle Bazylo, member of the Clear Lake Cabin Owners' Association, said the government had a chance of halting the spread of zebra mussels when they were first discovered on the water, but "they dropped the ball from Day 1." Now there is little to no possibility of slowing it down, he said, and given how scattered zebra mussels are already on the lake, he thought Parks Canada should "admit defeat" and learn how to live with them. "I don't know why they're playing this game," he said. "The lack of guidance and management … is frustrating." Bazylo said the watercraft ban is "a terrible decision" that he believes could also affect property values if people's worries lead them to sell off their cottages. "Money [was] wasted by poor decision-making, and there's no accountability, and there should be some kind of accountability here," he said.
