Latest news with #PERS
Zawya
11-08-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Jordan: ACT receives Port Environmental Review System certification from ESPO
AMMAN — The Aqaba Container Terminal (ACT) has become the first port in the region to receive the Port Environmental Review System (PERS) certification from the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) and join the certified European EcoPorts network. The achievement positions the ACT as a regional leader in the sustainable port management, aligning its operations with the highest international environmental standards, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. The internationally recognised accreditation follows a "rigorous" assessment of ACT's environmental policies and practices, including its "integrated" environmental strategy, "detailed" risk and compliance evaluations and transparent reporting in addition to strict adherence to marine and terrestrial cleanliness standards. The review also confirmed the port's "full" compliance with environmental regulations and its dedication to resource allocation for sustainable operations. ACT CEO Harold Nijhoff called the recognition a "milestone moment" for the terminal and the wider region. "As the first port in the region to join the EcoPorts network, we are setting a new benchmark for environmental responsibility and operational excellence," he said. "This achievement reflects our team's unwavering commitment to shaping a sustainable future for the region and beyond.' The certification was awarded after the ACT passed a 'stringent' external audit, which included a comprehensive review of its procedures and documentation, supported by over 64 pieces of evidence proving compliance with the ESPO's environmental management standards, he added. The ACT views the PERS certification as a strategic step in its long-term vision to become a world-class, sustainable logistics hub that supports the green economy, embraces global environmental trends, and boosts operational efficiency through eco-friendly innovations, Petra reported. © Copyright The Jordan Times. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Jordan Times
09-08-2025
- Business
- Jordan Times
ACT receives Port Environmental Review System certification from ESPO
AMMAN — The Aqaba Container Terminal (ACT) has become the first port in the region to receive the Port Environmental Review System (PERS) certification from the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) and join the certified European EcoPorts network. The achievement positions the ACT as a regional leader in the sustainable port management, aligning its operations with the highest international environmental standards, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. The internationally recognised accreditation follows a "rigorous" assessment of ACT's environmental policies and practices, including its "integrated" environmental strategy, "detailed" risk and compliance evaluations and transparent reporting in addition to strict adherence to marine and terrestrial cleanliness standards. The review also confirmed the port's "full" compliance with environmental regulations and its dedication to resource allocation for sustainable operations. ACT CEO Harold Nijhoff called the recognition a "milestone moment" for the terminal and the wider region. "As the first port in the region to join the EcoPorts network, we are setting a new benchmark for environmental responsibility and operational excellence," he said. "This achievement reflects our team's unwavering commitment to shaping a sustainable future for the region and beyond.' The certification was awarded after the ACT passed a 'stringent' external audit, which included a comprehensive review of its procedures and documentation, supported by over 64 pieces of evidence proving compliance with the ESPO's environmental management standards, he added. The ACT views the PERS certification as a strategic step in its long-term vision to become a world-class, sustainable logistics hub that supports the green economy, embraces global environmental trends, and boosts operational efficiency through eco-friendly innovations, Petra reported.
Zawya
09-08-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Aqaba Container Terminal awarded PERS environmental certification by the European Sea Ports Organization
Aqaba, Jordan – Aqaba Container Terminal (ACT), the preferred gateway to Jordan, the Levant, and beyond, officially received the Port Environmental Review System (PERS) certification from the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO), marking a major milestone in the terminal's ongoing journey toward environmental sustainability and operational excellence. With this achievement, ACT becomes the first port in the Middle East to join the accredited European EcoPorts network. The internationally recognized certification underscores ACT's commitment to adopting best-in-class environmental practices. The PERS certification was granted following a rigorous and comprehensive assessment process that evaluated the terminal's environmental policies, risk analysis, legal compliance, role clarity, resource allocation, and reporting accuracy. The audit also reviewed the terminal's efforts to maintain a clean marine and land-based environment and its full adherence to international environmental requirements. Commenting on this achievement, Harald Nijhof, Chief Executive Officer of Aqaba Container Terminal, said, 'It is our absolute pride to receive the PERS certification from the European Sea Ports Organisation. It is a milestone that underscores our unwavering commitment at Aqaba Container Terminal to environmental stewardship and operational excellence. As the first port in the Middle East to join the EcoPorts network, we reaffirm our responsibility to lead by example in shaping a more sustainable future for our region and beyond with the dedication of our entire team.' The certification follows ACT's successful completion of a rigorous external audit process, during which more than 64 pieces of supporting evidence were submitted, validating the terminal's compliance with the core requirements of the ESPO's environmental management system. Securing the PERS certification represents a key step in ACT's broader vision of becoming a sustainable logistics hub, one that supports the green economy, aligns with global environmental standards, and enhances efficiency through eco-friendly practices. ACT extends its deepest appreciation to all team members and partners whose efforts contributed to this accomplishment. The terminal remains firmly committed to upholding the highest environmental standards and promoting a culture of sustainability across all facets of its operations. To learn more about the EcoPorts Global Network, visit:
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Oregon schools get some relief from rising retirement costs amid tough budget season
The Oregon Public Employees Retirement System, or PERS, building in Tigard, Ore., on Sunday, Jan. 6, 2019. (Bryan M. Vance / OPB) In a budget season rife with cuts and constraints, school districts have some good news. The Oregon Public Employees Retirement System, known as PERS, has announced a reduction in pension contribution rates for K-12 school districts. Agency leaders said the one-time move will provide much-needed budget relief to districts across the state for the 2025-27 biennium. 'Thanks to the support of Gov. Kotek and the Legislature,' Oregon PERS Director Kevin Olineck said, 'we were able to recalculate employer contribution rates and deliver real, measurable cost reductions for our school employers.' School districts, large and small, are facing another year of multi-million-dollar budget deficits. And they were expecting a big hit from PERS. Back in the fall, school leaders learned that the increase in PERS costs in the upcoming biennium was going to be more than Gov. Tina Kotek's initial budget increase for the State School Fund. In other words, despite her investing more in education, that money would be wiped out quickly by the rising costs of Oregon's retirement system. But in December, Kotek doubled the proposed increase in K-12 spending, which more than offset the PERS increase. Lawmakers further reduced the costs this spring by passing Senate Bill 849. The bill, introduced by Kotek at the request of PERS officials, changes how the state retirement agency distributes money from its School Districts Unfunded Liability Fund. That brought down the estimated retirement costs for schools from $670 million to just over $500 million. The changes from the bill reduce some of the burden on school districts to absorb rising retirement costs. Contribution rates for school employers will drop 1.68 percentage points as a result, reducing costs by about 6% over the next biennium. For school districts, this translates into $168 million in savings statewide — money that can now be used for other needs. It's not certain yet how these rates will continue or change for school districts in the next biennium. Analysts are already expecting an increase in 2027-29, followed by a significant decrease. But for now, the change is significant for local districts. In Portland Public Schools, for example, this change is expected to pay for dozens of teachers. That's a welcome development considering the state's largest school district had a $40 million budget gap when approving its budget for next school year. '[This bill] is estimated to reduce our expenditures in one year (by) about $7.6 million, which is equivalent to about 50 teaching positions,' explained Michelle Morrison, chief financial officer for PPS, when giving testimony to lawmakers in April. 'As you are aware, the School District Liability Fund has been kind of sitting and unable to offset our costs actively in the moment,' she said to lawmakers. 'So, this is an excellent opportunity, while those rate increases are significant, to put those dollars to work.' The Oregon School Employees Association, AFT-Oregon, the Oregon School Boards Association and the Coalition of Oregon School Administrators were among the supporters of the bill. It passed with only four dissenting votes in the Oregon Senate and unanimously out of the Oregon House. Louis De Sitter with the Oregon Education Association spoke to that in his testimony. 'I think the bipartisan nature of the bill,' he said, 'and the fact that both management and labor are so supportive of this, is indicative of a really good process, and a bill that we do believe will have a big impact for our districts across the state.' This article was originally published by Oregon Public Broadcasting.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Nevada charter schools keep falling behind on retirement contributions, says PERS
NV Prep is one of two charter schools currently in a repayment plan for PERS. ((Photo: April Corbin Girnus/Nevada Current) Charter schools made up five of the nine public employers in Nevada that at some point over the past 2 years fell more than 90 days delinquent on retirement contributions, state lawmakers learned Wednesday. The Public Employees' Retirement System of Nevada — better known as PERS — is now backing a bill in the state Legislature to establish a mechanism that allows them to recoup the delinquent contributions. 'The category of employer we've had the most trouble with is charter schools,' PERS Executive Officer Tina Leiss told lawmakers on the Assembly Government Affairs Committee Wednesday. With other types of public employers, such as local government, PERS is able to turn to the Nevada Department of Taxation, which has the authority to withhold payments of public dollars to the county, city or agency behind on the payments. 'Over the years we've been able to use that process successfully,' Leiss added. 'With charter schools there really is, right now, no one that we can go to that has authority over them.' Senate Bill 418 would enable the State Superintendent of Public Schools to withhold a charter school's per-pupil dollars in order to pay PERS. That option would only be available after the charter school is more than 90 days behind. The bill was unanimously approved by the Senate earlier this month and heard by the Assembly Government Affairs Committee on Wednesday. No groups have registered opposition to the bill. Any public employer falling behind on PERS contributions is a problem because it affects people's ability to retire. PERS cannot pay out a person's pension if the employer is behind on their contributions. Kent Ervin, who follows the Retirement Board as part of his work with the Nevada Faculty Alliance, called it 'outrageous and simply unacceptable.' 'These public charter schools have deducted the PERS contributions from employee's paychecks but did not forward even those amounts to PERS. Some have also not reported the service credits,' he said, referring to the amount of time a person has worked in a PERS-eligible position, which affects pension levels. 'It's a disgrace.' With charter schools, there is the added concern that they could shut down and never pay what they owe, leaving the state on the hook. 'I'm not picking on charter schools,' Leiss said, 'but charter schools are one of the few government entities that cease to exist. Our cities, counties, school districts, fire departments don't close.' Two charter schools — TEACH Las Vegas and Eagle Charter Schools, both in Southern Nevada — were delinquent on PERS payments before they shut down last year. PERS was paid the amounts owed as part of the closing of those schools. According to a memo from Nevada State Public Charter School Authority Executive Director Melissa Mackedon to the Charter School Board, NV Prep and Equipo Academy are on PERS contribution repayment plans approved by the Nevada Retirement Board. PERS staffer Teresa Chalmers told lawmakers that, as of April 12, the two charter schools had a combined outstanding balance of $266,120. The SPCSA memo lists a third charter school, Sage Collegiate, as being delinquent as of mid-April. The school was also identified by the SPCSA as being delinquent in late 2023, though it caught up. At least two other schools were identified by SPCSA as being delinquent but have since caught up. Leiss said that at one point charter schools had a combined $1 million in contributions delinquent. She also said she had no insight into why charter schools might be more prone to falling behind on PERS contributions than other public employers.
