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LOBBYING REPORT |
Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (Section 5) - All Filers Are Required to Complete This Page
2. Address
Address1 | 701 Pennsylvania NW, Suite 250 |
Address2 |
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City | WASHINGTON |
State | DC |
Zip Code | 20004 |
Country | USA |
3. Principal place of business (if different than line 2)
City | Minneapolis |
State | MN |
Zip Code | 55102 |
Country | USA |
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5. Senate ID# 65715-12
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6. House ID# 357270000
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TYPE OF REPORT | 8. Year | 2016 |
Q1 (1/1 - 3/31) | Q2 (4/1 - 6/30) | Q3 (7/1 - 9/30) | Q4 (10/1 - 12/31) |
9. Check if this filing amends a previously filed version of this report
10. Check if this is a Termination Report | Termination Date |
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11. No Lobbying Issue Activity |
INCOME OR EXPENSES - YOU MUST complete either Line 12 or Line 13 | |||||||||
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12. Lobbying | 13. Organizations | ||||||||
INCOME relating to lobbying activities for this reporting period was: | EXPENSE relating to lobbying activities for this reporting period were: | ||||||||
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Provide a good faith estimate, rounded to the nearest $10,000, of all lobbying related income for the client (including all payments to the registrant by any other entity for lobbying activities on behalf of the client). | 14. REPORTING Check box to indicate expense accounting method. See instructions for description of options. | ||||||||
Method A.
Reporting amounts using LDA definitions only
Method B. Reporting amounts under section 6033(b)(8) of the Internal Revenue Code Method C. Reporting amounts under section 162(e) of the Internal Revenue Code |
Signature | Digitally Signed By: Martin E. Doern |
Date | 2/7/2017 11:03:54 AM |
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code BUD
16. Specific lobbying issues
Support adequate funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP);
Advocated for appropriations for research and development to improve natural gas technologies and natural gas vehicles;
H. Con. Res. 125, FY 2017 Budget Resolution (budget issues generally);
H.R. 2028, FY 2017 Continuing Appropriations (budget issues generally);
H.R. 4955, The Pension and Budget Integrity Act;
H.R. 5054 (H. Rept. 114-531), FY 2017 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies Appropriations (budget issues generally, De Minimis Exception Level Under the Swap Dealer Definition, Bona Fide Hedging Exemption, Financial Entity Definition and Physical Forward Contacts with Volumetric Optionality);
H.R. 5055 (H. Rept. 114-532), FY 2017 Energy and Water Development Appropriations (budget issues generally, grid resilience, DOE-industry partnership on cyber and physical security, Electricity Subsector Coordinating Council (ESCC), Cybersecurity for Energy Delivery Systems (CEDS) program, Cyber Mutual Assistance program, Infrastructure Security and Energy Restoration (ISER) program, and Transformer Reliance and Advanced Components (TRAC) program);
H.R. 5293 (H. Rept. 114-577), FY 2017 Defense Appropriations (budget issues generally, Enhanced DoD Collaboration on Major Storm Recovery Efforts and Enhanced Grid Resiliency);
H.R. 5325, FY 2017 Continuing Appropriations and Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriation Act, 2017, and Zika Response and Preparedness Act (budget issues generally);
H.R. 5394 (H. Rept. 114-606), FY 2017 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations (budget issues generally, Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Coal and Rail Interdependencies, Community Development Block Grants, and Transportation Electrification);
H.R. 5485 (H. Rep. 114-624), FY 2017 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations (budget issues generally, Access to Adequate, Suitable Spectrum, Clarification of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, Convergence of Energy and Telecom, Electric Utility Pole Attachment and FEC Enforcement of the Prior Approval Requirement);
H.R. 5538 (H. Rept. 114-632), FY 2017 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations (budget issues generally, Waters of the US, Coal Combustion Residual regulation, Steam Effluent Electric guidelines, Endangered Species Act, Avian Protection, Sage-Grouse Habitat Preservation and Vegetation Management);
H.R. 5926 (H. Rept. 114-699), FY 2017 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations (funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP));
H.R. 5634 (H. Rept. 114-668), FY 2017 Homeland Security Appropriations (budget issues generally, GridEx III; Cyber Mutual Assistance and Grid Hardening Investment);
H. Con. Res. 125 (H. Rept. 114-470), FY 2017 Budget Resolution, (budget issues generally, CBO scoring of ESPCs and UESCs);
S. 2804 (S. Rept. 114-236), FY 2017 Energy and Water Development Appropriations (budget issues generally, grid resilience, DOE-industry partnership on cyber and physical security, Electricity Subsector Coordinating Council (ESCC), Cybersecurity for Energy Delivery Systems (CEDS) program, Cyber Mutual Assistance program, Infrastructure Security and Energy Restoration (ISER) program, and Transformer Reliance and Advanced Components (TRAC) program);
S. 2844 (S. Rept. 114-243), FY 2017 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations (budget issues generally, Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Coal and Rail Interdependencies, Community Development Block Grants, and Transportation Electrification);
S. 2956 (S. Rept. 114-259), FY 2017 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies Appropriations (budget issues generally, De Minimis Exception Level Under the Swap Dealer Definition, Bona Fide Hedging Exemption, Financial Entity Definition and Physical Forward Contacts with Volumetric Optionality);
S. 3000 (S. Rept. 114-263), FY 2017 Defense Appropriations (budget issues generally, Enhanced Dod Collaboration on Major Storm Recovery Efforts and Enhanced Grid Resiliency);
S. 3001 (S. Rept. 114-264), FY 2017 Homeland Security Appropriations (budget issues generally, GridEx III; Cyber Mutual Assistance and Grid Hardening Investment);
S. 3040 (S. Rept. 114-274), FY 2017 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations (funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP));
S.3067 (S. Rept. 114-280), FY 2017 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations (budget issues generally, Access to Adequate, Suitable Spectrum, Clarification of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, Convergence of Energy and Telecom, Electric Utility Pole Attachment and FEC Enforcement of the Prior Approval Requirement);
S. 3068 (S. Rept. 114-281), FY 2017 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations (budget issues generally, Waters of the US, Coal Combustion Residual regulation, Steam Effluent Electric guidelines, Endangered Species Act, Avian Protection, Sage-Grouse Habitat Preservation and Vegetation Management);
S.3240, The Pension and Budget Integrity Act.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Stephen |
Plevniak |
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Summer |
Bravo |
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Martin |
Doern |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code ENG
16. Specific lobbying issues
Promote & protect the interests of natural gas utilities in any legislation considered by the House Energy & Commerce Committee and the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee regarding energy and climate legislation affecting natural gas utilities, including efficiency mandates and NGV Market Development. These issues arose in all of the following:
S. 2012 - Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015
H.R.8 - North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act of 2015
S. 2012 - Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015 (The Senate Energy Bill).
Support provisions that would repeal the ban on fossil fuel-generated energy use in Federal buildings; provisions that clarify that the term of a utility energy service contract (UESCs) can extend beyond 10 years, but not exceed 25 years, correcting a belief within DOD that contracts with UESCs can only be up to 10 years; a provision that would allow multiple rating systems, such as the source-based Green Globes certification program, to be adopted by the Federal government; and a provision that would provide methane hydrate research and development;
H.R. 8 - North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act of 2015 (The House Energy Bill). Provision that would repeal Section 433, the ban on fossil fuel-generated energy for federal buildings and replace it with energy efficiency provisions and a provision that would require any DOE supported proposal code or code change proposal to have a simple payback of 10 years or less, require DOE to publish all calculations, methodologies and code change proposals and accept public comments and prohibit DOE from advocating on behalf of certain products or technologies;
H.R. 6227, the Grid Cybersecurity Research and Development Act;
HR 3643,To amend the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 to authorize the Secretary of Energy to enter into contracts for the storage of certain high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel, take title to certain high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel, and make certain expenditures from the Nuclear Waste Fund.
HR 4745,To amend the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 to authorize the Secretary of Energy to enter into contracts for the storage of certain high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel and take title to certain high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel.
S. 691,A bill to require the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to obtain the consent of affected State and local governments before authorizing the construction of a nuclear waste repository.
S. 854,A bill to establish a new organization to manage nuclear waste, provide a consensual process for siting nuclear waste facilities, ensure adequate funding for managing nuclear waste, and for other purposes.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Energy - Dept of
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Summer |
Bravo |
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Stephen |
Plevniak |
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Martin |
Doern |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code ENV
16. Specific lobbying issues
The impact of legislation on existing EPA regulations. These issues arose in all of the following: H.R. 2576 - TSCA Modernization Act of 2015 - legislation related to reforming the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA); S. 697 - Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act - legislation related to reforming the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA)
Draft legislation related to methane emissions from natural gas operating systems
H.R. 2576, TSCA Modernization Act of 2015;
S. 697, Franke R Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act;
S. 2446, Improving Coal Combustion Residuals Regulation Act of 2016 (Hoeven-Manchin revision of S. 1803) and Inhofe-Boxer substitute language (incorporated into Senate WRDA package).
S.612, Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act of 2016 (Section 1125 - cost recovery provision and Section 2301 - CCR provisions).
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Summer |
Bravo |
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Stephen |
Plevniak |
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Martin |
Doern |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code HOM
16. Specific lobbying issues
Support Cybersecurity bills that have a public-private partnership (no top-down regulatory process); public-private information sharing; liability protections for information sharing; federal R&D support; and appropriate criminal penalties for bad actors. These issues arose in:
H.R.1770 - Data Security and Breach Notification Act of 2015
H.R.2205 - Data Security Act of 2015;
H.R.4651 / S.2604 Digital Security Commission Act of 2016
S. 2684 - UAVs for Energy Infrastructure Act;
H.R. 5390 -Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection Agency Act of 2016
H.R. 6480, FY 2017 Intelligence Authorization Act (assistance for nationally significant critical infrastructure provision);
HR 1560,To improve cybersecurity in the United States through enhanced sharing of information about cybersecurity threats, to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to enhance multi-directional sharing of information related to cybersecurity risks and strengthen privacy and civil liberties protections, and for other purposes;
HR 1731,To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to enhance multi-directional sharing of information related to cybersecurity risks and strengthen privacy and civil liberties protections, and for other purposes;
S. 1846, Critical Infrastructure Protection Act of 2015;
S. 2817, the Space Weather Research and Forecasting Act;
S. 2943, FY 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (EMP and GMD planning, research and development, and protection and preparedness provision).
The Senate Intelligence Committee draft encryption legislation to allow law enforcement access to encrypted communications and equipment.
SAFETY Act modification to expand the law to specifically include cybersecurity equipment, policies, procedures, etc.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Summer |
Bravo |
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Stephen |
Plevniak |
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Martin |
Doern |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code TAX
16. Specific lobbying issues
Support lower rates on taxation of dividends.
Tax reform proposals.
Tax extenders.
Promote the development of the natural gas vehicle market by supporting various incentives.
Support incentives to produce biogas.
Support incentives for high efficiency natural gas furnaces, boilers and water heaters (25C tax credits).
Support incentives for energy efficiency buildings (179D).
Tax Credits: The carryover of excess corporate charitable contributions. This issue arose in H.R.4016 - to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the limitation on the carryover of excess corporate charitable contributions.
Tax Credits: The investment tax credit for combined heat and power. This issue arose in H.R. 2657 - Power Efficiency and Resiliency Act (POWER Act) - to alter Section 48 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to increase and alter the investment tax credit for combined heat and power. This bill would amends Section 48 of the tax code to provide parity for combined heat and power (CHP) with other forms of energy. The bill would increase the investment tax credit for CHP from 10% to 30% and would apply to the first 25 MW of a project instead of the first 15MW.
Tax Parity: S. 1516 - Power Efficiency and Resiliency Act (POWER Act) This bill would amends Section 48 of the tax code to provide parity for combined heat and power (CHP) with other forms of energy. The bill would increase the investment tax credit for CHP from 10% to 30% and would apply to the first 25 MW of a project instead of the first 15MW.
Tax Credits: Combined Heat and Power, Fuel Cells and Microturbines Investment Tax Credit Extension Past 2016.
Tax Parity: S. 2378 - Waterway LNG Parity Act of 2015.
H.R. 2315, Mobile Workforce State Income Tax Simplification Act of 2015;
H.R. 4016, Amending the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the limitation on the carryover of excess corporate charitable contributions;
H.R. 4377, American Business Competitiveness Act;
H.R. 5879, To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify the credit for production from advanced nuclear power facilities;
S. 386, Mobile Workforce State Income Tax Simplification Act of 2015;
Cost Recovery Reform & Simplification Act;
Modernization of Derivatives Tax Act of 2016;
A Better Way: A Pro Growth Tax Code for all Americans.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Summer |
Bravo |
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Stephen |
Plevniak |
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Martin |
Doern |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code TRA
16. Specific lobbying issues
Promote & protect the interests of natural gas utilities regarding pipeline safety legislation and any regulatory regime affecting natural gas utilities. Promote the development of the natural gas vehicle market by supporting various incentives.
Protect the Utility Service Vehicle exemption in SAFETEA-LU
Support incentives for expansion of natural-gas as transportation fuel and fueling stations.
Support incentives for natural gas vehicles.
Advocate for research and development of natural gas vehicle technologies.
Oppose the sale of natural gas by the Kilogram.
Advocate the issues related to the safe and environmentally sound transportation of natural gas, including, the design, installation, inspection, testing, construction, extension, operations, replacement and maintenance of pipeline facilities. These issues arose in: S2276: SAFE PIPES Act - Securing America's Future Energy: Protecting our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety Act. This bill would also reauthorize the Pipeline Safety Act for additional years.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Summer |
Bravo |
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Stephen |
Plevniak |
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Martin |
Doern |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code UTI
16. Specific lobbying issues
CFTC Procedural Reform.
Dodd-Frank end-users recordkeeping reform.
Commodity end user reform, judicial review of CFTC regulations and the applicable APA review. These issues arose in:
H.R.2289 - Commodity End-User Relief Act
S. 2917 - Commodity End-User Relief Act
This legislation would reauthorize the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).
H.Res.927, Expressing support for the designation of the third Wednesday of November as "Utility Scam Awareness Day";
H.R. 2358, Electricity Reliability and Forest Protection Act (Facilitate vegetation management on rights-of-way across federal land to the benefit of electric reliability and forest fire risk reduction);
H.R. 2289, Commodity End-User Relief Act (End-user protections);
S. 2917, Commodity End-User Relief Act (End-user protections).
S 337,A bill to improve the Freedom of Information Act
S 1140,bill to require the Secretary of the Army and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to propose a regulation revising the definition of the term "waters of the United States", and for other purposes.
S. 1363,A bill to require the Secretary of Energy to submit to Congress a report assessing the capability of the Department of Energy to authorize, host, and oversee privately funded fusion and fission reactor prototypes and related demonstration facilities at sites owned by the Department of Energy.
S 2461,A bill to enable civilian research and development of advanced nuclear energy technologies by private and public institutions, to expand theoretical and practical knowledge of nuclear physics, chemistry, and materials science, and for other purposes.
S 2795,A bill to modernize the regulation of nuclear energy.
HR 1732,To preserve existing rights and responsibilities with respect to waters of the United States, and for other purposes.
HR 4066,To enable high-performance computation and supportive research and nuclear energy innovation.
HR 4084,To enable civilian research and development of advanced nuclear energy technologies by private and public institutions and to expand theoretical and practical knowledge of nuclear physics, chemistry, and materials science.
HR 4979,To foster civilian research and development of advanced nuclear energy technologies and enhance the licensing and commercial deployment of such technologies.
HR 5879,To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify the credit for production from advanced nuclear power facilities.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE, U.S. Forest Service, Agriculture - Dept of (USDA)
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Summer |
Bravo |
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Stephen |
Plevniak |
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Martin |
Doern |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
Information Update Page - Complete ONLY where registration information has changed.
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22. New General description of client’s business or activities
LOBBYIST UPDATE
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ISSUE UPDATE
24. General lobbying issue that no longer pertains
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AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS
25. Add the following affiliated organization(s)
Internet Address:
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26. Name of each previously reported organization that is no longer affiliated with the registrant or client
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FOREIGN ENTITIES
27. Add the following foreign entities:
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28. Name of each previously reported foreign entity that no longer owns, or controls, or is affiliated with the registrant, client or affiliated organization
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