Kalistani Major History

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Kalistani News in Brief: Megapipe and the Starving Artists release new Album,
Crown Princess takes up Royal duties; Biodiesel makes great strides
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
July 1, 5498


The Starving Artists back Megapipe up for an album of Soul, R&B and Hip Hop

Megapipe and The Starving Artist Collaborate on new R&B album

FOMAT nominee Megapipe was joined on her sophomore studio album, soul sounds and samples by FOMAT alumnus and veteran alt-rockers The Starving Artists. "We're all about branching out," said Megapipe in a recent interview. "They bring a ton of experience to the process, on both sides of the board, and I was happy that they were so interested in backing me on this record." The Starving Artists served as the studio band for Megapipe through 11 songs that encompass the genres of soul, R&B, Hip Hop, some funk, a bit of jazz and blues, and electronica. Noticeably absent is any sort of rock. "Getting to work with Megapipe in this way, like in a real formal way was very exciting," said Mellie Arnhart, of TSA. "She's such a good singer with such a unique voice, that it was fun to play her music, to just be a part of it." soul sounds and samples will be released later this month, and is considered a concept album.

Crown Princess Nicolette makes short trip to Hutori to bestow Peerage

In 5495, the Crown Princess of Hutori, Erika, Princess of Adelia visited Kalistan as part of a larger trade and diplomacy tour of Seleya and Dovani, and delivered a patent of nobility from the Hutorian Crown to Her Imperial Majesty, the Empress. The Patent bestows Peerage onto the Empress, Grants her the title Duchess of Icehaven, and permits the Kalistani Monarch a small estate near the town of Axeminster. This year, Her Highness The Crown Princess Nicolette, officially representing the Crown, returned the visit by travelling to Hutori and meeting with Princess Erika, who will one day be Queen, to bestow membership and Perpetual peerage in the Ancient Order of the Grey Smoke, the semi-secret society of peers that is attached to the Crown, and serves as Kalistan's upper house. The Peers are considered "those with the Empress' Ear" and the appointment to the Order is considered one of the most prestigious awards in the Empire.

Membership in the Order is on the equivalent of Marquis or Marquese, just below a Count, but the difference is, the Peer Seat can be passed down, making it the only hereditary title in the Empire, besides Emperor and Empress. (Counts, Dukes, Grand Dukes and Grand Mayors are all political appointments, and are not hereditary.) The Empress also added an estate to the Peerage in Eveari, guaranteeing that the Hutorian Royal Family would always have a home and interests in the Grand Duchy of Ananto. The Crown Princess is now entitled to use the title "Peer of the Order of the Grey Smoke" and she is the first Non-Kalistani to receive the honor. This move aims at solidifying the relationship between the two monarchies on a personal level, and ensures continued relations with the Northern Kingdom. It also marks an increasingly public role for the first year Engineering student who will eventually rule the Empire.

Biodiesel now plurality fuel source in Kalistan Proper

The longstanding Biodiesel and BioPolymers program that is jointly sponsored by Kalistan and Lourenne is yielding benefits for both countries. As precursor crop planting scales up, KALNAPECO reports that for the first time, biodiesel has overtaken petroleum as the main source of fuel for Larger trucks and diesel engines in Kalistan Proper. "This is a milestone," said Project Coordinator Mark Jamison. "We have demonstrated that not only is there a market for these clean, renewable sources of fuel, but we also can meet the demand. We are currently working with MOCO and KALMILINCO to begin modifying diesel engines in both semi and utility trucks, as well as naval ships, to accept biodiesel with the same octane as petroleum based diesel, and phase the petroleum out completely eventually." Despite the advancements in biodiesel production and consumption, petroleum still accounts for 25% of Kalistan's diesel oil usage, and phasing it out seems to be a more long term goal than something that will be obtainable in the next ten years. "And petroleum based diesel remains number 1 in Ananto, though biofuels are making inroads."

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Biofuel Setback in Suldanor
Unusually dry year portends poor harvests, but bioplastics advance
Reynoldia, Duchy of Suldanor
August 31, 5498


Agronomists with KALNAPECO revise forecast down in Suldanor

While the last decade has seen a gradual emergence of a soybean industry in Kalistan for the purposes of creating biodiesel, the industry seemed to be a self-perpetuating engine of green growth. But when nature has other plans, it puts attempts to shift to a fully green energy sector in some jeopardy. Such is the case in the Duchy of Suldanor this year where it is clear that, despite best efforts and heavy irrigation, the climate has been too dry this year to allow farmers to meet forecasts. As a result, biodiesel will be in shorter supply, forcing KALNAPECO to continue using petroleum based diesel for fuel needs for yet another year.

"We are now anticipating shortfalls on the order of between 45 and 60% of our targets," says KNP spokesperson Monica Howell. "With continued rain shortfalls verging on moderate to severe drought in Suldanor and southern Odufaray, conditions are just far too dry to allow farmers to get anywhere near the targets we have set for our biodiesel quota this year. There will be shortfalls, and as a result, costs to the consumer will be increasing. By how much is still an open question, but more importantly, this also sets back our strategic goals of supplying biodiesel to meet 85% of the demand in Kalistan internally."

KNP is not sure whether this is the start of a longer term trend in the region which could affect crop production for years to come, or if this year is just an anomaly. "Kalistan has seen trends shifting toward more drier, warmer weather for years now," said Howell, "and this shift touches much of Kalistan proper. But to date, those warmer temperatures have served as a benefit to Kalistani farmers, allowing them to put more crops earlier. This year, it also didn't really rain much over the summer, which is a bit harder to accommodate for, especially in southern Odufaray, which tends to be drier anyway. Basically, no soybeans, no biodiesel, so this is a challenge."

Howell did note that the dry climate has required scientists to return to the labs to develop drier climate alternatives. "This year, our research has focused on creating hybrid crops that are hardier and less affected by drier climate patterns. The Soybean is naturally oily, which is why it is so good for creating biodiesel, but we are seeing whether it would be possible to create a seed variant that keeps those features we want, while also requiring less water and accomodating poorer, sandier, and rockier soils than usual. Dry land grains like millet, which animals tend to eat, are being experimented with to see if we can't cross breed with soy to produce crops that can withstand these climate trends. We could then theoretically shift growing further north into Odufaray."

On the bioplastic front, Howell did report a major breakthrough. "We tried cultivation of various kind of materials, but we have found through experimentation that we achieved the best results with sugar cane and corn starch based bioplastics that binds on cellulose from these two crops. They have consistently shown high marks for durability and versatility. We are very close to developing a durable thermoset plastics that retains shape and functionality even under heat and stress, and can serve as a full replacement for petroleum based plastic in most consumer applications. This is a fantastic development, and does not require the introduction of a new crop type in Kalistan. We already produce sugarcane throughout Suldanor, and have begun growing corn in both Odufaray and Vrassa, which will provide vital source material for our plastics industry."

Most importantly, Howell said, these bioplastics are not only biosourced, but also biodegradable. "While it does require very specific conditions for these plastics to break down, which will necessitate retooling our recycling operations for end of life disposal of these plastics, they do biodegrade back into a high carbon, very rich compost material which is suitable for large scale industrial production of the next generation of plants. creating a circular loop for these plastics is very important, and will require a fairly sizeable public investment, but once it gets off the ground, not only will Kalistan have a clean, renewable, low carbon footprint plastics industry, but we will also be dramatically cutting environmental pollution while still providing Kalistani consumers with the plastics they use every day."

This research which has taken place over more than a generation seems to finally be yielding results. "We definitely see a light at the end of the tunnel," said Howell. "But we have the technology, we have the research, and we are developing the infrastructure, and within 5 years, we should be seeing these new products in mass production for everything from sodas to car body components. It's an exciting time for bioplastics."

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Crown Princess to receive Royal Offices
Institutionalists announce Imperial Plans to Retire
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
April 10, 5499


Crown Princess Nicolette to be named Grand Duchess of Ananto

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Kelly Newburg-LaRoc announced that the Government has begun the process of transition following the announcement from the Office of Her Imperial Majesty that she intends to retire from her Imperial duties in summer of 5501. Her Imperial Majesty has required the Government to name Her Majesty the Crown Princess both Grand Duchess of Ananto and Countess of Davon. "Her Imperial Majesty believes that Her Highness can safely continue her studies at Kaliburg Polytechnic and take on additional Royal duties as well," said Prime Minister Newburg. "The Crown Princess has been training for this moment her entire life, and the announcement by the Her Imperial Majesty now sets a date for accession."

Kalistan has not seen an Imperial transition for more than two hundred and fifty years. But the Government has been preparing for this transition since the death of His Highness the Prince Consort. "Following The Prince Consort's death, Her Imperial Majesty begin planning her retirement. The Empress is about to turn 68, and feels that she is slowing down. She has therefore decided that she wishes to retire at the age of 70, to give the Crown Princess time to finish her Engineering Degree. The Empress will remain at her home in Eveari, and the Crown Princess, following her entitlement as Countess of Davon and Grand Duchess of Ananto, will serve as the Imperial Viceroy here in Kaliburg until the Empress abdicates in two years in favor of the Crown Princess."

When the transition was announced, Her Highness the Crown Princess was on hand at the National Assembly. "I look forward to working with the Prime Minister to ensure a smooth transition. Our Empire has prospered and grown in influence under the skilled leadership of both my mother and Lady Newburg, and she has my complete confidence, during and following the transition. Together, we will ensure continuity of leadership and a full and peaceful transfer of sovereignty. I hope the people of this nation join us in thanking my mother for her decades of service, and welcome her as a private citizen as she transitions into her new role following retirement."

The Crown Princess will be entitled as Grand Duchess of Ananto and Countess of Davon on June 30 in Kaliburg, and shall officially take her seat in the Order of the Grey Smoke.

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March 2nd 5500

Prime Minister Ino Lācis announced the ceremonial signing of the The 2nd Ananto Strait Comprehensive Accord at a rally of Dolgavan farmers today in Molendorf today. The Dolgavan Government under the guiding of he Social Democrat Party has completely shifted its foreign policy, once firmly opposed to the blockage of foreign navies to the Ananto Sea, now the Dolgavan Governemnt embraces and supports the efforts made by Kalistan and Lourenne to keep potential future conflict to a minimum as well as protecting Dolgavan shipping lanes which in turn supports Dolgavan farmers, businesses, manufacturing, natural resources and many exported goods and services from Dolgava. The Prime Minister spoke to Dolgavan farmers saying

The 2nd Ananto Strait Comprehensive Accord is a treaty that is agreement with the many powers of the region to ensure that conflict and war does not harm the Ananto straight and disrupt shipping lanes and the peace of the west. Dolgava is committed to peace, we have done our part in ensuring our own defense, while at the same time making peace with all of neighbors. This treaty along with the guidance of Kalistan and Lourenne, ensures that by proxy we do not get foreign powers sending their armadas through our backyard and it brings us closer to Kalistan and Lourenne in peace and friendship.

The move is still very unpopular for Conservatives with the Mayor of Karzonpils the casino tycoon Rainis Boka who has been elected the leader of the Conservative Party called the move a "a betrayal of national security". However across the center and the left the move is praised as a unifying move toward the foreign policy of Dolgava's allies of Luthori and Lodamun, who also have ratified the treaty. Dolgava's turn to armed pacifism has been extremely beneficial toward the nation as the Dolgavan economy has seen a surge as of late that will only continue with the prospect of a budget surplus being called a possibility in the coming quarter. For Dolgava things are on the upswing and for the Prime Minister he is riding a high approval rating that will see the Social Democrats win big once again.

The Dolgavan Broadcasting Company is funded in whole by the Dolgavan government

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Kalistan joins Lodamun in Air Exercises
Major "Afterburner 2" Training Series allows Kalistani Pilots to Stretch their wings
Loxhampton, Berkwaki, Commonwealth of Lodamun
June 30, 5500


The F/A-10, joint designed in the 51st Century with Indrala, is backbone of Imperial Contingent

Kalistan has been invited to participate in major, multi national joint air exercises in Lodamun, said Air Force spokesperson Major Jeanette Southern. Kalistan has had a long, low-level naval cooperation agreement with Lodamun, and this is really the first time that Kalistani Air has participated in joint exercises with Lodamun. "Well, with anyone," said Major Southern. "Kalistan's air force usually focuses on close air support, and works primarily in an attack capacity supporting artillery. Our defensive doctrine focuses primarily on naval forces and on artillery, and the Air Force is sort of an after thought. As a result, our pilots usually consider themselves part of reinforced Artillery regiments and don't get to train independently very often. Exercises such as this are not only very fun, but also extremely valuable for our pilots." The exercise, a multi-week, multi-national effort involves elements of the Armed Forces of Lodamun, Kalistan, Luthori, Baltusia, Hutori, Dolgava, and Lourenne. The training focuses on naval strike operations both offensive and defensive

There was some concern about the participation of Luthori in the exercises, mostly from the Lodamese Government itself. "The Lodamese were very sensitive to Her Imperial Majesty's previous attitude toward Luthorian participation in the Seleyan sphere," said Major Southern. "We had to do some fairly major reassurance that 1) the issue was with Luthorian naval vessels taking up a permanent base in Baltusia, which would 2) necessitate Luthori military transit in the Ananto Strait. Her Imperial Majesty was merely expressing Kalistani Imperial Policy that this water is not to be used by any power but those from an Anantonese Nation [meaning a nation bordering the Anantonese Ocean] as per her quarantine order, and the fact that Luthori had taken a militaristic position both in support of expanding their own influence in a nation bordering Kalistan proper, and against our friends in Lourenne. So, we had to reassure Lodamun that Her Imperial Majesty had absolutely no problem with Luthori Air participating in a Lodamese International Military exercise, and we were happy to participate in it too, and Her Imperial Majesty expressed great appreciation to the Commonwealth President for his consideration and sensitivity that the President showed in this matter."

Kalistani contingents to the exercise included the F/A 10, the multi-purpose jet designed in cooperation with Indrala, as well as the KF-25 Smoke Monster, which is designed to fly close air support missions for Tanks and Artillery, but are seeing a slowly expanding role as a land based strike craft in support of naval operations. "Kalistani Marines are also participating in the exercises in helicopter based exercises which involve landing on, clearing and seizing hostile shipping in a chaotic naval theater of operations," said Major Southern. "These types of exercises not only allow us to train in real-world scenarios, but also to share our tactics with other nations in a wargame environment. We are also using the exercises to test readiness of our air and Marine units." Kalistani forces remain under direct Kalistani Command and control, but overall operational control is maintained by the Lodamese, who have organized and are running the Afterburner 2 Exercise.

The exercises continue during this summer and are based in the seas around Lodamun. There are no firm over all strength numbers of participants, but it is reportedly "many squadrons and most of our trainers," according to Southern. "We aren't compromising our national security by participating in the wargames in Lodamun, but now is the best time to participate, in a big way, while we remain at peace. I am sure these wargames will also encourage comradery between Kalistan and our neighbors-- I hear the fraternization in the evenings is what one would expect from military men and women when meeting and cooperating internationally, which is very promising." As the training cycle continues, new elements will cycle in and out of country, and as much as 45% of the Kalistani Regular Force and 15% of the Kalistani Regular Marines will ultimately participate on some level.

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Megapipe wins FOMAT
The Starving Artists join Yoshimi Singer in Win
Gaduri City, Gaduridos
July 8, 5500


Megapipe, joined by Starving Artists Frontman Andre Arnhart at FOMAT

Kalistan has won FOMAT XXVI. The Contest featuring 9 performers from around Terra was taken by Yoshimi singer Megapipe, who sang the song "Lovefix". She was backed up by lablemates and FOMAT XXV entrants The Starving Artists, from Eshar, Odufaray. Megapipe is the 7th Kalistani Artist to win the FOMAT competition, including Taiga, who co-entered with Hutori's Jennifer Bostick for FOMAT XXIII. Considering that Kalistan has won 7 times now, and hasn't participated in 10 of the 26 FOMATs, either because nobody was sent, or Kalistan was hosting, Megapipe's win bring Kalistan's win rate to 1 win every 2.28 contests that we participate in, giving Kalistan possibly the most successful country in the long history of the international music contest.

Megapipe was thrilled for the win. "Honestly, there was a lot of great acts here, any of whom could have won easily," said the Yoshimi singer. "We knew we had something special coming into the competition, but I really loved the opportunity to just compete. Andre [Arnhart, of The Starving Artists] said it was like no other experience, to be able to meet all these wonderful singers from around the world- I know we just loved the Hobrazians, they were such cool and talented ladies. And The Starving Artists also got along really well with the Luthori Band. But yeah, Andre was totally right. I am so excited to have won. It was a real thrill to hear my name announced from the stage!"

Megapipe was backed up by veteran alternative/experimental band The Starving Artists, who performed the song that Megapipe herself wrote for the contest. "We're really happy to be back here and super excited for Renne (Megapipe is the stage name for Renee Stevens)," said TSA keyboardist and songwriter Mel Arnhart. "She really knocked the judges' socks off. I get shivers every time she sings that song. She really represented Kalistan tonight, and made everyone very proud!" The Starving Artists are frequent collaborators with Megapipe and released an album together two years ago on LCR.

When asked what Megapipe planned to do with her new international fame, she was very tentative. "I'd like to go on tour, really. But I think Andre and them might not want to come along. They have been focusing a lot on their studio stuff recently, and I don't know how ready I am to form a new band to tour with. So, we'll see. It would be a lot of fun, but there's a lot of stuff to take into account. I might stick around Kalistan for a while while I figure out what's next for me, you know?" But then she smiled brilliantly and said, "Maybe a GanJam?"

We want to congratulate Megapipe on her victory in Gaduridos. FOMAT comes back to Kalistan next, and Megapipe has already begun lobbying for Yoshimi as a possible venue. "We've never had it there, and it would be great exposure for a great city!"

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KALNAPECO announces return to Oil
Fusion Technology revealed to be a "complete fiction"
Sulari, Duchy of Suldanor
February 7, 5501


Fictional "Fusion" reactors being disassembled in Ananto

KALENCON today announced the end of its longstanding and widely celebrated fusion reactor service in Kalistan, calling it a "complete work of science fiction."

"The work, which we completed on a purely theoretical level in 5083, actually reached the technological limits of its abilities in 5093," said KALENCON spokesperson Martin Hewitt in Sulari. "Since then, we have actually had zero interest in applying this technology in any meaningful or useful way. To put it succinctly, we ran completely out of imagination following the initial breakthroughs, and despite more than four centuries of energy production and tens of trillions in both public and private investment. We more or less had no idea how, or even why to proceed from those initially exciting moments, because the human imagination can really only go so far, and at the time, we didn't even know we were just spinning our wheels on the science--we thought we were making progress, as did several other nations around the world, who had accessed and built our technology but gave no hint to us that it was just a waste of time and money."

The announcement on the part of KALENCON provoked an immediate scandal in Her Imperial Majesty's Government. Her Imperial Majesty's Prime Minister, Lady Newburg, who was called away from preparation for the Accession of the new Empress in July, was aghast that a succession of nearly 400 years of Ministers of Science had been able to perpetuate this massive fraud. "We have required the immediate resignation of Her Imperial Majesty's Minister for Science and Technology, Bill Douglas." Mr. Douglas was subsequently arrested after more than ₭42.65 billion was found frozen in blocks of ₭100 notes in his family's freezer. "Minister Douglas immediately revealed the names of more than 400 co-conspirators from KALENCON who have been helping the Minister for decades, even before being named to the post, defraud the Empire and maintain a fiction that energy from the Nation's fusion plants was actually being generated, when the reality is that those megawatts were as fictional as the entire notion of a functioning fusion reactor."

Following the announcement, more than 40 percent of Kalistan's lights turned off across all 5 Duchies, and roughly 30% of Kalistan's maglev trains stopped operating. "Seriously," said Kaiburg resident Marcus Weller. "It was like someone flipped a switch and then everything just stopped. One minute it was there, and the next moment, it was like it was never ever there to begin with. I have no idea what that was about." While the train stoppage didn't produce any accidents, more than 15,000 commuters were stranded on rail lines across Kalistan Proper, as KALENCON struggled to bring various other power sources back on line. Several power stations needed to shut down for several hours in Ananto to prevent destructive power surges.

The stunning news of the complete science fiction of fusion technology produced a tidal wave in the KALSIE today, as KALENCON stocks officially became the first "penny stocks" of the modern era. "A whole lot of wealthy investors and international investors really lost their shirts, after having gained so much through fraud for the last four centuries," said Lady Newburg. "And it really couldn't happen to a nicer lot of capitalists. When these people see the lives and well being of the people of Kalistan in terms of their profit margin, we have a real dislocation in the economy of our Empire."

The Prime Minister was asked how the power deficit is going to be made up in the Empire. "Well, our plans to end our dependence on fossil fuels are obviously completely out the window. Fusion was a cornerstone of our strategy to produce energy in a clean way, but a hard limitation on human imagination and the possibilities of science, even after 400 years where we know that the technology is not only available but also having built it on a very practical basis, makes any sort of technological advancement past where we were in about the year 2024 utterly impossible to even imagine. So, we will continue to rely on available technologies, never imagine new applications for any current technologies, and we will continue to contribute to environmental destruction on a massive scale, because doing any better is simply inconceivable."

At press time, the Prime Minister was planning to order the recommissioning of several oil platforms in the Ananto Strait, and if Kalistan can not recover those assets from Lourenne, KPO will need to ramp up its current facilities. "We also want to really take KALENCON's budget and put it toward existing renewable sources, including wave tech and wind tech, but that might take a generation, especially since wind, solar, and geothermal has never been proven to be commercially feasible for large scale commercial energy production when compared to the relatively inexpensive but highly polluting petroleum based energy sources. If they were commercially feasible and scalable to meet even the basic needs of the population of a country as large as Kalistan, they would have obviously replaced the polluting forms already. The fact that they have not yet done so demonstrates conclusively that they never will, nor should we even think of how they might."

The losses on KNC were offset by gains by KPO, who are reportedly planning on making an offer to absorb all remaining KNC assets and completely restructuring the corporation. Other nations with active nuclear fission infrastructure are expected to experience similar outages. "Kalistan has worked on various levels with Indrala, Dolgava, North Dovani and Kalopia recently since we had our (now fictional) breakthroughs at the end of the 51st Centuries," said Lady Newburg. "It is expected that those reactors, if they were still functioning, have also recently blinked off, and like Kalistan, there is likely now a huge, and entirely incomprehensible hole in their energy infrastructure." Other nations who worked on fusion reaction, but presumably abandoned those projects are Valruzia, Gaduridos, Istalia, Jakania, Luthori, and Lodamun, none of whom gave any indication whether or not their projects were successful, though there is a lot of historical evidence that infrastructure was built in many of these nations.

"Her Imperial Majesty remains committed to clean sustainable energy," said Lady Newburg. "This revelation sets us back at least several generations, and at this point, imagining any way to restore electrical and energy supply without resort to fossil fuels is simply too difficult at this point. Solar, wind, water, geothermal, wave energy, hydro-electric power sources all exist in a very practical sense, but they have never been considered a commercially viable or scalable alternative to fossil fuel-based generation on a system wide level. So, while we would obviously like to, I can't honestly foresee any potential of ever dreaming any bigger, using existing technology, than what we currently have available to us today, which, as it turns out, is exactly the same level of technological advancement as we were at centuries before KALENCON claimed to develop commercially scalable fusion technology in 5093, or really even where we were in the first quarter of the 21st century. But it is what it is."

A snap poll in Kalistan revealed that of 87 million residents polled, 96% praised the Prime Minister for her swift and decisive action in the crisis.

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KALNAPECO Begins Scouting Hydroelectric locations
KALENCON to be fully reorganized
Neveras City, Duchy of Neveras
April 15, 5501


Wilderness sites like Marshall River in Neveras could serve as powerhouse for Kalistan

In light of the massive fraud uncovered at KALENCON two months ago, engineers at KALNAPECO have been ordered to scour the country for potential new hydroelectric sites. This represents the first significant statement about the way that the Kalistani National Energy Sector intends to address energy shortfalls following the end of the fusion reactor project, and is a significant shift from the earlier statements regarding the readoption of oil and natural gas as energy sources. More than twenty potential locations have been identified across both Grand Duchies, primarily in Neveras, Vrassa and Ananto, which will be evaluated as sites for future high dams capable of generating enough energy to replace the the failed fusion reactor program.

"We're looking at about a four year environmental impact study," said KPO spokesperson Sam Waltrip. "The environmental impact study will consider impacts to dams on local and migratory fish and wildlife species, geological hydrology, impacts on local communities, agriculture, transportation, and vegetation diversity. We want to make sure that negative impacts to local species of plant and animal are limited, and that people in the areas can gain both economic and social benefits from capital construction."

Waltrip says that KPO wants to build between five and seven new high dams. "Each dam will create between 850 and 1700 Megawatts per hour, depending on its site," said Waltrip. "This should create a total of about 12.6 gigawatts of energy per hour in Kalistan, which will represent about 30 percent of our annual domestic needs. If we can't use fusion reactors, hydroelectric will provide a suitable alternative." KPO is also considering expanding geothermal energy generation in Ananto, where fewer dam projects will be built. "We still have to consider additional solar and wind plants as well."

The dam building project will begin following the completion of the environmental impact studies, and will likely last over the next twenty years. Meanwhile, KALNAPECO intends to acquire the remaining parts of KALENCON and reorganize the consortium. "The rot in that organization ran from top to bottom," said Waltrip. "The Board at KPO has expressed an interest in a full reorganization of the consortium. The Government is interested in starting the Consortium from scratch, as a fully nationalized energy company that is completely capitalized. When it is reorganized, KPO will divest the assets and KNC will operate electric production while KPO will go back to petroleum and biodiesels and plastics. More oil is not a solution, and in the meanwhile, we're just going to have to make due with small scale electric production while the major infrastructure slowly comes back online."

As consumers struggle to adjust to power shortages, KPO is looking for energy suppliers. "We are looking at possibly buying electricity from Lodamun and Baltusia, if it is available," said Waltrip. "Building power supply lines to Lodamun and Baltusia will be relatively inexpensive, but this alternative is only a short term solution, and then only for Vrassa and Suldanor. Odufaray, Neveras, and Ananto will need to quickly begin small scale and local power generation." Already, local windmill and solar plants that can add wattage to city blocks are being constructed in cities and on buildings, and photovoltaic production has ramped up in Sulari."

This is the start of a long process that will last well into the next reign. "KPO is confident that the Crown Princess will support our efforts after taking the throne in July," said Waltrip. "She is an engineer at heart, and has already met with high level planners as we shift gears, and wants to be constantly apprised as to the situation."

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Her Imperial Majesty, The Empress Nicolette II Ananto is Crowned
Coronation is lowkey event held at Eveari Monthly Meetinghouse, followed by reception at Ananto Estate
Eveari, Grand Duchy of Ananto
July 1, 5501


Nicolette II Ananto becomes Empress and Absolute Sovereign of Ananto and Kalistan

The former Empress, Her Imperial Highness Princess Nicolette being formally abdicated, the Government of Kalistan has crowned a new Empress in Eveari. Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Nicolette II Ananto, was crowned by Her Majesty's Prime Minister Lady Kelly Newburg LaRoc following the Meeting for Worship with Attention to Spiritual Care and Guidance of the Eveari Brethrenists' Monthly Meeting in Eveari, near the Ananto Family Estate.

The coronation itself was a fairly lowkey event, as nearly all coronations in Kalistan have been, due to the heavy influence of the Brethrenist Faith among the Ruling Family.

It began at the Eveari Meetinghouse at precisely 9:45 AM, local time. After all convinced and attending Friends, including the Empress, the Crown Princess, Count Victor Ananto-Martin and his spouse, the Countess Reagan, and Her Majesty's Prime Minister Lady Newburg, had been seated and weighty guests were admitted to the Meeting, other guests, well-wishers and observers filed into the Meeting house, filling the area around the seated Friends, and then filling the balcony level around the central meeting. Then a Meeting for Worship began, and all sat silently for about 50 minutes in deep prayer and contemplation. Occasionally, Friends spoke from the silence, mostly neighbors and long time family friends who wished the Crown Princess good luck, and expressed hope for wise governance. Many of the Friends were seen visibly crying, and one explained that she was very proud to see the Crown Princess having grown up in the Meeting and having accomplished so much already at such a young age. The Meeting ended after the allotted time with the Clerk of the Eveari Meeting saying "Thank you Friends", which is the acknowledged signal for the breaking of the silence.

Following the end of the Meeting, the coronation ceremony began. The Empress and the Crown Princess were seated next to one another in the meeting, both were dressed very conservatively in modest, but fashionable attire, as if simply attending the Brethrenist Meeting on a normal day. Absent were nearly all the symbols of authority and circumstance one may see at other coronation ceremonies in other countries in the world. The only thing that seemed abnormal about this day was that the Empress was wearing her own Formal Crown, a headpiece she rarely wears in public. Beyond the lavish opulence in the crown, and a thin gold chain supporting a single black pearl worn around the Empress' neck in memory of the deceased Prince Consort, neither the Empress nor the Crown Princess wore jewels or adornment of any kind, though the Crown Princess was wearing a set of glasses that she had begun wearing in college to correct her eyesight.

The Prime Minister, similarly attired, stood and approached the Empress. After showing due courtesy, the Prime Minister took one knee and was addressed by the Empress, who, having formally abdicated her throne and her authority through legislation in the National Assembly, placed her hands on her Crown, and as a final order to the Prime Minister, ordered that the Crown be placed on the head of her daughter, Her Highness the Crown Princess Nicolette Ananto-Martin. She then handed the crown to the Prime Minister, who took the crown and faced the assembled audience, saying "By Order of Her Imperial Majesty The Empress of Ananto and Kalistan, I hereby accept this crown." She then turned to face the Crown Princess, and very gently placed the crown on the Crown Princess' head, kneeled once more and said "We, the People of Kalistan, call upon Her Highness the Crown Princess to serve as our Empress and Absolute Sovereign, and do affirm here our support. We shall ever adhere to the law and Will of Her Imperial Majesty."

The new Empress, still seated, said "We do hereby accept your request, and shall strive to govern Our Realm and Our People wisely and justly, for as long as We live. We call upon the Lady Newburg-LaRoc to continue her service to Us as she did to Our mother, and remain as Our Prime Minister and figurative head of Our Government." The Prime Minister nodded her acceptance than slowly stood, turned to the assembled crowd and announced, "It is my duty and singular pleasure to announce the coronation and installment of our new Sovereign, By the Consent of the People, Her Imperial Majesty, of the Ancient House of Ananto, Empress and Absolute Sovereign of The Empire of Ananto and Kalistan, Grand Duchess of Ananto, Duchess of Icehaven, Countess of Davon, Commander in Chief of the Regular Forces of Kalistan, Sovereign and Great Mistress of the Most Honorable Order of the Grey Smoke, Defender of the Constitution and the Realm, Head of the Anantonese State and Formal Head of Government, Embodiment of the Anantonese Nation, Guarantor of the Anantonese Ocean and Ananto Strait, Nicolette II Ananto ." All Kalistani citizens in the audience, both in the Main Meeting and in the Balcony, and including the former Empress, who is now Princess Nicolette who were all well-versed in the protocol of the morning, took a knee (as they were able) and as one announced "We consent."

And with that, the Coronation was completed, and the entire audience erupted in applause. Her Imperial Majesty stood to hug her mother, as both women were seen crying and laughing. The Prime Minister gracefully shook hands with Her Imperial Majesty and at long last embraced Princess Nicolette, a privilege which until this moment, was utterly forbidden, due to the former's station as Monarch. The two women laughed together and it was obvious that they had become friends despite the fact that Lady Newburg had long been in service to the Empress.

As the two Royals, the Ministers of the Government, and the immediate attendants filed out, all caught a glimpse of the newly crowned Empress of Kalistan, and lowered their eyes as she passed by. The entourage then went through town along a parade route, as the citizens of Eveari filed out to wave Kalistani Flags and cheer as the Empress passed through the town to the Ananto Estate. Eveari is not a very large city, and the motorcade stretched the entire distance from the Meeting House to the Ananto Mansion. Once at the Ananto Residence, Her Imperial Majesty was seated for an official portrait. In the portrait, Empress Nicolette II was seated on the Ceremonial Throne of State, dressed in the Orange Gown of State, which was simplified based on the Empress' request from the more gaudy dress worn by her mother. The dress featured several amethysts in adornment, and in total represented the colors of Ananto and Kalistan, and is trimmed with royal blue sleeves. The crown used during the Coronation belongs to Princess Nicolette I, and will be treated as an heirloom, but a far more simple crown, crafted specifically by and for Her Imperial Majesty, the Empress Nicolette II was featured in the Portrait. The Empress was posed in a regal posture, confident and solemn.

Following the Portrait session, the Empress changed into informal attire, and the reception began. Both Princess Nicolette and The Empress greeted visiting foreign dignitaries. In attendance were such noted Guests of Honor as The Queen Victoria of Hutori, who has met Her Imperial Majesty both formally and informally on several occasions in the past and has become a close personal friend of the Empress, as well as the Prime Minister of Hutori and the Borther of the Queen, who visits Kalistan in his as Head of ODEN-H. The Empress also met with the President of the Lodamese Commonwealth, Dr. Jane Whitmore, and was introduced to Prince Charles of Luthori, who is the Crown Prince and Future Emperor of Luthori and is making his first formal visit to Kalistan. Both the Princess and the Empress were also thrilled to once again meet the King of the United Kingdom of Lourenne, King Leopold the IV and his wife, the Queen Consort Marguerite, and several members of the Royal Government--The Anantos are related to the King of Lourenne through distant family ties, and they have maintained very close personal relations over the reign of Nicolette I. Also welcomed was the President of the Bundesrepublik Dundorf, Louis Kreisler-Schumacher, and the Foreign Minister, Victoria Hallbach, both of whom Her Imperial Majesty was very interested in meeting and talking with at some length, given Dundorf's rising importance in Artania. The international entourages were spectacular, and provided well wishers with a star-studded event. Protocol was strictly maintained throughout the entire event, but it is assumed that these formal meetings will lay the ground work for future relations during the Reign of Empress Nicolette II.

"While we were surrounded by high level officials and honored guests from around the world," said Social Columnist Bradly Summers, "I do have to note that the reception for Her Imperial Majesty is what anyone else in the world would call 'subdued.' Not so much because it wasn't a great event: there were more than 500 guests at the Estate over the course of the afternoon, including some VERY important people, Heads of State, members of Cabinets and Parliaments from around the world, famous musicians and actors and artists, all there to wish our New Empress well. But compared to other coronation events, this one matched Nicolette's personality very well. She is, from everything I've witnessed writing about her and interviewing her for different things, a very conservative person, personality wise. She doesn't like the spotlight. Where her Mother, the Princess Nicolette now, was very outgoing and gregarious, the Younger Nicolette was more bookish, interested in intellectualism, and always had this formal role, even as a small child. That has shaped her over time into someone who is very reserved, polite and proper in most things, and I think this reception really kind of highlighted that aspect of her character."

Fireworks display over Davon Bay in Kaliburg, to celebrate coronation of the Empress

Indeed, with previous coronations, the far more wild parties were in the streets, as people enjoyed the first day of a Three Day National Holiday which was declared to celebrate the rise of the New Empress. Concerts and street parties were held throughout the Empire, as people started and ended the day late, and spent time in public, with their neighbors. There were events held in all major cities that were attended by millions throughout the day, including a Major concert by FOMAT winner and close personal Friend of the Empress, Megapipe, in Kaliburg, as well as several National Touring acts playing in Sulari, Dana, Yoshimi, Vrassa City, Addisjah, Port Swedes and Eshar. The Starving Artists played a show in Luxon at the Global Music Hall of Fame, and in Eveari, the Northern Music and Arts Festival had events and music all day long, including food and wine tasting. As the day wound down, and the new Empress retired for the evening, those who left the reception and made their way either to Eveari's festival or the much larger celebrations in Kaliburg were treated to spectacular fireworks displays which lit the skies across the Grand Duchy and could be heard for many miles in all directions.

Long live Her Imperial Majesty, the Empress Nicolette II Ananto. We at The Republic have great hopes for your long reign and success!

[Doc]

Collapse of KALENCON opens door for Major Investment in Energy Sector
KalMD, Sulari SunCatchers early leaders in new energy market
Sulari, Duchy of Suldanor
August 19, 5501


New Hybrid Turbine Stations, like this one in Odufaray, may be temporary answer to energy shortfalls as Investment floods into the Market

KALNAPECO is nearing the completion of its dismantlement of KALENCON, and while lawsuits over what is being termed in the KalSie Investment community as "dispossession" are expected to last for years, other longstanding Kalistani companies with significant stake in the newly blown open energy market are signaling serious private investment in the market. Kalistani Micro Divisions (Kalsie: KMD) who has long led the domestic market in microprocessors and consumer electronics, has indicated that they have completed a new round of venture capital for investment in battery storage capacity, and an almost forgotten regional company out of Suldanor, Sulari SunCatchers (Kalsie: SSC) has indicated a dramatic increase of interest in solar and photovoltaics.

"While it was assumed that we had plenty of free energy through fusion generation," said SSC CFO Janet Richardo, "There wasn't a lot of focused attention on photovoltaics. We were happy to hit our margins and have a small dividend year after year after interminable year, suppling a modest amount of megawats to KALENCON. It has been a nice safe part of Grandma's Investment Club's portfolio, you know? But since KALENCON imploded, millions and millions of Rubles have been flooding into SSC, and we've actually had to hire engineers to give us ideas about how to spend it all. Its ridiculous. People think 'put money into something, something grows...' but we've had to unexpectedly, and quite dramatically scale up because there has actually been a lot of market speculation in the last few months, and we're in, probably the best position to do something about this."

SSC and KMD are not the only companies who have experienced a windfall of speculative Rubles in the last three quarters. There are at least a dozen new startups, all capitalized at over ₭50 Million, and all aiming to ramp up production on electric generation machines. "It's a gold rush," said Alison Delgado of the new Vrassan Breezes (Kalsie: VBW), a new start up based in Vrassa City. "People really want to address this energy crisis: they know it is a market that needs to be filled, so there is a guaranteed, and I'd say almost inelastic demand for wind turbines, solar panels and photovoltaics, geothermal generators, and especially batteries: Since the Lithium that KNC has refined over the years was assumed to go into the fusion process, but in fact has just been being stockpiled for centuries, Kalistan is sitting on a mountain of lithium that is going to go into battery technology. KMD is ahead in that game specifically, and probably has done the best of us all, but even small new companies like mine are getting a piece, and that is fantastic!"

Startups and institutional players alike know this boom is really a speculative bubble and are prepared for it. "We aren't blowing all our money on nonsense," said SSC's Ricardo. "Its easy for companies to get a windfall and do stupid things like buy corporate jets and everything. But we know that there is an end in sight for the boom periods, and that will come when all these new companies scale up production and the floor falls out on prices. At that point, the market will be saturated and then we're going to have to lay off people, and then everyone's life will be miserable, except mine. This is the problem with Capitalism, and it is unavoidable. Most of this is happening in the private sector right now, but to our credit, most of the new companies that are starting up are coordinating with KPO to see what needs to be done where and how much. We are looking out for our long term health. The ones who aren't are the ones who will get way richer in the short term, but then will go by the wayside after that. Those of us who are in this for the long haul are working together, because we know that the market is going to be renationalized anyway when KNC is finally gone."

KPO confirmed that it is working with more than 15 companies, including KMD and SSC to determine how best to meet the needs of Kalistani Citizens, business and Industry. One program they have begun is a Hybrid Generation Program which provides banks of solar and wind turbines capable of generating up to 10 kW an hour per unit to cities, communities and rural co-operatives. The Wind Generators in the bank are made by Star Island Wind (Kalsie: SIW), in Ananto, and the solar collectors are made by SSC, with battery storage provided by KMD. Each bank costs about ₭11,350 and can power the energy needs of four and a half homes. 8 banks can fit on an acre of land, including any battery storage and energy transmission facilities.

KPO has indicated that it will cover the materials cost of the banks, and each municipal Government or rural co-operative can apply for up to 100 banks covered by KPO, but labor and maintenance costs will need to be born by those using the banks. "It will put a large burden on municipalities, but it is a quick and clean way to at least begin to address the shortfalls experienced daily by a huge portion of the citizens of this Empire," said Ricardo. The grant is a one time offer, and is meant to not only encourage cities to look into not only long-term (albeit impermanent) alternatives to fossil fuel energy generation, but should give residents a lot of comfort to know that something is being done while Duchy and Imperial Government is developing permanent solutions.

"Meanwhile, we are already producing at max capacity, and a new plant that we will need to build won't be online for two years, at least," said Ricardo. "Meanwhile, other suppliers can be found to begin to meet demand: there are at least three new photovoltaic factories opening in Kalistan Proper alone this fall. There is plenty of money to go around, and I predict that by this winter, we, KMD, and other companies will begin to have a real noticeable impact on the demand for energy. This won't last forever: Eventually everyone will have cheap photovoltaics and wind turbines. And then the money will dry up, both the public and private... So we're gonna do what we can while we can, and make whatever difference we can, taking nothing for granted." Ricardo continued to say that this was a matter of corporate responsibility. "Making money is a side effect to being a responsible corporate citizen, but yes: We're gonna make a LOT of money in the next ten years, and then after that, we'll see."