Jones demands immediate assistance for Alabama farmers, producers
U.S. Senator Doug Jones, D-Ala., has called on the Small Business Administration to include farmers and producers in new economic relief programs established by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Farmers in Alabama and across the country have been shut out from accessing the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds provided for them by the CARES Act due to IRS filing differences that separate them from other small businesses. – AL Political Reporter
Huntsville hospital CEO says testing needed for safe reopening
Alabama could reopen for business in 10 days and WAAY 31 is committed to making sure you know what to expect. Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle said Monday he expects the number of coronavirus cases to jump whenever stores start to open again. David Spillers, Huntsville Hospital CEO, said he believes the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Madison County already peaked and the hospital is considering getting back to business and are hoping to resume elective surgeries in May. He said he’s still cautious about re-opening. – WAAY
Coronavirus pushes telemedicine efforts, access in Alabama
Prior to March and the COVID-19 outbreak in Alabama, Dr. Beverly Jordan’s medical practice in Enterprise did not conduct online telemedicine visits with patients. But in a recent week, Professional Medical Associates conducted 30 remote visits with patients who either suspected they had COVID-19 or have pre-existing conditions and were trying to avoid the virus by staying home. “This outbreak has clearly pushed telemedicine in this state,” Jordan told Alabama Daily News. – WBRC
Plunging crude oil prices beat up market
U.S. crude oil prices plunged more than 100 percent on Monday dragging the markets down with them. Prices for West Texas Intermediate fell to negative $37.63 a barrel which, improbably, means the company will actually have to pay to get companies to take the oil off its hands. It is the first time an oil futures contract finished as a negative price, according to multiple reports. – AL.com
Ascend signs Siemens to provide gas turbines at Alabama chemicals plant
Siemens Gas and Power will provide 99 MW of gas-fired capacity for steam generation at an Alabama chemicals plant. Ascend Performance Materials will use three 33-MW Siemens SGT-700B industrial gas turbines for its nylon intermediate and specialty chemicals facility in Decatur. The company is retiring assets which provide process steam and is shifting to gas turbines for that purpose. – Power-ENG
