Navy HR Modernization Effort in Limbo as CIO, CNP Clash

by  Anastasia Obis

Personnel leaders said the contract was allowing the Navy to pursue the cancellation of IT programs that had failed to deliver results for years.

Summary

A rift between the Navy's IT and personnel leaders has stalled the MyNavyHR modernization effort, critical for improving sailor recruitment, pay, and promotions. The conflict centers on a $170 million contract awarded to Pantheon Data in 2024, which personnel leaders viewed as pivotal to updating outdated HR systems. However, Department of the Navy CIO Jane Rathbun, backed by the Department of Government Efficiency, canceled it, citing redundancy with the troubled Navy Pay and Personnel System (NP2) and claiming government workers could handle the work. Personnel officials strongly disagreed, arguing that internal staff lack the necessary skills and that reverting to NP2—already $1 billion over budget, seven years behind schedule, and costing $122 million annually to maintain 55 legacy systems—would be inefficient.

The MyNavyHR initiative, launched over a decade ago, aimed to consolidate these systems into a streamlined, cloud-based platform to enhance sailors' HR experiences. Despite early promises, the $1.6 billion program has frustrated sailors, with issues like delayed pay and benefits fueling morale and retention challenges, as seen in Reddit complaints. Pantheon's contract focused on moving critical personnel data from an aging, flood-prone Millington, Tennessee data center to the cloud, creating a searchable backup, automating HR processes with AI, and modernizing talent management. The cancellation risks 12-16 months of disruptions, including halted promotion boards, threatening readiness.

 Read full story at Federal News Network…

OpenAI 'For Government' Initiative Aims to Further Integrate AI Into Public Sector Operations

by  Ryan Kushner

The initiative offers all levels of federal, state and local government access to OpenAI's ChatGPT Enterprise and ChatGPT Gov within “secure and compliant environments.”

OpenAI, one of the most prominent developers of artificial intelligence technology in the U.S., announced an “OpenAI for Government” initiative that seeks to further integrate the company' AI tools into local and federal government operations.

Building on ChatGPT Gov, the company's language learning model customized for government employees, OpenAI for Government consolidates the company's efforts to provide its products and services to the U.S. government “under one umbrella,” according to a press release.

The initiative offers all levels of federal, state and local government access to OpenAI's ChatGPT Enterprise and ChatGPT Gov within “secure and compliant environments,” as well as hands-on support and insight into anticipating new ways to utilize AI tools for government. The initiative also includes custom models for national security that will be “offered on a limited basis.”

Additionally, OpenAI announced it was awarded a $200 million contract with the U.S. Department of Defense to “ransform its administrative operations,” streamline data analysis and support “proactive cyber defense.”

 Read full story at American City & County…

Where GSA Sees Resellers Fitting Into Its Unified Procurement Strategy

by  Ross Wilkers

One of the General Services Administration's senior IT officials is telling industry that the agency essentially wants OneGov to create a role reversal of who the prime contractor is.

Across the federal technology industrial base, value-added resellers have long been a primary avenue for federal agencies to acquire commercial IT products and especially software licenses.

Many companies out in the commercial tech ecosystem do not employ staff that sell directly to the federal government, instead having made business decisions to work primarily with resellers and integrators as channel partners.

But the General Services Administration has taken a different approach in recent months through its OneGov unified procurement strategy that has resulted in pacts with companies such as Google, Adobe and Salesforce. More OneGov arrangements are in the works, and GSA also has a separate, but similar, master agreement in place with Microsoft.

 Read full story at Washington Technology…

Google Brings Historical Street View to Google Earth

by  Matt Tate

New AI features are also coming for professional users.

Google Earth is celebrating its 20th birthday, and to mark the occasion, Google is bringing historical Street View imagery to the service. In a blog post, Google said the anniversary update allows users to “explore the wonders of the planet from even more viewpoints, whether it's a bird's eye view or at street level.”

From today, when you load up Google Earth you'll see a new option for historical imagery in the toolbar, which allows you to move back and forth between now and years gone by. Seemingly predicting that you might be overwhelmed by the prospect of having the entire planet at your fingertips, Google offers some suggestions. You might want to look at a timelapse of Berlin between 1943 and the modern day, in which time the Berlin Wall was built and fell, before the city underwent huge urban transformation. You could also observe the rapid expansion of Las Vegas since the 1980s, or how Houston's NRG Stadium was built on top of what was just farmland back in 1944. Some Maps users have even used the historical view to look up, say, pictures of their homes from years gone by, occasionally finding imagery of lost loved ones in the process.

 Read full story at engadget…

Microsoft Is Ditching Passwords for Passkeys: How to Switch Before the August Deadline

by  Dashia Milden

Nearly half of US adults have risky password habits. Microsoft's new approach could change that.

Did you know there's a safer alternative to passwords? Some companies are implementing passkeys, which essentially use your biometric data, like fingerprint or facial recognition to log into your account as the first step. Passkeys can cut out risky password habits that 49% of US adults have, according to a recent CNET survey.

Using the same password for multiple accounts and even using personal information, like your name, as a part of your password can lead to hackers guessing it or your password being leaked in a company data breach. That can lead to identity theft and fraud.

You may start to hear more buzz around passkeys, like Microsoft making the big switch starting in August. If you use Microsoft Authenticator to store your passwords, here's what you need to know about the transition and how to set up passkeys for your Microsoft accounts before the deadline.

 Read full story at CNET…

U.S. House Tells Staffers Not to Use Meta's WhatsApp

by  Jonathan Vanian

Meta is pushing back against a ban on WhatsApp from government devices

Key Points

• Meta is pushing back against a ban on WhatsApp from government devices.
• The chief administrative officer of the U.S. House of Representatives told staffers on Monday that they are not allowed to use WhatsApp due to a lack of transparency about its data privacy and security practices.
• Meta disagrees Qwith the House Chief Administrative Officer's characterization in the strongest possible terms, company spokesperson Andy Stone posted on X.

 Read full story at cnbc…

7 Ways Fuel Cells Future-Proof Utility Energy Strategies

by  Bloom Energy

The acceleration of AI workloads — marked by their high power density, fluctuating demand and critical uptime requirements — is intensifying pressure on utilities to deliver more than just raw capacity.

While traditional centralized generation and long-distance transmission remain essential, they are no longer sufficient because they can't respond quickly enough to the rapid and distributed load growth driven by AI, electrification and evolving reliability demands.

Many recognize the need for flexible, resilient and low-emissions power that can be deployed quickly and operated with precision, especially as regulatory scrutiny increases and interconnection delays stretch for months or years.

Energy leaders are embracing the notion that fuel cell systems have become a strategic resource to expand their reach, enhance resilience and support large customers without burdening ratepayers or compromising decarbonization goals.

 Read full story at …

Grid Operators Keep Close Watch on Power Demand with Soaring Temperatures

by  Paul Ciampoli

Grid operators across much of the U.S. are monitoring power demand levels this week as soaring temperatures blanketed the country.

Summary

As soaring temperatures grip the U.S., grid operators are vigilantly monitoring power demand. ISO New England forecasted peak loads of 23,920 MW on June 23, 25,310 MW on June 24, and 23,130 MW on June 25, the highest this year but within summer projections. Despite a Power Caution and Energy Emergency Alert Level 1 on June 24 due to unexpected generation loss, the ISO anticipates adequate supply and has tools to balance demand.

In Vermont, Burlington Electric Department issued a peak alert for June 24 under its Defeat the Peak program, urging reduced energy use from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Actions include adjusting thermostats, delaying appliance use, and avoiding EV charging during peak hours. Successful load reduction could lower utility costs, benefit the environment, and fund a $1,000 donation to a local nonprofit.

PJM Interconnection, serving 13 states, issued Maximum Generation and Load Management Alerts for June 24– 25, deferring equipment maintenance to keep units online. PJM's peak load hit 143,000 MW on June 22, with forecasts of 161,000 MW on June 23 and 160,000 MW on June 24. Demand Response programs compensate customers for reducing usage during emergencies.

Midcontinent ISO issued an Energy Emergency Alert 1 for its North and Central Regions on June 23 to access additional generation. New York ISO, expecting peaks up to 31,170 MW on June 24, reports sufficient supply with 40,937 MW available and emergency procedures for reliability. Grid operators nationwide are leveraging alerts, reserve resources, and demand response to ensure stability during this heatwave.

 Read full story at Public Power Association…

The Courtroom Risk No One in Power Generation Can Afford to Ignore

by  Randy Sadler

Explore the rising litigation risk in energy markets amidst decarbonization and mega verdicts affecting power generation companies.

Summary

The power generation industry faces escalating litigation risks, with mega verdicts—jury awards over $10 million%Mbecoming more frequent and unpredictable, according to a 2025 Marathon Strategies report. Product liability lawsuits, totaling $13.7 billion in U.S. damages in 2024, increasingly target energy companies. Notable cases include a $109 million verdict against CPS Energy in Texas for a 2025 natural gas explosion due to neglected infrastructure and an $85 million award against PacifiCorp in Oregon for its role in 2020 wildfires caused by failure to de-energize power lines.

Power companies are vulnerable due to physical risks, public scrutiny, and reliance on third-party vendors and emerging technologies like lithium-ion batteries, hydrogen systems, aging gas infrastructure, and globally sourced wind turbine components. Each poses product liability risks, where operators may bear legal consequences despite supplier faults. Juries, driven by emotional narratives and skepticism toward corporate accountability, are awarding larger sums, with the median mega verdict reaching $51 million in 2024.

To mitigate these risks, energy leaders must prioritize proactive strategies. Captive insurance, a company-owned insurance entity, offers a financial buffer by covering claims, legal costs, and risks excluded by commercial policies, while enabling reinvestment in safety and maintenance. Beyond captives, companies should conduct infrastructure audits, map vendor lifecycle liabilities, unify legal and operational planning, and align insurance with modern litigation threats.

 Read full story at Power…