Based on reporting by Sydney Sasser of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, with additional reporting from KATV

New details about the massive power agreement between Google and Entergy Arkansas are shedding more light on the cost of Google’s planned West Memphis data center and have now led to a legal battle over the release and publication of confidential documents.

At the center of the dispute is Cypress Solar, a planned 600-megawatt solar facility paired with a 350-megawatt battery storage system in Jefferson County.

The project is expected to cost about $1.6 billion and will help provide electricity to the massive Google data center being constructed in West Memphis.

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According to documents obtained by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Google will make substantial payments toward the Cypress Solar project.

Central Arkansas resident Jessica Kivell obtained the documents through an Arkansas Freedom of Information Act request to the Arkansas Public Service Commission. Some of the documents were marked confidential.

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reporter Sydney Sasser reported that the documents showed Google would pay approximately $526 million toward Cypress Solar, consisting of $443 million in accelerated payments and $83 million in minimum demand payments.

However, Entergy now disputes the way those payments were characterized and calculated.

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Entergy says Google will pay more than $2 billion

Following publication of the Democrat-Gazette’s report, Entergy Arkansas filed a lawsuit against the newspaper and the Arkansas Times, alleging that the publications obtained and disclosed confidential trade-secret information.

Entergy also argues that the Democrat-Gazette made a mathematical error in calculating Google’s total payments under the agreement.

According to Entergy, the $443 million upfront payment and $83 million in annual minimum payments must be considered over the full 20-year initial term of the contract.

Using that calculation:

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$443 million + ($83 million × 20 years) = approximately $2.103 billion.

Entergy told KATV that the distinction is significant and argued that Google will ultimately pay substantially more than the $1.6 billion cost of constructing Cypress Solar.

The utility also says the Google agreement provides approximately $1.1 billion in additional net benefits to Arkansas customers.

Entergy requested that the Democrat-Gazette correct its calculation and apologize for what the utility described as misinformation that caused unnecessary concern among customers.

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What Google previously promised

The dispute is particularly notable because Google publicly stated during the October 2025 groundbreaking ceremony for its West Memphis data center that it intended to cover the full cost of powering the facility.

Google President and Chief Investment Officer Ruth Porat said at the ceremony:

“We are also collaborating with Entergy, an amazing partner, the power distributor for customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas to ensure that we cover the full cost of powering the facility to keep rates down for ratepayers.”

Entergy says the newly released information does not contradict that commitment because Google’s payments extend throughout the 20-year agreement.

Entergy sues over release of confidential documents

Entergy’s lawsuit goes beyond the disagreement over the numbers.

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The utility alleges that the Democrat-Gazette and Arkansas Times obtained nonpublic documents from a private citizen who received them from the Arkansas Public Service Commission through a public records request.

Entergy argues that the commission mistakenly released highly sensitive information that contained trade secrets belonging to both Entergy and Google.

The utility asked a federal court for a temporary restraining order and preliminary and permanent injunctions preventing the newspapers from further using or publishing the alleged trade-secret information.

Entergy said disclosure of the information could cause irreparable harm to both its business and Google.

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However, the case raises an important question about the intersection of government transparency and private-company confidentiality:

If a government agency mistakenly releases information in response to a public records request, can the government or a private company later prevent the person who received that information from publishing it?

According to Robert Steinbuch, a professor at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Bowen School of Law, there are competing interests involved.

Steinbuch told KATV that while Entergy and Google could potentially suffer harm from the disclosure of legitimate trade secrets, the public also has an interest in information obtained from the government.

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The key question, he said, is whether the information actually qualifies as a legally protected trade secret.

Trade secrets generally receive protection under the law, but that protection does not automatically apply simply because a company considers information confidential.

Steinbuch said any injunction would likely need to be narrowly tailored to specific information that actually qualifies as a trade secret.

He also questioned whether information concerning how much Google pays for electricity would meet the legal definition of a trade secret.

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Judge denies Entergy’s request for restraining order

The initial court battle has already produced a ruling.

On Wednesday afternoon, U.S. District Judge Lee Rudofsky denied Entergy’s request for a restraining order against the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and Arkansas Times.

That ruling means Entergy did not obtain the immediate restriction on publication that it requested.

The broader legal dispute, however, remains significant because it could ultimately address what information obtained through an Arkansas public records request can be withheld or protected when private companies claim trade-secret protections.

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Entergy says Google is protecting other ratepayers

Entergy maintains that the Google agreement was structured to protect existing Arkansas customers from the cost of serving the enormous new data center.

In a statement provided to KATV, Entergy said Google is:

• Paying for 100% of its power needs and more.
• Subject to termination penalties and guarantees designed to protect other customers.
• Making monthly payments throughout the 20-year contract.
• Contributing to fixed system costs, which Entergy says reduces costs for other customers.

Entergy described the Google agreement as the single largest benefit to existing Entergy Arkansas customers in the company’s history, saying it aligns with its Fair Share Plus Pledge and federal Ratepayer Protection Pledge.

The utility also emphasized that although portions of the contract may be confidential to news organizations, the agreement has been reviewed by public officials responsible for regulating Arkansas utilities, including the Arkansas Public Service Commission, its staff and the Arkansas Attorney General.

The enormous electricity demand behind the deal

Regardless of the ongoing dispute over the payment calculations, there is no question that Google’s West Memphis data center will require an enormous amount of electricity.

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According to documents reviewed by the Democrat-Gazette, Google is expected to begin taking electric service in February 2027.

Initially, the facility is expected to have a minimum bill demand of 40 megawatts, with a maximum contract demand of 50 megawatts.

Over the following two and a half years, Google’s electricity demand is expected to increase significantly.

By October 2029, the data center is expected to reach a minimum bill demand of 480 megawatts, with a maximum contract demand of 600 megawatts.

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The documents indicate that Google’s demand is expected to grow faster than Entergy can bring new generation online.

As a result, Entergy plans to purchase additional electricity from the market to serve the data center until additional generation becomes available.

Why Cypress Solar matters

Cypress Solar is one piece of the larger power system that will serve Google’s West Memphis operation.

The facility will consist of a 600-megawatt solar field and 350 megawatts of battery storage and is currently scheduled for completion in the fourth quarter of 2028.

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Google’s interest in Cypress Solar also involves renewable energy credits, which provide documentation that electricity is generated from renewable sources such as solar power.

Google can use those credits to support its corporate clean-energy goals, including offsetting reported greenhouse gas emissions associated with its data centers.

Arkansas customers are already paying more

The Cypress Solar project is also significant to Arkansas residents because it is one of three new generation projects contributing to higher Entergy residential bills.

Beginning in June, Entergy residential customers began paying an additional $5.77 per month associated with the three new generation projects.

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That makes the financial structure of the Google agreement an important issue for Arkansas ratepayers.

Entergy says Google’s long-term payments will ultimately more than cover the costs associated with serving the data center and will provide substantial benefits to existing customers.

The Democrat-Gazette’s reporting raised questions about the amount Google would pay toward Cypress Solar and how those payments would be treated under the agreement.

Entergy has strongly disputed that characterization, arguing that the full 20-year payment commitment means Google will pay approximately $2.1 billion under the figures cited in the documents.

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A 20-year agreement with a potentially massive termination fee

The Google-Entergy special rate contract has an initial term of 20 years.

After that, the agreement automatically renews in successive three-year terms unless either party provides notice of termination or non-renewal.

The contract also contains significant financial protections for Entergy.

According to the documents, Google could face a termination fee of approximately $2 billion if it breaches the agreement during the first 13 years. That fee gradually declines during the remainder of the initial 20-year term.

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Alphabet Inc., Google’s parent company, will guarantee the payment.

A deal that will continue to draw scrutiny

The Google data center represents one of the largest economic and infrastructure developments in Arkansas in recent years.

It also creates an unprecedented demand for electricity and requires billions of dollars in investment in generation, transmission and infrastructure.

Entergy says the agreement will ultimately protect existing customers and deliver more than $1.1 billion in net benefits to Arkansas customers.

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Meanwhile, questions remain about the agreement’s confidential provisions, how Google’s payments are classified, the effect on Entergy’s rate base and what information the public should be able to access regarding a deal involving significant public utility infrastructure.

The legal battle between Entergy and Arkansas media organizations could provide additional answers as the case moves forward.

Source Articles Linked Below

Arkansas Democrat Gazette: https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2026/aug/31/google-to-pay-entergy-arkansas-526-million-for/

KATV: https://katv.com/news/local/entergy-sues-democrat-gazette-ar-times-for-publishing-secret-google-data-center-details

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South Arkansas Now credits Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reporter Sydney Sasser for the original reporting and reporting that brought the details of the Google-Entergy agreement to light. Additional information regarding the lawsuit and Entergy’s response was reported by KATV.

An Organization in Need: UCAPS Suspends Intakes as Animals, Costs and Workload Mount

EL DORADO, Ark. — The Union County Animal Protection Society has temporarily stopped accepting animals after reaching what volunteers describe as the limits of its available space, staffing and resources.

UCAPS volunteer Terra Walker said the organization is caring for more than 400 animals through its adoption center, its shelter on Sunset Road and a network of foster homes. With kennels and other available areas occupied, she said the organization has nowhere to safely place additional animals.

“Unfortunately, we’ve had to close our intakes temporarily because we are simply out of space, out of time and out of the capacity to take on any more animals,” Walker said.

The closure comes as Union County continues to face a large number of stray and unwanted dogs and cats. Walker said one of the main causes is the number of animals in the community that have not been spayed or neutered.

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She said programs are available to help residents afford those procedures, but many pet owners are not taking advantage of them. The result, she said, is a continuing cycle of unwanted litters.

“We have lots and lots of unwanted litters of puppies and kittens that people think they can find homes for,” Walker said. “Many give away free kittens and free puppies, and then that continues the problem.”

Walker said reducing the number of unwanted animals will require residents to better understand the scope of the issue and take greater responsibility for preventing new litters.

Concerns About Local Animal Control

Walker also raised concerns about the current level of animal-control coverage available in the area.

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Based on the number of animals handled by UCAPS and the city, Walker said she does not believe the community has an animal-control program large enough to meet its needs. She said evening and weekend coverage is limited and claimed that law enforcement officers sometimes contact UCAPS because they cannot access the city pound after regular hours.

Walker also said she would like to see a closer working relationship between UCAPS and local animal-control services.

She pointed to other Arkansas communities where animal-control departments and rescue organizations work together to place adoptable animals, address behavioral concerns and manage overcrowding.

“We’ve got to make sustaining changes as a community and as an organization,” Walker said. “We have got to start making changes in the way that we do things.”

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More Than 400 Animals in Care

UCAPS currently operates with five paid employees, according to Walker. She said those employees earn only slightly more than minimum wage, while administrative work is handled by volunteers.

With limited staff and volunteers, the organization is responsible for feeding, cleaning, transporting and arranging medical care for more than 400 animals each day.

Walker said the animals housed at the adoption center represent only part of the organization’s total population. UCAPS also continues to care for animals at its Sunset Road location and through volunteers who open their homes as fosters.

She said the number of animals has placed considerable pressure on a staff that was already operating with few people.

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“We’re as lean as you get,” Walker said. “There are not any paid administrative people. All of us are volunteers.”

Annual Costs Approach Half a Million Dollars

Walker estimated that it costs between $450,000 and $500,000 each year to operate UCAPS.

Veterinary expenses alone total approximately $180,000 annually, she said. Payroll is the organization’s next-largest expense, followed by animal food and the many other supplies required to maintain the shelter.

Even a healthy puppy can cost the organization approximately $250 by the time it receives food, vaccinations, routine medical care and other services needed before adoption.

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Walker said UCAPS receives approximately 99 percent of its support through donations. The organization also receives some county funding, seeks grants and serves as a United Way partner.

However, she said those sources do not come close to paying the organization’s complete operating costs.

UCAPS also distributes free pet food to residents who are struggling to feed their animals. Walker said between 30 and 40 people may visit the organization’s porch in a single day to receive small bags of dog food.

That service can help pets remain with their owners rather than being surrendered because a family cannot afford food. However, it also creates another daily task for UCAPS volunteers, who must separate large quantities of food into smaller bags.

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Volunteers Needed for Jobs Large and Small

Walker said residents do not need special training to help UCAPS. Volunteers are needed for tasks ranging from transporting animals to veterinary appointments to unfolding newspapers used inside the facility.

Other volunteer needs include preparing bags of pet food, washing dishes, doing laundry, sweeping floors, helping during fundraisers, mowing the lawn and caring for flower beds.

“There are constantly things that we need help with,” Walker said.

She acknowledged that visiting an animal shelter can be emotionally difficult, particularly for people who are distressed by seeing large numbers of animals without permanent homes.

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However, Walker said that lack of help is one of the reasons UCAPS has been forced to suspend intakes.

“It’s hard to walk through these doors,” she said. “It hurts your heart, but we’re suffering. We simply don’t have enough help.”

Residents may also assist by fostering animals, which creates temporary room in UCAPS facilities while an animal waits for adoption.

Volunteer and foster applications are available through the organization’s website. Residents may also contact UCAPS through either the UCAPS Adoption Center Facebook page or the Union County Animal Protection Society Facebook page.

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UCAPS Asks for Patience

Walker asked residents to contact UCAPS before picking up a stray animal and bringing it to the shelter.

While residents may be trying to help an animal they find along the road, Walker said UCAPS currently cannot guarantee that it will have a place available.

“We can’t take in every animal,” she said. “You can’t see a dog walking down the street, scoop it up and come knocking on our door without calling and speaking to us. We have nowhere to put it.”

Walker asked the community to remain patient with volunteers as they attempt to care for the animals already under their supervision.

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She said UCAPS has dedicated supporters whose donations have kept the organization operating, but the current system cannot continue indefinitely without more volunteers, funding and community action.

Walker said she and other leaders have considered what could happen if UCAPS eventually became unable to continue its current level of service.

“There will come a time that either UCAPS won’t be here at all, or it will be here in a different capacity that takes on even less than what we do right now,” Walker said.

For now, the organization is asking residents to spay and neuter their pets, foster or adopt when possible, volunteer their time and provide financial support.

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Those interested in helping can visit ucapsshelter.org or contact the organization through its Facebook pages.

EL DORADO, Ark. — Families looking for productive ways to keep their children active this summer may not have to travel far. At HealthWorks Fitness Center in El Dorado, a growing swim program is helping children build confidence, stay active and learn skills that could one day save their lives.

HealthWorks offers private and group swim lessons designed to help children of different ages and ability levels become more comfortable in and around the water.

The program’s primary goal is not simply teaching children how to swim laps. Instructors also help students learn how to remain calm, control their breathing, float and move toward the side of a pool if they unexpectedly enter the water alone.

Swim coach Diego Valero said introducing children to basic water-survival skills at an early age can help them respond more effectively during an emergency. As children become more familiar with the water, they can replace panic with practical skills and greater confidence.

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Those lessons are particularly important during the summer months, when families spend more time around swimming pools, lakes, rivers and other bodies of water.

Swimming also provides benefits beyond water safety. Regular lessons can help children develop coordination, endurance and strength while giving them a positive outlet for their energy.

The program offers a local answer to the familiar complaint that there is nothing for children to do in the community. By taking a closer look at programs already available in South Arkansas, families may discover activities that are entertaining, educational and beneficial long after summer ends.

Lessons for Different Ages and Skill Levels

HealthWorks Swim School uses the American Red Cross Water Safety and Learn-to-Swim programs. Its instructors are certified American Red Cross lifeguards and water-safety instructors.

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Group lessons are limited to six students per instructor, allowing children to receive more individualized guidance while still learning alongside other swimmers.

The program offers lessons for children beginning at six months old.

Its Diaper Dippers program introduces children between six months and 3 years old to the water with a parent or guardian present. Songs, toys and guided activities are used to help young children become comfortable while parents receive information about water safety.

Older children can advance through five Learn-to-Swim levels:

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• Level 1 introduces basic water skills and is recommended for children who are not yet comfortable putting their heads underwater.
• Level 2 focuses on fundamental aquatic skills such as floating and gliding.
• Level 3 introduces stroke development and longer swimming movements.
• Level 4 works on stroke improvement, treading water and swimming greater distances.
• Level 5 helps experienced swimmers refine six swimming strokes and learn flip turns.

Children progress at their own pace, with instructors building upon each swimmer’s comfort level and existing skills.

Free assessment tests are available before group sessions to help determine the safest and most appropriate placement for each child.

From First Lessons to Competitive Swimming

Children who develop stronger swimming skills may also have the opportunity to continue through the Southern Arkansas Swim Club’s Thunder Turtles summer league team.

The summer league practices at HealthWorks on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Separate practice periods are offered for beginner-focused and advanced swimmers.

Participants must be able to swim 25 yards without assistance before joining the summer league team.

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The club provides young swimmers with opportunities to practice regularly, participate in meets and develop their skills in a team environment. The 2026 schedule includes competitions in El Dorado, Monticello and Arkadelphia, along with the Junior Olympic Games in Des Moines, Iowa.

Whether a child is entering the water for the first time or preparing for competition, the programs provide opportunities to build discipline, friendships and confidence.

How Families Can Begin

Families interested in HealthWorks Swim School can visit the front desk at HealthWorks Fitness Center, located at 304 N. Madison Avenue in El Dorado, and request an enrollment form.

The enrollment form includes options for private lessons and group sessions. Parents can also review program information, lesson procedures and answers to frequently asked questions before registering.

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For questions about HealthWorks Swim School, families may contact the aquatics department at 870-862-5442, extension 13.

Questions about the Southern Arkansas Swim Club may be directed to Diego Valero at 870-918-2238 or [email protected].

For South Arkansas families searching for something worthwhile for their children to do, the program demonstrates that local opportunities are available. Sometimes, families simply have to look a little closer beneath the surface.

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El Dorado, Ark. — What began as one mother’s search for an affordable way to keep six children safe, fed and learning during summer break has grown into a free camp serving families across the community.

Stephanie Miller-Owens founded the YAS Summer Camp after realizing that many parents faced the same summer dilemma she did.

“A few years ago, I had six small children at home with nothing to do during the summer — at least nothing I could afford for six kiddos,” Miller-Owens said. “Then I noticed so many other parents were having the same issue.”

She said families wanted their children to enjoy summer break without losing the academic progress they had made during the school year. Parents also needed a dependable environment where their children could remain safe, active and properly fed.

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“We didn’t want our babies to lose what they had learned during the school year,” she said. “We wanted them safe and happy, and we wanted to make sure they had healthy meals daily.”

That need inspired Miller-Owens to establish a summer program provided at no cost to participating families.

“I had this bright idea to help these parents, so I started an absolutely free summer camp that combats learning loss, provides meals and safety, all while allowing children to learn and have fun,” she said.

Now entering its fifth year, the YAS Summer Camp continues to focus on academic achievement, safety and prevention. The camp provides breakfast and lunch each day and has expanded its services to include transportation for participating children.

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This year’s camp began June 8 and will continue through July 17.

Miller-Owens credited the program’s growth to a dedicated team and community supporters who share her commitment to serving children.

“I work with an amazing team that shares the same love and passion for educating our babies,” she said. “We are blessed to have great supporters in the community who stepped up to sponsor this program and allowed us to help even more families this year.”

Summer programs such as YAS can be especially important for young people in South Arkansas. During the weeks away from school, children may have fewer opportunities for structured learning, regular meals, supervision and positive social interaction. Free programs help make those resources available to families regardless of their financial circumstances.

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By combining academics with recreation, meals, transportation and prevention education, the camp helps children maintain important skills while giving parents greater peace of mind during the summer months.

Miller-Owens said she remains grateful that the program has continued to grow and reach additional families each year.

“It is our endeavor to continue providing love, safety and education to every child we meet,” she said. “To God be the glory.”

Community members and businesses interested in supporting or sponsoring the YAS Summer Camp are encouraged to contact Miller-Owens for additional information.

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EL DORADO, Ark. — New and expectant parents across South Arkansas are invited to attend a Community Baby and Safety Shower designed to connect families with essential supplies, education and local support services.

The event will take place Saturday, June 27, 2026, at Immanuel Baptist Church, located at 3209 West Hillsboro Street in El Dorado.

The shower is being hosted by TOUCH Coalition, which stands for Tremendous Opportunities for Union County Health, in partnership with Ambetter Health & Wellness, the UAMS Institute for Community Health and the UAMS Family Medicine Clinic.

While supplies last, families attending the event will be able to receive diapers, wipes and baby formula. A free boutique featuring baby clothing and other infant items will also be available.

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Arkansas Children’s Hospital representatives will be on site to provide car-seat safety checks and education. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to bring their child’s car seat to receive guidance on proper installation and use.

Safe-sleep classes will be offered at 10:15 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. Participants who complete one of the classes may receive a portable Pack ’n Play while supplies are available.

More than 30 vendors are expected to participate, offering resources, supplies, educational materials and information about services available to children and families throughout the region.

Organizers say the event is intended to help parents prepare for their new arrival while learning about infant safety, health and community resources in a welcoming environment.

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