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The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: ConocoPhillips, Sunoco, ExxonMobil, Chevron ...

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Here are highlights from Wednesday's Analyst Blog:

Conoco to Shed Trainer Refinery

ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP ) plans to either sell or close its refinery unit in Trainer, Pennsylvania, as well as associated pipelines and terminals, after being unable to cope with foreign imports, lower fuel demand and strict regulations. The move also reminds us of the U.S. oil company's objective to get rid of unprofitable refinery units.

The company's intent was made more obvious by its decision to immediately idle the facility and eventually permanently close the Trainer refinery, should it fail to ink any divestiture agreement within six months. The proposed sale would result in a non-cash asset impairment charge of about $300 million in the third quarter of 2011. Plus the closure would make the East Coast more dependent on energy imports from Europe and Eastern Canada.

The Trainer refinery –– located on Delaware River in Trainer, Pennsylvania –– processes 185 thousand barrels of mainly light, low-sulfur crude oil daily. The unit receives crude oil from West Africa and Canada and generates high proportions of transportation fuels, such as gasoline, diesel fuel and jet fuel, along with home heating oil, residual fuel oil and liquefied petroleum gas. It mainly serves Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey.

SAMHSA Announces Grants Awards Totaling Up ... - EMR Daily News

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is announcing up to $13.2 million in new grants to support the expansion of health information technology (HIT) in health care settings that serve people with mental and substance use disorders.

As part of this new initiative, 47 community health centers working to integrate primary care and behavioral health services will receive a one year grant for $200,000. The grant will be used to develop health information technology infrastructure and expand the use of electronic health records (EHRs). Once the EHR systems are in place, patients and providers can have ready access to the latest information on effective treatments and support systems, and exchange health information through secure means with appropriate patient permission.

In addition, SAMHSA is announcing a $3.8 million grant award to assist community health centers and state designated agencies with their efforts to implement electronic health records. The grant award is being made to the National Council on Community Behavioral Health Care to enhance SAMHSA efforts underway to integrate primary and behavioral health care in community based settings.

“Electronic health records improve quality, accountability, and cost effectiveness of health care services,” said SAMHSA Administrator, Pamela S. Hyde, J.D. “Persons with behavioral health problems often have significant physical health issues as well. These grants are a critical down payment on the health information technology investment needed to ensure behavioral health service providers are fully interoperable with the general health system.”

“Making meaningful use of EHRs represents the foundation for better health, improved care and lower costs,” said National Coordinator for Health IT Dr. Farzad Mostashari. “EHRs offer providers the tools necessary to give patients, including those with mental health and substance use problems, the right care at the right time while protecting patient privacy and security.

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