Organization of Transportation and Interstellar Infrastructure Guilds (OTIIG)

History

In the wake of the Board for Exploration and Colonisation of Uninhabited Systems creation and the establishment and expansion of the Colonial Volunteers Program discussions within the Assembly shifted to development of the newly settled systems. Energy, particularly refinement and distribution of fuel needed for inter-system travel, was of particular focus. The buzz and excitement was quickly tempered when the full scope of the Colonial Transportation Infrastructure Program (CTIP) contracts were revealed.

After several weeks of frantic negotiations in and out of the Assembly Persila Telef, president of the Common Energy Consortium, proposed the establishment of a new cooperative organization, dubbed the Organization of Transportation and Interstellar Infrastructure Guilds (OTIIG) to fulfill all BECUS requirements and contracts. Comprising the major Idari energy producers (colloquially known as the ‘Seven Sisters of Asta’ or ‘the Big 7’) and the Royal Idari Energy the new organization would collectively fund the foundation of new production and distribution sites with operation and management granted to individual members.

In July, the completed charter for OTIIG was presented to the full Assembly. To the surprise of many, the charter included provisions establishing severe tariffs, licensing fees and other protectionist measures to non-member groups operating within the Aether Reach. When questioned, the Six of Commerce noted these provisions were to ensure stability in the transportation and energy sectors and protect the sizable investments OTIIG would be making in the Aether Reach. The few detractors and competitor guilds that remained saw the clear writing on the wall and spent any and all political capital remaining to ensure their ventures and operations could survive this foundational shift in the Commonwealth energy sector. Through a variety of amendments, many of these guilds were permitted to continue operating under ‘provisional member’ status or maneuvered to have their operation charters excluded from the most severe restrictions, fees and tariffs. Those less fortunate found themselves being approached by various representatives of the Big 7 with offers of interest and acquisition.

Members

Royal Idari Energy

The House of Ida maintains control over a number of assets across Idarast and the Asta system. Maintaining and operating these assets are typically through privately held corporations with management granted to individuals within the royal family or royal appointment. Royal Idari Energy initially held several terrestrial energy generation facilities as well as the first set of FTL fuel reserves created during The Glitch. In the aftermath of the Beacon Wars elements within the Navy and Assembly recognized the need for domestic fuel refinement as a way to support the growing defense fleets and support the burgeoning inter-system trading guilds. In partnership with the largest independent energy guilds at the time, the Troy Project began in the year 200. Completed in 187, the project continues to support the Assembled Commonwealth with domestic FTL fuel refinement to this day.

In the wake of the Idari Crisis the House of Ida was forced to sell off several key assets and installations to newly created independent guilds. Royal Idari Energy was permitted to maintain partial control over the Troy Project refinement facility and several fuel reserve storage facilities but has not been granted any new contracts in decades.

The Big 7

Horizons Energy Group

The second oldest and largest of the ‘Seven Sisters of Asta’ Horizons Energy Group represents a broad coalition of mining and mineral extraction guilds. The group began as some of the earliest mining operations on Idarast and quickly found itself an influential force within the energy market after it had successfully implemented cutting edge processes to double the effective yield of FTL fuel extraction. As the years progressed the group has dedicated more and more resources to surveying and prospecting operations outside of the Asta system in an effort to be the first to exploit new resource concentrations. These early expeditions set the stage for the Board for Exploration and Colonization of Uninhabited Systems and what has now become the Aether Reach.

Evergiving Energy and Logistics

Evergiving Energy and Logistics operates and maintains the largest fleet of FTL fuel transport ships in the Commonwealth. Due to the dangers and complexity of transporting unrefined FTL fuel, this guild has never maintained the profitability levels of its peers. Despite this, it has endured through the years embodying the principles of the common good.

MocTech Consolidated

A chemical supplier for a wide range of industries and markets, MocTech Consolidated maintains large investments in developing and refining processes and technology related to inter-system fuel refining. In the wake of the Beacon Wars, the guild has also shifted into advanced sciences and weapons development. MocTech maintains a close relationship with the Commonwealth Navy and has been awarded numerous defense contracts over the years.

Common Energy Consortium

The largest of Big 7 by market share the Common Energy Consortium (CEC) has a long history dating back to the first settlements on Idarast. For much of Commonwealth history the Consortium and Royal Idari Energy held an effective duopoly over domestic inter-system fuel refining, processing and storage. The Idari Crisis forced diversification and divestment in the energy sector but CEC was able to hold on to a significant number of contracts linked to the Troy Project and maintain its position at the top.

Out-System Technologies

A belter-owned guild granted operational control of the Eger 3 station in the years following the Idari Crisis. While the official charter notes this is in recognition of the humanitarian actions taken during the crisis, many believe this was a move by the newly formed Assembly to curtail the wealth and influence of the House of Ida.

Benzin Associates

A coalition of specialized component and process suppliers and manufacturers created to combat repeated efforts by Common Energy Consortium to absorb key technology and resources to build a streamlined vertically integrated supply chain. Benzin Associates has succeeded in preventing consolidations in the energy sector by leveraging political alliances with other groups of mid/small-scale manufacturers within the Assembly.

Asta Star Enterprises

In the aftermath of the Idari Crisis, the newly formed Assembly moved to limit the influence of the Aetharch by forcing the royal house to divest assets in industries deemed ‘strategic to the Commonwealth’. Asta Star Enterprises emerged to manage and operate these now public assets including the older pre-Troy Project inter-system fuel refinement station at the edge of the Asta system.