Spruce Power Expands Business Model to Offer Energy Storage, EV Chargers to its 80,000 Customers

HOUSTON, Feb. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Spruce Power, a Power-as-a-Service™ company with roots in both energy efficiency and residential solar energy, announced it now offers integrated smart energy systems, enabling customers to optimize and secure their existing solar-powered homes by adding battery storage and smart electric vehicle (EV) chargers. As the largest private owner and operator of distributed generation residential solar assets in the U.S., <a…

HOUSTON, Feb. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Spruce Power, a Power-as-a-Service™ company with roots in both energy efficiency and residential solar energy, announced it now offers integrated smart energy systems, enabling customers to optimize and secure their existing solar-powered homes by adding battery storage and smart electric vehicle (EV) chargers. As the largest private owner and operator of distributed generation residential solar assets in the U.S., Spruce Power already serves 80,000 homeowners with leased solar energy systems or energy efficiency upgrades, managing billing and providing operations and maintenance (O&M) services. 

One of the first residential power companies to offer customers the ability to add home batteries as a retrofit to existing solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, the company formerly known as Spruce Finance has also unveiled its new company name, Spruce Power. The name change reflects its broader commitment to helping homeowners securely supply, store and manage their home’s energy, while providing investors with access to the expanding residential renewable energy asset class.

«Spruce Power is extending our business model and product offerings to deliver comprehensive energy solutions to our large customer base,» said Christian Fong, CEO of Spruce Power. «The future of power is distributed, clean and smart. As early adopters of solar, our customer base is eager to add complementary technologies that make their homes more resilient and equipped for an electrified future.»

As part of this transition, Spruce Power has launched a new website at www.sprucepower.com. The updated website not only connects users to the company’s servicing arm, Energy Service Experts (ESE), but also creates a new channel for homeowners to access next-generation product offerings. As a leader in home power systems, Spruce is continually evaluating partnerships to bring advanced distributed energy resource technologies to market.

«We are uniquely positioned to support homeowners who want to maximize their clean energy impact with home energy management systems,» said Fong. «Spruce manages a network of more than 100 maintenance and installation partners in 16 of the leading states where rooftop solar systems have been deployed. This infrastructure provides our customers with local support services ranging from performance analysis to solar maintenance, and battery sizing to back-up power installation.»

The expansion of Spruce’s business model aligns with the needs of the changing residential renewable energy market. Spruce pivoted from loan origination to asset ownership and created ESE for asset management and maintenance in 2017 after restructuring and receiving an investment from HPS Investment Partners. This announcement follows a series of large portfolio acquisitions and capital raisings, with Spruce most recently acquiring two portfolios totaling more than 10,000 solar PV systems.

About Spruce Power
Spruce Power is the largest private owner and operator of distributed generation residential solar assets in North America. Through our subsidiary, Energy Service Experts, we offer a comprehensive, end-to-end servicing solution for our customers with more than 80,000 PV systems and upwards of 330 MW of installed capacity. Headquartered in Houston with executive offices in San Francisco and Boulder, Spruce manages or is actively acquiring operating residential and commercial and industrial solar assets and power purchase agreements in North America. For additional information, visit www.sprucepower.com.

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SOURCE Spruce Power

HIV Organizations Announce Racial Justice Index to Remedy Disconnect Between HIV Leadership and Community Impact

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Leading up to National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, AIDS United and its Public Policy Council, composed of 55 of the nation’s leading organizations dedicated to ending HIV, are announcing they have launched the Racial Justice Index. AIDS United is working collaboratively with the Black AIDS Institute, a Public Policy Council member, to guide this work. After the summer of 2020 that ushered in a racial reckoning in America, this novel initiative…

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Leading up to National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, AIDS United and its Public Policy Council, composed of 55 of the nation’s leading organizations dedicated to ending HIV, are announcing they have launched the Racial Justice Index. AIDS United is working collaboratively with the Black AIDS Institute, a Public Policy Council member, to guide this work. After the summer of 2020 that ushered in a racial reckoning in America, this novel initiative aims to create awareness — and eventually sustainable change — around the misalignment between who holds power and resources in HIV organizations and the epidemic’s disproportionate impact on Black Americans.

The Racial Justice Index is part of a series of outcomes that emerged from more than two years of conversations led by leaders of color among the Public Policy Council and was made more urgent by the national outcry for racial justice. In June 2020, AIDS United, along with 53 members of its Public Policy Council and more than 20 other HIV organizations, issued an open letter to all elected officials calling for all policies to be enacted through a racial justice and equity framework. The Index’s mission is to assess and improve the HIV sector’s commitment to racial equity by creating assessment tools and resources to combat anti-Black racism and other forms of racism that will first be analyzed in PPC organizations and then the HIV sector. This includes hiring practices, leadership, talent retention and decision-making in the HIV movement. The Index’s methodical implementation process will seek to onboard HIV organizations to respond to an online national survey that will inform a publicly-released report, which will facilitate critical leadership conversations among HIV stakeholders.

The initiative will be guided by the Racial Justice Index Committee, a committee formed out of AIDS United’s Public Policy Council and co-chaired by Raniyah Copeland, president and CEO of Black AIDS Institute, and A. Toni Young, CEO, Community Education Group — nationally renowned Black leaders in the HIV community. The PPC and the Index committee are managed by Carl Baloney Jr., AIDS United vice president for policy and advocacy. AIDS United Board members, Dr. Kimberley Jeffries Leonard, president of Links Inc., and Dr. David Holtgrave, Dean of the University at Albany School of Public Health, SUNY, have also been instrumental in assisting in the creation of the Index. The committee includes HIV service and advocacy organizations from across the country. The work of the Racial Justice Index will first assess how leadership in the HIV movement reflects the communities most impacted and will later aim to provide training and capacity building to root out white supremacy in HIV organizations’ work.

«As a Black man living with HIV, I am very proud of our diverse coalition of organizations making this commitment to racial justice. Since the start of the HIV epidemic, AIDS United has played an active role to ensure that all who are living with and vulnerable to HIV receive the care they need. We are in a moment where the HIV sector — and the health care sector as a whole — must look inward and ask ourselves if our structures and decisions truly reflect the people and needs of those most impacted by the epidemic. The Public Policy Council has always pushed for responsiveness and inclusiveness across the HIV sector. This carries that work forward in these pressing times when health inequities are at our nation’s forefront. We cannot end HIV without ending the systemic racism that is too often embedded in processes that result in the disparities in new infections and lack of access to care. I know it is time for change, and we are eager to put in the required work to end racist inequities and the imprint of systemic racism in our sector.» Jesse Milan Jr., President and CEO, AIDS United

«For 21 years, the Black AIDS Institute has led the fight to end HIV from a uniquely and unapologetically Black lens. With Black Empowerment as a central value, our leadership and our staff represent the communities we serve. By partnering with AIDS United and drawing from the intersectional expertise of the 55 Public Policy Council organizations, the Racial Justice Index will catalyze the prioritization of Black leadership, resource allocation, and capacity building. If we are committed to ending HIV within our lifetimes, rectifying the stain of white supremacy in how we do our work must be of the utmost priority.» — Raniyah Copeland, President and CEO, Black AIDS Institute, co-chair of AIDS United’s Racial Justice Index Committee

«HIV, HCV and Substance Use Disorder rage through Black and poor rural communities across the United States, it is critical the organizations are equipped to address the needs or Black people in the rural and Southern communities.  The Racial Index will provide a tool for organizations to better develop staff and meet the growing needs of Black and brown communities.»  — A. Toni Young, Founder and Executive Director, Community Education Group, co-chair of AIDS United’s Racial Justice Index Committee

«We are proud of the AIDS United Public Policy Council for deepening our commitment to racial justice through the important and urgent work to create the racial justice index. This initiative will help us examine the HIV sector’s commitment to racial equity and empower us all with the resources needed to end the HIV epidemic, starting with our own organizations.»
— AIDS United Public Policy Council Co-Chairs Bill Keeton, Vivent Health vice president and chief advocacy officer, and Dr. Tyler TerMeer, Cascade AIDS Project chief executive officer

«On National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, I join AIDS United’s Public Policy Council to celebrate the launch of the Racial Justice Index, an initiative designed for HIV service organizations to conduct internal reviews aimed at eliminating racist structures, policies, and hiring practices within them. The HIV/AIDS epidemic’s disproportionate impact on Black Americans is rooted in systemic racism and the Racial Justice Index provides a tool for HIV organizations to reassess their internal structures. The Racial Justice Index is a much needed mechanism to center racial equity at the core of the HIV sector’s commitment to ending the HIV epidemic.» — Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Co-Chair of the Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus

«I applaud AIDS United for launching the Racial Justice Index on National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. The HIV/AIDS pandemic has had a devastating impact upon African Americans and other communities of color. In order for AIDS service and advocacy organizations to effectively address these devastating disparities, they must accurately reflect the demographics of the people who need their services.»
— Congresswoman Maxine Waters

ABOUT AIDS UNITED
AIDS United’s mission is to end the HIV epidemic in the U.S. through strategic grant-making, capacity building and policy. AIDS United works to ensure access to life-saving HIV care and prevention services and to advance sound HIV-related policy for populations and communities most impacted by the U.S. epidemic. To date, AIDS United’s strategic grant-making initiatives have directly funded more than $104 million to local communities and have leveraged more than $117 million in additional investments for programs that include, but are not limited to, HIV prevention, access to care, capacity building, harm reduction and advocacy. Learn more at www.aidsunited.org

ABOUT BLACK AIDS INSTITUTE
Founded in 1999, Black AIDS Institute (BAI) is the only uniquely and unapologetically Black think and do tank in America. Our mission is «to stop the AIDS epidemic in Black communities by engaging and mobilizing Black institutions and individuals to confront HIV.» Black Empowerment is our central theme and we are led by people who represent the issues we serve. We source our capacity building, mobilization, and advocacy efforts from Black leaders and communities across the country, and provide culturally respectful, high-quality, HIV prevention and care services for Black people in Los Angeles. Learn more at https://blackaids.org

ABOUT AIDS UNITED PUBLIC POLICY COUNCIL
AIDS United’s Public Policy Council is the nation’s largest and longest-running policy coalition of community-based HIV organizations. Supported by the AIDS United Policy Department, the Public Policy Council brings together organizations from across the United States to advocate for people living with or impacted by HIV/AIDS and the organizations that serve them. The Public Policy Council operates as a standing committee of the AIDS United Board of Trustees, informing the policy priorities of the organization. Learn more at www.aidsunited.org

PRESS CONTACT for BLACK AIDS INSTITUTE:
Michelle Huff Elliott | Simone Smalls
Strategic Heights Media
290784@email4pr.com 
212-634-7176

PRESS CONTACT for AIDS UNITED:
Warren Gill
AIDS United
290784@email4pr.com 

 

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SOURCE Black AIDS Institute

La Familia Agency, LLC Joins Fiesta Insurance

LAS VEGAS, Feb. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Fiesta Insurance, a leading retail franchisor of insurance and tax services, today continued its expansion in distributing insurance and services in an innovative and collaborative approach to the Hispanic community, with the acquisition of La Familia Agency, LLC (LFAI).

With this transaction, Fiesta Insurance expands its footprint in the state of Texas, and within corporately owned storefront locations.  LFAI, based in…

LAS VEGAS, Feb. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Fiesta Insurance, a leading retail franchisor of insurance and tax services, today continued its expansion in distributing insurance and services in an innovative and collaborative approach to the Hispanic community, with the acquisition of La Familia Agency, LLC (LFAI).

With this transaction, Fiesta Insurance expands its footprint in the state of Texas, and within corporately owned storefront locations.  LFAI, based in Dallas, is a profitable and growing independent insurance agency chain distributing insurance and other services across 67 locations. LFAI will maintain the La Familia Auto Insurance name and company-owned storefront business model.

«We welcome LFAI, their knowledgeable and experienced management team and employees, and are thrilled to add such an innovative, fast-growing organization that complements our mission of serving the Hispanic community,» said John Hollar, CEO of Fiesta Insurance. «We are excited to continue to provide the highest service standards while helping our clients navigate required and essential, but often confusing, financial products like insurance and tax services.»

LFAI is a leading provider of insurance products at the right price for the Hispanic community in Texas.   

«We are very excited to join an amazing team, who, like us, works extremely hard to serve the Hispanic community in their local neighborhood,» said Danish Charanya, co-founder and President of LFAI. «This is great news for our customers, and our employees.»

The co-founders of LFAI: Danish Charanya, Anil Wastani, Aly Manji, and Faizan Wastani have been instrumental in shaping LFAI’s culture, and the evolution of products for the Hispanic community, and they will continue to do so in support of growing Fiesta Insurance and LFAI in the future.

About Fiesta Insurance Acquisition, Inc.

Fiesta Insurance Acquisition, Inc., through its principal subsidiary, Fiesta Insurance Franchise Corporation, is a retail franchisor of insurance products and services. Founded in 1999, Fiesta Insurance now has over 80 franchisees operating over 240 retail stores in 10 states. Fiesta Insurance is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada.

About La Familia Agency, LLC

La Familia Agency, LLC is an independent insurance agency distributing insurance and services through retail storefronts in Texas. Formed in 2010, the company has grown to 67 stores and over 200 employees serving the Hispanic community. La Familia Agency, LLC is headquartered in Dallas, Texas.

Media Contact:

Steve Minster
Fiesta Insurance Franchise Corporation
290482@email4pr.com
615-541-9495

 

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SOURCE Fiesta Insurance Franchise Corporation

Bureau of Reclamation Partners with NASA Tournament Lab and HeroX to Crowdsource Innovative Solution to Limit Water Loss in Canals

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), the nation’s largest wholesale water supplier, in partnership with <a target="_blank"…

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), the nation’s largest wholesale water supplier, in partnership with NASA Tournament Lab (NTL) and HeroX, the leading crowdsourcing platform for solutions to global problems, today announced the crowdsourcing competition «Water America’s Crops Challenge.» The challenge calls on the global community of solvers to find an innovative, low-cost, and durable solution that will help reduce water seepage from Reclamation’s canals. Reclamation’s 8,116 miles of canals deliver water across six regions of the Western U.S. and collectively serve over 30 million customers and support 10 million acres of farmland that produce 60% of the nation’s vegetables and 25% of its fruits and nuts. This challenge seeks to reduce the amount of water lost during transport to Reclamation’s customers.

Water conservation has always been a critical initiative, but it has grown more important in the face of extreme droughts, floods, and other climate events. One way to conserve water is to reduce water losses, and specifically seepage of water into the subsurface. Seepage is the gradual loss of water through the base or walls of a canal, and represents the most significant cause of water loss in canals. Seepage may occur through permeable soils, through bedrock fractures, or a combination of both mechanisms. If not adequately addressed, seepage may result in a canal failure, which could be catastrophic for surrounding communities.

Reclamation currently employs a variety of methods for reducing seepage in canals. However, current methods have tradeoffs among effectiveness at reducing water loss, durability, and maintenance requirements—each of which can increase costs for Reclamation and the communities it serves.

This challenge seeks engineering innovations that reduce or eliminate these tradeoffs with an effective, durable, low-maintenance, and cost-effective solution that can address canal seepage in a variety of regions and conditions.

«This is the sort of challenge the HeroX community is made for,» said Christian Cotichini, CEO of HeroX. «The water seepage problem impacts a critical part of our infrastructure, and we are in need of innovations that are effective and economically sustainable.This is where the crowd can step in, with brilliant minds working worldwide to protect one of our most valuable resources: our water.»

The Challenge: The Bureau of Reclamation is seeking to accelerate new approaches and solutions for reducing seepage that can demonstrate strong performance in a laboratory environment and quickly scale toward field testing and commercialization. Solvers whose proposals are chosen as finalists will receive a prize purse at the end of Phase 1; testing and performance results of their prototype at Reclamation labs at the end of Phase 2; and an opportunity to pitch to Reclamation customers and communities at a showcase event after the end of Phase 2. The winner of the challenge will exhibit strong technical performance and be well-positioned to attract customers in Reclamation communities after the challenge is won. 

To learn more and become a solver, visit www.herox.com/WaterAmericasCrops

ABOUT HEROX

HeroX is a social network for crowdsourcing innovation and human ingenuity, co-founded in 2013 by serial entrepreneur, Christian Cotichini and XPRIZE Founder and Futurist, Peter Diamandis. HeroX offers a turnkey, easy-to-use platform that supports anyone, anywhere, to solve everyday business and world challenges using the power of the crowd. Uniquely positioned as the Social Network for Innovation, HeroX is the only place you can build, grow and curate your very own crowd.

Media Contact:
Alexandra Pony 
290380@email4pr.com
250.858.0656

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SOURCE HeroX

S&P Global Announces Ambitious Climate Actions on Its Way to Achieving Net Zero by 2040

NEW YORK, Feb. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI) announced ambitious targets to reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions with the goal of countering the adverse effects of climate change, supporting a net-zero economy and publicly reinforcing its commitment to sustainable corporate citizenship.

The Company committed to a 25% reduction in emissions by 2025 using 2019 as a base year. These targets were recently validated by the <a target="_blank"…

NEW YORK, Feb. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI) announced ambitious targets to reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions with the goal of countering the adverse effects of climate change, supporting a net-zero economy and publicly reinforcing its commitment to sustainable corporate citizenship.

The Company committed to a 25% reduction in emissions by 2025 using 2019 as a base year. These targets were recently validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), a partnership between CDP, the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) that drives ambitious climate action in the private sector by enabling companies to set science-based emissions reduction targets. Through actions taken to achieve these planned emissions reductions, S&P Global aims to be net-zero by 2040.

«Global firms play a significant role in addressing the environmental challenges that affect us all, and at S&P Global, we embrace this responsibility,» said Ewout Steenbergen, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for S&P Global. «We are proud that the SBTi validated our goals and see them as a step forward in S&P Global’s sustainability journey, building on our long history of transparency and disclosure – including our early support for the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures.»

Highlights of S&P Global’s commitments include:

  • A 25% reduction in emissions by 2025 from a 2019 base year, including both absolute scope 1 and 2 emissions from operations as well as absolute scope 3 emissions from business travel.
  • A target covering scope 1 and 2 emissions that is consistent with reductions required to keep warming to 1.5°C, the most ambitious scenario available in the SBTi process.

S&P Global also continues to lead in its commitment to proactive and transparent disclosure, and in its 2020 TCFD report, became one of the first companies to introduce a Carbon Adjusted Earnings Per Share metric into its financial reporting. The measure – calculated based on the theoretical cost per share of the tons of CO2 in each period subtracted from regular earnings per share – provides greater transparency into the cost of carbon emissions from company operations and integrates climate change considerations in the decision-making process.

Steenbergen recently signed the CFO Net Zero Statement of Support organized by Accounting for Sustainability (A4S), where he joined other global financial leaders in committing to continued emissions reductions in support of the transition to a net-zero emissions economy. He serves as a founding member of the East Coast Chapter of the A4S CFO Leadership Network.

Further demonstrating the Company’s focus on climate action, S&P Global is a proud sponsor of UN Climate Change to support and advance work for global climate action, particularly through upcoming events such as COP26 (the 26th UN Climate Change Conference).

The Company has also signed on to the Business Ambition for 1.5º C, reiterating its commitment to work toward a 1.5º C scenario on the road to a zero-emissions economy.

«Climate stewardship is a key focus of our broader sustainability efforts,» said Annette O’Hanlon, Chief Corporate Responsibility & Diversity Officer for S&P Global. «Through our work with UN Climate Change, as well as our support for Business Ambition for 1.5º C, we are contributing to tangible progress in bringing about a more sustainable future.»

To read S&P Global’s latest Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report and learn more about the Company’s work to promote sustainability, visit the S&P Global website.

About S&P Global
S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI) is the world’s foremost provider of credit ratings, benchmarks and analytics in the global capital and commodity markets, offering ESG solutions, deep data and insights on critical economic, market and business factors. We’ve been providing essential intelligence that unlocks opportunity, fosters growth and accelerates progress for more than 160 years. Our divisions include S&P Global Ratings, S&P Global Market Intelligence, S&P Dow Jones Indices and S&P Global Platts. For more information, visit www.spglobal.com.

Media Contact
Tara Powers
Director, Communications
646-335-3662
tara.powers@spglobal.com 

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SOURCE S&P Global

National Alliance for Hispanic Health Delivers New Social Media Narratives on COVID-19 Prevention and Vaccination

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — «The toll of COVID-19 on Hispanic communities has been devastating. With more than 25 million cases in the country, COVID-19 death rates are 2.8 times higher for Hispanics compared to non-Hispanic whites. We have lost far too many and for far too long effective public health practices have not been adequately supported by policymakers,» said Jane L. Delgado, PhD, MS, President and CEO of the National Alliance for…

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — «The toll of COVID-19 on Hispanic communities has been devastating. With more than 25 million cases in the country, COVID-19 death rates are 2.8 times higher for Hispanics compared to non-Hispanic whites. We have lost far too many and for far too long effective public health practices have not been adequately supported by policymakers,» said Jane L. Delgado, PhD, MS, President and CEO of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health.

«Today in our ongoing efforts to support individuals and families with tools and information they can use, we are launching a bilingual campaign in support of addressing concerns about COVID-19 vaccination and encouraging vaccination in Hispanic communities as well as supporting «The Three Ws» («Las Tres Ms» in Spanish) campaign that focuses on three steps to protect ourselves: Wear a mask, Watch your distance, and Wash your hands. All messages feature the bilingual and toll-free Su Familia Helpline (1-866-783-2645) for answers to questions and connection to services in your community,» continued Dr. Delgado.

The graphic-based narratives are being distributed on social media through the Alliance’s community-based organization network that provides health and human services to 15 million persons annually. They are also available on the Alliance’s social media including Facebook (@healthyamericas), Twitter (@health4americas), and Instagram (@health4americas), as well as online at www.healthyamericas.org or in Spanish at www.nuestrasalud.org.

«We must each do our part and support each other. It is more important than ever that we all follow the three Ws, get vaccinated when our turn becomes available, and protect ourselves and each other. If we each do our part, together we will make it through this and be a stronger and more connected community and nation,» concluded Dr. Delgado.

About the National Alliance for Hispanic Health (The Alliance)
The Alliance is the nation’s foremost science-based source of information and trusted advocate for the health of Hispanics in the United States with a mission to achieve the best health for all. For more information visit us at www.healthyamericas.org

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1432983/COVID_vaccine_graphic.jpg

SOURCE National Alliance for Hispanic Health

National Alliance for Hispanic Health Delivers New Social Media Narratives on COVID-19 Prevention and Vaccination

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — «The toll of COVID-19 on Hispanic communities has been devastating. With more than 25 million cases in the country, COVID-19 death rates are 2.8 times higher for Hispanics compared to non-Hispanic whites. We have lost far too many and for far too long effective public health practices have not been adequately supported by policymakers,» said Jane L. Delgado, PhD, MS, President and CEO of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health….

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — «The toll of COVID-19 on Hispanic communities has been devastating. With more than 25 million cases in the country, COVID-19 death rates are 2.8 times higher for Hispanics compared to non-Hispanic whites. We have lost far too many and for far too long effective public health practices have not been adequately supported by policymakers,» said Jane L. Delgado, PhD, MS, President and CEO of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health.

«Today in our ongoing efforts to support individuals and families with tools and information they can use, we are launching a bilingual campaign in support of addressing concerns about COVID-19 vaccination and encouraging vaccination in Hispanic communities as well as supporting «The Three Ws» («Las Tres Ms» in Spanish) campaign that focuses on three steps to protect ourselves: Wear a mask, Watch your distance, and Wash your hands. All messages feature the bilingual and toll-free Su Familia Helpline (1-866-783-2645) for answers to questions and connection to services in your community,» continued Dr. Delgado.

The graphic-based narratives are being distributed on social media through the Alliance’s community-based organization network that provides health and human services to 15 million persons annually. They are also available on the Alliance’s social media including Facebook (@healthyamericas), Twitter (@health4americas), and Instagram (@health4americas), as well as online at www.healthyamericas.org or in Spanish at www.nuestrasalud.org.

«We must each do our part and support each other. It is more important than ever that we all follow the three Ws, get vaccinated when our turn becomes available, and protect ourselves and each other. If we each do our part, together we will make it through this and be a stronger and more connected community and nation,» concluded Dr. Delgado.

About the National Alliance for Hispanic Health (The Alliance)
The Alliance is the nation’s foremost science-based source of information and trusted advocate for the health of Hispanics in the United States with a mission to achieve the best health for all. For more information visit us at www.healthyamericas.org

 

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SOURCE National Alliance for Hispanic Health

Alianza Nacional para la Salud de los Hispanos ofrece nuevas narrativas en las redes sociales sobre la prevención y vacunación contra COVID-19.

WASHINGTON, 4 de febrero de 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ —  «El costo de COVID-19 en las comunidades hispanas ha sido devastador. Con más de 25 millones de casos en el país, las tasas de muerte por COVID-19 son 2.8 veces más altas para los hispanos en comparación con los blancos no hispanos. Hemos perdido demasiadas personas y durante mucho tiempo las prácticas efectivas de salud pública no han sido apoyadas adecuadamente por los formuladores de políticas», dijo Jane L. Delgado, PhD,…

WASHINGTON, 4 de febrero de 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ —  «El costo de COVID-19 en las comunidades hispanas ha sido devastador. Con más de 25 millones de casos en el país, las tasas de muerte por COVID-19 son 2.8 veces más altas para los hispanos en comparación con los blancos no hispanos. Hemos perdido demasiadas personas y durante mucho tiempo las prácticas efectivas de salud pública no han sido apoyadas adecuadamente por los formuladores de políticas», dijo Jane L. Delgado, PhD, MS, Presidenta y Directora Ejecutiva de la Alianza Nacional para la Salud de los Hispanos.

«Hoy, en nuestros esfuerzos para apoyar a las personas y familias con herramientas e información que puedan usar, estamos lanzando una campaña bilingüe que aborda las preocupaciones sobre la vacunación contra COVID-19 y fomenta la vacunación en las comunidades hispanas. También apoyamos la campaña «Las Tres M’s» (The 3 Ws en inglés) que se enfoca en tres pasos para protegernos a nosotros mismos: Usa una máscara, mantén  tu distancia y las manos limpias. Todos los mensajes incluyen la línea de ayuda bilingüe y gratuita Su Familia (1-866-783-2645) para obtener respuestas a preguntas y conexión con los servicios en su comunidad», continuó la Dra. Delgado.

Las narrativas gráficas se están distribuyendo en las redes sociales a través de la red de organizaciones comunitarias de la Alianza que brinda servicios humanos y de salud a 15 millones de personas al año. También están disponibles en Facebook (@healthyamericas), Twitter (@health4americas), Instagram (@health4americas), www.healthyamericas.org o en español en www.nuestrasalud.org.

«Todos debemos hacer nuestra parte y apoyarnos mutuamente. Es muy importante que todos sigamos las tres Ms, nos vacunemos cuando nuestro turno esté disponible y nos protejamos a nosotros mismos y a los demás. Si cada uno de nosotros pone de su parte, juntos lo superaremos y seremos una comunidad y una nación más fuerte y conectada», concluyó la Dra. Delgado.

Acerca de la Alianza Nacional para la Salud de los Hispanos (La Alianza)
La Alianza es la principal fuente de información basada en la ciencia de la nación y un defensor confiable de la salud de los hispanos en los Estados Unidos, cuya misión es lograr una mejor salud para todos. Para obtener más información, visítenos en www.nuestrasalud.org 

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FUENTE National Alliance for Hispanic Health

Econic Crop Solutions is Pleased to Announce the Successful Completion of a Third Pilot Business Venture

NAPLES, Fla., Feb. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Econic Crop Solutions Inc, a Division of ZA Group Inc. (OTCMKTS: ZAAG) is pleased to announce the successful completion of a third pilot business venture located at the Gitsigukla First Nation in British Columbia, Canada. The Gitsigukla community is strategically located in the northern part of the province where it is surrounded by communities that use traditional medicines. The community has been and continues to be…

NAPLES, Fla., Feb. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Econic Crop Solutions Inc, a Division of ZA Group Inc. (OTCMKTS: ZAAG) is pleased to announce the successful completion of a third pilot business venture located at the Gitsigukla First Nation in British Columbia, Canada. The Gitsigukla community is strategically located in the northern part of the province where it is surrounded by communities that use traditional medicines. The community has been and continues to be recognized for its business and cultural leadership in the past. Dancers from Gitsigukla were prominent in the Opening Ceremonies for the Vancouver Winter Olympics in 2010 and leaders from the community are frequently consulted upon for their resource development expertise.

Econics takes particular pride in having funded this third $100,000 project and the company looks forward to launching directly into the expansion program with Gitsigukla. Firstly, revenue projections are right on target and the community has already put the necessary infrastructure in place to expand to a 100 pod commercial indoor grow facility for medical cannabis products. Secondly, this expansion project has received unanimous support from band council and the whole community participated in the selection of a name and logo for the new facilities. The name—Gandi-mox means «to heal oneself». Thirdly, because of the large regional market for the traditional medicines from cannabis, Gitsigukla is also committed to establishing an on-location dispensary.

As further demonstration of the regional support for the business venture, Gitsigukla is having discussions to become a regional training centre for cannabis and hemp production and processing. Their training program will be similar to that currently in place at Olds College in Alberta.

Clifford Sampare, a spokeperson for this project, led a Gitsigukla First Nation pilot project in 2010-2012 which involved provincial government and university funds in a commercial hemp production pilot project. The success of that pilot led to the issuance of the first commercial hemp license in Canada to Gitsigukla First Nation. Mr. Sampare stated, «The hemp project was successful beyond everyone’s expectations. We are excited to have the assistance of Econic in building year round cannabis production facilities and then further utilize the vast lands under our ownership to work with Econics in producing cancer-fighting hemp products during the summer growing season.»    

Wade Eno, CEO of Econic stated, «I have enjoyed a great relationship with the leaders of Gitsigukla and I share their excitement for this venture. They have the natural resources needed to achieve success and most importantly, the community will benefit from the extensive youth employment and career opportunities. The vast regional market for the medicinal products means financial success for all.»

John Morgan, President of ZA Group, stated, «Today marks another milestone for Econic through demonstration of success in another ground-breaking business venture with a prominent First Nations community. Success always builds upon itself.»

 

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SOURCE Econic Crop Solutions Inc

Entergy Corporation Names John Weiss as Vice President of Sustainability and Environmental Policy

NEW ORLEANS, Feb. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Entergy Corporation (NYSE: ETR), a national leader in sustainability and environmental stewardship, today named John Weiss as vice president of sustainability and environmental policy.

NEW ORLEANS, Feb. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Entergy Corporation (NYSE: ETR), a national leader in sustainability and environmental stewardship, today named John Weiss as vice president of sustainability and environmental policy.

Weiss will begin his new role effective Feb. 8, and will report to Mike Twomey, Entergy’s senior vice president of federal policy, regulatory and governmental affairs. He succeeds Chuck Barlow, who retired from the company last year.

«John’s extensive experience on environmental, social and governance matters positions him well to advance Entergy’s already strong value proposition of delivering long-term, sustainable results for all stakeholders,» said Twomey. «John will be an important voice with our stakeholders as we work toward achieving our net-zero emissions by 2050 commitment and other important ESG targets.»

Weiss brings seven years of sustainability integration and strategic leadership experience to the role. He comes to Entergy from the Boston-based sustainability nonprofit organization Ceres, where he served as senior director for the last two years and helped drive engagement with large energy and energy-related U.S. companies, focusing on sustainable business strategies, corporate governance and operational performance.

Prior to joining Ceres in 2013, Weiss spent more than 20 years as a consultant to clients in the public and private sectors on a broad range of environmental and energy-related issues. He also previously worked at Cambridge Energy Research Associates, where he developed and communicated strategic insights to global energy industry clients.

Weiss earned a bachelor’s degree in geological sciences from Brown University and a Master of Science degree in technology and policy from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Learn more about Entergy’s longstanding commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship by visiting entergy.com/sustainability.

About Entergy Corporation

Entergy Corporation (NYSE: ETR) is an integrated energy company engaged primarily in electric power production and retail distribution operations. Entergy owns and operates power plants with approximately 30,000 megawatts of electric generating capacity, including 8,000 megawatts of nuclear power. Entergy delivers electricity to 2.9 million utility customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Entergy has annual revenues of $11 billion and approximately 13,600 employees.

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SOURCE Entergy Corporation