MoneyGram Announces Five-Year Extension to Canada Post Partnership

DALLAS, Dec. 23, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — MoneyGram International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MGI), a global leader in cross-border P2P payments and money transfers, today announced a five-year extension to its partnership with Canada Post. This renewal, which runs through December 2025, allows MoneyGram customers to continue to transfer money and pay bills at over 5,000 Canada Post locations throughout Canada, as well as through the Company’s online…

DALLAS, Dec. 23, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — MoneyGram International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MGI), a global leader in cross-border P2P payments and money transfers, today announced a five-year extension to its partnership with Canada Post. This renewal, which runs through December 2025, allows MoneyGram customers to continue to transfer money and pay bills at over 5,000 Canada Post locations throughout Canada, as well as through the Company’s online channel (moneygram.ca) and leading mobile app.

«We are thrilled to extend our partnership with Canada Post for five more years as we continue to execute our plan to grow the largest retail partnerships in major markets,» said Alex Holmes, MoneyGram Chairman and CEO. «For nearly two decades, MoneyGram and Canada Post have collaborated to enable customers in Canada to easily send or receive money to and from family and friends across the globe. Over the years, we have become Canada Post’s preferred partner given the strength of our brand, the breadth of our global platform, and our collaborative strategy to further improve customer experience. The length of the contract term is a testament to the strength of our partnership, and I’m excited about the growth potential ahead.»

Annual immigration in Canada currently amounts to around 300,000 new immigrants, one of the highest rates per population of any country in the world. As of 2019, there were just under eight million immigrants with permanent residence living in Canada which equates to roughly 21.5% of the total Canadian population.1 As such, Canada is a major market for both MoneyGram and Canada Post, and the two organizations will continue to collaborate to meet the ever-changing needs of their mutual customers.

«MoneyGram is a strong partner, and we’re thrilled to extend our successful relationship another five years,» said John Reis, General Manager Retail at Canada Post. «Our large customer base continues to demand this critical service so that they can quickly and conveniently transfer money back home. We have a robust strategy in place, and I’m excited about the opportunities ahead for further growth and customer-centric collaboration.»

About MoneyGram International, Inc.
MoneyGram is a global leader in cross-border P2P payments and money transfers. Its consumer-centric capabilities enable family and friends to quickly and affordably send money in more than 200 countries and territories, with 81 now digitally enabled.

MoneyGram leverages its modern, mobile, and API-driven platform and collaborates with the world’s leading brands to serve millions of people each year through both its walk-in business and its direct-to-consumer digital business.

With a strong culture of innovation and a relentless focus on utilizing technology to deliver the world’s best customer experience, MoneyGram is leading the evolution of digital P2P payments.

For more information, please visit moneygram.com and follow @MoneyGram.

MoneyGram Media Contact
Stephen Reiff
Media@MoneyGram.com 

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SOURCE MoneyGram

Augwind’s Storage System – AirBattery – brings the storage world breakthrough news

YAKUM, Israel, Dec. 23, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Augwind (TASE: AUGN) today announces the results of the tests performed in the proof of technological feasibility stage and assessment of the efficiency of the AirBattery system. The overall efficiency of the system in the context of commercial facilities with a capacity above five megawatts is expected to be in the range of approximately 75-81%, depending on the characteristics…

YAKUM, Israel, Dec. 23, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Augwind (TASE: AUGN) today announces the results of the tests performed in the proof of technological feasibility stage and assessment of the efficiency of the AirBattery system. The overall efficiency of the system in the context of commercial facilities with a capacity above five megawatts is expected to be in the range of approximately 75-81%, depending on the characteristics and the various requirements of each storage project, and the storage system components it comprises.

According to Or Yogev, CEO and Founder of Augwind, «The data presented by Augwind today is excellent news for the world of renewable energies in general and the world of energy storage in particular, both in comparison with lithium batteries and alternative storage solutions. Augwind’s AirBattery system has an energy efficiency that is generally similar to the efficiency of pumped storage stations.

«Compared to a storage system based on lithium batteries, despite their higher initial efficiency, lithium batteries have an obvious disadvantage in that their efficiency and structural capacity fade over the years and necessitate replacement and upgrade for a new storage system every few years or cycles. In addition, lithium-ion systems contain chemical components, some of which are not recyclable, while Augwind’s solution is designed for decades, while also being green, environmentally friendly, and based solely on water and air.»

The advantages of the AirBattery system compared with existing systems:

  • It’s green news: with compare to electro-chemical batteries that require complex supply chain, AirBattery is a first of its kind system, made from water and air.
  • It’s a storage system with decades-long life-span with compare to lithium batteries which require replacement and upgrading every few years.
  • It’s a safe underground storage system that does not require daily maintenance unlike lithium batteries, which require air conditioning systems and strict temperature control (for safety purposes).
  • It provides uniform and fixed efficiency that does not fade compared with battery efficiency, that fades over the years and in consequence require replacement and upgrading with a new battery system.
  • It’s a multi-use system that allows for an unlimited number of cycles.
  • It’s a modular storage system, enablinga range of storage volumes from tens of megawatts per hour and through to hundreds of megawatts per hour without geographic dependency and at a competitive cost compared with lithium-ion technologies.
  • Unlike lithium-ion systems that are inherently at risk of catching fire, the AirBattery system, which is made of air and water, is an underground system that is green and safe both in the operational aspect and in the security aspect (it’s protected from rockets).

Dr. Yogev further added: «Augwind’s AirBattery system, in addition to high efficiency, is breakthrough news as it provides a better solution vis-à-vis lithium battery solutions at almost every possible level. Our storage system, the first of its kind, is made of water, air and earth, which distinguishes it from other storage systems, some of which pollute. AirBattery can be used inexhaustibly without any degradation in performance over decades. Our additional significant advantage lies in our abilities to construct a modular storage system and create storage stations from tens of megawatts per hour and through to hundreds of megawatts per hour without any geographic dependence and at a low cost compared with lithium technologies.

«Any entrepreneurial company setting up solar farms must today address the huge environmental damage caused by using polluting storage systems that are dangerous to the environment compared with the tremendous advantage of AirBattery. A storage solution based on lithium batteries is an environmentally polluting system in the process of manufacturing the batteries, the use of metals that are not readily available, such as lithium, cobalt and nickel, and above all the inability to recycle the batteries at the end of their lifecycle.

«The efficiency data we announce today are based on a beta AirBattery system installed at Yakum at the beginning of the year, which has been tested over many months at all levels of its technology, applied in practice in compression processes using pumps, storage in AirX tanks, and discharge using water turbines. Each charge-discharge cycle was examined from end to end and tested for efficiency. The figures we present today are based on continuous measurements conducted over the past months.»

About Augwind:

Augwind was founded in 2012 by Or Yogev. The company specializes in the development and installation of compressed air storage systems to increase energy efficiency (AirSmart) and for storing energy for the electricity sector and, among other things, doing so from renewable energy electricity generation sources such as PV or wind, which include the storage system developed by Augwind (AirBattery).

Augwind operates on two fronts: the energy storage market and the air compressor market. It operates in both using an underground air compression technology that enables savings of up to 40% in the energy consumption required to compress the air at high pressure. The company’s customers include, among others, global company PepsiCo, Tnuva, Strauss, Iscar, Yotvata, Rapac, IAI, Nesher Cement Industries, Plastic Industries, NILIT, Keter Plastic, Elidan Plastics, and Shalam Packaging Group.

Contact:
Tamir Vieman
Tamir@aug-wind.com

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SOURCE Augwind

Goya Donates 300,000 Pounds Of Food To Catholic Charities Of New York

JERSEY CITY, N.J., Dec. 23, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — With the mission to bring people together by helping those in need, Goya Foods, the largest Hispanic-owned food company in the United States donated 300,000 pounds of food to Catholic Charities of New York. 

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JERSEY CITY, N.J., Dec. 23, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — With the mission to bring people together by helping those in need, Goya Foods, the largest Hispanic-owned food company in the United States donated 300,000 pounds of food to Catholic Charities of New York. 

«During this year of crisis, the Goya family has worked courageously and tirelessly to provide 4 million pounds of nourishing food to those in need around the Country and around the globe. We are grateful to have our work and to have a purpose to rise every morning for God, our families and our Nation. As a result, throughout the year and especially during this Holy Season, we are proud to present the gift of the fruits of our labor to the needy families serviced by Catholic Charities,» said Bob Unanue, President of Goya Foods.

Goya has been a supporter of Catholic Charities for the past five years, donating a total of over 1.5 million pounds of food to people throughout New York City. «The past year has been uniquely challenging with devastating impact on the health and economic security of families in New York’s most vulnerable communities. The need for help with basics such as nutritious food will even increase as the recovery of lost jobs will take years. We are grateful once again for Goya’s generous and long-term support. This Christmas season is most appropriate to highlight the generosity of our donors, staff and volunteers that enable us to provide help and create hope throughout the year,» said Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, Director of Catholic Charities.

This donation is part of the company’s Goya Gives global program and Working for Our Country campaign, which by the end of 2020, Goya will have distributed four million pounds of food to communities throughout the United States. 

To learn more about Goya Gives, please visit: www.goya.com

About Goya Foods

Founded in 1936, Goya Foods, Inc. is America’s largest Hispanic-owned food company, and has established itself as the leader in Latin American food and condiments. Goya manufactures, packages, and distributes over 2,500 high-quality food products from Spain, the Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America. Goya products have their roots in the culinary traditions of Hispanic communities around the world. The combination of authentic ingredients, robust seasonings and convenient preparation makes Goya products ideal for every taste and every table. For more information on Goya Foods, please visit www.goya.com.

For more information, contact:
Natalie J. Maniscalco
845.659.6506 / natalie@retromedianyc.com

 

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SOURCE Goya Foods, Inc.

Labor and community groups sign landmark Community Benefits Agreement with Proterra

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 23, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Jobs to Move America’s community-labor coalition in California along with Proterra, a leading innovator in heavy duty electric transportation, and the United Steelworkers Local 675 (USW 675) today announced the groups have entered into a historic community benefits agreement (CBA) in Los Angeles County.

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 23, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Jobs to Move America’s community-labor coalition in California along with Proterra, a leading innovator in heavy duty electric transportation, and the United Steelworkers Local 675 (USW 675) today announced the groups have entered into a historic community benefits agreement (CBA) in Los Angeles County.

The CBA will lead to transformative investments in Los Angeles communities to train, support, and hire workers for skilled union jobs in zero-emissions bus manufacturing at Proterra’s City of Industry facility.

Under the legally enforceable agreement, Proterra commits to a goal of 50 percent of new hires to be from communities facing significant barriers to employment, including people of color, veterans, and returning citizens.

«To tackle the converging crises of our time — skyrocketing unemployment, systemic racism, and climate change — we need to invest in the communities hardest hit by the pandemic. Our community benefits agreement with Proterra and USW 675 will lay the foundation for a just recovery in Los Angeles by creating pathways into high paying, unionized jobs for working families and communities of color. At a time when the entire country desperately needs a recovery plan, our CBA with Proterra is a model for how community, labor, and private partners can work together to create good jobs and healthy communities,» said Melanie Jamileh Prasad, JMA’s California Director.

«Electric vehicle production presents an opportunity to strengthen American manufacturing, create good paying, skilled jobs, and build a more diverse and inclusive workforce. Proterra is excited to partner with Jobs to Move America and USW 675 as we grow our manufacturing presence in Los Angeles County and work toward our collective goal of healthy communities driven by zero-emission transportation,» said Kelly Scheib, Proterra’s Vice President of Human Resources.

The CBA includes commitments to:

  • Allow for the creation of worker-led groups, such as the Latinx Group and Veterans Groups. JMA, USW 675, and Proterra will be able to jointly review feedback from the groups to identify resources for ongoing worker-identified needs.
  • Develop a pre-hire training program. This objective was realized earlier this year with the launch of a first-of-its-kind Electric Bus Manufacturing technology training program at Proterra.
  • Develop an apprenticeship program.
  • Expand Proterra’s Spanish-English language capacity beginning with the translation of key documents to ensure ESL workers are set up for success.
  • Allow JMA coalition partners to provide ongoing supportive services, such as case management, for workers with employee approval.

Proterra’s City of Industry facility employs over 75 union workers.

USW 675 was officially recognized as the exclusive bargaining representative for Proterra employees when workers voted for union representation in November 2019. Earlier this year, Proterra and USW 675 entered into their first Collective Bargaining Agreement, ensuring worker voice and representation remain central to the long-term health and success of the company.

In October, Proterra along with the Los Angeles County Department of Workforce Development, Aging, and Community Services (WDACS), Proterra, United Steelworkers (USW) Local 675, Jobs to Move America, and Citrus College launched a first-of-its-kind Electric Bus Manufacturing technology training program, which was developed to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and job quality in the green manufacturing sector by targeting historically underrepresented groups with barriers to employment. The customized, nine-week training program taught by Citrus College was designed in partnership with production and assembly management at Proterra, a leading innovator in heavy-duty electric transportation, and will help fill union jobs manufacturing battery-electric buses at Proterra’s City of Industry facility.

###

About Proterra
Proterra is a leader in the design and manufacture of zero-emission, heavy-duty electric vehicles, enabling bus fleet operators to significantly reduce operating costs while delivering clean, quiet transportation to local communities across North America. The company’s configurable ZX5 platform is designed to serve the daily mileage needs of a wide range of transit routes on a single charge. With industry-leading durability and energy efficiency based on rigorous U.S. independent testing, Proterra products are proudly designed, engineered and manufactured in America, with offices in Silicon Valley, South Carolina, and Los Angeles. For more information, visit: http://www.proterra.com and follow us on Twitter @Proterra_Inc.

 

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SOURCE Proterra

MOSS signs partnership to promote Archax carbon offset

SÃO PAULO, Dec. 23, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — MOSS, the first and the world’s largest environmental platform to list carbon credit tokens on crypto exchanges, will be responsible for promoting CO2 offset for Archax and its customers. Archax is the first digital securities exchange authorized by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The partnership, signed in December, aims to operationalize a more sustainable business model for the British exchange.

«We look forward not only to offsetting our own carbon use, but also to…

SÃO PAULO, Dec. 23, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — MOSS, the first and the world’s largest environmental platform to list carbon credit tokens on crypto exchanges, will be responsible for promoting CO2 offset for Archax and its customers. Archax is the first digital securities exchange authorized by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The partnership, signed in December, aims to operationalize a more sustainable business model for the British exchange.

«We look forward not only to offsetting our own carbon use, but also to measuring the ESG rating of all issuances, as well as providing easy access to carbon credit tokens for our customers,» said Graham Rodford, CEO of Archax.

MOSS was founded in the first quarter of 2020 and launched the world’s first carbon credit-backed token, MCO2, used by large companies and individuals to offset CO2 footprints. MCO2 has the largest stock of a carbon credit token: 2 million tons – equivalent to a market value of $36 million.

«Our token democratizes carbon offsetting and considerably increases environmental conservation and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions,» said Luis Felipe Adaime, CEO and Founder of MOSS.

MOSS token has been listed on the Brazilian exchange FlowBTC since September 29, 2020 and will be on the largest exchange in Latin America in January 2021. In addition, it was audited by CertiK (UP Alliance), is underway in the audits of Armanino and EY and has Perkins Coie as legal advisor.

In eight months of existence, MOSS has moved more than 1 million tons of CO2 and has allocated more than US$10 million in revenue for carefully selected Amazon Forest conservation projects.

Find out everything about MCO2, the first and largest tokenized carbon credit in the world:

MCO2 Tearsheet 
MCO2 Presentation 
MCO2 Microsite (with White Paper and etherscan link) 
MCO2 etherscan link

PRESS INFORMATION
DC Comunicação

Virgílio Amaral
+55 (11) 94975-4672
virgilio.amaral@dccomunicacao.com

Thelma Kai
+55 (11) 99018-9999
thelma.kai@dccomunicacao.com

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SOURCE MOSS

SunPower Announces Final Results of Cash Tender Offer for Outstanding 0.875% Convertible Debentures due 2021

SAN JOSE, Calif., Dec. 23, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — SunPower Corporation (NASDAQ:SPWR) (the «Company» or «SunPower«) today announced the expiration and final results of its previously announced tender offer (the «Offer«) to purchase any and all of its outstanding 0.875% Convertible Senior Debentures due 2021 (CUSIP Nos. 867652 AJ8 and 867652 AH2) (the «Convertible Debentures«). 

SAN JOSE, Calif., Dec. 23, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — SunPower Corporation (NASDAQ:SPWR) (the «Company» or «SunPower«) today announced the expiration and final results of its previously announced tender offer (the «Offer«) to purchase any and all of its outstanding 0.875% Convertible Senior Debentures due 2021 (CUSIP Nos. 867652 AJ8 and 867652 AH2) (the «Convertible Debentures«). 

The Offer expired at 12:00 midnight, New York City time (the last minute of the day), on Tuesday, December 22, 2020. As of the expiration of the Offer, $238,949,000 aggregate principal amount of the Convertible Debentures, representing approximately 79.23% of the total Convertible Debentures outstanding, including $193,561,000 aggregate principal amount of the Convertible Debentures held by Total Solar INTL SAS, an affiliate of Total SE («Total«), of which the Company is a majority-owned subsidiary, were validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn). The Company has accepted for purchase all Convertible Debentures that were validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) pursuant to the Offer at the expiration of the Offer at a purchase price equal to $1,000 per $1,000 principal amount of Convertible Debentures, plus accrued and unpaid interest.

The Company expects to pay approximately $239.1 million for the purchase of the Convertible Debentures, including interest, on the settlement date of December 24, 2020. After settlement, $62,634,000 aggregate principal amount of the Convertible Debentures will remain outstanding.

The Company currently intends to repay any Convertible Debentures that remain outstanding on the maturity date of the Convertible Debentures with available cash.

BofA Securities, Inc. acted as sole dealer manager in connection with the Offer. D.F. King & Co., Inc. acted as the Information Agent for the Offer. 

This press release is for informational purposes only and is neither an offer to buy nor the solicitation of an offer to sell any of the Company’s securities.

About SunPower
Headquartered in California’s Silicon Valley, SunPower (NASDAQ:SPWR) is a leading Distributed Generation Storage and Energy Services provider in North America. SunPower offers the only solar + storage solution designed and warranted by one company that gives customers control over electricity consumption and resiliency during power outages while providing cost savings to homeowners, businesses, governments, schools and utilities. For more information, visit www.sunpower.com.

Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to, statements regarding settlement of the tender offer and statements regarding repaying any Convertible Debentures that remain outstanding with available cash. These forward-looking statements are based on our current assumptions, expectations and beliefs and involve substantial risks and uncertainties that may cause results, performance or achievement to materially differ from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, challenges in executing transactions and managing stakeholder relationships. A detailed discussion of these factors and other risks that affect our business is included in filings we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) from time to time, including our most recent reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q, particularly under the heading «Risk Factors.» Copies of these filings are available online from the SEC or on the SEC Filings section of our Investor Relations website at investors.sunpower.com. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information currently available to us, and we assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in light of new information or future events.

©2020 SunPower Corporation. All rights reserved. SUNPOWER and the SUNPOWER logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of SunPower Corporation in the U.S.

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SOURCE SunPower Corp.

First Affirmative Financial Network partners with YourStake.org to equip large network of ESG-focused financial advisors with YourStake.org’s impact reporting solution

NEW YORK, Dec. 23, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — YourStake.org and the First Affirmative Financial Network (FAFN) announce a new…

NEW YORK, Dec. 23, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — YourStake.org and the First Affirmative Financial Network (FAFN) announce a new partnership to equip the sustainable, responsible, and impact (SRI) investing pioneer and their large US network of SRI/environmental, social, and governance (ESG)-specialist advisors with the field-tested YourStake impact reporting solution. Active First Affirmative Network Members will be able to access the YourStake.org suite of services at a substantial discount.

When advisors talk with clients about social + environmental impact, abstract ESG scores don’t suffice. Clients don’t resonate with a simple number score in the same way that they resonate with tangible metrics and stories. And as advisors offer more personalized ESG portfolios, the greater the challenge to convey that sophistication to a layperson client, in intuitive terms they can quickly grasp. Launched at the 2019 SRIConference, YourStake.org’s suite of tools help financial advisors walk a client through their sustainable investing journey.

Patrick Reed, Chief Executive Officer of YourStake.org, said, «First Affirmative already provides their members with extensively customizable ESG portfolios, and we are excited to provide FAFN advisors with enhanced reporting on how their portfolios create tangible impact aligned with client values.»

Advisors can leverage the expertly crafted YourStake.org questionnaires to reveal true client preferences. Those preferences then serve as the basis for a wide range of impact reports, including side-by-side comparisons and relatable narratives, such as «how many fewer asthma attacks» or «how many more meetings led by women» are tied to a certain amount of investment in a sustainable portfolio. All of YourStake.org’s data is fully transparent and communicable – for example, advisors can click to ‘look-through’ the number of asthma attacks to see what companies are held by funds in a portfolio that are linked to air pollution, what amounts of pollution and chemicals come from each of their factories, and what peer reviewed scientific articles relate air pollution to public health outcomes.

Theresa Gusman, Chief Investment Officer of First Affirmative, says, «The number of ESG investors is growing rapidly, and First Affirmative has been at the forefront assisting sustainable wealth managers since 1988. With this partnership, we are delighted to be advancing the forefront of the SRI ecosystem by enabling advisors to communicate to clients the impact their investments are making.»

The YourStake impact reporting features complement First Affirmative’s recently introduced AffirmativESG advisor workstation and its sophisticated portfolio selection process. AffirmativESG allows advisors to work with their clients to build custom portfolios reflecting the client’s financial objectives and unique environmental, social, and ethical values and beliefs. YourStake is particularly well-suited to enable advisors to demonstrate their clients that First Affirmative’s Custom Sustainable Investment Solutions are achieving the desired impact outcomes. Like AffirmativESG, the YourStake platform is intuitive and easy for advisors to use.

Released in 2020, AffirmtivESG employs a sophisticated portfolio construction engine, incorporating eight easily navigable categories of impact preference curated by First Affirmative, with more than 50 sub-categories for further client customization. Companies are placed in these categories following careful vetting using the long-standing research and analysis that sets First Affirmative apart in ESG and SRI, including a proprietary sustainability screen that eliminates poor ESG performers from each industry group. The combination of the First Affirmative and YourStake.org services will enable advisors to deliver standout sustainable investing practices, in a year which has seen immense growth and interest in ESG, with fund inflows exceeding $30 billion this year as of September according to Institutional Investor, an increase of more than four times over 2019.

About YourStake.org YourStake.org was founded to catalyze sustainable investing, by revolutionizing the quality and processing of impact datasets beyond traditional ESG data providers, enabling more people to realize the importance of sustainable investing. Solutions are available for individual RIAs and for enterprises. Contact CEO patrick@yourstake.org for media inquiries.

About the First Affirmative Financial Network Since 1988, First Affirmative has had one mission – to improve investment performance, reduce risk and create a better world by integrating SRI investing with ESG principles. Through their Member Network, First Affirmative helps advisors achieve their clients’ financial and impact objectives, while building a strong community amount its national membership base. Press may reach out to Chief Operating Officer, Amy Thacker, at amythacker@firstaffirmative.com.

Media Contact

patrick reed, yourstake.org, +1 3013327272, patrick@yourstake.org

Amy Thacker, First Affirmative Financial Network, amythacker@firstaffirmative.com

Twitter, Facebook

 

SOURCE YourStake.org

Ameren Missouri takes largest step yet toward net-zero carbon goal with acquisition of its first wind energy center in northeast Missouri

ST. LOUIS, Dec. 23, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Ameren Missouri, a subsidiary of Ameren Corporation (NYSE: AEE), has closed on the acquisition of the company’s first wind energy center, a 400-megawatt (MW) project in northeast Missouri. The purchase of the High Prairie Renewable Energy Center in Adair and Schuyler counties is the first of two planned investments in <span…

ST. LOUIS, Dec. 23, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Ameren Missouri, a subsidiary of Ameren Corporation (NYSE: AEE), has closed on the acquisition of the company’s first wind energy center, a 400-megawatt (MW) project in northeast Missouri. The purchase of the High Prairie Renewable Energy Center in Adair and Schuyler counties is the first of two planned investments in Missouri-based wind generation, which will add 700 MW of clean energy to the grid.

«This is just the beginning, as Ameren Missouri lays the foundation for a transformational advancement toward more renewable wind and solar generation in the coming years, cutting carbon emissions and driving job creation and economic growth,» said Marty Lyons, chairman and president of Ameren Missouri. «Ameren Missouri is committed to clean. Expanding Missouri-based wind energy generation helps us move toward our goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.»

The High Prairie Renewable Energy Center is the first of many renewable energy additions anticipated by Ameren Missouri. The company recently released plans to invest approximately $4.5 billion in 3,100 MW of renewable generation by 2030. This includes $1.2 billion for the planned acquisitions of this energy center and a 300 MW energy center in Atchison County, Missouri.

«All of our customers, no matter where they live, are benefitting from additional clean energy on the grid as a result of this acquisition,» said Ajay Arora, chief renewable development officer at Ameren Missouri. «These turbines use some of the latest technology that harnesses more wind at an affordable price. It’s also very gratifying to see this project built in our state, where families will receive a host of economic benefits for years to come.»

The wind facility was constructed by an affiliate of Terra-Gen LLC. The energy center consists of 175 wind turbines that are among the most technologically advanced in the state. Ameren Missouri anticipates the energy center will produce enough energy to power the equivalent of 120,000 homes in 2021.

«It’s exciting to see how northeast Missouri is making a major contribution to providing cleaner energy for the entire state,» said Carolyn Chrisman, executive director of Kirksville Regional Economic Development (K-REDI). «Besides providing sustainable energy, it is helping to grow the economy of our region from not only construction jobs, but ongoing operations that will provide long term good paying jobs for many years to come!»

Ameren Missouri has been providing electric and gas service for more than 100 years, and the company’s electric rates are among the lowest in the nation. Ameren Missouri’s mission is to power the quality of life for its 1.2 million electric and 132,000 natural gas customers in central and eastern Missouri. The company’s service area covers 64 counties and more than 500 communities, including the greater St. Louis area. For more information, visit Ameren.com/Missouri or follow us on Twitter at @AmerenMissouri or Facebook.com/AmerenMissouri.

Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this release not based on historical facts are considered «forward-looking» and, accordingly, involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed. Although such forward-looking statements have been made in good faith and are based on reasonable assumptions, there is no assurance that the expected results will be achieved. These statements include (without limitation) statements as to future expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, strategies, objectives, events, conditions, and financial performance. In connection with the «safe harbor» provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, we are providing this cautionary statement to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. The following factors, in addition to those discussed under Risk Factors in Ameren’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2020, and elsewhere in this release and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, could cause actual results to differ materially from management expectations suggested in such forward-looking statements:

  • regulatory, judicial, or legislative actions, and any changes in regulatory policies and ratemaking determinations that may change regulatory recovery mechanisms;
  • the length and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, and its impacts on our business continuity plans and our results of operations, financial position, and liquidity, including but not limited to changes in customer demand resulting in changes to sales volumes, customers’ payment for our services and their use of deferred payment arrangements, future regulatory or legislative actions that could require suspension of customer disconnections and/or late fees, among other things, for an extended period of time, the health and welfare of our workforce and contractors, supplier disruptions, delays in the completion of construction projects, which could impact our planned capital expenditures and expected planned rate base growth, Ameren Missouri’s ability to recover any forgone customer late fee revenues or incremental costs, our ability to meet customer energy-efficiency program goals and earn performance incentives related to those programs, increased data security risks as a result of the transition to remote working arrangements for a significant portion of our workforce, and our ability to access the capital markets on reasonable terms and when needed;
  • the effect on Ameren Missouri of any customer rate caps pursuant to Ameren Missouri’s election to use the plant-in-service accounting regulatory mechanism, including an extension of use beyond 2023, if requested by Ameren Missouri and approved by the Missouri Public Service Commission;
  • the effects of changes in federal, state, or local laws and other governmental actions, including monetary, fiscal, and energy policies;
  • the effects of changes in federal, state, or local tax laws, regulations, interpretations, or rates, including as a result of amendments or technical corrections to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, and challenges to the tax positions taken by us, if any;
  • the effects on energy prices and demand for our services resulting from technological advances, including advances in customer energy efficiency, electric vehicles, electrification of various industries, energy storage, and private generation sources, which generate electricity at the site of consumption and are becoming more cost-competitive;
  • the effectiveness of Ameren Missouri’s customer energy-efficiency programs and the related revenues and performance incentives earned under its Missouri Energy Efficiency Investment Act programs;
  • our ability to align overall spending, both operating and capital, with frameworks established by our regulators and to recover these costs in a timely manner in our attempt to earn our allowed return on equity;
  • the cost and availability of fuel, such as low-sulfur coal, natural gas, and enriched uranium used to produce electricity; the cost and availability of purchased power, zero emission credits, renewable energy credits, and natural gas for distribution; and the level and volatility of future market prices for such commodities and credits, including our ability to recover the costs for such commodities and credits and our customers’ tolerance for any related price increases;
  • the effectiveness of our risk management strategies and our use of financial and derivative instruments;
  • the ability to obtain sufficient insurance, including insurance for Ameren Missouri’s nuclear and coal-fired energy centers, or, in the absence of insurance, the ability to recover uninsured losses from our customers;
  • the impact of cyberattacks on us or our suppliers, which could, among other things, result in the loss of operational control of energy centers and electric and natural gas transmission and distribution systems and/or the loss of data, such as customer, employee, financial, and operating system information;
  • business and economic conditions, which have been affected by, and will be affected by the length and severity of, the COVID-19 pandemic, including the impact of such conditions on interest rates;
  • disruptions of the capital markets, deterioration in our credit metrics, or other events that may have an adverse effect on the cost or availability of capital, including short-term credit and liquidity;
  • the actions of credit rating agencies and the effects of such actions, including any impacts on our credit ratings that may result from the economic conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic;
  • the inability of our counterparties to meet their obligations with respect to contracts, credit agreements, and financial instruments;
  • the impact of weather conditions and other natural phenomena on us and our customers, including the impact of system outages;
  • the construction, installation, performance, and cost recovery of generation, transmission, and distribution assets;
  • the effects of failures of electric generation, electric and natural gas transmission or distribution, or natural gas storage facilities systems and equipment, which could result in unanticipated liabilities or unplanned outages;
  • the operation of Ameren Missouri’s Callaway Energy Center, including planned and unplanned outages, and decommissioning costs;
  • Ameren Missouri’s ability to recover the remaining investment, if any, and decommissioning costs associated with the retirement of an energy center, as well as the ability to earn a return on that remaining investment and those decommissioning costs;
  • the impact of current environmental laws and new, more stringent, or changing requirements, including those related to the New Source Review provisions of the Clean Air Act, carbon dioxide and the implementation of the Affordable Clean Energy Rule, other emissions and discharges, cooling water intake structures, coal combustion residuals, and energy efficiency, that could limit or terminate the operation of certain of Ameren Missouri’s energy centers, increase our operating costs or investment requirements, result in an impairment of our assets, cause us to sell our assets, reduce our customers’ demand for electricity or natural gas, or otherwise have a negative financial effect;
  • the impact of complying with renewable energy standards in Missouri;
  • Ameren Missouri’s ability to acquire wind, solar, and other renewable energy generation facilities and recover its cost of investment and related return in a timely manner, which is affected by the ability to obtain all necessary project approvals; the ability of developers to meet contractual commitments and complete projects timely, which is dependent upon the availability of necessary materials and equipment, including those that are affected by the disruptions in the global supply chain caused by the COVID-19 pandemic; and Ameren Missouri’s ability to obtain a certificate of convenience and necessity from the Missouri Public Service Commission or any other required approvals for the addition of renewable resources, retirement of energy centers, and new or continued customer energy-efficiency programs;
  • the availability of federal production and investment tax credits related to renewable energy and Ameren Missouri’s ability to use such credits; the cost of wind, solar, and other renewable generation and storage technologies; and our ability to obtain timely interconnection agreements with the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. or other regional transmission organizations at an acceptable cost for each facility;
  • advancements in carbon-free generation and storage technologies, and constructive federal and state energy and economic policies with respect to those technologies;
  • labor disputes, work force reductions, changes in future wage and employee benefits costs, including those resulting from changes in discount rates, mortality tables, returns on benefit plan assets, and other assumptions;
  • the impact of negative opinions of us or our utility services that our customers, investors, legislators, or regulators may have or develop, which could result from a variety of factors, including failures in system reliability, failure to implement our investment plans or to protect sensitive customer information, increases in rates, negative media coverage, or concerns about environmental, social, and/or governance practices;
  • the effects of strategic initiatives, including mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures;
  • legal and administrative proceedings; and
  • acts of sabotage, war, terrorism, or other intentionally disruptive acts.

New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all of such factors, nor can it assess the impact of each such factor on the business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained or implied in any forward-looking statement. Given these uncertainties, undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements. Except to the extent required by the federal securities laws, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect new information or future events.

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SOURCE Ameren Corporation

Nikola and Republic Services End Collaboration on Refuse Truck

PHOENIX, Dec. 23, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Nikola Corporation (NASDAQ: NKLA) announced today that Nikola and Republic Services (NYSE: RSG) have discontinued their collaboration on refuse truck development.

PHOENIX, Dec. 23, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Nikola Corporation (NASDAQ: NKLA) announced today that Nikola and Republic Services (NYSE: RSG) have discontinued their collaboration on refuse truck development.

The goal of the collaboration was to design and build an industry-first fully integrated refuse truck based on a zero-emissions battery-electric drive platform and body while also integrating multiple new systems into a new state-of-the-art vehicle.  

After considerable collaboration and review, both companies determined that the combination of the various new technologies and design concepts would result in longer than expected development time, and unexpected costs. As a result, the program is being terminated resulting in the cancellation of the previously announced vehicle order.

«This was the right decision for both companies given the resources and investments required,» said Nikola CEO Mark Russell. «We support and respect Republic Services’ commitment to achieving environmentally responsible, sustainable solutions for their customers. Nikola remains laser-focused on delivering on our battery-electric and fuel-cell electric commercial truck programs, and the energy infrastructure to support them.» 

Nikola has laid out a roadmap that begins deliveries of Nikola Tre battery-electric semi-trucks in the US in 2021. Nikola is also planning to break ground on its first commercial hydrogen station in 2021. The company’s fuel-cell-electric semi-trucks will be produced at Nikola’s Coolidge, Arizona facility beginning in 2023. 

About Nikola Corporation
Nikola Corporation is globally transforming the transportation industry. As a designer and manufacturer of zero-emission battery-electric and hydrogen-electric vehicles, electric vehicle drivetrains, vehicle components, energy storage systems, and hydrogen station infrastructure, Nikola is driven to revolutionize the economic and environmental impact of commerce as we know it today. Founded in 2015, Nikola Corporation is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona. For more information, visit www.nikolamotor.com or Twitter @nikolamotor.com.

Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements included in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally are accompanied by words such as «believe,» «may,» «will,» «estimate,» «continue,» «anticipate,» «intend,» «expect,» «should,» «would,» «plan,» «predict,» «potential,» «seem,» «seek,» «future,» «outlook,» and similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, Nikola’s belief that termination was the right decision for both parties; and Nikola’s beliefs regarding the expected timing of delivery of various business milestones, including delivery of the Nikola Tre, breaking ground on Nikola’s first commercial hydrogen station and commencement of production of fuel-cell-electric semi-trucks in Coolidge, Arizona. These statements are based on various assumptions and on the current expectations of Nikola’s management and are not predictions of actual performance. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: risks related to the rollout of the company’s business and the timing of expected business milestones, including production difficulties or delays; the effects of competition on the company’s future business; the availability of capital; general economic, financial, legal, political and business conditions and changes in domestic and foreign markets; the potential effects of COVID-19; the impact of judicial, regulatory or administrative proceedings to which the company is, or may become a party;  and the other risks discussed under the heading «Risk Factors» in Nikola’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2020 other reports and documents Nikola files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. If any of these risks materialize or Nikola’s assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof and Nikola specifically disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Nicole Rose
nicole.rose@nikolamotor.com
480-660-6893

Colleen Robar
crobar@robarpr.com 
313-207-5960

 

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SOURCE Nikola Corporation

ReneSola Power Announces $20.0 Million Registered Direct Offering

STAMFORD, Conn., Dec. 23, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — ReneSola Ltd («ReneSola Power» or the «Company»)  (www.renesolapower.com) (NYSE: SOL), a leading fully integrated solar project developer, today announced that it entered into securities purchase agreements with several institutional investors for the purchase and sale of approximately 2.105 million of American Depositary Shares (ADSs), each representing ten (10) ordinary shares,…

STAMFORD, Conn., Dec. 23, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — ReneSola Ltd («ReneSola Power» or the «Company»)  (www.renesolapower.com) (NYSE: SOL), a leading fully integrated solar project developer, today announced that it entered into securities purchase agreements with several institutional investors for the purchase and sale of approximately 2.105 million of American Depositary Shares (ADSs), each representing ten (10) ordinary shares, at a purchase price of $9.50 per ADS, in a registered direct offering.  The registered direct offering is expected to close on or about December 28, 2020, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

H.C. Wainwright & Co. is acting as the exclusive placement agent for the offering. Roth Capital Partners is acting as financial advisor for the offering.

The gross proceeds from the registered direct offering are expected to be approximately $20.0 million before deducting placement agent fees and other offering expenses. The Company intends to use the net proceeds for expanding new solar project pipeline and general working capital need.

The securities described above are being offered pursuant to a «shelf» registration statement (File No. 333-240293) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on August 3, 2020 and declared effective on August 11, 2020. Such securities may be offered only by means of a prospectus, including a prospectus supplement, forming a part of the effective registration statement. A prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relating to the offering of the securities will be filed with the SEC. Electronic copies of the prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relating to the offering of the securities may be obtained, when available, on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov or by contacting H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC at 430 Park Avenue, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10022, by e-mail: placements@hcwco.com or by telephone: (646) 975-6996.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor there any sales of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such jurisdiction.

About ReneSola Power

ReneSola Power (NYSE: SOL) is a leading global solar project developer and operator. The Company focuses on solar power project development, construction management and project financing services. With local professional teams in more than 10 countries around the world, the business is spread across a number of regions where the solar power project markets are growing rapidly, and can sustain that growth due to improved clarity around government policies. The Company’s strategy is to pursue high-margin project development opportunities in these profitable and growing markets; specifically, in the U.S. and Europe, where the Company has a market-leading position in several geographies, including Poland, Hungary, Minnesota and New York.

 Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains statements that constitute »forward-looking» statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Whenever you read a statement that is not simply a statement of historical fact (such as when the Company describes what it «believes,» «plans,» «expects» or «anticipates» will occur, what «will» or «could» happen, and other similar statements), you must remember that the Company’s expectations may not be correct, even though it believes that they are reasonable. Furthermore, the forward-looking statements are mainly related to our ability to complete the registered direct offering and satisfy the closing conditions related to the offering, the intended use of net proceeds from the registered direct offering, the Company’s continuing operations and you may not be able to compare such information with the Company’s past performance or results. The Company does not guarantee that the forward-looking statements will happen as described or that they will happen at all. Further information regarding risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements is included in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company’s annual report on Form 20-F. The Company undertakes no obligation, beyond that required by law, to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the statement is made, even though the Company’s situation may change in the future, except as required by law.

 

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SOURCE ReneSola Ltd.