Washington State House Vote Advances 2030 Gas Car Phaseout Bill: a Historic Milestone, says Coltura

SEATTLE, Feb. 23, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Washington made history when the State House Transportation Committee voted late yesterday to advance legislation calling for all model year 2030 or later passenger and light-duty vehicles sold in the state to be electric vehicles (EVs). Introduced by Rep. Nicole Macri (D-Seattle), <a target="_blank"…

SEATTLE, Feb. 23, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Washington made history when the State House Transportation Committee voted late yesterday to advance legislation calling for all model year 2030 or later passenger and light-duty vehicles sold in the state to be electric vehicles (EVs). Introduced by Rep. Nicole Macri (D-Seattle), Clean Cars 2030 (HB 1204) sets the first 2030 gas car phaseout target in the country.

«This vote builds on our incredible track record here in Washington leading on big climate issues,» said Rep. Macri. «Clean Cars 2030 puts Washington on the road to powering its vehicles with cheap, clean, renewable electricity produced in-state and reduces the threat that oil and gasoline pose to our air, water, and health.»

«This is the first time in history that a state legislative body has voted to end the use of gasoline,» said Matthew Metz, co-executive director of Coltura, the nonprofit leading a coalition of organizations rallying around this bill. «By setting a target date for the transition to electric vehicles, Clean Cars 2030 builds clarity around the future growth of the state’s EV market. We’re not resting until this bill becomes law.»

Since Clean Cars 2030 was introduced, GM announced plans to sell only zero-emissions models by 2035, and Ford said it would only sell electric vehicles in Europe by 2030. Passage of the Clean Cars 2030 bill will serve as a model for other states to make an accelerated switch to EVs, putting more of the U.S. in line with countries worldwide pushing for a 2030 phaseout of gas vehicles, a critical step to meet urgent carbon reduction goals. It will also give the Biden administration leverage in negotiating with automakers on an accelerated timeline for a national gas car phaseout while providing added certainty to the industry that the all-EV future is near and that investment in it will be profitable.

More information about Clean Cars 2030 is available at www.coltura.org/washington-clean-cars.

About Coltura

Coltura is working to improve climate, health, and equity by accelerating the transition from gasoline and diesel to cleaner alternatives. It focuses on changing gasoline supply, gasoline demand, and gasoline culture through innovative legal and policy pathways, media, and art. Learn more at www.coltura.org.

Media Contact
Samara Villasenor
425-255-0890
292126@email4pr.com

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SOURCE Coltura

Utilice la etiqueta de información nutricional para elegir opciones alimentarias buenas para el corazón

SILVER SPRING, Maryland, 23 de febrero de 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — ¿Sabía que febrero es el Mes Nacional del Corazón en los Estados Unidos? Según los <a target="_blank"…

SILVER SPRING, Maryland, 23 de febrero de 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — ¿Sabía que febrero es el Mes Nacional del Corazón en los Estados Unidos? Según los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades (CDC, por sus siglas en inglés), las enfermedades del corazón son la principal causa de muerte en los Estados Unidos. La etiqueta de información nutricional actualizada de la Administración de Alimentos y Medicamentos de los Estados Unidos es una herramienta que le puede ayudar a elegir opciones alimentarias sanas para su corazón.

  • Las porciones por envase muestra la cantidad total de porciones que contiene el envase o paquete de alimentos. Es común que un paquete de alimentos contenga más de una porción.
  • El tamaño de la porción se basa en la cantidad del alimento que se acostumbra ingerir en una sóla comida. No es una recomendación de cuánto se debe comer.
  • Las calorías hace referencia a la cantidad total de calorías que contiene una porción del alimento en cuestión.
  • El % de valor diario (%VD) muestra la cantidad de un nutriente que una porción del alimento contribuye al total de la dieta diaria.
  • Los nutrientes: la etiqueta de información nutricional le puede ayudar a aprender, comparar y monitorear los nutrientes contenidos en muchos alimentos de su dieta.
    • Nutrientes que debería reducir: grasas saturadas, sodio y azúcares añadidas.
    • Nutrientes que debería consumir más: fibra, vitamina D, calcio, hierro y potasio.

A continuación le presentamos una forma de utilizar la información contenida en la etiqueta de información nutricional para ayudarle a elegir alimentos saludables y reducir el riesgo de desarrollar presión arterial alta o enfermedades del corazón:

  • Revise el tamaño de la porción y el número de porciones que come o bebe para determinar cuánto está consumiendo de cada nutriente.
  • Determine sus necesidades calóricas. 2,000 calorías al día es la recomendación general nutricional. Identifique la cantidad que usted requiere en https://www.myplate.gov/es/myplate-plan.
  • Utilice el %VD para determinar si una porción del alimento aporta mucho o poco de un nutriente específico, y compare diferentes tipos de alimentos (recuerde asegurarse de que los tamaños de la porción sean iguales al compararlas). Como regla general:
    • El 5% del VD o menos de un nutriente por porción se considera bajo.
    • El 20% del VD o más de un nutriente por porción se considera alto.
  • Limite el sodio en su dieta a menos de 2,300 mg al día.
  • Limite las grasas saturadas en su dieta a menos del 10 % de las calorías del día (por ejemplo, 20 gramos al día con base en una dieta de 2,000 calorías diarias).
  • Limite las calorías de azúcares añadidas a menos del 10 % de las calorías totales del día (por ejemplo, 200 calorías o 50 gramos de azúcares añadidas al día con base en una dieta de 2,000 calorías diarias).
  • Consuma una dieta rica en fibra, vitaminas y minerales, en especial vitamina D, calcio, hierro y potasio. Para esto, elija una amplia variedad de alimentos que sean buena fuente de esos nutrientes, ya que muchas personas no alcanzan a consumir las cantidades recomendadas.

Visite la página web de la etiqueta de información nutricional para aprender sobre esta de una manera interactiva: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/InteractiveNutritionFactsLabel/es-default.cfm

Para obtener más información sobre cómo utilizar la etiqueta de información nutricional y hacer decisiones alimentarias informadas, visite www.fda.gov/nutritioneducation (disponible sólo en inglés)

Contacto: Medios: 1-301-796-4540; Consumidores: 1-888-SAFEFOOD (línea sin costo)

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FUENTE U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Liberty Public Schools Receives $20,000 for Propane-Fueled School Buses

LIBERTY, Mo., Feb. 23, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — The Missouri Propane Education & Research Council presented Liberty Public Schools a check for $20,000 for its purchase of 10 new Blue Bird propane autogas school buses. The emissions- and cost-reducing propane school buses are currently in service for the district’s daily and activity routes, which have decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic.

«By choosing propane buses, we are…

LIBERTY, Mo., Feb. 23, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — The Missouri Propane Education & Research Council presented Liberty Public Schools a check for $20,000 for its purchase of 10 new Blue Bird propane autogas school buses. The emissions- and cost-reducing propane school buses are currently in service for the district’s daily and activity routes, which have decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic.

«By choosing propane buses, we are seeing dramatic cost savings. Money saved in transportation becomes available for other education expenses related to the classroom,» said Jeff Baird, transportation director for Liberty Public Schools. «Taking care of our students’ needs is top priority because they’ve sacrificed so much during the pandemic, and our propane buses help us do that.»

Baird heard about the benefits other school districts in the area experienced after switching to propane school buses. Liberty Public Schools’ most recent diesel price is $1.86 per gallon, while locked in at $0.79 per gallon for propane. He says the district expects to cut its fuel costs by 35% on propane buses.

«There are now more than 300 propane school buses operating in Missouri. Liberty Public Schools joins other districts across the state not only experiencing the economic benefits, but also improving the health of its students, drivers and community,» said Steve Ahrens, president and CEO of MOPERC. «These buses are clean-operating and eliminate strong-smelling fumes and harmful tailpipe emissions found with diesel buses.»

The rebate presented to the school district is part of MOPERC’s Clean Bus Replacement Plan, which has committed $1 million to help Missouri school districts transition from diesel to propane buses. The plan offers rebates of $2,000 per propane bus, up to 10 per district, at the time of delivery. «By helping Liberty Public Schools lower its acquisition cost of these propane school buses, the district is lowering its transportation operations costs with lower fuel and maintenance costs,» Ahrens added.

In addition to its Clean Bus Replacement Plan, MOPERC offers a Zero Percent Financing plan where districts can get 0% interest loans through lease purchase financing up to $300,000.

Liberty Public Schools, which received its new buses in early January, is in the process of installing an on-site fuel station with an 18,000-gallon tank. Representatives from Liberty Public Schools, Central States Bus Sales, MOPERC and CHS, Inc. attended the check presentation on Feb. 19 at the district’s Support Services building.

About MOPERC: The Missouri Propane Education & Research Council is a not-for-profit organization authorized by the Missouri Legislature. Dedicated to propane education and public awareness, MOPERC provides industry training, consumer safety, appliance rebates and market development programs. The council is composed of 15 volunteer directors and administered by an executive staff. Visit http://www.PropaneMissouri.com.

Media Contact

Adrianna Amato, Missouri Propane Education & Research Council, 480.201.2639, adrianna@tsncommunications.com

 

SOURCE Missouri Propane Education & Research Council

Colgate Launches The Bright Smiles Kids Awards

NEW YORK, Feb. 23, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ —  A toothy tune, a dental dish or a scientific smile? Anything is possible in Colgate’s Bright Smiles Kids Awards, which will unleash the creativity of young people to inspire healthy dental habits and celebrate National Children’s Dental Health Month.

<img id="prnejpgdcf5left" title=" " border="0" alt=" " align="middle" imagelabel="General"…

NEW YORK, Feb. 23, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ —  A toothy tune, a dental dish or a scientific smile? Anything is possible in Colgate’s Bright Smiles Kids Awards, which will unleash the creativity of young people to inspire healthy dental habits and celebrate National Children’s Dental Health Month.

Hosted by Bright Smiles, Bright Futures (BSBF)®, Colgate’s children’s oral health education initiative, the Bright Smiles Kids Awards is accepting entries from groups of children – ages 6-14 – who submit videos, or slide presentations of musical, scientific, artistic, journalistic, technology-focused, culinary or other projects highlighting the importance of oral health. Children must be enrolled in schools, clubs, after school programs or activities hosted by formal organizations. Submissions will be reviewed by local advisory panels, and grants of up to $1,000 will be awarded to the schools or organizations supporting winners in Colgate BSBF’s nine regions. A first-place national award winner and two runners-up – eligible for up to $5,000 in grants – will be determined by a live public vote at the Bright Smiles Kids Awards event presented virtually in May.

Entries should include a video or slide presentation, up to two minutes long, that showcases and describes the project. All entries require the signed support of a school or formal organization. They must also be submitted to the Colgate Bright Smiles Kids Awards website, https://bit.ly/colgatekidsawards. YouTube video URLs will also be accepted.

In announcing the award, Dr. Gillian Barclay, Colgate’s Vice President Global Public Health and Scientific Affairs, said: «Looking at the world through the eyes of children, there are limitless opportunities to inspire the change we want to see in the world. Colgate understands that good oral health is one of the building blocks to a bright future. We are enlisting children to help raise awareness, encourage their friends and families to maintain healthy teeth and gums, and pursue a Zero Cavity Future.»

The deadline for submitting entries to the Bright Smiles Kids Awards is March 19, 2021. Terms and conditions for the program and additional information are available on the awards website and via https://bit.ly/bska-rules-regulations

About Colgate-Palmolive
Colgate-Palmolive Company is a caring, innovative growth company reimagining a healthier future for people, their pets and our planet. Focused on Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care and Pet Nutrition and reaching more than 200 countries and territories, Colgate teams are developing and selling health and hygiene products and pet nutrition offerings essential to society through brands such as Colgate, Palmolive, elmex, meridol, Tom’s of Maine, hello, Sorriso, Speed Stick, Softsoap, Irish Spring, Protex, Sanex, Filorga, eltaMD, PCA Skin, Ajax, Axion, Fabuloso, Soupline and Suavitel, as well as Hill’s Science Diet and Hill’s Prescription Diet. Colgate seeks to deliver strong, consistent business results and superior shareholder returns and to provide Colgate people with an innovative and inclusive work environment. Colgate does this by developing and selling products globally that make people’s lives healthier and more enjoyable and by embracing its sustainability, diversity, equity and inclusion and social responsibility strategies across the organization. For more information about Colgate’s global business, its efforts to improve the oral health of children through its Bright Smiles, Bright Futures program and how the Company is building a future to smile about, visit www.colgatepalmolive.com

About Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures
Established in 1991, Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures provides free oral health education, dental screenings, and treatment referrals to children ages 1-12 in underserved areas. Through its mobile dental van program, award-winning in-school oral health curriculum, and grass-roots efforts, BSBF has reached more than 1.3 million children in more than 80 countries around the world.

 

SOURCE Colgate-Palmolive Company

Colgate Launches The Bright Smiles Kids Awards

NEW YORK, Feb. 23, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — A toothy tune, a dental dish or a scientific smile? Anything is possible in Colgate’s Bright Smiles Kids Awards, which will unleash the creativity of young people to inspire healthy dental habits and celebrate National Children’s Dental Health Month.

<a href="https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1442363/Colgate_Logo.html" target="_blank"…

NEW YORK, Feb. 23, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — A toothy tune, a dental dish or a scientific smile? Anything is possible in Colgate’s Bright Smiles Kids Awards, which will unleash the creativity of young people to inspire healthy dental habits and celebrate National Children’s Dental Health Month.

Hosted by Bright Smiles, Bright Futures (BSBF)®, Colgate’s children’s oral health education initiative, the Bright Smiles Kids Awards is accepting entries from groups of children – ages 6-14 – who submit videos, or slide presentations of musical, scientific, artistic, journalistic, technology-focused, culinary or other projects highlighting the importance of oral health. Children must be enrolled in schools, clubs, after school programs or activities hosted by formal organizations. Submissions will be reviewed by local advisory panels, and grants of up to $1,000 will be awarded to the schools or organizations supporting winners in Colgate BSBF’s nine regions. A first-place national award winner and two runners-up – eligible for up to $5,000 in grants – will be determined by a live public vote at the Bright Smiles Kids Awards event presented virtually in May.

Entries should include a video or slide presentation, up to two minutes long, that showcases and describes the project. All entries require the signed support of a school or formal organization. They must also be submitted to the Colgate Bright Smiles Kids Awards website, https://bit.ly/colgatekidsawards. YouTube video URLs will also be accepted.

In announcing the award, Dr. Gillian Barclay, Colgate’s Vice President Global Public Health and Scientific Affairs, said: «Looking at the world through the eyes of children, there are limitless opportunities to inspire the change we want to see in the world. Colgate understands that good oral health is one of the building blocks to a bright future. We are enlisting children to help raise awareness, encourage their friends and families to maintain healthy teeth and gums, and pursue a Zero Cavity Future.»

The deadline for submitting entries to the Bright Smiles Kids Awards is March 19, 2021. Terms and conditions for the program and additional information are available on the awards website and via https://bit.ly/bska-rules-regulations

About Colgate-Palmolive
Colgate-Palmolive Company is a caring, innovative growth company reimagining a healthier future for people, their pets and our planet. Focused on Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care and Pet Nutrition and reaching more than 200 countries and territories, Colgate teams are developing and selling health and hygiene products and pet nutrition offerings essential to society through brands such as Colgate, Palmolive, elmex, meridol, Tom’s of Maine, hello, Sorriso, Speed Stick, Softsoap, Irish Spring, Protex, Sanex, Filorga, eltaMD, PCA Skin, Ajax, Axion, Fabuloso, Soupline and Suavitel, as well as Hill’s Science Diet and Hill’s Prescription Diet. Colgate seeks to deliver strong, consistent business results and superior shareholder returns and to provide Colgate people with an innovative and inclusive work environment. Colgate does this by developing and selling products globally that make people’s lives healthier and more enjoyable and by embracing its sustainability, diversity, equity and inclusion and social responsibility strategies across the organization. For more information about Colgate’s global business, its efforts to improve the oral health of children through its Bright Smiles, Bright Futures program and how the Company is building a future to smile about, visit www.colgatepalmolive.com

About Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures
Established in 1991, Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures provides free oral health education, dental screenings, and treatment referrals to children ages 1-12 in underserved areas. Through its mobile dental van program, award-winning in-school oral health curriculum, and grass-roots efforts, BSBF has reached more than 1.3 million children in more than 80 countries around the world.

 

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SOURCE Colgate-Palmolive Company

City Wide Facility Solutions: 60 Years of Simplifying Facility Management

LENEXA, Kan., Feb. 23, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — City Wide Facility Solutions is celebrating 60 years in business; a milestone the company plans to celebrate all year long.  

LENEXA, Kan., Feb. 23, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — City Wide Facility Solutions is celebrating 60 years in business; a milestone the company plans to celebrate all year long.  

Formerly known as City Wide Maintenance Company, the newly rebranded City Wide Facility Solutions was founded by Frank Oddo in 1961 in Kansas City, Missouri as a traditional janitorial service. In 1998, the company transitioned to managing facility solutions for clients through the use of independent contractors and expanded to providing single-source solutions for 20+ interior and exterior services. Now, it has grown to nearly 70 locations across the United States and Canada, employs more than 900 people throughout its Home Office and franchise locations and manages janitorial services for more than 400 million square feet every night. 

«It has been extremely rewarding to see how much City Wide has changed and grown since my dad began this company in 1961,» said Jeff Oddo, CEO and owner of City Wide Facility Solutions. «I am very grateful to everyone who has been a part of the City Wide team over the years – each person involved has contributed to the building blocks of City Wide. Most importantly, I’m thankful to our clients who have allowed us to be an extension of their teams for 60 years.»

Growth remains a major focus as the company moves towards the future. Through the years, City Wide’s business model has proven to be resilient and capable of handling growth. The company has remained headquartered in the Kansas City area since 1961 and has continued to be a family affair. Jeff Oddo, son of Frank Oddo, stepped into the role of president and CEO in 1996. Since then, City Wide has evolved and adapted with the times in order to be «The First Choice» for its clients, employees, franchise owners, independent contractors and vendors.

There is another milestone to celebrate this year – City Wide Franchise, the franchisor counterpart of the company, was founded 20 years ago, in 2001. Over the past 18 months, City Wide Franchise touts several notable recognitions from Entrepreneur, Inc. 5000 and Franchise Times; opened its first franchise location in Canada; hit more than $390 million in systemwide revenue; moved into a new 28,000 square foot Home Office in Lenexa, Kansas; and updated its branding to reflect its look towards the future.

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SOURCE City Wide Facility Solutions

National Grid Renewables Breaks Ground on 200 MW Prairie Wolf Solar Project in Illinois

MINNEAPOLIS, Feb. 23, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — National Grid Renewables, which includes the renewables development company formerly known as Geronimo Energy, announced today the start of construction on the 200 megawatt (MW) Prairie Wolf Solar Project (Prairie Wolf) in Coles…

MINNEAPOLIS, Feb. 23, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — National Grid Renewables, which includes the renewables development company formerly known as Geronimo Energy, announced today the start of construction on the 200 megawatt (MW) Prairie Wolf Solar Project (Prairie Wolf) in Coles County, Illinois. The project is poised to generate millions in tax revenue, landowner income and charitable initiatives, all while adding more clean energy to the electric grid.

«I think the Prairie Wolf Solar Project is a win-win for everybody,» said Wes Humphres, a landowner in the Prairie Wolf project area. «It’s going to be a huge benefit to the schools and other taxing bodies in the project area, and it will create and support jobs in the local community.»

As previously announced in 2020, Prairie Wolf has an executed Virtual Power Purchase Agreement (VPPA) with Cargill, marking the second renewable energy VPPA contracted between Cargill and National Grid Renewables, the first being for a portion of the Crocker Wind Farm in Clark County, South Dakota.

«The groundbreaking of the Prairie Wolf Solar Project is an exciting step forward in Cargill’s work to support renewable energy as a way to change the way we power our operations, harnessing the innovative, economic and environmental benefits of renewable power,» stated Eric Hoegger, Director, Global Renewable Energy for Cargill. «We are honored to continue partnering with National Grid Renewables as we work to fulfill our commitment to reduce CO2 emissions by 10% by 2025, measured against a 2017 baseline.»

Industry-leading Engineering, Construction, and Procurement (EPC) contractor, Swinerton Renewable Energy has been contracted to construct Prairie Wolf. The Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) located project is anticipated to begin operation by the end of 2021.

«The renewable energy sector is positioned for unprecedented growth in the coming years,» said George Hershman, President of Swinerton Renewable Energy. «The development of large-scale, impactful projects like Prairie Wolf in newer solar markets like Illinois will be vital in helping our industry reach its ambitious goals and expand access to clean energy for more Americans. We applaud National Grid Renewables for their leadership in the Midwest.»

Using the United States’ Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) greenhouse gas equivalencies calculator, the project is estimated to offset carbon dioxide emissions by 285,000 metric tons annually. Prairie Wolf will also benefit local and statewide economies through the production of new tax revenue, the creation of new jobs, increased local spending during construction and a local charitable fund estimated to contribute $800,000 over the first 20 years of project operation.

«Prairie Wolf is on the leading edge of the large-scale solar energy industry in the Midwest,» stated David Reamer, Head of Development, U.S. Onshore Renewables for National Grid Renewables. «We are thankful to the community members in Coles County for welcoming us and look forward to bringing economic development to the local area. Further, we are pleased to partner with leading companies like Cargill and Swinerton Renewable Energy to prove that Midwest solar is economic, valuable, and the right choice for customers and businesses.»

About National Grid Renewables
National Grid Renewables, part of the competitive, unregulated National Grid Ventures division of National Grid (NYSE: NGG), develops, owns and operates large-scale renewable energy assets across the United States, including solar, wind and battery storage. As a farmer-friendly and community-focused business, National Grid Renewables develops projects for corporations and utilities that seek to repower America’s electricity grid by reigniting local economies and reinvesting in a sustainable, clean energy future.

National Grid Renewables has a robust development pipeline of wind, solar and battery storage projects in various stages of development throughout the United States, as well as geographically diverse operational assets across the country. It supports National Grid’s vision of being at the heart of a clean, fair, and affordable energy future for all. Please visit www.nationalgridrenewables.com to learn more.

About Swinerton Renewable Energy
Swinerton Renewable Energy (SRE) offers engineering, procurement, construction, and SOLV® operations and maintenance (O&M) services for solar photovoltaic plants throughout North America to a diverse range of clients. Over 130 years of building landmark projects, Swinerton has forged a reputation for unsurpassed safety, workmanship, on-time delivery, and customer satisfaction. Today, our team takes pride in building cost-effective solar systems that will generate reliable, clean power for many years to come. SRE has delivered over 6 GW of solar projects and our SOLV team manages 6.2 GW of PV plants. Learn more about Swinerton Renewable Energy at swinertonrenewable.com.  

About Cargill
Cargill’s 155,000 employees across 70 countries work relentlessly to achieve our purpose of nourishing the world in a safe, responsible and sustainable way. Every day, we connect farmers with markets, customers with ingredients, and people and animals with the food they need to thrive. We combine 155 years of experience with new technologies and insights to serve as a trusted partner for food, agriculture, financial and industrial customers in more than 125 countries. Side-by-side, we are building a stronger, sustainable future for agriculture.

Contact:

Lindsay Smith

Director, Marketing & Communications

National Grid Renewables

Lindsay@nationalgridrenewables.com 

952-358-5672

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SOURCE National Grid Renewables

Adapt Sustainable Solution With Virtual Business Cards to Boost Engagement

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Feb. 23, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — MobiCard, the exclusive and revolutionary digital business card platform exchange for seamless networking, has created the simplest, most innovative way to digitally share and exchange business cards. While physical business cards can provide a way to leave a lasting impression that reflects a brand’s image, many of them ultimately end up lost or discarded. MobiCard is a modern solution to this problem that is eco-friendly, sustainable, and saves from…

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Feb. 23, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — MobiCard, the exclusive and revolutionary digital business card platform exchange for seamless networking, has created the simplest, most innovative way to digitally share and exchange business cards. While physical business cards can provide a way to leave a lasting impression that reflects a brand’s image, many of them ultimately end up lost or discarded. MobiCard is a modern solution to this problem that is eco-friendly, sustainable, and saves from the cost of having to invest in high-quality paper and cardstock.

«Business cards will always be important, especially for entrepreneurs looking for a way to express themselves and create something unique they can share,» according to Joshua Sodaitis, Chairman and CEO at MobiCard. «MobiCard provides a way for companies to still maintain that same familiar exchange of information, but in a way that’s more modern, cost effective, and much easier on the environment.»

According to AuraPoint, 88 percent of business cards that get handed out are thrown away in less than a week. The large proportion of discarded and misplaced business cards has a significant impact environmentally, and can mean lots of wasted dollars if that information doesn’t yield any results. With more companies placing a greater emphasis on building more sustainable workflows, MobiCard contributes to their mission by providing a way to get around these challenges through its digital solution.

The MobiCard App — available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store — provides a simple way for business professionals to still connect with one another in a way that’s familiar without having to maintain a steady supply. Leaving a dynamic digital footprint is sustainable, longer lasting, and easier to trace for potential business contacts. When one person shares a business card with another, the sender receives information on whether the recipient has opened the card or shared it with another person helping to facilitate long-lasting B2B and B2C relationships.

MobiCard can also share social media accounts to stay connected. Data and analytics provided by the app can provide new leads which sales teams can track to secure potential deals.

«MobiCard is a game changer in the world of business networking. We’re excited to share our platform and help businesses modernize towards this more sustainable and digital solution,» adds Sodaitis.

About MobiCard

MobiCard has created a game-changer in the networking arena thanks to its exclusive and revolutionary customizable digital business card platform. This flexible and robust application makes exchanging contact information virtually a seamless experience. There’s no limit to the creativity and ingenuity this app can provide for businesses and professionals alike as it provides an innovative networking solution that’ll disrupt the traditional paper business card business.

Media Contact:
Ledora Brown
813-352-1612 (Direct)
Ledora@newswire.com
www.Newswire.com

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SOURCE Mobicard

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index® Improved in February

NEW YORK, Feb. 23, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index® improved again in February, after increasing in January. The Index now stands at 91.3 (1985=100), up from 88.9 in January. The Present Situation Index—based on consumers’ assessment of current business and labor market conditions—climbed from 85.5 to 92.0. However, the Expectations Index—based on consumers’ short-term outlook for income, business, and labor market conditions—fell…

NEW YORK, Feb. 23, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index® improved again in February, after increasing in January. The Index now stands at 91.3 (1985=100), up from 88.9 in January. The Present Situation Index—based on consumers’ assessment of current business and labor market conditions—climbed from 85.5 to 92.0. However, the Expectations Index—based on consumers’ short-term outlook for income, business, and labor market conditions—fell marginally, from 91.2 last month to 90.8 in February.  

The monthly Consumer Confidence Survey®, based on a probability-design random sample, is conducted for The Conference Board by Nielsen, a leading global provider of information and analytics around what consumers buy and watch. The cutoff date for the preliminary results was February 11. The survey results did not fully capture the events surrounding the Texas power crisis nor the loosening of dining restrictions in NYC.

«After three months of consecutive declines in the Present Situation Index, consumers’ assessment of current conditions improved in February,» said Lynn Franco, Senior Director of Economic Indicators at The Conference Board. «This course reversal suggests economic growth has not slowed further. While the Expectations Index fell marginally in February, consumers remain cautiously optimistic, on the whole, about the outlook for the coming months. Notably, vacation intentions—particularly, plans to travel outside the U.S. and via air—saw an uptick this month, and are poised to improve further as vaccination efforts expand.»

Consumers’ assessment of current conditions improved in February. The percentage of consumers claiming business conditions are «good» increased from 15.8 percent to 16.5 percent, while the proportion claiming business conditions are «bad» fell from 42.4 percent to 39.9 percent. Consumers’ assessment of the labor market also improved. The percentage of consumers saying jobs are «plentiful» increased from 20.0 percent to 21.9 percent, while those claiming jobs are «hard to get» declined from 22.5 percent to 21.2 percent.

Consumers, however, were marginally less optimistic about the short-term outlook in February. The percentage of consumers expecting business conditions will improve over the next six months fell from 34.1 percent to 31.0 percent; however, the proportion expecting business conditions will worsen also declined, from 19.0 percent to 17.7 percent. Likewise, consumers’ outlook regarding the job market was somewhat mixed. The proportion expecting more jobs in the months ahead decreased from 30.4 percent to 26.1 percent; however, those anticipating fewer jobs also declined, from 22.1 percent to 20.6 percent. Regarding short-term income prospects, 15.2 percent of consumers expect their incomes to increase in the next six months, down slightly from 15.8 percent in January. Conversely, 13.2 percent expect their incomes to decrease, down from 15.5 percent last month.

Source: February 2021 Consumer Confidence Survey®

The Conference Board / Release #8036

The Conference Board publishes the Consumer Confidence Index® at 10 a.m. ET on the last Tuesday of every month. Subscription information and the technical notes to this series are available on The Conference Board website: https://www.conference-board.org/data/consumerdata.cfm.

About The Conference Board
The Conference Board is the member-driven think tank that delivers trusted insights for what’s ahead. Founded in 1916, we are a non-partisan, not-for-profit entity holding 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt status in the United States. www.conference-board.org.

About NIELSEN
Nielsen Holdings plc (NYSE: NLSN) is a global performance management company that provides a comprehensive understanding of what consumers watch and buy. Nielsen’s Watch segment provides media and advertising clients with Total Audience measurement services for all devices on which content — video, audio and text — is consumed. The Buy segment offers consumer packaged goods manufacturers and retailers the industry’s only global view of retail performance measurement. By integrating information from its Watch and Buy segments and other data sources, Nielsen also provides its clients with analytics that help improve performance. Nielsen, an S&P 500 company, has operations in over 100 countries, covering more than 90 percent of the world’s population. For more information, visit www.nielsen.com.   

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SOURCE The Conference Board

Pay advance requests spike by 46% amid pandemic; Salaried employees with household incomes of $100k+ more likely to ask

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Feb. 23, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Immediate, a financial wellness company, today announced findings from new surveys of 1,250 hourly and salaried workers and 200 CEOs and human resources leaders across five industries. Employee respondents overwhelmingly expressed concern about their current and future…

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Feb. 23, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Immediate, a financial wellness company, today announced findings from new surveys of 1,250 hourly and salaried workers and 200 CEOs and human resources leaders across five industries. Employee respondents overwhelmingly expressed concern about their current and future financial wellness, and a desire for more financial wellness benefits from employers. Meanwhile, employers revealed an overestimation of their employees’ financial security.

The latest report from Immediate, The unseen costs of financial stress in the workforce, probes workers’ financial pain points and how they’re coping with them today, while assessing the extent to which employers are supporting their teams’ financial wellness.

Key findings include:

Employers overestimate the financial health of their employees, though they admit that requests for pay advances have increased, particularly for higher-income workers

  • The majority (87%) of employers characterize their employees’ financial wellness as good or excellent in the midst of the pandemic, though only 62% of employees would say the same.
  • Almost half (46%) of employers report an increase in requests for pay advances since the start of the pandemic. 84% of employees who have asked for a pay advance at least once say they have needed to do so more frequently since that start of COVID-19.
  • Employees with household incomes of $75k+ report asking for multiple pay advances at a higher rate than those who make less than 50k
  • 24% of those making $75$100k, and 26% of those making $100k+ have requested pay advances six or more times.
  • Despite this, more than a third of employers do not offer pay advances, or lack a standard process for offering them.
  • Just under half (40%) of employers offer no employee benefits for financial wellness.

Unexpected financial needs are the norm for employees

  • More than 80% of employees surveyed say that they have experienced at least one unexpected financial need in the past 12 months. About half of employees faced this six times or more in the same time period—or about once every other month.
  • Three-quarters (75%) of employees surveyed feel concerned about their financial stability this year; 36% of salaried workers say they are very concerned.
  • Nearly 60% of employees who say they are very concerned with their financial stability in 2021 are part of households that make over $75,000 a year.

Financial stress negatively impacts employees’ physical and mental health, affects job performance

  • More than 75% of employees report that financial struggles negatively impact their physical health, while 80% say these negatively impact their mental health.
  • The large majority (93%) of employees say financial concerns impact their job performance, with 55% who say it does so often or very often.
  • More than half (54%) of healthcare employees said financial stress impacts their attention at work with about a third (34%) saying this is often or very often the case; 63% of healthcare workers say financial stress affects their on-the-job performance.
  • More than a quarter of workers would delay medical care if faced with an unexpected healthcare cost, with salaried employees slightly more likely to delay treatment than hourly workers.

About 4 in 5 say an earned wage access (EWA) solution would help alleviate their financial stress

  • A majority of employees (77%) say that an EWA solution would help alleviate their financial stress, and 68% are willing to pay for this benefit themselves.
  • For those who currently have access to EWA, 89% say they take advantage of the benefit, and 67% do so at least once a month.
  • Most of the employees surveyed (80%) say they would prioritize an employer that offers an EWA solution over one that does not.
  • Meanwhile, almost half (46%) of HR leaders said offering competitive benefits will continue to be one of their top three challenges in 2021.

«In a global pandemic, it’s shocking that so many CEOs and HR leaders think their employees are in excellent financial health,» said Matt Pierce, Immediate founder and CEO. «They have a much bigger problem than they’re aware of, when 9 in 10 employees are saying financial stress impacts their job performance. You know that’s going to hit a business’ bottom line, or worse, in the healthcare industry, cause a negative patient outcome. With resources like earned wage access available, which cost a company nothing, there is no reason this should happen, especially when they can make such a significant positive impact on employees’ lives.»

«These unprecedented times are producing vulnerable employees that need help,» said Mason Beard, chief strategy officer at Immediate. «It’s an opportunity for employers—by answering that call, they will create gratitude which strengthens employee loyalty. Loyal employees help optimize business performance.»

Methodology
In November 2020, Immediate commissioned research and strategy firm Sage Growth Partners to conduct two surveys: one of 1,250 employees across the country and another of 200 employers, including CEOs and HR leaders. Respondents represented a range of company sizes and industries, including healthcare, retail, hospitality, and manufacturing. For more details on methodology, please download the full report here.

About Immediate
Immediate partners with employers to provide their employees with wages that have been earned but not paid, whenever they are needed. With seamless time tracking and payroll integrations, same day and next day bank transfers, and the ability to put earnings directly on a debit card, Immediate is working to improve financial wellness and eliminate cycles of debt for employees by allowing them to access their hard-earned wages. To learn more, visit joinimmediate.com.

Media Contact
Boh Hatter
(410) 534.1161
bhatter@sage-growth.com

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SOURCE Immediate