8 Rivers Capital and City of Estevan Awarded Federal Grant to Perform A Feasibility Study on a NET Power Plant Deployment in Saskatchewan

ESTEVAN, Saskatchewan, Jan. 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — 8 Rivers Capital and the City of Estevan have been awarded a grant to undertake a feasibility study for a commercial-scale NET Power plant deployment. The grant was awarded through Western Economic Diversification Canada and the Coal Community Transition initiative. As a world pioneer in power sector carbon capture and storage, Estevan is an ideal location for one of the initial…

ESTEVAN, Saskatchewan, Jan. 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — 8 Rivers Capital and the City of Estevan have been awarded a grant to undertake a feasibility study for a commercial-scale NET Power plant deployment. The grant was awarded through Western Economic Diversification Canada and the Coal Community Transition initiative. As a world pioneer in power sector carbon capture and storage, Estevan is an ideal location for one of the initial Canadian NET Power plant deployments.

NET Power’s Allam-Fetvedt cycle technology combusts natural gas with oxygen, as opposed to air, and uses supercritical carbon dioxide as a working fluid to drive the turbine and produce zero emissions electricity. This cycle can hit the same efficiency of a traditional power plant while capturing all of its CO2 and eliminating all air pollutants. As the inventor of the Allam-Fetvedt cycle, 8 Rivers is ideally situated to partner with Estevan to hit their energy and economic goals.

Bill Brown, CEO at 8 Rivers Capital and NET Power, said: «We look forward to working with Estevan to drive power production where clean is cheaper than dirty.  A November 2020 MIT study characterized the underlying technology as «a real game changer.» 8 Rivers is proud to deploy the NET Power technology in partnership with Estevan.  Working with Estevan and leaders in Ottawa, Regina and other provincial and local governments—as well as with private entities like Canada Clean Energy Corporation—we can create jobs and deploy zero emission NET Power plants in a way that allows the entire country to achieve its net-zero emissions goal at the lowest possible costs.

8 Rivers will lead the Feasibility Study, performing engineering and economic analysis tailored to an Estevan deployment of the NET Power technology, work which will be overseen by the City of Estevan and funded by Western Economic Diversification Canada.

«We have been working hard to identify economic development opportunities like this for our city and we are excited to see more projects and studies moving ahead in Estevan.» Said City Manager Jeff Ward. «Working with 8 Rivers, we hope to be able to develop a strong plan that we can present to the provincial and federal governments during discussions around the future of power generation in Estevan.»

8 Rivers Capital, LLC is a Durham, NC-based firm leading the innovation of sustainable, infrastructure-scale technologies. As the inventor of the Allam-Fetvedt Cycle, 8 Rivers is also focusing on developing direct air capture, retrofit carbon capture, clean hydrogen well below $1 per kg, and uses for the CO₂ captured by the cycle, including the production of ethylene and other valuable products and the removal of sulfur impurities from gas streams. For more information, please visit: www.8Rivers.com

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SOURCE 8 Rivers Capital, LLC

Collections in Affordable Housing Rebound in December; Occupancy Tightens Across All Asset Classes

SOLON, Ohio, Jan. 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Although uncertainty surrounding a stimulus package characterized most of December, rates of collections in affordable and public housing were surprisingly high for the month, with public housing reaching 97% of 2019 rates and affordable housing reaching 83% — the highest level for the latter class since June.  These are key findings of the latest <a target="_blank"…

SOLON, Ohio, Jan. 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Although uncertainty surrounding a stimulus package characterized most of December, rates of collections in affordable and public housing were surprisingly high for the month, with public housing reaching 97% of 2019 rates and affordable housing reaching 83% — the highest level for the latter class since June.  These are key findings of the latest report from Proptech firm MRI Software («MRI»), which compiles data on one million market-rate units and 1.5 million affordable and public housing units in the U.S.

The December data also showed a continued tightening of occupancy across all asset classes, as move-ins outpaced move-outs for the sixth consecutive month. 

Other highlights of the report, which includes both year-over-year (YOY) and month-over-month comparisons, include: 

  • December lease pricing decreased by 2% YOY in market-rate housing.
  • New applications increased significantly YOY in both public and affordable housing, by 56% and 14% respectively. This represents a major shift in direction since the start of the pandemic, after which new applications trailed the numbers of 2019.
  • Aggregate concession values for market-rate housing increased by over $6 million YOY.

«We anticipated some of these results because of our involvement in the NMHC’s Rent Payment Tracker,» says Brian Zrimsek, Industry Principal, MRI Software.  «The Tracker’s data, which aligns with our own, reveals a slow erosion of collections in market-rate housing over the course of the pandemic.  Financial pressures are a likely cause, and they may be prompting tenants to seek out less costly alternatives in affordable or public housing, thus increasing demand in these asset classes and decreasing demand for market-rate units.  The decreased demand, in turn, has likely led to lower rents and more concessions from landlords.

«But as the December data shows, tenants in affordable and public housing made great efforts to stay current, despite the early-month uncertainties about a stimulus package,» he continues. «More and more people don’t want to risk eventual eviction, a bad credit rating, or a huge payment in deferred rent. Therefore, tenants have actively changed their circumstances with some downsizing, some consolidating households and some looking to ‘downshift’ to affordable or public housing.»

Zrimsek will discuss the December report, along with overall trends for 2020, during a webinar on January 14th at 2 p.m. Eastern. 

About MRI Software

MRI Software is a leading provider of innovative real estate software applications and hosted solutions. MRI’s comprehensive and flexible technology platform coupled with an open and connected ecosystem meets the unique needs of real estate businesses – from property-level management and accounting to investment modelling and analytics for the global commercial and residential markets. A pioneer of the real estate software industry, MRI develops lasting client relationships based on nearly five decades of expertise and insight. Through leading solutions and a rich partner ecosystem, MRI gives organizations the freedom to transform the way communities live, work and play while elevating their business and gaining a competitive edge. For more information, please visit mrisoftware.com.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

(U.S. for MRI)
Rachel Antman (+1 212-362-5837)
rachel@saygency.com

(U.K.) Platform Communications for MRI
Zoe Mumba (+44 7725 832393)
or Hugh Filman (+44 7905 044850)
mri@platformcomms.com

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SOURCE MRI Software

StockX’s Annual Snapshot Report Sheds Light on Market-moving Trends, Industry Insights, and Record Growth in 2020

DETROIT, Jan. 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — In a new report out today, StockX reveals the products, brands, facts and figures that defined 2020 as well as predictions for the year ahead. Titled <a target="_blank"…

DETROIT, Jan. 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — In a new report out today, StockX reveals the products, brands, facts and figures that defined 2020 as well as predictions for the year ahead. Titled StockX Snapshot: Current Culture Index, the report identifies major movers across the footwear, apparel, collectible and electronics categories and highlights the trends shaping the future of resale. In its latest Snapshot, the company also shares key performance metrics, noting it recorded $1.8 billion in gross merchandise value (GMV) in 2020 and closed more than 7.5 million trades during the year. The report follows a $275 million Series E funding round that values the fast-growing platform at $2.8 billion post-money.

«2020 was a pivotal year for so many reasons; while it made for extraordinary challenges, it also brought unprecedented growth and opportunity  as the world shifted almost exclusively to an online commerce experience. Following a 75% year-over-year revenue increase in our third quarter, we saw even higher growth in Q4 thanks to a record-breaking holiday season,» said Scott Cutler, StockX CEO. «This paradigm shift, and the incredible work of our team to remain open, stable, and strong through the toughest of times, propelled StockX to extraordinary growth in 2020. We’re excited to build on the momentum in 2021 and continue to deliver a next gen experience to buyers and sellers around the world.»

Highlights from StockX’s 2021 Current Culture Index include:

  • Jordan Remains No. 1, New Balance and Yeezy Move Up: Based on total trades in 2020, the top-four sneaker brands on StockX in 2020 mirrored 2019’s rankings: Jordan Brand (No. 1), Nike (No. 2), adidas (No. 3) and Converse (No. 4). However, New Balance moved up one spot to No. 5 in 2020, marking the first time in StockX history that New Balance has ranked as a top-five sneaker brand. A new pandemic-induced preference for comfort helped Yeezy — Kanye West’s independent brand — move up 10 spots to No. 6 on the list. In 2020, sales of Yeezy slides on StockX surged 400%. The top three silhouettes were once again the Air Jordan 1, the Yeezy 350 by adidas and Nike’s Air Force 1.
  • Mid-Size Apparel Brands Make Waves: Supreme still holds the No. 1 spot as the best-selling streetwear brand on StockX, but mid-size brands made major gains in 2020. Cactus Jack moved up two spots from No. 4 in 2019 to No. 2 in 2020, Fear of God moved up two spots from No. 5 in 2019 to No. 3 in 2020, and Anti Social Social Club moved up an impressive 53 spots to land at No. 6 on the list. Meanwhile, BAPE moved down the list, falling two spots from No. 2 in 2019 to No. 4 in 2020.
  • Global Growth Drives Record GMV: In 2020, StockX welcomed more than 200 million visitors and saw global active buyers increase by more than 90%. This growth helped the company achieve $1.8 billion in gross merchandise value for the year, bringing its lifetime GMV to $3.8 billion.
  • Electronics and Collectibles Lead New Category Growth: Category expansion and diversification efforts were a key driver of growth overall, with recently launched categories like electronics and collectibles seeing particularly strong sales. StockX officially launched trading cards in 2019 as part of its collectibles category, and sales surged by 4,000% in 2020. Electronics, the platform’s newest category, has also seen rapid growth with next-gen gaming consoles ranking among the top products on StockX in 2020 based on GMV.
  • Seller Acceleration: More than half (60%) of StockX’s active sellers in 2020 made their first sale on the platform last year. In addition, the number of sellers located outside the US more than doubled in 2020, and accounted for more than 30% of StockX’s total GMV for the year. As global growth and category diversification efforts create new opportunities, a growing number of people will use StockX to turn their passion into profit.

To view the full report, please visit https://stockx.com/news/current-culture-index-2021.

About StockX
StockX is proud to be a Detroit-based technology leader focused on the large and growing online market for sneakers, apparel, electronics, accessories, and collectibles. StockX’s powerful platform connects buyers and sellers of high-demand consumer goods from around the world using dynamic pricing mechanics. This approach brings unparalleled access and transparency powered by real-time data that empowers buyers and sellers to determine and transact based on fair market value. The StockX platform features hundreds of brands across verticals including Jordan Brand, adidas, Nike, Supreme, BAPE, Off-White, Louis Vuitton, Gucci; collectibles from artists including KAWS and Takashi Murakami; and electronics from industry-leading manufacturers, Sony, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Apple. Founded in 2016, the company employs more than 1,000 people in 13 offices and authentication centers around the world, and facilitates sales in more than 200 countries and territories. Learn more at www.stockx.com.

 

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SOURCE StockX

Sweeping Corporation of America Accelerates National Growth Trajectory with Record Nine Acquisitions in 2020

CLEVELAND, Jan. 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Sweeping Corporation of America («SCA»), the largest power sweeping company in the United States, announced today another year of strong national growth fueled by a record number of acquisitions and marked by a significant strategic investment from Warburg Pincus, a leading global private equity firm focused on growth investing.

In 2020, SCA completed nine acquisitions of best-in-class sweeping services companies to…

CLEVELAND, Jan. 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Sweeping Corporation of America («SCA»), the largest power sweeping company in the United States, announced today another year of strong national growth fueled by a record number of acquisitions and marked by a significant strategic investment from Warburg Pincus, a leading global private equity firm focused on growth investing.

In 2020, SCA completed nine acquisitions of best-in-class sweeping services companies to further complement and strengthen the company’s services, as well as expand its presence and customer base in key markets throughout the eastern half of the United States. With these transactions, SCA grew its team to over 1,000 employees in its 36 locations.

«As we look back at our 2020 performance, we are proud of the growth that we have achieved this year,» said Christopher Valerian, President & CEO, Sweeping Corporation of America.  He added, «In addition to our growth, I cannot say enough about the dedication of our customer-focused employees.  The SCA team not only persevered but thrived in a challenging business environment.  In 2021 we are well-positioned to continue to explore additional acquisition opportunities to further enhance our market-leading position, and we remain committed to continuing to provide our customers with the highest quality services.» 

In November 2020, a strategic investment from Warburg Pincus enabled SCA to identify strategic relationships and acquisition opportunities, as well as accelerate its sales and marketing efforts. The investment is representative of a growing shift in continued outsourcing by municipalities and state Department of Transportation customers, as well as continued demand for parking lot sweeping by commercial and industrial customers. 

Since its inception in 2017, SCA has acquired eighteen companies, including nine in 2020. These most recent acquisitions are favorably positioned due to their market position, longstanding customer contracts and reputation for superior customer service. 2020 acquisitions include:

  • In January, SCA acquired Ohio-based Contract Sweepers & Equipment Company, adding a presence in Columbus, Cincinnati, and Dayton, Ohio, as well as Huntington, West Virginia. This acquisition enhanced SCA’s service to the Ohio region, adding 105 customer-focused associates and 110 frontline trucks.
  • In July, SCA acquired Indiana-based Envirosweep, LLC, the largest and fastest-growing sweeping company in Indiana, broadening SCA’s geography in the state and enabling SCA to better serve customers while continuing Envirosweep’s tradition of excellence.
  • In August, SCA acquired South Carolina-based Sweeping South, Inc. and Accusweep Services, Inc., significantly expanding SCA’s presence in both the Columbia and Charleston markets.
  • In December, SCA completed five additional acquisitions including Total Asphalt Services, Clean Sweep, Buckeye Sweeping, US Sweeping, and C&J Parking Lot Sweeping. Each unique acquisition represents expanded market presence and services offerings in Northeast Ohio; Chattanooga, Tennessee; Atlanta, Georgia; Florida, including the West Palm, Fort Lauderdale and Miami areas; and Michigan. The acquisition of Total Asphalt Services also increased SCA’s ability to provide milling sweeping and cleanup services in the state of Florida.

«Through these acquisitions, we have expanded our market presence and team to include dedicated employees and owners, who have been able to watch their companies continue to flourish and grow under our care,» said Valerian. «I would like to communicate my sincere thanks and applaud our teams across the nation for another great year and look forward to 2021 with hope and excitement for the accomplishments and new territories sure to come.»

ABOUT SWEEPING CORP OF AMERICA (SCA):
Headquartered in Cleveland, OH, Sweeping Corporation of America (SCA) is the largest power sweeping services company in the United States. SCA self-performs power sweeping for highways, streets, industrial and commercial applications for both private and government entities. For more information on SCA, please visit www.sweepingcorp.com.

CONTACT:
Sweeping Corp of America:
Mike Siragusa, Vice President
216-777-2747

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SOURCE Sweeping Corp of America

FoA to FWS: Giraffes need ESA protections or face extinction

DARIEN, Conn, Jan. 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Habitat loss, trophy hunting, poaching, climate change, mining and the bushmeat trade have placed giraffes in danger of extinction and they should be placed on the Endangered Species list, Friends of Animals said in comments filed with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

<a…

DARIEN, Conn, Jan. 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Habitat loss, trophy hunting, poaching, climate change, mining and the bushmeat trade have placed giraffes in danger of extinction and they should be placed on the Endangered Species list, Friends of Animals said in comments filed with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

FoA to FWS: Giraffes need ESA protections or face extinction

Giraffes currently have no protection under U.S. law. In 2019, the UN Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species listed giraffes on Appendix II, which regulates trade in the species but doesn’t ban it.

The species has declined nearly 40 percent to under 100,000 in the past three decades from 150,000.

Although animal advocacy groups filed a petition ibn 2017 urging FWS to list giraffes as endangered it hasn’t.

Meanwhile, trade in their parts continues to thrive with the U.S. being a major importer.

«It is widely recognized that the U.S. market and American trophy hunting culture are driving factors contributing to both legally targeted hunting and illegal hunting of giraffes. More than 40,000 giraffe parts and products were imported into the U.S. over one decade’s time,» FoA said in comments filed by its Wildlife Law Program.

Between 2006 and 2016, the U.S. imported 21,402 bone carvings, 3,008 skin pieces and 3,744 hunting trophies and 3,000 pelts and skin products and 825 jewelry pieces. Body parts are being turned into Western boots, knives, pillows, rugs and furniture.

«As soon as you put a price tag on vulnerable, threatened and endangered animals, you send a mixed message about whether or not they need to be protected at all, and that’s detrimental to actual conservation,» FoA President Priscilla Feral said. «There is urgency for the U.S. to act fast to protect giraffes.»

In addition to urging FWS to list giraffes on ESA, FoA is also working to protect them from trophy hunters by supporting legislation in New York – the nation’s largest importer of trophies— and Connecticut that would ban the importation, possession, sale or transportation of the trophies of African giraffes as well as leopards, lions, elephants, and black and white rhinos.

The legislation known as the Big 5 African Trophies Act, has twice passed the state senates in New York and CT.  FoA is working to move the bill to law in this upcoming legislation session in both states. 

Friends of Animals, an international animal advocacy organization founded in N.Y. in 1957 and headquartered in Darien, CT, advocates for the rights of free-living and domestic animals. FoA is proud to be a woman-founded and -led organization for more than 60 years.

Contact:
Jennifer Best
jennifer@friendsofanimals.org

Nicole Rivard
press@friendsofanimals.org
203 424-2125

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SOURCE Friends of Animals, Inc.

CIT Leads $69 Million Financing for Solar Portfolio

NEW YORK, Jan. 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — CIT Group Inc. (NYSE: CIT) today announced that its Power…

NEW YORK, Jan. 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — CIT Group Inc. (NYSE: CIT) today announced that its Power and Energy business led a $69 million financing for a portfolio of solar facilities owned and operated by Strata Solar LLC, a leading integrated  solar and storage energy service provider based in North Carolina.

The 23 operating solar assets in the portfolio, a majority of which are located in North Carolina, have a combined capacity of more than 130 megawatts. Output from the solar assets is covered by purchase agreements that ensure a steady demand for the renewable power they generate.

«Solar power is an increasingly important source of clean, renewable energy,» said Jimmy Chuang, Chief Capital Markets Officer of Strata Solar. «We appreciated CIT’s expertise and agility in arranging financing for this portfolio of solar facilities.»

«Strata Solar has a well-earned reputation for excellence in solar power development, and we are pleased to support their continuing efforts with this latest financing,» said Mike Lorusso, managing director and group head of CIT’s Power and Energy business.

CIT consistently ranks among the nation’s top lenders for renewable energy projects, as reported by market research firm Inframation, an Acruis company. CIT also was recognized as Renewable Energy Lead Arranger of the Year in 2020 by Power Finance & Risk, a top energy industry trade publication.

Power and Energy, part of CIT’s Commercial Finance division, leverages its deep industry knowledge and expertise to offer comprehensive financing solutions for renewable and conventional power generation. The unit manages a large, diverse portfolio that includes investments in all asset classes across the energy sector.

About CIT
CIT is a leading national bank focused on empowering businesses and personal savers with the financial agility to navigate their goals. CIT Group Inc. (NYSE: CIT) is a financial holding company with over a century of experience and operates a principal bank subsidiary, CIT Bank, N.A. (Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender). The company’s commercial banking segment includes commercial financing, community association banking, middle market banking, equipment and vendor financing, factoring, railcar financing, treasury and payments services, and capital markets and asset management. CIT’s consumer banking segment includes a national direct bank and regional branch network. Discover more at cit.com/about.

About Strata Solar
Strata Solar is a leading provider of utility-scale solar and battery-energy-storage systems. The company’s integrated approach, which includes development, financing, engineering, procurement, construction, and operations and maintenance, allows Strata to consistently develop and build highly profitable, clean-energy projects for clients with long-term ownership in mind.

MEDIA RELATIONS: 
John M. Moran
212-461-5507
john.moran@cit.com

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SOURCE CIT Group Inc.

Covalent Taps IBM Blockchain to Help Track the Carbon Impact of its AirCarbon®-based Fashion Goods

ARMONK, N.Y., Jan. 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — IBM (NYSE: IBM) and Covalent, a fashion brand recently launched by Newlight Technologies, today announced that Covalent is using IBM Blockchain technology on IBM LinuxONE so consumers can track the carbon footprint and supply chain of its sustainable, AirCarbon-based fashion accessories, from…

ARMONK, N.Y., Jan. 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — IBM (NYSE: IBM) and Covalent, a fashion brand recently launched by Newlight Technologies, today announced that Covalent is using IBM Blockchain technology on IBM LinuxONE so consumers can track the carbon footprint and supply chain of its sustainable, AirCarbon-based fashion accessories, from eyewear to handbags. 

Purchasing sustainable products is a growing motivation for consumers. A recent study by IBM showed 57% of consumers surveyed were willing to change their shopping habits to reduce environmental impact. 

Covalent’s products, which can be purchased on its website, are made with AirCarbon, a biomaterial made by microorganisms that is meltable and can be used as an alternative to fiber, plastic and leather. Because it is made using renewable power, AirCarbon is certified as carbon-negative by the Carbon Trust, meaning it reduces the amount of carbon in the air.

In addition to being part of a new category of «regenerative» products emerging that can have a positive impact on the amount of carbon in the atmosphere, Covalent’s AirCarbon-based products provide a new level of traceability through the application of IBM Blockchain technology. Often, when consumers buy products labeled as sustainable fashion, they cannot see a verified record of how the product was made or how it affects the environment. Covalent’s products bridge that gap with a blockchain-based number that can be used to show the steps in the production process for that specific product as well as its third-party-verified carbon impact so customers can view impact the product is having on the environment.  

A unique 12-digit number printed on each Covalent product, known as the «Carbon Date,» represents the time when the AirCarbon used to create that specific product was created. The number can be entered into Covalent’s website to trace the steps that went into creating the product. The supply chain journey that brought each product to life is stored in an immutable record on the blockchain and stretches from when the AirCarbon was formed and molded into a handbag to who independently verified its carbon footprint and when it was moved to a stockroom. 

«Our goal was to give people the information they need to decide what kind of impact they want to make,» Newlight CEO Mark Herrema said. «With IBM Blockchain and LinuxONE technology, we can now provide visibility into not only the steps used to make each Covalent product, but also the carbon impact that each specific product has on the environment.  For us, that’s important, because it helps make tangible the unique pathway that led to the creation of that product.»

By working with IBM Business Partner Cognition Foundry, a services provider and systems integrator, Covalent is able to host its IBM Blockchain solution on IBM LinuxONE, a highly secured server for mission critical workloads and that provides scalability and resiliency, including the industry’s first and only FIPS 140-2 Level 4 certified Hardware Security Module (HSM).[1] 

«Blockchain’s ability to foster trust gives Covalent’s customers a better understanding of how their products were made,» said Alistair Rennie, General Manager of IBM Blockchain.  «In turn, Covalent can create a better customer experience, and a better opportunity for consumers to understand how their choices impact the environment. This is another great example of how blockchain is supporting our mission of using technology for good.» 

For information on how IBM is using blockchain for social good, please visit here.

About Newlight Technologies

Founded in 2003, Newlight Technologies is a biotechnology company in Huntington Beach, California dedicated to producing materials that help improve life.  After over ten years of research, Newlight developed AirCarbon: a regenerative material made by natural ocean microorganisms that is being used to replace synthetic plastic and fibers to help solve plastics pollution and climate change.  AirCarbon was named «Biomaterial of the Year» by the Nova Institute and «Innovation of the Year» by Popular Science.  Newlight was also recognized as a «Technology Pioneer» by the World Economic Forum and awarded the Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  

About IBM Blockchain 

IBM is recognized as the leading enterprise blockchain provider. The company’s research, technical and business experts have broken barriers in transaction processing speeds, developed the most advanced cryptography to secure transactions, and are contributing millions of lines of open source code to advance blockchain for businesses. IBM is the leader in open-source blockchain solutions built for the enterprise. Since 2016, IBM has worked with hundreds of clients across financial services, supply chain, government, retail, digital rights management and healthcare to implement blockchain applications, and operates a number of networks running live and in production. The cloud-based IBM Blockchain Platform delivers the end-to-end capabilities that clients need to quickly activate and successfully develop, operate, govern and secure their own business networks. IBM is an early member of Hyperledger, an open source collaborative effort created to advance cross-industry blockchain technologies. For more information about IBM Blockchain, visit https://www.ibm.com/blockchain/ or follow us on Twitter at @ibmblockchain.

Media Contact:
Anthony Colucci, IBM External Relations
Anthony.colucci@ibm.com

[1] The Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) Publication 140-2 is a U.S. government computer security standard used to approve cryptographic modules. It is issued by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Level 4 is the highest level of security.

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SOURCE IBM

Leading Provider of Customized Compliance Solutions HCG Associates Completes Integration with MaxPSM

TAUNTON, Mass., Jan. 13, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — HCG Associates (HCG), a leading nationwide provider of professional environmental health and safety (EH&S), compliance advice and support to leading organizations in the industrial refrigeration, manufacturing, storage/distribution, and critical environment sectors, today announced it has integrated operations with MaxPSM, a regional provider of Process Safety Management (PSM) solutions for anhydrous ammonia refrigeration systems.

MaxPSM…

TAUNTON, Mass., Jan. 13, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — HCG Associates (HCG), a leading nationwide provider of professional environmental health and safety (EH&S), compliance advice and support to leading organizations in the industrial refrigeration, manufacturing, storage/distribution, and critical environment sectors, today announced it has integrated operations with MaxPSM, a regional provider of Process Safety Management (PSM) solutions for anhydrous ammonia refrigeration systems.

MaxPSM Founder and President G.J. «Max» Lindsay will continue to serve as a Regional Director at HCG and remain active in the management and integration of the two businesses.

By joining forces and benefiting from the synergies of the two firms, HCG is increasing its technical scale and depth of customized compliance solutions while assisting their combined clients with an increased portfolio of services. As a direct result of the acquisition, HCG will continue to provide nationwide consulting services to both companies’ existing clients, while expanding its national focus with regional offices in Wisconsin, Virginia, and Massachusetts.

«We plan to integrate the businesses methodically and ensure that our clients continue to receive the highest quality service without any disruptions,» said Scott Sweet, President, HCG Associates. «Today, two premier Process Safety and Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) consulting firms are about to become even better. We’re excited to bring these benefits to our customers and employees and are even more delighted that an industry expert like Max is now part of our team.»

For more information on today’s announcement and how to work with HCG, please contact Scott Sweet at (857) 299-7240, or email him at ssweet@hcgassoc.com.

Media Contact

Bill McCue, McCuenications PR, +1 (718) 208-7391, bill.mccue@gmail.com

Bill McCue, McCuenications PR, bill.mccue@gmail.com

 

SOURCE HCG

Run on Less Shows How Far Electric Trucking Has Come in 2021

FORT WAYNE, Ind., Jan. 13, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — RMI and NACFE are announcing the third in their bi-annual Run on Less trucking demonstration run series. This year’s Run on Less will focus on electric trucking, with 10 dedicated trucks and their drivers reporting real-time data to show the current state of electric trucking technology in the freight industry.

Supported by title sponsors including Dana, Meritor, and Shell, the Run on Less—Electric (RoL-E) demonstration vehicles will…

FORT WAYNE, Ind., Jan. 13, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — RMI and NACFE are announcing the third in their bi-annual Run on Less trucking demonstration run series. This year’s Run on Less will focus on electric trucking, with 10 dedicated trucks and their drivers reporting real-time data to show the current state of electric trucking technology in the freight industry.

Supported by title sponsors including Dana, Meritor, and Shell, the Run on Less—Electric (RoL-E) demonstration vehicles will include electric vans, medium-duty box trucks, and heavy-duty trucks moving freight in a variety of conditions and geographic areas. In order to increase electric truck adoption and deployment, RoL-E will help fleets, charging infrastructure companies, utility companies, and policymakers better understand the current benefits and challenges of hauling freight with electric trucks.

«Supply chain disruptions during the pandemic have shown all of us how essential freight movement is to our daily lives. We also know that this industry has an important journey ahead to decarbonize. The surest road to zero-emissions goods movement, and a 1.5° C future, is with battery-powered vehicles,» said RMI CEO Jules Kortenhorst.

To complement the RoL-E demonstration and data collection components, RMI and NACFE will also host a series of virtual educational events (E-series) to convene industry stakeholders to discuss the why and how of electric truck deployments. An opportunity to learn from leaders in fleet electrification beyond the formal Run participants, the public E-series will include discussions with fleet managers, charging providers, utilities, engineering firms, policymakers, and more.

«Rather than a typical webinar where experts teach what they already know, the E-series will bring together stakeholders from across the industry to support innovation, collaboration, and the acceleration of zero-emissions goods movement,» says NACFE Board Chair and Schneider EVP & Chief Administrative Officer Rob Reich.

RMI and NACFE are currently seeking applications from fleets interested in participating in the Run. Sponsorship opportunities are also available for the event.

Learn more about Run on Less and apply to participate or support RoL-E at: http://www.runonless.com

Media Inquiries please contact:
Alexandra Chin, Media Relations Associate, T: +1 646-883-1733‬, E: achin@rmi.org

Note to Editors:
RMI & NACFE will hold a virtual press conference on Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at 11 a.m. EST. Join the press conference at: https://rmi-org.zoom.us/j/6552523260

About the North American Council for Freight Efficiency
The North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE) works to drive the development and adoption of efficiency enhancing, environmentally beneficial, and cost-effective technologies, services, and operational practices in the movement of goods across North America. NACFE provides independent, unbiased research, including Confidence Reports on available technologies and Guidance Reports on emerging ones, which highlight the benefits and consequences of each, and deliver decision-making tools for fleets, manufacturers, and others. NACFE partners with Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) on a variety of projects including the Run on Less fuel efficiency demonstration series, electric trucks, emissions reductions, and low-carbon supply chains. Learn more at http://www.nacfe.org and follow NACFE on Twitter @NACFE_Freight.

About Rocky Mountain Institute
Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI)—an independent nonprofit founded in 1982—transforms global energy use to create a clean, prosperous, and secure low-carbon future. It engages businesses, communities, institutions, and entrepreneurs to accelerate the adoption of market-based solutions that cost-effectively shift from fossil fuels to efficiency and renewables. RMI [i1] has offices in Basalt and Boulder, Colorado; New York City; Washington, D.C.; and Beijing.

More information on RMI can be found at http://www.rmi.org or follow us on Twitter @RockyMtnInst.

Media Contact

Alexandra Chin, Rocky Mountain Institute, 9732620002, achin@rmi.org

 

SOURCE Rocky Mountain Institute

Nuevo informe de China.org.cn: El Hanfu vuelve para quedarse

BEIJING, 13 de enero de 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Hanfu es la vestimenta tradicional de la etnia Han, con una antigüedad de más de 4000 años. El conjunto tiene una variedad de componentes que incluye la ropa, el tocado, el peinado, el maquillaje, los zapatos y accesorios.

…

BEIJING, 13 de enero de 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Hanfu es la vestimenta tradicional de la etnia Han, con una antigüedad de más de 4000 años. El conjunto tiene una variedad de componentes que incluye la ropa, el tocado, el peinado, el maquillaje, los zapatos y accesorios.

Siguiendo el antiguo sistema de corona y vestimenta, el Hanfu encarna la cultura ceremonial de la civilización china, y refuerza la imagen de China como «el país de la etiqueta y los modales».

El proceso de elaboración y los cambios del estilo Hanfu reflejan la exquisita artesanía y estética de la etnia Han, que incluye el teñido, el tejido y el bordado, agrupando más de 30 patrimonios culturales intangibles, así como piezas protegidas.

Hoy en día, su elegante e imponente aspecto así como el bagaje cultural que lo respalda, incentiva su popularidad entre la juventud china, para pasar de un traje tradicional a una «nueva moda». Incluso en las diferentes universidades chinas, los estudiantes han organizado clubes especializados en el tema.

El renovado interés por tales vestimentas no significa copiar sus modelos y rituales, sino combinarlos con la sociedad contemporánea y mostrar una belleza transformada de la cultura tradicional. Gracias a los esfuerzos de la nueva generación, el Hanfu presenta un gran potencial creativo y su popularidad demuestra el compromiso y la mayor confianza de la juventud china en su cultura.

Contacto: Zheng Tingyun
Tel: 0086-18811596397
E-mail: ztymango@163.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sientechina/posts/1642689485903561
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svgv-DyIO4Y

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1419825/China_org_Logo.jpg

 

China.org.cn logo

 

FUENTE China.org.cn