Month: February 2024

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA), employees of restaurants and hotels (the two major branches of the hospitality industry) have the highest rates of substance use out of the entire American workforce. Service occupations, such as those in the food and hospitality industries, had the second highest proportion of workers with substance use disorders — 15.6%. A substance use disorder doesn’t just affect employees themselves and their families; businesses lose enormous sums every year as a result of the issue in the form of higher health care costs, absenteeism and presenteeism (when employees are at work, but not fully productive).

Gary Mendell, a former hotelier and Chairman of HEI Hotels & Resorts, founded the national nonprofit Shatterproof following his son Brian’s death due to addiction. His purpose for founding Shatterproof was to improve the way that our healthcare system prevents and treats treatment quality, addressing the shame and stigma associated with substance use disorders, and advancing evidence-based policies.

Recognizing the connection between the hospitality industry and addiction, Mendell established the Shatterproof Hospitality Hero Award to unite and acknowledge hospitality executives who take an active role in ending the addiction crisis. The Award is presented each year at the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS). This year’s recipient was Mark Hoplamazian, president and CEO, Hyatt, who is the fifth recipient to receive the award. Hoplamazian has been an integral voice on the issue of addiction.

“Hyatt is proud to collaborate with Shatterproof as they lead the way in advocating for people with substance use disorders, their families and the communities this disease impacts,” said Mark Hoplamazian, president and CEO, Hyatt.

More than 60 hospitality companies raised $2 million during the event to advance the important work Shatterproof is doing and to support Mendell.

“I continue to be inspired by the incredible support of the hotel industry,” said Gary Mendell, founder and CEO of Shatterproof. “Substance use disorder is a largely preventable disease, and it is through the generous support and awareness efforts of the hospitality industry that we will be able to reduce stigma and increase the number of policy changes and treatment resources to end this crisis.”

Charger Solution program helps customers avoid upfront EV charger costs while paying a low monthly feeThe utility’s comprehensive North Carolina electric vehicle customer programs help streamline EV transition 

CHARLOTTE, N.C., February 13, 2024 /3BL/ – As the pace of electric vehicle (EV) adoption accelerates nationwide, Duke Energy has launched an EV charger rental program in North Carolina that enables residential and business customers to lease an EV charger from the company at a low monthly cost, which covers hardware, warranty and maintenance.

The Charger Solution program – approved by the North Carolina Utilities Commission last August – offers customers a wide range of charger options and guides customers through the selection process when evaluating charging station options.

 “Duke Energy continues to prepare for the electric vehicle transition, as more customers consider and choose EVs,” said Kendal Bowman, Duke Energy North Carolina president. “By offering a variety of charger solutions, we hope our customers feel confident that they have a choice to fit their needs, with the reassurance they can rely on our expertise for maintenance.”

Simplified charging options for home and business 

Designed for customers who may not want to pay the upfront cost of purchasing a charger but still want the convenience of faster charging, the program enables customers to select from a number of chargers based on their individual preference, lifestyle or business needs.

Residential options start at around $14 per month and include a three-year rental term for a Level 2 charger, which can typically fully recharge an all-electric vehicle within eight to ten hours. Non-residential options vary based on the charger and include a four-year rental term for a Level 2 charger or a seven-year rental term for a DC Fast Charger.  

For non-residential customers – which includes businesses and multifamily dwellings – the program helps maximize reliability and efficiency by eliminating the hassle that can come with maintaining a charger. It also allows these customers to highlight chargers as an amenity without the typical initial capital outlay. 

Electrification in the Fastlane  

Duke Energy’s Charger Solution program supports the state’s clean energy goals, including 1.25 million EVs in North Carolina by 2030. Its launch comes on the heels of a successful first year for the company’s Charger Prep Credit program, which has helped more than 6,000 North Carolinians prepare for a Level 2 charger by providing a credit to help defray the cost to upgrade their existing electrical infrastructure at their home or business.  

The complementary Charger Solution and Charger Prep Credit programs are part of Duke Energy’s ‘EV Complete’ suite of customer program offerings in North Carolina. Together, they can help streamline the transition to an EV for customers by preparing the home for a charger and simplifying the decision-making process.  

As part of what will eventually be a managed charging suite of offerings, Duke Energy also launched a 12-month EV charging subscription pilot program last September in North Carolina – the Home Charging Plan. The pilot allows enrolled residential customers in the state to charge an EV at home for up to 800 kilowatt hours (kWh) per month for a fixed monthly fee. Participating customers allow Duke Energy to manage charging through their automaker app and participate in periodic demand response events.

Periodic demand response events will help Duke Energy operate the grid more effectively by shifting demand on the grid to hours of the day where clean energy supply is more available or cost effective for customers. The subscription pilot – which generated high participation interest – is currently closed to new enrollments in North Carolina.

North Carolina is the first Duke Energy service territory where the company has implemented three core EV customer programs designed to help customers make a seamless transition to electric. Access to the complete ecosystem of offerings, not only helps customers but also allows the company to better manage electrical demand across the grid and drive affordable, reliable and clean energy for all customers.

“We develop our EV programs the same way we do all of our programs – with a customer-focused approach intended to serve their individual and business needs and lifestyles by offering a menu of options,” said Lon Huber, senior vice president of pricing and customer solutions. “A variety of programs not only benefits our customers, but it helps Duke Energy provide the reliability that our customers count on every day.”

Duke Energy has efforts underway to file for regulatory approval of similar programs across all its service areas. In total, the company has 17 active and approved EV programs and two pending approval.

For more information on Duke Energy EV programs in North Carolina, visit EV Program Guide (duke-energy.com)

Duke Energy  
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America’s largest energy holding companies. Its electric utilities serve 8.2 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 50,000 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas unit serves 1.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The company employs 27,600 people.

Duke Energy is executing an aggressive clean energy transition to achieve its goals of net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas business by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions from electricity generation by 2050. The company has interim carbon emission targets of at least 50% reduction from electric generation by 2030, 50% for Scope 2 and certain Scope 3 upstream and downstream emissions by 2035, and 80% from electric generation by 2040. In addition, the company is investing in major electric grid enhancements and energy storage, and exploring zero-emission power generation technologies such as hydrogen and advanced nuclear.

Duke Energy was named to Fortune’s 2023 “World’s Most Admired Companies” list and Forbes’ “World’s Best Employers” list. More information is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos and videos. Duke Energy’s illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

Media contact: Logan Kureczka 
Media line: 800.559.3853

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ALEXANDRIA, Va., February 13, 2024 /3BL/ – The Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI) of the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) today announced the launch of the RMI Investor Network to advance responsible sourcing and further engage institutional investors crucial to the renewable energy transition.

The RMI is the largest industry association in the minerals space working to address responsible mineral sourcing issues in industry supply chains. The RMI provides companies with a full ecosystem that includes due diligence tools and assurance and helps companies make responsible sourcing decisions to improve regulatory compliance and source all minerals responsibly, including from conflict-affected and high-risk areas (CAHRAs).

Many institutional investors would like to work with downstream companies to drive environmental, social and corporate governance changes upstream in the mining and smelting sectors, across geographies, but lack the necessary tools, expertise and connections. By joining the RMI Investor Network, participants gain access to world-class due diligence tools and standards, and collaborative opportunities with the RMI and its more than 500 company members.

Participants in the RMI Investor Network have access to:

The Material Insights Platform: Investors can gain ESG risk insights on more than 40 materials and components, a navigator tool for standards, a Materials Global Risk Map, and Mitigation Initiative mapping.The Risk Readiness Assessment (RRA): Investors can evaluate companies’ alignment with 33 ESG criteria over time using a self-assessment tool aligned with RMI ESG standards.Global Risk Map: Investors can identify supply chain risks with four risk bands (low, medium, high, extreme), providing information on CAHRAs and ESG risks at national and subnational levels.Policy Webinars: Investors can participate in roundtables and policy webinars to stay informed on laws and regulations impacting the minerals sector and electronics industry.Dedicated Working Group: Investors can collaborate with the largest industry association in the minerals sector by participating in an RMI working group dedicated to institutional investors.

“The RMI Investor Network is another pivotal step in promoting responsible mining and mineral sourcing worldwide, to help shape a sustainable, ethical future for global supply chains,” said Jennifer Peyser, Executive Director of the Responsible Minerals Initiative. “Institutional investors are also key stakeholders and supporters of the transition to renewable energy, and we are pleased to provide them with salient resources to advance their goals.”

“Good responsible investment practice means investors engaging their portfolio companies and working more closely with industry players on systemic ESG issues that matter,” said Paul Chandler, Director of Stewardship at the Principles for Responsible Investment, a UN-supported initiative. “The PRI welcomes the improved access, and the opportunity to develop best practice, that this development from the newly created RMI Investor Network entails.” 

Institutional investors can learn more about the benefits of the RMI Investor Network and start the application process here on the RMI website, and can contact the RMI Investor Network Team at rmi@responsiblebusiness.org with additional questions.

About the Responsible Minerals Initiative 
The Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI) is an initiative of the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA). The RMI is a multi-industry initiative with more than 500 member companies. Its members contribute to the development and international uptake of a range of tools and resources focused on minerals supply chain due diligence, including independent third-party audit programs for smelters, Minerals Reporting Templates, supply chain risk assessment tools, Country of Origin data, and guidance documents on responsible sourcing of all minerals/metals. The RMI runs regular workshops on responsible sourcing issues and contributes to policy development with civil society organizations and governments. For more information, visit ResponsibleMineralsInitiative.org

Media Contact 
Jarrett Bens, Senior Director of Communications 
Responsible Business Alliance 
Phone: +1 571.858.5721 
jbens@responsiblebusiness.org