Month: March 2026

ST. PAUL, Minn., March 31, 2026 /3BL/ – Data Center Safety Council (DCSC) is pleased to announce new Strategic Corporate Member Rowan Digital Infrastructure who joins previously announced Founding Members EdgeCore, Oracle, STACK Infrastructure, Salesforce, Vantage Data Centers and Yondr; and Strategic Corporate Members Ada Infrastructure, CBRE, Digital Realty, Flexential, Google and QTS.

The Data Center Safety Council (DCSC) brings together industry stakeholders to advance a consistent, unified approach to protecting the health, safety, and wellbeing of personnel across data center operations. As the sector continues to rapidly expand, there is an increasing need for consistent best practices, shared learning, and clearly defined resources for training and workforce development. Awareness of the safety risks inherent in these complex, often multi-employer environments has grown significantly over the past several years; however, implementing comprehensive, organization-wide safety programs can still present challenges. Through collaboration and industry advocacy, the DCSC helps align safety expectations and promotes a cohesive approach to managing operational risks across the data center landscape.

“Rowan expects safety excellence across every one of our sites. Joining the Data Center Safety Council reinforces that commitment as we continue to scale responsibly, sharing best practices and learning alongside peers to maintain the highest standards across every project and community,” Mark McKeon.

The members of the Data Center Safety Council are all leaders in the industry and well positioned to create collective global action and consistency for the industry as a whole. The DCSC invites its data center industry peers to join this mission as we continue to grow. DCSC is facilitated by Antea Group.

About Rowan Digital Infrastructure

Rowan Digital Infrastructure develops sustainable data center campuses for hyperscale customers, offering build-to-suit solutions that enable rapid and cost-effective scaling. Founded in November 2020, Rowan is supported by strong capital partnerships and a team of industry veterans.  Rowan is fully backed by Quinbrook, a leading investor in the clean energy transition. Rowan is actively developing multiple 300 MW to 1+ GW campuses across the U.S. to meet the next-generation capacity needs of hyperscale operators in a dynamic market. Learn more at www.rowan.digital.

ATLANTA, March 31, 2026 /3BL/ – The Ray installed a pollinator meadow in the City of Doraville, Georgia in late February. The project represents a strategic partnership to enhance the value of public land at one of the region’s most active transportation hubs.

Located at the intersection of I-285, Buford Highway, and Oakcliff Road, the new meadow sits at a “height of greatness” for visibility. By converting this high-traffic roadside tract into a functional landscape, The Ray and the City of Doraville are demonstrating how underutilized transit corridors can be transitioned into productive, managed assets that benefit the local community and the regional economy.

Strategic Land Management

This installation is more than a beautification effort; it is a deployment of living infrastructure. By replacing traditional turf grass with deep-rooted native wildflowers and grasses, we are addressing several operational goals:

• Maintenance Efficiency: Native meadows, once established, require significantly less mowing and chemical intervention than traditional grass, reducing long-term labor costs for local government.
• Stormwater Control: The complex root systems of these native species improve soil quality and increase the land’s ability to manage heavy rainfall, mitigating runoff issues common in paved urban environments.
• Pollution Mitigation: These plantings act as a natural biological filter, helping to capture particulates and runoff at a busy intersection before they impact local water systems.

A Collaborative Milestone

The project was made possible through the leadership of Austin Shelton and the City of Doraville’s Community Development team. This partnership highlights the growing demand from local governments for innovative land stewardship solutions that provide tangible returns on public investment.

“The strategic location of this meadow allows for prime visibility to the traveling public, said Josh Weaver, The Ray’s Natural Capital Manager. “By demonstrating the functional value of these landscapes in high-traffic areas, we can build the stakeholder buy-in needed to scale these solutions across the region.”

Looking Ahead

While the physical seeding is complete, the meadow is now entering its most critical phase: establishment. Over the coming spring months, the carefully selected native seeds will germinate, eventually providing a vibrant, low-maintenance landscape that supports local biodiversity while protecting the roadside’s integrity.

The Ray remains committed to scaling these natural capital solutions across Georgia. As this “living laboratory” in Doraville takes root, it will serve as a blueprint for other municipalities looking to optimize their transportation corridors for safety, beauty, and operational resilience.

Stay tuned for updates as we monitor the growth of the Doraville meadow.

Let’s drive the future, together.

Media Contact:

Dallen McLemore: dallen@theray.org 229-449-6168

Having pride in what you do is one of the reasons Don Roberts, Plant Manager for CertainTeed Roofing, has been with the company for over 37 years. He knows firsthand that support is strongest when it’s shared. 

Saint-Gobain is an industry leader with thousands of talented team members who are dedicated to one unified purpose: Making the World a Better Home. With more than 160 manufacturing facilities throughout the United States and Canada, there are so many robust and fulfilling career opportunities available. You’ll have the opportunity to work with colleagues from a wide range of businesses, cultures, and experiences.

About Success in the Making

Anyone can be a manufacturer! Whether you are just starting out or transitioning your career path, the manufacturing industry presents opportunities for success. Saint-Gobain North America’s Success in the Making series features the stories of team members who built their careers in manufacturing and thrived!

Watch the full Success in the Making series on YouTube.

About Saint-Gobain

Worldwide leader in light and sustainable construction, Saint-Gobain designs, manufactures and distributes materials and services adapted to the residential, non-residential and infrastructure markets. Its integrated and innovative solutions provide sustainability, performance and well-being for its customers. The Group is guided by its purpose, “MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER HOME”.

€46.5 billion in sales in 2025
162,000 employees, locations in 80 countries
Committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050

For more information about Saint-Gobain, visit www.saint-gobain.com and follow us on X @saintgobain

 

A Northeast Ohio restaurant owner and KeyBank client recently avoided a nearly $5,000 loss thanks to KeyBank’s Positive Pay fraud‑prevention program. According to an article from Cleveland 19 News, Carol Abbot, who owns four restaurants, discovered an altered check after Positive Pay flagged a discrepancy. Abbot said the alert allowed her to stop the fraudulent transaction before any funds were withdrawn.

Abbot credits Key’s program for helping her safeguard her business accounts. Her experience highlights the importance of daily account monitoring and utilizing available protection tools to stay ahead of increasingly sophisticated fraud attempts.

Read the full story on Cleveland 19 News:
https://www.cleveland19.com/2026/03/11/northeast-ohio-restaurant-owner-stops-5k-fraud-attempt-with-banks-positive-pay-program/

 

^{Banking products and services are offered by KeyBank N.A. Fees may apply to some of the products and services discussed on this. KeyBank Member FDIC CFMA# 260318-4223278}

Across DP World’s Peru operations, sustainability comes to life through the people, communities, and innovations shaping everyday impact — from cleaner port operations and renewable energy to education, workforce development, and community resilience.

These moments reflect a broader commitment to building more inclusive, low-carbon supply chains while creating lasting value where we operate.

Originally published on Aflac Newsroom

When 5-year-old Arlo Northey arrived at the hospital for the first time after being diagnosed with a brain tumor, his world suddenly felt unfamiliar. There were new faces, new machines and new words like port placement, chemotherapy, treatment plan. It was a lot for anyone to take in, let alone a child trying to understand why life had changed so quickly.

But on that overwhelming day, Arlo was handed something unexpected: a small, soft feathered companion with a gentle heartbeat and a peaceful expression. It was My Special Aflac Duck®, a robotic comfort companion designed for children facing cancer and sickle cell disease.

What happened next, Arlo’s mother said, was nothing short of remarkable.

A tool for understanding and a friend for the journey

Before his port was placed, nurses introduced Arlo to his duck’s medical play accessories — items that mirror the tools used during treatment. With them, Arlo could practice what would soon happen to him. He learned where the duck’s port was, tried out the small toy stethoscope, placed the mock chemotherapy lines and acted out the process step by step.

For a child suddenly thrust into medical complexity, it offered something priceless: understanding.

“It made everything less scary,” his mother Aubrey Northey said. “He could practice on the duck what the doctors were going to do to him. It helped him open up about what he was nervous about, and it made things easier to understand.”

The duck quickly became part of the family’s new routine. Arlo brought it to appointments. He slept with it. When he felt nervous walking into a room full of medical staff, he held it tight.

“He brings it whenever he’s unsure or overwhelmed,” Aubrey says. “It’s become his comfort through every new appointment.”

A source of comfort for the whole family

What surprised Aubrey most was how much the duck helped Arlo’s older brothers, too. Siblings often become silent witnesses to childhood illness — worried, confused and unsure how to express the emotions swirling inside them.

But as the Northey family learned, My Special Aflac Duck wasn’t just designed for patients. It also helps families start the difficult conversations that cancer forces into the room.

Arlo’s brothers used the duck to ask questions, mimic procedures and show their own feelings using the duck’s feeling cards. Those small plastic discs — happy, sad, mad, scared, brave — serve as prompts for children to communicate emotions they don’t yet know how to articulate.

“It helped his brothers understand what was happening and talk about how they were feeling, too,” Aubrey said. “Something about seeing Arlo practice on the duck made it easier for them to ask questions and be part of what he was going through.”

For the Northeys, a simple stuffed animal has become a meaningful partner in navigating a frightening new chapter. It’s a bridge between a child’s imagination and the realities of cancer care — a way to help turn fear into something that can be named, explored and managed.

My Special Aflac Duck was the focus of a three-year study where patients reported a reduction in distress, nausea, pain and procedural anxiety compared to those who had not yet received a duck. This study, involving 160 children and families at 8 different hospitals, also revealed that parents and caregivers reported a reduction in stress and anxiety, showing how My Special Aflac Duck helps children’s support system.

A mission to comfort families when they need it most

Since launching in 2018, My Special Aflac Duck has been delivered free of charge to more than 43,000 children diagnosed with cancer or sickle cell disease across the United States, Japan and Northern Ireland. The duck was designed after 18 months of research with child life specialists, families and clinicians. Its goal: help children prepare for treatment, express emotions and find a sense of control during an experience where so much feels out of their hands.

Some features that make the duck unique include:

• Medical play accessories, such as a port, thermometer, and a stethoscope, allowing children to rehearse procedures or mirror what clinicians do
• Feeling cards that help kids express feelings they may not have words for yet
• A heartbeat and breathing simulation, providing calming sensory feedback during stressful moments
• Soft, comforting design, making it easy to cuddle during rest and procedures
• An augmented reality app offering activities for distraction and imaginative play

Child Life teams often describe the duck as a coping tool, a therapeutic aid and, for many kids, a comforting friend. For children like Arlo, it becomes something even more profound: a steady source of courage in a path they never asked to walk.

To learn more about My Special Aflac Duck and to order one for a patient in need, visit MySpecialAflacDuck.com.

 

Aflac WWHQ | 1932 Wynnton Road | Columbus, GA 31999

Z2600161 EXP 3/27

Key Takeaways: EPA PFAS Regulations in 2026 

• EPA expanded PFAS monitoring, testing methods, and drinking water implementation efforts, including outreach to public water systems under the PFAS OUT Initiative. 
• The U.S. Court of Appeals upheld 2024 drinking water standards, maintaining 10 ppt MCLs for PFNA, HFPO-DA (GenX chemicals), PFHxS, and PFBS. 
• EPA reaffirmed use of existing authorities, including TSCA, CERCLA, and the Safe Drinking Water Act, to address PFAS contamination, reporting, and site cleanup. 
• The agency emphasized testing, remediation, and regulatory implementation, while broader consumer exposure reduction strategies and expanded toxicity research remain areas to watch.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), under Administrator Lee Zeldin, has released a summary of actions taken during the first year of the Trump Administration to address risks associated with per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The update reflects an emphasis on testing and detection, drinking water protection, site cleanup, regulatory implementation, enforcement, and coordination with states, tribes, local governments, and federal partners. 

According to EPA, addressing PFAS contamination was identified as a priority at the outset of the Administration, with the agency focusing on identifying PFAS, preventing further contamination of drinking water, remediating impacted sites, and pursuing accountability where contamination has occurred. 

 

EPA’s PFAS Policy Priorities in 2026 

EPA characterizes its PFAS approach as relying upon: 

• Expanded monitoring and testing capabilities 
• Direct support to impacted communities 
• Use of existing statutory authorities, including TSCA, SDWA, CERCLA, and the Clean Water and Clean Air Acts 
• Continued development of treatment and disposal guidance 
• Coordination across EPA program offices and regions

EPA PFAS Actions in the First Year of the Trump Administration 

Since January 2025, EPA has reported the following actions related to PFAS: 

Drinking Water and Community Support 

• Launch of the PFAS OUTreach Initiative (PFAS OUT) to engage public water systems requiring upgrades to address PFAS, including PFOA and PFOS. 
• Release of $945 million to reduce PFAS exposure in drinking water. 
• Installation of point-of-entry treatment systems, private well sampling, and bottled water provision at several sites 
• Completion of PFAS treatment systems serving households in southern California water districts. 

Regulatory and Enforcement Developments 

• Advancement of science-based levels for PFOA and PFOS under the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations, with revised compliance timelines.   =
• Judicial denial of EPA’s request to vacate the 2024 PFAS drinking water rule, leaving in place 10 ppt MCLs for PFNA, HFPO-DA (GenX chemicals), PFHxS, and PFBS. 
• Affirmation of the CERCLA hazardous substance designation for PFOA and PFOS. 
• Proposal of revisions to TSCA PFAS reporting requirements intended to reduce duplicative reporting while maintaining access to use and safety information. 
• Finalization of a consent order requiring removal of PFAS firefighting foam and system cleaning at Brunswick Executive Airport in Maine. 

Expanded PFAS Testing, Research, and Methods Development 

• Development of a laboratory method capable of detecting 40 PFAS compounds across multiple media, including water, soil, sediment, landfill leachate, and fish tissue. 
• Expanded PFAS sampling of private wells, public water systems, and Tribal drinking water systems in multiple EPA Regions. 
• Provision of interim PFAS laboratory certification for Alaska’s Department of Environmental Conservation. 

Site-Specific and Federal Facility Actions: 

• PFAS sampling and response actions near military installations, including Joint Base Lewis McChord, Fort Bragg, and the McAlester Army Ammunition Plant. 
• Continued response actions at Superfund sites with PFAS impacts, including activities in New Jersey. 

PFAS Disposal and Treatment Guidance 

• Shift to annual updates of EPA’s PFAS Destruction and Disposal Guidance to reflect evolving treatment technologies and effectiveness data. 

EPA Coordination and Legal Authorities 

EPA has indicated it is establishing a cross agency coordinating group, supported by the Office of the Administrator and the Office of Water, to align PFAS research, regulatory actions, and cleanup efforts across program offices and regions. 

EPA’s PFAS response relies on existing statutory authorities to: 

• Regulate new and existing chemicals under TSCA 
• Establish and enforce drinking water standards under the Safe Drinking Water Act 
• Address contaminated sites under CERCLA and other cleanup authorities 
• Control industrial discharges and emissions under the Clean Water Act 

Testing Framework 

EPA emphasized continued reliance on validated laboratory methods, including both targeted and non-targeted PFAS testing, to guide regulatory and cleanup decisions. The agency currently employs multiple methods for testing PFAS in drinking water, surface water, wastewater, solids, and air, and is continuing to develop air testing methodologies.

PFAS Policy Outlook: What to Expect Next from EPA 

EPA framed these actions as building on PFAS initiatives undertaken during President Trump’s first term, including the 2019 PFAS Action Plan and related regulatory determinations for PFOA and PFOS. 

Looking ahead, EPA states it plans to further expand PFAS testing programs, support development of new treatment technologies, increase community outreach, and continue enforcement activities in coordination with state, tribal, and local partners. 

While the first-year summary highlights significant activity in testing, drinking water protection, and site response, it provides limited detail regarding broader strategies to reduce consumer exposure to PFAS in products or to expand federal funding for toxicity research beyond PFOA, PFOS, and their precursors. Continued evaluation of the health effects of additional PFAS compounds and pathways of exposure may influence future regulatory and risk management priorities.

Compliance Considerations for Regulated Entities 

EPA’s first year PFAS actions under the Trump Administration signal continued federal attention to PFAS across drinking water, site cleanup, chemical reporting, and disposal practices. While many initiatives build on existing authorities rather than creating new statutory requirements, regulated entities should consider the following compliance implications:  

Drinking Water Systems 

Public water systems should anticipate: 

• Increased EPA outreach and engagement through initiatives such as PFAS OUT, particularly for systems detecting PFOA or PFOS. 
• Continued focus on implementation of National Primary Drinking Water Regulations for PFOA and PFOS, including revised compliance timelines. 
• Greater scrutiny of monitoring data as EPA expands PFAS testing methods and sampling efforts. 

Systems identifying PFAS above applicable standards should be prepared for potential technical assistance discussions, treatment upgrades, or other corrective measures. 

Site Owners, Operators, and Potentially Responsible Parties 

Entities associated with PFAS impacted properties should note: 

• EPA’s affirmation of the CERCLA hazardous substance designation for PFOA and PFOS reinforces the agency’s ability to pursue response actions and cost recovery. 
• Increased use of site-specific enforcement tools, including consent orders, particularly where PFAS sources are identified. 
• Expanded testing methods may result in broader detection of PFAS across media, potentially affecting site characterization and remedial strategies. 

Property owners, developers, and operators should continue to evaluate PFAS risks in environmental due diligence and remediation planning.

Manufacturers, Importers, and Users of PFAS 

Companies subject to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) should monitor: 

• Proposed revisions to PFAS reporting requirements intended to reduce duplicative submissions while preserving EPA’s access to use and safety information. 
• Continued expectations that regulated entities provide accurate chemical use and exposure data when required. 

Even where reporting burdens are adjusted, EPA has emphasized maintaining visibility into PFAS manufacturing, processing, and use.

Industrial Facilities and Waste Handlers 

Facilities managing PFAS containing waste or discharges should be aware of:  

• More frequent updates to EPA’s PFAS Destruction and Disposal Guidance, now issued annually.
• Ongoing evaluation of treatment technologies, which may influence acceptable disposal practices over time.
• Potential implications for air, water, and waste permitting as EPA advances PFAS testing methods across environmental media.

Tribal, State, and Local Coordination 

Entities operating in coordination with states, tribes, or local governments may see: 

• Increased data sharing and sampling activity, particularly where EPA is supporting community or Tribal drinking water systems. 
• Greater alignment between federal and nonfederal authorities as EPA emphasizes cooperative federalism in PFAS response efforts. 

Steps to Stay Ahead on PFAS Compliance

Given EPA’s stated direction, regulated entities may wish to: 

• Review existing PFAS monitoring, reporting, and response practices for alignment with current EPA guidance. 
• Track evolving PFAS testing methodologies that could affect detection thresholds and compliance expectations. 
• Assess potential CERCLA exposure where historical or ongoing PFAS use may be implicated. 
• Incorporate PFAS considerations into environmental management systems, transactions, and long-term compliance planning.

Conclusion: Continued Regulatory Momentum and Growing Complexity 

EPA’s first-year PFAS actions reflect continued federal engagement using existing statutory authorities to address drinking water contamination, site cleanup, chemical reporting, and disposal practices. The agency’s emphasis on testing, implementation, and enforcement reinforces that PFAS remains a priority regulatory issue.

At the same time, ongoing litigation, evolving science, and expanding state-level requirements contribute to an increasingly complex compliance landscape. For regulated entities operating across jurisdictions, understanding where federal, state, and international PFAS obligations intersect is becoming essential to risk management and long-term planning.

Stay Ahead of Evolving PFAS Requirements 

PFAS regulations continue to expand across federal, state, and international jurisdictions, creating new compliance and risk management challenges for regulated entities. 

Stay ahead of global PFAS developments with our PFAS Regulatory Dashboard. This interactive tool consolidates more than 1,200 current PFAS requirements across 50 countries and 48 U.S. states, helping organizations understand where and how obligations apply. 

Explore the free version for broad regulatory visibility, or reach out to our team to get a subscription for deeper insights.