Author: sHq_LoGiNz

OAKLAND, Calif., July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) submitted a report to the California Public Utilities Commission reporting a 42 percent reduction of methane emissions in 2024 from its gas pipeline system compared to a 2015 baseline, surpassing its commitment to achieve a 20 percent reduction by 2025.

In 2017, the CPUC and California Air Resources Board (CARB) directed PG&E to achieve a 20 percent emissions reduction below 2015 baseline levels by 2025. The company outpaced this goal and voluntarily set a target to achieve a 45 percent reduction by 2030.

In June of this year, PG&E submitted its annual 2024 emissions data to the CPUC, which outlined the methodology and comprehensive approach the company took to achieve the 42 percent emission reduction, including:

• Enhancing the leak survey program that now assesses more than 42,000 miles of natural gas distribution pipeline every three years versus the previous five year rotation.
• Applying advanced leak detection technologies and utilizing an accelerated repair schedule for the largest emissions findings, also known as the PG&E Super Emitter Program.
• Continuing strategic implementation of gas mitigation technologies for planned ventings on transmission pipelines, compressor stations and underground storage.

“Achieving and surpassing our methane emissions reduction goal is an important milestone that highlights our efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of our natural gas pipeline system. Coupled with our ongoing commitment to support the interconnection and delivery of California-produced renewable natural gas, we remain committed to achieving a net zero emissions energy system for our customers and hometowns,” said Gas Engineering Vice President Austin Hastings.

PG&E’s Climate Strategy Report outlines the company’s commitment to achieve a net zero emissions energy system by 2040 and a “climate positive” system by 2050.

About PG&E

Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is a combined natural gas and electric utility serving more than 16 million people across 70,000 square miles in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit pge.com and pge.com/news.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pge-achieves-42-reduction-in-methane-emissions-surpassing-2025-goal-302505868.html

SOURCE Pacific Gas and Electric Company

Visit ClearTheSheltersFund.org to Donate Now Through Sept. 15

FREDERICK, Md., July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ – February Star Sanctuary has joined NBCUniversal Local’s 11th annual Clear The Shelters pet adoption and donation campaign scheduled for Aug. 1 to 31, which features an extended fundraising initiative taking place now through Sept. 15.

About Clear The Shelters

NBCUniversal Local’s Clear The Shelters™ is an annual nationwide pet adoption and donation campaign held each August. As part of the initiative, NBC- and Telemundo-owned and affiliated stations partner with animal shelters and rescues in communities across the U.S. to promote pet adoption and raise funds for participating shelters. Since its 2015 inception, Clear The Shelters has led to nearly 1.2 million pet adoptions and raised more than $5 million. Longtime campaign supporters include Hill’s Pet Nutrition, a national sponsor for eight consecutive years, Greater Good Charities and WeRescue. Clear The Shelters was inspired by a 2014 North Texas pet adoption event hosted by NBC 5 / KXAS and Telemundo 39 / KXTX. For more information, visit ClearTheShelters.com.

Follow Clear The Shelters on social media:

• X: @ClearTheShelter
• Instagram: cleartheshelters
• TikTok: @cleartheshelters
• Hashtags: #ClearTheShelters & #DesocuparLosAlbergues

About February Star Sanctuary

February Star Sanctuary is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, no-kill, family-run sanctuary with a mission to rescue, rehabilitate, rehome and provide refuge for horses and cats in need. We strive to improve the overall health and quality of life for horses and cats by addressing issues such as animal abandonment, animal abuse, cat overpopulation and the high numbers of animal intake and euthanasia. February Star Sanctuary achieves this through equine and feline adoption, fostering and refuge, TNR services, caring for cats of the homeless and community outreach. Additionally, our youth outreach helps children develop compassion for rescue animals at an early age. We feel teaching our children to respect and protect even the smallest creatures among us is one of the most important life lessons we can pass on. February Star Sanctuary gives the unwanted a safe, secure home and builds a generation of animal advocates, one child at a time.

“We believe rescue isn’t just a verb, it’s a promise.” – Phyllis Smith, Executive Director/Co-Founder.

Follow February Star Sanctuary on social media:

• Facebook: Februarystarsanctuary
• Instagram: februarystarsanctuary

https://februarystarsanctuary.com

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SOURCE February Star Sanctuary

SAN DIEGO, July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Osprey Landscape Group, a leading provider of commercial landscape services and a portfolio company of Southfield Capital, is pleased to welcome EarthWorks, Inc., a premier Texas-based landscape services provider, as a strategic addition to its platform. This partnership reflects the continued expansion of Osprey’s operation into the Western and Southwestern United States.

Founded in 1979 by Mark and Mana Chaffin and currently operated by their sons Chris Lee (CEO) and Zac Chaffin (CFO), Earthworks has earned a trusted reputation across Texas for high-quality landscape maintenance, irrigation, and tree care services. With a strong commitment to client satisfaction, team development, and operational excellence, Earthworks aligns closely with Osprey’s mission and values.

“This partnership establishes our presence in Texas and positions us to accelerate growth throughout the Southwest,” said Joshua Dake, CEO of Osprey Landscape Group. “Earthworks brings decades of market expertise, a tenured team, and an outstanding client base. We’re thrilled to welcome them to Osprey and to continue to build on the strong legacy of Earthworks in Texas.”

The acquisition of Earthworks builds on Osprey’s growing platform, which began with the acquisition of Pacific Landscape Management in Portland, Oregon. Osprey subsequently expanded into the Seattle market through the acquisitions of His Hands and Earthworks Landscape in Washington state. With the addition of Earthworks Inc. in Texas, Osprey significantly increases its service capabilities and geographic reach.

“We are excited to join forces with Osprey Landscape Group,” said Chris Lee, CEO of Earthworks. “Their commitment to employees, customers, and long-term growth mirrors our own, and this partnership will allow us to continue delivering outstanding value to our clients and team.”

Southfield Capital, a private equity firm focused on lower middle market companies, continues to support Osprey’s vision of building a best-in-class commercial landscaping platform through strategic partnerships with strong regional providers.

About Osprey Landscape Group
Osprey Landscape Group is a national commercial landscape services platform focused on maintenance, enhancements, and irrigation. By combining the strength of leading regional providers with shared operational resources and a people-first culture, Osprey delivers best-in-class service across a growing geographic footprint.

About Earthworks Inc.
Headquartered in Texas, Earthworks Inc. has been delivering high-quality landscape services since 1979. The company serves a wide range of commercial, municipal, and institutional clients, with a reputation built on integrity, safety, and customer satisfaction.

About Southfield Capital
Southfield Capital is a private equity firm based in Greenwich, Connecticut, focused on investing in growing lower middle market companies in the business services sectors. Southfield partners with management teams to drive growth through operational improvements, strategic initiatives, and add-on acquisitions.

For more information, please contact:
(760) 859-9906
info@ospreylg.com
www.ospreylg.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/osprey-landscape-group-expands-presence-in-the-southwest-with-addition-of-earthworks-inc-302505771.html

SOURCE Southfield Capital

SolaREIT Capital Solutions Support Over 1.4 GW of Storage Projects Across the U.S.

VIENNA, Va., July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ —  SolaREIT™, the leading solar and battery storage real estate investment company, announced today it has deployed more than $125 million in capital for battery energy storage system (BESS) projects across the United States. The company’s BESS capital solutions have now supported more than 1,400 MWac of projects, helping improve grid stability, manage peak demand, and support clean energy deployment nationwide. The company launched its capital solutions for BESS developers last year.

“Battery storage is the backbone of a resilient, modern grid that can support this country’s growing energy needs—and it all starts with land,” said Laura Pagliarulo, CEO of SolaREIT. “Storage sites are often more complex and costly to secure than solar, so unlocking land value early can make or break a project. Our team delivers flexible capital solutions that help developers stay focused on execution and getting projects built.”

Nationwide, battery energy storage projects generate strong revenue per acre and monetizing the underlying land offers developers a highly accretive, alternative source of development capital. Developers, particularly in urban areas, face high real estate costs—especially as demand rises for strategically located acreage near existing grid infrastructure. These locations command a premium and can present a significant hurdle for developers. SolaREIT can help by partnering with developers and landowners to offer a range of options for accessing unrestricted capital.

SolaREIT’s capital solutions—including land purchases, lease purchases, and battery storage land loans—are available in all 50 states. The company’s practical, proven financing tools are designed to provide maximum flexibility, tailored to each partner’s development timeline, financial strategy, and long-term vision.

For more information: https://www.solareit.com

About SolaREIT
SolaREIT™ is a leading solar and battery storage real estate investment company. The company partners with developers and landowners to deliver flexible capital solutions—including land purchases, lease purchases, and loans for solar and storage projects. SolaREIT’s practical, streamlined offerings are available in all 50 states and tailored to meet the financial goals and development strategies of its clients. Learn more at www.solareit.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/solareit-surpasses-125m-in-battery-energy-storage-land-financing-302505675.html

SOURCE SolaREIT

• 13th Annual “School Rocks Backpack Giveaway” Returns Sunday, July 27 at TCC and Wireless Zone Stores
• One Lucky School to Receive Bus Filled with Essential Supplies Through Round Room’s Stuff the Bus Campaign
• To Help Reduce Financial Burdens, More than 1.5M Backpacks Have Been Given to Students Since the Giveaway’s Inception 

FISHERS, Ind., July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — On a single afternoon this July, thousands of team members and franchise owners will open their doors, ready to greet long lines of eager families. Furthering its commitment to supporting the communities it serves, Round Room, LLC – one of the country’s largest Verizon Authorized Retailers – is hosting its annual “School Rocks Backpack Giveaway” at more than 1,200 of its TCC and Wireless Zone stores, offering complimentary backpacks to families for the upcoming school year.

Now in its 13th year, Round Room’s “School Rocks Backpack Giveaway” has become more than an event – it’s a moment of continued care for families preparing for the school year. On Sunday, July 27 at 1 p.m. local time, over 1,200 TCC and Wireless Zone locations will give away more than 140,000 backpacks to students.

“This is one of those moments each year that reminds us why we do what we do,” said Scott Moorehead, CEO of Round Room. “It’s not just about the backpacks, it’s about showing up for our neighbors. When our teams gather in stores across the country to give back on the same day, it’s a magical thing.”

This year’s event also marks the conclusion of Round Room’s first-ever “Stuff the Bus” campaign, a nationwide school supply drive held throughout June at its participating stores. Designed to provide essential classroom tools to under-resourced schools, the initiative rallied community members across five states. The finalists, each nominated by a local business, will receive the supplies collected in their area. Additionally, Round Room will be gifting one winning school a bus filled with nearly $40,000 of essential supplies during Backpack Giveaway.

“We know that for many families, back-to-school season is exciting, yet overwhelming,” added Moorehead. “The rising cost of everyday essentials is forcing parents to make hard choices, and a simple backpack can become one more financial stressor. That’s why this initiative matters. We want to ease that burden and help students walk into the classroom feeling confident and cared for.”

After years of inflation and ongoing economic uncertainty, families continue to feel the burden during back-to-school season. Last year, U.S. families spent an average of $875 on school supplies, with costs rising by almost 24% over the past five years. Nearly three–quarters of parents expect to spend the same amount or more this year despite financial pressures. For families facing financial strain, purchasing a higher ticket item such as a backpack can be challenging, highlighting why community initiatives like Round Room’s “School Rocks Backpack Giveaway” are more vital than ever.

Backpack Giveaway Details:

• Round Room has been able to provide more than 1.5 million children with a backpack since its inception in 2013, reflecting its strong commitment to supporting families and enriching the communities it serves.
• Families are invited to attend their local event to pick up a complimentary backpack, one per present child and as supplies last, from over 1,200 participating locations in preparation for the new school year.
• To find the closest participating store, visit the TCC and Wireless Zone websites and select the “Backpack Giveaway Participating Stores” filter.

The Round Room Way: Community at the Core
Philanthropy is woven into the fabric of Round Room, driven by the passion and creativity of its employees and store owners. From local backpack giveaways enhanced with dunk tanks, obstacle courses, and partner giveaways, to national quarterly initiatives that support teachers, pet rescues and those affected by domestic violence, the company is committed to making a real impact. With over $8 million donated through its community grant program, benefiting more than 1,600 local nonprofits, Round Room continues to uplift communities through both grassroots efforts and large-scale giving.

To learn more about Round Room and their philanthropic commitments, visit roundroom.com/our-impact.

About Round Room, LLC
Founded on a mission and deep commitment of giving back to employees, customers, and the communities it serves, Round Room is one of the largest Verizon-authorized retailers in the U.S. Its collective portfolio of brands includes TCC, Wireless Zone, and Culture of Good. With more than 1,200 TCC and Wireless Zone retail locations across 43 states, Round Room has donated more than $8M to various causes through ongoing giveback initiatives. The company’s efforts have also been recognized through the Top Workplaces USA 2025 award and the 2025 Gold Stevie award for Company of the Year. To learn more about Round Room, visit www.RoundRoom.com.

About TCC
Founded in 1991, TCC is a Verizon wireless retailer that operates over 500 locations from coast to coast and employs upwards of 1,900 people. As a certified ‘Culture of Good’ company, TCC encourages employees to give back in every community it serves through its Community Grant program, volunteer opportunities, and local philanthropic events. TCC has been recognized with several notable awards including Inc. Magazine’s Best in Business, Top Workplaces USA, and Glassdoor’s Best Places to Work. To learn more about TCC or to find a location near you, visit www.TCCRocks.com. For more information about TCC’s parent company, Round Room, LLC, visit www.RoundRoom.com.

About Wireless Zone
Wireless Zone® is the nation’s largest wireless retail franchisor with more than 720 independently owned and operated Verizon wireless stores across the U.S. Founded in 1988, Wireless Zone has earned prestigious industry rankings on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 and Franchise Business Review’s Top Franchise in 2025, and has been honored with Verizon’s “Best Customer Service” award for five consecutive years. From franchisees to corporate employees, each team member plays a critical role in its giveback efforts through system-wide fundraising campaigns or nominating a local charity for a community grant. The system is franchised and operated by Wireless Zone, LLC. Visit www.WirelessZone.com for more information or www.RoundRoom.com to learn about its parent company, Round Room, LLC.

Media Contact: Marisa Beaumont, Fishman Public Relations, (847) 945-1300 or mbeaumont@fishmanpr.com

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SOURCE Round Room (TCC | Wireless Zone)

83% of All Items Collected at 2024 Beach Cleanups Were Single-Use Plastics

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif., July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — 11 million metric tons of plastic pollution enter our ocean each year — which is the equivalent of a trash truck dumping a full load of plastics into our ocean every minute of every day of the year. The Surfrider Foundation, an environmental organization dedicated to the protection of America’s ocean, waves, and beaches, has been on the frontlines of protecting the ocean from the harms of plastic pollution for decades.

Surfrider’s annual Beach Cleanup Report highlights the organization’s national beach cleanup efforts and reveals the items most often collected — exposing the growing threat that rampant plastic pollution poses to both our ocean and human health, and how Surfrider’s activists are tackling this issue head-on.

ACCESS SURFRIDER’S BEACH CLEANUP REPORT

“Beach cleanups play a critical role in addressing the plastic pollution crisis. They allow our volunteers to learn about the types of plastic that are found on our beaches and provide an entry point to learn more about the impacts of single-use plastics on our environment,” explains Jenny Harrah, Surfrider’s Healthy Beaches Program Manager. Despite the record-breaking efforts by their nationwide volunteer chapter network last year, Surfrider knows that there is no way to beach cleanup our way out of the immense scale and explosive rate of the global plastic pollution crisis. So they’ve made their beach cleanups serve a brilliant secondary function: data collection.

Last year, Surfrider volunteers logged the most number of individual trash items ever, with 870,000 itemized pieces of trash recorded into their national cleanup database, with 83% of it being plastic. This data provides an incredibly clear picture of what exactly is polluting our beaches and coasts, which Surfrider activists use to campaign for stronger plastic reduction legislation, such as “Skip the Stuff” bills that allow consumers to opt-out of single-use plastics in their takeout food orders, helping to stop plastic pollution at its source. Another powerful example is that in states where Surfrider-sponsored plastic bag bans have been successfully implemented, coastal plastic bag litter has dropped by 50% since the policies were first enacted in 2018.

Not only does Surfrider’s beach cleanup data continue to prove that plastic is the most commonly found material on our beaches, but it also shows how plastic behaves once it reaches the environment. Plastic breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces, becoming increasingly difficult to clean up and a bigger threat to the health of coastal ecosystems. Out of the almost one million items found during 2024 beach cleanups, one-third (32.5%) were plastic fragments. These fragments infiltrate coastal food systems, harming not only wildlife but also posing a danger to human health.

Microplastics and plastic fragments bioaccumulate up the food chain — becoming more toxic the higher up the food chain you go. So even if you can’t see anything wrong with a filet of fresh fish or the sushi roll on your dinner plate, your favorite seafood has an increasing chance of being contaminated by plastics and associated chemical pollutants once they’ve been ingested by marine life. Last week, a new report on nanoplastics in the ocean, microscopic fragments roughly the size of small bacteria, revealed that there are at least 27 million metric tons of nanoplastic pollution in North Atlantic seas alone — more than the combined weight of all wild land mammals.

Because so much of plastic is nearly impossible for consumers to avoid, like plastic packaging for instance, which at 145,000 pieces accounted for the third largest category of trash, Surfrider is campaigning for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) bills that will shift the cleanup and disposal costs back onto plastic packaging manufacturers. With over 140 EPR laws already on the books covering an array of hazardous and hard-to-dispose products in the U.S., it’s time for plastic packaging producers to follow suit. Six states have passed EPR bills for plastic packaging, with more advancing annually. As a proven policy tool, EPR is essential to achieving a plastic pollution-free future, ensuring that producers — not communities — bear responsibility for the lifecycle costs of their products.

At current rates, the amount of plastic pollution entering our ocean is doubling every six years. If these trends continue, the total weight of plastic pollution in our ocean could exceed the total weight of all fish in the ocean by 2050. Only by turning off the tap of single-use plastic production, through legislative intervention and industry innovation, can we ensure that a sustainable vision for a plastic pollution-free future becomes a reality.

Surfrider’s Beach Cleanup program is proudly supported by REEF and the Surf Industry Members Association through the Better Beach Alliance, which encourages all groups — individuals, organizations, and companies — to participate in the shared goal of ending plastic pollution. “Supporting Surfrider is REEF’s way of supporting stewardship of our coastal communities and ocean planet. Our relationship with the Surfrider Foundation has been integral in striving to improve who we are and how we act as a brand,” says Shea Perkins, Senior Marketing Manager at REEF.

“This report is more than a record of trash collected; it’s proof of the power of advocacy, community, and collaboration. The vital work led by the Surfrider Foundation and its vast chapter network shows how grassroots action can drive national awareness and real change,” says Vipe Desai, Executive Director at the Surf Industry Members Association. “Coastal communities rely on clean beaches for their health, economy, and way of life. We’re proud to support this effort and help amplify Surfrider Foundation’s ongoing impact to protect our oceans, waves, and beaches.”

To learn more, and find out how you can join a beach cleanup near you, visit surfrider.org

About the Surfrider Foundation

The Surfrider Foundation is a nonprofit grassroots organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of our world’s ocean, waves, and beaches for all people through a powerful activist network. Founded in 1984 by a handful of visionary surfers in Malibu, California, the Surfrider Foundation now maintains over one million supporters, activists, and members, with more than 200 volunteer-led chapters and student clubs in the U.S., and more than 900 victories protecting our coasts. Learn more at surfrider.org.

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SOURCE Surfrider Foundation