Author: sHq_LoGiNz

Innovative approach can quickly boost electricity production to benefit consumers 

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Jenny Netherton works on The Pew Charitable Trusts’ energy modernization project.

As demand for electricity continues to rise in the United States, policymakers and utilities are increasingly concerned about how to meet consumers’ needs cost-effectively, especially because it takes an average of five years for new energy projects to connect to the grid after they are proposed. But one underused approach, called Surplus Interconnection Service (SIS), can shortcut that wait by allowing new power generation or storage to be added in months instead of years. That’s because SIS resources are colocated with existing power plants and share their access to the grid.

The issue with adding new power sources

Interconnection is the approval process that new power plants must follow to connect to the grid and deliver power to consumers. It is often time-consuming due to both the volume of requests and the time grid operators need to conduct detailed reviews of projects. Proposed power plants join an interconnection “queue” where they wait their turn for grid operators to study the plant, determine and construct needed upgrades to power lines and infrastructure, and approve the plant for a maximum number of megawatts (MW).

This process safeguards the grid but takes years. However, many existing power plants do not always operate to their maximum capacity, leaving a MW surplus that can be filled with new generation or storage.

SIS allows power plants to leverage that surplus by sharing their interconnection with new energy resources, typically low-cost and quick-to-install solar and batteries, which bypass the interconnection queue. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission opened the door for widespread use of SIS in 2018, allowing any power plant larger than 20 MW to apply to add SIS resources.

Power plants run the energy gamut from thermal generators, such as natural gas and coal, to renewables, such as wind and solar, and have differing opportunities for SIS. For example, some natural gas plants may only operate four or five days a year when demand is peaking, despite having approval for generation all year. SIS allows these “peaker plants” to add generation such as solar and drastically increase power generation year-round. Similarly, solar farms, which generate electricity only during the daytime, can add SIS battery or wind resources to operate at night to maximize their interconnection rights. 

Benefits of SIS

Aside from boosting energy delivery to consumers quickly and efficiently, SIS also:

Increases energy deployment: SIS resources supplement the traditional queue for new power plants, creating a separate pathway to bring new energy resources online quickly while the main interconnection queue continues to approve projects.

Minimizes land use: SIS projects must be located at or near existing power plants and can often be installed on the plant’s existing footprint, reducing the need to disturb undeveloped land.

Enhances reliability: The combination of the original power plant’s output and SIS resources can provide greater reliability than either resource would have separately, for example, by generating and storing solar energy by day and deploying it at night.

Reduces grid congestion: SIS allows for energy production during times when the original power plant is offline or underutilizing its interconnection rights, reducing congestion and in turn lowering prices for consumers.

Helps reduce transmission system costs: SIS increases energy supply without the need to construct new transmission lines, which are costly and take many years to build.

How states can add SIS

State governments can encourage and boost the use of SIS through a variety of actions:

SIS is a promising tool states can leverage now to quickly get additional power onto the grid, which in turn would benefit energy providers and consumers alike.

For more information, visit Energy Modernization | The Pew Charitable Trusts (pewtrusts.org) 

Media Contact: Matt Herbert, officer, mherbert@pewtrusts.org, 605-759-8911 

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SOURCE The Pew Charitable Trusts

Three-year commitment includes $30,000 a year in trips donated by Grand Circle Corporation’s family of travel brands for auctions and additional fundraising for the nonprofit from Fiscal Year FY26 through FY28.

BOSTON, Feb. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Rebuilding Together Boston (www.rebuildingtogetherboston.org) announced today that Grand Circle Corporation has committed to a three-year premier sponsorship totaling $240,000, supporting home repairs, community revitalization projects, and critical fundraising efforts across Boston neighborhoods.

Grand Circle has awarded Rebuilding Together $50,000 for three years from FY26 to FY28 for four ReBuild events annually to repair and revitalize Boston communities each year in addition to capacity building and support for their 35^th Paint the Town anniversary gala. As part of its fundraising support, Grand Circle will donate $30,000 annually in travel experiences through its family of travel brands.

“For 30 years, Grand Circle employees have volunteered to make a difference for Boston homeowners and neighbors by making critical repairs to homes, community centers and community spaces. Rebuilding Together Boston is extremely grateful for this premier sponsorship of $240,000 over three years. We look forward to working with Grand Circle and its partners to repair more homes and revitalize communities for our Boston neighbors,” said Rebuilding Together Boston’s Executive Director Janice Walker.

This grant funding aligns with Grand Circle’s commitment to contribute in the places where its employees work and live. Rebuilding Together Boston and Grand Circle employees have given back to the Boston community by repairing and revitalizing homes and community spaces for veterans, seniors, and families with disabilities.

Rebuilding Together Boston’s work addresses the pressing housing challenges of Boston’s aging housing stock, a high rate of cost-burdened homeowners, and a shortage of affordable housing. By helping long-term residents remain in place and investing in shared community assets, Rebuilding Together Boston’s work builds on its track record of serving low-income homeowners across Boston.

“At Grand Circle, travel is about changing lives by strengthening the connections between people and the places they call home,” said Brian FitzGerald, CEO of Grand Circle Corporation. “That belief extends beyond our travelers to the communities where our employees live and work. We’re proud to support Rebuilding Together Boston and to invest in efforts that help build strong, stable neighborhoods.”

Rebuilding Together Boston organizes and collaborates with skilled workers, tradespeople, volunteers, and other community members and nonprofit organizations to meet the urgent needs of our communities by preserving affordable housing, stabilizing neighborhoods, and reducing housing instability and the risk of homelessness. 95% of the people we serve are Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC). There is never a cost to the people we help. Over the past 35 years, Rebuilding Together Boston completed over 700 renovation projects for an estimated total value of over $8.5 million. If you think you can benefit from Rebuilding Together Boston’s services, contact RTB through this link: Rebuilding Together Boston – Apply Online

About Grand Circle Corporation
Grand Circle Corporation is a Boston-based global travel enterprise comprised of a family of travel brands that includes Overseas Adventure Travel, Grand Circle Cruise Line, and Grand Circle Travel. Founded with a mission to deliver life-changing travel experiences and high-impact cultural immersion, the company is committed to helping travelers connect deeply with people and places around the world through immersive itineraries, small group discovery, and authentic local engagement. Through the Grand Circle Foundation, the company also supports nonprofit organizations and community initiatives in the places where its travelers visit, and its associates live and work.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Angela Petropoulos, 617-501-8694
apetropoulos@rebuildingtogetherboston.org

Gabriel Ford-McGowan, 617-346-6171
gfordmcgowan@oattravel.com

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SOURCE Grand Circle Corporation

The highly acclaimed Black Health Matters Summit returns to Atlanta with vital health screenings, influential speakers, special guest appearances, and trusted resources, aimed at mobilizing the community towards action, connection, and lasting health transformation.

ATLANTA, Feb. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Black Health Matters (BHM), the nation’s leading health and wellness platform for Black and Brown communities, will host its Winter 2026 Health Summit & Expo on Saturday, February 21, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Friendship Baptist Church, located at 80 Walnut St. SW, Atlanta, GA 30314. The free, day-long event is designed to provide culturally relevant health information and community-based resources that empower individuals to take control of their health. The summit will feature expert-led panel discussions, interactive wellness activities, free onsite health screenings, complimentary breakfast and lunch, and wellness giveaways.

This event is free and open to the general public. Community members can register to attend in-person or virtually through the event website at https://bhmwinter2026summit.vfairs.com.

Black Health Matters is committed to bridging the health equity gap through purpose-driven initiatives and evidence-based resources for disease management and overall wellness. BHM’s Health Summits are a cornerstone of its mission to create transformative impact and improve health outcomes in communities facing barriers to care. “Health equity starts with access, education, and trust,” said Roslyn Young Daniels, Founder and CEO of Black Health Matters. “The Winter Health Summit is about meeting our community where they are, providing practical tools and trusted information, and empowering individuals and families to take ownership of their health in a supportive environment.”

BHM invites the Atlanta community to join this impactful day of education, empowerment, and action. Attendees will hear from special guests Timon Kyle Durrett, Ambyr Michelle, and Colby Natasha Nixon of CBS’s Beyond the Gates, alongside healthcare professionals and advocates addressing critical topics such as nutrition, kidney disease, heart health, cancer prevention, multiple myeloma, and more.

The event will also include engaging, hands-on experiences, including fitness sessions with the “Guru of Abs,” DaShaun Johnson, and free onsite screenings such as full blood panels, bone health assessments, hypertension checks, mammograms, metabolic health, PSA testing, lipid panels, and additional preventive services.

Moving into its fourth year in Atlanta, the summit arrives at a critical juncture. As of early 2026, about 20 million Americans are facing significantly higher health insurance costs following the expiration of the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced tax credits at the end of last year. This crisis looms as the community already battles alarming rates of chronic illness and psychiatric emergencies.

The Winter Summit is more than an event—it is a call to action. By transforming a single day of clinical screenings, professional advice, and high-energy fitness into a lasting foundation for resilience, initiatives like the Black Health Matters Summit holistically empower the mind, body, and spirit to lean into lifelong well-being.

About Black Health Matters. Founded in 2012, Black Health Matters’ mission is to continue to be the leading evidence-based, chronic disease management and wellness resource for African Americans. We exist to radically redefine health and wellness for Black Americans by empowering them to demand the best in healthcare utilizing our multi-platform approach. We reach over one million African Americans interested in health monthly across our ecosystem that includes digital, social, and experiential. We create a culture of health where Black Americans can achieve their best quality of life possible by tapping into the resources and information created by Black Health Matters.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/black-health-matters-brings-health–wellness-movement-to-atlanta-during-black-history-month-302685506.html

SOURCE Black Health Matters

The highly acclaimed Black Health Matters Summit returns to Atlanta with vital health screenings, influential speakers, special guest appearances, and trusted resources, aimed at mobilizing the community towards action, connection, and lasting health transformation.

ATLANTA, Feb. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Black Health Matters (BHM), the nation’s leading health and wellness platform for Black and Brown communities, will host its Winter 2026 Health Summit & Expo on Saturday, February 21, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Friendship Baptist Church, located at 80 Walnut St. SW, Atlanta, GA 30314. The free, day-long event is designed to provide culturally relevant health information and community-based resources that empower individuals to take control of their health. The summit will feature expert-led panel discussions, interactive wellness activities, free onsite health screenings, complimentary breakfast and lunch, and wellness giveaways.

This event is free and open to the general public. Community members can register to attend in-person or virtually through the event website at https://bhmwinter2026summit.vfairs.com.

Black Health Matters is committed to bridging the health equity gap through purpose-driven initiatives and evidence-based resources for disease management and overall wellness. BHM’s Health Summits are a cornerstone of its mission to create transformative impact and improve health outcomes in communities facing barriers to care. “Health equity starts with access, education, and trust,” said Roslyn Young Daniels, Founder and CEO of Black Health Matters. “The Winter Health Summit is about meeting our community where they are, providing practical tools and trusted information, and empowering individuals and families to take ownership of their health in a supportive environment.”

BHM invites the Atlanta community to join this impactful day of education, empowerment, and action. Attendees will hear from special guests Timon Kyle Durrett, Ambyr Michelle, and Colby Natasha Nixon of CBS’s Beyond the Gates, alongside healthcare professionals and advocates addressing critical topics such as nutrition, kidney disease, heart health, cancer prevention, multiple myeloma, and more.

The event will also include engaging, hands-on experiences, including fitness sessions with the “Guru of Abs,” DaShaun Johnson, and free onsite screenings such as full blood panels, bone health assessments, hypertension checks, mammograms, metabolic health, PSA testing, lipid panels, and additional preventive services.

Moving into its fourth year in Atlanta, the summit arrives at a critical juncture. As of early 2026, about 20 million Americans are facing significantly higher health insurance costs following the expiration of the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced tax credits at the end of last year. This crisis looms as the community already battles alarming rates of chronic illness and psychiatric emergencies.

The Winter Summit is more than an event—it is a call to action. By transforming a single day of clinical screenings, professional advice, and high-energy fitness into a lasting foundation for resilience, initiatives like the Black Health Matters Summit holistically empower the mind, body, and spirit to lean into lifelong well-being.

About Black Health Matters. Founded in 2012, Black Health Matters’ mission is to continue to be the leading evidence-based, chronic disease management and wellness resource for African Americans. We exist to radically redefine health and wellness for Black Americans by empowering them to demand the best in healthcare utilizing our multi-platform approach. We reach over one million African Americans interested in health monthly across our ecosystem that includes digital, social, and experiential. We create a culture of health where Black Americans can achieve their best quality of life possible by tapping into the resources and information created by Black Health Matters.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/black-health-matters-brings-health–wellness-movement-to-atlanta-during-black-history-month-302685506.html

SOURCE Black Health Matters

The highly acclaimed Black Health Matters Summit returns to Atlanta with vital health screenings, influential speakers, special guest appearances, and trusted resources, aimed at mobilizing the community towards action, connection, and lasting health transformation.

ATLANTA, Feb. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Black Health Matters (BHM), the nation’s leading health and wellness platform for Black and Brown communities, will host its Winter 2026 Health Summit & Expo on Saturday, February 21, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Friendship Baptist Church, located at 80 Walnut St. SW, Atlanta, GA 30314. The free, day-long event is designed to provide culturally relevant health information and community-based resources that empower individuals to take control of their health. The summit will feature expert-led panel discussions, interactive wellness activities, free onsite health screenings, complimentary breakfast and lunch, and wellness giveaways.

This event is free and open to the general public. Community members can register to attend in-person or virtually through the event website at https://bhmwinter2026summit.vfairs.com.

Black Health Matters is committed to bridging the health equity gap through purpose-driven initiatives and evidence-based resources for disease management and overall wellness. BHM’s Health Summits are a cornerstone of its mission to create transformative impact and improve health outcomes in communities facing barriers to care. “Health equity starts with access, education, and trust,” said Roslyn Young Daniels, Founder and CEO of Black Health Matters. “The Winter Health Summit is about meeting our community where they are, providing practical tools and trusted information, and empowering individuals and families to take ownership of their health in a supportive environment.”

BHM invites the Atlanta community to join this impactful day of education, empowerment, and action. Attendees will hear from special guests Timon Kyle Durrett, Ambyr Michelle, and Colby Natasha Nixon of CBS’s Beyond the Gates, alongside healthcare professionals and advocates addressing critical topics such as nutrition, kidney disease, heart health, cancer prevention, multiple myeloma, and more.

The event will also include engaging, hands-on experiences, including fitness sessions with the “Guru of Abs,” DaShaun Johnson, and free onsite screenings such as full blood panels, bone health assessments, hypertension checks, mammograms, metabolic health, PSA testing, lipid panels, and additional preventive services.

Moving into its fourth year in Atlanta, the summit arrives at a critical juncture. As of early 2026, about 20 million Americans are facing significantly higher health insurance costs following the expiration of the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced tax credits at the end of last year. This crisis looms as the community already battles alarming rates of chronic illness and psychiatric emergencies.

The Winter Summit is more than an event—it is a call to action. By transforming a single day of clinical screenings, professional advice, and high-energy fitness into a lasting foundation for resilience, initiatives like the Black Health Matters Summit holistically empower the mind, body, and spirit to lean into lifelong well-being.

About Black Health Matters. Founded in 2012, Black Health Matters’ mission is to continue to be the leading evidence-based, chronic disease management and wellness resource for African Americans. We exist to radically redefine health and wellness for Black Americans by empowering them to demand the best in healthcare utilizing our multi-platform approach. We reach over one million African Americans interested in health monthly across our ecosystem that includes digital, social, and experiential. We create a culture of health where Black Americans can achieve their best quality of life possible by tapping into the resources and information created by Black Health Matters.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/black-health-matters-brings-health–wellness-movement-to-atlanta-during-black-history-month-302685506.html

SOURCE Black Health Matters