Tag: 3BL

Originally published on 3M News Center

ST. PAUL, Minn., April 11, 2024 /3BL/ — 3M (NYSE: MMM) has invested in EVOLOH, a cleantech company that’s working to scale up manufacturing of its electrolyzers to make green hydrogen affordable and efficient.

Electrolyzers work by using electricity to separate the atoms in water. The result is hydrogen that can be used as clean fuel or chemical reactant to replace fossil fuels in industries that are traditionally difficult to decarbonize or abate, like steel production and aviation.

The low-cost production of green hydrogen is key to the world reaching its climate goals. The investment is part of 3M’s ongoing commitment to materials science-based climate tech solutions. It’s another way 3M is supporting the development of the hydrogen economy and working toward a clean energy transition.

“3M is excited about our investment in EVOLOH and the potential collaboration opportunities between our companies,” said Mark Copman, senior vice president, 3M New Growth Ventures. “3M has the opportunity to leverage our long-standing expertise in high volume membrane electrode assembly and shares EVOLOH’s vision to make clean and affordable hydrogen available around the world. 3M’s investment in EVOLOH fits well with the work 3M is doing to help support the hydrogen economy and move the planet toward a clean energy transition.”

EVOLOH takes an innovative approach to manufacturing electrolyzers with core components that do not require precious metals or rare earth materials and are made from abundant materials like steel, plastic and aluminum. That means lower cost electrolyzer modules for users, as well as lower costs for installation and maintenance.

3M Ventures, the venture capital arm of 3M, recently participated in EVOLOH’s $20 million Series A fundraising round, which will help the company scale up its manufacturing abilities.

“This round of funding positions EVOLOH to lead the electrolyzer manufacturing market by transforming electrolyzer stacks into affordable, efficient hardware commodities made with 100% local supply chains,” said Dr. Jimmy Rojas, founder and CEO of EVOLOH.

The investment in EVOLOH is just one of several 3M initiatives to enhance hydrogen technologies. Other examples include the development of a high-performance catalyst technology used in proton exchange membrane water electrolysis, another form of hydrogen production technology. Also, 3M and HD Hyundai Korea Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (KSOE) have signed a joint research project agreement to develop large liquid hydrogen storage tanks using 3M glass bubbles – a high-strength, low-density hollow glass microsphere.

Learn more about 3M solutions in the hydrogen economy

About 3M

3M (NYSE: MMM) believes science helps create a brighter world for everyone. By unlocking the power of people, ideas and science to reimagine what’s possible, our global team uniquely addresses the opportunities and challenges of our customers, communities, and planet. Learn how we’re working to improve lives and make what’s next at 3M.com/news.

Originally published on U.S. Bank company blog

Suzanne Rathbun was majoring in criminal justice and forensic science with a long-term plan of going to law school and becoming a prosecutor when the 2007-2008 financial crisis changed everything.

While getting her undergraduate degree during that time period, Rathbun worked in a law firm’s commercial real estate and financial practices group, and it gave her an up-close look at how bank loans work.

She found the work fascinating.

“I decided at that point, with less than year left of my undergrad degree, to switch course, start over and pursue a degree in finance,” Rathbun said. “It was the best decision I ever made.”

Rathbun got that finance degree and started a career in banking, where she’s held various loan administration roles in commercial real estate and other commercial lending products. She joined U.S. Bank in the summer of 2021 as the national head of Commercial Real Estate Loan Administration.

In this position, she leads teams that administer the entire life of a loan, from the preclosing work to closing and funding the loan, to continuing loan administration and monitoring. She also leads the compliance, risk and disbursement teams. The teams support the bank’s Commercial Real Estate and Commercial Banking Middle Market CRE groups and work on complex loans ranging from $10 million to well over $150 million.

“We provide direct support internally to relationship managers, underwriters and credit officers, but we also communicate directly with clients, whether they are private developers or up to institutional commercial real estate investors,” Rathbun said. “U.S. Bank has disciplined credit, process and risk mitigation practices, and we help make sure those practices are followed every step of the way.”

Rathbun’s teams need to have a deep understanding of commercial real estate processes, she said.

“We need to understand everything that is needed from a legal documentation, commercial real estate due diligence and credit policy standpoint to support both the client and the bank,” Rathbun said. “It’s a very technical space but at the same time, I really try to reinforce with my team that not everything is black and white. There’s going to be a gray area sometimes and we need to assess and analyze all the information that’s available to come up with the right course of action.”

Rathbun has a great passion for the industry, she said. She is part of several industry groups and enjoys mentoring people on various teams in the bank as well as through the University of Richmond’s Women in Leadership Certificate Program, where she is an advisor.

She also gets great satisfaction from seeing commercial real estate projects come to fruition.

“Some people may see a project as just another building, but I like to think about the impact it will have on an area,” she said. “It can generate employment opportunities, provide financing for multifamily housing to support a growing market and provide retail for much-needed amenities.”

Originally published on Tork.com

Almost 1 in 3 Americans face barriers when it comes to washing their hands.* Discover how removing these barriers can make your restrooms more hygienic and inclusive.

Watch the film

We placed the stories of people facing hand hygiene barriers into the hands of those with the power to make a change, at the very place these barriers occur. The restroom. 

Hand hygiene barriers

Throughout our lives, many of us do at some point face barriers when washing our hands in public restrooms. These invisible hand hygiene barriers can affect people in multiple ways, but there are multiple solutions. The problem is, it’s only the people who face the barriers that are aware of them. 

Age-related barriers

Our personal capabilities change with age, affecting mobility, reach and strength. In fact, around 1 in 5 adults experience difficulties using soap or hand towel dispensers due to an injury, health condition, physical capability or as a parent with a child.*

When you get to be my age, with my joints, simply using the buttons and faucets in public restrooms can be a real struggle.

Gay. New York

Auditory sensitivity

Some people are more sensitive to loud noises than others, especially the neurodivergent or autistic, as well as young children. 1 in 7 American adults cited loud noises as a source of difficulty personally or when assisting a child using public restrooms.*

I have to cover my daughter’s ears if someone is using the dryer or Flushing the toilet. I hope one day she can use the restroom without the anxiety she has now.

-Mary, San Diego

Hygiene concerns

Many people avoid visiting public toilets and washing their hands due to poor hygiene levels. And more than 1 in 3 Americans cite lack of cleanliness as a barrier to using workplace or public restrooms.*

I have contamination OCD and am hypersensitive to dirty restrooms

Brooke. Utah

Skin sensitivities

Some soaps contain ingredients that can cause skin irritation. In the US 31.6 m people suffer from eczema** and may find that some hand soaps irritate their skin.

So many people have eczema like me, I don’t get why they stock public restrooms with harsh fragrant soaps. It’s not fair.

– Mason, Brooklyn, NY

Simple, practical actions

Simple, practical actions to help make hand hygiene more inclusive in your restroom.

Download your guide here.

“We applaud Tork for leading the charge on this important initiative and continuing to push for attention and improvement of the accessibility of hand washing in public and workplace restrooms.”

Ron Clemmer, Secretariat Director, Global Handwashing Partnership

References

* Survey among nationally representative group, barriers faced personally or in assisting others, 2024  

** Eczema Prevalence, Quality of Life and Economic Impact (nationaleczema.org)

Eastman

KINGSPORT, Tenn., April 11, 2024 /3BL/ – Eastman’s “Project Balanced” digital innovation has earned the company a spot on the list of 2024 CIO 100 award winners.

For more than 25 years, the CIO 100 Awards from Foundry’s CIO have recognized innovative organizations around the world that exemplify the highest level of strategic and operational excellence in IT.

Project Balanced is a digital twin solution that enables the traceability of Eastman’s mass balanced recycled content – from intake of waste plastic at our molecular recycling facility in Kingsport through to our finished products that are sold to customers around the world – in a transparent and easily auditable way that also allows for the rapid scale-up of Eastman’s molecular recycling efforts.

“This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team in leveraging innovative digital solutions to drive business value and make a positive impact not only on Eastman, but on the world,” said Aldo Noseda, Eastman vice president and chief information officer. “Receiving this CIO 100 award is both humbling and rewarding.”

About the US CIO 100 Awards

The annual US CIO 100 Awards celebrate 100 organizations and the teams within them that use IT in innovative ways to deliver business value, whether by creating competitive advantage, optimizing business processes, enabling growth, or improving relationships with customers. The award is an acknowledged mark of enterprise excellence. Coverage of the 2024 US CIO 100 award-winning projects will be available online at www.cio.com.

About CIO

CIO focuses on attracting the highest concentration of enterprise CIOs and business technology executives with unparalleled peer insight and expertise on business strategy, innovation, and leadership. As organizations grow with digital transformation, CIO provides its readers with key insights on career development, including certifications, hiring practices and skills development. The award-winning CIO portfolio provides business technology leaders with analysis and insight on information technology trends and a keen understanding of IT’s role in achieving business goals. CIO is published by Foundry, an IDG Inc. Company. Company information is available at www.foundryco.com.

About Eastman

Founded in 1920, Eastman is a global specialty materials company that produces a broad range of products found in items people use every day. With the purpose of enhancing the quality of life in a material way, Eastman works with customers to deliver innovative products and solutions while maintaining a commitment to safety and sustainability. The company’s innovation-driven growth model takes advantage of world-class technology platforms, deep customer engagement, and differentiated application development to grow its leading positions in attractive end markets such as transportation, building and construction, and consumables. As a globally inclusive and diverse company, Eastman employs approximately 14,000 people around the world and serves customers in more than 100 countries. The company had 2023 revenue of approximately $9.2 billion and is headquartered in Kingsport, Tennessee, USA. For more information, visit www.eastman.com.

Media contact

Jessica Fischer
Eastman Corporate Communications
423-229-1620
jessica.fischer@eastman.com

Originally published on bnef.com

Climate change won’t be a cheap problem to solve, with the race to net-zero emissions needing $4.8 trillion to be spent every year between now and 2030 on clean energy technologies.

But if you consider that this number is just a fraction of global GDP, the challenge becomes not whether the world has enough money, but whether it can be mobilized to go to the right places.

Global investment and spending on the energy transition has been gathering momentum, surging almost sixfold over the past decade, based on analysis from BloombergNEF. But the record $1.8 trillion deployed last year was still just 1.7% of the world’s GDP, trailing other key sectors of the economy (Figure 1).

Military and defense budgets commanded a 2.1% share, after hitting an all-time high of $2.2 trillion, according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies. Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine and conflict in the Middle East were the key drivers of growth.

Defense expenditure is an obvious example of the ability to redirect capital when there’s a will. Its share of global GDP was as much as three times higher in the 1960s during the Cold War. It’s the same story for health care, where global expenditure ramped up to nearly 11% of GDP in the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic.

That’s not to say money should be diverted from hospitals to wind turbines. But these crises show that funding can be dialed up and investment encouraged when something is considered a priority.

China at the forefront

China is the leader when it comes to the absolute volume of energy transition spending, making up more than a third of the global total last year. Most of that $676 billion went to renewables and electrified transport.

That’s not to say money should be diverted from hospitals to wind turbines. But these crises show that funding can be dialed up and investment encouraged when something is considered a priority.

But the Asian powerhouse is also top of the pile when it comes to this investment as a share of GDP – way out in front at 3.8%. That’s more than double the global average of 1.7% (Figure 2).

The European Union is above the middle of the pack too as policies like the REPowerEU plan and Fit for 55 push the bloc to slash emissions and scale up the deployment of green technologies.

But other key economies such as the US, Brazil and Japan are lagging. For the US and Japan, and India as well, a greater emphasis has been placed on budgeting for military capabilities, outstripping energy transition expenditure as a share of GDP (Figure 3). It’s the opposite for Germany and, perhaps somewhat surprisingly, China too.

Looking ahead, investment and spending on clean energy will need to ramp up to avert climate disaster. Under BNEF’s Net Zero Scenario, the capital required would equate to a modest 3.5-4% of GDP per year across the rest of this decade.

With theoretically enough funding to hand to align with a net-zero trajectory, the question is whether the public and private sectors can co-ordinate to get financing to the right areas, especially in emerging economies.

About BloombergNEF

BloombergNEF (BNEF) is a strategic research provider covering global commodity markets and the disruptive technologies driving the transition to a low-carbon economy. Our expert coverage assesses pathways for the power, transport, industry, buildings and agriculture sectors to adapt to the energy transition. We help commodity trading, corporate strategy, finance and policy professionals navigate change and generate opportunities. 

Originally published on Bristol Myers Squibb News & Perspectives

Since 1887, BMS has enabled positive change for patients around the world, and I am honored to continue this legacy as Board Chair and CEO. Our obligation to advance this legacy is profound. It calls for us to honor and uphold the values and principles that are the cornerstone of our past successes as we write the next chapter in BMS’ history.

As we navigate an increasingly complex global landscape, our cohesive strategy, inclusive of our ESG performance, has never been more important. That’s why, in 2023, we engaged a number of stakeholders, including patient advocacy partners, shareholders, suppliers, employees, multinational organizations and our Board to understand their views on ESG topics most important to our business and to society. Based on these insights, we evolved our ESG strategy to focus primarily on advancing patient health around the world and fostering a high-performing, inclusive workforce while expanding the boundaries of science and doing our part to reduce environmental impact.

Advancing patient health around the world

Patients, regardless of where they live, still encounter challenges to accessing medicines and adequate healthcare services. We believe in long-term sustainable solutions to address health inequities globally, and we are allocating specific resources and developing new pathways and models to expand access to patients in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

To enable this strategy, we are embedding access considerations as a core tenet across our business, fundamentally changing the way we operate. Our approach ranges from raising awareness about the social burden of medical conditions, to obtaining broader public reimbursement that reflects the value of our innovative medicines or providing copay assistance 
to reduce the patient’s out-of-pocket burden.

In LMICs, for example, we are developing tailored programs to help improve access to our innovative portfolio. Through new pathways we have made access possible to 12 transformative products for patients across 80+ LMICs. Of these, more than 40 are low-income countries receiving products at not-for-profit pricing, or at adjusted pricing that accounts for factors related to ability and willingness to pay. Additionally, we have forged global policy partnerships to help strengthen healthcare systems to better address local needs with the goal of delivering sustainable impacts for patients and communities.

Expanding the boundaries of science

We are committed to scientific excellence and investment in our R&D capabilities to provide more medicines to more patients faster. We leverage our expertise to accelerate drug discovery and development, and we entrust our scientists to drive research and development to reduce the burden of diseases.

We believe we have one of the most diversified portfolios and pipeline in the pharmaceutical industry. Thus, we are uniquely positioned to drive continued innovation and expand treatment options across therapeutic areas based on our differentiated research platforms that include cell therapy and targeted protein degradation.

These newly approved medicines and those in our near-term pipeline are the result of strong execution and collaboration across every part of our organization. Over the past three years, we have received more than 50 global regulatory approvals.

As part of our commitment, we understand the importance of enrolling clinical trial populations that are more reflective of the real-world population and aligned with the epidemiology of the diseases we study. In doing so, we believe we can better address barriers to achieving health equity and deepen our clinicians’ understanding of the safety and efficacy of transformative medicines for diverse populations.

We know there is much work ahead to broaden these efforts to better understand what diversity in clinical trials means for other countries and across multiple patient characteristics.

Building a better future. Learn more about the 2023 Bristol Myers Squibb ESG Report

Fostering a high-performing and inclusive global workforce

Our values at BMS—Integrity, Innovation, Passion, Inclusion, Accountability and Urgency—are the foundation of our high-performing, patient-centric culture. Bringing these values to life enables our people to be at their very best so we can deliver for patients.

Cultivating an inclusive and diverse workplace supports our ability to drive innovation. Our goal is to ensure our colleagues’, patients’ and communities’ unique perspectives are heard and valued, and that everyone can contribute to our vision of transforming patients’ lives through science. This begins with integrating inclusive practices across all facets of our organization, including our talent and engagement strategy, leadership development programs and online learning platforms.

Supporting the health and wellbeing of our workforce is a top priority at BMS. To ensure we have the appropriate resources in place to meet the current and future needs of our employees, we consistently assess the programs and resources needed to support their physical, emotional, work life and financial wellbeing.

As a company, we are aware of our responsibility to minimize the impact of our operations on the environment to preserve the planet for future generations. We have designed and implemented environmental goals—including our goal to achieve Net-Zero emissions in Scopes 1, 2 and 3 by 2050—that not only reflect our science-led, innovation-focused approach, but that also ensure accountability to those we serve through strong governance and transparent reporting practices.

BMS has long been committed to corporate responsibility, and our evolved ESG strategy is the result of the commitment by the entire organization to advance our sustainability. Together, we are building a legacy that combines our rich history with a future of innovation, responsibility and growth.

Thank you for your interest in Bristol Myers Squibb.

Christopher S. Boerner, Ph.D. 
Board Chair and CEO 
Bristol Myers Squibb

About Bristol Myers Squibb

Bristol Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. As global citizens, we work sustainably and responsibly to create a positive impact in the communities where we live and work. 
out Bristol Myers SquibbBristol Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. As global citizens, we work sustainably and responsibly to create a positive impact in the communities where we live and work.

Bristol Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. As global citizens, we work sustainably and responsibly to create a positive impact in the communities where we live and work.

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As part of its commitment to helping clients on their individual financial journeys, KeyBank continues to offer resources and education for those seeking to achieve the dream of homeownership.

“We recognize that the homebuying process can feel daunting and we are committed to helping our clients achieve their financial goals,” said Dale Baker, President of KeyBank Home Lending. “KeyBank continues to invest in resources, programs and community partnerships to help clients understand their unique financial pictures, address the barriers to homeownership, and improve their overall financial resiliency.”

KeyBank seeks to increase the accessibility and affordability of the homebuying process at a time when a significant portion of Americans feel that homeownership is beyond their reach. According to KeyBank’s 2024 Financial Mobility Survey1, more than one-third (39%) of Americans who do not own a home and do not plan on purchasing one in the next 12 months feel that homeownership is not attainable.

KeyBank’s recently launched Special Purpose Credit Programs2 and educational initiatives include:

The KeyBank Home Buyer Credit3 offers eligible homebuyers buying a home in an eligible community a $5,000 credit that can be used for closing costs and pre-paid fees associated with financing their new home. 
 The Key Opportunities Home Equity Loan4 provides affordable terms for borrowers with qualifying properties to refinance their primary residence to a lower interest rate, consolidate debt, finance home improvements, or tap into their equity when needed. 
 Similar to the Home Buyer Credit, KeyBank Neighbors First Credit5 is designed to help homebuyers in qualified areas across Key’s footprint and in Florida by providing up to $5,000 in credit to be used for closing costs and pre-paid fees that may come with financing a new home. 
 Partnerships with the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP®) and Operation HOPE aim to advance homeownership through financial education. 
 KeyBank committed more than $1 million in 2023 to homebuyer education and other community support. Starting in 2022, Key also committed to investing more than $25 million over a five-year period in grants, fee waivers, marketing and branches to increase mortgage lending in majority-minority neighborhoods.

Learn more about KeyBank’s home lending opportunities and programs, determine whether a property qualifies for Special Purpose Credit Programs, or get started on the journey to homeownership by visiting key.com/communitylending. For details on the current state of local markets and to answer any questions you may have, including whether a property qualifies for Key’s Special Purpose Credit Programs, KeyBank Mortgage Loan Officers are available to help.

NMLS# 399797. KeyBank Member FDIC. Mortgage and Home Equity Lending products offered by KeyBank are not FDIC insured or guaranteed.

NOTICE: This is not a commitment to lend or extend credit. Conditions and restrictions may apply. All home lending products, including mortgage, home equity loans and home equity lines of credit, are subject to credit and collateral approval. Not all home lending products are available in all states. Hazard insurance and, if applicable, flood insurance are required on collateral property. Actual rates, fees, and terms are based on those offered as of the date of application and are subject to change without notice. CFMA #240405-2536030

1The KeyBank 2024 Financial Mobility Survey was conducted online by Schmidt Market Research. 1,000 Americans, ages 18-70, with sole or shared responsibility for household financial decisions, who own a checking or savings account, completed the survey in September 2023. The survey asked respondents about their financial attitudes, understanding, awareness and actions over the prior year.

2Special Purpose Credit Programs are, generally, programs that are established to meet special social needs or the needs of economically disadvantaged persons by extending credit to persons who would probably be denied credit or would receive it on less favorable terms, under certain conditions. See 15 U.S.C. § 1691(c)(1)-(3); 12 C.F.R. § 1002.8(a).

3Available on primary residence first lien purchases only. Property must be located in an eligible community as determined by KeyBank. Eligible Communities are subject to change without notice. Additional terms or restrictions may apply. Ask us for details.

4Loan features reduced interest rate and no origination fees. Available on existing primary residence and loans up to $100,000. First or second lien only. Loan must close in a branch. Property must be located in an eligible community in KeyBank’s retail footprint. Additional terms or restrictions may apply. Ask us for details.

5Available on primary residence first lien purchases only. Property must be located in an eligible community in KeyBank’s retail footprint or Florida. Eligible communities are determined by KeyBank and subject to change without notice. Additional terms or restrictions may apply. Ask us for details.

2023 proved to be an impactful year for SPARK™, the large-scale employee volunteer program that unites employees of MilliporeSigma, the U.S. and Canada Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, to make a difference across the globe. Through skills-based and non-skills-based programming, more than 3,000 employees across 22 countries volunteered more than 21,800 hours, to spark curiosity in more than 82,000 students and support local nonprofit and community organizations.

Curiosity Labs™, the SPARK™ program that takes MilliporeSigma employees directly into classrooms, expanded its offerings. In 2023, two new lessons were added to the curriculum, bringing the total number of lessons to eight. “Our new lessons focus on germ detection and biologic therapies, two topics that young learners may be familiar with, but they may not realize the science behind each subject,” said Melissa Hackmeier, Head of Employee and Community Engagement, Sustainability Social Business Innovation at MilliporeSigma. “Showing students that science is all around them can often help jumpstart their interest in considering future STEM careers.”

Beyond broadening the scope of Curiosity Labs™, the program’s footprint grew in 2023, as well. Over the year, more than 500 employees in 11 countries stepped out of their day-to-day routines to volunteer over 2,900 hours teaching the hands-on science lessons. Through this work, more than 9,800 students had the opportunity to experience science alongside STEM professionals from their own communities.

Aside from skills-based volunteering through programs like Curiosity Labs™ and the Curiosity Cube™, SPARK™ allows MilliporeSigma employees to give back to their communities in other meaningful ways. For instance, employees at 59 sites across 22 countries came together to participate in the company’s annual global food drive. Through this initiative, MilliporeSigma employees worldwide provided 535,685 meals to those in need. 

To learn more about SPARK™ and other employee volunteering programs from MilliporeSigma, visit the company’s sustainability & social business innovation page.

By Gina DiPietro | illumination Staff Writer

When Derrick Smith was in elementary school, his uncle traveled to power plants across North Carolina to repair and maintain equipment that delivered power to millions of people as part of his job at Carolina Power & Light (now part of Duke Energy). Even as a child, Smith understood how important that job was.

It inspired him to become a chemistry technician at Duke Energy’s Roxboro (Hyco) Plant in Semora, N.C., a little north of where Smith grew up in Person County.

“It means something to be able to power the homes and lives of people in this area and across the state,” he said. “That gives me something to look forward to each and every day.”

It’s a sentiment shared by Jack Long Jr., a mechanic at Duke Energy’s Mayo Plant, also in Person County.

“People rely on us to keep the lights on,” Long said. “Plus, it’s right here, 10 miles from my house. I don’t want to travel far to come to work. And it’s good paying jobs, you know.”

In the future, their mission to provide reliable power will be the same – how it is done, though, will be different.

Roxboro has used coal to generate electricity since 1966; Mayo has been in operation since 1983. And like most U.S. coal plants, the facilities are reaching the end of their operational lives. They’ll be replaced by a mix of cleaner energy sources – renewables, batteries, advanced nuclear and natural gas – as the company works toward net-zero carbon emissions.

To keep jobs and investment in an area that depends on it, Duke Energy has proposed two new hydrogen-capable natural gas units at the Roxboro site, which would become the Person County Energy Complex. These investments would support the state and region’s growth while prioritizing the local workforce – employees like Smith who want to continue a family tradition of powering the community.

“We’re blessed to have the jobs and opportunities that we’ve got, because we can live and grow our families here,” Smith said. “To see that go away would really change the dynamic of this community.”

As one of the county’s largest employers, Duke Energy is responsible for 20% of its tax base, an economic impact of about $7 million annually.

“When you look at the numbers, it’s very easy to see the magnitude of Duke Energy’s impact,” said Person County Commissioner Gordon Powell. “I certainly want to see Person County be a focal point of new technology and advances being made in power generation. We would love to have Person County be an energy hub for North Carolina.”

New natural gas generation in North Carolina would benefit customers in South Carolina, too. Both regions are experiencing tremendous growth, and with that comes a need for more electricity.

Contributing to increased energy demand is population growth, increasing adoption of electric vehicles and, most of all, major new investments from manufacturing and technology companies. While Duke Energy’s plans call for thousands of megawatts of renewables and energy storage, advanced nuclear and other emerging technologies aren’t available yet. To meet growth in the interim while retiring coal, the company needs a reliable resource like natural gas.

“I love coal,” Long said, “but we’re already seeing the shift away from coal. Years ago, when we needed parts, it was on the next flight or the next truck here. Now, you know, it can be six weeks or six months. So, we’re seeing that it’s harder to get supplies. And it’s going to get more expensive in the future for us to run these plants.”

Natural gas is available 24/7 – with fewer emissions than coal and at a lower cost than renewables alone. Solar and wind generation fluctuate based on the weather, but natural gas is available around the clock to fill in the gaps. The new units would be designed to operate on carbon-free hydrogen in the future.

“[Roxboro] plays a huge role in meeting the energy needs of our state,” Smith said, “but as we’ve upgraded and modernized these plants over the years, it also meant we got to bring in additional contract resources who – like the employees – are coming into this community to shop locally, spend their money by going out to restaurants, staying in hotels. … And again, that’s just additional revenue to benefit the business owners in this community.”

Duke Energy serves millions of utility customers by safely generating and delivering the electricity needed to keep their lives and businesses running. And in addition to the jobs and tax benefits that brings to its power plant communities, the company invests in the area’s most worthy causes.

“Because of Duke Energy’s commitment to the community, Person County has seen more than $600,000 in local giving to nonprofit organizations in recent years,” said Duke Energy Foundation Manager Louis Duke. “Duke Energy Foundation grants, employee donations and local sponsorships have been tremendously beneficial to the community’s charitable causes.”

“Our team members give back to this community in a big way,” said Beth Townsend of Duke Energy, the region’s government and community relations manager. While she’s somewhat new to the role (just shy of a year), Townsend has lived in Person County for nearly 20 years.

“Through fundraisers, golf tournaments and company-matched donations, our employees give thousands [of dollars] to help fulfill the needs of local nonprofits and other organizations that support the people who live and work here,” Townsend said. “It’s heartwarming to see, but also to be able to raise a family in this kind of environment.”

If approved by regulators, the new Person County units would be operational in 2028 and 2030. The company also plans to build hydrogen-capable natural gas units at its Marshall Steam Station site in Catawba County, N.C., as well as at another site in South Carolina.

Power plants have been part of Person County’s history for so long that Smith said it’s hard to imagine the community without it. Knowing that a replacement could be on the way is exciting, he said, and will allow the current workforce to take on a new challenge.

“In new challenges, there is going to be great opportunity. We’ve already got a lot of skilled labor at this site. They can easily jump into operations at a new site on day one and not miss a beat,” Smith said. “So, I think our future is very bright.”

View original content here.

In another stride toward innovating a path to a more sustainable future, O-I Glass is set to significantly reduce its CO2 emissions in the UK, particularly in Ireland, by implementing a new decarbonization initiative targeting transportation emissions. Commencing from April 1, 2024, transport-related CO2 emissions for spirits bottles produced in Alloa, Scotland, to customers in Ireland will be reduced by approximately 75 percent.

As part of the carbon-reduction program, O-I has switched the transportation of spirits bottles in Ireland, spanning both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, from diesel fuel to hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO).

HVO, classified as a second-generation biofuel, is derived entirely from renewable waste materials. Unlike traditional fossil fuels, HVO offers a sustainable alternative that significantly curtails carbon emissions. By embracing this innovative solution, O-I anticipates a remarkable reduction in CO2 emissions, with estimates suggesting an impressive 75 percent decrease. This equates to an annual reduction of up to 189 tons of CO2 emissions, or the equivalent electricity to power 34 homes for one year.

Included in this is the offset of the CO2 emissions associated with transporting bottles from O-I’s plant in Alloa, Scotland, to the warehouse in Northern Ireland by utilizing HVO elsewhere. Therefore, O-I’s spirits customers in Ireland – and the end consumers – are assured that the transport-related CO2 emissions from bottle plant to bottling plant are minimized and reduced by approximately 75 percent.

This initiative is emblematic of O-I’s broader sustainability goals, both within the UK and on a global scale. By proactively embracing innovative technologies and practices, the company exemplifies its commitment to sustainable leadership. O-I’s proactive measures demonstrate that the company’s vision and journey is here today.