Tag: 3BL

AUSTIN, Minn., November 13, 2023 /3BL/ – When the August wildfires first broke out on the island of Maui, the team behind the SPAM® brand responded with a donation of cash and product with a retail value of more than $1,000,000 to directly help those impacted by the devastation. The donation included more than five truckloads of SPAM® products — totaling over 264,000 cans — to help feed people in need.

As those truckloads were being delivered, the brand team also began selling specially designed T-shirts on its website, pledging 100% of all proceeds to the Aloha United Way Maui Fire Relief Fund. More than 5,000 shirts were sold within the first 48 hours.

To date, shirt sales have produced $160,000 in total proceeds, all of which were recently donated to the Aloha United Way and its Maui Fire Relief Fund. That cash donation will continue to aid the disaster-response effort in meaningful ways, from providing hunger relief and transportation assistance, to supporting other services, like crisis counseling and healthcare consultation.

“We have an incredible fan base and knew they would want to help support the people of Maui with us,” said Jennesa Kinscher, senior brand manager of the SPAM® brand. “We have the best fans around, so it should be no surprise that they showed up in such a large and meaningful way. We are beyond grateful to get to make this donation on their behalf.”

Hormel Foods has long supported disaster-relief efforts through partners, including Convoy of Hope and World Central Kitchen, among others, contributing product and financial resources that have been used to help those affected by natural disasters and food insecurity.

The SPAM® brand team cherishes its special relationship with the people of Hawaii, a community that consumes more than 7 million cans of SPAM® products every year, more than any other U.S. state. The genesis of the islanders’ love for SPAM® products dates back to World War II, when the luncheon meat was served to GIs. By the end of the war, SPAM® products were a part of the local culture and today remain a popular comfort food.

COMBES, Texas, November 13, 2023 /3BL/ – The American Honey Bee Protection Agency (AHBPA) is embracing renewable energy with the installation of a ground-mounted solar array at its honey packaging facility and adding two electric vehicles to their fleet thanks to a grant of more than $200,000 from Green Mountain Energy Sun Club.

The 54-kW solar array will offset 87 percent of the building’s energy needs and save nearly $445,000 in electricity costs over the next 25 years, which is equal to relocating 1,800 beehives. Sun Club’s donation also funded two Kia EV6 electric vehicles that will help the organization reduce the environmental impact of their operations.

“At Green Mountain Energy, we recognize the importance of protecting the environment and the essential role that honeybees play,” said Mark Parsons, vice president and general manager for Green Mountain Energy. “We’re honored to support the American Honey Bee Protection Agency by adding more sustainable elements to their mission to protect wild honeybees.”

In 2006, Walter Schumacher, also affectionately known as the “Bee Czar,” created the Central Texas Bee Rescue by opening his personal property to bees from local residents seeking an eco-friendly solution to their unwanted honeybee infestation or swarm issues. In 2012, Schumacher established the American Honey Bee Protection Agency.

“The AHBPA is committed to humanely relocating unwanted bee hives to bee sanctuaries where we help them to thrive,” said Walter Schumacher, founder and chief executive officer of the American Honey Bee Protection Agency. “We are grateful to Green Mountain Energy Sun Club for their generosity and look forward to training teams of Bee Wranglers across Texas, the rest of the country, and eventually, the world.”

The agency worked with Texas lawmakers to pass an ordinance to provide for the relocation of wild or abandoned bees that do not threaten human or animal health or interfere with the normal use or enjoyment of public or private property. The agency also played a vital role in passing a statewide resolution in 2015, making the western honeybee the state pollinator of Texas, in hopes of bringing more awareness to the importance of bees in the Lone Star state.

Most recently, Discovery Channel began producing a show about their efforts. After the completion of the first season of “Bee Czar,” the team purchased an 8,000 square-foot building to serve as their honey packaging facility, located in Combes, Texas, in the Rio Grande Valley.

In addition to facilitating the rescue of honey bees, AHBPA offers a vocational training program for veterans. The organization teaches veterans how to remove honey bee hives and swarms and how to take care of them once they are relocated to a bee sanctuary. Beekeeping has been recognized as therapeutic for those with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

To support more nonprofits like this one, Green Mountain Energy invites its customers and employees to contribute and champion sustainability for people and for the planet.

 

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About Green Mountain Energy Sun Club

Green Mountain Energy is inspiring hope, motivating action through the use of clean energy, and advancing sustainable communities through the work of Green Mountain Energy Sun Club. Since its founding in 2002, Sun Club® has donated more than $13 million to 156 nonprofit organizations across Texas and the Northeast. Sun Club collaborates with nonprofit organizations on projects that focus on renewable energy, energy efficiency, resource conservation, and environmental stewardship. To learn more about Green Mountain Energy and Sun Club or to apply for a Sun Club grant, visit greenmountain.com/sunclub.

About American Honey Bee Protection Agency

The AHBPA is devoted to “saving the world, one sting at a time.” We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that was founded in 2006 with one goal: to provide an eco-friendly solution for unwanted bee hives or swarms to our fellow Texans by humanely removing and relocating the bees instead of killing them. Our mission is to pollinate minds and convey the importance of saving wild honey bees from extinction through the integration of wild bees into urban environments.

GME Media Contact  
Estefanía Joy  
713-537-5735  
media@greenmountain.com  
Twitter: @GreenMtnEnergy

AHBPA Media Contact  
Matthew Nunez  
956-408-5057  
matt@ahbpa.org

November 13, 2023 /3BL/ – It’s just become easier for the sugarcane sector to contribute to global climate efforts with the launch of a new tool from Bonsucro, the global sustainability platform for sugarcane.

The Bonsucro ClimateCane Tracker enables farms and mills, and companies that source from them, to set science-based targets for reducing emissions from sugarcane production in line with what’s needed to maintain a stable climate. The tool was designed specifically for the sugarcane sector using the Science-Based Targets initiative’s guidance on forest, land and agriculture (FLAG) emissions.

The tool is only available for Bonsucro members for the first year. This will give Bonsucro’s community the opportunity to help refine and develop it before it’s made available for the wider sector to use.

Agriculture, forestry and other land use account for nearly a quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions. Added to this, FLAG activities offer opportunities to remove carbon from the atmosphere, which is critical in achieving net zero and keeping global warming below 1.5°C. Scientists agree that warming beyond 1.5°C will significantly increase the risks and impacts of climate change.

Thousands of leading companies worldwide have committed to reducing their greenhouse gas emissions in line with science. But until now, no guidance or tools have been available specifically to support sugarcane producers.

The ClimateCane Tracker enables sugarcane producers, and the companies they supply, to set rigorous short-term (5-10 years) and long-term (2050) targets for reducing their climate impact. The targets cover all emissions associated with land management and land-use change, as well as on-farm carbon removals (for example through storing more carbon in soils). The tool takes account of the region(s) where producers operate, as well as their growth plans.

Danielle Morley, CEO at Bonsucro said, “The facts are clear. If we don’t reduce agriculture based GHG emissions, there is no way to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees. Every sector needs to play its part and sugarcane is no exception. Our new ClimateCane Tracker offers a credible and practical way to support the sugarcane sector to set near and long-term mitigation targets for the agriculture phase. The response so far has been very positive and our members are looking forward to using the tool to make science-based targets on climate.”

BEVAP, a Bonsucro member who piloted the ClimateCane Tracker earlier this year said, “Having the opportunity to contribute to developing this tool was extremely rewarding for our evolution in the climate action and GHG reduction agenda. We still have a long way to go, but this work has undoubtedly enhanced our maturity in this topic. Congratulations, Bonsucro for the initiative and participatory management that you have been applying in the project development.”

Driving climate action in the sugarcane sector is a key priority for Bonsucro. On average, Bonsucro-certified mills and farms reduce their CO2 emissions per kilo of sugar by 17% within five years, but our aim is to increase this to at least 30%. Research suggests that adopting the Bonsucro standard globally has the potential to halve greenhouse gas emissions from the sugarcane industry.

For all media enquiries, please contact:

Liz Foggitt 
Communications and Events Manager 
liz@bonsucro.com

About Bonsucro

Bonsucro is the global sustainability platform for sugarcane, one of the world’s most important crops. Its purpose is to collectively accelerate the sustainable production and uses of sugarcane – for farmers, millers, buyers, and end users. It convenes its members and other partners to address critical challenges in the sugarcane sector, and drive performance and impact through its system of sustainability standards for sugarcane.

Bonsucro works across all sugarcane products and derivatives – sugar, ethanol, molasses, and bagasse. It also works across both traditional and newer market sectors, from sugar and alcohol to biofuels and bioplastics. Bonsucro manages a community of more than 300 members in over 50 countries from across the sugarcane supply chain.

Bonsucro is ISEAL Code Compliant. Its system has been independently evaluated against ISEAL’s Codes of Good Practice– a globally-recognised framework for effective, credible sustainability systems

Japan Day, which took place on August 31, 2023, at the Ajinomoto Takanawa Training Center, marked another successful edition. More than 200 delegates convened both in person and online to gain insights into the accomplishments across the CGF Coalitions of Action and the forthcoming progress.

“Accelerating Positive Impact and Foster Positive Actions Faster Together”

Takeshi MATSUKAWA, the CGF Japan & Asia-Pacific General Manager, extended a warm welcome to the APAC membership audience. He then handed over to Frans MULLER, CEO of Ahold Delhaize and Retail Co-Chair. MULLER shed the spotlight on the renewed ambitions outlined during the Kyoto Global Summit in June and expressed the Co-Chairs’ determination to accelerate impact in crucial areas such as employee health and wellbeing, tackling deforestation, protecting human rights, and transitioning to a circular economy for plastics. He introduced the 9th CGF Coalition of Action, dedicated to accelerating decarbonisation efforts. MULLER underscored the importance of a multi-stakeholder approach and encouraged the audience to actively participate in the Coalitions, stressing that collaboration is essential for the systemic change needed in our landscape.

Wai-Chan CHAN, CGF Managing Director, then delved into the unique aspects of Japan and stressed the need for a regionalised approach in achieving progress. He highlighted, “Applying a global lens on everything can be difficult and so what we do has to come up with a joint approach to create impact globally (…) We need to create way to make sure that local aspects are considered and can create value”

The event also featured presentations from co-chairs of various Japan local groups, who actively contribute to progress in the region:

Toshihiko NABE, GFSI Japan Local Group Steering Committee Co-chair, Manager, Quality Management Group and Acting General Manager, Merchandising Strategy Department at AEON, talked about thed about the commitment of local GFSI members in addressing supply chain issues, the importance of capability-building and spreading awareness about the food safety imperative, supporting GFSI’s vision of ‘Safe Food for People Everywhere’.

Yukiko TAKATORI Japan CHL Local Group Steering Committee Co-chair, Corporate Executive, General Manager, Sustainability Development Dept. Corporate Division at Ajinomoto, discussed the work achieved by CHL local groups in promoting employee health, sodium reduction, and healthier food consumption.

On the sustainability side, Nobuyasu KITAMURA, Japan Sustainability Local Group Steering Committee Co-chair and Senior General Manager, Corporate Sustainability Department, Sustainability Management Division at Suntory highlighted progress made by local groups in areas such as circular economy, palm oil, plastics, and human rights.

Then CGF HQs Directors, Sharon BLIGH (Health & Sustainability) and Didier BERGERET (Social Sustainability) shared the role of CGF in building ambition for the future and its impact on the industry and outlined the successes and achievements in health and sustainability workstreams, including initiatives like the Winning Behaviour Playbook, the Decarbonisation Masterclass, the Workforce Nutrition Alliance, but also the Carbon Solutions Hub, the Net Zero Playbook and the Climate X natureX AG ecosystem map.

The second part focused on Japanese companies’ ambitions for the future as regards to SDGs.

Future Prospects of Retail Industry

Kiyoe MIZOHASHI and Masahiko NAKASHIMA, Managing Directors at Sigmaxyz, delved into the enduring effects of the pandemic on consumer behavior, psychology, and lifestyle, the rapid pace of change and the challenges posed by the ever-evolving e-commerce landscape, continuously disrupting the status quo, and concluded by examining illustrative business models that consider Japan Originality and Uniqueness. 

Well-being and the Ideal Form of a Company

A philosophical panel discussion about People, and how well-being and its relationship with the ideal corporate culture explored the shift from mere “health management” to a holistic “well-being management” approach. Daiko MATSUYAMA, Deputy Priest of Taizo-in Temple at Myoshin-ji Temple within the Rinzai sect of Buddhism, and Daisuke KAN, President of Cheerio, engaged in a vibrant dialogue. Their conversation delved into critical topics such as well-being, employee and mental health, diversity and inclusiveness, as well as family dynamics, Japan’s demographics, and the current societal divisions. They also examined how mindfulness is impacted by stress.

Philosophy Management 2.0

In the context of shifting values and evolving dynamics in the relationship between individuals and organisations, Kunitake SASO, CEO of BIOTOPE, provided an enlightening perspective on the concept of “Purpose Management”, an approach centers around a company’s Mission, Vision, and Values, which encapsulate the essence of corporate culture. He underscored the imperative of embracing an appropriate top-management philosophy that aligns with employee well-being and the integrity of consumers, stressing that this philosophy serves as the driving force behind the construction of the organisational pyramid.

How Japanese Companies Should Address Human Rights Issues as Seen in Government Guidelines

From the industry to the consumer perspective, there is a growing consensus that human rights should become the norm, with regulations increasingly pushing for Human Rights Due Diligence to become a reality worldwide. In this panel bringing together representatives from both government and industry, Sunao ORII, Director for Business and Human Rights Policy at the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry, and Tetsuichiro AKASHI, General Manager of the Corporate Sustainability Department at Suntory Holdings Limited, engaged in a productive dialogue facilitated by CGF Social Sustainability Director Didier BERGERET. They discussed the efforts made by Japanese companies to enhance their value and international competitiveness through the lens of human rights, and raising awareness of the concept of Due Diligence, the progress achieved, and the imperative for industry and government collaboration to expedite progress.

In his closing remarks, Takeshi MATSUKAWA thanked the speakers and panelists and conveyed hope for an enlightening experience. He encouraged delegates to take away and implement the learnings gained in their work: “it’s not about competition, but about leveraging each other’s strengths to collectively become better businesses”.

More About Japan Day and CGF in the APAC Region

Japan Day is the one-day event designed specifically for our Japanese members. The goal of the event is to encourage participation in our activities within the Japanese membership and to network, share knowledge and best practices and to drive even greater collaborative efforts amongst Japanese members. The event has now become cemented in the calendars of our Japanese members and typically brings together over 250 delegates. Visit the CGF Japan website if you want to learn more About CGF JAPAN & APAC activities.

Each year, more companies have been working on increasing sustainability by reducing their environmental impact. These efforts are part of companies’ efforts to measure and reduce their contributions to climate change.

Lenovo took initiative to support its customers in managing IT-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by launching the CO2 Offset Service in May 2022. This service offers customers a simple and transparent way to offset carbon emissions and take tangible climate action by supporting one of the United Nations’ climate action projects.

In line with efforts to reduce its environmental impact, PepsiCo, one of the world’s largest food and beverage companies, has decided to adopt the Lenovo CO2 Offset Service to efficiently manage its CO2 emissions from IT.

Lenovo has worked to make this service simple for its customers. When purchasing a computer, the customer has the option of adding carbon credits to their purchase. To calculate credits, Lenovo estimates CO2 emissions over the average lifecycle of devices, from manufacturing to shipping, use and disposal. These credits go to a partner to support UN-approved climate action projects around the world.

“PepsiCo is a company that recognizes and values the importance of acting with integrity in all of its processes. We have a global Environmental, Social and Governance strategy – which we call PepsiCo Positive (pep+) – focused on maintaining an operation that seeks efficiency, while taking care of people and the planet. Therefore, we are always looking for projects and partners that will help us to contribute to managing the impact of our business on the environment, as is the case of Lenovo CO2 Offset, an important service to that helps our IT team contribute to this process”, says Renato Gaido, Senior Information Technology Manager at PepsiCo.

PepsiCo has a 70-year history in Brazil, occupying a technology park with more than 4,000 computers, and ~1,000 devices being retired and upgraded every year. PepsiCo adopted Lenovo’s CO2 Offset service while evaluating replacements for computers in 2023 and the benefit the service offered.

As one of the first PC manufacturers in the world to offer this service in the technology industry, Lenovo offers the CO2 Offset service for its Think, Legion and Yoga PC lines and servers. Customers are able to track the estimated value of carbon emissions associated with each device included in the service by its serial number. It is even possible to view details of the climate action projects supported through the CO2 offsets, thus ensuring transparency throughout the process.

With the first PCs acquired with the service, Gaido highlights the transparency of consulting how the credits are being applied. “We were able to consult from a serial number and an international certificate, which registers which project approved by the United Nations the respective machine is benefiting. They are easily traceable projects, worldwide, which are audited and monitored.”

PepsiCo Brazil’s IT department was the first in the world among the company’s subsidiaries to use Lenovo CO2 Offset Service, and it is already studying expanding the service to other countries.

Working toward a smarter future

Launched in May 2022, Lenovo’s CO2 Offset service has already helped its customers reach the milestone of 1 million metric tons of carbon dioxide* offset from the use of the CO2 Offset Service only when purchasing Think line PCs, the equivalent to the greenhouse gases emitted by more than 215,000 passenger vehicles** driven over the course of a year. Recently, the service was also extended to servers from the ThinkSystem line.

Separate from CO2 offset services, Lenovo has committed to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, in line with the Net-Zero Standard created by the Science Based Target (SBTi) initiative. Lenovo is an early adopter of science-based targets for absolute emission reduction and is the first PC and smartphone maker to have its targets validated by the SBTi.

The manufacturer has expanded its participation in the circular economy by growing the amount of products that integrate closed-loop post consumer recycled content to 298 in FY2022/23 (up from 248 in FY2021/22).

“Lenovo is committed to the vision of providing smarter technology for all people and helping to decarbonize the global economy. We have expanded this vision to our internal processes and services to invite our customers to join us on this journey towards a more sustainable future”, says Leandro Lofrano, Director of Corporate Products at Lenovo.

*until October 2022

**Source: https://www.epa.gov/energy/greenhouse-gas-equivalencies-calculator

Quest has been getting a lot of recognition lately and is showing up on a number of influential lists.

The recognition began earlier this year with our ninth straight appearance on FORTUNE Magazine’s 2023 “World’s Most Admired Companies” list. So far in 2023, we’ve also been recognized on the following prestigious lists that honor companies for their work in areas like inclusion & diversity and environmental sustainability:

Most Trustworthy Companies in America (Newsweek)World’s Best Companies (Time Magazine)America’s Greatest Workplaces (Newsweek)20 Best Examples of Self Service (Forbes)America’s Most Innovative Companies (FORTUNE)America’s Greenest Companies (Newsweek)Executive Women of New Jersey and Women’s Forum of New York both recently honored Quest for the percentage of Board of Director seats held by womenAmerica’s Greatest Workplaces for Parents and Families (Newsweek)

All this recognition is definitely helping Quest’s reputation. We know that because we measure our reputation based on surveys with members of the public who know something about us.

“It feels great to be part of a company with a strong reputation that is committed to operating responsibly and with high integrity,” said Cecilia McKenney, Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer. “Our colleagues were healthcare heroes during the pandemic, and now they’re bringing our purpose to life by working together to create a healthier world, one life at a time.”

Originally published in Alkermes September 2023 Corporate Responsibility Report

Product Stewardship and Environmental Impact

Alkermes is committed to safe and sustainable research, development, manufacturing and commercialization of medicines. We implement this commitment by integrating EHSS risk management requirements throughout the lifecycle of each of our products. Our approach to product stewardship oversight and control includes:

Generation of occupational and environmental toxicology data, which is iterated and augmented as each product progresses through its lifecycle;Development and application of appropriate occupational health, safety and environmental risk controls for each product based on scale, potency, task and other processing considerations;Utilization of protocols and risk assessments to support safe and responsible technology transfers within Alkermes or to external contract manufacturing organizations (CMOs), contract research organizations (CROs) or other third parties;Development of “green chemistry” processes designed to eliminate or reduce the use or generation of hazardous substances in the design and manufacture of future products; andImplementation of a global program for process hazard management with embedded controls as early as the candidate discovery stage and through full commercial-scale manufacturing of a product.

External Operations Risk Management

We have integrated certain EHSS risk management procedures and our formal RMS framework into our vendor management and governance processes. EHSS considerations and metrics are monitored and discussed as part of routine business review meetings with our external operations partners. This approach enables transparent conversations about EHSS risk and performance and provides a forum for Alkermes to communicate our expectations for responsible development and manufacture to our vendors.

To assess whether our vendors operate to Alkermes’ standards and encourage adherence to such standards, EHSS risk considerations and metrics are embedded into our vendor due diligence assessments, on-boarding procedures, technology transfers and routine business reviews.

We also incorporate EHSS-related provisions, as appropriate, into our service-level agreements related to our products.

Our vendor assessment tools, which we developed based on the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Initiative’s ‘Pharmaceutical Industry Principles for Responsible Supply Chain Management’, evaluate key areas such as: EHSS management systems; performance and regulatory compliance; environmental sustainability; occupational health and safety systems; process safety management controls; physical security; human rights, labor and ethics policies; business continuity systems; and capability to safely handle Alkermes products.

We have conducted on-site audits or tabletop reviews to assess all external CMOs directly involved in the manufacture or packaging of proprietary Alkermes medicines, and use the information gained from these assessments to help us prioritize areas of focus for our ongoing risk management efforts.

Our Commitment to Sustainability in the Supply Chain

We are committed to minimizing the environmental and social impacts associated with our supply chain while ensuring the delivery of safe and effective pharmaceutical products to our patients. To support the achievement of a sustainable supply chain, we have engaged EcoVadis, an independent, globally recognized provider of sustainability ratings, to assess our suppliers and third-party service providers based on four key pillars: environment, labor and human rights, ethics and sustainable procurement. The goal of this engagement is to help us evaluate the ESG performance of our key suppliers, and foster transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement throughout our supply chain. In 2022, we established a global, cross-functional steering team to help guide evolution of our strategy for a sustainable procurement program. We plan to continue to engage with key suppliers in an effort to drive positive change and incorporate more sustainable practices into our supply chain. See page 22 for our efforts to advance our supplier diversity initiatives.

Read more

Originally published by HR.com

Highlights:

Embrace flexibility in hiring by building a diverse candidate pipeline from different departments and divisions based on core competencies.Identify high-potential employees, regardless of vacancies, and invest in their training and development to nurture a strong internal candidate pool.Despite budget constraints, allocate resources strategically to maximize the return on investment in training and development.

Given the workforce challenges facing the public sector across the nation – difficulties recruiting the right talent, a competitive private sector labor market, and the silver tsunami of public servants retiring – successful cities, states and counties should consider a strategic approach to ensuring a robust workforce for years to come. One way to start strategic workforce management is to acknowledge and dispel five myths associated with workforce planning in the public sector.

Continue reading here

Contact Baker Tilly

Lewis “Lew” Clifton has been a truck driver for most of his life. He loves his job and takes it very seriously. He was recently named one of only 25 drivers selected for the 2023 National Driver All-Star Award given by the National Private Truck Council (NPTC) at its safety conference in Orlando, Florida.

“I take a lot of pride in my work,” said Clifton. “You have to love what you do for a living, and in this job, you have to be very safe about it, too. Safety is first and foremost.”

Clifton has delivered fuel for ARCO, Marathon Petroleum’s retail brand, from the Vinvale Terminal in South Gate, California, for almost 30 years.

“Lew is a valued member of the MPC family,” said Wendy B. Johnson, Transport Operations Manager for Marathon Petroleum’s Vinvale and East Hynes terminals. “Providing safe product deliveries in Los Angeles and Orange counties is no easy feat, but through his experience, Lew makes it look easy. He is a Safety Champion, and we are proud that he was recognized through the NPTC for his achievements and dedication.”

Clifton grew up in South Carolina and was stationed at Camp Pendelton in Oceanside, California, as a U.S. Marine. After serving in the military, he knew he wanted to find a meaningful career.

“My wife is a nurse, and I’m a truck driver. We both have our own way of helping others through our jobs,” said Clifton. “We always told our two sons to pick a career that is rewarding and in demand. We have one son who drives a truck like me, and the other just started nursing school like his mother.”

Clifton is also a Driver Trainer at the Vinvale terminal and has helped train over 100 drivers just starting their careers. Johnson, his manager, says he ensures his trainees are fully trained and understand the demands of this profession. Clifton said the job takes patience, discipline and attention to detail.

“People see us unloading at a gas station and think ‘that’s an easy job,’” said Clifton. “But unloading is the easy part. There’s a lot of detail and nuances that go into the job that make a difference.”

“You have to love what you do for a living, and in this job, you have to be very safe about it, too. Safety is first and foremost.”

That attention to detail earned him a spot as a National Driver All-Star, awarded to private fleet truck drivers who have demonstrated high performance standards against their peer drivers throughout the country based on customer service, safety, adherence to company standards, regulatory compliance and community service. This makes 16 years in a row that Marathon Petroleum has a representative among the top drivers in the country.

“It’s a great career, but you have to have a lot of patience and love to drive,” said Clifton.

Interested in a career as a driver?

Marathon Petroleum has opportunities for transport drivers across our operations.

Southern Company

WASHINGTON, November 13, 2023 /3BL/ – U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) recently announced a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between GSA and Southern Company to develop carbon pollution-free electricity (CFE) options for federal facilities in Southern Company’s service territories. The MOU documents the intent of GSA and Southern Company to collaborate on development of a roadmap that, when executed, will lead to federal agencies in that region buying more CFE and achieving reliability and resiliency objectives outlined in Executive Order 14057 [lnks.gd].

The Biden-Harris Administration is leading by example to tackle the climate crisis through President Biden’s Federal Sustainability Plan, which establishes an ambitious path to achieve 100% CFE for Federal government operations by 2030, including 50% on a 24/7 basis, along with aggressive goals for electric vehicles and net-zero emissions buildings.

“This is our fourth MOU with a utility company and it’s another example of how GSA is leading by example in tackling climate change, using our buying power and real estate footprint to move markets, create demand, drive efficiency, and catalyze efficiency and clean energy innovation,” said GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan. “Through smart partnerships with energy service providers, we can help advance sustainability, create jobs, save taxpayer dollars, and ensure a healthier planet for our kids.”

“Today’s announcement delivers on President Biden’s vision to build a new economy powered by clean energy—one that creates well-/paying jobs for American workers, healthier air for communities, and increases our energy independence,” said Andrew Mayock, the Federal Chief Sustainability Officer with the White House Council on Environmental Quality.

Southern Company has a goal to reach a 50% reduction in emissions by 2030, from 2007 emissions levels, and reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Currently, the United States Army is the largest federal customer served by Southern Company.

“The Department of Defense and the Army are committed to using carbon-free energy to support our national defense mission,” said the Honorable Rachel Jacobson, Assistant Secretary of the United States Army, Installations, Energy and Environment. “Distributed Carbon-free energy generation–when integrated into a modernized grid that includes large-scale storage, upgraded transmission lines, and enhanced cybersecurity controls – is the best way to promote resilience so we can continue to deploy, fight, and win the nation’s wars. The Army applauds the GSA-Southern Company agreement. The agreement demonstrates the exact kind of collaboration that is key to improving the reliability and resilience of the commercial grid and achieving our carbon-free energy and readiness goals.”

“Southern Company recognizes the importance of developing and supplying carbon-free electricity as we continue our efforts toward our goal of reaching net zero by 2050,” said Chris Womack, CEO and president of Southern Company. “Through industry-leading innovation and a commitment to a net zero future, we are delivering sustainable and resilient energy solutions that help drive growth and prosperity. This partnership will serve as another important step toward these goals.”

GSA will continue to engage with Southern Company and other utilities to explore the advancement of potential CFE solutions including solar, battery storage, nuclear power, on-site generation and new sustainable technologies like clean hydrogen.

About Southern Company 
Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is a leading energy provider serving 9 million customers across the Southeast and beyond through its family of companies. Providing clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy with excellent service is our mission. The company has electric operating companies in three states, natural gas distribution companies in four states, a competitive generation company, a leading distributed energy distribution company with national capabilities, a fiber optics network and telecommunications services. Through an industry-leading commitment to innovation, resilience and sustainability, we are taking action to meet customers’ and communities’ needs while advancing our goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Our uncompromising values ensure we put the needs of those we serve at the center of everything we do and are the key to our sustained success. We are transforming energy into economic, environmental and social progress for tomorrow. Our corporate culture and hiring practices have earned the company national awards and recognition from numerous organizations, including Forbes, The Military Times, DiversityInc, Black Enterprise, J.D. Power, Fortune, Human Rights Campaign and more. To learn more, visit www.southerncompany.com.

About GSA: GSA provides centralized procurement and shared services for the federal government, managing a nationwide real estate portfolio of nearly 370 million rentable square feet, overseeing about $87 billion in products and services via federal contracts, and delivering technology services that serve millions of people across dozens of federal agencies. GSA’s mission is to deliver the best customer experience and value in real estate, acquisition, and technology services to the government and the American people. For more information, visit GSA.gov [lnks.gd] and follow us at @USGSA [lnks.gd].

SOURCE Southern Company

For further information: Southern Company Media Relations, 404-506-5333 or 1-866-506-5333, www.southerncompany.com