America’s 2018 “Best-of-the-Best” Corporations for Inclusion Named by NGLCC and Partners in the National Business Inclusion Consortium

April 19, 2018

WASHINGTON, April 19, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), the business voice of the LGBT community, in collaboration with its partners in the National Business Inclusion Consortium (NBIC), has named the third annual Best-of-the-Best list of corporations in America committed to diversity and inclusion across all communities.

“The Best-of-the-Best designation honors corporations for their commitment to America’s diverse employees and business owners, which includes LGBT, people of color, women, and people with disabilities,” said NGLCC Co-Founder and President Justin Nelson. “This designation is highly competitive and is bestowed only to corporations that we see constantly striving to strengthen and celebrate diversity. These corporations being honored are true leaders in ongoing global commitments to create a better future for all diverse communities in business.”

NGLCC formed the National Business Inclusion Consortium in 2011, and its members represent a total of over $9 trillion in annual economic strength along with significant contributions to the marketplace and workplace. Only companies achieving industry leading results across all diverse segments are eligible to receive the prestigious Best-of-the-Best designation from the NBIC, whose members include the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC); U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. (USBC); U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC); U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce (USPAAC); U.S. Business Leadership Network (USBLN); Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC); and WEConnect International.

The 2018 Best-of-the-Best Corporations for Inclusion are:

Accenture
Aetna
Allstate Insurance Company
American Airlines
Apple
AT&T
Bank of America
Bayer
Bristol-Myers Squibb
Capital One
Chevron
Comcast | NBCUniversal
Corning Incorporated
Cummins Inc
CVS Health
DuPont
EY
First Data
Food Lion
General Motors
GlaxoSmithKline
Health Care Service Corporation
Hilton
IBM Corporation
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
KPMG LLP
Marriott International, Inc
Monsanto Company
Morgan Stanley
Nationwide Mutual
New York Life
Northrop Grumman
Pacific Gas and Electric
Pfizer Inc.
PNC Financial Services Group
Procter & Gamble
SunTrust Bank
T-Mobile
TD Bank
TIAA
Toyota North America
U.S. Bank
United Airlines
UPS
Wells Fargo

The announcement of those honored with the Best-of-the-Best designation was made at the third annual Best-of-the-Best Awards Gala held on April 18, 2018. Bank of America, a Best-of-the-Best corporation, returned for the third consecutive year as the evening’s presenting sponsor. Advocacy honorees at the Best-of-the-Best gala will include Representative Joe Kennedy III; Mandy Harvey, an extraordinary vocalist and disability advocate; and Olympic figure skater and LGBT advocate Adam Rippon. Washington Post columnist & MSNBC contributor Jonathan Capehart served as Master of Ceremonies. Broadway and television star George Salazar sang the National Anthem.

“Demonstrating commitment to diversity is not only the right thing to do, it’s the smartest thing to do for businesses large and small,” says NGLCC Co-Founder and CEO Chance Mitchell. “The select group of Fortune 500 companies honored with a Best-of-the-Best designation are innovators and trailblazers for inclusion, and are constantly raising the bar forward for themselves, their peers, and their competitors. While we pause to honor some extraordinary leaders at the Best-of-the-Best gala, the great work of ensuring opportunity for all us is a year round commitment. We look forward to working with all of these great companies for decades to come in shaping a more inclusive economy for all.”

ABOUT NGLCC:
The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce is the business voice of the LGBT community and is the largest global organization specifically dedicated to expanding economic opportunities and advancements for LGBT people. NGLCC is the exclusive certification body for LGBT-owned businesses. www.nglcc.org

CONTACT:
Jonathan Lovitz
Senior Vice President, NGLCC
[email protected] | 954.695.5896

SOURCE National LGBT Chamber of Commerce

Sears Holdings Becomes the First Company to Win ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year Awards for Retailer, Energy Management and Brand Owner Categories

April 19, 2018

Sears-Holdings-Corporation-Earth-Day-2018

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., April 19, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Sears Holdings Corporation (SHC) has been named a 2018 ENERGY STAR^® Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence Award winner for continued leadership in protecting our environment through superior energy efficiency achievements. In addition, the Kenmore brand has been named a 2018 ENERGY STAR^® Partner of the Year – Product Brand Owner. According to the EPA, it marks the first time a company has won all three awards: Retailer, Energy Management and Brand Owner. Sears Holdings’ and Kenmore’s accomplishments will be recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., on April 20, 2018.

Sears Holdings, an ENERGY STAR partner since 1998, will be honored for long-term commitment to energy efficiency. The company’s related accomplishments in 2017 included:

Energy Savings: From February through August 2017, Sears reduced total store energy consumption by nine percent and saved 82 million kilowatt hours of power, which equates at an average rate, to almost $10 million.
Responsible Appliance Disposal: Sears processed and responsibly disposed of more than 182,000 refrigerators, freezers, AC units and dehumidifiers from January 2017 through September 2017. These efforts resulted in avoided greenhouse gas emissions of approximately 226,000 metric tons CO2 equivalent.
Product Selection and Sales of ENERGY STAR Products: From Sears’ sales of ENERGY STAR products in 2017, customers were able to achieve energy savings of 298 million kWh, $70 million in utility costs, 459 million pounds of CO2 reduced, or equivalent emissions of 44,000 cars. In 2017, SHC offered 849 unique ENERGY STAR certified models across categories such as lighting, appliances, consumer electronics, doors, windows, and HVAC. In Appliances alone, SHC saw a 9.5% increase in ENERGY STAR certified products over 2016 numbers. For the fourth straight year, more than 99% of our door and window installations were completed using ENERGY STAR certified products.
Training: Sears conducted its Home Appliance business sales associate product training road show in 2017 to educate its associates on ENERGY STAR. Over 1,900 associates were trained and gained specific knowledge on ENERGY STAR certified products.
Partnership: Sears and the Kenmore brand partnered with Amazon to launch major appliances on Amazon.com. The launch and marketing materials have focused heavily on ENERGY STAR certified appliances and the majority of the products are ENERGY STAR certified. This is introducing the Kenmore brand and the ENERGY STAR Program to a new demographic audience. In addition, we continue to support ENERGY STAR with participation in ENERGY STAR events. SHC successfully upgraded two homeless veteran shelters with energy-efficient appliances, lighting, consumer electronics, doors, windows and HVAC. This event with Rebuilding Together and ENERGY STAR took place in advance of the ENERGY STAR Products Partner Meeting.

“We truly value Sears Holdings’ partnership with ENERGY STAR and are honored to receive the Partner of the Year Award in Sustained Excellence for the ninth consecutive year in Retail and the seventh consecutive year in Energy Management,” said Edward S. Lampert, chairman and chief executive officer of Sears Holdings. “Being recognized by ENERGY STAR as a retail leader only further increases our members’ trust in us to continuously provide energy-efficient solutions that meet their needs. We remain committed to continuing our work to help increase energy efficiency, to offer savings to our members, and to protect the environment through our dedicated efforts.”

“The Kenmore brand has been an iconic American brand since 1913 and has been a significant supporter of ENERGY STAR since 1992,” said Tom Park, president of Kenmore, Craftsman and DieHard brands at Sears. “In 2017, Kenmore increased the percentage of total sales dollars from ENERGY STAR certified Kenmore appliances by over 7% compared to the prior year.”

“The 2018 ENERGY STAR Partners of the Year have demonstrated real leadership, showing how American families and businesses can save energy, save money, and reduce air emissions,” said Bill Wehrum, EPA Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation.

Earth Day Activities in Puerto Rico
To help celebrate our accomplishments and say thank you to our members, all Sears and Kmart stores in Puerto Rico will host Earth Day events this Sunday April 22, with activities for the whole family, including:

Representatives from various environmental organizations will share educational information about Earth Day
The movie “Epic” will be playing on in-store monitors and children can receive a CD of the movie by visiting the store Welcome Center/Comfort Zone (while supplies last).
Activities for children will include crafts and coloring books with an educational Earth Day theme
For more information on Earth Day events and ENERGY STAR products, visit www.sears.com.pr and www.kmart.com.pr

The 2018 Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence Awards are bestowed upon companies and other organizations demonstrating continued leadership in energy efficiency and commitment to the ENERGY STAR program. Winners hail from small, family-owned businesses to Fortune 500 organizations – representing energy-efficient products, services, new homes, and buildings in the commercial, industrial, and public sectors.

For a complete list of 2018 winners and more information about ENERGY STAR’s awards program, visit energystar.gov/awardwinners.

About Sears Holdings Corporation
Sears Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: SHLD) is a leading integrated retailer focused on seamlessly connecting the digital and physical shopping experiences to serve our members – wherever, whenever and however they want to shop. Sears Holdings is home to Shop Your Way®, a social shopping platform offering members rewards for shopping at Sears and Kmart as well as with other retail partners across categories important to them. The company operates through its subsidiaries, including Sears, Roebuck and Co. and Kmart Corporation, with full-line and specialty retail stores across the United States. For more information, visit www.searsholdings.com.

About the Kenmore Brand
The Kenmore Brand is an industry leader in delivering trusted performance in the home with smart and stylish appliance innovations that help consumers do things quicker, easier and better. Recognized as a top appliance brand for over 100 years, the Kenmore brand continues to give consumers more time, efficiency and improved results for better living with industry-leading products across small and large appliance categories. For more information, visit www.kenmore.com, www.cookmore.com/press-kit/ or www.facebook.com/kenmore.

About ENERGY STAR
ENERGY STAR^® is the simple choice for energy efficiency. For over 25 years, EPA’s ENERGY STAR program has been America’s resource for saving energy and protecting the environment. Join the millions already making a difference at energystar.gov. More background information about ENERGY STAR can be found at energystar.gov/about and energystar.gov/numbers. Thousands of industrial, commercial, utility, state, and local organizations—including more than 40 percent of the Fortune 500®—rely on their partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to deliver cost-saving energy efficiency solutions. Together, since 1992, ENERGY STAR and its partners have helped save American families and businesses over $450 billion and over 3.5 trillion kilowatt-hours of electricity while also achieving broad emissions reductions—all through voluntary action.

CONTACT:
Larry Costello, PR Director
Sears Holdings
(847) 286-9036

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/679122/Sears_Holdings_Corporation_Earth_Day_2018.jpg

SOURCE Sears Holdings Corporation

NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises Continues To Boost Position As The Leading Hispanic Authority With The Announcement Of Three New Executives

April 18, 2018

Ronald Day, Executive Vice President of Programming for Telemundo Networks

MIAMI, April 18, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises today announced three new hires to further advance Telemundo’s position as the leading Hispanic authority. Veteran media executive Ronald Day has been appointed to Executive Vice President of Programming for Telemundo Networks, Amanda Calpin has been named Chief Financial Officer for Telemundo Networks and Ignacio Barrera has been named to Senior Vice President of Sales and Business Development for Telemundo Global Studios.

A veteran media executive, Ronald Day brings extensive programming and production experience and a proven track record in the Spanish-language television industry. In his role, Day will be responsible for overseeing the entertainment programming strategy and execution, including program planning, scheduling, acquisitions, and the production of Telemundo’s daily entertainment shows. As head of the Network programming team, he will also be a member of the Scripted Development Committee working closely with Telemundo Global Studios in the development and production of primetime original content. Day will also partner with the network’s Music team in the development of Reality primetime programming, as well as with Marketing, Research, and Talent & Production Management Services. Lastly, he will also oversee and provide creative leadership to the Universo team. Day will be based in Miami and report to Luis Silberwasser, President of Telemundo Networks.

Day launched his own company where he is Co-Founder and shareholder of Yes you Can!, a multimillion-dollar business focused on diet plans and wellness. Before launching his own company Day held executive positions at Univision and Telefutura (UniMas). As Senior Vice President of Programming and Promotions for Univision Network, he successfully led Univision as a major competitor against English-language networks. He also engineered the success strategy and launch of Telefutura (later UniMas), the third Spanish-language TV network in the U.S., working as Senior Vice President of Programming, Promotions and Special Events. Before joining Telefutura, Day was Executive Producer of the “Cristina” talk show. His arrival to Telemundo is a homecoming of sorts, as he worked at Telemundo Network earlier in his career as a Senior Producer for NBC Telemundo.

A seasoned executive with more than 15 years of experience overseeing strategic financial performance and planning within the broadcast and media industries, Amanda Calpin will be responsible for managing all financial and accounting functions of Telemundo including our broadcast and cable networks, global studios, sports and news division, digital, international distribution groups and network corporate functions. In addition, she will be responsible for managing all financial reporting requirements and establishing effective and thorough financial internal controls and procedures. Working closely with senior management at NBCUniversal, Telemundo and our stations, she will partner to drive profitability and growth across all platforms. Calpin will be based in Miami, and report to Beau Ferrari, Executive Vice President of NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises.

Previously, Calpin was Chief Financial Officer for the Telemundo Station Group where she led all financial operations for all local Telemundo stations in the United States and Puerto Rico, as well as TeleXitos. Prior to that, she was Vice President of Finance for the Telemundo Station Group and led the Telemundo Station Group through a period of massive investment in the Telemundo-owned stations, including the acquisitions of several new local stations, the launch of local newscasts all across the country and the hiring of more than 160 journalists to support the significant expansion in local news.

As Senior Vice President of Sales and Business Development for Telemundo Global Studios, Ignacio Barrera will be responsible for the syndication of Telemundo Studios and Telemundo International Studios productions, co-productions, and third party productions. He will manage end-to-end deal negotiation process, including cross-functional team coordination across Legal, Ad Sales, Business Affairs, Technology, and Digital Media teams. Additionally, Ignacio will work to identify potential business opportunities and potential distribution partners. Barrera will be based in Miami, and report to Marcos Santana, President of Telemundo Global Studios.

Previously, Barrera was Chief Content Officer at Albavision where he was responsible for content development of scripted, reality shows and alternative productions, content acquisitions, scheduling and promotion. Prior to that, he was Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Tepuy International, now Telemundo International. In that role, Barrera was responsible for overseeing all European and Latin American territories’ sales.

About NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises
NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises is a world-class media company leading the industry in the production and distribution of high-quality Spanish-language content to U.S. Hispanics and audiences around the world. This fast-growing multi-platform portfolio is comprised of the Telemundo Network and Station Group, Telemundo Deportes, Noticias Telemundo, Telemundo Global Studios, Universo, and a Digital Enterprises & Emerging Business unit. Telemundo Network features original Spanish-language entertainment, news and sports content reaching 94% of U.S. Hispanic TV households in 210 markets through 27 local stations, 51 affiliates and its national feed. Telemundo also owns WKAQ, a television station that serves viewers in Puerto Rico. Telemundo Deportes is the designated Spanish-language home of two of the world’s most popular sporting events: FIFA World Cup™ through 2026 and the Summer Olympic Games through 2032. Telemundo Global Studios is the company’s domestic and international scripted production unit including Telemundo Studios, Telemundo International Studios, Telemundo International, as well as all of the company’s co-production partnerships. As the #1 media company reaching Hispanics and millennials online, the Digital Enterprises & Emerging Business unit distributes original content across multiple platforms, maximizing its exclusive partnerships with properties such as BuzzFeed, Vox, and Snapchat. Through Telemundo Internacional, the largest U.S.-based distributor of Spanish-language content in the world, and Universo, the fastest growing Hispanic entertainment cable network, the company reflects the diverse lifestyle, cultural experience and language of its expanding audience. NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises is a division of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.

Amanda Calpin, Chief Financial Officer for Telemundo Networks

Ignacio Barrera, Senior Vice President of Sales and Business Development for Telemundo Global Studios

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/678862/NBCUniversal_Telemundo_Ronald_Day.jpg

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/678861/NBCUniversal_Telemundo_Amanda_Calpin.jpg

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/678864/NBCUniversal_Telemundo_Ignacio_Barrera.jpg

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/456061/NBCUniversal_Telemundo_Logo.jpg

SOURCE NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises

The Home Depot to Hire 1,000 Technology Professionals

April 18, 2018

ATLANTA, April 18, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The Home Depot® is hiring approximately 1,000 new technology professionals in 2018 at its primary technology centers in Atlanta, Austin and Dallas to support initiatives related to its $11.1 billion three-year strategic investment plan.

In December 2017, the company announced investments related to its store and online shopping experience, supply chain and delivery capabilities, and associate and workforce management systems. Many of these initiatives require advanced software engineering, system engineering, UX design and product management.

“With the rapidly changing retail environment, this is easily one of the most exciting places to work in technology,” said Matt Carey, EVP and chief information officer of The Home Depot. “Our team is building some of the most advanced software anywhere to help customers shop whenever, wherever and however they want.”

Recently named one of Fast Company’s 50 Most Innovative Companies, The Home Depot’s technology team uses the latest modern development stacks and agile practices across public and private cloud platforms. Additionally, the team leverages artificial intelligence, augmented reality, big data, machine learning, and voice and visual recognition capabilities to build award-winning experiences for customers and associates.

Interested in working in technology at The Home Depot? Hear CIO Matt Carey discuss how the team builds customer-first solutions using the latest software engineering techniques in this edition of the “Give Me an H” podcast and see open positions at careers.homedepot.com/technology.

About The Home Depot
The Home Depot is the world’s largest home improvement specialty retailer, with 2,284 retail stores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, 10 Canadian provinces and Mexico. In fiscal 2017, The Home Depot had sales of $100.9 billion and earnings of $8.6 billion. The Company employs more than 400,000 associates. The Home Depot’s stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: HD) and is included in the Dow Jones industrial average and Standard & Poor’s 500 index.

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/118058/the_home_depot_logo.jpg

SOURCE The Home Depot

This Earth Day, Take #1MORE Step to Being a Better Recycler

April 18, 2018

Republic Services logo (PRNewsfoto/Republic Services)

PHOENIX, April 18, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — In celebration of Earth Day on April 22, Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE: RSG) encourages their employees and the communities they serve across the country to commit to taking their recycling habits to the next level with #1MORE act of environmental responsibility to reduce contamination of the recycling waste stream.

Experience the interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8249151-republic-services-earth-day-recycling-tips/

Recycling contamination can be anything other than what is intended to be collected and recycled, including unwanted substances such as residual food or liquid that can be harmful to the recycling process. Once a contaminated item comes into contact with other recyclables, the entire batch can potentially become contaminated.

“We all play a critical role in keeping our community recycling programs running properly and helping to reduce contamination,” said Pete Keller, vice president of recycling and sustainability. “Many consumers are placing contaminated items into their containers and consequently, many of those recyclables end up in the landfill and not where they were intended. This Earth Day and throughout the year, we encourage everyone to take #1MORE step to help reduce contamination by incorporating four easy tips into your daily routine.”

Four Tips to Reduce Recycling Contamination:

Tip #1: Only Place These Recyclables in the Curbside Recycling Container
Keep it simple and focus on these four categories of curbside recyclables:

Paper, including newspapers, envelopes, mail, phone books and magazines
Flattened cardboard, file folders and poster board
Plastic bottles and containers
Aluminum and tin food and beverage cans

Composite packaging, such as cardboard and plastic used together in a 24-pack of bottled water where there is a cardboard bottom and shrink-wrapped plastic, cannot be recycled unless they are separated before placing in the recycling container.

Tip #2: Recyclables Should Be Empty, Clean & Dry
Make sure recyclables are empty of any contents, clean of any residue and dry before placing them into the recycling container.

Tip #3: When In Doubt, Throw It Out
Many consumers put items into the recycling container hoping that they are recyclable. Despite these good intentions, some items should not be mixed in with clean recyclables. If questioning whether something is recyclable or not, follow the guidance, “When in doubt, throw it out,” by tossing the items into the trash container.

Tip #4: Know What Should Never be Placed in the Curbside Recycling Container
Below is a list of items that should never be placed into a curbside recycling container:

Plastic grocery and shopping bags
Food waste
Clothing, shoes and other textiles
Yard waste, plants, grass clippings, cords and garden hoses
Styrofoam, fiberglass and other foam packing material
Disposable diapers and puppy pads
Tissue, paper towels, paper napkins and hardcover books
Treated or contaminated wood, sheetrock or drywall
Metal such as chains, tools and car parts
Electronic devices and equipment as well as batteries, fluorescent bulbs and ballasts are hazardous materials that must be handled differently than other household waste and recyclables. For business customers, Republic offers programs to recycle electronics securely and responsibly, and to safely dispose of batteries, bulbs and ballasts.

Republic continues to steadily build upon its industry-leading sustainability platform while earning notable recognition for sustainability and corporate responsibility achievements, as demonstrated by being named to the Forbes America’s Best Large Employers 2017 list and inclusion in both the Dow Jones Sustainability – North America and World – Indices. Republic was also awarded the Gold Class Award in the 2018 RobecoSAM’s Sustainability Yearbook and earned the Carbon Disclosure Project’s (CDP) Global Climate Management Level and the Supplier Climate Management Level distinctions. In addition, Glassdoor honored the Company with the Employees’ Choice Award.

About Republic Services
Republic Services, Inc. is an industry leader in U.S. recycling and non-hazardous solid waste disposal. Through its subsidiaries, Republic’s collection companies, recycling centers, transfer stations and landfills focus on providing effective solutions to make proper waste disposal effortless for its 14 million customers. We’ll handle it from here.^®, the brand’s promise, lets customers know they can count on Republic to provide a superior experience while fostering a sustainable Blue Planet^® for future generations to enjoy a cleaner, safer and healthier world.

For more information, visit the Republic Services website at RepublicServices.com.

Logo – http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/616472/Republic_Services_tagline_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Republic Services, Inc.

(Español) Schneider Electric retira del mercado interrumptores de seguridad Square D debido a riesgo de choque eléctrico

April 18, 2018

Sorry, this entry is only available in Español.

Second Hottest Year on Record Slowed California’s Smog Progress

April 18, 2018

SACRAMENTO, California, April 18, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The American Lung Association’s State of the Air 2018 report shows that once again California has some of the worst air quality in the nation. This year’s report reveals that the state’s ozone levels rose significantly due to some of the warmest temperatures on record in 2016. Extreme heat and other climate-driven events have a direct impact on our air quality. Addressing climate change and the resulting air pollution is key in the fight for healthy air.

“Federal and state policies like the Clean Air Act and strong California clean car standards are working. We are improving air quality, but the impacts of climate change are interfering with progress,” said Bonnie Holmes-Gen, Senior Director, Air Quality and Climate Change, American Lung Association in California. “The reality is California still has unhealthy levels of air pollution in large areas of the state, which puts Californians at risk for premature death and other serious health effects such as asthma, COPD and lung cancer. We must continue the life-saving work of cutting air pollution and slowing climate change.”

The State of the Air 2018 found that 90 percent of Californians live in areas with unhealthy air at some point during the year. California’s most populous metro area, Los Angeles, led the nation for ozone pollution, faring worse than it did in the 2017 report. The San Joaquin Valley dominated the list of most polluted for short-term and year-round particle pollution with Visalia, Bakersfield and Fresno all landing in the top five. (See lists below.)

Key Report Findings

Rising temperatures linked to climate change hinder fight against ozone (also known as smog).

Eight cities increased their unhealthy ozone averages: Los Angeles-Long Beach (and Inland Empire), Bakersfield, Visalia, Sacramento, San Diego, Redding–Red Bluff, the San Francisco Bay Area (including Stockton) and Chico. Much of this can be attributed to the inclusion of 2016 data in the three-year average, which was the second warmest year in U.S. history. This increase in ozone follows several years of increase in particle levels due to drought conditions.

San Joaquin Valley leads nation in particle pollution (also known as soot).

Of the top ten regions for short-term and year-round particle pollution, seven are in California: Visalia–Porterville–Hanford, Bakersfield, Los Angeles-Long Beach (and Inland Empire), Fresno–Madera, Modesto–Merced, El Centro and the San Francisco Bay Area (including Stockton.)
Bakersfield remained atop the list for short-term particle pollution and ranked third for year-round particle pollution, though levels did improve in both categories.

Two cities among cleanest in America. Salinas landed a spot on two lists of the cleanest cities in the U.S. thanks to zero unhealthy ozone days and one of the lowest year-round particle pollution levels. Santa Maria–Santa Barbara was also recognized as the cleanest region for short-term particle pollution.

The State of the Air 2018 report is based on air quality monitoring data collected in 2014 – 2016, the most recent years of quality assured data available. It is important to note that the historic wildfires of 2017 were not captured in this year’s report. The report focuses on ozone and particle pollution, as they are the most widespread forms of air pollution threatening public health.

“Ozone and particle pollution are especially harmful to children, seniors and those with asthma and other lung diseases. When they breathe polluted air, too often they end up in the doctor’s office, the hospital or the emergency room,” said Dr. Alex Sherriffs, a Fresno area physician and member of the San Joaquin Valley Air District Board and the California Air Resources Board.

“I was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2014 and it came as a complete shock to me. I now realize that living and working in Los Angeles meant I was exposed to dangerous levels of air pollution for decades,” said Victoria Dresbach, a lung cancer survivor. “I don’t want future generations to go through what I have had to experience. I hope that we can continue to reduce vehicle emissions in Los Angeles and all of California to further improve air quality and allow everyone to breathe easier.”

Climate change is worsening our air pollution problems, as this report shows. Warmer temperatures linked to climate change increase the frequency and severity of ozone days and make it harder to reach our clean air goals. Climate change is also linked to extreme weather patterns, drought and wildfires, which contribute to increased particle pollution.

“It is critical that California continues to lead the nation in the transition away from polluting fossil fuels, especially as the federal government takes steps to roll back lifesaving measures that reduce climate pollution like clean car standards,” Holmes-Gen said. “Moving to a zero-emission vehicle future will have huge positive impacts on public health and improve the lives of those living with lung disease.”

Learn more about California’s grades including local air quality data for each county and metropolitan area at www.stateoftheair.org/california2018. For media interested in speaking with an expert, please contact Ryan Endean at the American Lung Association in California at (916) 585-7666 or [email protected].

About the American Lung Association in California
The American Lung Association in California is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through research, education and advocacy. The Lung Association is focused on four strategic imperatives: to defeat lung cancer, to improve the air we breathe, to reduce the burden of lung disease on individuals and their families, and to eliminate tobacco use and tobacco-related diseases. For more information about the American Lung Association in California or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-685-4872) or visit www.lung.org/california.

State of the Air 2018 Rankings

Most Polluted Cities for Ozone

Los Angeles-Long Beach (incl. Inland Empire)
Bakersfield
Visalia–Porterville–Hanford
Fresno–Madera
Sacramento–Roseville
San Diego–Carlsbad
Modesto–Merced
Phoenix, AZ
Redding–Red Bluff
New York, NY–Newark, NJ

Most Polluted Cities for Short-Term Particle Pollution

Bakersfield
Visalia–Porterville–Hanford
Fresno–Madera
Fairbanks, AK
Modesto–Merced
San Jose–San Francisco–Oakland (incl. Stockton)
Los Angeles-Long Beach (incl. Inland Empire)
Salt Lake City, UT
El Centro
Pittsburgh, PA

Most Polluted Cities for Year-Round Particle Pollution

Fairbanks, AK
Visalia–Porterville–Hanford
Bakersfield
Los Angeles-Long Beach (incl. Inland Empire)
Fresno–Madera
Modesto–Merced
El Centro
Pittsburgh, PA & Lancaster, PA (Tie)
San Jose–San Francisco–Oakland (incl. Stockton) & Cleveland, OH (Tie)

Media Contact: Ryan Endean | (916) 585-7666 (O) | [email protected]

SOURCE American Lung Association in California

Acura Returns for Another Year of Celebrating Music and Arts at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival

April 17, 2018

TORRANCE, California, April 17, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Acura marks its 19^th year as a sponsor of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, continuing the brand’s passionate support of the musical heritage of New Orleans. Acura also is the presenting sponsor and official automotive partner of Shorty Fest, the major fundraiser for the Trombone Shorty Foundation, on Thursday, May 3.

Acura will continue the tradition of hosting legendary musicians on The Acura Main Stage, or “Acura Stage,” at this year’s Jazz Fest, including Sting, Jimmy Buffet, Lionel Richie, Aerosmith, and Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue. Festival attendees also will have the opportunity to visit the Acura Product Experience tent, where the brand’s full model lineup will be on display, as well as have the chance to win access to the exclusive Acura VIP Lounge and Acura Side Stage Passes. The exclusive Acura VIP Lounge is open both weekends – April 28-29^th and May 5-6^th.

“Music has always been an important component of the Acura brand and we are excited to return to New Orleans to support the incredible musicians and unique musical culture of this city,” said Jon Ikeda, vice president & general manager of Acura. “We are honored to continue our work with Troy ‘Trombone Shorty’ Andrews and his foundation to perpetuate New Orleans’ musical heritage through education, performance and mentorships.”

Acura continues to work and collaborate with Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews, an iconic singer, songwriter, bandleader, and founder of the Trombone Shorty Foundation (www.tromboneshortyfoundation.org). Through the foundation’s largest fundraiser of the year, Shorty Fest, Acura supports Trombone Shorty and his passion to empower New Orleans youth to succeed as professional musicians, and contribute to the perpetuation of the legendary sounds of the city. This year’s Shorty Fest will take place May 3 at the House of Blues New Orleans.

Acura and Music
Music is important to the Acura brand, not only through its sponsorship of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, but in the in-product experience it provides to Acura drivers. The latest example is the 2019 Acura RDX, which made its world debut at the 2018 New York International Auto Show. The 2019 Acura RDX features the award-winning Panasonic ELS Studio 3D™ premium audio, delivering incredible range and a whole new listening experience with four roof-mounted speakers. The ELS Studio 3D™ audio was developed by Acura and Panasonic and tuned by Grammy-winning music producer, Elliot Scheiner.

Acura also incorporates music to enhance the energy and emotion in the brand’s marketing campaigns. Most recently, the 2018 Acura RLX featured the iconic American musician, James Brown and his song “Super Bad” served as the soundtrack to the campaign.

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival begins Friday, April 27 and runs through Sunday, May 6. For the full lineup of artists and more information on the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, visit www.nojazzfest.com.

For More Information
Consumer information is available at http://www.acura.com. To join the Acura community on Facebook, visit http://www.facebook.com/acura. Additional media information including high-resolution photography is available at acuranews.com/channels/acura-automobiles.

About Acura
Acura is a leading automotive luxury nameplate that delivers Precision Crafted Performance, representing the original values of the Acura brand – a commitment to evocative styling, high performance and innovative engineering, all built on a foundation of quality and reliability.

The Acura lineup features six distinctive models – the RLX premium, luxury sedan, the TLX performance luxury sedan, the ILX sport sedan, the 5-passenger RDX luxury crossover SUV, the seven-passenger Acura MDX, America’s all-time best-selling three-row luxury SUV and the next-generation, electrified NSX supercar as a new and pinnacle expression of Acura Precision Crafted Performance.

About the Trombone Shorty Foundation:
The Trombone Shorty Foundation, founded by musician Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews in 2013, preserves and perpetuates the distinct musical heritage of New Orleans through music instruction, performance, business education, mentorship, and real-life experience – as part of a time-honored tradition to cultivate a vibrant community through music and tradition. Since launching, the foundation has grown from serving 15 students to 70 per year, preparing aspiring musicians from underserved New Orleans communities for success in music and life, moving the city’s culture forward and teaching real-world skills for success in the music industry. Shorty Fest, the foundation’s largest annual fundraiser, is a major draw during Jazz Fest week, and is known for featuring up and coming bands and showcasing the talents of the Academy students. Learn more at tromboneshortyfoundation.org.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/678279/Acura_Shorty_Fest.jpg
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/678278/Acura_New_Orleans_Jazz_and_Heritage_Festival.jpg
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SOURCE Acura

Millennials and the Tough Road Ahead

April 17, 2018

PRINCETON, N.J., April 17, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Tens of millions of America’s nearly 80 million millennials, the diverse generation of Americans between roughly 16 and 34, are not positioned to thrive in today’s world in terms of their level of human capital. This is not an attack on millennials; we are failing many in this generation. As a result, there are significant economic and social consequences for those on the margins—and for all of us, according to the latest research from ETS.

Based on analysis of data from the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC), the authors of “Too Big to Fail: Millennials on the Margins” show that nearly half of America’s millennials—around 36 million—are attempting the transition to adult roles with low literacy skills, and more than half—about 46 million—are doing so with low numeracy skills.

In addition, according to the report authors, ETS researchers Anita Sands and Madeline Goodman, millennials with low skills are more likely to be unemployed, out of the labor force, working in low-skill occupations and earning low incomes, and are less likely to have health-care coverage than those with higher skills. Moreover, they are less likely than their higher-skilled peers to have trust in others, be civically engaged, and feel as though they can influence government.

The America millennials inherited was one undergoing a seismic shift. During the 1980s the United States was moving away from being a manufacturing economy with a fairly successful record of supporting a broad middle-class toward one increasingly reliant on a global supply chain. This shift impacted many facets of American life, not least of which is the nature of work and the need for higher level literacy and numeracy skills.

There are fewer sustainable economic opportunities available to those lacking higher-level skills. Work that is available to those with lower skills often carries risks: Many hourly jobs in the burgeoning services sector—where so many with low skills find employment—do not provide health insurance, retirement benefits, sustainable wages, or even reliable hours.

Making matters worse, while educational attainment rates—for both high school and many forms of postsecondary education—have increased, many young adults who have either obtained or are pursuing degrees still lack the necessary skills to advance economically. Furthermore, many students pursuing additional education are burdened by mounting debt for the post-secondary education they have received.

“These findings should shake us to our foundation,” said Sands. Goodman agreed saying, “They speak to our past in that they are in large part rooted in inequitable opportunities to acquire and develop human and, increasingly, social capital. And these findings speak to our future if we do not change course. Given what is known about how advantages and disadvantages compound over generations, the fate of so many millennials jeopardizes not only this critical cohort, but future generations.”

To download or read the complete report please visit: https://www.ets.org/research/report/opportunity-too-big-to-fail/preface.

About ETS
At ETS, we advance quality and equity in education for people worldwide by creating assessments based on rigorous research. ETS serves individuals, educational institutions and government agencies by providing customized solutions for teacher certification, English language learning, and elementary, secondary and postsecondary education, and by conducting education research, analysis and policy studies. Founded as a nonprofit in 1947, ETS develops, administers and scores more than 50 million tests annually — including the TOEFL^® and TOEIC ^® tests, the GRE ^® tests and The Praxis Series ^®assessments — in more than 180 countries, at over 10,000 locations worldwide. www.ets.org

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/562926/Educational_Testing_Service_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Educational Testing Service

sonnen Microgrid Brings Power, Shelter and Relief to a Farming Community in Puerto Rico

April 17, 2018

LOS ANGELES and SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, April 17, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — sonnen, the global market leader in intelligent residential energy storage, today announced the commissioning of a solar + smart energy storage microgrid that brings energy security and sustainability to a community of rural farmers in Bartolo, a mountainous barrio in the Lares region of Puerto Rico. This microgrid, established by repurposing an abandoned school, provides housing for 14 families who lost their homes to Hurricane Maria six months ago.

The community of approximately 7,000 residents is located in the mountainous barrio of Bartolo, mostly populated by coffee farmers who migrated to the region in the 18^th century. With most land ownership being passed down through generations via handshake agreements and no legal paper trail, many area residents do not qualify for FEMA grant money. In the wake of the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria, Centros de Apoyo Mutuo has been rebuilding Puerto Rican communities across the island. By partnering with sonnen and Pura Energia to sustainably power a community hub for Lares, they are providing immediate and long-term relief for local residents and revitalizing the community.

The site is located at a school that has been shuttered since 2014, one almost all area residents had attended since its opening in the 1920s. With assistance from Centros de Apoyo Mutuo, the community was able to convert classrooms into apartments to house 14 local families, which are powered by the sonnen microgrid. Remaining areas of the former school have been redesigned as a disaster relief and recovery center with the kitchen being used as a community food distribution center and the administrative offices being used as an art classroom. The grounds have been converted to a community garden that not only assists in feeding the community but also enables the creation of a trade school to teach sustainable farming practices. In addition, there are plans to open Puerto’s Rico’s first solar-powered café and theater on the site, which will be run by the local youth center.

“The residents of Puerto Rico, despite insurmountable challenges, have shown great strength and resolve in the face of adversity. Lares is an incredible example of harnessing available resources to establish sustainable practices that will serve the community for years to come,” said Adam Gentner, sonnen’s Director of Business Development, Latin American Expansion. “The adoption of solar + storage to aid in Puerto Rico’s disaster relief and recovery is another example of implementing energy independent solutions that will aid the island and its communities regardless of what energy challenges they face in the future.”

The microgrid, installed in collaboration with sonnen’s local energy partner, Pura Energía, serves as a model for the resiliency created by solar + storage technologies, as it represents a fully off-grid site deep in a remote area of Puerto Rico. In establishing the microgrid, sonnen donated a smart energy storage system, consisting of a sonnenBatterie eco 8 (4kw / 8kWh) and eco 16 (8kW / 16kWh), which was paired with a 9kW rooftop solar system provided by Pura Energía. In developing the Lares project, sonnen was able to repurpose two sonnenBatterie units that had been providing short-term relief at previous microgrid sites.

“The recovery needs throughout Puerto Rico are constantly changing and by repurposing the sonnenBatterie units from the prior La Perla and Loiza sites, we are able to adapt to the long-term needs of the island and its residents,” said Gentner.

“This solar project is going to energize more than just the farmers and their families. Our facilities will make jobs available for the area’s youth and will allow us to offer art therapy to help residents cope with the aftermath of the hurricane,” said Elisa Sanchez, site manager for the Lares community. “Thanks to the incredible support of partners like sonnen, we are able to go beyond our primary goal of housing area families, but also restore a sense of community and culture.”

The community is the site of the eleventh microgrid system that sonnen and Pura Energía have installed on the island since Hurricane Maria struck in September 2017. Other microgrids have included community and relief centers, washing machines and laundromat centers, food distribution centers, two schools, and a primary healthcare clinic. All efforts and technology were donated by sonnen and Pura Energía via the del Sol Foundation for Energy Security, exceeding $350,000.

About sonnen
At sonnen, we believe clean, affordable, and reliable energy for all is one of the greatest challenges of our time. sonnen is a proven global leader in intelligent energy management solutions that provide greater energy control for residential customers through increased solar self-consumption, reduced peak energy usage and reliable backup power during outages – contributing to a cleaner and more reliable energy future. sonnen has won several awards for its energy innovations, including the 2018 Fast Company Most Innovative Companies in Energy, 2017 Zayed Future Energy Prize, MIT’s Technology Review’s 50 Smartest Companies in 2016, Global Cleantech 100 for 2015-2017, Greentech Media’s 2016 Grid Edge Award for innovation, and Cleantech’s 2015 Company of the Year Award in both Israel and Europe.

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/325856/sonnen_Logo.jpg

SOURCE sonnen

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