United and the San Francisco 49ers announced that the team has become the first in the NFL to purchase sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). As an initial step toward addressing emissions concerns, the team has purchased enough SAF to cover its game-related flying on United from San Francisco to Los Angeles this Sunday. SAF is an alternative to conventional jet fuel that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 85% on a lifecycle basis – from production to end use – because it is made from renewable materials rather than oil. United’s SAF is certified by an independent third-party as meeting several sustainability criteria, including its carbon intensity. United was the first airline to create a goal of reaching net zero greenhouse gas emission by 2050, without relying on voluntary carbon offsets, and remains a U.S. industry leader in the purchase and use of SAF. The airline purchased more sustainable fuel than any U.S. airline in 2023 and has used a blend of SAF at five airports in the U.S. and Europe including San Francisco International Airport – among the most locations of any U.S. airline. “SAF has the potential to be a powerful tool to help reduce carbon emissions…
Rolls-Royce has opened its first U.S. Private Office, a bespoke design studio catering to ultra-wealthy clients seeking highly personalized cars. This new venture aligns with Rolls-Royce’s strategy of focusing on selling more customized, higher-priced vehicles rather than increasing production. The Private Office, located in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District, offers clients the opportunity to work with designers to create entirely personalized cars, from paint colors and fabrics to lighting schemes and materials. This level of customization, known as the “Bespoke” program, can significantly increase the price of a Rolls-Royce, with some cars reaching over $1 million. The Private Office is reserved for the most exclusive Bespoke projects and offers a luxurious environment that resembles a billionaire’s pied-à-terre rather than a car showroom. Clients can explore a range of customization options, including paint colors, threads, leathers, metals, and even the iconic “Spirit of Ecstasy” hood ornaments. The New York Private Office is the company’s third worldwide, following Dubai and Shanghai. Rolls-Royce plans to open a fourth Private Office in Seoul, Korea. The idea behind the Private Offices is to bring the expertise and design capabilities of the Goodwood, U.K., factory closer to clients around the world. This is especially important as client requests…
Sam’s Club, a division of Walmart, has opened its first all-digital store, showcasing a glimpse into the future of retail. The new store, located in Dallas, Texas, features a unique shopping experience that eliminates traditional checkout lanes and encourages customers to use their smartphones for purchases. Upon entering the store, members will use the Scan & Go app to scan items as they shop, adding them to their virtual cart. The area typically reserved for cash registers will instead showcase online-only items, such as a 12-foot Christmas tree and a five-carat lab-grown diamond. Members can scan QR codes to locate these items directly. Store workers will have significantly more space dedicated to preparing e-commerce orders for curbside pickup and home delivery. This focus on e-commerce reflects Sam’s Club’s commitment to digital innovation and its goal of becoming a 100% digital engagement business. “It’s kind of the physical manifestation of a journey we’re trying to go on as a company,” Sam’s Club CEO Chris Nicholas said, as he showed off the club before its grand opening. The Dallas-area store reopening comes nearly two years after it was damaged by a tornado. Sam’s Club is leveraging this opportunity to introduce innovative features…
With over 25 years of experience in the wireless industry, Tenorio will play a pivotal role in driving Verizon’s technological innovation. He will report directly to Joe Russo, Executive Vice President & President of Global Network and Technology. Tenorio joins Verizon from Vodafone, where he built high-performance teams and gained recognition for his contributions to Vodafone’s Open RAN, Cloud Networking, and Network APIs. He led network technology decisions and developed Vodafone’s technology roadmap for mobile and fixed networks. Previously, Tenorio served as CTO for Vodafone Ireland and Chief Network Officer in the UK, successfully leading Vodafone’s network coverage efforts for the 2012 London Olympics. Recognized as a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering in the UK, Tenorio’s career achievements highlight his technical contributions to the industry, earning him one of the highest honors in engineering. In his new role at Verizon, Tenorio will spearhead 5G use case advancements, collaborate with partners on new technological progress, and chart the course for Verizon’s next generation of technologies. The Strategy and Technology Enablement (STE) team will commence operations on October 28, 2024, coinciding with Tenorio’s official start at Verizon. “As we continue to advance our 5G and 5G-advanced network builds, this…
The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has approved North Carolina’s Initial Proposal for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. This approval marks a significant step towards closing the digital divide in North Carolina and ensuring universal access to affordable, reliable, high-speed Internet service. The BEAD program, authorized by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, provides $42.45 billion in state grants to expand broadband access. North Carolina was allocated over $1.5 billion to deploy or upgrade high-speed Internet networks in unserved and underserved areas. “In the 21st century, a reliable Internet connection is a critical necessity that enables access to jobs, health care, and education. Thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Department of Commerce is ensuring everyone in North Carolina and across the country has access to quality, affordable high-speed Internet,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “Congratulations to the team in North Carolina. We look forward to working with you to ensure that everyone in the state is connected.” Once deployment goals are met, any remaining funding can be used for high-speed Internet adoption, training, and workforce development efforts. “Today, North Carolina can move their Internet for All efforts from planning to…
A team of researchers at the University of California, Berkeley has made a significant breakthrough in plastic recycling. They have developed a method to convert polypropylene and polyethylene, two of the most common and difficult-to-recycle plastics, into valuable gases. Polypropylene and polyethylene are polyolefins, derived from fossil fuels. Their strong bonds make them challenging to recycle, often resulting in low-quality recycled materials or the release of harmful greenhouse gases. The Berkeley researchers’ innovative approach involves using catalysts that efficiently break the bonds in these plastics, transforming them into propylene and isobutylene gases. These gases can then be recycled into new plastics. “Because polypropylene and polyethylene are among the most difficult and expensive plastics to separate from each other in a mixed waste stream, it is crucial that [a recycling] process apply to both polyolefins,” the research team said in a study published in Science. This breakthrough offers a promising solution to the global plastic waste crisis, providing a more sustainable and efficient way to recycle these commonly used plastics.
State and federal partners celebrated the groundbreaking of a critical flood risk management project for the City of Watsonville, Town of Pajaro, and surrounding agricultural areas. This project will provide 100-year flood protection to these vulnerable communities. Governor Gavin Newsom has been instrumental in advancing this project, providing advanced funding, covering 100 percent of non-federal costs, and streamlining environmental review. The project is a collaboration between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency. ““This urgent work underway is critical to protecting vulnerable communities that have faced the threat of devastating flooding for far too long. California is strengthening flood protections in at-risk communities across the state, a key priority as we continue to experience extreme weather. I’m grateful for the partnership of our legislators and federal and local leaders who have worked together to advance this project,” said Governor Gavin Newsom. The existing levees in the area were built decades ago and offer only eight years of flood protection. The new project will significantly enhance flood resilience. The Governor has invested a total of $560 million over the past two state budgets to support flood response and protection projects. This includes $125 million for at-risk…
Volvo Trucks North America announced that it has successfully delivered 70 VNR Electric trucks to California fleets as part of the SWITCH-ON project. The project, funded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD), aims to accelerate the adoption of electric commercial vehicles and improve air quality in Southern California. The SWITCH-ON project is backed by $19.5 million from the EPA’s Targeted Air Shed Grant Program and an additional $2 million from South Coast AQMD for charging infrastructure. Participating fleets include CEVA, IMC Logistics, Maersk, and others. The Volvo VNR Electric trucks will be used for drayage and freight applications, providing valuable data on their performance and capabilities. This information will be used to inform future developments in electric truck technology and support broader industry adoption. “There are challenges on the road to electro mobility adoption, but through close collaboration with public entities, utilities, manufacturers and other key industry partners, we can overcome these barriers and achieve our zero-emission goals,” said Peter Voorhoeve, president of Volvo Trucks North America. “We’re pleased to say that with successful collaboration, we’ve together been able to find solutions that are critical for these fleets and…
Global stock markets rallied to record highs on Friday, buoyed by news of a significant decline in US inflation. Investors are increasingly optimistic that the Federal Reserve will accelerate interest rate cuts in response to the easing inflationary pressures. The S&P 500 index surged above 5,750, marking a nearly 34% gain year-over-year. European markets also experienced strong growth, with the Stoxx 600 index reaching a new record high. The Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation measure, the Personal Consumption Expenditure (PCE) price index, fell to 2.2% in August, the lowest level since February 2021. This unexpected drop has fueled expectations of a more aggressive rate cut at the Fed’s upcoming meeting in November. The prospect of a 0.5 percentage point reduction in interest rates, rather than a smaller quarter-point cut, has gained momentum following similar declines in inflation rates in France and Spain. This suggests that the European Central Bank may also implement a rate cut before the end of the year. While global growth has been hampered by a slowdown in the US and China, recent economic stimulus measures in China have boosted investor confidence. The Chinese government has taken steps to lower borrowing costs, stimulate the housing market, and increase…
BP has announced its intention to sell its existing US onshore wind energy business, BP Wind Energy. This divestment aligns with bp’s strategy to focus on growing its onshore renewable power development through Lightsource BP. BP Wind Energy currently operates ten onshore wind energy assets across seven US states, with a combined gross generating capacity of 1.7GW. The assets are grid-connected and supply power to various offtakers. -William Lin, BP EVP for gas & low carbon energy “Renewables are an important part of our strategy as BP transitions to an integrated energy company.” Following the acquisition of full ownership of Lightsource BP, BP plans to extend Lightsource bp’s capabilities as a developer of cost-competitive, utility-scale renewable power assets worldwide. This will help meet bp’s own demand for low-carbon power and support customers in decarbonizing their operations. William Lin, BP EVP for gas & low carbon energy, stated that renewables are a crucial component of BP’s strategy to transition to an integrated energy company. He explained that while bp Wind Energy’s assets are high-quality, they are not aligned with the company’s growth plans for Lightsource bp. Therefore, BP believes that another owner would be better suited to continue developing and operating…
