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Mercury-Laced Fluorescent Bulbs Should Be Phased Out—LEDs Now More Economical

Clean Lighting Coalition

Fluorescent tube light bulbs, once embraced as an energy-efficient option, use far more energy than today’s LEDs and are now a needless toxic health risk, according to a study published today. Laws and rules restricting the use of toxic mercury have generally exempted these mercury-containing bulbs because of a lack of better options, but the study shows for the first time that LEDs are now available in all needed shapes and sizes—and cost less to own and operate. Transitioning all new fluorescent bulbs to LEDs in the United States alone would cut annual carbon dioxide emissions in 2030 by an amount equal to the emissions from 4 million typical passenger cars over a year, the report finds. The new study is published jointly by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), the Appliance Standards Awareness Project (ASAP), CLASP, and the Clean Lighting Coalition. State, federal, and international policymakers should now phase out the fluorescent bulbs to prevent more mercury from being introduced into households and the environment while cutting greenhouse gas emissions, the study argues. As soon as this month, international negotiators meeting to update a convention on mercury pollution can do so. The bulbs at issue are the four- and eight-foot tubes common in commercial buildings and in some home kitchens, basements, and garages, as well as several types of compact fluorescent bulbs designed for use in certain fixtures. Their toxic mercury can be released in several ways. An estimated 75% of fluorescent bulbs used in the United States are not recycled or disposed of properly; mercury leached from landfills eventually reaches rivers, lakes, and oceans, where it bioaccumulates in fish and shellfish. Consumption of contaminated seafood is the leading cause of human exposure to mercury. Broken bulbs in homes and buildings, if not properly cleaned up, can also present a health risk to those nearby. Rapidly phasing out most fluorescent models would prevent bulbs containing 16,000 pounds of mercury from being sold and installed in the United States through 2050, the study finds—a massive amount for a toxin that can damage the human brain with only a miniscule quantity. “Fluorescent bulbs used to be the energy-efficient option, but that’s just not the case anymore. LEDs have changed the game and we found there’s no good reason to keep using fluorescents at this point,” said Jennifer Thorne Amann, senior fellow at ACEEE and report coauthor. Joanna Mauer, technical advocacy manager for ASAP and fellow coauthor, said, “LEDs are now widely available as drop-in replacements for fluorescent bulbs. In addition to not containing mercury, LEDs last about two times longer than fluorescents and cut energy use in half. Any increase in initial price more than pays off through the reduced electricity costs.” An international agreement among 137 countries, the Minamata Convention on Mercury, is phasing out the use of mercury in numerous products and industrial processes and uses. But the convention—drafted in 2013—specifically exempts lighting, citing a lack of cost-effective alternatives at that time. Later this month, the nations will consider a proposal that would ban the manufacture, import, and export of fluorescent bulbs in the participating countries. “The United States can be a leader in the global transition to clean lighting,” said Ana Maria Carreño, director at CLASP, which funded the report. “By supporting the phase-out of fluorescents as proposed by the African region at the Minamata Convention on Mercury, U.S. policymakers will be making a statement to the world that it is time to say farewell to fluorescents.” The report also finds: For businesses—where most linear fluorescent bulbs are used—additional upfront costs for the most common LED bulbs in the United States are paid back in less than two months. For households, the payback period for the most common LED bulbs is about a year. A complete transition from fluorescent bulbs to LED lighting in the United States would cut 18 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually in 2030. On a cumulative basis, a phaseout would cut carbon dioxide emissions by more than 200 million metric tons through 2050. The United States can support a global phaseout of fluorescents by 2025 through the Minamata Convention, and the federal government and U.S. states can phase out fluorescents in the United States through several mechanisms: U.S. states: Twenty-three states have prohibited the sale of some products that contain mercury, but all include exemptions for most fluorescent bulbs. The California and Vermont legislatures are considering bills that would end the sale of common fluorescent bulbs. U.S. federal government: Several federal laws and rules govern mercury pollution, limiting emissions from industrial sources and governing end-of-life product disposal. A phaseout of mercury-containing bulbs could be accomplished either through EPA regulation under existing law or through congressional modification of federal bulb efficiency standards. (Separately, two pending Biden administration proposals could phase out most incandescent and halogen bulbs, which are much less efficient than fluorescent bulbs). __________________________________________________ The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), a nonprofit research organization, develops policies to reduce energy waste and combat climate change. Its independent analysis advances investments, programs, and behaviors that use energy more effectively and help build an equitable clean energy future. The Appliance Standards Awareness Project (ASAP) organizes and leads a broad-based coalition effort that works to advance, win, and defend new appliance, equipment, and lighting standards that cut emissions that contribute to climate change and other environmental and public health harms, save water, and reduce economic and environmental burdens for low- and moderate-income households. About the Clean Lighting Coalition The Clean Lighting Coalition is a global partnership coordinated by CLASP to capture the health and environmental benefits of eliminating mercury-based lighting. To learn more, visit www.cleanlightingcoalition.org and follow the Coalition on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Contact Details Appliance Standards Awareness Project Ben Somberg +1 202-658-8129 bsomberg@aceee.org Company Website https://www.cleanlightingcoalition.org

March 01, 2022 11:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Akeneo Unlock Returns as Premier In-Person Global Summit for Entire PIM & PXM Community

Akeneo

Akeneo, the global leader in product experience management (PXM) and product information management (PIM), announced today that its annual global summit for the PIM and PXM community, Akeneo Unlock, is returning as an in-person event at the Maison de la Mutualité in Paris, from March 15-16. For the first time since the onset of the pandemic, Akeneo is welcoming hundreds of industry leaders, customers, partners, and e-commerce professionals for an interactive event showcasing technical workshops, product insights, and keynote presentations that will empower attendees to leverage PIM and PXM to drive commerce success and accelerate their growth. To accommodate those who can’t make it to Unlock in person, Akeneo will offer a hybrid attendance option with faux-live and on-demand streaming of keynote and breakout sessions. “We are thrilled to be able to welcome our partners, customers, and friends back to Paris for the seventh edition of Unlock,” said Fred de Gombert, CEO of Akeneo. “After hosting Unlock virtually last year due to the pandemic, we are looking forward to being able to bring together members of the Akeneo community for two days of face-to-face networking, inspiring presentations, and forward-thinking professional development.” Throughout the conference, senior leaders from brands like LVMH, Remy Cointreau, and Royal Canin will share insights into how they invest in PXM as a cornerstone of their commerce strategy. Attendees will benefit from learning how these commerce leaders balance traditional with digital product experiences while maintaining brand consistency as they embrace omnichannel selling, and how they share brand values through those rich product experiences. In the main theater, de Gombert will headline two roundtables alongside Akeneo partners and e-commerce category leaders beginning with “Demystifying Composable Commerce” on March 15th. The panel, which will be composed of senior leaders from BigCommerce, commercetools, and Amplience, will discuss how PIM and related tools can be used to transform operations to new commerce models and unlock new levels of growth. During “Embracing Omnichannel,” taking place on March 16th, de Gombert will be joined by experts from Spryker, priint Group, and ChannelEnginge, to share best practices and actionable guidance for how Unlock attendees can join the omnichannel explosion and achieve sustainable growth. Akeneo will also share an exclusive first look of Akeneo’s latest product releases and the upcoming product roadmap with hands-on demonstrations from Akeneo’s team of product managers. Attendees will learn how to leverage the latest PIM and PXM tools to unlock growth directly from the product teams that created Akeneo’s new features, add-ons, platform updates, and products. During the event, Akeneo will also announce the winners of the 2022 PXM Champions Awards with an awards ceremony on March 15. The annual PXM Champion Awards honor Akeneo customers that are leveraging PXM in unique ways to drive exponential growth, deliver exceptional product experiences, and expand to new markets and channels. The conference will conclude with closing remarks from de Gobert and the announcement of Akeneo’s next in-person global PXM summit, scheduled for fall of 2022 in Boston. To learn more about Unlock and to register for the event, please visit unlock.akeneo.com. About Akeneo Akeneo is a global leader in Product Experience Management (PXM) helping businesses with products to unlock growth opportunities by delivering a consistent and compelling product experience across all channels, including e-commerce, mobile, print, points of sale and beyond. With its open platform, leading PIM, add-ons, connectors and marketplace, Akeneo PXM Studio dramatically improves product data quality and accuracy, simplifies catalog management, and accelerates the sharing of product information across channels and locales. Leading global brands, manufacturers, distributors and retailers, including Staples Canada, Fossil, Air Liquide and Myer trust Akeneo to scale and customize their omnichannel commerce initiatives. Using Akeneo, brands and retailers can improve customer experience, increase sales, reduce time to market, go global, and boost team productivity. For more information: https://www.akeneo.com Contact Details N6A for Akeneo Nick Eghtessad +1 814-450-7478 akeneo@n6a.com Company Website https://www.akeneo.com

March 01, 2022 09:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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VinFast signs memorandum of understanding with LeasePlan for customer leasing options in Europe

Vingroup

BARCELONA, SPAIN - Media OutReach - 1 March 2022 - On February 28, 2022, at Mobile World Congress 2022 (MWC 2022), VinFast announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with LeasePlan, one of the world's leading car-as-a-service companies. Through this anticipated collaboration, VinFast will continue to establish its positioning in Europe ahead of launches in the Dutch, German and French markets. According to the MOU, it is the intention that LeasePlan will become the preferred partner of VinFast to provide operational leasing, fleet management and remarketing to B2C and B2B customers. It is foreseen that LeasePlan will also offer online leasing solutions as part of a range of flexible financing options available to VinFast's customers in the launch markets of Germany, France and the Netherlands. In addition to a range of financing options, including a convenient lease option through LeasePlan, as detailed at MWC 2022, VinFast is also fully integrating multiple advanced safety and convenience technologies to enhance customer experiences and to make smart EVs and their users close companions in everyday life. LeasePlan is one of the world's leading car-as-a-service companies, with the ability to manage nearly 2 million vehicles in 29 countries spanning the globe. This collaboration will help VinFast to quickly reach customers, promote electrification in Europe and lay the groundwork to bring high-quality products and advanced smart services to market. Ms. Nguyen Thanh Thuy, CEO of VinFast in Europe, said: "This announcement with LeasePlan is further evidence of the rapid progress VinFast is making towards its European launch, as well as its commitment to offering optimal financing solutions to customers. LeasePlan's reputation and market coverage will be vital enablers for our quest to penetrate a competitive market. VinFast is constantly working to meet all the needs of customers and create a better life for everyone." Europe has always been a key market in VinFast's global expansion strategy. Over the years, VinFast has established significant partnerships with proven suppliers in this market in the areas of finance, technology and design. Cooperation with LeasePlan is the next move in VinFast's expansion plan in the European market. At MWC 2022, VinFast continues to further its Future of Mobility – a safer, greener, and more efficient tomorrow. VinFast has detailed the advanced connectivity technologies fitted across its range of EV models, including Smart Services and ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems). These features will integrate VinFast EVs into all aspects of life, creating a true three-in-one smart EV: the perfect family car, the ultimate company car, and the ideal shopping car. The VF 8 and VF 9 were introduced to the global audience at the 2021 Los Angeles Auto Show, and reservations announced at CES 2022, are taking place from January 5, 2022, until the end of April 5, 2022. During this time, customers who complete a 150 Euro deposit enter the exclusive VinFirst - "Pioneer's Gratitude to Pioneers" programme, which offers many fascinating perks, including an e-voucher worth 2,500 Euros towards the purchase of a VF 8 and 4,200 Euros towards the purchase of a VF 9, one free ADAS & Smart Services package, one free portable charger, a tree planted in the participant's name, and much more. Customers can learn more and reserve at: https://vinfastauto.eu/en/reservations. About VinFast VinFast - a member of Vingroup – envisioned to drive the movement of global smart electric vehicle revolution. Established in 2017, VinFast owns a state-of-the-art automotive manufacturing complex with globally leading scalability that boasts up to 90% automation in Hai Phong, Vietnam.Strongly committed to the mission for a sustainable future for everyone, VinFast constantly innovates to bring high-quality products, advanced smart services, seamless customer experiences, and pricing strategy to inspire global customers to jointly create a future of smart mobility a sustainable planet. Learn more at: https://vinfastauto.com. About Vingroup Established in 1993, Vingroup is one of the leading private conglomerates in the region, with a total capitalization of $35 billion from three publicly traded companies (as of November 4, 2021). Vingroup currently focuses on three main areas: Technology and Industry, Services and Social Enterprise. Find out more at: https://www.vingroup.net/en. Contact Details Vingroup v.nammh@vingroup.net Company Website https://vinfastauto.com

March 01, 2022 08:30 AM Eastern Standard Time

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In a Powerful Statement, Former LP Vice-Chair Endorses Miller

Media Kamp, LLC.

Daniel Miller continues to pile up impressive endorsements for his candidacy for Texas Lt. Governor with Election Day only hours away. The consistent trait of Miller endorsements are that are coming from the leaders, influencers, and activists from every sector of the Texas liberty movement. Robert A. “Bob” Phipps Sr. is the former vice-chairman of the Texas Libertarian Party. He provided this statement to the Daniel Miller Campaign: “From 1994 to 1998 I served as Vice Chair of the Texas Libertarian Party. During that time I became acquainted with Texans who love Texas and worked for Texas to return to its proper status of an Independent and Sovereign Nation. Daniel Miller was among the very best of this dedicated group. “I’ve now known and worked with Daniel for 25 years. No one has ever loved and worked for Texas the way Daniel Miller has. His dedication to the welfare of Texas is unmatched. “Daniel Miller is now a candidate for Lt Governor of Texas. No one will work harder for the good of Texas than Daniel will. I urge all Libertarians and Liberty Loving Texans to vote for Daniel Miller for Lt Governor of Texas in the 2022 Republican Primary.” A statement from Daniel Miller: “I’m heartened by the endorsement of Vice-Chair Phipps and very grateful. His endorsement makes a strong statement on how citizens of all stripes see the power and truth of our movement. For a member of a rival party to step across party lines and categorically urge supporting my candidacy speaks volumes about the unity that liberty-driven Texans are forging. My election would mean a new day of freedom and unity within the greatest state in the union.” Contact Details Sharon Macasil Sharon@mediakamp.com

February 28, 2022 06:47 PM Eastern Standard Time

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Dan Patrick Claims Texas Was Not “Locked Down”

Media Kamp, LLC.

On a post-rally wrap-up interview with Newsmax TV in Conroe, Texas, Dan Patrick claimed that Texas did not lockdown during the COVID outbreak. This assertion lit up social media as people who were affected by the closure of churches, businesses, and schools expressed their outrage at Patrick’s retroactive reimagining of recent history. Texans remember that pastors and business owners were threatened with fines, arrests, and suspension of their business licenses if they disobeyed the Fauci/Abbott lockdowns. We also remember that as our constitutional rights were stripped, Patrick didn’t utter a word of protest, often joining Abbott’s press conferences in a show of solidarity. The people of Texas need a new Lieutenant Governor who will be strong in the face of encroachments to our liberty and repel the onslaught of unconstitutional mandates from the federal government. We don’t need a Lieutenant Governor who will lie to us and hope we don’t remember the role he played in upending our lives and economy. This is why we need Daniel Miller for Lieutenant Governor more than ever. https://youtu.be/vAjb9tpD3hQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYNtp91UW44 Contact Details Sharon Macasil Sharon@mediakamp.com

February 28, 2022 06:39 PM Eastern Standard Time

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CBRC Yanks Endorsement from Patrick, Gives to Miller

Media Kamp, LLC.

In an astounding campaign development, the Coastal Bend Republican Coalition (CBRC) has rescinded its endorsement of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and issued it to top challenger Daniel Miller. A very influential, liberty movement political organization of the Corpus Christi metro, CBRC awarded their endorsement of Patrick last January after deliberations by their endorsement committee. However, Daniel Miller was already booked by CBRC to appear at one of their regular community meetings for February. Miller appeared to a packed house last night at Texas Mesquite BBQ & Grill in Corpus Christi. The result of his first and only appearance before CBRC was the immediate switching of their endorsement from Patrick to Miller in less than 24 hours. DMC2022 woke up this morning to this communication from Suzanne Guggenheim, founder and leader of CBRC: "Last night we were honored to have Daniel Miller, candidate for Lt. Governor, speak to our group. If we had heard from him earlier, we feel sure our endorsement committee would have unanimously chosen him to endorse. He explained how Dan Patrick has ceded a lot of the Lt. Governor power back to Abbott – and how Dan Patrick played a role in ensuring our latest legislative sessions were set up for failure. He explained the property tax elimination plan in simple language, directly answered our pointed questions, and supports all of our interests. Mr. Miller’s insight, knowledge of Austin antics and his willingness to stop the political games is what we’ve been seeking. We would like to ask the endorsement committee to rescind our endorsement of Dan Patrick and endorse Daniel Miller." Guggenheim then added: “Daniel Miller is now officially endorsed by the Coastal Bend Republican Coalition”. A statement from Daniel Miller: “This may be one of my most joyous days in the entire history of my activism for Texas liberty. Everyone associated with the campaign is full of gratitude to Suzanne Guggenheim and CBRC. We cannot recall the last time something of this magnitude has occurred in Texas GOP politics. “To have such a respected grassroots organization recognize within one presentation the superiority of our policies, solutions to the legitimate problems Texas is facing, and the viability of our campaign speaks powerfully to the momentum we truly have going into Election Day. Our optimism is parabolic at the moment.” As of this morning, the activists of CBRC are literally gathered at their headquarters editing their thousands of printed area voters’ guide. They are scratching out the name of Dan Patrick from the guide and entering the name of Daniel Miller by hand. The Dan Patrick campaign should be shaken to the core by this Texas-shattering development. Contact Details Sharon Macasil Sharon@mediakamp.com

February 28, 2022 06:34 PM Eastern Standard Time

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Daniel Miller Earns Endorsement of TURF

Media Kamp, LLC.

Texas Lt. Governor candidate Daniel Miller has received the valuable endorsement of Texans Uniting for Reform and Freedom (TURF). TURF’s mission is to defend citizens’ concerns about toll roads and eminent domain abuse. Based in the San Antonio metro, TURF is led by founder and President Terri Hall. A statement from Terri Hall: “Daniel Miller gets it. He’s the most prepared to take on the task of running the Texas Senate and ensuring our priorities make it across the finish line. No handholding needed, he will be a visible, courageous, reliable champion for freedom!” A statement from Daniel Miller: “Liberty of mobility is under threat in Texas. The proliferation of toll roads and the abuse by government of the right of eminent domain must cease. When elected, legislation to address these pressing issues as it pertains to essential components of liberty in Texas, will go to the top of the list for passage.” Contact Details Sharon Macasil Sharon@mediakamp.com

February 28, 2022 06:33 PM Eastern Standard Time

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Katy Christian Magazine Endorses Daniel Miller for Texas Lieutenant Governor

Media Kamp, LLC.

The preeminent Christian publication in the Houston area has officially endorsed Daniel Miller for Lieutenant Governor of Texas. Our campaign is proud and honored to have the endorsement of Katy Christian Magazine. Read by hundreds of thousands of conservative Christian voters in the Houston area, Katy Christian Magazine has been a strong steady voice for Christians throughout the area and has become known statewide for their reporting of public policy issues from a Christian perspective. Having previously endorsed Dan Patrick for his 2014 run for Lieutenant Governor, this endorsement is a sign that people of faith are ready for a change in leadership in the Texas Senate and that Daniel Miller is the candidate who will address their issues by bringing principled leadership to Austin. “We believe that you have both the integrity and leadership to move Texas forward. We pray for your success in your race.” -- Joseph Menslage, Publisher of Katy Christian Magazine Contact Details Sharon Macasil Sharon@mediakamp.com

February 28, 2022 06:31 PM Eastern Standard Time

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Miller Proposes Major Increase in Texas State Guard Funding

Media Kamp, LLC.

On the eve of what could be a historic Texas primary election, candidate for Lt. Governor Daniel Miller is proposing tougher measures to protect the Texas border. The first plank of Miller’s “Stop the Invasion” border security plan is the complete militarizing of the Texas State Guard (TSG). According to the office of Maj. Gen. Tracy Norris, Texas Adjutant General, the proposed funding for the TSG for biennium fiscal 2022-2023 as recommended by the Texas Senate is to be $211,972,936. This would be a reduction in military spending from the current biennium fiscal of $234,396,109 – a funding reduction of $22,423,173. Daniel Miller finds this to be a move in the wrong direction for the safety of Texans. Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Governor Dan Patrick have boasted of their funding for border security of $2 billion dollars – which is.008% of on-the-books Texas government spending. Such a paltry appropriation for border security clearly indicates that current Texas government has no intention of securing the border with Mexico, in spite of the tough rhetoric that is currently thrown into the messaging echo chamber. A statement from Daniel Miller: “The Bible teaches us that where you put your money is where your heart is. At these funding levels for our Texas military, it’s obvious that Mr. Abbott, Mr. Patrick, and the Texas Legislature do not possess the heart or desire to secure our international border with Mexico. “That’s why today, on the eve of Texas Primary Election Day, and just two days from Texas Independence Day, I’m proposing exceeding the appropriated $2 billion dollars by Abbott and Patrick for border security with an appropriation of $4 billion dollars to our Texas State Guard within the next approved budget of the 2023 regular session. Those funds will be allocated toward the beginning stages of fully equipping our Texas State Guard for the mission of stopping the Texas border invasion. “Just last week, our campaign manager had a lengthy conversation with a chaplain of the TSG. He told our CM, ‘It would be nice if we could just get body armor, and our appropriations on time’. Mr. Abbott, Mr. Patrick, and the Texas Legislature are neglecting and disrespecting our Texas men and women that wear our uniform, and misusing them in a time of crisis.” The Texas State Guard is the sovereign military of Texas, which unlike the Texas National Guard, cannot be federalized. It is a volunteer force in which members are obligated to purchase their own uniforms. They are currently being used essentially as a Red Cross in camouflage that’s called into action for humanitarian missions. Miller believes they should be deployed to the Rio Grande with the primary role of defending the Texas international border from the current unceasing invasion of illegal citizens from other global nations. Segments of the Texas State Guard are currently deployed to the border region in exclusively support roles at the rear of the struggle. After being properly equipped, Miller’s “Stop the Invasion” border security plan would reassign them frontline duties with aggressive rules of engagement. Contact Details Sharon Macasil Sharon@mediakamp.com

February 28, 2022 06:28 PM Eastern Standard Time

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