Go Green

Millicom (Tigo) to launch new digital “Maestr@s Conectad@s” platform for the digital skilling of teachers in Latin America

 

LUXEMBOURG, June 23, 2022 – Millicom, a leading provider of fixed, mobile and digital services in Latin America through its Tigo brand, today announced the launch of a region-wide, web-based app for its Maestr@s Conectad@s program offering school teachers online learning modules in digital literacy.

Millicom (Tigo) first launched Maestr@s Conectad@s in 2020 in the countries where it operates to strengthen digital education systems that had been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program was designed to reduce the digital divide, and its contents initially consisted of online training which prepared educators including teachers, school administrators, and others, to understand and use digital tools to improve educational quality. The interactive modules were delivered via videos, podcasts, and other digital means. Through Maestr@s Conectad@s, the company has trained more than 250,000 educators to date in Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Colombia, Costa Rica, Panama, Bolivia, and Paraguay.

The new web-based app currently offers a catalog of 20 free courses developed in collaboration with AHYU, an international organization focused on educational content. Course topics include digital tools, PowerPoint, Canva, Zoom, educational innovation, storytelling, gamification, use of social networks, digital tools for the classroom, and neuroeducation. The digital platform will allow a much easier and immediate access to the Maestr@s Conectad@s toolkit for educators willing to acquire new skills, at a critical time for digital education. The program represents one of Millicom’s most important ESG-based education programs aimed at improving and empowering lives through connectivity. The platform is available at the following link www.maestrosconectados.com

"At AHYU, we are pleased to work hand in hand with Millicom (Tigo) in its commitment to contribute to quality education in Latin American countries," said Arlei Villegas, director of production at AHYU. "Now that educational work has become hybrid, the virtual programs we have developed and our experience in facilitating teachers, families and students, responds to the needs of this new reality and hopefully reaches all levels of education."

Since its early stages, various allies and partners have helped drive the expansion of Maestr@s Conectad@s in the nine countries where Millicom (Tigo) operates, including several education ministries, the United Nations Children´s Fund (UNICEF), and various local media outlets.  

“We at Millicom (Tigo) can think of no better way to meet the societal and economic needs of a community than to strengthen its education system with the teachers at the heart of it all,” said Karim Lesina, Millicom EVP and chief external affairs officer. “With the launch of our Maestr@s Conectad@s online platform, we are placing digital literacy training within the grasp of thousands more teachers so they can develop the skills they need to inspire students through new channels and methods to reach them anywhere in the globe. These and other efforts reinforce our support of the UN Global Compact and Sustainable Development Goals. Connecting our communities means more to Millicom (Tigo) than simply providing internet access. We are opening for them the door to the future.”

Courtesy pictures: Image 1, Image 2, Image 3, Image 4

For further information, please contact

Press: Giuseppina Curreli, Director Political Relations Yocasta Valdez, Sr. Manager Digital Media & Communications press@millicom.com

Investors: Michel Morin, VP Investor Relations Sarah Inmon, Director Investor Relations investors@millicom.com

About Millicom

Millicom (NASDAQ U.S.: TIGO, Nasdaq Stockholm: TIGO_SDB) is a leading provider of fixed and mobile telecommunications services in Latin America. Through our TIGO® and Tigo Business® brands, we provide a wide range of digital services and products, including TIGO Money for mobile financial services, TIGO Sports for local entertainment, TIGO ONEtv for pay TV, high-speed data, voice, and business-to-business solutions such as cloud and security. As of March 31, 2022, Millicom employed approximately 20,000 people and provided mobile and fiber-cable services through its digital highways to around 50 million customers, with a fiber-cable footprint of close to 13 million homes passed. Founded in 1990, Millicom International Cellular S.A. is headquartered in Luxembourg. For more information, visit: millicom.com. Connect with Millicom on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn. 

About AHYU

AHYU, is a learning and change company oriented to generating transformations using fewer resources, time, and energy with innovative and high-impact models. Ahyu means "love" in Guarani and is the value that encloses each of the actions they perform. Since 2019, it also has been working on TIGO's Connect Segur@ Corporate Responsibility program, which seeks to promote the creative and responsible use of the internet and new technologies in educational units throughout the country, benefiting students, teachers, principals, and families.

Attachments

• Maestros Conectados Platform
• Maestros Conectados 1
• Maestros conectados 2
• Press Release ENG_Millicom (Tigo) to launch new digital “Maestr@s Conectad@s” platform for the digital skilling of teachers in Latin America_062322
• Nota de Prensa SPA _Millicom (Tigo) lanzará la nueva plataforma digital “Maestr@s Conectad@s” para la capacitación digital de docentes en América Latina_062322

Adjusted timing allows the company flexibility beyond 2022 to manage regional capacity and supply chain challenges as they move forward with adding solar and other resources to diversify energy mix

MADISON, Wis., June 23, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Guided by its purpose-driven strategy and values, Alliant Energy is transitioning its energy mix to cleaner, more renewable energy to benefit customers. This includes breaking ground on six new solar projects. In total, the company is moving forward on 12 solar projects that will bring nearly 1,100 megawatts of solar generation online in Wisconsin. It’s all part of Alliant Energy’s continued drive to diversify its energy mix of generation resources to meet the ongoing energy needs of customers.

“It’s exciting to be starting construction on new solar projects that will bring jobs and economic benefits to local communities,” said David de Leon, president of Alliant Energy's Wisconsin energy company. “At the same time, it’s important to recognize the unprecedented and unexpected circumstances currently affecting the entire energy industry.”

The uncertainty de Leon mentions includes global supply chain and economic challenges along with shifting Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) requirements beyond 2022 and regional short-term reliability concerns. Earlier this month, MISO released a study forecasting the MISO region, which includes Manitoba, Canada and parts of 15 states including Wisconsin, could be facing a potential energy shortage for the summer of 2023.

“Shifting the retirement dates for our coal-fired facilities in Wisconsin helps ensure we can weather multiple uncertainties while continuing to add cleaner, renewable energy to the grid,” added de Leon.

Alliant Energy expects to be out of coal generation in Wisconsin by mid-2026. The company also confirms they are still on track to achieve their 2030 goal of reducing fossil fuel generation carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions by 50% (from 2005 levels).

Alliant Energy now intends to retire Edgewater Generating Station in Sheboygan by June 2025; both remaining Columbia Energy Center units in Portage will be retired by June 2026. The short-term extension demonstrates the company’s ongoing commitment to providing reliable energy for all customers as outlined in their Clean Energy Blueprint.

The Blueprint is the result of extensive and holistic resource planning that Alliant Energy initiated several years ago. The company continues to view its Blueprint as an economic catalyst that is creating jobs and building stronger communities while also creating a healthier environment.

Alliant Energy co-owns the Columbia facility with Wisconsin Public Service Corporation, a subsidiary of WEC Energy Group, and Madison Gas and Electric Company.

Final timing and retirement dates are subject to additional state and regional regulatory reviews.

To learn more about the company’s transition to renewables, visit AlliantEnergy.com/PoweringWhatsNext.

Media contact: Cindy Tomlinson (608) 458-3869 | cindytomlinson@alliantenergy.com

Alliant Energy Corporation (NASDAQ: LNT) provides regulated energy service to 985,000 electric and 425,000 natural gas customers across Iowa and Wisconsin. Alliant Energy's mission is to deliver energy solutions and exceptional service customers and communities count on – safely, efficiently and responsibly. Interstate Power and Light Company and Wisconsin Power and Light Company are Alliant Energy's two public energy companies. Alliant Energy is a component of the Nasdaq CRD Sustainability Index, Bloomberg’s 2022 Gender-Equality Index, and the S&P 500. For more information, visit alliantenergy.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 

This press release includes forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements can be identified because they describe future generation plans or projects, future generation plant retirements, future emissions reductions, or include words such as “will,” “forecasting,” “expects,” “goal,” “intends,” and words of similar import. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated. Actual results could be affected by such factors as: the ability to complete construction of renewable generation projects by planned in-service dates and within the cost targets set by regulators due to cost increases of and access to materials, equipment and commodities including due to tariffs, duties or other assessments, such as any additional tariffs resulting from U.S. Department of Commerce investigations into the sourcing of solar project materials and equipment from certain countries, labor issues or supply shortages, the ability to successfully resolve warranty issues or contract disputes, the ability to achieve the expected level of tax benefits based on tax guidelines and project costs, and the ability to efficiently utilize the renewable generation project tax benefits for the benefit of customers; the inability to obtain regulatory approvals or necessary permits in a timely manner, including approval from the Midcontinent Independent System Operator; state regulatory actions that delay or reject the plans; adverse interpretation or enforcement of regulatory or permit conditions; changes in tax laws that could impact the qualification of the solar projects for the expected level of investment tax credits; unanticipated construction issues, delays or expenditures; failure of equipment and technology to perform as expected; current or future litigation, regulatory investigations, proceedings or inquiries that could impede the implementation of Alliant Energy's plans; the inability to agree to contract terms or disputes in contract terms; poor initial cost estimates; work stoppages; adverse weather conditions; unforeseen engineering or technology issues; political conditions in Alliant Energy's service territories; limited access to capital or other proposed financing arrangements such as tax equity financing; other adverse economic conditions; adverse impacts resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and responses to the pandemic; and economic conditions in Alliant Energy's service territory. These factors should be considered when evaluating the forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. The forward-looking statements included herein are made as of the date hereof and Alliant Energy and Wisconsin Power and Light Company undertake no obligation to update publicly such statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

Ashland proceeds will fund environmental trust

WILMINGTON, Del., June 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ashland Global Holdings Inc. (NYSE: ASH) today announced it has completed the sale of Section 1 of the Hercules Redevelopment Plan, approximately 77.8 acres of land located in Sayreville, NJ, to Parlin Section 1 Urban Renewal, LLC, an affiliate of Trammell Crow Company, in a transaction valued at $40 million with net proceeds estimated at $38.5 million.

Previously, Ashland communicated that it would sell unutilized land to fund an environmental trust.

“We are executing our plan to sell valuable land that is not being utilized by the company and placing the proceeds in an environmental trust,” said Guillermo Novo, chair and chief executive officer, Ashland. “Funding our environmental trust is a clear example of our environment, social and governance (ESG) commitment that is an integral part of our core values and strategy.”

About Ashland 
Ashland Global Holdings Inc. (NYSE: ASH) is a global additives and specialty ingredients company with a conscious and proactive mindset for sustainability. The company serves customers in a wide range of consumer and industrial markets, including architectural coatings, automotive, construction, energy, food and beverage, nutraceuticals, personal care and pharmaceutical. Approximately 3,800 passionate, tenacious solvers – from renowned scientists and research chemists to talented engineers and plant operators – thrive on developing practical, innovative and elegant solutions to complex problems for customers in more than 100 countries. Visit Ashland.ashland.com and ashland.com/sustainability to learn more. 

™ Trademark, Ashland or its subsidiaries, registered in various countries.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Investor Relations:	Media Relations:
Seth A. Mrozek	Carolmarie C. Brown
+1 (302) 594-5010	+1 (302) 995-3158
samrozek@ashland.com	ccbrown@ashland.com

Attachment

• Ashland completes sale of land FNL 20220622

Corona, in partnership with Oceanic Global and United By Blue, will kick off the program’s second year with a beach cleanup in Seattle and a new merchandise collaboration between Corona and United By Blue.

CHICAGO, June 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Corona beer, a brand long synonymous with the beach, is proud to kick off the second year of its “Protect Our Beaches” program, an initiative developed in partnership with Oceanic Global, a nonprofit leader in ocean conservation, to help turn the tide on plastic pollution. Through the initiative, Corona has committed to removing 1 million pounds of plastic from beaches, waterways and its business by its 100th birthday in 2025, and the iconic beer is on track to meet this ambitious goal. As of June 2022, Protect Our Beaches has removed more than 570,000 pounds of plastic from 30 beaches and Corona’s business nationwide, which is roughly the equivalent of 50 garbage trucks full of plastic.

Ahead of National Clean Beaches Week (July 1-7), Corona is reaffirming its commitment to protect our beaches and is encouraging others to help preserve our most precious sources of rest and relaxation. To enable public participation, United By Blue and Corona, in partnership with Oceanic Global, are hosting several community cleanups across the country to drive local action and awareness. Additionally, Corona is partnering with UBB to introduce a limited-edition line of beachwear created in part from the plastic that was removed during last year’s Protect Our Beaches efforts. The capsule collection, made from ocean-bound plastics, includes shirts, shorts, backpacks, fanny packs and water bottles — just in time for summer. The Protect Our Beaches and UBB capsule collection is shoppable at CoronaUSA.com and UnitedByBlue.com.

“For Corona, beaches represent a place of relaxation, somewhere we all can refresh our perspectives, unwind and truly live the fine life,” said Alex Schultz, vice president of brand marketing at Corona. “That mindset has guided the brand for nearly 100 years, and we’re so proud of the progress we’ve made in year one of the Protect Our Beaches program. There’s still work left to do, which is why we’re committed to continuing to do our part in helping ensure our beaches are clean for this generation and generations to come.”

“The ocean is vital to maintaining life on this planet; however, we unfortunately dump an estimated 22.3 billion pounds of plastics into the ocean every year, and that number is continuing to rise,” said Lea d’Auriol, founder, Oceanic Global. “At Oceanic Global, we not only want people to understand the necessity of protecting our beaches, but we also want to help rebalance our relationship with nature and the ocean overall. We are proud to be working with Corona to not only help bring cleanups to local communities across the country, but to also guide Corona’s internal commitment toward eliminating plastics and stopping the problem at the source. Our hope in partnering with Corona on these efforts is that communities and the private sector alike will be inspired to take action and do the same.”

“Our partnership with Corona is a perfect example of how collaboration is the most powerful tool in business to create a positive environmental impact,” said Brian Linton, UBB’s founder and CEO. “The world's beaches and oceans are in peril, and Corona is addressing this in a high-impact way through this partnership. We’re honored to be part of it. On top of that, by recycling the ocean plastic we collect with them into beautiful products, this collaboration highlights how to take environmental responsibility one step further toward circularity.”

UBB and Corona, in partnership with Oceanic Global, will host public-facing cleanups across the country starting in the Pacific Northwest. The calendar overview is outlined below, and details can be found at CoronaUSA.com:

• June 25: Seattle, Washington | Alki Beach
• July 30: South Padre Island, Texas | Edwin King Atwood Park
• Aug. 20: Kansas City, Missouri | Longview Lake Swim Beach
• Sept. 10: Asbury Park, New Jersey | Register HERE to receive location details and updates as available
• Oct. 8: Charleston, South Carolina | Folly Beach County Park

For those unable to join the local cleanups, Oceanic Global and Corona have created an easy-to-use toolkit meant to assist people in their own individual cleanup efforts at their favorite waterways or beaches. Each toolkit comes in a custom branded cardboard box with gloves, a reusable mesh bag and a plantable seed card with a QR code that unlocks access to the Oceanic Global and Corona Beach Cleanup Guide. The seed card, when planted, grows into a lime tree, a classic companion to Corona beer. The toolkits are available at CoronaUSA.com for $10.

To learn more, visit CoronaUSA.com, and refresh your perspective by following @CoronaUSA on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. As always, Corona encourages consumers to enjoy its products and relax responsibly.

About the Corona Brand Family:
The Corona brand family is home to Corona Extra, Corona Light, Corona Familiar, Corona Premier, Corona Refresca, and Corona Hard Seltzer. The entire Corona portfolio is brewed in Mexico by Constellation Brands and imported and marketed exclusively to the U.S. by the company. Corona Extra, the flagship brand of the Corona brand family, is a pilsner-style lager with a golden hue that was first brewed in Mexico in 1925. Corona embodies “La Vida Más Fina” or “The Fine Life” as a modern expression of the brand’s lifestyle. The refreshing flavor and carefree attitude of Corona Extra holds a respected place in U.S. culture as the #1 most loved beer brand.

A brand that has long been synonymous with the beach, Corona is committing to removing 1 million pounds of plastic from shorelines and its business by the brand’s 100th birthday in 2025 through its “Protect Our Beaches” initiative with Oceanic Global, a nonprofit leader in ocean conservation. Believing there is no such thing as a better tomorrow without our beaches, the brand is on a mission to preserve these special places for generations to come.

About Oceanic Global:
Founded in 2017 by Lea d’Auriol, Oceanic Global (OG) inspires us to care deeply for the ocean and provides solutions to protect it. The international non-profit sheds light on humanity’s essential relationship to the ocean and empowers individuals, communities, and industries to create positive change. Oceanic Global creates educational experiences, consults on sustainable operations, and engages local communities to generate measurable impact for our collective wellbeing. In 2020, Oceanic Global launched the Blue Standard (Blue), a first-of-its-kind cross industry standard that establishes universal accountability for sustainable business leadership and empowers industries and businesses of all sizes to achieve measurable impact that protects our blue planet. Oceanic Global is based in Brooklyn, New York with international hubs & volunteer bases in New York, London, Los Angeles, Barcelona, Tulum, and Hong Kong. Reflective of its global reach, the organization has additionally produced United Nations World Oceans Day since 2019. #CareDeeply | www.oceanic.global

About United By Blue:
United By Blue is a sustainable lifestyle brand driven by the belief that the world has enough garbage. Through our one-for-one mission, we remove a pound of trash from the environment for every product purchased through our globally-led, company-organized cleanups. To date, we’ve removed over 4.2 million pounds of trash and counting. In addition to cleaning up some serious garbage, all UBB apparel and accessories are ethically made using materials that leave as little impact on the planet as possible. United By Blue products can be found in more than 1000 outlets nationally, in our stores in Philadelphia, Chicago, and Scottsdale, and online at unitedbyblue.com.

Media Contact:
Stephanie McGuane
312-741-2477

Kayla Gorski
603-770-4434

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3a7ac6aa-2480-4976-956e-86ddefa281f3

• Achieved 13% Reduction in Water Usage and 12% Increase in Volume of Recycled Aluminum
• Targets Environmental and Diversity Goals for 2025
• Moves Toward Alignment with the Global Frameworks for Enhanced Transparency

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., June 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Array Technologies (NASDQ: ARRY) (“Array” or “the Company”) has released its 2021 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) report that provides the renewable energy company’s mid-term ESG goals and its advances in reducing its environmental footprint.

“Sustainability is the foundation of our business, motivating us to create products that improve the efficiency of solar photovoltaic arrays and helping to enable the critical transition to a low-carbon renewable energy future. In parallel with our environmental actions, Array’s governance recognizes the tantamount importance of advancing social actions for our workforce and the world at large,” said Array Technologies chief commercial officer Erica Brinker. “With our 2021 ESG report, we are providing more rigor and transparency by progressing toward widely recognized global ESG benchmarking frameworks.” 

The 2021 report also references the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and the Taskforce of Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) frameworks to further our engagement with stakeholders across the ESG spectrum who increasingly seek more standardized reporting. Later this year, Array will also undertake its first materiality assessment to better illustrate its ESG priorities.

Also significant in this year’s report is the establishment of goals to be achieved by year-end 2025:

• Deliver an additional 90,000 MW of solar power
• Reduce direct emissions intensity 30% from baseline year 2021
• Source 50% of our direct energy consumption from renewable energy sources
• Increase total workforce woman representation by 10% from baseline year 2021
• Increase non-executive management racial and ethnic minority representation by 10% from baseline year 2021
• Increase board woman representation 22% from baseline year 2021

This is the second ESG report since Array became a public company in the fourth quarter of 2020. The 2021 ESG report release follows the announcement that Array joined the UN Global Compact, which established the 17 Sustainable Development Goals that focus on water, energy, environment, urbanization, transportation, science and technology, health and education, economic growth, and equality.

Array is a leading global renewable energy company and provider of utility-scale solar tracking technology. Array’s utility-scale solar hardware and software maximize energy production and enable expansion of renewable energy worldwide. In January of 2021, Array Technologies acquired STI Norland, a Pamplona, Spain-based utility-scale solar tracker company.

About Array Technologies, Inc.
Array Technologies (NASDAQ: ARRY) is a leading global renewable energy company and provider of utility-scale solar tracking technology. Engineered to withstand the harshest conditions on the planet, Array’s high-quality solar trackers and sophisticated software maximize energy production, accelerating the adoption of cost-effective and sustainable energy. Founded and headquartered in the United States, Array relies on its diversified global supply chain and customer-centric approach to deliver, commission and support solar energy developments around the world, lighting the way to a brighter, smarter future for clean energy. For more news and information on Array, please visit arraytechinc.com and stinorland.com.

Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward looking statements. These statements are not historical facts but rather are based on the Company's current expectations and projections regarding its business, operations and other factors relating thereto. Words such as "may," "will," "could," "would," "should," "anticipate," "predict," "potential," "continue," "expects," "intends," "plans," "projects," "believes," "estimates" and similar expressions are used to identify these forward looking statements. These statements are only predictions and as such are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Actual results may differ materially from those in the forward looking statements as a result of a number of factors. There may be additional risks that the Company does not presently know or that the Company currently believes are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s expectations, plans or forecasts of future events and views only as of the date of this press release. The Company anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause its assessments to change. However, while the Company may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company’s assessments as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed upon the forward-looking statements.

Media Contact: 
Karen Rand 
505-314-6901
krand@arraytechinc.com 

Investor Relations Contact: 
505-437-0010 
investors@arraytechinc.com

HOUSTON, June 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MRC Global Inc. (NYSE: MRC), the leading global distributor of pipe, valves and fittings (PVF) and other infrastructure products and services to diversified energy, industrial and gas utility end-markets published its 2022 Environmental, Social Responsibility & Corporate Governance Report on www.mrcglobal.com. The 2022 Report describes MRC Global’s strategic efforts to:

• Participate in the Energy Transition
• Minimize Greenhouse Gasses and Reduce Pollution
• Reduce its Carbon Footprint
• Maintain a Safe Workplace
• Develop a Diverse Workforce and Inclusive Workplace
• Govern ESG Risks and Opportunities

“Our employees take pride in working for a company that is committed to operating sustainably, ethically and efficiently to create value for all of our stakeholders,” Rob Saltiel, President & CEO, said. “Our company’s future success depends on the continued progress of these initiatives and their integration with our corporate strategy.”

MRC Global made two organizational changes in 2021 to emphasize the growing importance of ESG initiatives to its shareholders, customers, suppliers and employees. First, MRC Global enhanced its internal ESG Committee with executive-level leaders to further integrate ESG into the company’s business strategy. Second, the company appointed its first Vice President of ESG to lead the global effort, which demonstrates our commitment to ESG.

Other highlights include:

• Aligning ESG goals with selected United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for the first time,
• Increasing the use of renewable electricity in operations to 44% (up from 21% in 2020),
• Reducing carbon emissions emitted by the company’s global fleet of vehicles by 10%,
• Creating the new Downstream, Industrial and Energy Transition business sector to track revenue generated from alternative and renewable energy projects,
• Maintaining safety performance that exceeds industry peer averages,
• Increasing the number of women in director and above positions globally to 24% (up from 19% in 2020), and
• Increasing total recycling tonnage in the U.S. by 56% since 2017.

The full report is available online at www.mrcglobal.com under Investor Relations.

About MRC Global Inc.
Headquartered in Houston, Texas, MRC Global (NYSE: MRC) is the leading global distributor of pipe, valves, fittings (PVF) and other infrastructure products and services to diversified end-markets including the gas utilities, downstream, industrial and energy transition, upstream production, and midstream pipeline sectors. With over 100 years of experience, MRC Global has provided customers with innovative supply chain solutions, technical product expertise and a robust digital platform from a worldwide network of 210 locations including valve and engineering centers. The company’s unmatched quality assurance program offers 250,000 SKUs from 10,000 suppliers, simplifying the supply chain for over 10,000 customers. Find out more at www.mrcglobal.com

Contact:

Monica Broughton

Investor Relations

MRC Global Inc.

Monica.Broughton@mrcglobal.com

832-308-2847

TORONTO, June 21, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Crown Realty Partners (“Crown”) today released its 2021 Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Report. This is the firm’s second annual report and is available to read or download here: Crown’s 2021 ESG Report.

Crown’s 2021 report builds upon its inaugural ESG Report published last year, which provided the company’s first holistic view of its ESG efforts. The report’s theme, Building Resilience, demonstrates how Crown’s model of active, integrated management can preserve and create the greatest value to colleagues, investors, office communities and other stakeholders.

“ESG is at the core of Crown’s culture. Responsible investment practices together with our value-add mindset are our key differentiators. To build a meaningful ESG program, you need a strong on-the-ground approach along with a clear strategy and thoughtful governance,” said Emily Hanna, Managing Partner, Investments. “Over the past year, we have made significant progress advancing our ESG goals. Crown’s high standard of transparency reinforces our commitment to our ESG journey."

The 2021 ESG Report shares progress over the last year across priority areas where Crown believes it can have a meaningful impact. Highlights include:

• Receiving Canadian Honours for our GRESB score of 94 and ranking of 5th out of 19 North American un-listed office peers
• Being recognized as a top Canadian Small and Medium Sized Employer
• Achieving sustainability certifications for 98% of our Fund Portfolio
• Incorporating ESG-specific goals in Crown’s employee performance review process
• Integrating climate change considerations into the investment process for new fund acquisitions

This year’s report represents Crown’s second year of including recommended disclosures from the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board Real Estate sub-sector. It is the firm’s first year working towards alignment with the recommended disclosures from the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures, acknowledging the importance of climate change and decarbonization for the real estate industry.

About Crown

Crown is an integrated commercial real estate investment and management firm focused on value-add opportunities across Canada, with approximately $3B of real assets under management. Founded in 2001, Crown has a well-established track record, an experienced team and takes a hands-on approach to provide superior returns for investors and better workplaces for tenants.

For further information, please contact:

Emily Hanna, PhD
Managing Partner, Investments
Crown Realty Partners
647.729.2609
ehanna@crp-cpmi.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/751e7562-a2c4-4c06-87ab-f20594a78e2f

L to R:  John MacKenzie, Deputy Mayor, Saint John, Gerry Lowe, Councillor, Saint John, Greg Stewart, Councillor, Saint John, Hon. Gary Crossman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Donna Reardon, Mayor, Saint John, Roger D’Hollander, COO, Damera Bus Corp, David Hickey, Councillor, Saint John, and Deniz Cetin, CCO, Karsan Automotive

SAINT JOHN, New Brunswick, June 20, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Damera Bus Corp (Damera) and the City of Saint John are marking the introduction of the Karsan e-JEST – the first electric, low entrance, 20-foot transit bus in North America – which will officially be added to the Saint John Transit fleet later this summer. 

“Damera is incredibly proud to partner with the City of Saint John and Saint John Transit to bring cleaner transit to the city and support Saint John’s transition to zero-emission transportation,” said Raj Mahadeo, CEO of Damera. “Saint John Transit is establishing itself as a public transit leader by transitioning to on-demand services with these buses. The size and quiet operation of the JEST is perfectly suited for residential areas and on-demand services. We hope this serves as inspiration for municipalities across the country aiming to do the same.”

The City of Saint John is transitioning to an emission-free future with an ambitious goal to run all Saint John Transit buses on electricity by 2040.

Mayor Donna Reardon says staff and Council are onboard and ready to lead the way in New Brunswick, stating that “Green transportation is the future of public transit systems around the world, and the City of Saint John will be a part of it. We are not only a forward-thinking community, but also a forward moving one; known as a city of firsts, and for always moving forward.”

Six 20-foot JEST buses will be put into service across Saint John this September as part of the City’s Transforming Transit Program. The program, first announced in 2021, will transform the municipal transit system using electric buses and an on-demand bus service expected to be launched later this year.

“With the plan in place, customers will enjoy the luxury of riding new, electric buses, and also have a highly reliable service that allows them to schedule the arrival of their bus and know when it will deliver them to their destination. It’s a big win for everyone and enhances the ease and quality of life our residents enjoy,” said Nick Cameron, Chair of the Saint John Transit Commission.

Damera, one of Canada’s leading suppliers of bus and transit solutions, has a wide range of zero-emission buses. Damera’s team of experts has extensive knowledge and experience in the bus and transportation industry and are actively introducing products starting with the JEST six-metre mini-bus and expanding into 10 and 12-metre versions to help all levels of government achieve their net-zero goals.

The JEST city bus is a European-style, battery-powered bus with a 15-year life cycle built by Karsan, a European market leading bus and coach manufacturing company. It is equipped with a BMW power train providing an emission-free range of 210 km. The JEST has a regenerative braking system that provides energy recovery by allowing itself to recharge its batteries at a rate of 25 per cent. The JEST city bus has been the transit choice throughout many European countries including Germany, France, Italy, Romania and Portugal due to its high safety rating, passenger safety, maneuverability in tight situations and compact design.

The City of Saint John is one of several municipalities across Canada working with Damera to incorporate the JEST as they advance their fleets' electrification. In April 2022, Saint John unveiled its plan to eliminate combustion-engine vehicles in its fleet by 2040. Over time, as buses within the fleet reach the end of their lifecycle, Saint John Transit plans to replace them with various size electric buses.

Electric buses do not produce harmful exhaust emissions or other greenhouse gases, are more energy-efficient, are quieter, provide a smoother experience for passengers, and use fewer parts than standard diesel buses making them a cost-effective and sustainable choice for public transit systems.

“We are excited to bring the newest in electric bus technology to Canada and help put it into service here in Saint John,” said Roger D’Hollander, COO, Damera. “Transitioning to clean transportation is the right thing to do for our health and environment, and it’s the smart thing to do for our communities in terms of efficiency and cost savings.”

“We are pleased to support the City of Saint John’s transition to electric buses. Replacing fossil fuel powered transit is a key step in the green energy transition and reaching net zero through electrification. As a Sustainable Electric Company, we're dedicated to helping create a sustainable future for our city, community and province," said Jessica DeLong, Manager of Stakeholder Relations, Saint John Energy.

For media inquiries:

Raman Singh
Senior Associate, Strategic Communications, Sussex Strategy Group
rsingh@sussex-strategy.com

Erin White, Communications Manager, City of Saint John
erin.white@saintjohn.ca

About Damera Bus Corp
Damera Bus Sales Canada Corporation (Damera), one of the leading bus suppliers in Canada, is a subsidiary of the Mississauga Bus Group of Companies. Known for its experienced team with extensive knowledge in the bus, coach and transit industry throughout Canada as well as their after-sales support, Damera is a top supplier choice within the electric and hydrogen transit and coach space as cities, municipalities and private operators move into the zero-emissions era.

About Karsan
Karsan Automotive has been producing commercial vehicles in its state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Bursa, Turkey since 1981 and manages the entire value chain, from R&D to production, marketing, sales and after-sales support. Karsan’s Bursa facility has the capacity to manufacture up to 19,870 vehicles a year on a single shift. As the leading brand in the electric minibus market, the e-JEST has been the best-selling model in its class in 2020 and 2021 in Europe. Karsan’s JEST, Atak, Star and e-ATA models range from six, 10, 12 and 18m fully electric buses, with some models in partnership with BMW. It has a Level-four Autonomous bus, the e-ATAK, certified and operating in Michigan, the United States, and Norway.  The autonomous e-ATAK will be introduced in Canada by Damera Bus Corp.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d20121d1-d18e-4a8d-8e90-dd81388cc477