NoneLandfills in Colorado release millions of metric tons of greenhouse gasses each year as organic waste including food, paper and yard trimmings decomposes into the soil, contributing to global warming and harming human health. Colorado, as part of its multi-pronged approach to eliminate 90% of the state’s greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, is planning to address those landfill emissions next year with rules that could require operators to install new equipment to curb the amount of methane they release and to increase monitoring technology to better track just how much is being generated. The state’s Air Quality Control Commission is expected to create the new rules in August, which would place Colorado among the nation’s first states to enact more stringent regulations on landfills than the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency . The state kicked off its efforts last week with the first of three public hearings to explain why environmental leaders want to regulate landfill emissions of methane, a far more potent pollutant than carbon dioxide, and how they would propose doing so. Along with reducing air pollution, the methane reduction also would benefit communities in Colorado that live near landfills, where residents often are Latino, Black or Indigenous and earn less money than the average household. Finally, reducing methane would also help the Front Range improve its air quality , which is in severe violation of federal ozone standards. “Methane is an incredibly potent climate pollutant and reducing methane emissions from landfills is a very cost-effective climate action solution,” said Suzanne Jones, executive director of Eco-Cycle , a nonprofit recycler in Boulder. “And it’s an opportunity for Colorado to use its expertise on methane monitoring of oil and gas operations to apply to landfills as a model for the rest of the country.” There are 51 active landfills in Colorado, and some are owned and operated by cities and counties, while others are owned by private companies. It’s unclear how many will be impacted by the new methane reduction regulations, since regulators have not finalized their proposal that would determine how big of a polluter a landfill would need to be to fall under the new rules. Landfills are the third-largest source of methane emissions behind oil and gas production and livestock farming in the United States. Colorado’s landfills released 1.45 million metric tons of greenhouse gases in 2020, the most current data available from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment . That’s 1% of all the greenhouse gas emissions in the state, Tim Taylor, a supervisor in the department’s climate change program, said during last week’s public hearing. However, environmentalists and even federal and state regulators believe the amount of methane leaking from landfills could be much greater. In June, a NASA study using satellite data estimated that landfills in the U.S. are releasing 50% more methane than the EPA reports, and a subset of 70 high-emitting landfills found emissions were 77% higher on median than what was reported to the EPA. Only 21 of Colorado’s landfills are large enough to report their methane emissions to the EPA under current regulations, but they account for 76% of the industrial methane sources in the state, ahead of mining, manufacturing and food processing, according to a report released this month by Industrious Labs and Healthy Air and Water Colorado , a coalition of health care professionals fighting climate change. Landfills are “living masses of waste” where food scraps, discarded paper products and landscaping material break down over the years and release methane along with other chemicals such as benzene and toluene, said Katherine Blauvelt, circular economy director at Industrious Labs, a group focused on reducing industry’s impact on climate change. “Colorado landfills are responsible for the equivalent of 1 million cars on the road,” Blauvelt said. “Every little bit of methane you don’t put in the atmosphere has a positive impact. The way you do that is through basic regulations. In Colorado, it’s like we are on Windows 2000 technology.” The EPA already requires larger landfills to control and report emissions, but Colorado is planning to expand those requirements to smaller landfills, increasing the number that will be regulated, Taylor said. Under the EPA’s requirements, landfills are regulated based on their designed capacity, but Colorado will order landfills to follow the new rules based on the amount of waste they already have in place, he said. Landfills that fall under the threshold Colorado sets will be required to install gas collection and control systems to capture the methane, Taylor said. Then the operator would have choices: Install an enclosed combustion flare so methane is burned off and turned into carbon dioxide, which is a less potent pollutant, or convert the methane into a natural gas that can be used in the electrical grid, Taylor said. The state also is considering a requirement for landfills to use biofilters or biocovers to reduce methane emissions. “Biocovers and biofilters are passive methods for reducing landfill emissions because they rely on naturally occurring microbes or methane-eating bacteria to convert methane to carbon dioxide or water without the need for any external energy input or active intervention,” Taylor said. Environmentalists also are pushing the state for more monitoring of landfills, including the use of drones and satellite imagery to better detect leaks that otherwise might be unseen because of looser monitoring requirements. Employees at landfills that already monitor emissions do so once a quarter by walking the property with detection devices, Blauvelt said. Air flights conducted to look for methane leaks from the sky have detected unreported plumes at multiple Colorado landfills, including the Tower Landfill in Commerce City, the Larimer County Landfill in Fort Collins and the North Weld Landfill in Ault, according to the Industrious Labs report. At the Tower Landfill, there were nine large methane plumes detected by flights in September 2023 and August 2024. Those plumes were so large that they would have been considered super emitters by the EPA’s standards for the oil and gas industry, the report said. The landfill, which is owned and operated by Republic Services , detected more than 20 instances that went over federal limits for methane emissions during a quarterly inspection in August. But “a landfill can leak methane more than quarterly,” the report said. Colorado received a federal grant for aerial monitoring of methane emissions in the state and environmentalists hope it will be applied to regulating landfills, Blauvelt said. “This is about common sense improvements based on what we know about methane,” she said. Melissa Quillard, a Republic Services spokeswoman, said the August 2024 plume at Tower Landfill happened as the company was constructing a new landfill cell and had multiple pieces of excavation equipment running. That work temporarily exposed waste so that engineered liners and additional infrastructure could be installed, she said. Quillard’s email did not address the September 2023 plume. While Republic Services does not comment on pending rule changes, Quillard noted that gas coming from landfills fluctuates throughout the day based on the age and composition of waste, weather, construction and how the trash is being moved around the landfill. Any monitoring and reporting techniques would need to take into account those dynamics, she said in a statement emailed to The Denver Post. Satellites and drones capture a moment in time and do not follow the EPA’s existing reporting model or provide a representative assessment of a landfill’s overall emissions, she said. Republic Services owns three landfills in metro Denver, and the company is building a new organic waste facility in the area. Two of the local sites are in the early stages of developing projects that will convert methane to usable natural gas. And the company already uses capture-and-control systems to burn off methane, Quillard said. One thing that will not be addressed as the landfill methane emissions rule is created is how to lower the amount of waste sent to landfills through expanded composting and recycling. That’s because this rule will be created by the Air Quality Control Commission, a body that can only set air pollution policies. Brian Loma, the hazardous waste reduction advocate for GreenLatinos Colorado , hopes the state health department’s Hazardous Waste and Materials Management Division will push for improved composting and recycling at the same time the air quality commission takes up proposed methane rules. GreenLatinos supports more regulation of landfills because so many Latinos live within a mile of trash dumps, forcing them to breathe dirtier air. “The No. 1 way to reduce methane emissions is to not put organic material in the landfill,” Loma said. If you go Two more public hearings about Colorado’s proposed rules to reduce methane emissions from landfills are scheduled in early 2025. They are set for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 11 and 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 26, and will be held on Zoom. To register to attend or comment on the rules, visit tinyurl.com/4pfnc8yy . Get more Colorado news by signing up for our Mile High Roundup email newsletter.Rataj has 16 in Oregon State’s 74-65 victory against Charleston
In the latest edition of the Power On newsletter , Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman laid out a couple updates on Apple’s developments on health features for AirPods . We’ve heard reports on this matter in the past, but this provides a little more insight. According to the newsletter, Apple is working on a wide variety of health features, including a heart-rate monitor, a temperature sensor, and new sensors that’ll track “a slew of physiological measures.” Apple’s primarily focused on developing the heart rate sensor at the moment. In internal testing, Apple is noticing more accurate heart-rate info off of the Apple Watch , but Gurman reports that AirPods aren’t too far off. We don’t have details on the other health features, nor a precise timeline, though Gurman says we’ll see it roll out “over the coming years.” The features may debut in AirPods Pro 3. Apple is also working on cameras for AirPods. This project was previously cancelled, but got revived with Apple’s sudden interest in developing products for the era of AI. Gurman notes that this is a priority project for both AI teams and AirPods teams, but it’s still a couple years away: In fact, it’s now seen as a priority for the teams within Apple’s AI and AirPods hardware development groups. That said, I wouldn’t expect the technology to hit the market for a couple more years — assuming it doesn’t get canceled again. Apple released a new firmware update for AirPods Pro 2 earlier this year, enabling hearing health features and the ability to use AirPods as an FDA-certified hearing aid. With the release of these features, it’s obvious that Apple is moving in a more health-oriented direction, so introducing AirPods health features for users without an Apple Watch is a probable move. Follow Michael: X/Twitter , Bluesky , Instagram
NoneBoston, Dec. 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Under Armour has been spotlighted in Consumer365's latest review for the best shoes for walking, showcasing the brand's ability to deliver versatile, high-performance footwear for walkers and outdoor enthusiasts. The review highlights four standout models: the Unisex UA Phantom 4 Storm Shoes, Men's UA Raider Waterproof Boots, Women's UA Bandit Trail 3 Running Shoes, and Men's UA Charged Maven Trail Running Shoes. Walking is one of the fastest-growing fitness activities worldwide, with studies pointing to its numerous health benefits, including improved cardiovascular health, reduced stress levels, and better overall physical fitness. The global footwear market is also being driven by increasing consumer focus on health and wellness. Recognizing the importance of proper footwear, Consumer365's review praises Under Armour's collection for its ability to cater to both urban walkers and trail enthusiasts. Highlighted Products from the Review: Unisex UA Phantom 4 Storm Shoes : Designed for versatility, these shoes feature a Storm technology upper for weather resistance, making them suitable for both wet trails and urban walks. Lightweight cushioning ensures comfort for long distances. Men's UA Raider Waterproof Boots : With a rugged design and waterproof construction, these boots are ideal for hiking and long outdoor walks, providing superior traction on uneven terrain. Women's UA Bandit Trail 3 Running Shoes : Equipped with a durable outsole and technical trail lugs, these shoes deliver excellent grip on inclines and descents, making them a reliable choice for both trail running and walking. Men's UA Charged Maven Trail Running Shoes : Featuring Charged Cushioning® technology, these shoes provide responsive support and comfort, ideal for high-mileage walks or challenging terrains. Walking and hiking shoes are critical for safety, support, and comfort, especially as more consumers incorporate walking into their daily routines or explore outdoor trails. Consumer365's review emphasizes how Under Armour's shoes cater to this growing demand with features like waterproof materials, responsive cushioning, and durable traction. Products like the UA Bandit Trail 3 Running Shoes, which incorporate technical trail lugs for stability on inclines and descents, showcase the blend of performance and innovation in Under Armour's designs. The review highlights the increasing demand for multi-functional footwear that transitions seamlessly between activities." Under Armour's hiking and walking shoes strike the perfect balance between performance and everyday usability, " shares the Consumer365 team, noting their durability, advanced materials, and ergonomic designs. The full review, Best Shoes for Walking (2024) , is available at Consumer365. About Consumer365: Consumer365 provides news and reviews of consumer products and services. As an affiliate, Consumer365 may earn commissions from sales generated using links provided. Contact: Drew Thomas ( press@consumer365.org ) © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
It's been a hot minute since "point shaving" - the act of intentionally not scoring in an effort to manipulate the point spreads of basketball games - was a public problem in college basketball. But now it appears that one ex-player is the subject of a serious investigation into the crime. According to ESPN insiders Pete Thamel and David Purdum, federal authorities are investigating former Temple and Virginia Tech guard Hysier Miller over allegations that he bet on his own games and manipulated the outcome of said games while he was a member of the Owls. Miller averaged 15.9 points, 3.6 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game while playing 36 games for Temple. The team went 16-20 and missed the postseason. He has since been dismissed from the Hokies basketball program following the investigation and an ensuing NCAA inquiry. "Federal authorities are investigating whether former Temple men's basketball player Hysier Miller bet on his own games and manipulated the outcome of Owls games he played in, according to sources with direct knowledge of the situation," the outlet reported. "Miller, Temple's leading scorer last season, transferred to Virginia Tech during the offseason but was dismissed by the Hokies on Oct. 23 because of the federal investigation and an NCAA inquiry into Temple games, sources said. A regular-season Temple game drew attention for unusual betting activity in March." Aric Becker/ISI Photos/Getty Images An attorney for Miller has already released this statement: "Hysier Miller has overcome more adversity in his 22 years than most people face in their lifetime. He will meet and overcome whatever obstacles lay ahead," Jason P. Bologna of the law firm Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney said in a statement. The NCAA has not commented. The FBI would not confirm nor deny the existence of the investigation. Virginia Tech has stated that Miller's dismissal stems from actions that occurred prior to his enrollment. ESPN says that authorities were first alerted back in March when the line of a game between Temple and UAB mysteriously started moving rapidly without any breaking news directly influencing the slew of spread bets. The line moved from UAB -2 to UAB -8 in the course of a single day, causing one New Jersey sports book to close the betting and report the unusual betting activity. UAB went on to win the game, 100-72 with Miller scoring eight points. Related: Report: Former College Basketball Player Investigated For Point Shaving
Ever wanted to bring your dog with you aboard a cruise ship? Do you have a business focused on dogs and their families? If you answered yes to either question, you’ll be excited to learn that what’s being called the first-ever dog-friendly cruise is being planned aboard Margaritaville at Sea’s Islander out of the Port of Tampa in November 2025. And business opportunities await. Cruise ships famously don’t allow dogs other than service animals. Organizers of this cruise anticipate selecting from a long line of hopefuls. A “waitlist for all dog parents who have dreamt of bringing their furry friends along for their vacations will open soon,” a news release says. Organizers are calling for 250 dogs, “their owners and their closest humans” to become “inaugural ambassadors” for the cruise, which they promise will offer “unique experiences and activities including gifts and samples from top vendors, dog shows and trainings, guest speakers, costume contests, parades, and more.” The event is being staged by two organizations — Cruise Tails and Expedia Cruises of West Orlando. The website cruisetails.com seeks sponsors and investors in hopes of turning the cruise into a recurring event. Sponsorship and partnership opportunities are available for companies seeking brand visibility “across a passionate pet-loving audience,” the site says. And participants must sign photo waivers, the website says, adding, “We anticipate the fun will be all over social media and even in the press. In fact, the 250 chosen will undoubtedly be asked by sponsors to try products and post about them.” Cruise Tails was formed by Steve Matzke, a Bradenton-based entrepreneur listed on LinkedIn as beginning his career this month as an “independent consultant.” Matzke spent four years prior to that as senior director of external relations for the American Accounting Association, and 12 years before that as director of faculty and university initiatives for the American Institute of CPAs, his LinkedIn profile shows. Expedia Cruises of West Orlando was founded in 2019 by Dawn von Graff, an avid traveler who has taken more than 75 cruises and visited more than 80 countries, and her husband. She owned a computer networking firm, worked as an international tour manager, and was a top salesperson for Marriott before forming Expedia Cruises of West Orlando as a full-service travel agency. Details including dates, prices and itineraries have not yet been released. According to the website, organizers hope to select the inaugural 250 dogs based partly on how the dogs perform in a “video talent singing contest” as well as “a variety of criteria” to be announced “over the next few weeks.” The bigger the dog’s entourage, the better chance it will have to be chosen, the website says. “Preference will be given to dogs in a group which includes one dog cabin traveling with two or more associated cabins of friends or family without dogs,” it says. A spokeswoman for Margaritaville at Sea says the organizers are chartering the Islander, and the cruise will not be available for booking to the general public. Each dog will have “private relief stations” on their cabin balconies, and when dogs don’t make it to the relief station, each will have its own “pet butler” to ensure “their cabin and the boat remain in top condition,” a Cruise Tails spokeswoman said. Participants must agree to follow protocols on board, including keeping their dogs in permitted areas and making sure they are up to date with appropriate vaccinations. Dogs will not be allowed in dining areas, the ship’s casino, pool decks, lounges or music venues, according to the news release. Organizers will also be looking for workers and vendors. “We’re going to need dog walkers, pet butlers, and so much more,” the website says. And “if you have a proven skill like pet massage, grooming and pet walking or if you make custom dog costumes, have a unique dog product you would like to promote or are a well-known dog expert, we would love to chat with you.” Calls for pet handlers and vendors will be posted “in the next few months,” the site says. Whether the event turns into the profitable industry that its organizers hope for will undoubtedly depend on how the first one unfolds. A spokeswoman did not immediately have answers to such questions of what will happen to dogs that get aggressive with humans or other dogs? Will owners be required to purchase additional insurance to cover any possibilities? Will food be provided and how will feedings be handled? Contributors on Reddit.com posted mixed reactions to the announcement on Monday. “Cruises are already floating petri dishes. This doesn’t seem like a very good idea,” said one. “Now all decks are poop decks,” said another. A couple of posters worried about dogs going overboard. One said, “sounds awesome if you like dogs,” while another chimed in, “Better than a gorilla-friendly cruise, I suppose.” Ron Hurtibise covers business and consumer issues for the South Florida Sun Sentinel. He can be reached by phone at 954-356-4071, on Twitter @ronhurtibise or by email at rhurtibise@sunsentinel.com.Can a Muscle Car be electric?
NoneKroger and Albertsons' plan for the largest U.S. supermarket merger in history crumbled Wednesday, with Albertsons pulling out of the $24.6 billion deal and the two companies accusing each other of not doing enough to push their proposed alliance through. Albertsons said it had filed a lawsuit against Kroger, seeking a $600 million termination fee as well as billions of dollars in legal fees and lost shareholder value. Kroger said the claims were “baseless” and that Albertsons was not entitled to the fee. “After reviewing options, the company determined it is no longer in its best interests to pursue the merger,” Kroger said in a statement Wednesday. The bitter breakup came the day after two judges halted the proposed merger in separate court cases. U.S. District Court Judge Adrienne Nelson in Oregon issued a preliminary injunction Tuesday blocking the merger until an in-house judge at the Federal Trade Commission could consider the matter. An hour later, Superior Court Judge Marshall Ferguson in Seattle issued a permanent injunction barring the merger . Ferguson ruled that combining Albertsons and Kroger would lessen competition and violate consumer-protection laws. The companies could have appealed the rulings or proceeded to the in-house FTC hearings. Albertsons' decision to pull out of deal instead surprised some industry experts. “I’m in a state of professional and commercial shock that they would take this scorched earth approach,” said Burt Flickinger, a longtime analyst and owner of retail consulting firm Strategic Resource Group. “The logical thing would have been for Albertsons to let the decision sink in for a day and then meet and see what could be done. But the lawsuit seems to make that a moot issue.” Albertsons is unlikely to find another merger partner because it has significant debt and underperforming stores in most of its markets., Flickinger said. Consumers will feel the most immediate impact of the deal's demise, he said, since Albertsons charges 12% to 14% more than Kroger and other grocery rivals. “They had so much debt they had to pay it off it's reflected in their pricing and promotional structure,” Flickinger said. Albertsons CEO Vivek Sankaran testified during the federal hearing in September that his company might consider “structural options” like laying off employees, closing stores and exiting certain markets if the merger with Kroger didn’t go through. “I would have to consider that,” he said. “It’s a dramatically different picture with the merger than without it.” But in a statement Wednesday, Sankaran said Albertsons would “start this next chapter in strong financial condition with a track record of positive business performance." In the company's most recent quarter, Albertsons' revenue rose 1% to $18.5 billion and it reported $7.9 billion in debt. Kroger said it would also move forward in a strong financial position, with revenue down slightly to $33.6 billion in its most recent quarter. The company announced a $7.5 billion share buyback program Wednesday after a two-year pause. Kroger and Albertsons first proposed the merger in 2022 . They argued that combining would help them better compete with big retailers like Walmart, Costco and Amazon, which are gaining an increasing share of U.S. grocery sales. Together, Kroger and Albertsons would control around 13% of the U.S. grocery market. Walmart controls around 22%. Under the merger agreement, Kroger and Albertsons — who compete in 22 states — agreed to sell 579 stores in places where their locations overlap to C&S Wholesale Grocers , a New Hampshire-based supplier to independent supermarkets that also owns the Grand Union and Piggly Wiggly store brands. But the Federal Trade Commission and two states — Washington and Colorado — sued to block the merger earlier this year, saying it would raise prices and lower workers' wages by eliminating competition. It also said the divestiture plan was inadequate and that C&S was ill-equipped to take on so many stores. On Wednesday, Albertsons said that Kroger failed to exercise “best efforts” and to take “any and all actions” to secure regulatory approval of the companies’ agreed merger transaction. Albertsons said Kroger refused to divest the assets necessary for antitrust approval, ignored regulators' feedback and rejected divestiture buyers that would have been stronger than C&S. “Kroger’s self-serving conduct, taken at the expense of Albertsons and the agreed transaction, has harmed Albertsons’ shareholders, associates and consumers,” said Tom Moriarty, Albertsons’ general counsel, in a statement. Kroger said that it disagrees with Albertsons “in the strongest possible terms.” It said early Wednesday that Albertsons was responsible for “repeated intentional material breaches and interference throughout the merger process.” Kroger , based in Cincinnati, Ohio, operates 2,800 stores in 35 states, including brands like Ralphs, Smith’s and Harris Teeter. Albertsons , based in Boise, Idaho, operates 2,273 stores in 34 states, including brands like Safeway, Jewel Osco and Shaw’s. Together, the companies employ around 710,000 people. Kroger sued the FTC in August in federal court in Ohio, claiming that the federal agency’s in-house administrative hearings were unlawful because the FTC was also able to challenge the merger in federal court in Oregon. In paperwork filed Wednesday, the FTC said it expected to update the court on its next steps in that case by Dec. 17. In Colorado, which also sued to block the merger, Attorney General Phil Weiser said Tuesday that he still was awaiting a decision from a state judge. In that case, Colorado also was challenging an allegedly illegal no-poach agreement Kroger and Albertsons made during a 2022 strike. Shares of Albertsons fell 1.5% Wednesday, while Kroger's stock was up 1%.