Energy Efficiency | Page 249

AvalonBay Communities, Inc. announced its commitment to setting science-based emissions reduction targets to be approved by the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi). AvalonBay joins the growing group of leading companies that are setting emissions reduction targets in line with what climate science says is necessary.

Illinois achieved the lead position on the U.S. Green Building Council’s 2018 list of Top 10 States for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). The ranking of states based on the number of LEED-certified square feet per person placed Massachusetts in second place

DHL is preparing to roll out a new fleet of 63 electric delivery vans to serve U.S. markets as part of its mission to reduce emissions. The company has set a target of operating 70% of first- and last-mile delivery services with clean transport modes by 2025 as part of its longer-term corporate commitment to reduce its logistics-related emissions to zero by 2050.

Shell New Energies US LLC has acquired Greenlots, a provider of EV charging and energy management software and solutions. Operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary, Greenlots will retain its brand identity and leadership team, functioning as the foundation for Shell's continued expansion of electric mobility solutions in North America.

Fujitsu Limited and Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd. announced that they have applied blockchain technology to develop a system for trading related to energy shortages and surpluses among electricity consumers, including factories and retail stores.

Hundreds of engineers, electricians, and construction workers are building two new, energy-efficient Google data center campuses in the Southeastern U.S.—one in Tennessee and another in northern Alabama. As this blog post from Google notes, they are not stopping there.

The Hershey Company announced a package of environmental initiatives and commitments, that includes joining the Science Based Targets initiative, a global effort that champions the latest in climate science to set science-based targets as an effective way to help companies transition to a low-carbon economy.

It's the weekend! Kick back and relax with these must-read energy stories from around the web:

Led by a trio of energy and sustainability experts from Merck, Smart Energy Decisions announces the final agenda, speakers, and confirmed sponsors for the 2019 Innovation Summit, an invitation-only event set for March 11-13 at the Houstonian in Houston, Texas.