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SB Energy Announces Commercial Operation of American-made Solar Projects to Help Power Google Data Centers

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U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm joined SB Energy and other officials to celebrate a historic milestone for American-made solar SB Energy prioritizes American-made components, and the Orion projects are expected to be the first utility-scale projects to qualify for the domestic content bonus  SB Energy’s Orion Solar Belt helps power Google’s data centers in Ellis County and represents Google’s largest solar energy investment in the world

BUCKHOLTS, Texas, Oct. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — SB Energy Global, LLC (“SB Energy”) announced today that its Orion I, Orion II and Orion III solar projects (the “Orion Solar Belt”), located in Milam County, Texas, have reached commercial operation. The Orion Solar Belt totals 875 MWdc of energy capacity and utilizes over 1.3 million American-made modules, U.S. steel, and other major domestically made components. The projects that make up the Orion Solar Belt are expected to be the first projects to qualify for the domestic content bonus credit enacted by the Inflation Reduction Act.  

SB Energy leadership was joined today by U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm, state and local officials, American-made suppliers, anchor customer Google, and investors to celebrate this exciting milestone for American-made energy. 

“The Biden-Harris Administration envisioned an industrial strategy for clean energy that’s built and installed by American workers and powering American companies in proud American communities. This future is seen in action through the Orion Solar Belt in Texas,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “This project showcases how American made clean energy can power data centers and our future.”

The Orion Solar Belt is estimated to have employed 3,000 U.S. workers through the manufacturing of the components and construction. The Orion Solar Belt includes more than 1.3 million solar modules manufactured by First Solar at its Perrysburg, Ohio facility. Additionally, the 22,800 tons of structural steel for the entirety of the project is sourced from Gerdau steel mills located in Midlothian, Texas and Cartersville, Georgia. Additionally, the Orion Solar Belt includes Nextracker smart solar trackers, with the majority of the components manufactured domestically. SB Energy selected Blattner to provide the engineering, procurement and construction services for the project.

Rich Hossfeld, SB Energy Co-CEO, said, “When it comes to actualizing American jobs and providing power to the world’s largest energy users, SB Energy is committed to creating the roadmap. We are thankful for the support from Secretary Jennifer Granholm and the many federal, local, and statewide leaders, as well as Google. We hope the Orion Solar Belt serves as a catalyst for growing investments in a robust American-made supply chain for solar.” 

SB Energy’s projects are delivering electricity to the Texas grid and helping power Google’s data centers in Ellis County and its Dallas cloud region. SB Energy’s power purchase agreement (PPA) with Google for the output represents Google’s largest solar energy investment in the world and contributes to its commitment to operate every hour of every day on carbon-free energy by 2030. Earlier this year, Google announced plans to invest more than $1 billion in Texas to support its cloud and data center infrastructure and help meet growing demand for Google Cloud and AI, and other digital products and services that people and organizations use every day, such as Search, Maps, and Workspace.  

“Google’s data centers house some of the world’s most popular services and are a major economic engine for 21st century business. Our goal is to make sure that the services and products that people and customers use every day are powered by reliable carbon-free energy around-the-clock,” said Ben Sloss, Vice President of 24×7 & Capacity, Google. “We’re thrilled SB Energy’s Orion Solar Belt is coming online, helping build a stronger future for communities and Google in Texas.”

SB Energy is proud to support the Midlothian, Texas community not just by supplying clean power from the Orion Solar Belt for Google’s data centers, but also through procurement of Midlothian-made steel. Most of the steel for the Orion Solar Belt was sourced from Gerdau’s steel mill, also located in Midlothian.  

Gerdau’s President for its North American Long Steel Operation, Chia Yuan Wang, said, “The commercial operation of the Orion Solar Belt is a tremendous achievement for domestic steel and the U.S. solar industry. As a direct result of SB Energy’s Orion Solar Belt and other solar projects across the country, we have expanded our U.S. operations to support the solar industry at our facilities in Midlothian, Texas as well as our facility in Cartersville, Georgia. We thank SB Energy for its leadership, and we look forward to continuing to support the solar industry.” 

The Texas economy is booming, and the Lone Star State leads the U.S. in both total energy consumption and installed renewable energy capacity. Currently, Texans get nearly 30 percent of their energy from renewable energy resources. The state has 70 gigawatts of installed solar, wind and energy storage capacity.1 

The Orion Solar Belt, based in Milam County, is estimated to contribute $100 million to local services over the life of the projects. SB Energy is proud to be a local partner to the Milam County community. 

Milam County Judge Bill Whitmire said, “It has been a pleasure to work with SB Energy as they build energy projects in Milam County that will contribute to the energy economy here in Texas. Throughout the development of the Orion Solar Projects, SB Energy’s employees and contractors have worked with our communities by supporting local businesses like Hecho En Texas, contributing to the improvement of local schools, and sponsoring community services like The HOP Transportation Program here in Milam County. We also recognize the substantial tax revenue that these projects will add to the county and look forward to working with SB Energy in the future.”

About SB Energy 
SB Energy is a leading utility-scale solar, energy storage, and technology platform backed by SoftBank Group Corp. SB Energy develops, owns, and operates some of the largest and advanced renewable projects across the U.S. SB Energy’s mission is to provide flexible renewable energy at scale, and benefiting our planet, customers, communities, and people. For more information, visit SBEnergy.com. 

1 https://cleanpower.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Texas_clean_energy_factsheet.pdf

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SOURCE SB Energy

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New Insurance Codes for Scalp Cooling Will Transform Access for Cancer Patients: A Milestone for Cooler Heads and Partner Hospitals

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October 18, 2024

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SAN DIEGO, Oct. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Cooler Heads, a leader in scalp cooling technology, celebrates a groundbreaking update in healthcare. The American Medical Association (AMA), which creates Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes used for medical billing, has introduced new Category I CPT codes for scalp cooling services, effective January 2026. This change will enhance insurance reimbursement, making scalp cooling more accessible to cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

“Access to scalp cooling is essential for helping patients maintain their identity and mental well-being during chemotherapy, providing a sense of control during a time of fear and uncertainty. Using Amma has made chemo more bearable, allowing me to look and feel more like myself,” shared Leigh Lipscomb, current Amma user.

Cooler Heads’ FDA-cleared Amma device, designed to reduce the likelihood of chemotherapy-induced hair loss, will become more accessible for a greater number of patients. To date, Cooler Heads has already helped patients mitigate hair loss during thousands of chemotherapy infusions. This critical update supports hospitals and patients as they work to minimize the emotional toll of hair loss during cancer treatment.

“This is a critical step in transforming access for patients and means more hospitals can offer scalp cooling, bringing us closer to our mission of ending hair loss from chemotherapy,” said Kate Dilligan, Founder and CEO of Cooler Heads. “Patients and hospitals will both benefit from this increased access.”

Scalp cooling, now recognized as an essential service, provides significant psychological and physical relief for patients. Cooler Heads remains committed to supporting hospitals and patients through this transformative shift.

Contact:
info@coolerheads.com

About Cooler Heads:

Cooler Heads, based in San Diego, provides evidence-based products, content, and services that cancer patients need to manage the challenging side effects of treatment. Founded by a cancer survivor, Cooler Heads is driven by the mission to reduce the physical and emotional toll of cancer treatment, offering tools like Amma to improve the quality of life for patients undergoing chemotherapy.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-insurance-codes-for-scalp-cooling-will-transform-access-for-cancer-patients-a-milestone-for-cooler-heads-and-partner-hospitals-302280788.html

SOURCE Cooler Heads Care, Inc.

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Campbell Police Department Secures Groundbreaking Waiver for 24/7 Drone as First Responder (DFR) Operations

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October 18, 2024

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FAA Waiver Allows Campbell PD to Deploy DedroneBeyond for Drone-Agnostic Day and Night DFR Operations Without a Visual Observer

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Oct. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Axon (Nasdaq: AXON), the global leader in public safety technologies, today announced that the Campbell Police Department in California received a groundbreaking waiver from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations as part of its Drone as a First Responder (DFR) program. This approval is the first of its kind to include nighttime operations and allows Campbell Police Department to fly missions using Dedrone by Axon’s cutting-edge DedroneBeyond technology without the need for visual observers.

Drone as First Responder (DFR) programs are changing how emergencies are handled by providing real-time situational awareness that improves response times and safety. With DFR, police can deploy drones as soon as 911 calls are received, giving them a clear picture of the situation before officers arrive. Until now, operating drones at night has been restricted due to visibility issues, limiting the full potential of DFR programs after dark.

Since starting its DFR program in 2022, Campbell Police Department has used a human visual observer with a daytime waiver for BVLOS operations. This has allowed the agency to get critical information from the air, helping them allocate resources more effectively and improve safety. With the FAA’s latest approval under part 91.113(b), Campbell Police Department can now use DedroneBeyond’s ground-based detect and avoid system for both daytime and nighttime operations, removing the need for human observers and enabling 24/7 drone use.

Acting as the virtual visual observer, DedroneBeyond operates with a remote pilot from a control center nearby and enables drones to be rapidly deployed, ascend to an approved altitude of up to 400 feet, and travel the most efficient route to incidents at any time of day and in any weather. AI-driven sensor fusion technology safely detects and avoids crewed aircraft without false alarms interrupting the mission. Once at the scene, the drone can either land or monitor from a safe and approved altitude.

The Campbell Police Department’s DFR program integrates advanced technology from leading industry partners, including Dedrone by Axon, Axon Air Remote powered by DroneSense, and MatrixSpace. This collaboration gives remote drone operators a unified view for airspace awareness, deconfliction and mission control.

Chief Gary Berg of the Campbell Police Department said: “This FAA approval is a major milestone for our department and our community. With the ability to conduct drone operations day or night without the need for visual observers, we can respond faster and more effectively to emergencies, improving both officer and public safety. This technology is a game changer in ensuring we have the tools to support our community when it matters most.”

Aaditya Devarakonda, Chief Executive Officer of Dedrone by Axon, said: “Dedrone is excited to partner with the Campbell Police Department as they take this significant step forward in enhancing public safety with their DFR program. The FAA’s approval for BVLOS operations is a transformative moment, not only for Campbell PD but for law enforcement nationwide. We commend the FAA for its forward-thinking approach to unlock cutting-edge technologies that enhance safety within the National Airspace System (NAS).”

Axon will be showcasing its latest technology, including innovative solutions for Drone as First Responder programs, at the IACP Annual Conference in Boston from October 19-22. To learn more about the Intelligence Revolution Axon is leading in public safety, stay tuned to Axon’s blog.

About Axon
Axon is the global technology leader in public safety, building the operating system of the future through integrated hardware devices and cloud software solutions that drive modern policing, defense and enterprise security. Axon’s growing customer base spans international, federal, state and local law enforcement, fire, corrections, emergency medical services, and the justice sector, as well as commercial enterprises and consumers.

Dedrone by Axon is the leader in airspace security, providing a comprehensive command and control solution that protects against the rising threat of unauthorized drones while enabling approved drones to operate. Hundreds of commercial, government, and military customers rely on Dedrone’s autonomous, multi-sensor and multi-mitigation system for continuous drone monitoring and defense.

For more information, visit www.axon.com and www.dedrone.com.

Follow Axon on social media:

X/Twitter: @Axon_USLinkedIn: @AxonInstagram: @axon.enterpriseTikTok: @axon.enterpriseFacebook: @Axon

Media Contact:
Alex Engel
Vice President, Corporate Communications
Press@Axon.com

Non-Axon trademarks are property of their respective owners.

Axon and Axon Air are trademarks of Axon Enterprise, Inc., some of which are registered in the US and other countries. For more information visit www.axon.com/legal. All rights reserved.

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SOURCE Axon

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PlayStation™ The Concert World Tour 2025-2026

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55 mins ago

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October 18, 2024

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**TICKETS ON-SALE NOW**

PlayStation™ The Concert will debut on April 19th, 2025, in Dublin, featuring a state-of-the-art live performance of music from God of War, The Last of Us, the Horizon franchises, Ghost of Tsushima, and more. Following its debut, the concert will embark on a global tour across over 200 cities.

NEW YORK, Oct. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Sony Interactive Entertainment, RoadCo Entertainment, and GEA Live are excited to unveil PlayStation: The Concert, a groundbreaking live music event that brings the most iconic gaming soundtracks to life. With a state-of-the-art production, this show merges thrilling music, cutting-edge visuals, and legendary video game titles into an unforgettable experience. The global tour launches with a world premiere on April 19th, 2025, in Dublin, Ireland, before heading to over 200 cities across Europe, the United Kingdom, the United States, and beyond – tickets are now on-sale here. 

WATCH THE OFFICIAL TEASER HERE

PlayStation: The Concert transports fans into the epic worlds of God of War, The Last of Us, Ghost of Tsushima, and Horizon, games that have not only captivated players but are celebrated for their breathtaking and immersive soundtracks. With innovative technology and world-class production, fans will experience a stunning fusion of multi-layered visuals, immersive surround sound, and an all-star ensemble blending classical and modern instruments. The legendary scores from composers like Gustavo Santaolalla (The Last of Us), Joris De Man (Horizon), Ilan Eshkeri (Ghost of Tsushima), and Bear McCreary (God of War) will reach new heights, offering fans a unique, deeply immersive live concert experience.

For more than three decades, PlayStation has been at the cutting edge of gaming, setting new standards for innovation and delivering unforgettable experiences to millions around the world. The games featured in this tour—God of War, The Last of Us, Ghost of Tsushima, and the Horizon series—aren’t just titles; they’re cultural touchstones that have reshaped the entertainment landscape. Now, with video game music stepping into the global spotlight, PlayStation: The Concert is poised to redefine what a music experience can be. This is more than just a show; it’s the ultimate video game concert experience, embodying PlayStation’s innovative spirit and pushing the limits of what’s possible.

The UK and European tour dates have been officially announced. Please see below for details, with additional cities to be confirmed soon.

19 April 2025   Dublin, Ireland
21 April 2025   Birmingham, UK
22 April 2025   Manchester, UK
23 April 2025   Leeds, UK
24 April 2025   Newcastle, UK
25 April 2025   Glasgow, Scotland
27 April 2025   London, UK
29 April 2025   Amsterdam, Netherlands
30 April 2025   Paris, France
1 May 2025     Frankfurt, Germany
2 May 2025     Amnéville, France
3 May 2025     Brussels, Belgium
4 May 2025     Stuttgart, Germany
6 May 2025     Berlin, Germany
7 May 2025     Hamburg, Germany
8 May 2025     Düsseldorf, Germany
9 May 2025     Zurich, Switzerland
11 May 2025   Bologna, Italy
13 May 2025   Budapest, Hungary
15 May 2025   Sofia, Bulgaria
17 May 2025   Vienna, Austria
18 May 2025   Munich, Germany
20 May 2025   Prague, Czech Republic
21 May 2025   Lodz, Poland
23 May 2025   Copenhagen, Denmark
24 May 2025   Gothenburg, Sweden
25 May 2025   Oslo, Norway

For tickets, tour dates, and more information, visit www.playstation.com/theconcert and follow @PlayStation on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Join the conversation with #PlayStationTheConcert.

Don’t miss out on this extraordinary event. Tickets are expected to go fast, so stay tuned for more details on how to secure your spot at this landmark experience.

About Sony Interactive Entertainment
Sony Interactive Entertainment pushes the boundaries of entertainment and innovation, starting from the launch of the original PlayStation in Japan in 1994. Today, we continue to deliver innovative and thrilling experiences to a global audience through our PlayStation line of products and services that include generation-defining hardware, pioneering network services, and award-winning games. Headquartered in San Mateo, California, with global functions in California, London, and Tokyo, and game development studios around the world as part of PlayStation Studios, we believe that the power of play is borderless. Sony Interactive Entertainment is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation.

About GEA Live
Since 2003, GEA Live has delivered innovative live entertainment projects in over 40 countries, establishing itself as a global leader in location-based entertainment. GEA Live has collaborated with legends such as Maestro Ennio Morricone and music industry icons like James Newton Howard, Giorgio Moroder, and George Fenton. Their portfolio includes live cinematic experiences and live screenings with orchestras of major motion pictures like Spider-Man, Dirty Dancing, The Godfather, Titanic, La La Land, and more. Their partnerships with renowned studios and IP giants have earned GEA Live its reputation as a trusted partner in location-based entertainment.

About RoadCo Entertainment
RoadCo Entertainment, formed in 2020, is a producing and distribution agency specializing in live entertainment experiences. A collaboration between Sony Music Entertainment and independent touring entrepreneurs Stephen Lindsay and Brett Sirota, RoadCo represents a broad roster of live events based on popular brands and intellectual properties, as well as all-new immersive and interactive attractions for audiences of all ages.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Larissa Slezak | Sony Music Masterworks
Larissa.Slezak@sonymusic.com  

Cesar Palmeyro | GEA Live
Cesar@gealive.com

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SOURCE Sony Masterworks

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