
Duke Energy Marks Earth Month in South Carolina With $375,000 in Grants To Fight Trash, Promote Tree Planting, Sustain Trail Access
GREENVILLE, S.C., May 13, 2025 /3BL/ - Throughout the month of April, Duke Energy highlighted the importance of sustainability of our state's natural assets with $375,000 in grants to organizations that manage and provide support to state and local parks, tree planting and advocacy, trail maintenance and litter prevention.
Why it matters: By educating ourselves about environmental issues and making small changes, such as reducing plastic use, recycling, conserving energy and planting trees, we can move towards understanding the impact of our actions and become more responsible stewards of the earth, ensuring that it remains a thriving, livable place for us all especially at a time of booming population growth in the state. Every effort, no matter how small, contributes to a better, cleaner world.
Where the money goes: The following qualifying 501(c)(3) nonprofits and governmental organizations received funding from Duke Energy Foundation ( click here for additional details):
Dozens of Duke Energy employees also volunteered their time and energy in April by supporting five organized trash pickups and similar events in communities across the state.
What they're saying
Tim Pearson, Duke Energy's South Carolina president:'The natural beauty of South Carolina draws new residents and businesses to our state every year, and it's important for companies like ours to work alongside our communities to protect, enhance and promote these tremendous assets of the Palmetto State.'
Duane Parrish, South Carolina Parks, Recreation and Tourism executive director:'The Upstate has been through a lot since last fall. From the first responders who secured our safety after Helene and in the recent wildfires, to the partners who have stepped up afterwards to help make us whole again, we have not had to face those dark days and difficult challenges alone. We are incredibly grateful to Duke Energy, who has been an amazing partner to South Carolina State Parks for many years. They have a heart for what we do in State Parks, and their generous support is pivotal in helping us protect, advance, and share our treasured places with visitors.'
Aaron Davis, TreesUpstate executive director:'For the past nine years, Duke Energy has helped thousands of Upstate residents save electricity costs through this really 'cool' Energy Savings Tree Giveaway program. Their generosity and partnership show how much Duke Energy values nonprofits, communities, and our wonderful natural resources.'
Duke Energy Foundation
Duke Energy Foundation provides more than $30 million annually in philanthropic support to meet the needs of communities where Duke Energy customers live and work. The Foundation is funded by Duke Energy shareholders.
Duke Energy
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America's largest energy holding companies. The company's electric utilities serve 8.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 55,100 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas utilities serve 1.7 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky.
Duke Energy is executing an ambitious energy transition, keeping customer reliability and value at the forefront as it builds a smarter energy future. The company is investing in major electric grid upgrades and cleaner generation, including natural gas, nuclear, renewables and energy storage.
More information is available at duke-energy.com and the Duke Energy News Center. Follow Duke Energy on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook, and visit illumination for stories about the people and innovations powering our energy transition.
Contact: Ryan Mosier24-Hour: 800.559.3853
View original content here.
Visit 3BL Media to see more multimedia and stories from Duke Energy Corporation
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Forbes
10 minutes ago
- Forbes
Buy HPE Stock At $18?
Hewlett Packard Enterprise (NYSE:HPE) recently revealed its Q2 fiscal 2025 results (the fiscal year concludes in October), slightly surpassing analyst forecasts. The firm announced earnings of $0.38 per share on revenues of $7.6 billion, exceeding consensus predictions of $0.33 and $7.5 billion, respectively. Even with this favorable result, HPE's stock largely stayed around $18. This inertia can be partially ascribed to the company revising its full-year revenue growth outlook to 7% to 9%, a reduction from its earlier estimate of 7% to 11%. If you're seeking consistent returns, you may want to examine diversified investment avenues such as the Trefis High Quality portfolio, which has demonstrated exceptional performance, achieving returns of over 91% since its inception. Additionally, see – RGTI Stock: What's Next After An 1,100% Rally? Considering HPE's latest performance, you may be questioning whether it's a wise investment right now. From a valuation standpoint, we believe HPE stock seems to have potential for growth. Priced at roughly $18 per share, it is valued at 0.7 times its trailing revenues. This is slightly lower than its three-year average price-to-sales (P/S) ratio of 0.8 times. Although a decline in valuation multiples might seem warranted by the company's average revenue growth of only 3% over the past three years and a drop in its net income margin from a three-year average of 6% to the current 4%, this doesn't capture the entire picture. HPE's Q2 results exhibited year-over-year revenue growth of 6%. Its Annualized Revenue Run Rate (ARR) surged by 46% to $2.2 billion, fueled by a robust 13% increase in hybrid cloud revenue, a 7% rise in intelligent edge segment sales, and a 6% increment in server revenue. While the adjusted gross margin fell by 370 basis points year-over-year to 29.4%, HPE's net income was significantly affected by a non-cash impairment charge of $1.4 billion for legacy goodwill, leading to a GAAP loss of $0.82 per share. However, on an adjusted basis, HPE posted earnings of $0.38 per share, reflecting a slight decrease from $0.42 in the same quarter of the previous year. Looking forward, HPE's Q3 revenue forecast of $8.2 billion to $8.5 billion also surpassed the consensus prediction of $8.17 billion. Building on the valuation discussion, HPE is currently experiencing a growth rate faster than it has for the previous three years. Analysts anticipate sales to increase by 8% this year and an additional 6% the following year. This upward trajectory of growth suggests that an increase in valuation multiples is justified. Notably, the average price target set by analysts for HPE is $21, reflecting an upside potential of over 15%. This target corresponds to a 0.9 P/S ratio, in contrast to the current 0.7x and the three-year average of 0.8x. HPE's strategic priority lies in its edge-to-cloud platform transition, especially leveraging its GreenLake hybrid cloud solution. This strategy is designed to capture recurring income through flexible consumption models that effortlessly connect on-premises with cloud environments. The company's strategic pivot towards edge, hybrid cloud, and AI delivered via the HPE GreenLake platform is yielding success. Moreover, HPE's alliance with NVIDIA for integrated AI computing solutions places it in a competitive position against hyperscaler-driven alternatives by providing enterprise clients with on-premises and edge deployment flexibility. On another note, take a look at – Is CRWD Stock Overvalued At $460? While the valuation of HPE stock seems to present an opportunity for growth, it is essential to factor in potential risks. Historically, HPE's stock has underperformed the broader market during economic recessions. For example, it dropped by 32% from its peak amid the 2022 inflation shock, compared to a 25% decrease for the S&P 500. Similarly, during the COVID-19 market correction in 2020, it plummeted by 52% against a 34% drop for the S&P 500. This pattern implies that HPE stock is more susceptible to adverse macroeconomic conditions. See – Buy or Sell HPE Stock – for further details. You may consider purchasing HPE stock in the current downturn, but remember that investing in a single stock, no matter how promising, carries risks. If you wish to mitigate that risk while benefiting from substantial upside, consider the High Quality portfolio, which has outperformed the S&P 500 and generated returns exceeding 91% since its inception. Why is that? As a collective, HQ Portfolio stocks have yielded better returns with lower risk compared to the benchmark index; offering a smoother investment journey, as shown in HQ Portfolio performance metrics.


Associated Press
14 minutes ago
- Associated Press
SmartRent Evolves its Platform With AI-Powered Intelligence and Energy Optimization Capabilities
PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 5, 2025-- SmartRent, Inc. (NYSE: SMRT) ('SmartRent' or the 'Company'), the leading provider of smart communities solutions and smart operations solutions for the rental housing industry, today announced the continued evolution of its platform with the introduction an AI-powered intelligence layer and enhanced energy management tools designed to empower operators to make informed decisions to reduce utility waste, cut costs and support ESG goals. These innovations mark a new chapter for SmartRent, one that moves beyond automation to intelligence, making it easier to access and interpret data and allowing operators to act on it in real time. While others may provide a piece of the puzzle, SmartRent's end-to-end property operations platform, designed specifically for rental housing, delivers the full picture — connected hardware, digital workflows and built-in intelligence. It automates tasks for owners, operators and site teams to facilitate the reduction of operating costs and elevates the resident experience in a single, integrated system. Intuitive Insights: Conversational AI Delivers Property Data SMRT IQ is the newest advancement in the continually evolving platform. Powered by live device data, SMRT IQ helps teams unlock portfolio-wide insights from connected hardware to make smarter, faster decisions across operations. While the data has always been available, SMRT IQ removes the friction of manual reporting and replaces it with immediate intelligence that anyone can access without analytics training. It introduces a conversational AI layer that can transform property-level device data and operational metrics into instant property insights. Using natural language input, SMRT IQ users ask a question and receive a real-time answer powered by live data from connected smart devices. Teams can use prompts like: 'SMRT IQ marks a significant milestone in SmartRent's evolution. It delivers constant, real-time IoT-device level data and visibility into all aspects of property performance, enabling the decision-making process with insights that just weren't possible before,' said Isaiah DeRose-Wilson, Chief Technology Officer at SmartRent. 'By combining that data with conversational AI, we're helping teams make smarter decisions faster and act with confidence at scale. It's further connecting teams to their communities, saving them time and improving business agility across the board.' Smarter Energy Management: HVAC & Utility Optimization In addition to launching SMRT IQ, SmartRent is expanding its platform with enhanced energy management tools designed to help operators reduce energy waste, cut utility costs and extend HVAC system life. Unlike traditional energy tools which utilize static reports or estimates, SmartRent energy management is powered by real-time thermostat and device data, which can help identify energy waste during extreme weather events, enabling operators to reduce energy consumption to lower utility bills. It is also retrofit-friendly for legacy HVAC systems, offering greater visibility into HVAC asset health and performance to enable portfolio-wide benchmarking to support ESG reporting and sustainability goals. Teams are now armed with the data to make smarter energy decisions without adopting new systems or undergoing extra training. Key features include: 'What sets SmartRent apart is our direct connection to real-world device data,' said DeRose-Wilson. 'Our system collects live data from thermostats, leak sensors, locks, and more — giving operators a clear view of what is happening in their buildings and the ability to act, not just recording in workflows or delayed reports. That visibility is critical when managing HVAC performance, energy efficiency and ESG goals across an entire portfolio.' Continued Innovation to Meet Evolving Industry Needs SmartRent already connects millions of devices across locks, thermostats, sensors and workflows, delivering real-time visibility and operational control. Through innovations like SMRT IQ and energy management, SmartRent is fulfilling its commitment to best support its customers. From smarter controls to smarter reporting driven by AI and action, SmartRent is helping multifamily thrive in a more energy-conscious world. Energy performance is not merely an environmental concern; it is now directly tied to risk, regulation and operational excellence. Whether it's optimizing capital plans, uncovering resident experience trends, or linking site-level activity to portfolio performance, SmartRent delivers clarity without complexity. With SMRT IQ making real-time insights instantly accessible and SmartRent's unified platform enhancing day-to-day operations, property teams can drive smarter decisions across leasing, retention, maintenance and NOI growth. The continued advancement of the SmartRent platform is a byproduct of the company's recent $10 million investment in innovation, new features and functionality, allowing SmartRent to set the standard for property efficiency and performance in the rental housing industry. About SmartRent Founded in 2017, SmartRent, Inc. (NYSE: SMRT) is a leading provider of smart communities solutions and smart operations solutions to the rental housing industry. SmartRent's end-to-end enterprise ecosystem powers smarter living and working in rental housing by automating operations, protecting assets, reducing energy consumption, enhancing the resident experience and more. The Company's differentiators - purpose-built software and hardware, and end-to-end implementation and support - create an exceptional experience, with 15 of the top 20 multifamily operators and millions of users leveraging SMRT solutions daily. For more information, please visit View source version on CONTACT: Media Contact Amanda Chavez - Vice President, Marketing and Communications [email protected] KEYWORD: ARIZONA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: TECHNOLOGY RESIDENTIAL BUILDING & REAL ESTATE UTILITIES HVAC CONSTRUCTION & PROPERTY IOT (INTERNET OF THINGS) ENERGY MANUFACTURING SOFTWARE SUSTAINABILITY BUILDING SYSTEMS NETWORKS INTERNET ENVIRONMENT HARDWARE DATA MANAGEMENT ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SOURCE: SmartRent Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 06/05/2025 09:15 AM/DISC: 06/05/2025 09:15 AM


Business Wire
17 minutes ago
- Business Wire
SmartRent Evolves its Platform With AI-Powered Intelligence and Energy Optimization Capabilities
PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- SmartRent, Inc. (NYSE: SMRT) ('SmartRent' or the 'Company'), the leading provider of smart communities solutions and smart operations solutions for the rental housing industry, today announced the continued evolution of its platform with the introduction an AI-powered intelligence layer and enhanced energy management tools designed to empower operators to make informed decisions to reduce utility waste, cut costs and support ESG goals. 'SMRT IQ marks a significant milestone in SmartRent's evolution. It delivers constant, real-time IoT-device level data and visibility into all aspects of property performance,' said Isaiah DeRose-Wilson, Chief Technology Officer at SmartRent. These innovations mark a new chapter for SmartRent, one that moves beyond automation to intelligence, making it easier to access and interpret data and allowing operators to act on it in real time. While others may provide a piece of the puzzle, SmartRent's end-to-end property operations platform, designed specifically for rental housing, delivers the full picture — connected hardware, digital workflows and built-in intelligence. It automates tasks for owners, operators and site teams to facilitate the reduction of operating costs and elevates the resident experience in a single, integrated system. Intuitive Insights: Conversational AI Delivers Property Data SMRT IQ is the newest advancement in the continually evolving platform. Powered by live device data, SMRT IQ helps teams unlock portfolio-wide insights from connected hardware to make smarter, faster decisions across operations. While the data has always been available, SMRT IQ removes the friction of manual reporting and replaces it with immediate intelligence that anyone can access without analytics training. It introduces a conversational AI layer that can transform property-level device data and operational metrics into instant property insights. Using natural language input, SMRT IQ users ask a question and receive a real-time answer powered by live data from connected smart devices. Teams can use prompts like: Which of my properties have the worst HVAC efficiency? Which units exceed the community's average HVAC use by more than 50%? Which amenity spaces draw the most energy through HVAC use? 'SMRT IQ marks a significant milestone in SmartRent's evolution. It delivers constant, real-time IoT-device level data and visibility into all aspects of property performance, enabling the decision-making process with insights that just weren't possible before,' said Isaiah DeRose-Wilson, Chief Technology Officer at SmartRent. 'By combining that data with conversational AI, we're helping teams make smarter decisions faster and act with confidence at scale. It's further connecting teams to their communities, saving them time and improving business agility across the board.' Smarter Energy Management: HVAC & Utility Optimization In addition to launching SMRT IQ, SmartRent is expanding its platform with enhanced energy management tools designed to help operators reduce energy waste, cut utility costs and extend HVAC system life. Unlike traditional energy tools which utilize static reports or estimates, SmartRent energy management is powered by real-time thermostat and device data, which can help identify energy waste during extreme weather events, enabling operators to reduce energy consumption to lower utility bills. It is also retrofit-friendly for legacy HVAC systems, offering greater visibility into HVAC asset health and performance to enable portfolio-wide benchmarking to support ESG reporting and sustainability goals. Teams are now armed with the data to make smarter energy decisions without adopting new systems or undergoing extra training. Key features include: Energy dashboards that spotlight inefficient performance Smart setpoint automation and temperature guardrails Live alerts for runtime anomalies and temperature extremes Granular drilldowns at the unit, building, or portfolio level 'What sets SmartRent apart is our direct connection to real-world device data,' said DeRose-Wilson. 'Our system collects live data from thermostats, leak sensors, locks, and more — giving operators a clear view of what is happening in their buildings and the ability to act, not just recording in workflows or delayed reports. That visibility is critical when managing HVAC performance, energy efficiency and ESG goals across an entire portfolio.' Continued Innovation to Meet Evolving Industry Needs SmartRent already connects millions of devices across locks, thermostats, sensors and workflows, delivering real-time visibility and operational control. Through innovations like SMRT IQ and energy management, SmartRent is fulfilling its commitment to best support its customers. From smarter controls to smarter reporting driven by AI and action, SmartRent is helping multifamily thrive in a more energy-conscious world. Energy performance is not merely an environmental concern; it is now directly tied to risk, regulation and operational excellence. Whether it's optimizing capital plans, uncovering resident experience trends, or linking site-level activity to portfolio performance, SmartRent delivers clarity without complexity. With SMRT IQ making real-time insights instantly accessible and SmartRent's unified platform enhancing day-to-day operations, property teams can drive smarter decisions across leasing, retention, maintenance and NOI growth. The continued advancement of the SmartRent platform is a byproduct of the company's recent $10 million investment in innovation, new features and functionality, allowing SmartRent to set the standard for property efficiency and performance in the rental housing industry. About SmartRent Founded in 2017, SmartRent, Inc. (NYSE: SMRT) is a leading provider of smart communities solutions and smart operations solutions to the rental housing industry. SmartRent's end-to-end enterprise ecosystem powers smarter living and working in rental housing by automating operations, protecting assets, reducing energy consumption, enhancing the resident experience and more. The Company's differentiators - purpose-built software and hardware, and end-to-end implementation and support - create an exceptional experience, with 15 of the top 20 multifamily operators and millions of users leveraging SMRT solutions daily. For more information, please visit