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Associated Press
02-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
New law will require landowners to report enrollment in forest carbon programs
A law signed by Gov. Janet Mills last week requires landowners who are participating in the forest carbon credit market to report basic data — including a landowner's name, contact information, date of enrollment and total enrolled acreage — to the state on an annual basis, information the state will use to create a database and track the impact of carbon credits on Maine's forests. 'We need to understand how Maine woodland owners are participating in the emerging forest carbon market, given both Maine's forest-based economy and its climate change initiatives,' said Morten Moesswilde, the division director of Forest Policy and Management for the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, in a work session on the legislation in February. While there are national and international registries tracking some of this information, said Moesswilde, the data is difficult to search and presented in a variety of formats and in varying levels of detail, with information on projects buried 'deep in supporting documents.' Maine would be the second state in the country to implement such a tracking system, after New Hampshire, said Moesswilde. The law was supported by conservation organizations as well as the Maine Forest Products Council and several woodlot owners, who stressed the importance of understanding an emerging market. 'I am worried that large companies may come to Maine and buy huge blocks of carbon credits and seriously reduce our timber harvests,' James Robbins, former owner of Robbins Lumber Inc., wrote in testimony. 'We need to know what is going on.' Robbins also voiced a concern cited by many critics of the forest carbon credit market, which is that it gives large companies 'a license to pollute' while claiming to be carbon neutral and 'look(ing) good to the public and their shareholders.' Supporters of the market say that, while imperfect, it presents a way to keep forests as forests and to reward landowners who practice sustainable forest management. 'There may be cases where carbon projects produce a modest climate benefit or less dramatic climate benefit than some would hope,' Mark Berry, Maine's forest program director for The Nature Conservancy, told The Monitor in 2022. 'But if they helped to keep forests on the landscape, they're still doing some good.' Counting our forests as carbon sinks is the one of the primary ways officials plan to get to net-zero emissions by 2045. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection estimated that in 2021, 91 percent of the state's gross greenhouse gas emissions were 'balanced by sequestration in the environment' — in other words, absorbed by forests and wetlands. But critics point out that that figure includes carbon credits sold into the marketplace. If those forests are already being counted as offsets by another state or company, should Maine be counting them as offsetting carbon emissions here? A 2023 report found that northern Maine's working forests could be managed to store at least 20 percent more carbon without decreasing the level of timber production. But that will require buy-in from private landowners, who control almost all of the forested land in the state. Maine landowners have so far been reluctant to participate in the forest carbon market. Reporting by The Monitor in 2022 found that only 3.5 percent of the state's large landowners have made deals to sell their carbon, despite a market that has been around for decades. Small woodlot owners have also been reluctant to buy in, citing payments too low to justify the costs of complying with rigorous standards. The law will not require landowners to report on the financial value of the credits, said Moesswilde, and will redact personal identifying information from reports and public records requests. 'The real benefit will be a trend line over time,' he said. ___ This story was originally published by The Maine Monitor and distributed through a partnership with The Associated Press.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Dynabook Unveils Premium Copilot+PC Laptop with Alloy Chassis Weighing Under 1kg
With a durable MIL-SPEC alloy chassis and user-serviceable battery, the 14-inch Portégé Z40L-Nwith Copilot+ fosters AI-boosted productivity and fortifies data with powerful and convenientsecurity IRVINE, Calif., March 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Dynabook Americas, Inc. the gold standard for long-lasting, professional-grade laptops, today unveiled the Portégé Z40L-N, an ultra-lightweight Copilot+PC business laptop built to maximize productivity, security, and mobility. Weighing under 1kg1, the Z40L-N integrates the latest Intel® Core™ Ultra processors (Series 2) with four-times more powerful Neural Processing Unit (NPU)2 for AI acceleration, Wi-Fi 7, Intel® Arc™ Graphics, and vibrant 14-inch 16:10 display all within a highly durable MIL-SPEC magnesium alloy chassis. As a Copilot+PC laptop, the Portégé Z40L-N empowers business professionals with a suite of AI-enhanced features designed to streamline workflows, enhance collaboration, and improve efficiency. Live Captions automatically transcribes audio into text on the screen in real-time, allowing users to read captions for any audio playing on their computer. Dynabook's exclusive Gesture Control enables touch-free navigation, allowing professionals to switch slides, control media, and navigate presentations with simple hand gestures. Windows Studio Effects uses AI to automatically enhance video calls with background blur, auto-lighting adjustments, and eye contact correction—ensuring a professional on-screen presence in any environment. Human Presence Detection features use AI to automatically lock the screen when the user steps away and wake upon return and Peek Alert provides alerts when prying eyes are detected. By leveraging on-device AI acceleration, these features enable business users to work more effectively, reduce distractions, and maximize productivity in a rapidly evolving digital workplace. "Businesses today demand smarter, more efficient computing solutions that keep pace with the rapidly evolving digital workplace. The Portégé Z40L-N represents a new era of AI-powered business laptops—one that not only enhances productivity but also redefines how professionals interact with technology," said James Robbins, General Manager, Dynabook Americas, Inc. AI-Optimized Performance for Business At the heart of the Portégé Z40L-N is Intel's Core Ultra processor (Series 2), equipped with a powerful new NPU that accelerates AI workloads directly on device, ensuring faster processing, enhanced efficiency, and better security. With Intel® Arc™ Graphics, the laptop delivers smooth visuals and AI-powered performance enhancements, making it ideal for data analysis, video conferencing, and content creation. The AI-enhanced power management system dynamically adjusts battery consumption based on applications used, allowing for hours of unplugged video conferencing and all-day productivity. A self-replaceable battery extends the laptop's lifespan, reducing IT costs and downtime for businesses. "By harnessing numerous productivity- and performance-focused applications for edge AI in our latest systems, Dynabook is empowering organizations with unparalleled intelligence, security, and mobility. We're dedicated to pushing the boundaries of innovation to ensure our customers stay ahead in an increasingly intelligent world," Robbins continued. Built for Business Mobility Designed for professionals who require durability without compromise, the Portégé Z40L-N is housed in a magnesium alloy chassis that meets MIL-STD-810H standards, ensuring resilience against drops, shocks, and extreme conditions. Despite its thin and ultra-light form factor, the laptop delivers full-size connectivity, including USB-C/Thunderbolt™ 4, HDMI, and USB-A ports, eliminating the need for adapters for maximum convenience. Smarter, More Secure Workflows As a Microsoft Secured-core PC, the Portégé Z40L-N prioritizes enterprise-grade security with chip-to-cloud protection, safeguarding sensitive data while enhancing user convenience. Designed to proactively defend against security threats, the device features Peek Alert, which detects unauthorized onlookers and allows users to instantly block the screen with a simple hotkey. Presence Detection automatically locks the laptop when the user steps away and wakes it upon return, reducing security risks while maintaining seamless accessibility. Adaptive Dimming helps optimize power efficiency by detecting when a user looks away, intelligently adjusting the display to conserve battery without disrupting workflow. Additional AI-driven features like Lock on Leave and Wake on Approach enhance security by ensuring the device remains protected when unattended, while Windows Hello fingerprint and face authentication provides a fast, password-free login experience, further streamlining secure access for business professionals. Industry-Leading Service and Support The Portégé Z40L-N is backed by Dynabook's 3-year warranty for EZ-Buy models and 4-year warranty for Built-to-Order models. Dynabook's industry-leading +Care Service® Warranty with On-site3 support is also available as optional coverage to minimize downtime in the event of a system issue. With comprehensive warranty coverage and access to a vast service and support network, Dynabook helps businesses minimize reduce IT costs and ensure uninterrupted productivity. Preconfigured EZ Buy models of the new Portégé Z40L-N start at $1,699 and is available immediately from authorized Dynabook partners. The Portégé Z40L-N can also be custom-ordered to fit the needs of any business. To order or learn more about Dynabook, visit Click Here for The Press Kit About Dynabook Americas, Inc. Empowering a Dynamic World, Dynabook Americas, Inc. is a trusted technology partner committed to delivering innovative laptops that redefine the standards of performance, reliability, security, and value. With a history dating back to the release of the first modern laptop PC in 1985, Dynabook stands for unmatched quality, peace of mind, and a legacy of excellence. Our sleek and lightweight designs, military-spec durability, TAA compliance, range of customizable options and industry-leading warranty ensure our diverse portfolio of laptops meet and exceed the unique needs of every customer. Dynabook Americas is an independent operating company wholly owned by Dynabook, Inc., of Japan, a wholly owned company of Sharp Corporation. For more information on Dynabook Americas, visit © 2025 Dynabook Americas, Inc. Dynabook is a trademark of Dynabook Inc. All other product, service and company names are trademarks, registered trademarks, or service marks of their respective owners. Information including without limitation product prices, specifications, availability, content of services, and contact information is subject to change without notice. All rights reserved. Weight. Weight may vary depending on product configuration, vendor components, manufacturing variability and options selected. Based on Intel Core 7 Processor (Series 2) 268V which is capable of 118 TOPS over the total platform +Care Service Warranty with On-Site. Dynabook's standard limited warranty terms and limitations apply. Visit for details. Media Contact:Michael FarinoNew Era Communications949-346-1984michael@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Dynabook Americas, Inc.
