APPI ENERGY ANNOUNCES MERGER WITH ENVIRON ENERGY

Salisbury, MD, May 31, 2023 — APPI Energy, a national energy consulting firm specializing in comprehensive energy management strategies for commercial, industrial, government and non-profit clients, is excited to announce that it has merged with Environ, an energy management company specializing in sustainability consulting services. The partnership aims to strengthen APPI Energy’s current sustainability and efficiency offerings to both the APPI Energy client base and their Affinity Partners.

Established in 1996, APPI Energy was one of the first firms to provide advisory services on the procurement of electricity and natural gas, launching a unique go-to-market strategy and business model that would in time be endorsed by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and national and state trade associations and their more than half a million member companies. The Affinity Partnerships were designed to educate trade associations and chambers of commerce on deregulation in the early years, evolving over time alongside the industry to include more in-depth education on energy management strategies, including sustainability and efficiency technologies and solutions.

With a foundation in assisting commercial, industrial and government entities in deregulated states with the procurement of their electricity and natural gas, it was a natural next step for APPI Energy to expand their services, launching the Energy Solutions Division in 2019. Today, their holistic approach to energy management aims to provide clients with a full suite of energy solutions, an initiative that will be complemented and further strengthened by the new partnership with Environ.

“By merging with APPI, Environ’s suite of leading-edge sustainability solutions has found a powerful new market channel consisting of 160 national and state trade associations and their more than half a million member companies,” said Mark Mininberg, CEO of Environ. “We could not be more pleased with the APPI team or more excited about the future growth of our combined enterprise.”

Being data-driven has also been pivotal to the success of APPI Energy. APPI maintains a proprietary database of more than 250 million pricing data points, enabling their energy consultants to compare historical and real-time prices in every deregulated energy market. Environ’s commitment to datacentric, innovative technologies was appealing to APPI leadership, along with Environ’s steadfast commitment to providing optimal service while guiding clients through the energy transition.

“The merger of APPI Energy and Environ is the perfect combination of advanced energy solutions and national market access” said Walter Moore, APPI Energy Founder and CEO. “Aligning decades of experience, expertise and corporate cultures built on success and integrity brings a truly holistic set of energy solutions to our clients.”

The acquisition was made possible with support from 424 Capital, a growth capital investor that works in partnership with founders and management teams to accelerate and scale for long-term growth.

Barley Snyder L Aunches New Liquor Law Practice

Lancaster, Pa. – Barley Snyder, a law firm representing businesses and individuals in all major areas of civil law, has formed a Liquor Law Practice focusing on the complex area of liquor law and the unique legal needs of businesses that provide alcoholic beverages in the state.

Barley Snyder’s Liquor Law Practice has pooled several attorneys and professionals at the firm with extensive experience in all areas of liquor law including: the purchase and sale of licenses, intermunicipal transfers, licensing, extension of licensed premises, opening and operation of storage and satellite locations, enforcement, and manufacturing licenses such as limited winery, limited distillery and brewery licenses. The attorneys are also well-versed in representing licensees before the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) in defending Liquor Control Enforcement actions including subsequent appeals to the Court of Common Pleas and the Commonwealth Court.

“We are excited to announce this expanded practice offering within our firm,” said Larry Heim, attorney and chair of the Liquor Law Practice, who was a driving force behind establishing this new group. “The legal landscape of liquor law is challenging and ever evolving. Navigating it successfully requires in-depth knowledge of the process and boots on the ground in order to develop creative solutions. We look forward to being a trusted resource for businesses seeking counsel on their liquor law matters.”

Heim has been helping businesses in the hospitality industry obtain and defend their liquor licenses for more than 40 years.

“The alcoholic beverage market is deeply embedded in Pennsylvania and by expanding our resources, we can further assist clients with the various intricacies of liquor law,” said Derek Dissinger, partner and chair of the firm’s Hospitality Industry Group. “Our goal is to help our clients navigate PLCB regulations so businesses can thrive and achieve their strategic goals.”

Barley Snyder is a preferred vendor and member of the Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association (PLBTA). The firm is also a member of the Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association (PRLA).

Anyone with questions about how Barley Snyder can help their business obtain a liquor license, or if help is needed with an enforcement matter, should contact Larry Heim, Derek Dissinger or any member of the Liquor Law Practice. To learn more about Barley Snyder’s new Liquor Law Practice, visit: www.barley.com/ capability/hospitality/liquor-law/

Firstenergy Takes Proactive Steps To Prepare Transmission System For Summer

AKRON, Ohio – To help ensure reliable power for customers this summer, FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) and its transmission subsidiaries have completed annual inspections and maintenance of their highvoltage power lines and equipment in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and Virginia.

“The transmission system delivers power from generation sources to local substations and lines serving homes and businesses, acting as the interstate highway system of the electric grid,” said Carl Bridenbaugh, vice president of transmission at FirstEnergy. “Coupled with similar work at the local utility level, the preparations help ensure power is reliable as customer demand rises along with the summer heat.”

Helicopter patrols have been completed along nearly 18,000 miles of high-voltage lines across FirstEnergy’s service territory, with personnel examining the wires, equipment and structures for potential maintenance issues. The helicopters fly at speeds of approximately 25 to 35 miles per hour while an onboard observer looks for any conditions that may require repair, sometimes hovering along the lines to get a closer look. The aerial patrols, which are completed each year, started in January and wrapped up in mid-May.

The company also conducted inspections on more than 4,700 miles of its transmission lines in Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey using special ultraviolet and infrared (UV/ IR) camera equipment mounted on the bottom of the helicopters. An onboard thermographer uses the camera to view the electrical equipment through infrared and ultraviolet spectrums. The thermal images can identify equipment issues such as loose connections, corrosion and load imbalances, while ultraviolet technology detects electrical discharge along a power line caused by issues such as rusted hardware and cracked insulators.

Any issues identified during the inspections are addressed to prevent service disruptions and costly repairs down the road. FirstEnergy conducts UV/IR inspections on a four-year cycle, meaning it will inspect all transmission lines over a four-year period.

In addition to equipment inspections and maintenance, transmission vegetation management crews have been trimming trees along nearly 1,280 of the approximately 3,300 miles of high-voltage lines planned this year as part of its $80 million transmission vegetation management program. This work is crucial to protecting the electric grid from tree-related outages during severe weather.

Beyond the infrastructure work, FirstEnergy personnel performed an analysis of projected peak power flows to help ensure the grid is prepared for increased electricity demand this summer.

The summer preparation work builds on extensive investments into the transmission system through Energizing the Future, FirstEnergy’s multi-year modernization initiative designed to upgrade FirstEnergy's transmission system with advanced equipment and technologies that will reinforce the power grid and help reduce the frequency and duration of customer outages. Since 2014, FirstEnergy has upgraded or replaced existing power lines, incorporated smart technology into the grid and upgraded dozens of substations with new equipment and enhanced security features. Through 2022, FirstEnergy has invested more than $10 billion in the Energizing the Future initiative.