ews Hot News Hot News Hot News Hot News Hot News Hot News Hot News Hot New
The bill states , in part :
A manufacturer ’ s failure to comply with the requirement to provide resources is a deceptive trade practice ;
In complying with the requirement to provide resources , a manufacturer need not divulge any trade secrets to independent repair providers and owners ; and
Any new contractual provision or other arrangement that a manufacturer enters into that would remove or limit the manufacturer ’ s obligation to provide resources to independent repair providers and owners is void and unenforceable ; and
An independent repair provider or owner is not authorized to make modifications to agricultural equipment that permanently deactivate any safety notification system or bring the equipment out of compliance with safety or emissions laws or to engage in any conduct that would evade emissions , copyright , trademark , or patent laws .
Chad Franke , president of the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union , states : “ We have been tireless advocates for farmers and ranchers on this issue for years and are very proud that we were intimately involved in the passage of the bill in Colorado . Farmers and ranchers in Colorado will now be able to diagnose and repair their own equipment however they choose .
“ In addition to still being able to have a dealer diagnose and repair the equipment , farmers and ranchers now also have to opportunity to use an independent repair provider if they choose not to fix the equipment themselves ,” Franke continues . “ Simply put , farmers and ranchers now have the freedom to choose how to repair the equipment that they own without the burdensome restrictions that could leave their equipment down at a critical time for their operation .”
In 2021 , the Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ) unanimously voted to ramp up law-enforcement against repair restrictions that prevent consumers , small businesses and others from fixing their owned products . About a year later , the FTC announced it was taking action against Westinghouse Outdoor Power Equipment / MWE Investments as well as Harley-Davidson Motor Company Group for illegally restricting customers ’ right to repair their purchased products .
STANLEY BLACK & DECKER INVESTS IN SOLAR FARM Stanley Black & Decker , in partnership with Castillo Engineering and RPG Energy Group , has unveiled a 4.3 MW solar farm in Hopkinsville , Kentucky . It ’ s the state ’ s largest privately funded on-site solar project that is 100 % renewable energy sourced , the company reports .
Covering nearly 15 acres , the solar field produces enough clean energy to power Stanley Black & Decker ’ s 280,000-square-foot onsite production facility while also providing excess energy back to the state . The project , announced on Earth Day , is estimated to deliver 5,500 metric tons of C02 reductions and an annual energy savings of $ 400,000 , says Stanley Black & Decker .
“ As part of Stanley Black & Decker ’ s global environmental , social and corporate governance ( ESG ) initiatives , this project , which we are fittingly celebrating on Earth Day , represents an impactful milestone as the organization progresses toward its mission of carbon neutrality by 2030 ,” says Rob Kirts , director of global energy and utilities at Stanley Black & Decker . “ With the help of Castillo Engineering and RPG Energy , we are working to deliver on our sustainability goals and we made our purpose – For Those Who Make The World – a reality .”
Hopkinsville Mayor James R . Knight Jr . attended the ribbon cutting event to recognize the plant and its partners ’ commitment to create a more sustainable future . The mayor helped present an ECOsmart Award to the facility , an industry-standard accreditation awarded to venues that demonstrate an environmentally conscious approach and adoption of eco-friendly measures .
The Hopkinsville solar field produces enough clean energy to power a 280,000 sq . ft . production facility , and more .
8 OPE Business May 2023 www . OPEBusiness . com