News from April 2016


Utilities share summer contingency plans with Arizona Corporation Commission

Five utility companies presented their plans for managing summer energy demand and outages during an Arizona Corporation Commission workshop Thursday.

Arizona chamber opposes minimum wage, campaign finance reform proposals

The Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry said Tuesday it is opposed to several proposed ballot measures on issues that include the minimum wage, solar power and publicly financed election campaigns.

Arizona Corporation Commission to consider several requests from utility companies

The Arizona Corporation Commission will meet at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday and Wednesday at the commission's headquarters in Phoenix to consider nearly 20 requests from various local utility companies.

Terra Verde to showcase security solutions at cybersecurity summit

Terra Verde, based in Scottsdale, will join a host of fellow security companies in rolling out their latest cybersecurity solutions at the Arizona Technology Council (ATC) Cybersecurity Summit to be held May 5 in Scottsdale.

Government should pay close attention to how net metering affects people, watchdog group says

Since the 1970s, the federal government has earmarked billions of dollars for renewable energy subsidies, but many government agencies and experts in the energy industry question whether taxpayers are actually benefiting from the cause given the costs involved with net metering.  

McCain-backed water conservation measures added to appropriations bill

The U.S Senate voted Monday to include two Arizona water conservation amendments backed by Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) to the Fiscal Year 2017 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill.

FirstBank posts strong first quarter results in Arizona

FirstBank Holding Company said Wednesday that the first quarter financials for its Arizona operations show strong growth, with deposits growing by 30.6 percent to $351.7 million.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona in joint venture to lower costs

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (BCBSAZ) and McKesson Business Performance Services are joining forces to form ACO Partner, a maximum services organization to provide health services.

Arizona Technology Council adds leaders from Uber, WebPT and American Express to its board

The Arizona Technology Council (ATC) said Monday it has added representatives from Uber, WebPT and American Express to its board of directors.

Salt River Project earns its 20th Tree Line USA designation

Salt River Project will receive its 20th Tree Line USA designation during an Arizona Arbor Day celebration at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday at the Arizona State Capitol Museum.

McCain, Flake pass amendment to improve WAPA transparency

Legislation sponsored by U.S. Sens. John McCain (R-AZ) and Jeff Flake (R-AZ) that would give Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) customers more access to information on the rates the company charges customers was approved by the Senate last week .

Republic Services safeguards sustainability from Phoenix, fetes Earth Day

With Americans discarding 4.4 pounds of trash daily and recycling only 1.5 pounds, small wonder that Phoenix-based Republic Services has a stake in providing recycling options to millions of industrial, municipal and residential customers nationwide.

Waste Management always on the lookout for green initiatives in Arizona

The grass is greener -- and cleaner -- at the TPC Scottsdale golf course thanks to Waste Management’s  (WM) sponsorship of the PGA’s biggest tournament, the Waste Management Phoenix Open, held there each February, but WM staffers keep their eyes peeled year-round for ways to improve the environment. 

Phoenix to becomes nation's 16th 'Smart Gigabit Community'

Phoenix will join forces with Cox Communications, US Ignite and the National Science Foundation to ramp up the city's communication infrastructure through Smart Gigabit technology.

ABCO to launch solar parking garage project in Phoenix

ABCO Energy Inc. will install solar panels on the roofs of a new Phoenix parking garage, one of five projects of its kind expected to be completed by the end of this year. 

SingleCare joins AZ healthcare market

SingleCare, an online health care retailer, launched Wednesday in Arizona.

Phoenix-based Avella Specialty Pharmacy to distribute new leukemia drug

Phoenix-based Avella Specialty Pharmacy said Tuesday it has been selected to distribute  pharmaceutical manufacturer AbbVie's new leukemia fighting drug Venclexta.

Arizona Public Service solar program turns 5 years old

The Arizona Public Service (APS) AZ Sun Program is celebrating its fifth anniversary by marking a number of achievements in production and coverage of solar panels.

Arizona's ABCO Energy launches website for investors

ABCO Energy Inc., a provider of solar system products and services with three offices in Arizona, said Tuesday it has completed a website meant specifically to provide investor information and post regulatory requirements.

Tempe's Green Planet Group buys claim to gold mine

Tempe-based Green Planet Group Inc. (GPC) announced its acquisition of rights to 160-acre gold mining property in California.