The city of St. Johns recently joined the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality's (ADEQ) Small Communities Environmental Compliance Assistance Program, a project to help small, often rural municipalities comply with environmental regulations to protect air, land and water quality.

The Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) will convene an open meeting directly after a scheduled 10 a.m. swearing in ceremony on Tuesday in Hearing Room One at the ACC, 1200 W. Washington St. in Phoenix.

Scottsdale’s El Capitan Precious Metals Inc. said last week it is collaborating with Texas-based Logistica US for precious metal refining at a New Mexico mine and continuing their agreement to sell construction-targeted iron ore.

Arizona Public Service (APS) said recently it powers the state not just electrically but also financially as the utility said it designated more than $10 million in grants, sponsorships and donations during 2015.

Comtech EF Data Corp., an Arizona provider of satellite bandwidth efficiency and link optimization products, recently announced the appointment of Mark Toppenberg as its new senior vice president of sales and marketing strategy.

The Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce recently issued its list of legislative priorities for the coming year.

The Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) said last week that incoming Commissioner Andy Tobin has selected Matt Gress to be his policy adviser, citing the broad experience, neutrality and commitment to public service Gress brings to the role.

From lab testing and legal appointments to medical, management and military-friendly facilities, the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce recently tabulated activities and ribbon-cuttings involving Phoenix-area businesses in December. 

In his first executive order of 2016, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey recently provided for the state’s “sharing economy” with a directive establishing a council to focus on economic and transportation initiatives.

After months of careful planning, U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ) and fellow congressmen introduced bipartisan federal legislation recently to preserve historic western U.S roads and pave the way for counties to maintain rights-of-way economically.

In the midst of the controversy over Arizona’s net metering policy, one expert at the Energy and Environment Legal Institute (E&E Legal) suggests several policy reform strategies.

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey highlighted schools, safety and savings in releasing a 2017 fiscal year budget Tuesday that spurns tax increases and stresses stability in spending to swing the state back to a positive fiscal position.  

Responding to U.S. Department of Interior Secretary Sally Jewell’s massive changes to the federal coal program, U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ) said last week that the Obama administration’s freeze on new coal leases is “shameful.” 

The Arizona Commission Corporation (ACC) said recently that it has approved upgrades to the BNSF high-traffic railroad crossing in El Mirage and the work will be timed to minimize traffic disruption.  

Marana, Arizona-based Trico Electric Cooperative Inc. recently reminded homeowners that state Senate Bill 1465 went into effect on Jan. 1 mandating full disclosure for solar purchases and leases.

The Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) recently gave Phoenix-based Arizona Public Service approval to begin a pilot energy-storage evaluation program that has the promise of statewide benefits to consumers.

U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) said last week he was pleased that the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) has reinstated the University of Phoenix’s eligibility for DOD tuition assistance.

The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) said last week it is consolidating several key functions into its Transportation Systems Management and Operations Division (TSMO) as traffic on the state's roads increases.

In an unusual blend of football and forestry, Salt River Project (SRP) has pledged to plant 5,800 trees in fire-ravaged forests to celebrate the Arizona Cardinals’ franchise record-breaking 58 touchdowns during the regular football season — with additional matched backing from SRP customers.

Proponents of Proposition 123 have raised $1.75 million to open up more of Arizona’s land trust fund for sale to support education funding.