News from August 2016


Arizona Corporation Commission legal division director to retire

Arizona Corporation Commission Legal Division Director Janice Alward will be retiring after serving more than 30 years with the ACC.  

Arizona chamber vows to fight minimum wage proposition in wake of high court ruling

Glenn Hamer, CEO and president of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the chamber will work to defeat Proposition 206 now that the Arizona Supreme Court has decided the initiative to increase the minimum wage in the state and mandate specific amounts of paid time off for workers will appear on the November ballot.

Arizona Bioindustry Association names its Arizona Bioscience Leader of the Year

The Arizona Bioindustry Association (AZBio) will present its Jon W. McGarity Arizona Bioscience Leader of the Year award to Mara Aspinall to honor her global leadership in biomedical diagnostics and recognize her role as an active leader in Arizona’s science community.

Vermaland supports Arizona efforts to have 30 percent of its power come from renewable sources

Phoenix-based Vermaland recently said it supports a proposal by Arizona Corporation Commission Chairman Doug Little that would double the state's requirements for renewable forms of wind and solar energy.

Tucson Electric Power joins partnership on energy storage site

Greensmith Energy, a company that provides energy storage software and integration services, will partner with E.ON Climate and Renewables and Tucson Electric Power (TEP) to design and create a grid-scale energy storage system at the University of Arizona Science and Technology Park.

ADOT finishes transplanting saguaro along Loop 101

The Arizona Department of Transportation has finished replanting saguaros and other cacti and trees along Loop 101.

Bombardier celebrates 40 years in Tucson

Bombardier Aerospace is celebrating its 40th year of operations in Tucson.

Tempe to upgrade or replace water meters for remote readability

Water meters in Tempe will be swapped out or upgraded over the next few years to include automated technology to track water use in real time.

Construction to begin soon on Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway project

Construction will begin on the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway within a few weeks since the U.S. District Court dismissed legal challenges against the corridor project.

$30,000 in scholarship funds up for grabs in Arizona milk mustache photo contest

Arizona dairy farmers are offering $30,000 in scholarships this year through the annual Arizona Milk Producers Scholarship Contest.

Simonson CFO launches a new website

Simonson CFO, a Phoenix-based CFO and finance firm, has launched a new website to showcase its expanded service offerings.

McCain discusses presidential election at Greater Phoenix chamber gathering

U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) talked about the importance of the upcoming presidential election during the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce (GPCC) Political Insider Series event earlier this month.

Arizona Public Service says its earlier work is helping keep power grid running

Arizona Public Service (APS) said that its work done on the power grid has helped keep the electricity on for the company's customers across Arizona.

Phoenix-based CopperPoint offers pointers about workplace ergonomics

Phoenix-based CopperPoint Insurance Companies says work-station ergonomics can affect employee health and even cause musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).

Arizona Corporation Commission to discuss 2018 budget

The Arizona Corporation Commission will hold an open meeting Thursday to discuss and possibly vote on the proposed fiscal year 2018 budget.

U.S. Chamber report says states shouldering more EPA mandates with less federal funds

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has issued a report that says the relationship between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the states has devolved into a system where states, including Arizona, must implement federal environmental programs while receiving progressively less money from federal sources.

Insurance exec joins Tuscon Metro chamber board

The Tucson Metro Chamber of Commerce has named J.B. Shockey, chief operating officer of Crest Insurance Group LLC, to its board of directors.

Franks urges bipartisan effort to replace Obamacare

With health care insurance providers pulling out of state Affordable Care Act (ACA) exchanges and announcing steep premium increases where they remain, Democrats need to join with Republicans to replace Obamacare, U.S. Rep. Trent Franks (R-AZ) said in a recent interview.

McCain congratulates Olympic athletes

U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) issued a congratulatory statement honoring U.S. Olympic athletes, especially those from Arizona.

Tucson Electric Power offers new mobile app

Tucson Electric Power (TEP) has a new mobile app to notify customers about power outages and to allow customers to make payments or study their energy use patterns.