News from July 2016


UniSource Energy Services completes renewable-energy expansion project near Willcox

UniSource Energy Services (UES) recently said it has more than doubled its capacity to generate renewable energy with the expansion of a solar and wind project near Willcox..

Salt River Project ranks highest in customer satisfaction in the western US

Salt River Project (SRP) ranks highest in customer satisfaction among large-scale electrical providers in the western United States for the 15th consecutive year, according to results of a J.D. Power study.

Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station is top carbon-free energy source

Arizona Public Service (APS) said the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station near Tonopah stands as the nation’s largest producer of emission-free energy by a substantial margin.

Wastewater service expansion approved for Zanjero Trails project in Litchfield Park

The Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) recently approved an application that will facilitate the expansion of wastewater handling in the West Valley.

Northern Arizona University professor named a fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology

Bruce Hungate, Regents’ professor of biological sciences at Northern Arizona University (NAU) and director of the Center for Ecosystem Science and Society, has been elected to the American Academy of Microbiology (AAM).

Arizona Corporation Commission approves energy efficiency programs

The Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) has approved new programs that promote energy efficiency and cost savings for Arizona Public Service Company (APS) customers.

Arizona chamber says initiative to raise minimum wage is a bad idea

Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry President and CEO Glenn Hamer recently said a petition advocating a ballot initiative to raise Arizona's minimum wage to $12 is a bad idea.

Workshop to discuss master plan for Grand Canyon National Park Airport

A public information workshop to discuss the master plan study process for the Grand Canyon National Park Airport, owned and operated by the Arizona Department of Transportation, will be held from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday at Flagstaff City Hall, 211 W. Aspen Ave.

Expert: SolarCity sale shows fundamental problems with solar industry

As Tesla-owner Elon Musk moved to consolidate his cousins' embattled SolarCity company last month through a merger with Tesla, one economist said that the company could be the victim of government subsidization, whether it received those subsidies or not.

Arizona Department of Transportation launches website for local public agency inspector training

The Arizona Department of Transportation has launched a local public agency (LPA) Inspector Boot Camp website full of information about the different levels of training to enable LPA staff to be able to inspect their own projects when using federal funds.  

Arizona State Land Department auction sets price-per-acre sales record for Scottsdale parcel

The Arizona State Land Department set a new price-per-acre record and generated more than $16.6 million for Arizona’s schools when JLB Realty LLC placed its winning bid for 10.41 net acres of trust land located at the southeast corner of Scottsdale Road and Chauncey Lane in Scottsdale.

Arizona chamber opposes proposition to limit health care workers' wages

Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry President and CEO Glenn Hamer released a statement opposing a petition for ballot proposition to limit the compensation of health care workers.

Arizona Corporation Commission's Utility Division reorganizes

The Arizona Corporation Commission’s (ACC) Utility Division recently reorganized its 60-person team to improve efficiency, accountability and service.

Motor Vehicle Division testing early office hours at Tucson-area sites

To reduce wait times, the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) is opening its three Tucson-area offices offices at 7:30 a.m. to give more people the opportunity to visit before work.

134th Avenue connection opens at Bell Road in Surprise

The Arizona Department of Transportation’s overpass and interchange project at Bell Road and Grand Avenue (U.S. Route 60) near Surprise has reached a milestone with the opening of a new 134th Avenue connection at Bell Road, just west of Dysart Road.

Salt River Project to experiment burning forest debris in coal plant

Salt River Project (SRP) is testing the feasibility of using forest debris as a supplemental fuel at its Coronado Generating Station (CGS) in St. Johns.

Grijalva applauds $2 million grant to Portable Practical Educational Preparation to aid farm workers

U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) congratulated Tucson-based Portable Practical Educational Preparation Inc. (PPEP) for being awarded a grant award of more than $2 million from the U.S. Labor Department’s National Farmworker Jobs Program.

Tempe Chamber of Commerce has new chairman

Brian Wood, senior district manager at Waste Management, has assumed duties as chairman of the board of the Tempe Chamber of Commerce.

Work on Ina Road and I-10 gets underway

The Arizona Department of Transportation said drivers on Ina Road and I-10 may experience delays beginning his week as crews improve frontage roads and prepare for major projects.

Grijalva praises changes to Distressed Asset Stabilization Program for home loans

U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) recently said he commended U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro after HUD announced enhancements to the Distressed Asset Stabilization Program (DASP), which has purchased severely delinquent loans since 2012.