News from August 2016


Arizona Corporation Commission approves transfer of two small water companies

The Arizona Corporation Commission has OK'd the transfer of two small water companies to larger water providers to ensure safety and efficiency of water delivery to customers.

Arizona Supreme Court rules in favor of Corporation Commission on step-increase utility rate plan

The Arizona Supreme Court has ruled that a Corporation Commission’s approved rate-increase method -- known as the system improvement benefit (SIB) -- complies with the commission’s mandate in determining the fair value of a utility’s property when setting rates.

Arizona Corporation Commission creates ombudsman office to help small water companies

The Arizona Corporation Commission has named Utilities Division Assistant Director Elijah Abinah as ombudsman of the newly formed Small Water Company Ombudsman Office.

Rogers Corporation to move global headquarters to Chandler

Rogers Corporation, a supplier of engineered materials solutions, plans to relocate its global headquarters from Rogers, Connecticut, to Chandler, Arizona.

Aspen Dental opens new office in Surprise

Aspen Dental has opened a new office at 17018 W. Bell Road in Surprise. 

Great Hearts Academies math program gets boost with Arizona Public Service Foundation grant

Great Hearts Academies, Arizona's largest nonprofit network of public charter schools, has received a $50,000 grant from the APS (Arizona Public Service) Foundation to support a math program in collaboration with Reasoning Mind.

Arizona Corporation Commission Pipeline Safety Section receives perfect score in annual audit

The Arizona Corporation Commission Pipeline Safety Section has received a perfect 100 score in its annual audit by the Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHSMA).

Lackluster El Nino results in less water runoff than expected

El Nino 2016 started out with promise for bringing moisture to the Arizona area but has resulted in the sixth consecutive year of below-median runoff into the Salt and Verde rivers.

Salt River Project has a new communications exec

Alaina Chabrier has joined Salt River Project as chief communications executive and associate general manager of marketing and communications.

Grants to help improve water quality in four Arizona waterways

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) has awarded seven Water Quality Improvement Grants (WQIG), totaling more than $1.9 million, to help improve water conditions in four state waterways.

Colorado River Indian Tribes awarded grant for environmental assessment in La Paz County

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) has awarded the first state brownfields grant to a tribal nation.

Patent granted for new test to detect valley fever

A patent has been granted for a new testing technology developed by Northern Arizona University (NAU) and Phoenix-based Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) that makes it easier to detect and treat valley fever, a dust-borne fungal disease.

Parts of Pecos Road, 59th Avenue under ADOT management for freeway project

Construction of the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway begins later this summer, so several Phoenix roads along the 22-mile corridor area are now officially part of the state highway system.

Quantum Energy completes Texas, Missouri project acquisitions

Quantum Energy Inc. (QE), an energy-holding company, has begun to diversify its refinery development plan through acquisitions of several projects.

McReynolds promoted as president of KB Home's Tucson division

KB Home has promoted Amy McReynolds to president of its Tucson division.

Northern Arizona University's Thomas Whitham receives award for conservation, education

Thomas Whitham, a regents' professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Northern Arizona University (NAU), has been named a recipient of the first-ever Frances B. McAllister Award for Conservation and Education by the Arboretum of Flagstaff.

Scammers target APS customers; APS offers fraud-prevention tips

APS customers across Arizona are being targeted by individuals falsely representing themselves by phone as APS employees.

Arizona Corporation Commission offers paperless option for some cases

The Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) has launched a service to reduce costs and increase efficiency by offering electronic delivery of ACC notices to parties with cases before the commission.

Digital Caddies teams up with Phoenix-based Adzzup

Digital Caddies Inc., a cloud-based content and media system for golf courses and golfers, has partnered with Adzzup Inc., a Phoenix-based company that sells local advertising and marketing services to businesses across the country.

Scottsdale-based Certive Solutions names new vice president of sales

Scottsdale-based Certive Solutions Inc., which creates revenue management solutions for the U.S. health care market, recently said Michael Groeger has joined the company as vice president of sales.