Agribusiness Leader Announces Policy to Protect Forests and Communities
Climate Advisers and The Forest Trust (TFT) joined Asia’s largest agribusiness company, Wilmar International, and global consumer goods leader, Unilever, to announce a new policy to protect forests and communities, in part, by implementing a no-deforestation, no-peat and no-exploitation policy that applies to its own operations as well as its subsidiaries and third-party vendors. The agreement is designed to boost sustainable market transformation for the palm oil industry, of which Wilmar controls 45 percent globally, making the industry more environmentally and socially responsible. tft-forests.org
APS Rate Change Takes Effect for New Rooftop Solar Customers
The Arizona Corporation Commission approved changes to the rules and rates applying to rooftop solar in the Arizona Public Service territory.
A fee of 70 cents per kilowatt/per month will take effect on Jan. 1 for all new solar rooftop customers. The charge to new solar customers will average $4.90 per month, according to APS. Commissioners asked APS to report quarterly on the pace of customers adopting rooftop solar to help with decisions on any adjustment to the fees in the future. All rooftop solar homeowners as of Dec. 31, 2013, will be grandfathered in under the existing rules and rates. aps.com
Stardust Building Supplies Wins EPA Award
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Pacific Southwest Region presented Stardust Building Supplies with an award for the company’s commitment to reuse and zero waste. Stardust is a non-profit building supply company that offers free deconstruction and encourages reuse of the materials. As a result of Stardust’s work, 650 tons of products are diverted from local area landfills each year, reducing urban blight and supporting citywide rebuilding efforts. They have locations in Phoenix, Glendale and Mesa. stardustbuilding.org
Apple Moves to Mesa
Apple Inc., one of the world’s largest technology companies, has chosen Mesa for its newest U.S. manufacturing facility, according to Governor Jan Brewer’s office. The facility will house GT Advanced Technologies Inc., an Apple supplier. GT expects to employ more than 700 people. In addition, the project is expected to produce approximately 1,300 construction and other associated jobs. gtat.com
Photo by Nicholas A. Tonelli
