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Community involvement is one of the tenets upon which our company is built. We understand that the health and vitality of our local communities and economy is paramount to the strength and vitality of our business.
Pinnacle West and its employees actively contribute to our communities. Whether it’s sponsoring Fourth of July celebrations, Getting Arizonans Involved in Neighborhoods (GAIN) events, lighting community ball fields, hosting holiday events for underprivileged children or helping school-based health clinics, our company is an active and proud community citizen and participant.
Our employees generously give of their personal time. In 2002, employees contributed more than 125,000 hours completing approximately 300 community-based projects.
In addition to volunteer hours, our employees contribute generously to local charities. In 2002, employees earned the company top honors for giving from the United Way’s Valley of the Sun Chapter for companies with 5,000 to 10,000 employees. APS matches 50 cents for every employee dollar donated, increasing our 2002 donation to United Way charities to more than $2 million.
The summer of 2002 arrived in the West with fierce forest fires. Eastern Arizona’s Rodeo-Chedeski fire was among the nation’s largest, burning nearly 500,000 acres and destroying more than 400 homes.
Before the fire was contained, Pinnacle West and its employees mobilized to help those impacted by the disaster. The company opened collection sites at a number of locations and worked directly with relief shelters, donating supplies and providing equipment and transportation. More than two-dozen employees volunteered 500-plus hours delivering and distributing the supplies and food, and cooking and helping at relief shelters.
APS also has contributed funding and volunteers to "Trees for the Mogollon Rim," a special fund of the Arizona Community Tree Council that coordinated efforts to replant trees on residential, commercial and community lands damaged by the fire. APS arborists and volunteers planted trees and aided in cleanup and relief efforts.
Line Siting and Construction Projects
As an electric utility in a rapidly growing area, we engage community stakeholders in two primary areas – line siting and construction of new power plants. We address community concerns through a variety of forums, including public meetings, advisory boards, outreach events, monthly billing inserts, notices and newsletters. We open community advisory panel membership to interested area residents who are willing to devote the necessary time for participation.
We update local news media and residents regarding the most recent scientific information about Electric and Magnetic Field (EMF) issues and we will measure ambient EMF levels for customers and provide third-party educational materials upon request.
Public Participation
Our employees participate in the creation of public policy at the local, state, national and global levels. We believe that being a good corporate citizen involves participation in the formation of sound public policy. We encourage our employees to hold elected office in their communities, and our vice presidents of government and federal affairs give APS a voice in the law-making process. Additionally, we participate in the formation of global air policy at the regional and global level.
Pinnacle West Public Affairs is forming new alliances with governors, legislative leaders, trade groups and associations in the West. We also are involved in developing a new coalition of western businesses and energy interests to support the development of balanced energy policy in the U.S. and the West.
We work closely with the state’s infrastructure groups to forge strategic and unified voice for business. We work with the Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC) and the Greater Phoenix Leadership (GPL). In Phoenix’s west valley we are allied with WESTMARC. In Phoenix’s east valley we work with a similar group — the East Valley Partnership. In addition we are involved in the Valley Business Council, which consists of representatives from all the Phoenix-area chambers of commerce. We are also involved with Valley Forward Association, an Arizona group which brings civic organizations and businesses together to improve the environment and quality of life in Valley communities. Pinnacle West also promotes educational and economic development in Arizona through its community relations and economic development departments.
The Greater Phoenix Business Leadership Coalition, formed in November 2001, is a collaborative effort among the region’s business leadership to build and sustain a robust economy, a healthy environment and a quality lifestyle for the region and the state. The group is addressing six primary long-term issues:
- Economic development
- Travel and tourism
- Transportation
- Education
- Federal economic policy
- Tax and fiscal policy
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