APS parent company lauded for sustainable practices

APS has taken pride in serving Arizona for 126 years — longer than Arizona has been a state. We've achieved that milestone by making decisions that consider our societal, economic and environmental impact.

Some call it social responsibility; others corporate citizenship or sustainability. At APS, we call it doing business as usual. We believe making business decisions in collaboration with the communities we serve and that are good for Arizona and APS, is how you get to be a company that is 126 years old and is how we will achieve our vision of creating a sustainable energy future for Arizona.

While we don't operate sustainably to receive accolades, we are proud to have been recently named to the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index (DJSI) for the eighth straight year.

APS parent company, Pinnacle West Capital Corp., has been recognized in the DJSI every year since the Index first was established in 2005 and is one of only nine North American electric utilities included in the 2012 listing.

APS vice president and chief sustainability officer Ed Fox said it best:

“At APS and Pinnacle West, our commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable business practices are key drivers in our long-term corporate strategy and our day-to-day decisions. We adhere to a business approach that balances financial strength with an equal focus on the environmental and community impacts of our decisions. Throughout our 126-year history, we have remained committed to delivering shareholder value in ways that foster both social and environmental responsibility. This vision will help ensure our business continues to thrive for the next 126 years.”

The annual DJSI review — the premier index recognizing sustainable business practices for publicly held corporations — is based on thorough quantitative and qualitative analysis of corporate governance, economic, environmental and social performances. Specifically, the DJSI evaluates corporate governance, risk management, climate strategy, environmental policy/management systems, supply chain standards and labor practices.

“Our commitment to corporate citizenship and sustainability is based in our values — safety, integrity and trust, respect and accountability, and whether we are addressing economic, societal or environmental issues, our values are the foundation of our decision-making model,” said Fox.

Andrea Bereznak is the business and community relations manager for APS. She can be reached at andrea.bereznak@aps.com.