E-Update

It’s not for lack of interest, collaborative effort or even political will that the renewable energy industry in Arizona is fledging. Regulatory uncertainties have hindered our transition to clean energy. That’s what business leaders told Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar in Tempe recently as part of a roundtable discussion on how to advance the renewable energy sector in our state. 

Financing, siting and transmission are also concerns but nothing matters more than the ability to sell renewable energy to California, where demand is highest. And in fact, the Secretary was meeting with Gov. Brown almost immediately following his visit to Arizona.

The promising news is that with leadership at federal, state and local levels, we can grow the renewable energy sector and create new jobs while enhancing our environmental quality. And, Arizona is uniquely poised to be a leader in the development of clean energy like wind and solar on public, private and tribal lands.

There are countless forums, programs and coalitions around how best to grow this industry sector and no shortage of ways to engage in the issue. Up next, a Renewable Energy Economic Summit and Conference presented by Pinal Partnership and Arizona Forward from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 7, at Mission Royale Golf Club in Casa Grande. It will cover public policy, efficiency, untapped renewables, job creation and the future role of solar in Arizona’s economy.

It's clear that Arizona stands ready to deploy our workforce, encourage business innovation and promote U.S. leadership in 21st century clean technologies. We are committed to working towards solutions that will build a clean energy economy – and jobs of tomorrow – here in the Grand Canyon State!

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Want to really take advantage of your Valley Forward membership? Join an Issue Committee and get involved in advocacy, education and outreach efforts related to renewable energy and energy conservation; a non-motorized regional trails system in the Valley; a balanced, multi-modal transportation system; air quality initiatives; and sound water management policies and water conservation. Click here to learn more and sign up today. 

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Total Transit was established in March 1984 and has grown into one of the premier transportation companies in the Southwest.

Total Transit’s largest division is Private Transportation, commonly recognized as Discount Cab. Discount Cab currently operates almost 700 vehicles from bases in east and west Maricopa County and Tucson. Each year, over 1.5 million calls are dispatched to 1,000+ drivers. Recently, Total Transit was selected to provide taxi service in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The Public Transportation Division provides Dial-A-Ride, fixed and flex route, express and other transit and related services for private and public entities and transit authorities.  

The Transportation Management Division has provided transportation management services for managed care agencies throughout Arizona for many years and recently expanded into California providing non-emergency medical transportation in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties.  
   
Total Transit has received various awards recognizing their commitment to quality and their community:

• Phoenix Business Journal selected CEO Craig Hughes as one of their top 25 most admired CEO’s in Arizona. 

• The Taxicab, Limousine and Paratransit Association (TLPA) named Discount Cab their 2009 Large Taxicab Fleet Operator of the Year and recognized a driver as Driver of the Year in 2010. 


• Total Transit has been recognized as one of the Phoenix Business Journal’s “Green Pioneers for 2010," received the Award of Merit from Valley Forward in the category of Environmental Excellence – Livable Communities, Multimodal Transportation and received an Arizona Corporate Excellence Award as one of the Top 50 Privately Held Companies in Arizona.

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Valley Forward is featured in a sustainability focused exhibit at ASU College of Public Program’s 411 Gallery. We have partnered with local artist Joan Baron to create a mixed media installation titled Get Your Bike On (The Peddler Delivers) that will be on display from Jan. 28 through May 12. The 411 gallery exhibition is open for public viewing from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, except for holidays. Stop by and check it out!

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Arizona Forward and Pinal Partnership are presenting a Renewable Energy Economic Summit and Conference in Casa Grande on Tuesday, Feb. 7. A newly commissioned report on the economic benefits of renewable energy will be unveiled by Elliot D. Pollack & Company. These efforts align with our mission to advance environmental quality in balance with economic growth. Click here for more information. 

Demonstrate your leadership and join Arizona Forward today! Click here for membership information. Click here to download the membership application. To discuss your involvement, call Diane Brossart at (602) 240-2408 or email dbrossart@arizonaforward.org.

Charter members of Arizona Forward include: Arizona Community Foundation, Cox Communications, First Solar, Freeport McMoran Copper and Gold, National Bank of Arizona, Solon Corporation, Sundt Construction, The Nature Conservancy, Total Transit and Wells Fargo.

Be sure to like our Arizona Forward page on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!

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JANUARY LUNCHEON ON CIVIL DISCOURSE

An interactive panel of local experts discussed civil discourse, the shifting of politics in Arizona, consensus building and regional thinking at our January luncheon held at the Tempe Mission Palms Hotel.

dasHAUS VIP TOUR

In partnership with the German American Chamber of Commerce, Valley Forward hosted a special VIP tour of dasHAUS, a traveling demonstration house of advanced technologies from Germany as applied to home construction and solar energy use. The dasHAUS Pavilion features concepts from the Technical University of Darmstadt’s 2007 and 2009 first-place entries in the Solar Decathlon.

FUTURE CITY COMPETITION

Valley Forward member volunteers gathered at the Burton Barr Central Library in January to judge the 2012 Future City Competition, where nearly a hundred models from schools across the state were presented. Our Livable Communities Award was given to the design that most contributes to a balance between economic development and environmental harmony; the “livable community” is one in which we can sustain growth into the future, without overwhelming natural resources – air, water, open space and desert vistas. The award was presented to the team of 7th and 8th graders from Veritas Homeschool.

THE PRESIDENT'S VISIT TO INTEL

Valley Forward along with several Visionary and board members were invited to hear the President speak at Intel's Ocotillo campus last week.

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Diane Brossart is a regular guest blogger for KTAR 92.3 News Talk Radio and AZ Big Media. Check out our her recent postings:

KTAR Guest Blog

A TRANSITION TO CLEAN ENERGY

AZ Big Media Guest Blog

CIVIL DISCOURSE: WHAT, HOW AND WHY NOW?

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Check out our latest guest blog submissions:

• “BALANCING” LIMITS POTENTIAL, by Mick Dalrymple of ASU's Global Institute of Sustainability


• TO SURVIVE AND PROSPER, by Dr. George Brooks of NxT Horizon Group

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DANCING WITH THE STARS...Most of us know her as the queen of green promoting SRP’s Earth Wise Energy program and other environmental initiatives but Lori Singleton, a past chair and current director of Valley Forward, is also a talented dancer and will show her stuff in the 2012 Dancing with the Stars Arizona event as a Celebrity Star Dancer, which will raise money for the National Kidney Foundation of AZ. Click here to vote and show your support!


30th ANNIVERSARY...Congratulations to John Douglas Architects for celebrating 30 years of success.


SUSTAINABILITY RISING…USGBC Arizona State Conference on Feb. 9 is focused on the topic of advancing the mission of green building practices that will support our economy and our environment locally and globally.


FUTURE OF WATER… Arizona Capitol Times Morning Scoop on Feb. 7 will feature a stellar panel of Arizona water experts.


FAVE BAGS…Check out these sustainably handcrafted reusable fruit and vegetable bags that are made by a co-op of women in rural El Salvador. 


WOMAN OF THE YEAR…Sue Glawe, vice president of community relations for of Blue Cross and Blue Shield Arizona, was recently named Woman of the Year by Valley Leadership.   


ARIZONA CENTENNIAL...An official centennial event, the week-long conference will celebrate Arizona's 100th year of statehood and will take place at the Point Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort on April 18 -22.


SCOTTDALE ARTWALK…the Best of Scottsdale ArtWalk is bringing Arizona-style artistry to the streets of the Scottsdale Arts District on Feb. 16.


SOLAR SUMMIT...ASU's Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law is hosting a conference on March 26-27 with a special focus on how state actors can work together with federal agencies in developing a solar future for the Southwest. 


ENERGIZE PHOENIX…Energy Efficiency on an Urban Scale is a report released late last year and summarizes the first year experience of the federally-funded Better Building partnership among the city of Phoenix, APS and ASU’s Global Institute of Sustainability.

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TRANSPORTATION/AIR
Meets at 9 a.m. on the second Thursday of each month
Next meeting: February 9


LAND USE/OPEN SPACE
Meets at 9 a.m. on the third Tuesday of each month
Next meeting: February 21


CANALSCAPE
Meets at 9 a.m. on the third Tuesday of each month
Next meeting: February 16


ENERGY
Meets at 9 a.m. on the fourth Thursday of each month
Next meeting: February 23

 
WATER
Meets at 9 a.m. on the first Tuesday of each month
Next meeting: March 6

To register your participation on an Issue Committee for 2012, click here and login to your individual profile page using your email address and password.

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STANDING COMMITTEES

NETWORKING & CONNECTIONS   
8 a.m., Friday, Feb. 17
Urban Beans
3508 N. 7th Street, Suite 100
Phoenix, AZ 85014
RSVP to Jhenifer Krutz

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