Exceptional Events: the Return of the Air Quality Conference

After a three year hiatus, the Air Quality Conference made a triumphant return yesterday, with over 175 attendees turning out to hear presentations on topics from the EPA’s Exceptional Events rule to streamlining permitting procedures.

A full room for yesterday's Air Quality Conference

We’re grateful to presenting sponsor Ryley, Carlock & Applewhite, who kicked off the event with a presentation from attorney Bert Acken along with Polsinelli attorney Maribeth Klein. Their presentation gave a brief overview of the air quality issues in Maricopa County.

Eddie Al-Rayes from Trinity Consultants then gave the group a run-down of start-up shut-down malfunction.

Colleen McKaughan from the EPA Region 9 finished up the morning programming with an update from the EPA and the forecast for the coming year.

Over lunch, Director Bill Wiley from the Maricopa County Air Quality Department gave the day’s keynote address. He talked about some of the department’s initiatives including the No Burn Day Campaign and the Clean Air App. He also gave a brief history and status update on the Maricopa County 5% Plan.

After lunch, Eric Massey from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality gave an update of the state’s leading air quality issues including exceptional events and ozone. The afternoon followed by an update from Clint Chandler of U.S. Senator Jeff Flake’s office who discussed the work Senator Flake has done to streamline the Exceptional Events Rule and the CLEER Acts.

The all-star afternoon panel

Finally, the afternoon boasted an all-star panel of regulators and regulateds, which included:

·         Bill Wiley (MCAQD)

·         Eric Massey (ADEQ)

·         Phil McNeely (City of Phoenix)

·         Steve Trussell (ARPA)

·         Ann Becker (APS)

·         Christian Stumpf (Lung Assoc.)

·         Jeff Gursh (AZ OHV Coalition)

The panel was moderated by Polsinelli’s Amanda Reeve and addressed ways in which government agencies are working with the private sector on air quality issues.

The conference’s emcee Ken Hooker from the Maricopa County Air Quality Department then wrapped up the day.

All told, it was an extraordinarily successful return for the Air Quality Conference, and we look forward to many more discussions about the regulation of air quality in our state and the impact on Arizona businesses.

For more details about the event, check out the event’s Twitter hashtag- #AQConference

Arizona mining boosts local industries and national economy

By special guest contributor Hal Quinn

Last week, I met with a group of Arizona business leaders, government officials, academics and association heads including Glenn Hamer, president of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and author of this blog. What transpired was a robust discussion on the importance of Arizona’s minerals mining industry to the state’s economy, our nation’s global competitiveness and U.S. manufacturers’ supply chains.

Arizona’s mining sector should be a point of pride for the state, supporting more than 52,000 jobs in 2012 alone.

Left to Right: Hal Quinn, president and CEO of the National Mining Association;
Kelly Norton, president of the Arizona Mining Association;
Glenn Hamer, president and CEO of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry 

In 2012, Arizona minerals mining generated $4.8 billion in total income for workers, business owners, property owners and governments, while supplying nearly two-thirds of United States’ copper needs (65 percent of total U.S. output in 2012).

That copper is fundamental to the production of advanced energy technologies, electrical circuitry and automobiles to name a few applications. In fact, more than one ton of copper is used in a single wind turbine, 64 pounds are needed for each Toyota Prius on the road and 16 grams can be found in each of the world’s six billion cellphones.

Unfortunately, Arizona —and our nation’s — minerals mining industry is being held back from performing to its full potential due to a duplicative and outdated federal permitting process for new mine projects.

While Arizona has historically been one of the largest producers of metals and minerals in the U.S., copper production in 2012 was just 61 percent of its level in 1997. Meanwhile, copper output surges in Asia and Latin America, reducing the United States’ share of global production.

Permitting delays are keeping new mining projects in Arizona and across the country offline and much-needed investment at arm’s length. These delays have landed the United States at the bottom of the list in an annual survey reviewing the top 25 mining countries for mining investment attractiveness, according to Behre Dolbear, the leading mineral industry advisory firm.

In September, The U.S. House of Representatives passed the bipartisan “National Strategic and Critical Minerals Production Act of 2013” — or H.R. 761 — to provide some stability and transparency to a presently inefficient process and to serve as an impetus for federal agencies involved in permitting  to better coordinate  while maintaining  our nation’s robust environmental standards.

It would be a welcomed step for Sens. McCain and Flake to take up this legislation in the Senate so that Arizona’s mineral wealth can provide even more high-wage jobs across the state, expand the U.S. economy and supply our domestic industries with the minerals and metals they desperately need.

Hal Quinn is president and CEO of the National Mining Association (NMA), which advocates on behalf of America’s mining and minerals resources.

DEQ acts quickly to streamline licensing and permitting processes

Last session the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality was able to secure $5 million for an e-portal system that would allow businesses to pay for and receive licenses online. In the FY 2014 budget, Governor Brewer proposed that the Department of Administration and Department of Environmental Quality develop an e-portal that would allow regulated customers to have access to permit applications, electronic payment, and alerts through an online database. As part of the funding process, the Information Technology Authorization Committee met earlier this week to recommend to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee that they release $5 million from DOA to DEQ to develop the portal. JLBC will meeting next Tuesday, October 29 at 1:00pm to approve this recommendation.

The online portal will continue to enhance Arizona’s regulatory climate by decreasing permitting and licensing wait times. Paper transactions between businesses and DEQ have proven to be inefficient and burdensome. Currently, DEQ provides approximately 70 different permits. Only three of those are available online. When the “My DEQ” portal is up and running, DEQ projects that some permit wait times could decrease by as much as 99%.

During Governor Brewer’s State of the State, she mention her “Four Cornerstones of Reform”. Among those was modernizing state government. I applaud DEQ for acting quickly and taking such a significant step towards improving and modernizing their agency and hope that the project serves as a model for all other state agencies to follow.

Celgene: Curing cancer and creating jobs in Arizona

October is not just about post-season baseball and Arizona manufacturers- it is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month. That’s why it was so fitting that the latest stop on Governor Brewer’s month-long Arizona Manufacturers tour was to biopharmaceutical manufacturer, Celgene’s Phoenix plant.

 

Celgene employees wear pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Here, Celgene is manufacturing breakthrough therapies to treat melanoma and breast, lung and pancreatic cancers. These innovative treatments are improving outcomes and quality of life for patients fighting some of the most aggressive, devastating diseases of the day and Celgene’s commitment to patient support only multiplies their impact.

This Fortune 500 Company employs 4,500 people worldwide, with 250 employees here at the Phoenix plant. These jobs are high-skill, high-wage positions: the average Celgene salary is $90,000 and more than half of the Phoenix employees have a post-secondary degree. Of those with post-secondary degrees, 42 percent come from one of Arizona’s three world-class universities.

 

Gov. Brewer and I discuss Celgene's work to improve patient outcomes and create quality Arizona jobs

Celgene is creating high-quality jobs and a rewarding work environment for its Arizona employees. But don’t take my word for it- in 2013 a Business Insider report declared Celgene to be the best company in the country to work for, based on employee satisfaction and salaries. Celgene beat out companies like Google, Chevron and Yahoo! to earn this top honor.

We know that manufacturers create jobs that are highly satisfying, require great skill and pay competitive wages.  Celgene is doing all of this while creating life-saving cancer treatments. As I’ve mentioned, thanks to the leadership of Governor Brewer and our state legislature, Arizona is an extraordinarily friendly place for manufacturers to do business. We need to continue to do all we can to attract and expand these kinds of jobs in our state. 

 Gov. Brewer presents Celgene with the Arizona Manufacturers Month proclamation

As we enter the homestretch of the month of playoff beards and pink ribbons, we should take pride in companies like Celgene and others who are creating life-changing, innovative products right here in Arizona.

Technology and manufacturing company Medtronic saving lives and stimulating AZ economy

Governor Brewer's month-long tour of Arizona Manufacturers continued yesterday with the tour of the Medtronic campus in Tempe. Medtronic is a worldwide recognized leader in implantable microelectronic design, development and manufacturing.  Know someone who has had heart treatment? They likely have a pacemaker or defibrillator created and manufactured right here from Medtronic. Know someone affected by diabetes? Hopefully they know about Medtronic's insulin pump that is the first prescribed pump with continuous remote glucose monitoring capabilities.

The Medtronic Tempe facility

We can talk in true generalities about the importance and impact of manufacturing to Arizona's economy, but to further add credibility, I want to share with you some of Medtronic's impressive numbers.

• 900 plus employees in Tempe (46,000 total, making it the world's largest medical device manufacturer)

• Tempe campus is over 30 acres with 400,000 total sq. feet of building of which 100,000 sq. feet is production space

• 272 engineers and an R&D operation

• 16 Technical Fellows

• 3 Bakken Fellows (this is a HUGE deal)

•  Nearly 150 patents granted

And jobs.jobs.jobs. Good jobs! Medtronic's Tempe campus has a total payroll of approximately $100 million. The average or median salary is $113,231 for non-hourly employees.

Medtronic is a prime example of the companies that Arizona needs to grow its economy and make the state a great place to live. It is our responsibility to make sure that Arizona continues to be an environment that is inviting to innovative companies.

Gov. Brewer gives a copy of the Arizona Manufacturers

 Month proclamation to Medtronic

As the Governor outlined in her talk yesterday, Arizona has made great strides to positively set itself apart as a business-friendly state particularly in the tax and regulatory areas. I'd add that this progress has been possible thanks to the leadership of Governor Brewer and our state legislature. Through their efforts, our state has done more than any other to ensure an environment that fosters economic growth over the past several years.

Note: The post was corrected to properly reflect the tour being yesterday.

MIM: The Most Extraordinary Museum You'll Ever Hear

Yesterday I had the distinct privilege of learning about the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) firsthand from its President and Director, Carrie Heinonen.

MIM offers a collection of more than 15,000 instruments, focusing on five major global regions: Africa and the Middle East; Asia and Oceania; Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean; and the United States and Canada. The MIM experience is a one-of-a-kind blending of an awe-inspiring museum collection and state-of-the-art audiovisual technology.

MIM is fun for all ages! Children especially love the 

Experience Gallery. Photo courtesy of MIM.

There may be other museums of musical instruments in the world, but none have taken on the unique task of bringing together such a broad collection of instruments from more than 200 countries and territories around the world. Each section of MIM's collection transports you to a new part of the world, allowing you to experience each instrument in its original cultural setting.

MIM features instruments from around the world. Photo courtesy of MIM.

With 200,000 square feet of space, every turn in the museum reveals a new world to explore. Whether it's the music of the royal court of Rwanda or the sights and sounds of a Taylor Swift concert, visitors of all backgrounds will find something to pique their interest. 

There’s no lack of detail taken into account either. Even MIM’s architecture is meant to tell a story. The materials and patterns of the building are intended to mimic the desert landscape of Arizona and celebrate musical composition and instruments. Pay attention as you drive towards the building and you’ll recognize the familiar keys of a piano in the shape of the building’s windows.

MIM's use of Indian sandstone is meant to complement and blend with 

surrounding desert colors. Photo courtesy of MIM.

There’s no question that a city rich in cultural offerings helps to draw both new businesses and qualified professionals to a region.  These cultural elements – museums, orchestras, ballets, etc. – all help to create jobs, attract new investments, generate tax revenues, and boost the economy with additional tourism spending. A vibrant arts and culture industry is essential to the well-being of Arizona as a whole. Thankfully, Arizona has embraced this concept, welcoming establishments like MIM.

Don't miss the "Women Who Rock: Vision, Passion Power" Exhibit. 

Housed in MIM's Target Gallery until April 20, 2014. Photo courtesy of MIM.

Although my career playing the violin ended unceremoniously in the fifth grade, I can tell you that MIM is an enjoyable destination for all levels of musicians and music aficionados. If you have a free afternoon, I encourage you to head over to the museum and explore. 

MIM truly is a gem in the crown of Arizona’s arts and culture segment.

Vive Guadalajara! Chamber joins Mayor Stanton delegation in Mexico's second-largest city

Greetings from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, where I’m visiting this beautiful, culturally rich city as part of an Arizona trade delegation led by Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton to promote further trade, investment and tourism.

As a veteran of international trade delegations, nothing garners respect from the host city and country like having officials at the level of Mayor Stanton and Councilman Michael Nowakowski, who is also part of the delegation, on hand. With them and Gov. Jan Brewer’s policy adviser on Mexico and the executive director of the Arizona-Mexico Commission, Margie Emmermann, on hand, it indicates a level of seriousness that can’t be matched.

Guadalajara is Mexico’s second-largest city, the capital of Jalisco and home to over 4 million inhabitants in the metro area. The city offers a stunning array of both business and tourism opportunities. On the business side, there is a growing focus on technology, health care and bioscience, all areas of growth for Arizona, too. On the tourism side, the city is recognized as Mexico’s home of mariachi music, the state is the country’s capital of the tequila industry, and the city’s colonial architecture and legacy offers a great history lesson.

Like any big city, Guadalajara loves its sports. It’s home to the famous Mexican soccer Club Deportivo Guadalajara, more commonly known as Chivas. The team plays at the new state-of-the-art Estadio Omnilife. But other sports are big here, too, which is why it’s such a treat to have the Diamondbacks’ own Luis Gonzalez on the trip. The Dbacks and our state can’t ask for a better ambassador for baseball, sport and better cross-border relationships than Gonzo.

Luis Gonzalez presents Guadalajara Chamber of Commerce President Francisco Beckman Gonzalez with a D-Backs cap

I am pleased that Arizona Chamber board members, Jaime Molera, Mark Dobbins and Debbie Johnson were able to make the trip. Debbie heads up the Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association and is a recognized leader in her industry. Debbie also chairs the Chamber’s Trade and Tourism Committee, an area we will continue to increase our focus in the coming year, especially as we seek ways to grow Arizona’s trade opportunities with our southern neighbor by improving staff levels and infrastructure in and around our land border ports. Also representing our state’s tourism interests is Sherry Henry, the executive director of the Arizona Office of Tourism.

Tourism looms large this trip as the Mexican airline Volaris begins non-stop service tomorrow to Phoenix (Oct. 19).  US Airways already offers non-stop service to the city, which is how I flew into town. The representatives from the travel and tourism industry are particularly excited that there will be increased air traffic to bring our friends from Mexico to visit Arizona, and vice-versa.  Each new flight means real new economic activity for Arizona. 

I was proud to be joined by my counterpart at the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Gonzalo de la Melena, in signing a memorandum of understanding with the Guadalajara Chamber of Commerce to promote collaboration in the areas of economic development and entrepreneurism. New air service is a great way to kick things off, but six million U.S. jobs depend on trade with Mexico, so the more we can do to cultivate links between our two countries, the better it will be for both countries’ economies.