Roberts Environmental Center at Claremont McKenna College (CMC) awarded Pinnacle West Capital Corp’s 2008 Corporate Responsibility Report the highest overall score among utilities in the USA recently. The Center, which examines social responsibility reporting of businesses, gave Pinnacle West’s 2008 report an A+. The next highest ranked utility received a B+.

The research was based entirely on material published on the company’ websites. Two of the smallest firms, Mirant (energy sector) and Pinnacle West Capital (utilities sector), described details of their socially beneficial actions and environmental management the best, according to the Center's press release on its findings.

Pinnacle West's 2008 Corporate Responsibility Report focussed on the company’s efforts to build a more sustainable company and future for Arizona’s environment, economy and communities.

“Sustainability is not a flavor of the month, or a green initiative that comes and goes depending on other priorities,” Ed Fox, APS Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer, was reported to have said. “Rather, it is our business model. We undertake initiatives that are sustainable as part of our core business strategy for short- and long-term success of the company, our customers and shareholders.”

PNW’s reports are prepared in accordance with guidelines set by CERES, a coalition of public-interest and investor organizations. To the extent possible, the report also follows the Global Reporting Initiatives (GRI) guidelines. These guidelines were established to develop globally applicable standards for sustainability reporting.

Pinnacle West is a Phoenix-based company with consolidated assets of about $11.4 billion. Through its subsidiaries, the Company generates, sells and delivers electricity and sells energy-related products and services to retail and wholesale customers in the western United States. It also develops residential, commercial, and industrial real estate projects.a