Fortescue, a global leader in green energy, recently announced the official launch of its first U.S. green hydrogen production facility, Arizona Hydrogen, in Buckeye, Arizona.

Fortescue Executive Chair and Founder Dr. Andrew Forrest AO, along with state, local, and tribal leaders, were on-site recently to celebrate the significant milestone, which included a soil turn ceremony and renaming of the facility.

In his remarks, Forrest commended the Biden administration鈥檚 efforts in promoting the energy transition but highlighted the need for supportive policies to accelerate progress in green energy initiatives.

鈥淭he U.S. has made serious strides in attracting global investment in green hydrogen and decarbonization projects, like Fortescue鈥檚 solar and wind-powered Arizona Hydrogen facility,鈥� Forrest said. 鈥淔ortescue is unashamedly a first-mover in this space; the world needs us to move quickly.鈥�

Potential speedbumps

But Forrest also expressed concerns about potential regulations that could hinder the industry鈥檚 growth and limit economic opportunities. He urged for policies that encourage rather than restrict progress in sustainable energy production.

鈥淭here are rules right now under consideration with the Biden Administration that would make already announced projects like this one dramatically more expensive and smaller, resulting in fewer economic opportunities and slower progress on decarbonization,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 support the Biden administration鈥檚 goal to produce hydrogen in a way that prioritizes sustainability, however 45V, in its current form, is a straitjacket on the industry and works against the Biden Administration鈥檚 own climate goals.鈥� 

45V is a tax credit created in 2022 following the passage of the (IRA) that incentivizes the production of hydrogen by reducing the tax burden on eligible producers. 

Good news for jobs

According to economic projections from NDP Analytics, the Arizona Hydrogen facility is expected to create significant employment opportunities and economic benefits for the region. 

During its construction phase, the facility could generate up to 2,244 jobs, with potential earnings of $124.2 million in wages. It is anticipated to contribute $187.8 million to Arizona鈥檚 GDP and generate $31.7 million in income and sales taxes for state and local governments.

Once operational, Arizona Hydrogen will sustain 40 high-paying jobs directly, with a potential total of 431 direct, indirect, and induced jobs, contributing $29.3 million in wages. The facility is projected to add $59.2 million to Arizona鈥檚 GDP annually, along with $9.1 million in income and sales taxes for state and local governments.

Shrinking transportation鈥檚 carbon footprint

Arizona Hydrogen鈥檚 strategic focus on green hydrogen production aligns with efforts to decarbonize the heavy-duty transportation sector. The facility aims to produce up to 11,000 tons of liquid green hydrogen annually, making significant strides in reducing emissions in the mobility sector.

Governor Stephen Roe Lewis of the Gila River Indian Community and Buckeye Mayor Eric Orsborn expressed enthusiasm for the project鈥檚 potential impact on sustainability and economic growth in Arizona.

鈥淚n recognizing and honoring the traditional lands of the Akimel O鈥檕tham and Pee Posh people, we have a profound connection and shared responsibility as stewards of the earth. Companies like Fortescue are helping to pave the way for a more sustainable and equitable future for our generations to come,鈥� Lewis said.

鈥淏uckeye is happy to welcome Arizona Hydrogen to the Sustainable Valley. Fortescue鈥檚 investment in our community helps Buckeye, and the entire state of Arizona, continue to grow efficiently and sustainably for generations to come,鈥� Orsborn said.

Sandra Watson, president and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority, echoed these sentiments, highlighting Arizona Hydrogen鈥檚 role in strengthening Arizona鈥檚 position as a national leader in sustainability and clean energy technologies

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Sixteen Arizona middle-schoolers on Friday took center stage at the Arizona competition of the National Civics Bee, showing off not only their knowledge of American civics, but also their creative ideas for tackling some of their communities鈥� most pressing challenges.

Held at the Flinn Foundation in central Phoenix, the event was a collaboration of the Arizona Chamber Foundation and the U.S. Chamber Foundation.

Arizona a leader in civics education 

Danny Seiden, president and CEO of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry, spoke of Arizona鈥檚 distinction as the first state in the country to mandate a civics exam for high school graduation and shared his belief in the critical role of civic education. 

Participants were selected by their local chambers of commerce in Gilbert, Queen Creek, Tucson, and Yuma County.

鈥淎s chamber leaders, together with our member businesses, we are committed to helping Arizona remain a terrific place not just to do business but to live and raise a family.鈥� Seiden said. 鈥淭his competition gives all businesses a way to show their support for civic education and help inspire a new generation of civic leaders in Arizona.鈥� 

鈥淎merica鈥檚 democracy depends on informed, active citizen participation. The National Civics Bee is a way to ensure a high-quality, non-partisan learning and civic engagement experience for students,鈥� Arizona Chamber Foundation President and CEO Eileen Klein said. 鈥淎nd it鈥檚 a way to help elevate the importance of civic education statewide.鈥�

The event 

The event began with two rounds of multiple-choice questions that tested the depth of the students鈥� knowledge on topics ranging from each branch of government鈥檚 unique role, important Supreme Court decisions, the Federalist Papers, the Constitution, and more.

In the final round, five finalists presented to an all-star panel of judges a short proposal to solve an issue facing their community.

A gubernatorial proclamation

Emcee Kim Covington, the vice president for community initiatives at the Arizona Community Foundation, read a proclamation from Gov. Katie Hobbs, which said, in part, that 鈥渃ivics education is essential to prepare students with the knowledge and skills to participate as informed members of their communities.鈥�

The governor declared May 3, 2024 as Civics Bee in Arizona Day.

The judges

• State Supreme Court Justice Kathryn King
• State Rep. Jennifer Pawlik (LD-13)
• Liam Julian, Director of Public Policy for the Sandra Day O’Connor Institute for American Democracy
• Nicole Bidwill, Vice President, Arizona Cardinals
• Dawn Wallace, Vice President for Civic Leadership, Flinn Foundation

The winner

Aiden Barraza, from Saint Francis Xavier, will represent Arizona at the National Civics Bee competition in Washington, D.C. this fall. 

For winning the Arizona competition, Aiden not only earned a spot in the national competition but also walked away with a $1,000 prize.

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As threats of missile attacks persist, Israel is employing cutting-edge technology and sophisticated equipment for its defense. Among these are technologies developed by defense firms operating in Arizona, highlighting the state鈥檚 pivotal defense industry. 

Arrow 

The Arrow system stands out as a premier air defense mechanism against long-range ballistic threats. This high-altitude system is engineered to intercept ballistic missiles outside the Earth鈥檚 atmosphere. The Arrow operates through a kinetic kill vehicle, which destroys incoming missiles upon direct contact, thus neutralizing any threat before it can reach its intended target. 

The Arrow system is a joint effort between Israel Aerospace Industries and Boeing. The latter, with operations in Arizona, specifically contributes to the production of the Arrow鈥檚 interceptors. Boeing鈥檚 expertise in aerospace technologies enhances the efficacy of the Arrow system, providing a significant defense against missile attacks. 

Apache 

Aside from its involvement in the Arrow system, Boeing has a notable presence in supplying equipment to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Boeing鈥檚 Arizona operations are integral in supplying platforms like the AH-64 Apache helicopter to Israel. 

With Boeing鈥檚 manufacturing and innovation hubs located in Arizona, the state serves as a vital nexus in the production of these defense systems. 

David鈥檚 Sling 

David鈥檚 Sling was developed jointly by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, an Israeli firm, and Raytheon Technologies, an American company. This form of defense is designed to intercept enemy missiles and rockets, particularly those targeting mid- to long-range. 

Unlike the Arrow, David鈥檚 Sling deals with threats such as tactical ballistic missiles, medium- to long-range rockets, and cruise missiles. 

Raytheon has a big presence in Arizona, particularly in Tucson where it鈥檚 the city鈥檚 largest private employer and where advanced missile systems are designed and manufactured. This presence boosts local economies and plays a critical role in the development of defense technologies that are important on a global scale. 

Some other advanced technologies developed in Arizona used by Israel include night vision equipment from Litton Systems and micro-processing products from White Microelectronics. 

These partnerships are facilitated by Arizona鈥檚 strategic initiatives, such as the trade office opened in Israel in 2019 and are bolstered by funding from collaborations like the Binational Industrial Research and Development Foundation (BIRD). These partnerships enhance military and defense capabilities, while also stimulating economic growth by creating jobs and fostering technological advancements in both regions.

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A new bipartisan effort led by Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ) in the U.S. House of Representatives aims to widen veterans’ access to educational opportunities, particularly in high-demand skilled trade and vocational programs. 

The proposed bill, titled the Veterans Education and Technical Skills (VETS) Opportunity Act, aims to extend educational benefits under the post-9/11 GI Bill to include hybrid versions of skilled trade training programs. 

The bill鈥檚 backers say the initiative represents a significant step towards modernizing veterans鈥� educational benefits to align with evolving learning trends and address workforce shortages in essential trades. 

鈥淭his legislation makes an important modernization to our veterans鈥� GI benefits to include hybrid skilled trade educational programs,鈥� Ciscomani said. 鈥淣ot only does this improve the way our veterans access their benefits but also helps to tackle the current workforce shortage in skilled trades.鈥�

Veterans often face barriers to employment upon returning to civilian life, including a lack of access to relevant training and certification programs. The VETS Opportunity Act seeks to dismantle these barriers by providing veterans with the necessary resources to acquire in-demand skills and qualifications, which would enhance their employment prospects in today’s competitive job market.

Hiring veterans is likely to boost private firms鈥� bottom line.

Consulting firm McKinsey & Co. last year that veterans are 鈥渁 source of labor potential that is untapped relative to the breadth of experience and depth of skills that they acquire and develop during their service,鈥� and that 鈥渢he economic opportunity of unleashing the value of veterans鈥� work experience through skills-based hiring could reach almost $15 billion over a ten-year period.鈥�

Support for the bill comes from various organizations including the American Legion and the National Association of State Approving Agencies (NASAA).

鈥淭he proposed change would expand post-9/11 GI Bill eligibility to veterans enrolled in high-quality, postsecondary programs offered in a hybrid educational format that teach in-demand skilled trades that are aligned with the requirements of state and local employers,鈥� John Bowen, Sr., chairman of the American Legion鈥檚 Veterans Employment & Education Commission said. 

The VETS Opportunity Act has been referred to the House Veterans鈥� Affairs Committee.

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