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Aqua America Reports Q1 Earnings

Aqua America, Inc. (NYSE: WTR) reported financial result for the first quarter 2007, which missed analyst estimates by a penny: Revenue rose 16.4% to $137.3 million and net income rose 2% to $16.9 million compared to Q106. EPA was flat at $0.13 per share on two percent more shares outstanding. Increased revenue was due primarily to recent rate awards, which accounted for an additional $10.3 million in revenue. Revenue from regulated and non-regulated acquisitions accounted for $6.9 million, including the acquisitions of New York Water Service Corporation, which serves water to 135,000 residents on Long Island and added five percent to the company’s customer base, and a septage hauling business acquired last summer. Net income was up slightly, despite being negatively impacted by higher expenses, due in part to a sharp increase in main breaks associated with the rapid drop in temperatures in Midwest and Mid-Atlantic operating territories during February. “The above average temperatures we experienced during January swung drastically and February was the coldest on record since 1979,” said Aqua America Chairman and CEO Nicholas DeBenedictis. “Additionally, hurting year-over-year net income comparisons was a one-time, non-recurring item that positively affected the first quarter of 2006 and the effects of […]

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Poll: Green is No Longer Marginalized in US

The results of a new survey indicate a shift is occurring in the collective consciousness of the US population – green is no longer an issue marginalized to fanatical environmentalists; nearly all Americans display green attitudes and behaviors versus a year ago. The conclusion: we’re in the midst of one of the greatest shifts in the U.S. in recent history. The survey found that 40% of the U.S. population believes global warming is the leading environmental concern. 20% blame themselves for the state of the environment. That wouldn’t be news unless you compare it with a 2006 survey that showed most U.S. citizens were unfamiliar with the concept of green and how their actions affected the environment. “Consumers have woken up to the environmental consequences of their purchase decisions, and are changing their behavior to ensure they limit their negative impacts on our environment,” said Russ Meyer, Chief Strategy Officer of Landor Associates. “The survey indicates that consumers are demanding more green products and business practices, but the challenge will be for companies to effectively navigate through this evolving consumer landscape to ensure their sustainability practices are seen as more than just lip service.” When asked what their perceptions were […]

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PepsiCo Goes 100% Green Energy

PepsiCo has committed to purchase renewable energy certificates (RECs) equal to all the electricity used by the company in the U.S.- its manufacturing facilities, headquarters, distribution centers and regional offices. The 1.1 billion-plus kilowatt-hours (kWh) purchase making it the largest purchaser of green power in the country. It is enough energy to power 90,000 average American homes each year. “Energy is a key focus for PepsiCo’s environmental sustainability agenda,” says John Compton, CEO of PepsiCo North America. “The purchase of these RECs is not only in line with our progress to date, but further advances our commitment to sustainability and helps make a positive impact in the communities we serve across the country.” EPA’s Green Power Partnership, launched in 2001, works with more than 700 partner organizations that voluntarily buy green power to reduce the environmental impacts associated with conventional electricity use and to promote the development of new green power resources nationwide. PepsiCo now leads the following lists: The Top 25 list, which recognizes the nation’s largest purchasers of green power. EPA partners are buying more than 8.9 billion kilowatt-hours kWh of green power annually, an increase of nearly 425% since the end of 2004. EPA’s Fortune 500 Challenge, […]

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Pentagon Says Oil Reliance Strains Military

URL: http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2007/05/01/pentagon_study_says_oil_reliance_strains_military/ Website: http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2007/05/01/pentagon_study_says_oil_reliance_strains_military/     

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