In brief: Amazon.com plans wind farm to power data centers
SEATTLE – Long criticized by some environmentalists for indifference to clean energy, Amazon.com took a big step toward using renewable energy Tuesday, announcing plans to support the construction and operation of a western Indiana wind farm.
Amazon will work with Pattern Energy Group to build the Amazon Web Services Wind Farm for an undisclosed cost. The facility, which may come online as soon as early 2016, should generate about 500,000 megawatt hours of power annually. That’s roughly enough to power 46,000 American homes a year.
Amazon will be using the energy to power the massive data centers of Amazon Web Services, the division that rents data storage and computer-server time to corporations and agencies to run core business processes.
Revett Mining to close Montana mine
HELENA – Revett Mining Co. said it is closing a copper and silver mine in northwestern Montana due to low metals prices and is laying off about 70 employees.
The Spokane Valley-based company announced Monday it would end development work, continue milling operations through the end of January and then place the mine on “care and maintenance” mode.
Revett CEO John Shanahan said the orderly shutdown would ensure the mine could be reopened should copper and silver prices increase.
Wal-Mart launches service for customers to pick up tax refunds
NEW YORK – Wal-Mart is launching a service allowing customers to pick up their tax refunds in cash at all stores nationwide.
It’s the discounter’s latest move to offer more financial services, which is seen as a path to bringing more shoppers to its stores.
The world’s largest retailer, based in Bentonville, Arkansas, said the process will take the same time as if customers were to file their returns electronically and then get direct deposit, which could take just a week, said Daniel Eckert, senior vice president of services for Wal-Mart’s U.S. division.
The service could help people without bank accounts get their refunds more quickly and avoid high check-cashing fees.
Google, Fidelity fuel SpaceX with $1B deal
HAWTHORNE, Calif. – SpaceX has raised $1 billion from Google and Fidelity in a deal that values the spaceship manufacturer at about $10 billion.
The infusion, announced Tuesday, will give Google Inc. and Fidelity Investments a nearly 10 percent stake in SpaceX, a Hawthorne company that employs more than 3,000 people.
Although privately held SpaceX didn’t reveal any concrete plans, the money could help founder Elon Musk realize his hopes to fly people to Mars within the next 12 years and eventually build a city on the planet.