United Technologies Touts Environment Record

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United Technologies Corp. is going green, among other things.

United Technologies Corp. is going green, among other things.


George David, chairman and chief executive of United Technologies Corp., put out the conglomerate's first-ever corporate responsibility report last week.


Though the glossy pamphlet doesn't make specific reference to its Pratt & Whitney or Sikorsky Aircraft subsidiary operations in northwestern Palm Beach County, it does provide a wealth of facts about how the Hartford, Conn.-based firm is trying to take the high road on environmental, educational and corporate-governance issues.


United Technologies employs 267 business-practice officers who are accountable for putting its code of ethics into practice.


Also, it has invested $462 million since 1996 in its employee scholar program, which pays up front for employees to pursue any accredited course of study.


UTC's global energy use has dropped 40 percent in the past eight years, the report contends, and hazardous air emissions have fallen at its plants since 1999.


The report will be passed out to investors along with the company's annual report.


Fewer than 20 percent of Fortune 100 companies issue such reports, UTC said.


"The purpose is to explain all of the ways that UTC is being a responsible corporate citizen," spokesman Greg Brostowicz said. "We're kind of at the front end of this, but we believe this is a growing trend."


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