Apple investors reject environmental measures; Jobs says he favors flexibility of cash hoard

Apple shareholders reject environmental measures

CUPERTINO, Calif. — Apple Inc. shareholders have rejected two proposals that sought to force the computer company to do more to analyze its impact on the environment.

One proposal would have asked Apple to produce a detailed environmental sustainability report. The other called for a board committee focused on sustainability. Apple had opposed the measures and said Thursday at its annual shareholder meeting that investors had rejected the proposals. It did not give voting percentages.

One shareholder asked CEO Steve Jobs whether the company would dip into its $25 billion cash pile to pay a dividend. Jobs didn’t seem keen on the idea, saying that by holding its cash the company maintains “tremendous security and flexibility.”