Climate Change

AZ voters support expanding access to natural spaces for underserved communities

February 24, 2023

A majority of Arizona voters say they care about increasing access to natural spaces for lower-income populations and communities of color, a new bipartisan poll revealed. In the survey, 72% of respondents said ensuring marginalized communities are better connected to natural areas was important within the efforts of environmental conservation. Twenty-three percent said they viewed it as not very important or not important at all.

U.S. Dept. of Energy approves funds for Arizona’s updated Weatherization Assistance Plan

February 15, 2023

The U.S. Department of Energy recently approved the Arizona Department of Housing’s updated Weatherization Assistance Program plan. The DOE is expected to release 35% of total funding to the state as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which amounts to $47 million, according to a press release. Arizona’s WAP is among the first in the nation to be approved.

Maricopa County’s ozone pollution is high and getting worse

February 15, 2023

Maricopa County’s ozone levels are getting worse, harming the health of its 4.5 million residents and threatening to cost the region billions of dollars in the coming years. In 2022, the Environmental Protection Agency reclassified the county from marginal to moderate for non-attainment of ozone limits. This means we not only are failing the EPA’s latest ozone standards but also that our air has more of one of the most dangerous air pollutants.

More federal dollars coming from climate law for Western wildfire management

January 31, 2023

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will spend nearly $500 million on projects to reduce wildfire risk in 11 areas in Western states, including Arizona, the department said Thursday. The new funding, $490 million, comes from Democrats’ budget, climate and taxes law that passed last year, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said on a call with reporters. The funding will allow the U.S. Forest Service, an agency within USDA, to treat more than 27 million acres across seven states, including Arizona, Idaho, Nevada and Oregon.

Arizona’s largest solar plant expected to offset 1B pounds of CO2 yearly

January 30, 2023

The Salt River Project has partnered with Clēnera, a private renewable energy company, to bring Arizona its largest solar plant by 2024. Construction of the CO Bar Solar plant will begin this year on 2,400 acres of private land northwest of Flagstaff in Coconino County. Upon completion, it is expected to offset 1 billion pounds of carbon dioxide each year while generating power for 80,000 Arizona homes.

SRP solar plant northwest of Flagstaff expected to offset 1 billion pounds of CO2 each year

January 26, 2023

Salt River Project has partnered with Clēnera a private renewable energy company, to bring Arizona its largest solar plant by 2024. Construction of the CO Bar Solar plant will begin this year on 2,400 acres of private land northwest of Flagstaff in Coconino County. Upon completion, it is expected to offset 1 billion pounds of carbon dioxide each year while generating power for 80,000 Arizona homes.

Vertical farm in Avondale promotes sustainability, technology, water conservation

January 18, 2023

Imagine a farm that grows crops on platforms in a controlled environment, uses 99% less water than a traditional farm and grows seasonal produce year round – all without soil or anyone driving a tractor. This is the goal of OnePointOne, a 12,000-square-foot “vertical farm” in an Avondale industrial park that grows kale, arugula, spinach, basil, dill, baby leaf lettuce and strawberries. Vertical farming grows produce in vertically stacked layers rather than horizontally in an open field. The practice can use soil, hydroponic or aeroponic growing methods.

Arizona Gov. Hobbs talks water management in State of State, launches groundwater council

January 12, 2023

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs addressed water management during her State of the State speech Monday afternoon, and she signed an executive order to set up a council focused on groundwater management. Hobbs spoke of the Colorado River water cuts that went into effect at the start of the calendar year, as the key water source for much of the Western U.S. has been impacted by drought and overuse.

Netherlands firm to bring water recycling technology to Phoenix homes

January 12, 2023

A Dutch company is launching a water recycling system in Arizona at a time when Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs is pushing for more water conservation measures in the Grand Canyon State. Hydraloop founders were in the Valley last week on their way to Consumer Technology Association’s high-profile annual CES trade show in Las Vegas, where the company won the CES2023 Innovation Award in the Smart Home category.

SRP researches cloud seeding in White Mountains to create snow amid historic drought

January 6, 2023

Arizona has been looking to a myriad of solutions to stem its worsening drought, including cloud seeding. The Salt River Project, which delivers water and electricity to central Arizona, has formed a partnership with the White Mountain Apache Tribe to research the feasibility of ground-based cloud seeding in the White Mountains in eastern Arizona.

Climate Change

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