Energy Policy

Clean energy news: November 2022

November 22, 2022

AZ Corporation Commission approves changes to plan to expand wind power in Arizona; Arizona plans to give millions to ASU for water innovation, research; Lucid delivers first of its lower-priced Touring EVs; Nikola partners to accelerate charging infrastructure solutions; ASU leads $25M project to develop climate and environmental laboratory; Nov. 10 Arizona Electrification Summit convened energy leaders, highlighted new federal grants and tax incentives; EV fleet service provider signs purchase order for 100 zero-emission Nikola Tre battery-electric trucks; Chairwoman Lea Márquez Peterson proposes that APS partner with local startups and entrepreneurs to promote venture capital and innovation in Arizona energy industry; SRP honors Valley businesses for outstanding efforts in energy efficiency and being green leaders; EV carbon footprint will decrease over time, report says; driving an electric vehicle doesn’t need to cause range anxiety; Lucid enhances ownership experience with official line of Lucid vehicle accessories; SRP signs deal for two more battery storage stations to handle peak power demand; eight Arizona school districts get federal funding for electric school buses; Lectric eBikes announces new XP 3.0 model, next step in becoming greatest urban transportation solution; My View: Arizona policymakers set pace for innovators – and us – to keep water in our future; Cordia launches as new energy solutions provider dedicated to sustainability; and Phoenix private sector leads effort to build electric charging stations.

AZ Corporation Commission approves changes to plan to expand wind power in Arizona

November 22, 2022

The Arizona Corporation Commission has approved a modification to a plan for new transmission lines. The vote could pave the way for more wind energy in Arizona. The SunZia Southwest Transmission Project will move wind power from central New Mexico to substations in Pinal County, bringing clean energy to rural communities and California markets.

Chairwoman Lea Márquez Peterson proposes Arizona electric utility partner with local start-up organizations & entrepreneurs to promote venture capital & innovation in Arizona energy industry

November 8, 2022

Chairwoman Lea Márquez Peterson of the Arizona Corporation Commission is encouraging Arizona’s largest electric utility, Arizona Public Service Company (APS), to partner with local venture capital groups to incorporate utility/energy RFPs into local start-up competitions and technology transfer programs.

Surging numbers: Driving an electric vehicle doesn’t need to cause range anxiety

November 4, 2022

With more electric vehicles humming down highways, states are under increasing pressure to install more public charging stations to make sure the juice keeps flowing. The challenge is particularly acute in California, which adopted a rule in August to gradually phase out sales of new gas-powered vehicles by 2035 with the goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to help fight climate change. States can take advantage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, which gives $5 billion nationally for public charging stations as part of the new National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program. States that write up strategic plans to expand charging station infrastructure are eligible for a grant from the program to help make it possible.

My View: Arizona policymakers set pace for innovators — and us — to keep water in our future

October 28, 2022

When it comes to preparing for our future, the power of public policy cannot be underestimated. It can bring people together and motivate them to act for the common good. Nowhere is that more apparent than when the focus shifts to a commodity that all will agree is precious to everyone. Water. Without it, life as we know it stops.

Phoenix private sector leads effort to build electric charging stations

October 26, 2022

Phoenix is estimating that 280,000 electric vehicles will be on the road by 2030, according to Phoenix’s roadmap to 2030. However, state efforts to implement electric charging stations are losing their charge and momentum. Instead, private companies and the federal government are stepping up to fill the gap.

Clean energy news: October 2022

October 25, 2022

I-10 to become first electric corridor network of electric heavy-duty charging centers; Aligned Data Centers to expand Phoenix footprint with two mega campuses; Nikola Corp. acquires large site in West Valley; Phoenix Water hosting town halls on Colorado River shortage; Nikola Corp. completes exchange offer to acquire Romeo Power common stock; Lucid says it’s on track for reduced production target after tripling Q3 output; Atlis Motors says Australian company placed order for EV charging stations; Arizona’s clean energy future could swing on governor’s race; don’t think of deserts as wastelands, researchers say, but as a key to our climate future; low-income communities in Phoenix, other cities learn to tackle climate-fueled heat; Arizona ranks among national leaders in solar growth; lithium-ion battery recycler proposes Pinal County facility; electric vehicle, semiconductor industries eager to build out Pinal County supply chain; Atlis Motors shares get a huge jolt on first day of Nasdaq trading; Arizona continues to attract solar development projects, more new jobs; Navajo Nation’s largest school district gets first electric buses; new electric vehicle registrations grew more than 250% over the last five years; and federal legislation energizes Arizona for a cleaner tomorrow.

Phoenix water hosting town halls focused on Colorado River shortage

October 17, 2022

As part of their ongoing effort to keep the public informed about how reduced allocations of Colorado River water are impacting the City of Phoenix, Phoenix Water experts will deliver a presentation at various locations in the weeks ahead. The speakers will focus on how the City manages its diverse and robust water supplies, decades of planning and forethought that have put the City in a strong position to handle this eventuality, new infrastructure investments, and other strategies in development to prepare for a hotter, drier climate.

Arizona’s clean energy future could swing on governor’s race

October 12, 2022

For a state with bountiful solar resources, Arizona’s path to a clean energy economy remains rocky as voters to prepare to choose their next governor. State regulators went back and forth on a possible mandate for 100 percent clean electricity before scrapping it earlier this year. Arizona no longer has a dedicated state energy office, even as the current Republican governor has worked to encourage manufacturing of renewables and batteries. Only about 16 percent of the state’s power generation came from renewable sources in 2021, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. That’s despite EIA also saying the state has the nation’s second-greatest solar potential.

Don’t think of deserts as wastelands, researchers say, but as a key to our climate future

October 11, 2022

This story, like many, starts with rejection. Jose Gruenzweig grew up in the lush, green hills of Switzerland and studied the cold, wet forests of Alaska before settling into his current position as associate professor of Agriculture, Food and Environment at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Israel’s climate is notably drier than those he’d lived in before, with scarce rainfall, mild winters, and hot, dry summers that produced one of the world’s hottest temperatures ever recorded at 129 degrees Fahrenheit. As a keen observer of ecosystems, he couldn’t help but ponder the differences.

Energy Policy

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