Arizona Thrives has the real potential for real change in collectively securing Arizona’s energy future via the diverse perspectives invited to the decisions table. Working together, Arizona can attract more high-wage jobs, improve air quality, reduce the impact of heat to improve the livability of communities, increase water security, protect Arizona’s natural beauty, and sustain agriculture and energy independence.
Arizona is among top states for new solar installations in 2020; Salt River Project offers $1,000 rebates to drivers buying or leasing electric vehicles; UACJ Whitehall selects Flagstaff for its new electric vehicle parts plant; ElectraMeccanica selects Arizona to establish U.S. base of operations; Nikola unveils its plans for 2021; electric vehicle start-up Lucid Motors will soon go public; Arizona Public Service, Salt River Project, Tucson Electric Power and the Arizona Electric Power Cooperative are well prepared to avoid energy disasters; Arizona State University promotes a new book titled “Cities of Light: A Collection of Solar Futures” to discuss the future economic and social justice implications of a fully sustainable society; and more.
A controversial bill to prohibit Arizona’s utility regulators from setting state energy policy appears dead after a Republican senator decided he cannot support it. Sen. Paul Boyer, R-Glendale, told the Arizona Capitol Times that he still has too many outstanding questions about SB1175, which would allow only the Legislature to set energy policy. The House and Senate just don’t have the same expertise as the Arizona Corporation Commission, Boyer said.