An open letter to the Arizona Corporation Commission expressing support for strong, enforceable clean energy standards in Arizona: As major businesses, trade associations, employers and large energy consumers in Arizona, a distinguished group of Arizona business and technology companies are committed to increasing the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency in the state.
Arizona Corporation Commission’s proposal calls for at least 50% renewables by 2035. Staff of the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) on Thursday proposed a 100% Clean Energy Standard by 2050, a new integrated resource planning (IRP) process and other rule changes as part of the state’s efforts to modernize electricity regulation. The proposal includes a “technology neutral” all-source request for proposal (RFP) process where utilities solicit bids from market participants to address resource needs.
Apple unveiled its plan to become carbon neutral across its entire business, manufacturing supply chain, and product life cycle by 2030. In its 2020 Environmental Progress Report, Apple details its plans to reduce emissions by 75% by 2030 while developing innovative carbon removal solutions for the remaining 25% of its comprehensive footprint.
Nikola Motors Corporation, a global transportation leader in zero-emissions and infrastructure solutions, is one step closer to bringing a 1 million-square-foot manufacturing facility to Coolidge, Ariz. following an official groundbreaking ceremony on its approximate 430-acre parcel.
Tucson Electric Power plans to end use of coal-generated electricity by 2032, details on how to apply for SRP’s Business EV Charger Rebate; the Arizona Corporation Commission needs to raise anemic energy standards; builders and businesses are developing low-carbon concrete; Apple commits to be 100% carbon neutral by 2030; Nikola Motors Corporation, a leader in zero-emissions, is one step closer to bringing a 1 million-square-foot manufacturing facility to Coolidge, Ariz., and more.
With water management among the most pressing issues in Arizona and throughout the region, the University of Arizona has leveraged its natural surroundings with top-notch faculty across a variety of colleges and departments to generate influence in water studies that goes well beyond the Southwest to benefit arid and semi-arid regions around the world.
In a dramatic policy shift to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and also for economic reasons, Tucson Electric Power will stop using coal to generate electricity by 2032 and will increase renewable energy’s share of its energy load to more than 70% by 2035. The plan will require 1% annual electric rate increases a year to put into effect. The utility’s switch from fossil fuels is spelled out in the plan, submitted to the Arizona Corporation Commission.
The Arizona Technology Council’s June 2020 Tech Sector Speaker Series event featured a distinguished panel of sustainability experts who shared their insight and expertise on how renewable energy technologies are driving economic development. Moderated by Michelle De Blasi, Environmental, Natural Resources & Energy Attorney, it was a fantastic discussion and well worth a listen.
Vancouver, Canada-based electric vehicle company Electra Meccanica is is checking out Casa Grande as a possible factory location; a new study reports that the sun’s rays can electrify plants into producing renewable energy; Lucid Motors is about ready are about to start rolling electric cars out of the Arizona desert; and more. Read the full report here.
Federal leaders must find innovative ways to continue to support these businesses. One approach would be to establish a Small Business Energy Efficiency Grant program that would provide federal grants to electric and natural gas utilities and supplement available utility incentives to encourage small businesses to make zero-cost energy efficiency upgrades to their facilities.