Clean energy news: December 2021
Proposed energy rules would strengthen state’s competitive edge
On Wednesday, the Arizona Corporation Commission is scheduled to vote on a package of updated clean energy rules that is years in the making. The package now under consideration, which benefits from several recent amendments, is the product of an extensive and bipartisan stakeholder process with significant support from individuals and businesses large and small from across Arizona. Most importantly, these rules allow Arizona to remain competitive with other states by providing the type of robust clean energy commitment that businesses demand before bringing jobs and substantial investment into a state while at the same time providing key protections to make sure the public does not pay more for clean energy. Read more >>
Zero Electric Vehicles partners with AAMCO Transmissions and Total Car Care to electrify vehicles
Zero Electric Vehicles, Inc. has partnered with AAMCO Transmissions and Total Car Care of Mesa, East Mesa, Gilbert/SanTan, Gilbert/Chandler to Electrify Vehicles by establishing an Authorized Service Provider (ASP) network to provide EV vehicle conversions and post conversion warranty support throughout the Southwest US region. As a ZEV ASP, AMMCO “Phoenix” will initially be certified to ZEV standards for the Athena program which provides conversion and on-going support of Class 2-4 commercial vehicles throughout the region. Athena – the fastest path to electrification for commercial fleets – brings new life to existing assets, uses trusted and proven industry components, and is typically completed in a 1-day turnaround in a certified shop. Read more >>
Every auto startup wants to be the next Tesla. Why these 2 may have a real shot
Massive, 2,800-acre solar project planned for West Valley near Tonopah
Recurrent Energy, a subsidiary of Canadian Solar Inc., is planning to build a massive energy storage facility in the far West Valley. The Papago Solar + Storage Project will be comprised of 300 megawatts alternating current and 1,200 megawatt hours of energy storage facility in Maricopa County. The project will be built on approximately 2,800 acres and is expected to be fully operational by 2023. The site is about five miles west of Tonopah, a small town about 30 minutes outside of Buckeye. According to Recurrent Energy’s website, the project is expected to create 450 construction jobs and power 57,000 homes. Real estate database Vizzda shows that Recurrent Energy purchased about 120 acres near 411th Avenue and Interstate 10 in November for $2 million for a proposed substation and 500 kilovolt transmission line to be connected to the adjacent photovoltaic electricity-generating and energy storage facility. Read more >>
We need a statewide renewable energy plan
Arizona’s economy is booming. Even with the Covid economic downturn, Arizona’s economy is making steady gains. A recent study by University of Arizona’s Eller College of Management found that Arizona’s recovery from the pandemic gained significant momentum in the second quarter of 2021, with jobs, home sales, and construction showing strong upward trajectories. The positive outlook predicts Arizona jobs to regain pre-pandemic peak in the fourth quarter of this year, and the long-run outlook calls for continued strong growth with Arizona forecasted to generate job, income, and population gains outpacing the rest of the nation. Over the next 30 years, Arizona’s population is expected to surge to 10 million people, and the state is expected to add at least 1.5 million jobs in that time. Read more >>
4 ways Phoenix benefits from the infrastructure bill
Electric car investment could zoom past $500B, and Arizona is riding shotgun