Clean energy news: November 2022
AZ Corporation Commission approves changes to plan to expand wind power in Arizona
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. The commission’s vote was the latest step in the project, which has taken years to develop and will cover more than 500 miles on public, state and private lands. Read more >>
Arizona plans to give millions to ASU for water innovation, research
The state of Arizona plans to invest $40 million in Arizona State University to lead a multi-year initiative for the state’s future water supply. The university said in a Wednesday announcement from ASU and Gov. Doug Ducey that it will work with industrial, municipal, agricultural, tribal and international partners to accelerate and deploy new approaches and technology for water conversation, augmentation, desalination, efficiency, infrastructure and reuse. The state said the funds will come from the federal American Rescue Plan Act. Read more >>
Lucid delivers first of its lower-priced – but still expensive – Touring EVs
Lucid Group Inc. on Tuesday said it delivered the first of its Air Touring luxury sedans as it tries to get back on track after missing targets through the first three quarters of this year. The Touring is the third of its original line of Pure Electric Vehicles, with prices that start at $107,400. It’s an all-wheel drive electric vehicle with 620 horsepower and an EPA-estimated 425 miles of range. Read more >>
Nikola partners to accelerate charging infrastructure solutions
Nikola Corporation, a global leader in zero-emissions transportation and energy supply and infrastructure solutions, and ChargePoint Holdings, Inc., a leading electric vehicle (EV) charging network, today announced a partnership to accelerate the deployment of electric vehicle charging infrastructure for fleets across the U.S. The collaboration will enable Nikola and the Nikola Sales and Service Dealer Network to resell ChargePoint’s comprehensive portfolio of charging infrastructure and software solutions to its fleet customers, ensuring a solid technology interface and integrated sales approach between the two companies. Read more >>
ASU leads $25M project to develop climate and environmental laboratory
Across Arizona, communities are increasingly forced to deal with the consequences of extreme heat exacerbated by climate change and urban growth. Cities in the region routinely experience more than 30 days above 110 degrees Fahrenheit each summer and growing populations continue to be strained by the complex interactions of extreme heat, atmospheric pollutants, and limited water supplies. Read more >>
Nov. 10 Arizona Electrification Summit convenes energy leaders, highlights new federal grants and tax incentives
A broad array of Arizona’s electric utilities, local governments, technology leaders, and other public and private sector energy stakeholders are convening Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022, at the Arizona Electrification Summit, a forum designed to advance cost-effective electrification measures that save consumers money, reduce emissions, and improve the efficiency and resiliency of the electric grid. Read more >>
EV fleet service provider signs purchase order for 100 zero-emission Nikola Tre battery-electric trucks
Nikola Corporation, a global leader in zero-emissions transportation, energy supply and infrastructure solutions, and Zeem Solutions, the innovative zero-emission EV “fleet-as-a-service” provider, announced Zeem has executed a purchase order for 100 Nikola Class 8 Tre battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) to ensure immediate availability of electric trucks for freight and logistics companies utilizing Zeem’s all-inclusive EV depot fleet solution. Read more >>
Chairwoman Lea Marquez Peterson proposes Arizona electric utility partner with local start-up organizations & entrepreneurs to promote venture capital and innovation in Arizona energy industry
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. According to Chairwoman Márquez Peterson, the effort is intended to give local entrepreneurs and start-up companies an opportunity to win utility contracts for new innovations in grid-connected devices, such as smart inverters, thermostats, appliances, and at-home battery systems, as well as the software that synchronizes them. Read more >>
SRP honors Valley businesses for outstanding efforts in energy efficiency and being green leaders
For the ninth consecutive year, Salt River Project honors local ‘Champions of Sustainability.’ From San Tan Valley to Tolleson — to cities in between — the 2022 awards recognize SRP commercial customers who participate in Business Solutions programs and lead the charge in sustainability and innovation. SRP’s energy efficiency programs are a major component to the success of SRP’s Sustainable Portfolio and 2035 Sustainability Goals, www.srpnet.com/2035, because decreasing energy use also helps reduce emissions and saves money by deferring the need for future additional energy generation. Read more >>
EV’s carbon footprint will decrease over time, report says
The automotive industry is actively moving away from internal combustion, and as electric vehicles have become increasingly popular, the number of skeptics have grown. A spectrum of concerns has been raised, ranging from uncertainty about the true sustainability of EV production to systemic labor issues in raw material mining. Others have questioned if electric propulsion is even the right way forward, lauding alternatives like hydrogen or e-fuels. There’s nothing wrong with being skeptical, especially when the planet’s climate is at stake, but scientists are saying electric power truly is the way forward. Read more >>
Surging numbers: Driving an electric vehicle doesn’t need to cause range anxiety
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. Read more >>
Lucid enhances ownership experience with official line of Lucid vehicle accessories
Lucid Group, Inc., setting new standards with the longest-range, fastest-charging electric car on the market with the award-winning Lucid Air, today announced the launch of Lucid Vehicle Accessories, an expanding line of accessories that serve as a stylish complement to the entire Lucid Air vehicle lineup. Included in Lucid Vehicle Accessories is the Lucid Connected Home Charging Station, the first step into the company’s future energy ecosystem. The convenient home charging system allows owners to maximize the industry-leading charging capabilities of Lucid Air, adding up to 80 miles of range per hour of charging. Read more >>
SRP signs deal for two more battery storage stations to handle peak power demand
Salt River Project said Thursday that it will add two new battery storage systems that will go online in 2024 with a combined output of 340 megawatts, giving the Arizona utility company more options during times of heavy power demand. SRP said it signed contracts with Houston-based Plus Power for the two projects, which will be built in Avondale and Gilbert. Both facilities will be owned and operated by a Plus Power subsidiary. Read more >>
8 Arizona school districts get federal funding for electric school buses
Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced which local school districts across the nation, including Arizona, are the winners of a rebate lottery Clean School Bus Program to transition from diesel to electric school buses. This is part of the $5 billion now available as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for clean school buses over the next five years (FY 2022-2026) to replace existing school buses with zero-emission and low-emission models, prioritizing funding for low-income, rural, and Tribal school districts. Read more >>
Lectric eBikes announces new XP 3.0 model, next step in becoming greatest urban transportation solution ever
Lectric eBikes, the brand behind the country’s best-selling e-bike model and third best-selling electric vehicle, has introduced the newest iteration of the award-winning flagship XPTM Model: The XPTM 3.0. Taking utility to the next level, the XPTM 3.0 marks the industry’s first foldable e-bike with dual-rider capability, debuting at Lectric’s industry-shattering $999 price point. The XPTM 3.0 is now available at LectriceBikes.com. Read more >>
My View: Arizona policymakers set pace for innovators – and us – to keep water in our future
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. Living in the midst of a long-term drought and in a desert that is rapidly giving life to new professional and residential developments, we likely have stopped and wondered: What if we turn the tap and nothing comes out? Read more >>
Phoenix-based energy solutions co. launches as new energy solutions provider dedicated to sustainability
Phoenix private sector leads effort to build electric charging stations
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. In June 2022, Senate Bill 1151 stalled in the house. In the bill’s initial version it would have allocated $500,000 from Arizona’s general fund to launch a two-year pilot program to create electric charging stations. Read more >>