Clean energy news: November 2023
Arizona environmental justice, climate resiliency projects to receive federal funding
Six projects in Arizona were among the 186 successful applicants that will receive federal funding to address environmental justice inequities across the country, the Biden administration announced in early November. Read more >>
Arizona Representative Raul Grijalva announces $31 million in energy assistance funds
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has announced the release of $3.7 billion in Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). In a press release, the funds will go to low-income families across the 50 states, District of Columbia, three territories and over 125 tribes “ahead of the winter season.” Read more >>
New $10 million tree planting grant will expand Phoenix shade canopy
With 425 heat-associated deaths confirmed so far, 2023 is likely to have the deadliest heat season since Maricopa County started its current tracking system in 2012. But a new tree-planting effort could help mitigate the deadly Phoenix heat. Read more >>
These Valley businesses lead the way in energy efficiency, sustainability
SRP has named 14 local businesses Champions of Sustainability for achievements in electrification, energy efficiency and clean energy through participation in its Business Solutions Program. Those earning awards were recognized at the 10th Annual Champions of Sustainability Awards luncheon held at the Arizona Biltmore. Read more >>
SRP outlines their hydropower investments, plans to expand capacity
Water has been a difficult topic in Arizona for years and in some cases it can be hard to come by. However, hydropower remains an important part of the state’s clean energy infrastructure. Russell Genet, a manager in Hydro Generation at Salt River Project (SRP), explained how they utilize hydropower. Read more >>
Arizona will receive $30 million for energy assistance funding
The federal government is giving Arizona and tribes $30,937,243 to help low-income families afford their energy bills this winter season. Arizona tribes were awarded a total of $83,886, which was divided between three tribes. The Quechan tribe was awarded $25,718. The Cocopah Tribe was awarded $11,980. The Pascua Yaqui was awarded $46,188. Read more >>
KEEPING THE LIGHTS ON: How Southern Arizona is growing its power supply to avoid rolling blackouts
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs and U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm were in Cochise, Ariz. Monday morning to announce a new project in the county. “Getting more power to more people in more places,” Granholm said. Read more >>
Clean energy boom brings 13,000 jobs and $12B in investment to Arizona
The clean energy plan initiated when the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) was signed into law nearly 15 months ago is turbocharging our clean energy economy and revitalizing communities across the country. Arizona is becoming a battery manufacturing powerhouse, according to the latest report from Climate Power. New Arizona clean energy projects have already spurred $10.01 billion in investments and helped create or move forward over 13,570 good-paying clean energy jobs in the state. Read more >>
Tucson Electric Power Targets Net Zero Carbon Emissions, Faster Clean Energy Expansion in New Resource Plan
Tucson Electric Power (TEP) will accelerate its clean energy expansion to support anticipated growth and maintain affordable, reliable service as the company works toward a new aspirational goal: net zero direct greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Read more >>
SRP Partners with Gilbert to Run First Electric Fire Truck in Arizona
Gov. Hobbs, elected officials celebrate water conservation efforts
State, Tribal and local officials in Arizona convened to celebrate the federal government approval of the Colorado River Lower Basin deal, a plan to voluntarily reduce water consumption proposed by Arizona, California and Nevada. Governor Katie Hobbs, along with Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Calimlim Touton and Tribal, state and local officials, were among those who celebrated the agreements at the Phoenix City Hall on Friday morning. Read more >>
Arizona university researchers work to find new uses for copper tailings
The Biden-Harris administration today announced $63.4 million in new investments as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda for water conservation, water efficiency, and protection of critical environmental resources in the Colorado River System. The investments, which will improve and protect the stability and sustainability of the Colorado River System now and into the future, are administered through the Lower Colorado River Basin System Conservation and Efficiency Program and funded by the Inflation Reduction Act, the largest climate investment in history. Read more >>
Solar co-op opens signups
Sedona residents and businesses can sign up for the 2023 Northern Arizona Solar Co-op program through the nonprofit solar advocacy group Solar United Neighbors until Friday, Jan. 12. “The solar co-op is open to residents of Yavapai County who are in or adjacent to the city of Sedona,” SUN communications associate Hannah Arndt said. “This includes Sedona, West Sedona and Oak Creek. Residents just outside of Sedona in rural Yavapai county are also welcome to join the co-op.” Read more >>
EV charger share app launches in Phoenix, promising cheaper charging
Now, she has more charging choices because she’s using a new app called Buzze. The company says it’s like Airbnb for EV chargers, connecting EV drivers with charging hosts. “For people who are renting their house or people who are living in apartments, they can’t put in an EV charger at home and this allows them to buy an EV and be able to charge it right in their neighborhood,” said Buzze CEO Aaron Lieberman. Read more >>
Gila River Indian Community moves forward with solar canal project, first in country
In an effort to address the ongoing drought affecting the Southwest, the Gila River Indian Community is taking an innovative step forward by launching its Solar Canal Project to construct the country’s first solar-over-canal project. “A tribe is leading the way,” Gila River Indian Community Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis said, adding that the shovel-ready project will immediately address water conservation. Read more >>
Phoenix Becomes an A-Lister in Environmental Action
Phoenix has been recognized by Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) as one of 119 cities across the globe that is taking bold leadership on environmental action and transparency. Thanks to the environmental efforts implemented by Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego and the City, Phoenix received an A score. Read more >>
McCarthy Begins Construction of Four New Solar Projects in Texas and Arizona with 200 New Registered Apprenticeships, Targeting Inflation Reduction Act Compliance
McCarthy Building Companies Inc. recently began construction of four new large-scale solar projects located in the Southwestern United States and are targeting Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) compliance. The projects, which are in varying stages of construction, will bring a combined total of over 1GW of renewable energy to communities in Arizona and Texas once fully commissioned. Read more >>
How Maricopa startup Biodel AG aims to revolutionize the agriculture industry
A Maricopa-based regenerative agriculture startup is ready for a growth spurt after raising a new round of funding and participating in a global pitch competition. Biodel AG, which makes products that help farmers improve soil health, has its sights set on scaling its flagship product, Sequester, in nine Western states and northern Mexico — areas that it says encompass more than 30 million acres of degraded soils. Read more >>
Solar installation near Holbrook approved
By the look of things, Navajo County may be on the way to becoming a wind and solar power superpower. The Board of Supervisors at its last meeting approved a 1,000-megawatt solar energy plan on 7,300 acres of high desert northeast of Holbrook. The facility will also include enough batteries to store that power when the sun is shining and release it into the grid to offset peak demand in distant cities. Read more >>