Salt River Project is providing financial support to two Tempe programs designed to conserve water.

The utility recently announced a $10,000 annual contribution – $50,000 over five years –  to support the city’s non-residential landscape conversion program and a similar contribution for Tempe’s cooling tower rebate program for non-residential customers.

The landscape program offers an incentive for Tempe’s commercial water customers to convert to desert-friendly landscaping, according to an SRP release.

Our lives and economies run on energy—including energy sources powered by water.

The southwestern United States is experiencing a significant increase in demand for both energy and water, driven by population growth and economic development. The demands are particularly evident in Arizona, where water availability is a critical issue with dry years outpacing wet years, ongoing drought and a long-term trend toward aridification.

Phoenix has released its first official Climate Action Plan Progress Report, outlining evidence of tangible headway on several deadly and costly climate challenges affecting the city, while lagging in results on others.

The city shared the report exclusively with The Arizona Republic ahead of its publication on Wednesday. The 60-page document takes stock of what the city has accomplished toward goals outlined in its 2021 plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, bolster heat resilience and local food systems and expand clean energy, public transit, waste recycling and water conservation infrastructure in the nation’s hottest and fifth-largest metropolis.

Members of Arizona’s Hopi tribe are set to benefit from an influx of over $6 million in federal funds meant to provide clean energy, authorities announced on Thursday.

The Hopi Tribe is one of many communities that will receive millions through the latest round of funding coming from the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ Tribal Electrification Program.

The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) will give the Hopi Utilities Corporation a total of $6,060,459.

Coconino County’s planning commission has approved a wind farm to be built 25 miles north of Flagstaff. It’s the latest in a series of renewable energy projects in the region.

The commission voted 4-2 to approve up to 100 turbines that are expected to reach 640 feet in the air.

Morgan Schwenn is senior development manager for RWE, a Texas based independent power producer that already runs 3,000 turbines across 10 states.

Did you know Tucson Electric Power (TEP) is requesting a transmission line right-of-way (ROW) renewal from the Navajo Nation?

Part 1: TEP and Navajo
Tucson Electric Power, established in 1892, is a utility company based in Tucson, Arizona. In the 1960s, in anticipation of shortages, TEP began to shift from using primarily natural gas and fuel oil to including coal in its energy mix. This led to the construction of the Four Corners power plant near Farmington, New Mexico, in 1965.

Newly translated tool will help more building owners and managers save energy, save money, and reduce emissions from commercial and multifamily buildings

Today, Sept. 19, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the launch of a Spanish-language version of ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, its popular online energy measurement and tracking tool for commercial buildings. Spanish-speaking building owners, managers, and tenants can now create a free, secure account in Portfolio Manager to manage their property’s energy use, water use, waste generation, and greenhouse gas emissions — all in their native language.

“ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager is the industry-standard tool — already used to measure more than 22% of all commercial floor space in the United States,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Increasing accessibility to the tool for Spanish-speaking facility owners, managers, and occupants will provide their businesses with the data and insights to drive energy efficiency improvements, cost savings, and meaningful reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.”

The Biden Administration has announced more than $7.3 billion to build clean energy for rural communities across the country.

Sandy Bahr, Director of the Sierra Club Grand Canyon Chapter, joined “Arizona Horizon” to discuss this new initiative.

This money will be used to finance rural electric cooperatives that will be used through the Empowering Rural America (New ERA) program. Communities in Arizona will also be receiving some of this money.

In the pursuit of a cleaner and more equitable energy future, it’s crucial to highlight the pivotal role that the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of State and Community Energy Programs (SCEP) plays. These initiatives are dedicated to reducing energy burdens and fostering affordable sustainability. Among the most impactful endeavors are the Home Energy Rebate Programs, which allocate nearly $9 billion in energy rebates for American households. As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, it’s important to recognize how these rebates can profoundly benefit the Hispanic community, alleviating energy burdens and promoting equitable energy consumption.