One of the most critical safety concerns for electric vehicles is keeping their batteries cool.

With high temperatures like we see here in Arizona, it can lead to dangerous consequences.

However, new research at the University of Arizona proposes a way to prevent these issues.

“Recently in the last couple of years, we’ve seen a tremendous increase of fires in electric vehicles that are associated with battery overheating,” said Professor Vitaliy Yurkiv.

U of A researchers are developing a framework that uses A.I. and machine learning models to sense, predict and identify lithium-ion battery overheating, known as thermal runaway.

With its breathtaking mountains reaching 6,000 feet and low valleys studded with dazzling desert vegetation, Pinal County is an incomparable place of beauty. The sweet smell of creosote in the air after a summer monsoon storm is like no other.

But Pinal County has some of the worst air pollution in Arizona, and contributing to this sobering distinction are the pollution-spewing, methane gas-fired power plants that harm the residents of this community.

Sadly, Pinal County has endured too many of these gas power plant proposals.

Funded by President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, EPA announces 34 selected Tribal and territorial applications through the competitive Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program

Today, Sept. 5, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the selected recipients of $300 million in Climate Pollution Reduction Grants for Tribes and U.S. territories as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda. EPA has selected 34 applications to fund projects proposed by 33 Tribal recipients and the Municipality of Saipan in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands to implement community-driven solutions to tackle the climate crisis, reduce air pollution, advance environmental justice, and accelerate the clean energy transition. EPA made its Tribes and Territories Competition selections following a review of 110 applications that requested a total of more than $1.3 billion in funding.

Phase 1 Targets Air Conditioning Replacement for Low-Income Households Facing Extreme Heat

The Arizona Governor’s Office of Resiliency has officially launched the first phase of “Efficiency Arizona,” a statewide program designed to increase energy efficiency, promote clean energy, and reduce utility costs for residents. This initiative is part of Governor Katie Hobbs’ commitment to addressing high energy bills and extreme heat, particularly for working-class Arizonans.

Phase 1 of the program focuses on replacing air conditioning units with energy-efficient heat pumps for residents who meet specific income eligibility requirements (below 80% AMI and 80-150% AMI). This initial phase is a collaboration with Wildfire and regional community action agencies to ensure those most vulnerable to Arizona’s extreme temperatures receive the necessary support.

A recently launched campaign in Arizona, the Nos Ayuda a Vivir (it helps us live) campaign, is looking to educate Latinos on how they can benefit from the Clean Energy Plan — but it’s part of a larger project aimed at bringing environmental justice to the Latino community. Launched by Poder Latinx, a national non-profit organization that advocates for more Latinos in civic engagement, this $1.7 million campaign wants to bridge the gap between policy and the Latino community to ensure they aren’t left behind as the country moves to cleaner and renewable energy.

Only one in five Arizona voters said they have heard about President Joe Biden’s effort to address climate change and expand clean energy.

One organization contends Arizona seniors have won big with the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act as well as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, especially as the state continues to battle relentless heat and the effects of climate change.

Dora Vasquez, executive director of the Arizona Alliance for Retired Americans, said older Arizonans experience greater risk when exposed to extreme temperatures, which has led to an increased demand for energy and price hikes.

Arizona is on the frontline for up-and-coming solutions to address climate change thanks to federal investments for renewable energy.

That’s what Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) said today at a press conference alongside Arizona State Senator Priya Sundareshan (LD-18) and other local solar industry leaders outside of the local solar manufacturing facility, Solar Gain Inc. in Tucson.

Since 2021, Arizona has received $10.5 billion of investments and incentives into clean energy, through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).