Data centers are the backbone of everything from Google searches to movie streaming. Now, with artificial intelligence adoption accelerating, the demand for these massive facilities and the power they consume is growing rapidly across the Valley.
More than 125 data centers already operate in Maricopa County, with many more seeking to establish operations in Arizona. The expansion has created excitement among entrepreneurs while raising concerns from city leaders about costs and infrastructure.
Policymakers and community leaders in Arizona are calling on Congress to restore alternative energy tax incentives stripped in the federal budget reconciliation bill.
The sun shines at least 300 days a year in Arizona, making it a perfect place to invest in solar energy. Solar advocates want federal lawmakers to allow state residents to take advantage of the green power source.
Arizona regulators have started the process to repeal efficiency rules requiring the state’s largest utilities to achieve annual energy savings.
The energy efficiency rules, first adopted by the Arizona Corporation Commission in 2010, require utilities like Arizona Public Service and Tucson Electric Power to “achieve 22% cumulative energy savings” by 2020.
It may be the most common metric that power companies use when making their case to raise rates: Peak demand. Utilities also use this crucial data to forecast future energy needs.
But only one of Arizona’s three largest utilities provided to 12News data reflecting how each customer class contributes to peak demand records. Consumer advocates say this is difficult to believe, considering the growing threat that one class of customers – data centers – pose to grid capacity.
Gov. Katie Hobbs and Attorney General Kris Mayes both announced efforts on Monday to combat rising energy prices.
Hobbs signed an executive order that she says is designed to streamline the development of new electricity generating infrastructure across Arizona.
Ten electric school buses are set to be delivered to Tucson Unified School District this year, thanks to grants from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Advocates, including former students, gathered at Tucson Magnet High School to express support for the initiative and voice concerns about potential EPA budget cuts.
For years, the federal government has been helping homeowners reduce the cost of solar energy, with the assistance of tax credits that make the systems more affordable.
However, those tax credits are set to expire at the end of the year, prompting a last-minute push to capitalize on the savings.
Chris Hanson just bought a new house in Sun City, and the first thing she did was install solar panels on her roof.
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes is seeing an uptick in complaints from people who claim they’re being overcharged for basic utilities. In some cases, she warns that those charges could be illegal.
Mobile homes in Arizona make up about 5% of the state’s housing. For thousands of Arizonans living in them, the summer isn’t just uncomfortable; it can be deadly.
Rules that govern how renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, are used in Arizona could soon be changing.
The Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) voted unanimously Thursday to file a notice to repeal the state’s Renewable Energy Standard and Tariff (REST) rules with the state Secretary of State’s Office.
A new study shows Arizona state and local governments could save about $100 million if they buy electric when replacing aging fleet vehicles like light-duty trucks, vans and SUVs over the next decade.