Public News Service

As of June 2024, electric school bus adoption in the U.S. has grown to a total commitment of 12,164 buses since 2012, according to the Electric School Bus Initiative. (Adobe Stock)

AZ has over 150 electric school buses, could more be on the way?

With school in full swing, many Arizona students will take the bus to school. Earlier this summer, the Environmental Protection Agency awarded $900 …

A partir de junio de 2024, la adopci�n de autobuses escolares el�ctricos en los EE. UU. ha aumentado hasta un total de 12 164 autobuses desde 2012, seg�n la Iniciativa de Autobuses Escolares El�ctricos. (Adobe Stock)

AZ tiene más de 150 autobuses escolares eléctricos, ¿habrían más en camino?

Con el inicio de las clases, muchos estudiantes de Arizona tomarán el autobús para ir a la escuela. A principios de este verano, la EPA …

As of last June, the Inflation Reduction Act will likely still reduce the federal deficit over the decade by about $175 billion, according to the Center for American Progress. (Adobe Stock)

Expert recalls AZ IRA investments on its 2nd anniversary

Today the Inflation Reduction Act has been law for two years and one expert contended its effects in Arizona have been noteworthy. Shannon Heyck-…

President Joe Biden's clean energy plan ie expected to create 14,000 Arizona jobs by 2030. (Adobe Stock)

AZ voters unaware of Biden's clean energy plan, more outreach needed

UPDATE: Information has been added about potential energy bill savings with heat-pump use in Arizona. (12:42 p.m. MDT, Aug. 6, 2024) Only one in …

A nivel nacional, los investigadores de la Universidad Northwestern estiman que la tasa de mortalidad atribuible al di�xido de nitr�geno es del 18% entre los hispanos o latinos. (Noemi Gonzalez/Chispa Arizona)

Encuesta: Comisión de AZ con baja calificación entre votantes latinos

llevando al estado en la dirección correcta. La encuesta, realizada por la organización sin fines de lucro Chispa Arizona, contó con …

Rural households use 80% of the propane used across all U.S. households, according to a Rural Climate Partnership report. (Adobe Stock)

Report finds rural America's climate impact has been overlooked, calls for action

At least 10% of Arizona's population lives in rural areas, and a new report shows a significant portion of the state's greenhouse gas emissions …

The Department of Energy estimates that the new standards, once finalized, will cumulatively reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2.5 billion metric tons or more. (Adobe Stock)

AZ consumer group praises new water heat efficiency standards

An Arizona consumer group is applauding the U.S. Department of Energy's new residential water heater standards that they say will save American …

Arizona se encuentra ahora entre los 10 estados con m�s matr�culas de veh�culos el�ctricos. (Adobe Stock)

Propuesta por busca aumentar ventas de vehículos eléctricos

En Arizona, cuatro de cada mil personas tienen autos eléctricos. Una propuesta federal que pronto será finalizada podría aumentar …

Maricopa County's latest report says 71% of heat-related deaths last year occurred on days with an excessive heat warning. (Adobe Stock)

Higher heat-related fatalities prompt warnings for Arizonans

Summer will be here before you know it, and experts say now is the time to get prepared for Arizona's scorching and life-threatening temperatures…

There are 37 EV models available for less than the average new vehicle purchase price of $48,000, according to the Environmental Defense Fund. (Terry Lee White / Adobe Stock)

Analysis: EVs could save Arizonans big

Electric vehicles could save Arizonans up to almost $25,000 compared to gasoline vehicles over 10 years, depending on specific makes and models…

The EPA estimates by 2045, the clean truck rule could result in up to 2,900 fewer premature deaths and 6,700 fewer hospital admissions and emergency room visits. (Mike Mareen/Adobe Stock)

AZ leaders advocate for 'clean truck' standards

Arizona leaders and community members rallied late last week to urge support for the Environmental Protection Agency's clean truck standards for heavy…

Most Arizona voters believe the drought is continuing to worsen, and that policymakers need to do more to protect the state's water future and secure long-term water supplies. (Adobe Stock)

On 'Environmental Day,' AZ leaders show support for water bills

Arizona leaders, advocates and high school students gathered to commemorate Environmental Day at the Arizona State Capitol on Thursday. Rep. …

Since the summer of 2022, the State of Arizona has already secured more than $10 billion in new clean energy investments, which are projected to create more than 13,500 new jobs, according to Climate Power. (Adobe Stock)

Public and private sectors discuss AZ's clean energy economy

The Arizona Governor's Office of Resilience and industry leaders discussed clean energy investments in the state at Honeywell's facility in Phoenix Mo…

More than 10 trillion gallons of water have been lost from the Colorado River basin between 2000 and 2021, according to a recent UCLA study. (Paul Moore/Adobe Stock)

AZ celebrates Colorado River conservation agreements

Arizona leaders are celebrating the federal government's just over $63 million investment for water conservation, efficiency and protection of the …

Arizona is opening one cooling center and one cooling stop in the Government Mall. The first will be located at 1818 W. Adams St, the second is a portable, cooled shipping container at 1801 W. Madison St. (Ray Redstone/Adobe Stock)

AZ Governor Declares State of Emergency Over Extreme Heat

Last week, Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs declared an emergency in response to the intense heat wave being felt around the state. The governor had …

Arizona ranks among the top five states in the nation for the total number of native bird, reptile and mammal species, according to the Arizona Wildlife Federation. (Adobe Stock)

Expert Wants Federal Investments to Help Ecological Health in AZ

Experts across the West have met to discuss the potential impacts of the Inflation Reduction Act as the one-year anniversary of the piece of legislati…

In Arizona, the state's largest public utilities offer technical assistance to public and private entities seeking to electrify their fleets. (Adobe Stock)

Report Touts Transitioning AZ's Gov't-Fleet Vehicles to Electric

A new report found Arizona could save taxpayers $283 million if state and local governments transition their light-duty fleets to electric vehicles ov…

Advocates say the EPA's proposed carbon pollution standards would avert approximately 1,300 premature deaths. (Ralf Broskvar/Adobe Stock)

AZ Leaders Urge Strong Standards to Cut Climate Pollution from Power Plants

Arizona leaders gathered Tuesday in support of the Biden administration's proposed plans to cut climate pollution from fossil-fuel power plants to tac…

School districts have until Aug. 22 to turn in their applications for this year's Clean School Bus Program. (Moms Clean Air Force)

AZ School District Sees Benefits of Electric Buses, More Funds On Way

This week, one Arizona school district is sharing the local benefits ushered in by the Inflation Reduction Act. Isaac School District in West …

The Flagstaff project between the groups was made possible by a $150,000 grant from the Four Corners Carbon Coalition, a group of local governments financing projects to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. (photo courtesy CarbonBuilt)

Small Northern AZ Business Decarbonizing Concrete with Help from Startups

By Emily Pontecorvo for Grist.Broadcast version by Alex Gonzalez for Arizona News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public New…

Joellen Russell says diesel buses emit fumes like formaldehyde and benzene, the same chemicals found in cigarettes. (Adobe Stock)

Expert: AZ's Dirty Energy Negatively Impacts Kids, Federal Dollars Could Help

April is Earth Month, and for many climate scientists and advocates across the world, it's a time to raise environmental awareness. In Arizona…

The Nature Conservancy says the most extensive study to date assessed regeneration of eight major tree conifer species after 334 wildfires across the West, using information from more than 10,000 field plots. (Adobe Stock)

Research: Hotter, Drier Conditions Limit AZ Forest Recovery from Wildfires

New research has found hotter and drier climate conditions are making it less likely for forests in Arizona and across the Western United States to re…

The EPA says if its annual standard for fine particulate pollution is lowered to nine micrograms per cubic meter from its current standard of 12 micrograms, it would prevent up to 4,200 premature deaths per year. (Adobe Stock)

EPA 'Soot Rule' Faces Pressure from AZ Clean-Air Advocates

Arizona advocacy groups said a new federal standard proposed for soot pollution is a step in the right direction, but are urging the Environmental …

One of the priorities on this year's list is that the Arizona Legislature and Gov. Katie Hobbs ensure access to free and fair elections for all. (Adobe Stock)

Groups Release 2023 Environmental Priorities for AZ Legislature

Arizona conservation, climate, faith and community groups have released a list of top environmental priorities they want state lawmakers to take up …

About 30% of residents on the Navajo Nation do not have running water or electricity in their homes. (Adobe Stock)

Tribal Knowledge, Science Team up to Fight Climate Change in AZ

By Fiona L.Q. Flaherty for Cronkite News.Broadcast version by Alex Gonzalez for Arizona News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism …

If EPCOR's application is approved, Rio Verde Foothills residents could pay $20 per 1,000 gallons of water. In comparison, Scottsdale residents currently pay $1.65 per 1,000 gallons. (Adobe Stock)

AZ Community Faces Water Crisis

Arizona is running dry, and one community north of Scottsdale is facing the harsh reality. Rio Verde Foothills has more than 2,000 homes, and about 5…

A Sierra Club report found in 2022, only 56% of power utilities have made progress toward lowering emissions, while 9% made no progress, and 35% were actually worse. (R. Gino Santa Maria/Adobe Stock)

AZ Utilities Get Poor Grades for Progress Toward Clean-Energy Goals

Arizona's three major power utilities are doing a poor job of meeting the goals they set to transition from coal and gas to clean energy. A new …

In a proposed rate increase filed with the Arizona Corporation Commission, Southwest Gas customers would pay an average of $5.12 more per month if the utility's request is approved. (Valerii/Adobe Stock)

Beleaguered AZ Consumers Oppose Pending SW Gas Rate Hike

Arizona consumers are contesting a proposed $90 million Southwest Gas rate increase that analysts say would only benefit future - but not current - cu…

According to the Bureau of Land Management, there are more than 200,000 abandoned mine sites in Arizona, about 20,000 located on public land. (John Chandler Media/Adobe Stock)

Report: Reclaiming Abandoned, Degraded Lands Benefits Economy, Climate

A new study found reclaiming abandoned mines and other degraded lands could bring hundreds of millions of dollars to the U.S. economy, fight climate …

Solar panels on parking-lot shade structures are part of the Climate Change and Sustainability Plan at Pima Community College in Tucson, Ariz. (Media Dept./PCC)

Pima Community College Reduces Carbon Footprint, Promotes Sustainability

As Congress debates a bill to fund climate-change solutions, Pima Community College is doing its own work to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and …

A report from the USPS Office of the Inspector General finds while upfront costs for electric vehicles may be greater, the Postal Service would save money over time by deploying more EVs. (eqroy/Adobe Stock)

USPS Boosts Electric Vehicles in New Delivery Fleet to 50%

The U.S. Postal Service is buying nearly 85,000 new vehicles, and estimates about 40% of them will be electric vehicles. That includes 50,000 new …

Coal-fired energy generation accounts for as much as 80% of air pollutants in some parts of the country. (lilifest/Adobe Stock)

SCOTUS Ruling on EPA Emissions Puts State Climate Goals at Risk

Groups working to curb climate change said a Supreme Court ruling limiting the ability of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to control carbon …

Thru federal Energy Information Agency reports in 2020, the U.S natural gas transportation network delivered about 27.7 trillion cubic feet of natural gas to about 77.3 million customers. (Jason/Adobe Stuck)

Report: Leaks in Gas Pipeline Network Cause Damage, Death, Pollution

A new study shows that almost daily leaks along America's 310,000-mile network of natural gas pipelines are causing death, injury and large-scale …

Arizona and other states are slated to receive billions of federal dollars over the next five years to build a network of electric-vehicle charging stations. (hogoboom/Adobe Stock)

Study: AZ Can Save Billions by Converting to Electric Vehicles by 2035

A new report found by speeding up the timetable to fully adopt electric vehicles, Arizona could reap significant health and economic benefits in the …

Advocates say carbon-capture technology, currently being developed in the United States and other countries, eventually could remove a significant amount of the world's greenhouse gases. Lexiconmedia/Adobe Stock)

Flagstaff Seeks Carbon Capture Technology to Meet 2030 Climate Goals

A technology that once existed only in science fiction soon could emerge as a viable solution to climate change. The city of Flagstaff has added …

U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalva, D-Ariz., addresses an Earth Day rally at the Arizona State Capitol. (EDF/Adriana Zehbrauskas, Moms Clean Air Force)

Environmental Groups Want Earth Day Message Heard Year-Round

Since its inception, Earth Day has been an occasion to advocate for a cleaner planet - but in 2022, climate change is bringing a higher level of …

Turbines, used to generate power from natural gas, are a common way many utilities make electricity. (Adobe Stock)

AZ Regulators Back Community Over Power Co. Expansion Bid

A group of small-town activists who challenged a power company over its plans to use fossil-fuel generators to expand capacity got a win this week…

Arizona is in the 27th year of a long-term drought, thought to be made worse by climate change.(George Burba/Arizona)

New Report on Climate Change Prompts Calls for Congress to Act

Experts say it's more important than ever to tackle climate change and reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and in light of a new United Nations report …

Lake Mead, which holds most of the water supply for five Western states, is at a record low level after two decades of drought. (topenugato/Adobe Stock)

Voters in AZ, West Worried About Water, Climate Change

Voters in Arizona and across the West are increasingly concerned about the effects of climate change on the natural beauty of the Rocky Mountains…

The Bighorn Fire burned 120,000 acres of wilderness in the Santa Catalina Mountains near Tucson in June 2020. (Tonia/Adobe Stock) The Bighorn Fire burned 120,000 acres of wilderness in the Santa Catalina Mountains near Tucson in June 2020. (Tonia/Adobe Stock)

Researchers at NAU Institute Fight, Prevent Climate-Driven Wildfires

Climate change and drought have intensified wildfires across Arizona and the West, destroying millions of acres of woodlands and entire communities…

Solar energy would have been used to replace carbon-based power sources under Arizona's proposed clean-energy plan. (andreiorlov/Adobe Stock)

Regulatory 'No' Vote Sends AZ Back to Square One on Clean-Energy Plan

Frustrated environmental and clean-energy advocates say after four long years of debate and compromise, regulators sent Arizona back to the starting …

The National Wildlife Federation warns hunters and anglers in Arizona and elsewhere to act now to save their favorite outdoor habitats from the dangers of climate change. (Christine Glade/Adobe Stock)

Conservation Group Urges Hunters, Anglers to Fight Climate Change

PHOENIX, Ariz. -- A new report found climate change is affecting public lands used by Arizona hunters and anglers, and encouraged them to join the …

The Bighorn Fire in the Catalina Mountains near Tucson was one of several climate-driven disasters, costing Arizona more than $4 billion in 2020. (Tonia/Adobe Stock)

AZ Business Leaders Endorse President's Build Back Better Plan

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Business leaders in Arizona and across the country are urging Congress to take action to curb climate change by supporting the Biden …

President Joe Biden plans to accelerate the deployment of solar and wind generation in order to decarbonize 40% of the power grid by 2035. (soonthorne/Adobe Stock)

Biden Clean-Energy Plan Could be Hard Sell in AZ, Western States

CHANDLER, Ariz. - President Joe Biden's $150 billion clean-energy plan aims to rid almost half of the power grid of carbon-based fuels by 2035…

A proposal for a federal plan to convert 30 million homes to rooftop solar over the next five years would bring thousands of new jobs and lower energy bills to Arizona. (Zstock/Adobe Stock)

Plan to Convert 1 in 4 AZ Homes to Solar Would Bring Jobs, Lower Bills

TEMPE, Ariz. -- A new report shows federal investment to help convert 30 million homes to distributed solar power could mean big energy savings and …

Lake Powell, a man-made reservoir situated on the Arizona-Utah border, draws upwards of 2 million visitors a year for boating and other forms of outdoor recreation. (forcdan/Adobe Stock)<br /><br /><br />

River Managers Take Emergency Steps to Refill Lake Powell

PAGE, Ariz. -- The federal Bureau of Reclamation is taking emergency measures to shore up water levels in Lake Powell, to preserve the reservoir's …

Extreme heat and drought due to climate change is making it more difficult for water utilities in the region to deliver to their customers. (Chandler/Adobe Stock) June 4 12:38 p.m. Corrects an earlier caption that incorrectly stated the effect of lower Lake Mead levels on water delivery.

Climate Change, Extreme Heat Pose Challenges for Water Utilities

LAKE HAVASU CITY, Ariz. -- The calendar indicates it is June, which means if you live in Arizona, it's only going to get hotter. And while you can …

President Joe Biden's American Jobs Plan is aimed at creating high-paying union jobs in a clean-energy economy through infrastructure improvements in Arizona and elsewhere. (anatoliy_gleb/Adobe Stock)

Climate Advocates: Biden Plan Will Create AZ Clean-Energy Jobs

PHOENIX, Ariz. -- After the White House's Global Climate Summit last week, groups in Arizona and elsewhere are backing President Joe Biden's goal of …

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PNS Daily Newscast: Afternoon Update - September 18, 2024

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AZ: Climate Change