Public News Service

Thursday, September 19, 2024

Rural AZ inn saves on energy bills, helps environment

This article was produced by Local First Arizona.Broadcast version by Alex Gonzalez for Arizona News Connection reporting for the Local First Arizona-…

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 …

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 …

At the national level, researchers at Northwestern University estimate the nitrogen-dioxide-attributable mortality rate is 18% for Hispanic or Latino people. (Noemi Gonzalez/Chispa Arizona)

Poll: AZ Corporation Commission ranks poorly among Latino voters

New polling shows that less than 10% of Latino voters in Arizona believe the Arizona Corporation Commission is taking the state in the right direction…

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 …

Using a ceiling fan can reduce air conditioning costs by up to 30% when the fan is circulating counterclockwise. It pushes cooler air downward, creating a cooling effect. (Adobe Stock)

Rising AZ summer temps also mean higher energy bills

Summer is in full swing and as temperatures increase across the state of Arizona, so do energy bills. Diane Brown, executive director of the Arizona …

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 …

Around 34% of plants and 40% of animals are at risk of extinction, and 41% of ecosystems are at risk of range-wide collapse, according to NatureServe. (Adobe Stock)

New rule to update energy grid must account for Arizona wildlife

In the face of climate change and the need for clean energy, a new federal plan aims to update the country's outdated power grid. One Arizona …

In 2022, 10.3 million park visitors spent an estimated $1.2 billion in local gateway regions while visiting National Park lands in Arizona, according to the National Park Service. (Adobe Stock)

New BLM rules could help national parks in AZ

As opponents to the Bureau of Land Management's new rules push back, public lands advocates are praising the agency's decision to put conservation on …

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 …

There are 8,337 solar jobs in the state of Arizona, according to Solar Energy Industries Association. (Adobe Stock)

AZ receives millions of dollars for solar investments

The State of Arizona has received $156 million to invest into solar systems for Arizona families. Adrian Keller, Arizona program director for the …

Many factors affect a customer's bill amount, including energy usage, weather, and the number of days in a billing period, according to Arizona Public Service. (Jason Yoder/Adobe Stock)

AARP AZ cites impacts of APS rate increase

Earlier this month, a new Arizona Public Service rate hike went into effect and one senior advocacy group said those on a fixed income may struggle …

Arizona is now among the top 10 states with the most electric vehicle registrations. (Adobe Stock)

Proposed EPA rule aims to increase EV sales

In Arizona, four in every 1,000 people have electric cars and a federal rule soon to be finalized could increase those numbers. It is gaining support …

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 …

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…

Latinos represent just under 20% of the U.S. population but account for 24% of all car sales, according to Autoproyecto. (Adobe Stock)

Group helps AZ Latino communities achieve 'climate liberation'

The nonprofit organization Corazón Latino has been awarded $15,000 to help Latino communities in Arizona fight for what they are calling "climate…

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…

The Inflation Reduction Act tax credits that encourage investment in solar power are expected to help reduce energy costs by 22% over the next 30 years in Arizona. (Photo courtesy of Will Humble)

AZ homeowner touts benefits of Solar Investment Tax Credit

Arizona homeowners contemplating making the switch to solar energy could save substantially. Those who install a solar system now through 2032 can …

The TeraWatt Charging Centers are located about 150 miles apart, to support the mileage range of commercially available electric trucks. (Adobe Stock)

Experts: AZ's medium-to-heavy-duty EV infrastructure needs to grow

Since Interstate 10 crosses Arizona, experts believe the state is in need of more electric vehicle infrastructure to support the transition to more …

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…

Leaders in Tucson predict more Arizona businesses, nonprofits and homeowners will choose solar and other clean-energy resources, based on the financial incentives in the Inflation Reduction Act and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. (Photo courtesy Climate Action Campaign)

Leaders Highlight Opportunities to Grow AZ Solar Industry

Tucson community leaders gathered at an event to highlight opportunities to grow Arizona's clean-energy economy say it's been made more accessible thr…

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 …

Most voters in Arizona strongly support creating new protected national areas. (Adobe Stock)

Poll: AZ Voters Worried About Water, Support Cleaner Energy

The 13th annual 'Conservation in the West' poll shows Arizonans are seriously concerned about the state's water situation, and that they support …

La mayor�a de los votantes de Arizona apoyan firmemente la creaci�n de nuevas �reas nacionales protegidas. (Adobe Stock)

Encuesta: Votantes de AZ preocupados por el agua, apoyan las energías limpias

La decimotercera encuesta anual 'Conservation in the West' muestra que los habitantes de Arizona están seriamente preocupados por la situació…

The American Lung Association says Arizona could avoid more than 1,300 premature deaths and 38,500 asthma attacks through widespread implementation of zero-emission transportation. (Adobe Stock)

AZ Leaders Call for New Federal Clean-Car Standards

A coalition of Arizona leaders is asking the Environmental Protection Agency and President Joe Biden to pass the strongest possible clean-air vehicle …

In 2022, Southwest Gas applied for an <a href=

11.5% rate increase for its Arizona customers. (Adobe Stock)">

Southwest Gas Seeks Rate Hike for AZ Customers

Southwest Gas customers could pay higher utility bills if the Arizona Corporation Commission gives the green light to the utility's proposed rate hike…

The SunZia Transmission wind project will be located in Torrance, Lincoln and San Miguel counties in New Mexico. (Photo courtesy of Pattern Energy)

AZ Vote Allows Continued Development of Massive Wind Project

The Arizona Corporation Commission has unanimously voted development of the massive SunZia Transmission Wind Project can continue. The commission …

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 …

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 …

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 …

The Defense Production Act has been used to accelerate the manufacturing of masks and COVID-19 vaccines. (Adobe Stock)

AZ Lawmaker Urges Biden to Expedite Transition to Clean Energy

As prices at the pump hit record-highs, a coalition of elected officials is asking President Joe Biden to invoke the Defense Production Act to …

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 …

A sign warns of radioactivity near an abandoned uranium mine in the Horseshoe Mesa area near the Grand Canyon. (Deep Desert Photo/Adobe Stock)<br />

Tribes Urge Congress to Make Grand Canyon Mining Ban Permanent

Members of native tribes living in or near the Grand Canyon are calling on Congress to make a provisional ban on uranium mining near the park permanen…

Arizona Public Service, or APS, is a publicly-owned, for-profit corporation generating and distributing electric power to more than 2.7 million Arizonans. (Yamolyanov/Adobe Stock)

Regulators Order Low 'Super Off-Peak' Rates for APS Customers

Arizona Public Service (APS) power customers could significantly lower their electric bills this winter, if they get the timing right. A ruling …

Arizona Public Service provides energy to more than 2.7 million customers across the state. (Sashkin/Adobe Stock)

Arizona Regulators Cut Power Company's Rate-Hike Request

PHOENIX, Ariz. -- Following pressure from consumer groups and ratepayers, the Arizona Corporation Commission this week made significant cuts to a …

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 …

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AZ: Energy Policy