Across Arizona, urban and rural communities are providing more sustainable solutions for their operations and for their citizens. Recognizing that energy plays an important role in sustainability planning, Arizona Public Service (APS) is collaborating with local governments across the state to help them achieve their sustainability goals, which align with APS’ commitment to provide 100 percent clean energy to its customers by 2050.

For example, the City of Flagstaff has approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that APS developed to help support its Climate Action Plan (CAP).

An MOU establishes a direct partnership and promotes synergy between an electric company and city and enables both to utilize each other’s skill sets to achieve common energy- and carbon-based goals.

A CAP – a detailed framework driven by cities for measuring and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, climate change impacts, and other sustainability-based goals – can help cities define their path forward. The cities of Tempe and Flagstaff have enacted CAPs, and the City of Phoenix is developing one.

Following are examples of two programs that APS offers to help Arizona communities achieve their clean energy and sustainability goals.

Take Charge AZ

Nearly one-third of all GHG emissions in Phoenix come from vehicles. To reduce these emissions, the city wants to create communities and transportation infrastructure that provide modes of travel other than single occupancy vehicles powered by fossil fuels. Enter Take Charge AZ, which provides expanded access to electric vehicle (EV) charging in Phoenix and throughout Arizona. As part of the program, APS covers the cost of installing and maintaining EV charging equipment at businesses, government agencies, non-profits, and multifamily communities. “We are proud of our long and collaborative partnership with the City, and we look forward to continuing to work together to pursue our mutual goals of clean energy, sustainability, and climate change action,” APS Vice President of Sustainability Ann Becker wrote in a letter to Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego in November 2020. “Working together, the City and APS can truly deliver for our customers and community.”

APS Solar Communities

The APS Solar Communities program offers a unique opportunity for limited-income and moderate-income residents across the state to help advance solar energy and enjoy savings. As part of its plan to be carbon-neutral by 2030, Flagstaff is participating in solar-covered parking through Solar Communities at no cost to the city. Flagstaff also has four Take Charge AZ charging stations at City Hall. “I am pleased with APS’s ambitious sustainability goals and the direction APS’s leadership is pursuing,” former Flagstaff Mayor Coral Evans said in 2020, when APS announced its clean energy commitment. “This commitment complements the Flagstaff City Council’s goals, aligns with the city’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan, and mirrors the Flagstaff community’s voice. We are excited to continue our collaboration with APS and partner on new and exciting projects.” To learn more, visit APS’s website.

EEI’s member companies, including APS, are leading a clean energy transformation. We are committed to continuing to reduce carbon emissions in our sector and to helping other sectors—particularly the transportation and industrial sectors—transition to clean, efficient electric energy. To learn more about our clean energy vision, visit the Clean Energy section of EEI’s website, which features a map that links to member companies’ clean energy commitments in every state.

Tags : Clean Energy, Customer Solutions, All