Arizona Public Service (APS), Salt River Project (SRP) and Tucson Electric Power (TEP) continue to work together to explore adding nuclear generation in Arizona, including through a preliminary siting study now underway.

New nuclear generation will take time to develop, which is why it’s essential that Arizona’s leading energy providers begin these initial steps now. APS, SRP and TEP are utilizing industry guidance to evaluate locations throughout Arizona, including sites that have been used for coal-fired power generation. The study will use a phased screening methodology to narrow down areas in the state to a short list of leading candidates, culminating with the selection of a preferred site. 

As part of the site selection process, the energy providers will begin stakeholder engagement and community outreach, and plan to hold community meetings near potential nuclear generating sites in late 2026 to share information and seek feedback.

The siting study, which is expected to be completed within the next six months, is foundational to subsequent steps in the nuclear planning process. Once the study is complete, the energy providers will evaluate technical, financial and other factors before determining if they will develop an Early Site Permit (ESP) application. If an ESP application is pursued, the companies would then decide whether to submit the application to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission for approval.

APS, SRP and TEP recently received notice they were not awarded the U.S. Department of Energy grant they applied for in early 2025 to support this work. They will continue to work together to explore future funding opportunities to help mitigate the costs of evaluating potential new nuclear generation.

The joint nuclear exploration effort comes as Arizona’s electricity needs continue to rise, driven by population growth and economic expansion. APS, SRP and TEP all set peak-demand records in 2025, underscoring the need for continued long-term planning and reliable generation. The energy providers are working proactively to ensure the grid can keep pace with rising demand, while also ensuring safe, reliable and sustainable electricity for customers.

The companies have not made a final decision to build a new nuclear plant in Arizona, and no nuclear technology has been chosen for the potential project. Both small modular reactors and larger reactor designs remain under review. Any future project would depend on industry progress on cost and schedule predictability, supply chain development and financing considerations. In the long term, the companies will prioritize nuclear technologies that are commercially proven as reliable; have been safely and successfully deployed elsewhere; and are provided by suppliers with strong operational records and demonstrated commercial viability.

New nuclear generation opportunities will be discussed at an Arizona Corporation Commission workshop hosted by Commission Chairman Nick Myers and Commissioner René Lopez on Thursday, June 25, 2026. The workshop will bring together energy providers, policymakers and industry stakeholders to further discuss the role nuclear energy can play in resource planning.

General Information
Arizona Public Service: APS serves 1.5 million homes and businesses in 11 of Arizona’s 15 counties and is a leader in delivering reliable, affordable electricity in the Southwest. APS maintains a diverse range of energy resources, including nuclear from the Palo Verde Generating Station, natural gas, coal, solar, wind and energy storage – a mix that’s about 58% clean. With 140 years of experience serving Arizona, APS is the main subsidiary of Pinnacle West Capital Corp. (NYSE: PNW)

 Salt River Project: SRP is a community-based, not-for-profit public power utility and the largest electricity provider in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area, serving about 1.2 million customers. SRP provides water to about 2.5 million Valley residents, delivering 260 billion gallons of water (800,000 acre-feet) each year, and manages a 13,000-square-mile watershed that includes an extensive system of reservoirs, wells, irrigation laterals, and 131 miles of canals. 

Tucson Electric Power: TEP provides safe, reliable electric service to 457,000 customers in Southern Arizona and maintains one of the nation’s most reliable electric grids. For more than 130 years, TEP has invested in the energy infrastructure that powers homes, businesses, and community institutions while advancing toward a cleaner, more resilient energy future. Learn more at tep.com. TEP and its parent company, UNS Energy, are subsidiaries of Fortis Inc., a leader in the North American regulated electric and gas utility industry. For more information visit fortisinc.com.

PHOENIX – Arizona Public Service (APS) has officially notified the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) of its intent to renew the operating licenses for all three units at Palo Verde Generating Station, which could extend operations from the mid-2040s through the mid-2060s. 

Located west of Phoenix, Palo Verde is the heart of APS’s diverse energy mix, playing a vital role in supporting Arizona’s economic development by providing 24/7 reliability. With the capacity to produce 4,200 megawatts of clean, carbon-free electricity for four million homes and businesses, Palo Verde is the largest power generator in the western United States. 

“Palo Verde Generating Station is essential to our customers, a strong contributor to Arizona’s economy and a cornerstone of our energy future,” said Ted Geisler, APS President and CEO. “Delivering safe, reliable and affordable energy in the desert Southwest for decades, Palo Verde provides the foundation for the around-the-clock service our customers count on every day and especially during the extreme heat of Arizona summers. Our notice to the NRC is another step in ensuring Arizonans and the region continue to benefit from this critical resource for many more years to come.”

NRC License Renewal

• In the 1980s, the NRC licensed Palo Verde’s nuclear units to operate for 40 years.
• In 2011, the NRC approved APS’s renewal application to extend the operating licenses 20 years, allowing the three units to operate through the mid-2040s.
• On March 13, 2026, APS filed a Notice of Intent to submit a Subsequent License Renewal Application to the NRC in late 2027. The application will seek to renew Palo Verde’s operating license for an additional 20 years, allowing Unit 1 to operate through 2065, Unit 2 through 2066 and Unit 3 through 2067.
• After APS files the application, the NRC will evaluate Palo Verde’s strategy to maintain the plant over time, plan for environmental protection and ability to operate safely. Public participation is an important part of the license renewal process, and the NRC will hold public meetings to share information and seek input. 

As nuclear power continues to support the nation’s energy needs, a license renewal for APS would extend Palo Verde’s life to 80 years. APS is following the NRC’s established license renewal process, which has resulted in renewing licenses to 80 years for 10 stations across the country. The NRC is currently reviewing applications for three stations.  

“Nuclear power plants harness energy from atoms to produce electricity. It’s one of the most rigorously regulated and carefully monitored energy sources in the country, and these facilities are designed with multiple layers of safety,” said Adam Heflin, Executive Vice President and Chief Nuclear Officer at Palo Verde Generating Station for APS. “Palo Verde Generating Station operates reliably and provides stable generation – helping keep the grid dependable and long-term energy costs more affordable for customers.”

The Future of Nuclear Power 
As Arizona continues to grow and energy needs increase, in addition to seeking license extensions for Palo Verde, APS is assessing new nuclear technologies and leading a collaborative effort with Salt River Project (SRP) and Tucson Electric Power (TEP) to explore and advance additional nuclear generation in the state. In 2025, the utilities teamed up to apply for a grant with the U.S. Department of Energy for funding to support the evaluation of possible sites. While awaiting a decision, the three utilities continue to move forward with their siting efforts as they consider many types of nuclear energy solutions, including small modular reactors and large reactor projects. 

APS and Palo Verde Generating Station’s History of Service to Arizona 
Across high-country forests, desert cities and rural communities, this year marks a significant milestone as APS celebrates 140 years of powering people’s lives. As an original Arizona company, APS is committed to the communities it serves and dedicated to the state’s success. Palo Verde has served the state for 40 of those years, underscoring the invaluable impact nuclear power has had on shaping society and enabling economic development in the state. 

Palo Verde Generating Station Quick Facts:

• Largest energy producer in the U.S. for nearly 40 years.
• Three of the nation’s 94 nuclear units are located at Palo Verde.
  • The NRC issued an operating license for Unit 1 on June 1, 1985.
  • Unit 2 received its license on April 24, 1986.
  • Unit 3 was licensed on Nov. 25, 1987.
• Palo Verde is unique as the only nuclear power plant in the world that does not have access to a surface body of water. It uses 100% recycled wastewater from surrounding cities for cooling.
• Employs approximately 2,100 full-time workers and 800 to 1,000 seasonal contractors.
• Contributes more than $2.6 billion to local economies and is the largest single Arizona taxpayer with nearly $56 million paid annually in property taxes.
• Generates electricity to serve four million homes and businesses in Arizona, West Texas, New Mexico and Southern California.
• Operated by APS and owned by seven utilities: APS, SRP, El Paso Electric, Southern California Edison (SCE), Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM), Southern California Public Power Authority (SCPPA) and Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP).

The life of one of the nation’s largest power producers began nearly 60 years ago. Around the time the Apollo 11 spaceflight landed two astronauts on the moon, some dreamers in Arizona were considering a nuclear power facility. APS led a group to study the viability of meeting the power needs of Arizona and the Southwest with nuclear energy. Two years later, five utilities in Arizona, New Mexico and Texas formed the Arizona Nuclear Power Project. In 1976, construction began for the Palo Verde Generating Station 50 miles west of downtown Phoenix.

This month Palo Verde celebrates the anniversary of a key milestone, 40 years ago, on June 1, 1985, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) issued an operating license for Unit 1 and almost immediately, with APS as the plant’s operator, connected to the energy grid. By 1988, after the NRC issued licenses for Units 2 and 3 and the three units were operating at full capacity, Palo Verde became the nation’s largest producer of clean, carbon-free energy and that has continued, consistently generating more than 30 million megawatt-hours of electricity each year, enough to power more than four million homes and businesses in the U.S. Southwest. Now owned by seven utilities, the plant produces about 27% of the electric power generated in Arizona.

As we approach summer, Palo Verde is ready to continue reliably serving customers, even when Arizona temperatures soar above 110 degrees and new customer electricity usage records may be set. Unlike some other energy resources, nuclear power is available 24/7/365, serving as the backbone to APS’s diverse mix of energy. APS customers are relying on the energy generated at Palo Verde to keep the lights on and the AC running.

Palo Verde is important in the long-term to meet customers’ needs. APS has already secured NRC license extensions well into the 2040s and is preserving the option to seek extensions into the 2060s. The nuclear story continues beyond Palo Verde. APS is leading an effort with two other major utilities in Arizona to explore the potential for additional nuclear generation. A team is evaluating a range of technologies, considering small modular reactors as well as large reactors like Palo Verde, as well as a wide range of siting options in Arizona, including at retiring coal plant sites.

This joint effort could result in the selection of a preferred nuclear site in the late 2020s, potentially enabling additional nuclear power to be generated in the early 2040s. The three Arizona utilities will continue their collaboration on charting a path to meet Arizonans’ energy needs into the future.

Just as that earlier generation of visionaries saw the need for nuclear power, we hope to strengthen Arizona’s energy future by taking the steps now to add new nuclear resources for tomorrow, ensuring that Arizonans will continue to be served by clean, carbon-free, reliable nuclear power.

Arizona Public Service (APS), Salt River Project (SRP) and Tucson Electric Power (TEP) announced today they’ll be working together to explore adding nuclear generation in Arizona.

The utilities have been monitoring emerging nuclear technologies and have a shared interest in evaluating their potential to support growing energy needs in the state. APS is leading the effort in collaboration with SRP and TEP to assess a wide range of possible locations, including at the sites of retiring coal plants. Nuclear energy is and will continue to be a valuable part of a diverse energy mix, providing reliable and clean energy 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“Energy demand in Arizona is increasing rapidly,” said Ted Geisler, APS President. “To ensure a reliable and affordable electric supply for our customers, we are committed to maintaining a diverse energy mix. While new nuclear generation would take more than a decade to develop, the planning and exploration of options must begin now. We are partnering with neighboring utilities to assess the feasibility of new nuclear generation, alongside other resources, to meet the state’s growing energy needs.”

“SRP is exploring all options to meet the growing energy needs of the Phoenix metropolitan area affordably, reliably and sustainably,” said Jim Pratt, SRP General Manager and CEO. “We appreciate the collaboration with our neighboring utilities to help determine the role new nuclear generation could play in powering Arizona’s future.”

“New nuclear generation could provide Arizona with reliable, around-the-clock carbon-free energy to power economic growth while helping us make progress toward a clean energy future,” said Susan Gray, TEP President and CEO. “We know the development timeline would be long, so it makes sense for our state’s energy providers to begin this preliminary evaluation as soon as possible.”

Siting work for additional nuclear would consider small modular reactors (SMRs) and potential large reactor projects. SMRs, which are smaller than traditional nuclear power reactors, generate 300 megawatts (MW) or less of energy per unit. For comparison, each unit at Palo Verde Generating Station, located west of Phoenix, is able to generate 1,400 MW. One megawatt of electricity is enough to power about 160 Arizona homes.

The utilities have applied for a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to begin preliminary exploration of a potential site for additional nuclear energy for Arizona. The application has been submitted under the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations & Office of Nuclear Energy’s Generation III+ Small Modular Reactor program. If approved, the grant would support a three-year site selection process and possible preparation of an early site permit application to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

The grant application is an initial step in a larger collaborative effort by the utilities to explore the possibility of adding reliable, efficient and clean nuclear energy in the state. This joint effort could see the selection of a preferred nuclear site in the late 2020s, at the earliest, potentially enabling additional nuclear to be in operation in the early 2040s. The three Arizona utilities will continue their collaboration on charting a path to meet Arizonans’ energy needs into the future.

Arizona Public Service: APS serves about 1.4 million homes and businesses in 11 of Arizona’s 15 counties, and is a leader in delivering reliable, affordable and clean energy in the Southwest. The company is committed to serving customers with 100% clean power by 2050. As owner and operator of Palo Verde Generating Station, one of the nation’s largest producers of carbon-free electricity, and with one of the country’s most substantial renewable energy portfolios, APS’s current energy mix is about 54% clean.

Salt River Project: SRP is a community-based, not-for-profit public power utility and the largest provider of electricity in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area, serving more than 1 million customers. SRP is also the metropolitan area’s largest supplier of water, delivering about 800,000 acre-feet annually to municipal, urban and agricultural water users. SRP employees are available 24/7/365 for any customer needs or concerns. Simply call 602-236-8888 or visit srpnet.com/heretohelp and srpnet.com.

Tucson Electric Power: TEP serves more than 450,000 electric customers in Southern Arizona. TEP and its Tucson, Arizona-based parent company, UNS Energy Corporation, are subsidiaries of Fortis Inc., a leader in the North American regulated electric and gas utility industry.

Media Contacts:
APS: Michael Philipsen, michael.philipsen@aps.com, 480-647-7762
SRP: Jennifer Schuricht, jennifer.schuricht@srpnet.com, 480-625-5070 
TEP: Joe Barrios, jbarrios@tep.com, 520-884-3725

Each year, on December 2, people around the world celebrate the benefits of nuclear energy. Palo Verde Generating Station will join others in recognizing World Nuclear Energy Day, which raises awareness of the many positive contributions that nuclear energy makes to our society.

Why December 2? This date was selected to acknowledge both the first date for a self-sustaining chain reaction (with Chicago Pile-1, created by physicist Enrico Fermi) and the date of the start-up of the first commercial-scale electric power reactor. In a tribute to Fermi, the first commercial-sized power reactor started on December 2, 1957, 15 years after Chicago Pile-1.

The theme of this year’s World Nuclear Energy Day is Critical Mass. That’s a term in nuclear physics to represent the minimum amount of fissionable material to support a self-sustaining chain reaction. It can also mean a point when something drives actions and behaviors of a large number of people. Surveys now consistently show more than 50% of adults favor more nuclear energy – a critical mass of support for this clean, resilient energy source.

Palo Verde Generating Station is one of the nation’s largest producers of carbon-free electricity.  As the heart of the APS generation fleet, it provides the foundation for the reliable service our customers know they can count on. The plant is a critical asset to the Southwest, generating more than 32 million megawatt-hours annually – enough power for more than 4 million homes and businesses.

Palo Verde has three of the nation’s 94 nuclear reactors. These reactors, located in 28 states, generate nearly 20% of the nation’s electricity, all without carbon emissions. The plants are supporting the grid 24/7, year-round.

Please join us on December 2 to celebrate the people who design, build, operate and support the broad range of technologies that are part of nuclear energy. Learn more about World Nuclear Energy Day.

Palo Verde Generating Station joins with people across the globe celebrating World Nuclear Energy Day, December 2. This day highlights the benefits of nuclear energy, raising awareness of the many contributions it makes to our society.

Here in Arizona, we’ll have a high-profile guest joining us in celebrating the day. Miss America 2023 Grace Stanke is the grand marshal of this year’s APS Electric Light Parade, which will move through the streets of downtown Phoenix in front of thousands of families celebrating the season on December 2. Stanke is a nuclear engineering student, and in April she took a tour of Palo Verde Generating Station.

Support for nuclear energy continues to grow. A Pew survey found 57% of Americans favor more nuclear power plants to generate electricity. That’s a 12% increase from just three years ago. Gallup also found that more than half of Americans – 55% in its new poll – favor the use of nuclear energy. There are many reasons support for nuclear is growing rapidly.

• Energy availability: While experts predict increasing demand for electricity, energy supply is constrained in the U.S. and abroad, with Gallup reporting that 73% of Americans are worried about the availability and affordability of energy. Nuclear is a source of plentiful power, and American leadership in nuclear energy is a pathway to reliable energy globally.
  
   
• Climate concerns: Nuclear energy is a clean source of power, so its popularity has grown as Americans become more concerned about climate change. (Gallup found that 61% of respondents are worried a “great deal” or “fair amount” about climate.) Nuclear energy provides abundant carbon-free power.  
  
   
• Government support: The nuclear industry is thriving, with many exciting achievements for the current fleet and new reactors. The federal government has taken major policy steps to support current and next-generation nuclear technologies.

Palo Verde Generating Station has been the nation’s largest power producer for nearly 30 years – all of it clean and carbon-free. As the heart of the APS generation fleet, it provides the foundation for the reliable service our customers know they can count on. The plant is a critical asset to the Southwest, generating more than 32 million megawatt-hours annually – enough power for more than 4 million homes and businesses.

Palo Verde has three of the nation’s 93 nuclear reactors. These reactors, located in 28 states, generate nearly 20% of the nation’s electricity, all without carbon emissions. These plants are supporting the grid 24/7, year-round.

Please join us on December 2 to celebrate the people who design, build, operate and support the broad range of technologies that are part of nuclear energy. Learn more about World Nuclear Energy Day.

APS filed the 2023 APS Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) at the Arizona Corporation Commission today. It includes strategic years-ahead planning to continue to provide customers a reliable power supply well into the future. The 2023 IRP provides a 15-year outlook on how much electricity APS customers will need and what investments are necessary to address those needs with around-the-clock energy amid unprecedented growth of people and businesses moving to Arizona.

APS worked with its Resource Planning Advisory Council (RPAC), a stakeholder group that includes local consumer advocates, university researchers, resource developers and environmental and public interest organizations. This group participated in meetings and workshops over the last year to incorporate transparency, diverse perspectives and extensive dialogue into the integrated resource planning process.

 “Our state is growing rapidly and when we think about how important reliable power is for customers, and especially considering the unique challenges Arizona’s summers bring, it’s critical we plan years in advance,” said Jacob Tetlow, APS Executive Vice President of Operations. “Our team has worked collaboratively with a diverse group of stakeholders to develop the 2023 IRP and find pathways to continue to provide top-tier reliability, while maintaining affordable rates, for our customers well into the future.”

How much power will APS customers need in the future?

APS resource planners used extensive modeling and data analysis to develop forecast projections for energy demand. For perspective, today, APS customers benefit from almost 9,400 megawatts (MW) of available electricity, an amount the energy company reached over the span of nearly 140 years since it began serving customers. Thanks to previous planning, that supply was available and served around-the-clock use of air conditioning by homes and businesses during the record-breaking 2023 summer heat wave. 

 Looking ahead, the modeling shows:

• By the end of 2027, APS customers will need about 11,350 MW, an amount equivalent to what it takes to serve about 1.8 million Arizona homes.
• By 2031, APS customers will require a total of more than 13,000 MW and peak demand will grow by about 40%. Peak demand is a period of time when customer energy use is at its highest.
• By 2038, APS customers will need more than 14,820 MW of electricity.

What’s driving the need for more energy?

Arizona is experiencing a boom in growth and development and the state’s population is expected to increase an average of more than 1.3% annually. That translates to about 23,000 new APS customers each year. Individual customers are using more electricity, too, not only with their air conditioners to keep cool in the summer heat but also as they utilize more devices and products that are powered by electricity. As drivers continue to make the switch from gas-powered cars and trucks to electric, charging those vehicles will also contribute to increased energy use. By 2037, APS forecasts more than one million EVs in its service territory. In addition to residential customer growth, large businesses like manufacturing companies and data centers are moving to and expanding in APS’s service territory – a trend taking place in other parts of the country as well.

Where will additional reliable power come from to serve APS customers?

To keep up with this level of energy demand, APS will make necessary investments so customers can continue to benefit from a strong and reliable power supply that is transitioning to 100% clean and carbon-free by 2050. Over the next several years, APS customers will benefit from careful planning that ensures reliability, maintains affordability and secures increasing amounts of cost-effective renewable energy. By 2027, APS will seek to add more than 6,000 MW of solar and wind power, coupled with battery storage, which will provide the greatest long-term value and affordability to customers. With this technology, APS can capture that clean renewable energy and store it for customers to use later, when the sun isn’t shining and the wind isn’t blowing.

Maintaining a balanced energy mix will be critical to keeping the lights on as APS plans to exit from coal-fired electricity generation in 2031. During our transition from legacy coal facilities, APS will utilize flexible natural gas resources that can ramp up quickly during times of the day when customers need electricity the most and make use of existing infrastructure to maintain customer affordability.

As owner and operator of Palo Verde Generating Station, the nation’s largest producer of carbon-free electricity, and with one of the country’s most substantial renewable energy portfolios, APS’s current energy mix is already 51% clean and includes renewable energy technologies and traditional energy resources that keep power flowing to customers 24/7.

To learn more about the IRP and Arizona’s energy future, visit aps.com/resources. 

Arizona Public Service (APS) announced today that Adam Heflin has been named Executive Vice President and Chief Nuclear Officer (CNO) at the Palo Verde Generating Station, effective June 6. Heflin succeeds Maria Lacal, who recently announced her intent to retire after a distinguished 41-year career in the commercial nuclear industry.

Heflin previously served as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and CNO of the Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corporation in Kansas until his retirement in 2019. Prior to that, he was the CNO at Ameren’s Callaway Energy Center in Missouri. Heflin worked with Palo Verde this year as part of its Offsite Safety Review Committee and has served on the board of the STARS Alliance, a collaborative alliance of four western U.S. utilities who operate nuclear generating stations.

“Adam was selected to be our next CNO in large part because of his demonstrated ability to achieve and maintain excellent operational and financial performance at nuclear plants similar to Palo Verde,” said APS Chairman and CEO Jeff Guldner. “I’m confident that he will continue the tradition of excellence we’ve re-established at Palo Verde, and I’m excited for him to bring his energy and expertise to our leadership team.”

Heflin began his nuclear career in the United States Navy, followed by positions at Entergy’s Arkansas Nuclear One. Heflin holds a B.S. in Mechanical and General Engineering from Arkansas Tech University and has previously served on the boards of both the Nuclear Energy Institute and the Institute for Nuclear Power Operations.

Lacal will remain with APS through August to complete a thorough transition with Heflin and fulfill several industry commitments. Until then, she will serve as Executive Vice President and Advisor to the CEO.

This is an exciting and innovative approach as we explore the most efficient and cost-effective strategies to reduce water use”," said Jeff Brown, consulting engineer at Palo Verde.

“We jumped at the opportunity to tackle this problem for Palo Verde because solutions that work for Palo Verde could also work for other plants too,” said Sandia Nuclear Engineer Bobby Middleton.

Sandia researchers have finished the first phase of the project by developing the analysis software. The next phase involves using the software to identify the most promising water saving technologies, including alternative water treatment approaches, as well as dry and hybrid coolers that use supercritical carbon dioxide instead of the standard refrigerants in use in commercial technology. The final phase of the project involves testing the most promising technology in a laboratory setting in the hopes that a cost-effective solution can be installed at Palo Verde in 2026.

“Water-saving technologies for energy production are critical for scientists and engineers to consider today,” said Sandia Chemist Patrick Brady.