Sometimes lending a hand means looking out for more than just people – and that’s exactly what two APS employees experienced recently when they discovered a barn owl in need of help.

Vernon Bounds and Cindy Tuma work at the Palo Verde Generating Station west of Phoenix, where their days often begin with routine inspections of the infrastructure that generates and supplies safe and reliable nuclear energy to millions of homes and businesses.

One day, something out of the ordinary caught Vernon’s eye. A barn owl was stuck dangling in a precarious position after apparently getting its leg caught on some netting.

Palo Verde’s generating units are protected by pest deterrent netting, designed to help keep equipment safe from the damage that critters can cause. In this case, however, the owl got stuck while flying near the equipment. After spotting the bird, Vernon sprang into action and called in support from Cindy to plan a rescue.

“I looked up and noticed the owl was struggling to fly away. We were there at the right place and the right time to help bring this beautiful bird down!” Vernon said.

The duo was able to safely reach the owl and carefully cut away the netting to free its leg. They gently placed the owl in a box lined with a towel, giving it a quiet, comfortable space to rest.

The team then worked with Liberty Wildlife, a nonprofit organization and long-time APS partner, dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating injured wildlife.

In just one week, the experts at Liberty Wildlife determined the bird was healthy enough to return to its natural habitat. With support from APS’s natural resources team, Cindy and Vernon were reunited with the owl – affectionately named “Valor” for its display of courage – and were given the honor of helping to release it back to the wild.

“The adrenaline, the joy – it’s a moment I’ll never forget,” said Cindy. “Being part of helping this bird fly home meant everything to me.”

Because owls are nocturnal, the group gathered at sunset to watch as the bird took flight, returning once again to the open skies.

How a Mix of Energy Sources Helps Keep Your Power Reliable 

Arizona is growing fast. More people and businesses are moving here, and that means the need for electricity is growing, too. To keep your power reliable, no matter the season or weather, APS uses a diverse mix of energy sources, including nuclear, natural gas, solar, wind, energy storage, coal and programs that help customers use less energy during times of high demand. This mix works together to deliver reliable power while keeping your bills as low as possible. 

Planning ahead to keep the lights on

We are constantly studying how much energy customers will need in the future. We look at things like how Arizona is growing, new technology and changes in weather to help us select cost-effective and reliable energy sources. Every three years, the results are publicly filed with the Arizona Corporation Commission in an Integrated Resource Plan (IRP).

Looking at all energy options

We also use a competitive purchasing process to guide our resource decisions. Companies offer resource options, and we use the information provided to help us select the projects that are the best fit and give you the most reliable power at the least cost. (See: APS secures its largest-ever energy supply to reliably serve customers.)

Natural gas for reliability

Natural gas is important for providing 24/7 reliable service and is a critical partner to the clean energy resources we are adding. It works around the clock, provides support during the late afternoon and evening hours and helps fill in gaps when solar and wind aren’t available. While there is a large supply of natural gas in the United States, there is no room on existing pipelines to bring more of it to our state. That’s why APS and neighboring utilities have independently secured agreements for additional natural gas through a new natural gas pipeline. Learn more about how this will support reliability here.  

More nuclear for the future

As the operator of Palo Verde Generating Station, one of the largest nuclear plants in the U.S., we understand the value that clean nuclear energy provides customers. Now APS is working with SRP and TEP to explore adding new nuclear generation in Arizona. We have been monitoring progress with new nuclear technology and potential benefits for customers over the long term. Adding nuclear generation will take a significant amount of time, so it is important to begin the planning now.

Exploring options for coal

Because Arizona is growing so quickly, APS is exploring the potential continued use of our last remaining coal plant, the Four Corners Power Plant, to support reliability beyond the planned exit in 2031. Our Integrated Resource Plan process will inform the timing of our exit, which we expect will be no later than 2038, consistent with the end of operations under our Four Corners Power Plant lease.

Cost-competitive clean energy resources

APS’s energy mix is about 54% clean, and we continue to add more resources like solar, wind and energy storage. We are on track to install 2,700 megawatts (MW) of large-scale energy storage by 2026 and are planning to integrate more than 6,000 MW of solar and wind power into our system by 2027. We are committed to providing reliable power to customers at the lowest cost possible while striving to lower carbon emissions over time.

Powering ahead

With hotter temperatures and more people and businesses moving to Arizona, APS customers continue to set energy use records. To keep up, new energy sources need to be added to the grid quickly and thoughtfully. We’re also seeing significant requests from extra-large energy users, such as data centers and manufacturers. We are working to ensure those customers pay for the infrastructure they need without compromising reliability and affordability for the families and businesses that count on us for energy.

Arizona’s energy future is bright, and we value the opportunity to power ahead with you. Want to learn more? Visit aps.com/resources

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Grid Deployment Office announced it has awarded Arizona Public Service Company (APS) two grants, totaling $70 million, for projects to strengthen smart grid resilience, expand wildfire prevention and mitigation measures and help meet customers’ growing energy needs. The funds are part of the DOE’s Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) program, which is focused on enhancing and improving electric systems in rural, tribal and disadvantaged communities across the country.

“The APS energy grid spans more than 38,000 miles of power lines throughout Arizona and, for 140 years, has served customers with reliable electricity. As we plan for our state’s future, we’re also building smarter energy infrastructure that can stand strong during extreme weather and meet customers’ needs,” said Jacob Tetlow, APS Executive Vice President of Operations. “This funding, along with the approximately $2 billion a year APS invests in maintenance and upgrades, will support large-scale, innovative engineering projects designed to bolster the delivery of reliable energy our customers count on.”

Two DOE grants to benefit customers and the APS smart grid

1. Strengthening Arizona’s Wildfire Mitigation Efforts – $50 Million Grant

APS fire mitigation experts, meteorologists and field crews work year-round to protect communities, first responders and electrical infrastructure from Arizona’s growing fire risk and dry, hot summers. This grant will help fund new projects that expand APS’s industry-leading wildfire mitigation program.

Project benefits include:

• Enhancing energy grid safety by installing thousands of upgraded electrical fuses and devices to help smart grid operators make calculated, real-time adjustments to electricity distribution and perform targeted safety shutoffs. Select wooden poles in high-risk fire areas will be upgraded to fire-resistant steel poles. These measures will increase safety in communities and minimize service impacts to customers.
   
• Improving data-based decisions by expanding the APS network of weather stations and fire-monitoring cameras on electrical equipment, adding hundreds of devices across Arizona’s high fire risk areas and integrating more fire modeling software to enhance predictions about wildfire probability.
   
• Increasing reliable energy for vulnerable communities by building microgrids in two high fire risk Arizona communities. The microgrids will provide a local backup power supply during outages caused by fires and other extreme weather.
   
• Driving positive community impact and seeking to contract projects with diverse and underrepresented suppliers, businesses and union-represented contract employees.

This project will boost APS’s current efforts to reduce wildfire risk, which include removing hazardous brush from about 40,000 power poles each year, shielding equipment with fire-resistant mesh to protect against fire damage and collaborating with local fire agencies across Arizona to develop emergency response plans.
 

2. Enhancing Arizona’s Smart, Resilient Grid – $20 Million Grant

APS is building smarter energy infrastructure to increase resilience against extreme weather, address growing customer demand and integrate more clean energy resources. This grant will help fund the construction of new smart grid technology projects to increase APS’s ability to efficiently and safely reroute electricity during outage situations to improve restoration times.

Project benefits include:

• Strengthening reliability and resilience in primarily rural and tribal communities through upgrades in energy grid technology. This will bring significant savings in repair costs and over 20 years, avoid an estimated 1.2 million unplanned service interruptions. 
   
• Increasing up to 15% more power delivered to APS customers through new equipment installed on specific transmission lines. This additional capacity will improve reliability, efficiency and connect more clean energy technologies to the smart grid.
   
• Utilizing advanced data analysis and information gathered from new technologies and smart grid devices by APS engineers and operators to track energy patterns over time and plan for future project needs. 
   
• Seeking to create full-time jobs targeting union-represented and underrepresented contractors. APS will also dedicate funding to its Crisis Bill Assistance program and its scholarship and workforce development initiatives.

APS hosts the Key Supplier Forum and Awards to recognize outstanding supplier partners that provide exceptional service and help us deliver on our mission to provide reliable, affordable and clean energy to our customers. This event was held in person for the first time since 2019 at the Great Arizona Puppet Theater.

“Our suppliers play a critical role in supporting our mission to serve clean, reliable and affordable energy to our customers. We value their partnership,” said Lisa Carrington, director, Procurement, during her opening remarks.

Supplier Excellence Awards

Award winners were nominated by APS business units for outstanding contributions in six key focus areas: performance, safety, customer service, environmental stewardship, value-add relationship and community/diversity. The following suppliers were selected as the 2023 Supplier Excellence Award winners:

• Dooley Construction Solutions (community/diversity) for their delivery of a first-of-its-kind census of unelectrified buildings on the Navajo Nation and Hopi Reservation within APS service territory.
• HPI (safety) for performing turbine maintenance on every legacy turbine not covered by a long-term service agreement with no safety incidences.
• Bunney’s (value-add relationship) for their support on key projects at Palo Verde Generating Station to improve site performance and safety.
• Valmont (customer service) for providing a critical supply line for poles during the summer of 2022 when utility crews worked to replace more than 800 damaged power poles, nearly a 3X increase in pole replacements over an average storm season.
• McCarthy (performance) for delivering a critical construction project that integrates four key APS sites into one. They did this on time, on budget, and in an environment of inflationary pressure and highly unpredictable supply chain breakdowns.
• Tierney Technical Services (environmental sustainability) for maintaining and monitoring all Continuous Emission Monitoring (CEMS ) equipment at Cholla Power Plant, while also supporting all required environmental reporting requirements for air permitting.

PHOENIX – Arizona Public Service (APS) customers can celebrate National Clean Energy Week (Sept. 25-29), knowing they play a key role in protecting Arizona’s environment and creating a clean energy future for our state. APS is making steady progress on the path to powering homes and businesses with electricity that is 100% clean and carbon-free. Clean resources, as part of a diverse energy mix, are among the most affordable options today and provide strong value for customers over the long term.

This summer, APS flipped the switch on its largest solar power plant. The Agave Solar Plant southwest of Phoenix is providing 150 megawatts (MW) of capacity to the APS electric system. That’s enough power for 24,000 homes.

“With 400,000 panels tracking the sun across the sky, soaking it up and converting it into electricity for customers, Agave Solar Plant is a new resource in our energy mix. Combined with other renewables and Palo Verde Generating Station, the largest nuclear plant and clean energy resource in the country, APS is already more than 50% clean today”, said APS President Ted Geisler. “Most importantly, we are transitioning to 100% clean in a manner that prioritizes reliability and affordability, maintaining a balanced energy supply to ensure customers have the power when they need it most.”Here are other highlights on APS’s path to a reliable, affordable and clean energy future for Arizona:

• Generating clean energy for nearly four decades -- Palo Verde Generating Station is the nation’s largest single source of electricity of any kind. Palo Verde generates 100% clean, carbon-free electricity 24 hours a day, seven days a week, powering four million homes and businesses in the desert Southwest. It is the cornerstone of APS’s Clean Energy Commitment.
• Delivering solar after sunset -- Solar-generated electricity can be stored and then released to serve customers on cloudy days and at night, when the sun isn’t shining. Energy storage is part of APS’s ‘all of the above’ approach to generation resources, helping ensure reliability during the record-setting heat wave in July. Nine new energy storage projects are providing about 200 MW of power, enough to serve 32,000 Arizona homes for three to four hours.
• Helping Arizona businesses go green -- To support Arizona’s business community, APS’s new Green Power Partners program provides businesses with special options to reach their sustainability goals and transition to 100% clean operations, positively impacting the environment through renewable energy options.

Creating virtual power plants -- Innovative programs like APS Cool Rewards provide customers with the opportunity to partner with APS to save money, protect the environment and strengthen the electric grid. Customers earn bill credits by voluntarily conserving energy on Arizona’s hottest summer days. With more than 58,000 customers (and 80,000 smart thermostats) in the Cool Rewards community, this program acts like a virtual power plant to reduce electric demand by more than 130 megawatts of electricity - an equivalent amount to what a small power plant might produce.

When you think of Winslow, Arizona, you might start singing “Standing on a corner…” – that famous lyric from the Eagles’ hit song “Take It Easy.”

Approximately 20 miles south of that corner is Chevelon Butte Ranch, one of Arizona’s oldest working cattle ranches – and now, Arizona’s newest operating site for clean, renewable energy.

The Chevelon Butte wind farm is a project that shows the power of partnerships.

The first new large-scale wind facility to be built in Northern Arizona in a decade, it’s a project that resulted from our competitive procurement process, which enables us to evaluate diverse and affordable resource options to best serve customers and meet the energy needs of our growing state. The AES Corporation (AES) developed and owns and operates the Chevelon Butte wind farm, and APS purchases the power generated through a 20-year power purchase agreement.

While operating on a working cattle ranch, the Chevelon Butte wind farm helps preserve century-old ranching traditions, generates economic benefits for the residents and local communities of Coconino and Navajo counties, and supplies energy to power Arizona homes.

“The energy from this wind farm can power APS customers when we need it most – after the sun goes down but customer need is high,” said Justin Joiner, APS Vice President of Resource Management. “Keeping the lights on for our customers is what we strategize years in advance and plan for year-round. With abundant solar power on our system during the day, the Chevelon Butte wind farm will support reliable service with its flexibility and increased production during the evening and overnight hours.”

“The Chevelon Butte wind project is a significant investment in the state’s economy and will be Arizona’s largest utility-scale wind farm,” said Trupti Kalbag, Vice President of Origination and Commercial Execution for AES. “APS customers will receive reliable, clean power from the innovative project alongside the economic benefit it is bringing to communities across the state.”

When the second phase is completed in 2024, the Chevelon Butte project will more than double APS’s existing wind power supply – helping advance our 51% clean resource portfolio on the road to achieving our goal to deliver 100% clean energy to our customers by 2050.

The same land that’s fed Arizona’s ranching economy for more than a century now powers Arizona and fuels progress toward a clean energy future for generations to come.

Arizona Public Service (APS) is bolstering its diverse power supply while maintaining the reliable service customers depend on to keep their air conditioning running on hot summer days and lights on year-round. In its 2023 All-Source Request for Proposal (RFP), APS is asking developers to submit project proposals for flexible and innovative energy resources that will fuel increasing power needs as more people and businesses move to Arizona.

This 2023 RFP comes on the heels of freshly inked agreements for new clean energy resources purchased through a 2022 All-Source RFP. Projects secured through the 2022 RFP will start to launch next year, as customers are expected to benefit from more than 1,050 megawatts (MW) of solar and wind power combined. In total, that’s enough energy to serve about 157,500 Arizona homes. New energy storage with a capacity to store more than 1,430 MW of power from the sun will also serve communities even after sunset.

“Our customers depend on us for top-quality service and we’re powering our state’s growth with our 2023 RFP and new clean energy projects coming online soon to continue to keep homes cool and electricity flowing to customers,” said Justin Joiner, APS Vice President of Resource Management.

With the 2023 All-Source RFP now open, it’s important for customers to know APS is:
 

• Addressing customer needs: APS plans to add approximately 1,000 MW to serve customers with even more around-the-clock power. This is enough electricity for about 150,000 Arizona homes.
• Adding more clean power: At least 700 MW will be earmarked for renewable energy projects, helping to advance our commitment to serve customers with 100% clean, carbon-free electricity by 2050 and growing a resource portfolio that is already 51% decarbonized.
• Maintaining reliable energy: APS customers benefit from smart energy investments. This solicitation advances clean energy, while keeping customers safe with reliable power. Developers can bid their unique energy projects or submit proposals to additional categories in the RFP to maximize existing power plant output. These include proposals like adding energy storage to APS’s Agave Solar Plant, developing renewable energy on the Navajo Nation or optimizing existing gas facilities as we transition to a cleaner energy supply.
• Serving customers: Our resource planners make sure we have the best combination of technologies for customers. All technologies are on the table and will be evaluated to support a diverse and affordable energy mix for Arizona. Project proposals may span from solar, wind and battery energy storage to natural gas resources that can transition to clean hydrogen fuel in the future to other resources that can ramp up quickly during triple-digit temperatures.
• Transparent and fair: This RFP is focused on projects that will be ready to serve customers as soon as 2026. Each project will be reviewed against a transparent and fair benchmark to ensure customer value. A third-party independent monitor will oversee this process. This RFP was developed in collaboration with the APS Resource Planning Advisory Council (RPAC) through an open stakeholder process.

To learn more about the 2023 All-Source RFP, deadlines and instructions to apply, visit aps.com/rfp.

 

By Ann Becker, Vice President, Sustainability, APS

Among all the beautiful, unique and diverse places in Arizona, the Verde River is one of my favorites. An oasis in an arid land, it’s remarkable for its scenery, fish, wildlife, cultural significance and recreation.

Flowing from Paulden, north of Prescott, to my own backyard in Fountain Hills, the Verde River is one of Arizona’s last-remaining perennial river systems. Verde Valley residents and businesses rely on this life-giving water source, as do diverse wildlife, including 270 species of birds, 94 species of mammals, and 76 species of native amphibians and reptiles.

The Verde River is critical to the well-being of our state. And it’s at risk.

Here in Arizona and throughout the Southwest, we’re in the third decade of a megadrought – a period of unusually dry weather as a result of higher temperatures and lower rainfall. While significant rain and snow this winter provides some relief, experts warn it’s not enough to pull us out of this megadrought.

The nexus between energy and water is top of mind for me. How do we at Arizona Public Service (APS) power Arizona forward with clean, reliable, affordable energy, while serving our state’s tremendous economic growth and protecting our precious resources?

I have the privilege of serving as APS’s vice president of sustainability. My team is responsible for helping develop sustainability strategies, including water policy, and collaborating across our company, state and region to make sure we’re incorporating these standards in how we do business.

APS generation requires water to supply reliable energy to our 1.3 million customers every day. As the desert Southwest faces increasing water challenges, we recognize the importance of conserving water resources. In 2022, APS reduced groundwater use by 34% over 2014 levels.

Our water resources team is committed to finding solutions to use less water to generate the megawatts that keep the lights on 24/7. My colleagues at the Cholla Power Plant in northern Arizona achieved significant groundwater efficiency improvements in 2022 by focusing on overall water management and conservation through updated equipment, system upgrades and optimized operations. Palo Verde Generating Station, the nation’s largest power producer—all of it clean and carbon-free—recycles more than 20 billion gallons of wastewater, a drought-tolerant resource, from surrounding municipalities to cool the plant.

We are making progress. But there’s a lot of work left to do. We are committed to doing our part.

The theme of this year’s World Water Day is accelerating change. To make real change, it will take creativity, collaboration, partnerships, new technologies and sacrifice from individuals and companies to go beyond business as usual, do things differently and try innovative approaches.

This is not something all of us should do. It’s something we must do – for Arizona’s future and the vibrant communities that rely on natural treasures like the Verde River.

This Solar Appreciation Day (March 10), local military veterans from the historic American Legion Post 41 in south Phoenix, are serving Arizona in a new way. With a recently constructed solar parking structure, Post 41 is harnessing the sun’s rays to help power the state with clean solar energy.

Since 1945, Post 41 has served veterans and community members with important social services and assistance programs. To add to its long legacy of giving back to the community, Post 41 continues to make a positive impact by participating in APS Solar Communities. Through the program, Post 41’s solar parking structure can generate enough clean electricity to power about 70 homes. In turn, Post 41 earns monthly bill credits for its participation and now has shaded parking for veterans.

“We’re extremely proud to give back to our state and participate in the Solar Communities program,” said Dr. Loui Olivas, Post 41 Sr. Vice Commander. “Post 41 is important to our comunidad. We are a part of Arizona’s history and strive to support our veterans. Now, we are giving back to our state in a different way and helping to protect our environment.”

APS Solar Communities connects residential customers with limited-to-moderate incomes and non-profits, schools and government organizations with rooftop solar technologies at no cost. APS covers installation and maintenance expenses, while participants earn bill credits for helping advance clean energy in the state.

“Solar Communities participants are our partners. Together, we work to provide solar power generated right here in Arizona back to the APS grid,” said Kerri Carnes, APS Director of Customer Technology. “This program is making an impact and empowering the communities we serve to help produce reliable, clean and affordable power for all of us.”

 The program is accepting applications until the end of 2023. Visit aps.com/SolarCommunities to learn more.

Tens of thousands of people traveled to Arizona to experience the excitement around Super Bowl LVII and discovered what we already know: how special our state is.

As Arizona’s hometown energy service provider, we take great pride - and responsibility - in delivering reliable power to our 1.3 million customers. It’s what happened behind the glitz, glamour and game day that helped create a winning experience for our customers and visitors alike.

Key moves in our playbook include:

• Partnering with 150 government, public safety and other agencies, from emergency management and aviation to cybersecurity and neighboring utilities, to staff and monitor events to keep our electrical system safe, secure and reliable for fans and festivities. 
• Planning months in advance with proactive measures like inspecting substations and power lines. Through long-term planning and preventative maintenance, our crews work year-round to strengthen the power grid and keep the lights on for our customers. This work doesn’t just happen for a big event – it happens every day.
• Delivering on our commitment to build a sustainable future for Arizona by partnering with the Phoenix Convention Center to power the Super Bowl Fan Experience with 100% renewable energy. 
• Powering local entertainment and hospitality businesses that provided unique and vibrant experiences for thousands of visitors from across the country and those who call our community home. 
• And, supporting the communities we serve through impactful partnerships, such as community cleanups with the Super Bowl Host Committee, and filling backpacks for students in need with NFL players and Treasures for Teachers.

Delivering reliable energy has been the cornerstone of APS since we were founded in 1886 and will continue to be long after the championship confetti settles. Together with our customers and our communities, we power Arizona forward – on game day and every day. 

By Kerri Carnes, Director of Customer Technology

If you’ve ever thought about looking into an electric vehicle, going solar or cutting energy costs, 2023 may be the year to do it! Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), Americans who qualify could save energy and money with new tax credits.

What is the Inflation Reduction Act?

In 2022, Congress approved legislation aimed at curbing inflation. It also includes incentives for households across the country to conserve energy, support green power, and protect the environment.

So, how could you benefit? This resource outlines how tax credits could work for you. Read on for three ways APS can help you manage your energy use and save money.

Drive toward cleaner air.

Electric vehicles, or EVs, promote cleaner air in our state. The Inflation Reduction Act includes thousands of dollars in tax credits toward the purchase of qualifying, new EVs and previously owned EVs that meet specific vehicle and income requirements. In addition to making the purchase of EVs more accessible, the IRA also provides tax credits for EV chargers in some homes.

APS offers a $250 rebate when you purchase a qualifying Level 2 smart charger. Whether you already have an EV or are considering one, we have resources to help you plug in at aps.com/evs.

Go solar.

With nearly 300 sunny days each year, energy customers are transforming Arizona’s abundant sunshine into a renewable energy source that powers an increasing number of homes and businesses across the state.  Going solar can help the environment and reduce your energy bill.

It’s also a big decision.

The Inflation Reduction Act offers tax credits toward the installation of residential solar. If you’re considering installing a solar system, our SolarSmart tool can help you determine if solar is right for you.  And if it is, we’re here to help you every step along the way in your solar journey: aps.com/solar.

Tap into energy efficiency at home.

If you’re not ready to make the switch to an electric car or rooftop solar, or they’re not the best options for your lifestyle, there are other ways to benefit from the IRA. You can earn credits for making energy efficiency upgrades around your house to save energy and money. These efficiency improvements include home energy audits, upgraded windows, doors and insulation, and more efficient heating and cooling appliances like heat pumps, central air conditioners and water heaters.

On the APS Marketplace, you’ll find the latest in smart home energy products and appliances and get access to special rebates and discounts: marketplace.aps.com.

On top of that, you can earn bill credits and use smart thermostats from leading manufacturers – like Google Nest and ecobee – to conserve energy on Arizona’s hottest summer days, when it is convenient for you. Learn more about our APS Cool Rewards program: aps.com/coolrewards.

Check before you buy.

No matter how you choose to manage your energy use and save money, we’re here to help. It’s part of our commitment to providing clean, reliable and affordable energy – while building a sustainable future for Arizona.

Keep in mind, many of these tax credits have income limits. If you want to get the most green for going green, be sure to check with your tax consultant first to see if you qualify.

Editor’s note: Kerri Carnes is the director of customer technology for APS. She has worked at Arizona Public Service since 2003 in various departments, including nuclear, transmission & distribution, supply chain, regulatory and operations. Given Arizona’s abundant sunshine during the day, her team helps create innovative customer-focused solutions to help better manage the grid while helping customers achieve their own clean energy goals.

West of Phoenix off old U.S. Highway 80, where farmers once grew cotton and alfalfa, a new crop is being harvested: clean energy. Rows of deep blue solar panels soak up the sun and convert it, not into leaves and seeds, but into green megawatts.

At the Agave Solar Plant, currently under construction in Arlington, Arizona, more than 400,000 panels will track the sun across the sky – generating 150 megawatts, or enough energy to power 24,000 Arizona homes. The plant is expected to be in service, delivering for APS customers, in time for summer 2023.

We’re also investing in battery energy storage systems at several of our existing solar plants – 201 megawatts, or enough to power more than 32,000 Arizona customers – and will have the capacity to add batteries at the Agave plant in the future. By pairing batteries with solar, we can store solar energy from the day and deliver it to customers after the sun sets.

As energy demand grows in Arizona, APS is investing in clean energy to meet customer needs. New investment decisions are made through our competitive procurement process to ensure projects are among the most affordable options for customers.

We’re committed to a 100% clean energy future – without compromising on affordability or reliability for customers. These investments in solar energy and batteries are an important part of our diverse energy mix, helping deliver more stable energy costs for customers over the long term.

Learn more about investments we’re making to support reliability for Arizona: aps.com/ratecase.

While the first day of winter isn’t until December, Energy Efficiency Day (Oct. 5) is a great time to start getting ready for it. Arizona Public Service Co. (APS) customers can save money and stay comfortable during the winter season by preparing now for colder temperatures.

Lower your electric costs with easy energy-saving tips:

• Maintain your HVAC unit – Schedule checkups now on your heating system and change air filters. Ensuring your unit is working properly reduces stress on equipment and saves money.
• Program your smart thermostat – As temperatures drop outside, program your thermostat as low as is comfortable. When away, turn your thermostat down a few degrees more to reduce heating costs. Set the thermostat to 60° or lower when away for extended periods, like vacation. Visit the APS Marketplace at myaps.store/tstats for exclusive rebates and discounts on qualifying smart thermostats.
• If you have electric heat, pre-warm your home and keep air flowing – If you are on an APS Time-of-Use (TOU) 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. Weekdays rate plan or the Time-of-Use 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. Weekdays with Demand Charge rate plan, save the most money on energy bills by pre-warming your home during off-peak hours. When possible, open bedroom doors to improve energy savings. Closed bedroom doors create pressure imbalances within your HVAC system, making it work harder.
• Eliminate air leaks – Caulk around external doors, windows, sill plates and anywhere outside air might enter the house. Install drapes on windows that continue to feel drafty.
• Use the heat of the sun – When possible, open blinds to let in sunshine and warmth. Close blinds at night to trap the heat. Use insulating drapes to keep the heat inside.
• Reverse your ceiling fans – Fans should blow toward the ceiling in the winter and toward the floor in the summer. While reversing your fan, clean your blades for energy efficiency. 
• Heat your home safely – Don’t use the oven to heat your home. Gas ovens can be dangerous when used as a space heater. Electric ovens are not intended for heating and using them as heat sources can decrease the lifespan of your appliance.

APS is here to help customers who may be struggling to pay their bills. To learn more about flexible payment arrangements or customer bill assistance programs, visit aps.com/support or contact (602) 371-7171 or (800) 253-9405 to speak to an APS advisor 24/7 in English or Spanish.

This National Drive Electric Week, Sept. 23 to Oct. 2, APS is offering special rebates on smart electric vehicle (EV) charging equipment, EV charging programs and information on how to maximize energy bill savings. EV drivers benefit from lower maintenance expenses, zero gasoline costs and help improve air quality by decreasing emissions from transportation.

“From trucks to sedans, major car manufacturers are making EVs more affordable and accessible for buyers. Many of our customers are deciding whether an EV makes sense for them. We’re here to help with smart, money-saving ways to charge EVs and we offer special rebates for the latest home EV chargers,” said Traci Stooks-Dermer, APS Vice President of Customer Technology and Operations.

Be a Savvy EV Shopper
Before going to the dealership, visit APS Cars Marketplace at cars.aps.com to easily browse car models. Customers can compare gas-powered cars to EVs, view different EV models, see total cost of ownership and check out financial incentives. Customers can also stop by select dealerships in APS service territory to use new ChargeWay informational kiosks and learn more about EV ownership and charging costs. Dealership locations are available at aps.com/ev.

APS customers can purchase a qualifying Level 2 EV smart charger and receive a $250 rebate. A Level 2 smart EV charger can help you learn information about your charging— making it easier to charge your vehicle according to your lifestyle and rate plan.

Tips to Charge Your EV and Save Money
Once you bring your EV home, it’s time to start charging and saving – on gas and your APS bill. EV drivers typically save an average of 60% on fuel costs. To get the most out of your charge, APS recommends customers:

• Avoid at-home charging during on-peak hours if on the Time-of-Use (TOU) 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. Weekdays rate plan or the Time-of-Use 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. Weekdays with Demand Charge rate plan to save the most money on energy bills. Customers on these two plans can save even more money by charging during winter super off-peak rates weekdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (November-April bills.)
• Charge during the off-peak hours of 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. when solar power is most abundant on the APS grid and overnight from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. when energy demands are lower.
• Program home charging stations or EVs to schedule their charge. Many EVs or wi-fi enabled home chargers offer this capability.

The APS SmartCharge program helps customers earn up to $85 per year by viewing their EV’s charging stats through a personalized online dashboard and sharing this data with APS to learn more about customer needs. For more information about the SmartCharge program, visit smartchargerewards.com/aps.

EV Charging at Your Business
The APS Take Charge AZ program offers business customers Level 2 EV charging stations and covers the cost of equipment, installation and maintenance. On the path to powering homes and business with 100% clean energy, APS has installed more than 600 Level 2 EV charging ports at businesses, municipalities, schools and nonprofits and is making charging infrastructure more accessible.

For drivers hitting the road for longer trips, APS is installing DC Fast Chargers capable of charging a vehicle battery in as little as 20 minutes in the communities of Globe, Payson, Prescott and Sedona. The first APS DC fast charging station at Show Low City Hall is up and running. Interested customers can learn more about the program at aps.com/TakeChargeAZ.
 

As more people and companies move in record numbers to the state, Arizona Public Service Co. (APS) customers will have cleaner electricity to power their lives and businesses through a new 2022 All Source Request for Proposals (RFP). Since announcing its Clean Energy Commitment in 2020, the utility is adding more than one gigawatt (GW) of clean energy resources to its diverse power supply. While Arizona continues to have hotter summers and rapid population and economic growth, APS is looking ahead at future customer needs and issuing a new RFP developed in partnership with the APS Resource Planning Advisory Council (RPAC).

“Arizona is one of the fastest growing states in the country and the power we provide communities and businesses is the backbone of our state’s prosperity, safety and well-being,” said Justin Joiner, APS Vice President of Resource Management. “There’s a historic population boom happening and it’s our job to plan and invest in an affordable energy future with long-term sustainability and reliability our customers can count on 24/7, 365 days a year.”

Formed in 2021, the APS RPAC includes local consumer advocates, university representatives, and environmental and public interest organizations. Originally created to support the utility’s integrated resource planning, this group participated in a transparent and flexible meeting and workshop series to develop the new All Source RFP. This broad market solicitation will help APS exit from coal-fired generation by 2031 and maintain adequate power supply to serve customers.

“To get the right combination of resources, we need collaboration. The stakeholder advisory council shared important, diverse perspectives that we incorporated into the design of our new RFP. Together, we’re finding solutions to the resource complexities unfolding in the West and the driving energy demand on our system,” Joiner described.

2022 All Source RFP:

APS is conducting an All Source RFP to meet the power needs of residential and business customers with affordable, reliable and clean electricity through the 2025-2027 time frame.

“While a traditional RFP spells out the specific resources needed, with an All Source RFP, we will consider any demand-side, electric or energy storage resource. This provides more flexibility and innovation in the options proposed,” Joiner explained.

This RFP is open to all technologies, including supply side and non-supply side resources. Proposed projects must be in service beginning in 2025 through June 2027. APS is seeking approximately 1,000 to 1,500 megawatts (MW) of resources, including up to 600 to 800 MW of renewable resources, which will meaningfully increase the amount of clean energy on the APS electric system.

Closer to a Carbon-Free Future:

The new resources that will come from the 2022 RFP will add to the more than one GW of clean energy secured through an All Source RFP and separate Battery Energy Storage RFP issued in 2020. What does one GW mean for customers? APS estimates that approximately 150,000 homes in its service territory can be powered by this energy. According to the Department of Energy, one GW is also the equivalent power of more than three million solar panels, 110 million LED light bulbs and more than 9,000 electric cars.

APS’s portfolio of new resources will be in service for customers no later than 2024 and will include:

• 425 MW of solar power nameplate capacity
• 238 MW of wind power nameplate capacity
• 635 MW of battery storage nameplate capacity   

The entire RFP process is monitored and reviewed by an independent third-party. Information about the 2022 All Source RFP can be found at aps.com/rfp. To learn about the APS RPAC, visit aps.com/resources.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements based on current expectations. These forward-looking statements are often identified by words such as "estimate," "predict," "may," "believe," "plan," "expect," "require," "intend," "assume," "project," "anticipate," "goal," "seek," "strategy," "likely," "should," "will," "could," and similar words. Because actual results may differ materially from expectations, we caution readers not to place undue reliance on these statements. Several factors could cause future results to differ materially from historical results, or from outcomes currently expected or sought by Pinnacle West or APS. These factors include, but are not limited to:

• the potential effects of the continued COVID-19 pandemic, including, but not limited to, demand for energy, economic growth, our employees and contractors, vaccine mandates, supply chain, expenses, inflation, capital markets, capital projects, operations and maintenance activities, uncollectable accounts, liquidity, cash flows or other unpredictable events;
• our ability to manage capital expenditures and operations and maintenance costs while maintaining reliability and customer service levels; and
• general economic conditions, including inflation rates, monetary fluctuations, and supply chain constraints.

Four Arizona energy providers and the state’s three public universities are forming a new, interdisciplinary coalition with the goal of attaining a carbon neutral economy in Arizona. Faced with the complexity of reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions across economic sectors, and the urgency to respond to the climate crisis, this coalition will combine its expertise to launch a new center to begin working immediately on strategies and solutions.

Leading professionals from Arizona Public Service Co., Salt River Project, Tucson Electric Power and Southwest Gas, and from Arizona State University, the University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University, will play a crucial leadership role in helping Arizona explore options and strategic pathways that move the state toward a carbon-neutral and thriving economy.

To begin, the coalition established a new ASU-based center called the “Center for an Arizona Carbon-Neutral Economy,” housed within the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory™ on the ASU Tempe campus. Among its first undertakings, the center will pursue the creation of a regional clean hydrogen hub.

Hydrogen can fuel chemical reactions that release clean energy and produce only water – H2O, not CO2. That means much of the energy used to create pure hydrogen can be essentially “stored” in the gas itself and used to provide carbon-free energy or feedstock on demand. Tapping this potential could help reduce carbon emissions in many sectors of the economy.

In late-October 2021, the U.S. Congress passed the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which the President signed in mid-November 2021. The law establishes program guidance and funding to create regional clean hydrogen hubs, which the coalition will seek. The clean hydrogen hub, while still being fully defined, will include hydrogen producers, consumers, and a connected infrastructure so that supply and demand are in sync and appropriately buffered with storage.

A successful regional clean hydrogen hub will help address difficult-to-reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the state, as well as grow Arizona’s economy, attract new businesses and create high-quality jobs. When fully operational, a new hub would help support a reliable and resilient electric grid, provide clean energy for the electric, transportation and industrial sectors, and potentially create economic development opportunities in communities that are adversely impacted by the closure of fossil-fueled plants.

Involving these communities in the process is a critical component of the coalition’s work. By engaging a wide range of diverse stakeholders, the group will develop a shared strategy to create a new hydrogen ecosystem and industry in Arizona. Stakeholders will be part of a collaborative network that directly involves communities, tribes, businesses, universities, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and other interested parties in the process.

Collectively defining the vision, governance, and organizational structure for the hub requires a deeper dive into a myriad of assets and resources available in the state and this effort is already underway.

Arizona is one of the nation's sunniest states, with significant available undeveloped land and abundant clean energy resources. It has the largest nuclear power plant in the nation, energy providers that have committed to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, world-class innovative universities, an established and growing industry base, and a healthy environment for innovation and start-ups. These resources, along with the region’s highly skilled workforce, can be used in producing, moving, storing and using hydrogen. While Arizona is currently a net energy importer, these assets could help the state become an energy exporter, bolstering its economy and helping others’ efforts to achieve their clean energy goals.

Company remarks:

Arizona State University
“ASU’s Global Futures Laboratory exists precisely to take on the challenge of creating a future of opportunity,” said Peter Schlosser, Vice President and Vice Provost of the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory at ASU. “We welcome the establishment of this new Center, and we are eager to work with the brightest minds from Arizona’s leading energy companies and our sister universities to explore the most effective ways to develop a sustainable and thriving carbon neutral economy.”

University of Arizona
“The University of Arizona is dedicated to a future for Arizona that is both economically and environmentally resilient. The new coalition as well as the Center for an Arizona Carbon-Neutral Economy will help create and secure that future,” said Elizabeth “Betsy” Cantwell, UArizona senior vice president for research and innovation. “We are thrilled to partner with our fellow state universities and local utilities to leverage the power of our place in a living laboratory and create scalable infrastructure for a clean, resilient Arizona.”

Northern Arizona University
“NAU has a long legacy of leadership and commitment to sustainability and this new partnership creates incredible opportunities for our students, faculty and staff to help tackle the important work of creating a carbon-neutral future for Arizona,” said Jason Wilder, NAU Vice President for Research. “. We’re thrilled to be able to help design a cleaner economy that will sustain Arizona into the future and to train the workforce that will be essential to bring these innovations into practice.”

Arizona Public Service
“The need to address the causes and impacts of climate change has never been more important. By partnering with Arizona’s universities and peer utilities, this statewide hub will help advance hydrogen as a clean-energy solution with tremendous potential to accelerate decarbonization,” said APS Chairman, President and CEO Jeff Guldner. “It also will further Arizona’s reputation as a national leader in the clean energy transition while creating economic opportunities for our state and its people.”

Salt River Project
“This challenge is bigger than any one company or industry. SRP appreciates the support and vision of this diverse set of partners willing to roll up their sleeves, work together and find solutions to become a low-net-carbon Arizona.” said Mike Hummel, CEO and General Manager of Salt River Project.

Tucson Electric Power
“The development of a regional clean hydrogen hub could provide critical support for our ongoing transition to a cleaner, cleaner grid,” said Susan Gray, President and CEO of TEP and its parent company, UNS Energy. “We’re looking forward to working together to turn this vision into real, sustainable growth for Arizona’s economy.”

Southwest Gas
“Southwest Gas is committed to helping our customers and the communities we serve achieve emissions reductions goals. Advancing hydrogen technology and increasing availability of hydrogen to the market is strategically important to achieving our clean energy goals. With existing infrastructure that can be used to transport this powerful clean fuel, Southwest Gas is excited to work with this coalition and stakeholders to lead efforts to bring a regional hydrogen hub to our State,” said Dr. Laura Nelson, Vice president, Sustainability and Public Policy

Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly
“Arizona has tremendous potential to lower greenhouse gas emissions by producing clean-burning hydrogen using solar energy,” said Senator Mark Kelly. “I look forward to working with the coalition to increase hydrogen production in our state.”

Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema
“Today’s partnership will pave the way towards a carbon-neutral economy by 2050, creating the jobs of the future and fueling innovation and sustainable energy sources throughout our state,” said Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema.

Company information:

Arizona Public Service (APS)
APS serves more than 1.3 million homes and businesses in 11 of Arizona’s 15 counties, and is a leader in delivering affordable, clean and reliable 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, 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 50% clean. With headquarters in Phoenix, APS is the principal 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 approximately 1.1 million customers. SRP provides water to about half of the Valley’s residents, delivering more than 244 billion gallons of water (750,000 acre-feet) each year, and manages a 13,000-square-mile watershed that includes an extensive system of reservoirs, wells, canals and irrigation laterals.

Southwest Gas
Celebrating 90 years of providing clean, affordable natural gas service, Southwest Gas Corporation proudly serves over two million customers in Arizona, California, and Nevada safely and reliably. For more information about Southwest Gas, please visit www.swgas.com

Tucson Electric Power (TEP)
TEP provides safe, reliable electric service to more than 438,000 customers in Southern Arizona. For more information, visit tep.com. TEP and its parent company, UNS Energy, are subsidiaries of Fortis Inc. (TSX/NYSE: FTS), which owns utilities that serve more than 3 million customers across Canada and in the United States and the Caribbean. For more information, visit fortisinc.com.

Arizona State University
Arizona State University, ranked No. 1 “Most Innovative School” in the nation by U.S. News & World Report for seven years in succession, has forged the model for a New American University by operating on the principles that learning is a personal and original journey for each student; that they thrive on experience and that the process of discovery cannot be bound by traditional academic disciplines. Through innovation and a commitment to accessibility, ASU has drawn pioneering researchers to its faculty even as it expands opportunities for qualified students.

Northern Arizona University
Northern Arizona University is a high-research institution providing exceptional educational opportunities in Arizona and beyond. NAU delivers a student-centered experience to its nearly 30,000 students in Flagstaff, statewide and online through rigorous academic programs in a supportive, inclusive and diverse environment. Dedicated, world-renowned faculty help ensure students achieve academic excellence, experience personal growth, have meaningful research opportunities and are positioned for personal and professional success.

The University of Arizona
The University of Arizona, a land-grant university with two independently accredited medical schools, is one of the nation's top 50 public universities, according to U.S. News & World Report. Established in 1885, the university is widely recognized as a student-centric university and has been designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution by the U.S. Department of Education. The university ranked in the top 20 in 2020 in research expenditures among all public universities, according to the National Science Foundation, and is a leading Research 1 institution with $761 million in annual research expenditures. The university advances the frontiers of interdisciplinary scholarship and entrepreneurial partnerships as a member of the Association of American Universities, the 66 leading public and private research universities in the U.S. It benefits the state with an estimated economic impact of $4.1 billion annually.

Media Contacts:

• Arizona State University
  Sandra Leander, Sandra.leander@asu.edu, (480) 727-3396
   
• Northern Arizona University
  Kimberly Ott, Kimberly.Ott@nau.edu, (928) 523-1894
   
• University of Arizona
  Stephanie Doster, scdoster@arizona.edu, (520) 626-3451
   
• APS
  Alan Bunnell, Alan.Bunnell@aps.com, 602.250.3376
   
• Salt River Project
  Erica (Sturwold) Roelfs, erica.sturwold@srpnet.com, P: (602) 236-2576 M: (847) 571-0326
   
• Southwest Gas
  Amy Washburn, Amy.Washburn@swgas.com, (602) 763-3289
   
• TEP
  Joe Barrios, jbarrios@tep.com, (520) 884-3725

This Earth Day, April 22^nd, Arizona Public Service Co. (APS) offers easy ways customers can help protect the environment while cutting back on their electric bills.

Here are some simple practices to conserve energy, reduce your carbon footprint and save money:

• Stay cool at home: Turn on ceiling fans and turn up the thermostat to maintain comfort. Remember to turn off fans when leaving the room. Add sunscreens on windows and turn off lights and appliances not being used. If you’re on a time-of-use service plan, try pre-cooling your home during off-peak hours when energy costs less and solar power is more abundant.  
• Install a free smart thermostat: Residential customers can save up to $179 with exclusive smart thermostat offers available on the APS Marketplace and enrollment in APS Cool Rewards, a program that helps conserve energy and strengthen service reliability by adjusting devices a few degrees on Arizona’s hottest summer days.
• Switch to LED light bulbs: LEDs consume up to 90% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs, last up to 25 times longer and emit less heat. While supplies last, APS customers can receive one free LED starter kit per customer account on the APS Marketplace. 
• Schedule maintenance checkups: Schedule maintenance checkups now on appliances such as AC units and pool pumps to make sure they run as efficiently as possible before the summer season. APS’s free Virtual Energy Checkup connects customers to an energy advisor for a personalized virtual assessment for tips to save energy and money. Customers can schedule a consultation at no cost online at apsvirtualsolutions.com or by calling (888) 663-2734.

Another way to make a positive impact on the environment is by participating in the APS Community Tree Program supporting community tree-planting projects. Non-profit organizations, Title 1 schools, neighborhood associations, block watch groups, and cities and towns in limited-income areas within the APS service territory will be given priority for support to create cooler, healthier spaces in vulnerable communities. Interested applicants may request a minimum of $1,000 and a maximum of $10,000 for tree-planting projects. Funding may be used to purchase trees, tree stakes and ties.

APS’s clean energy plan is focused on achieving environmental and economic gains, all while maintaining affordable, reliable service for our customers. And we want to partner with our customers to do so. How? By innovating around demand-side management (DSM), for starters. Read more about the many ways our customers can connect.

The message on the homepage of worldwaterday.org is powerful: “Groundwater is invisible, but its impact is visible everywhere. Out of sight, under our feet, groundwater is a hidden treasure that enriches our lives… but it must not be out of mind.”

World Water Day, which is held on March 22 each year, celebrates water and raises awareness of the two billion people worldwide who live without access to safe water. On this day, and every day, we encourage our customers to conserve water regularly. Some tips include fixing leaks or drips around the home, opting for drought-resistant native trees and plants, and installing water-saving toilet-flush systems.

We also encourage our customers not to take groundwater, aka that “hidden treasure,” for granted because we certainly don’t. Water plays an important role in what we do.

As a resident of Arizona, you’ve probably heard that our state has been in some stage of drought condition for 20-plus years. As an energy company based in the desert southwest, we know that reliable access to adequate water supplies is critical to generating power for our customers. And we understand that responsible management of this vital resource can have a positive impact on the customers and communities that we serve – and the environment.

To help ensure regional water resources are responsibly managed, we take a leadership role in Arizona’s water policy and are committed to preserving the long-term quality and availability of our water resources.

So, you may be thinking, what role does water play in producing the energy I use at my home?

APS uses three types of water to support power generation: surface water (including water from the Colorado River), treated effluent (also known as wastewater – a critical resource for Palo Verde Generating Station) and groundwater.

Groundwater is a non-renewable water supply because while it can be pumped quickly, it is slow to recharge. It is also Arizona’s reserve supply and should be conserved, when possible, to augment reduced surface water flows during drought.

Recognizing the importance of conserving groundwater, in 2016 APS set a goal to reduce reliance on this at-risk supply by 8% below the reference year 2014. By 2021, we reduced groundwater consumption by 32% compared to 2014.

We are committed to preserving the long-term quality and availability of our water resources, and we are guided by a water resource strategic plan that ensures sufficient long-term water resources for our generating resources, promotes effective, sustainable water supplies, and minimizes water-related operational costs. Our water conservation efforts include retiring older, water-intensive electric-generating units, upgrading to more water-efficient technologies at existing plants, increasing renewable energy, and supporting energy efficiency and demand-side management among our customers. Our current resource plan projects 95% effluent, 5% groundwater and less than 1% surface water usage by APS power plants in 2035.

It’s an important plan because current projections from the Bureau of Reclamation call for continued drought, and worsening conditions on the Colorado River. Based on this information, it is more critical than ever to be a responsible water user and share sustainable water practices that serve all of Arizona.
 

With nearly 300 sunny days to count on each year, Arizona Public Service Co. (APS) and its customers are transforming Arizona’s sunshine into a renewable energy source that powers an increasing number of homes and businesses across the state. March 11 marks National Solar Appreciation Day and allows APS the opportunity to shine a light on its progress toward integrating solar energy in its service territory, helping to achieve the utility’s commitment to a 100% clean energy future and putting Arizona on the map as a solar leader.

“Every day we’re working toward a more sustainable tomorrow for Arizona as part of our commitment to serve customers with 100% clean and carbon-free energy by 2050,” said Jacob Tetlow, APS Executive Vice President of Operations. “Without compromising the strong reliability our customers enjoy, we’re continuously connecting more solar energy to our smart grid. Solar generation sites, battery storage and customer rooftop solar systems are important resources to help make the most out of our state’s sunshine.”

Powering Arizona with the Sun

APS supports customers interested in protecting the environment and reducing their energy bills by installing renewable energy technologies like rooftop solar systems at their homes, schools and businesses. Nearly 141,000 solar systems on customer rooftops and parking structures are already connected to the APS smart grid, providing almost 1,300 megawatts of robust solar capacity. Last year the amount of residential solar generating capacity installed in APS service territory was 20% higher than 2020. Nationally, only Hawaii and California have more residential solar capacity per capita than Arizona. As the largest electricity provider in the state, APS and its customers have been a big part of that achievement: 

• APS ranks 4th nationally for the percentage of residential customers with rooftop solar systems.
• APS customers installed a record amount of residential solar capacity in 2021.
• 15% of all single-family homes in APS territory have a solar system and that number continues to grow. 

In addition to solar systems at customer locations, APS has constructed 10 large-scale solar facilities that make up APS’s AZ Sun fleet. These solar plants can produce enough locally generated, carbon-free energy to run approximately 60,000 dryer loads of laundry at once. They provide a reliable source of renewable energy and play an innovative role in APS’s clean energy transition.

To complement its own solar plants and its strong network of customer rooftop solar systems, APS utilizes a competitive solicitation process to obtain reliable, clean and affordable power to serve Arizona’s growing population and business community. All of these resources advance APS’s efforts to achieve a 100% clean energy mix by 2050, with a near-term goal of reaching a 65% clean resource mix, with 45% of that from renewables by 2030. Since announcing its Clean Energy Commitment in 2020, APS has procured nearly 1,400 megawatts of clean energy and storage – all of which will be in service for APS customers by the end of 2024.

Solar After Sunset

Later this year, customers across the state will enjoy more clean, renewable solar power after the sun goes down through industry-leading battery storage technology that APS will install on its existing solar facilities. Battery storage resources will be a game changer to power customers at night and on cloudy days with electricity from the sun, which will be stored and then released to serve customers even when solar systems aren’t generating.

To explore ways batteries can accelerate decarbonization, APS is teaming up with customers through the APS Residential Battery Pilot. Participating customers receive special incentives for installing batteries at home and sharing information about how their battery systems are performing. APS will use this information to enhance the customer experience by learning how battery technology can be leveraged to strengthen grid reliability and optimize the flexibility of APS’s electrical system.

Creating Sustainable Communities

The APS Solar Communities program provides a way for more people who are interested in protecting the environment to install rooftop solar systems with nearly $600 in annual bill credits to residential customers with limited and moderate incomes. In addition, Title I schools, nonprofits and rural governments can receive bill credits and enjoy the benefits of shaded parking by hosting APS solar parking structures at their sites. The more than 700 rooftop solar systems installed through the program have added 11 megawatts of solar energy capacity to the grid. The program will resume taking new applicants in spring 2022.

APS is celebrating solar all month long and teaming up with the Arizona Science Center to educate community members about the power of the sun for ‘APS Solar Month.’ Visitors can learn more about the sun’s light, heat and energy through hands-on activities, live demonstrations and tours of Solarville in the APS Solar Gallery. For more details, visit the Arizona Science Center’s website.

To learn more about APS’s transition to cleaner energy, visit aps.com/brighter.

For questions related to solar installations for your home or business, call the APS Customer Care Center at 602-371-7171 (800-253-9405).

In an effort to create greater access to environmental and cooling benefits of trees, Arizona Public Service Co. (APS) is accepting applications for the APS Community Tree program. Often the most vulnerable communities have the least amount of tree cover so to help provide shade and cooler spaces in areas that need it most, non-profit organizations, Title 1 schools, neighborhood associations, block watch groups, and cities, towns and municipalities in limited-income areas within the APS service territory will be given priority for support.

Planting just a few trees can greatly impact overall temperatures. Shaded surfaces may be up to 45 degrees cooler than the peak temperature of unshaded surfaces. A study by The Nature Conservancy projects the average number of days recording a high temperature of at or above 110 degrees in Phoenix will grow from 12 to up to 42 by 2030. It also noted that some neighborhoods are already as much as 13 degrees Fahrenheit hotter than others, and that these neighborhoods have the least number of trees and the highest levels of child poverty. Planting trees now can help mitigate the impacts of heat and protect against rising temperatures.      

“Urban communities often face the impact of the heat island effect the most and this program is designed to help provide relief to the people and neighborhoods that need it,” said Miguel Bravo, APS Manager of Community Partnerships. “Creating cooler, healthier spaces, empowering the communities we serve to protect the environment and our own commitment to serve customers with 100% clean and carbon-free energy are important to a more sustainable future for Arizona.”

Applicants may request a minimum of $1,000 and a maximum of $10,000 for tree-planting projects. Funding may be used to purchase trees that are appropriate for the location and climate where they are being planted, tree stakes and ties.

For information on the program, including help on where to plant and how to select the right tree for your site, visit the APS Community Tree program page on aps.com.

Arizona Public Service (APS) is working with customers, partners and stakeholders to power more than 1.3 million homes and businesses with 100% clean, carbon-free energy by 2050. As the utility marks the second anniversary of its Clean Energy Commitment, APS customers are benefiting from more clean and renewable resources, receiving discounts on the latest smart home technology and earning rewards and rebates for their participation in APS’ suite of energy conservation programs.

“We have a bold vision of what Arizona’s energy future will look like, and it’s going to take innovation on all fronts to make this happen. As we work to add more clean resources to our energy mix, we’re taking advantage of the abundant opportunities in the customer technology space and developing cutting-edge programs tailored to the needs of customers,” said Jeff Guldner, APS Chairman, President and CEO. “This is about meaningfully engaging and partnering with our customers through smart programs that increase the reliability of our electric system, cut back on carbon emissions, preserve Arizona’s blue skies and save money.”

 In addition to developing industry-leading customer programs, APS is using customer technology to:

Expand APS’ Virtual Power Plant (VPP) and empower customers to conserve – APS’ demand-response programs use a virtual network of smart home products, like thermostats, water heaters and pool pumps, to reduce energy use on Arizona’s hottest summer days and shift energy demand to when more solar power is available. Chief among the programs connected to the APS VPP is the company’s signature residential thermostat program, APS Cool Rewards. With more than 57,000 residential smart thermostats enrolled, customers benefit from incentives, discounts and energy-savings options for voluntarily conserving energy. APS Cool Rewards boasts a capability of shedding more than 80 megawatts of energy from APS’ smart grid. This energy avoidance saves customers money, helps the environment and builds a more robust electrical grid. APS Cool Rewards is recognized as one of the five largest Bring Your Own Thermostat (BYOT) programs in the country and one of the largest utility-managed thermostat virtual power plants. APS has a 2022 goal of reaching 110,000 thermostats to provide over 130 megawatts of summer capacity.

Help business customers reach their clean-energy goals – To support Arizona’s business community, APS’ new Green Power Partners program will provide businesses with special options to reach their sustainability goals and transition to 100% clean operations. The program will launch in 2022. Last year, APS launched the Going Smart & Going Green program for small businesses, which provides free web-based training in energy conservation and other ways to save.

Partner with customers to explore the latest in residential battery storage technology – Energy efficiency technology is quickly evolving and advancing. APS is partnering with residential customers to learn more about the capabilities of home battery storage units through its APS Residential Battery Pilot. Participating customers receive special incentives for installing battery systems and sharing information about how those systems perform. APS will use this information to shape a quality customer experience, learn how battery technology can be leveraged to strengthen grid reliability and understand more about how residential battery storage units can serve rooftop solar customers and optimize APS’ electrical system.

Team up with customers to create more access to electric vehicle (EV) charging stations – Nationally, the transportation sector emits more carbon than the utility sector. To help achieve a cleaner environment and encourage more drivers to adopt EVs, APS is providing business customers with free EV-charging equipment, installation and maintenance through the Take Charge AZ program.  To date, APS has installed more than 400 Level 2 charging plugs at businesses, schools and government buildings across Arizona. Last year, APS announced a partnership with Electrify America to install DC Fast Chargers in the local communities of Globe, Payson, Prescott, Sedona and Show Low. Construction is underway and scheduled to be completed this year. As part of its participation in the Arizona Statewide Transportation Electrification Plan, APS set a goal to support the adoption of 450,000 light-duty electric vehicles in APS service territory by 2030.

APS continues to make progress in delivering clean and reliable energy, adding more than 440 combined megawatts of solar and wind power, and working to secure several hundred more megawatts of renewable energy through an All Source Request for Proposals (RFP). Additionally, in 2021, APS entered into agreements totaling 420 megawatts of battery energy storage and expects to add more storage capacity by the conclusion of this RFP.

APS began the journey to its 2050 clean energy goal with an energy mix that was already 50% clean, thanks to the combination of renewable resources, solar facilities and the Palo Verde Generation Station – a core asset in APS’ generation fleet. As the nation’s largest energy producer of any kind for 30 years straight, Palo Verde is a crown jewel in Arizona’s energy infrastructure.

Last year, APS was honored by the Environmental Protection Agency with the ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year Award for excellence in customer programs. Additionally, APS’ parent company, Pinnacle West Capital Corporation, was recognized by the global environmental non-profit CDP for leadership in corporate sustainability with a prestigious A- score. Pinnacle West is only one of two North American electric utility companies to achieve leadership scores for tackling climate change and protecting water security.

Two years after APS announced a bold Clean Energy Commitment to serve customers with 100% clean and carbon-free energy by 2050, Arizona Public Service Co. (APS) CEO Jeff Guldner sat down with Public Utilities Fortnightly magazine to discuss the progress made on clean energy goals, the continued investment in Arizona’s future prosperity and what else he is focusing on this year.

On clean energy innovation and our customer experience:

“In the technology space, we’re developing cutting-edge customer programs that rely on engagement, whether it's residential customers helping us by participating in our energy efficiency programs or our demand-response residential thermostat program. We’re also preparing for the increased adoption of electric vehicles in our state and developing ways to optimize the grid. Our programs like Take Charge AZ are a great way for us to partner with business customers, like local cities and towns, who are pursuing their own decarbonization strategies.”

On supporting Arizona’s economic development:

“Our business customers are focused on unique aspects of their supply chain and also have decarbonization goals and want access to renewable energy resources. It’s important for us to partner with customers at all levels to make sure we're managing affordability and to bring them along in this advanced energy economy.”

On APS’ workplace culture and investing in employees who keep the lights on:

“Empowerment has been important in our culture change. We have a phenomenal human resources team that is helping drive the APS Promise and the framework that we use around growth mindset. We also partner with the NeuroLeadership Institute, and they've been great in helping us develop ways to continue to enrich our teams.”

Read the full interview here and learn more about how APS is working to serve customers with reliable, affordable and cleaner energy.

On Arizona’s hottest summer days when energy use is at its highest as air conditioners crank to the max, a network of customers’ smart thermostats, more than 52,000 strong, quietly works as Arizona Public Service Company’s (APS) virtual power plant.

These customers are part of the nationally recognized APS Cool Rewards program, which began in 2018 and provides incentives in the form of bill credits and exclusive discounts to conserve electricity. The program is now recognized as one of the five largest Bring Your Own Thermostat (BYOT) programs in the country and is considered one of the largest utility-managed thermostat virtual power plants.

During just the summer months of 2021, Cool Rewards participants conserved energy by raising their thermostats just a few degrees to help shed nearly 80 megawatts of electricity from the APS system, an equivalent amount to what a small power plant might produce. That energy avoidance saves customers money, benefits the environment and builds a smarter electrical grid.

APS is working with EnergyHub to manage its diverse portfolio of grid-edge devices. EnergyHub’s software platform and services provide APS the ability to manage, grow and operationalize their network of devices for the benefit of the APS grid and market value streams. The partnership has also allowed APS to offer its customers a seamless enrollment experience at the point of purchase by integrating with APS Marketplace.

“APS is a pioneer in leveraging the flexibility of connected devices to help support its clean energy and reliability goals,” said Tyler Rogers, EnergyHub Senior Director of Utility Sales. “EnergyHub is honored to be a long partner with APS, working together to deliver innovative, scalable and customer-centric solutions.”

To offer customers savings on the latest smart home technology, APS is working directly with top thermostat providers. Through special partnership with Google, APS customers have access to promotional pricing for Google Nest Smart Thermostat models, at no cost except shipping and taxes.

"Independent studies show that Nest thermostats save people an average of 10% to 15% on heating and cooling annually,” said Aaron Berndt, Google Head of Industry Partnerships. “Our goal is to provide opportunities for consumers to utilize Google Nest’s Rush Hour Rewards solution within innovative programs such as Cool Rewards and the APS Marketplace and we are thrilled to collaborate with APS and EnergyHub to outfit customers’ homes with energy efficient products like Nest thermostats."

APS Cool Rewards has surpassed the halfway mark to its goal of 100,000 enrolled smart thermostats. The program was recognized earlier this year with the ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Award for excellence in customer energy efficiency programs. To learn more or enroll, visit aps.com/CoolRewards.

Sometimes APS crews serve as first responders when they encounter a wild animal in distress in the field. Thanks to Liberty Wildlife, many of our line workers and members of our forestry department have been schooled on how to keep injured animals alive until Liberty Wildlife staffers can arrive on the scene, which can be challenging if the animal is found in APS territory far from the Phoenix metropolitan area, where Liberty Wildlife is based.

For more than a decade, APS has partnered with Liberty Wildlife, a non-profit organization committed to providing quality wildlife rehabilitation, environmental education, and conservation services for the community.

Liberty Wildlife helps to assist our crews in keeping the lights on as well. When a nest is found near a line, we work to relocate it to ensure the safety of the animals as well as the continued electrical service to our customers.

“At APS, we are natural stewards of the environment,” said Nicole Rodriguez, an APS Natural Resource Specialist who manages the company’s Wildlife Protection Program. “We have great employees who want to do the right thing and who have a vested interest in protecting animals, not only because it’s the law but because it’s who we are.”

Founded in January 1981, Liberty Wildlife takes care of approximately 10,000 animals per year. With no government funding, it depends heavily on the generosity of individual donors and corporate partners, such as APS.

Building and maintaining relationships with various wildlife conservation organizations, such as Liberty Wildlife, strengthen the APS Wildlife Protection Program. We also work closely with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Arizona Game and Fish Department and others to ensure the safety and well-being of wildlife across our state.

In the year since Arizona Public Service (APS) announced its bold commitment to serve customers with 100% clean, carbon-free energy by 2050, the company has made steady progress toward that goal. The company‘s clean energy commitment includes interim targets of increasing its resource mix to 65% clean by 2030, with 45% of that from renewables, and ending all coal-fired energy production by 2031.

“Our commitment is for the long term and includes maintaining the reliable and affordable service our customers rely on,” said Jeff Guldner, APS Chairman and CEO. “In 2020, we worked first to overcome the immediate concerns presented by the pandemic – to keep our employees safe and healthy and to keep the power on for our customers – but we have not taken our eyes off the ball. In the first 12 months of our commitment, we made great progress thanks to important work with stakeholders who share this vision for a carbon-free energy future and the hard work of our employees throughout Arizona.”

In collaboration with industry and community partners, APS’s progress toward a 100% clean energy future over the past year has included:

• Steady production of carbon-free nuclear power from Palo Verde Generating Station – The nation’s largest energy producer of any kind, Palo Verde Generating Station, is a cornerstone of the company’s clean energy commitment. The station continued to do its part, producing clean nuclear power with a 91.2% capacity factor (an important measure of efficiency) for the year and at 100% during the hottest Arizona summer on record. This production pushed Palo Verde’s lifetime output to more than a billion megawatt-hours – the only nuclear power plant to surpass that milestone. Largely because of Palo Verde, combined with an array of renewables (especially solar facilities), APS began this journey to 2050 with an energy mix already 50% clean.
   
• Adding more clean resources to meet customers’ growing energy needs – APS secured more than 400 megawatts of clean energy resources, including 200 megawatts of wind power and 75 megawatts of demand response capability. APS also issued a request for proposal late last year to acquire more battery storage that can be combined with solar generation to add between 1 and 1.5 gigawatts of new resources to the system, including more renewable energy. The expanded energy storage adds 60 megawatts of battery storage to two of its existing AZ Sun Project solar facilities – the Red Rock and Chino Valley plants in Pinal County and Yavapai County, respectively. Proposed projects must begin delivery no later than June 1, 2023. APS also recently executed an agreement with Invenergy to add battery energy storage to six APS solar plants located in Maricopa County and Yuma County. These systems will begin operation in early 2022.
   
• Planning a responsible transition from coal – To facilitate the shift away from coal, APS proposed a coal communities transition plan to support the areas that are home to coal-fired power stations. If approved by the Arizona Corporation Commission, the $144 million package would help communities surrounding the Four Corners and Cholla power plants, including the Navajo and Hopi nations, to diversify and modernize their economies.
   
• Providing energy efficiency tools and programs to help customers conserve electricity – Energy saved is considered clean energy for the production and associated emissions it avoids. Among the company’s many energy-efficiency programs for both residential and business customers, APS distributed more than 10,000 Google Nest Thermostats (valued at $129 each) to customers when they enrolled in APS Cool Rewards. This program helps customers conserve energy and save money on their electricity bill by raising thermostats a few degrees on hot summer days when the demand for energy is high and supply gets tighter. In partnership with CPower, APS also expanded the Peak Solutions program to more commercial and industrial customers who can enroll in voluntary conservation measures when demand for energy peaks on the APS system. This program helped APS maintain a stable supply of electricity through record heat last summer.
   
• Going beyond the generation mix to help reduce emissions in other sectors – In APS’s report on its clean energy commitment, the company cites collaboration with the transportation and building sectors as another strategy to help achieve overall carbon-reduction and air-quality goals. With 34,000 electric vehicles already on Arizona’s roads, easy access to charging stations may help even more drivers go electric. Through the Take Charge AZ pilot program, APS covers the cost of installing and maintaining equipment for Level 2 charging stations at businesses, government agencies, non-profits and multifamily communities. At year-end 2020, 84 charging stations were installed through this pilot. The goal is to have 200 to 400 Level 2 ports across APS service territory by the end of 2021. Now, through a new APS partnership with Electrify America, more charging infrastructure will help make for a reliable EV experience on longer road trips. Working together in phase two of the Take Charge AZ program, APS and Electrify America will bring new DC fast charging stations to retail and tourist locations in the Arizona communities of Payson, Globe, Show Low, Prescott and Sedona.

“We are serious about our clean energy commitment. If we can work together on the best policies, technologies and pathways to follow, the real economic and environmental benefits for our state will be worthwhile in ways we can only imagine today,” said Guldner. “It won’t always be an easy path to travel, perhaps, but it always will be a path worth taking.”

Arizona Public Service Company (APS) is taking more steps to deliver on its commitment to serve one of the fastest-growing service territories in the country with 100% clean energy by 2050. APS issued two requests for proposals (RFP) — one to acquire both renewable energy and additional peaking capacity resources, and the other to install more battery energy storage at two existing APS solar plants. APS also recently executed an agreement with Invenergy to add battery energy storage to six APS solar plants located in Maricopa County and Yuma County.

The plans to pair storage with solar through this new RFP and the work with Invenergy were part of a suite of clean energy projects that APS announced last year. The addition of this technology will extend the benefits of “solar after sunset,” when customers’ summer energy needs remain at peak levels. These ambitious storage plans were followed by a clean energy commitment made earlier this year that set APS on a path to achieve a carbon-free power mix by 2050.

“We have made steady progress since setting our clean energy goal in January,” said Brad Albert, APS Vice President of Resource Management. “Moving ahead with our energy storage plans, our recent purchase of more clean wind generation, and our expanded voluntary energy conservation program all support meeting the needs of our growing customer base with reliable, affordable and increasingly cleaner resources.”

All Source RFP:
APS requests renewable energy resources of approximately 300-400 megawatts (MW) per year which will increase the amount of clean energy on the APS system. The RFP also is designed to address peak capacity needs of about 200-300 MW per year to maintain reliable electric service for customers during times of highest energy usage. Procuring more renewable energy supports an interim target within APS’s clean energy commitment: to have 45% of its generation portfolio in renewables by 2030. This RFP is open to all technologies, including supply side and non-supply side resources. Proposed projects must have in-service dates in either 2023 or 2024.

Battery Energy Storage RFP:
APS requests a combined total of 60 MW of battery storage additions to two of its existing AZ Sun Project solar facilities: the Red Rock and Chino Valley plants located in Pinal County and Yavapai County, respectively. Proposed projects must begin delivery no later than June 1, 2023.

The RFP process will be monitored and reviewed by a third-party independent monitor. The All Source RFP, Battery Energy Storage RFP and important information about proposal requirements and respondent registration are available at aps.com/rfp.

Added Battery Capacity to AZ Sun Sites:
Battery energy storage systems will be developed and installed by Invenergy at six of APS’s existing large-scale solar power plants and will begin operation in early 2022. Since announcing these plans last year, APS has now executed the agreement after working with Invenergy to incorporate enhanced safety standards in battery energy storage.

PHOENIX and DALLAS – Customers of Arizona Public Service Company (APS) will soon power their homes and businesses with more clean energy. Earlier this year, APS announced a bold commitment to deliver 100% clean, carbon-free electricity to customers by 2050. By the end of 2021, APS will harness the power of Leeward Renewable Energy’s (Leeward) advanced GE wind turbine technology to help meet Arizona’s growing energy demands.

APS has entered into a power purchase agreement (PPA) with Leeward to purchase wind energy output from Leeward’s two Aragonne Wind facilities. The PPA resulted from a September 2019 Wind Request for Proposal. This PPA enables Leeward to sell 200 megawatts of wind generation to APS over a term of 20 years through the repowering of Leeward’s existing 90-megawatt Aragonne Wind project and the construction of its 145-megawatt Aragonne Mesa Wind project. Both facilities are located within Guadalupe County, New Mexico.

Leeward and APS have a longstanding partnership. APS first purchased power from the legacy 90-megawatt Aragonne Wind farm in 2006 when the project began operating commercially. Repowering of this existing project, coupled with the new wind generation, fits squarely with APS’s efforts to advance Arizona’s clean energy future by adding new renewable resources to its energy mix and bringing customers direct cost-saving benefits through energy efficiency products and smart energy home programs.

“Renewable energy resources like this wind power are important to a diverse and increasingly clean energy mix for Arizona,” said Brad Albert, APS Vice President of Resource Management. “By working with supplier partners like Leeward, APS is advancing toward our target of having 45% of our generation portfolio in renewable energy by 2030 on the path to 100% clean energy by 2050. We are moving toward that future while continuing our focus on serving customers with reliable, affordable energy.”

This project will modernize Leeward’s existing wind assets and add significant generation capacity to its Guadalupe County, New Mexico, renewable energy complex. Together, both companies will use wind resources as a clean power solution for APS customers in Arizona.

“Leeward is pleased to partner with APS on an innovative project that will repower one of our legacy wind assets and also enable the construction of a new wind facility, bringing economic benefits to the local community,” said Andrew Flanagan, Chief Development Officer at Leeward. “We look forward to working alongside the APS team as we continue to actively develop new wind, solar and energy storage projects across the U.S.”

About APS
APS serves nearly 1.3 million homes and businesses in 11 of Arizona’s 15 counties, and is a leader in delivering affordable, clean and reliable 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, 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 50% clean. With headquarters in Phoenix, APS is the principal subsidiary of Pinnacle West Capital Corp. (NYSE: PNW).

About Leeward
Leeward Renewable Energy is a growth-oriented renewable energy company that owns and operates a portfolio of 21 wind farms across nine states, with 20 in operation and one under construction, totaling approximately 2,000 megawatts of generating capacity. Leeward is actively developing new wind, solar, and energy storage projects in energy markets across the U.S. Leeward is a portfolio company of OMERS Infrastructure, an investment arm of OMERS, one of Canada's largest defined benefit pension plans with C$109 billion in net assets (as at December 31, 2019). For more information, visit www.leewardenergy.com.
 

Ten years ago, the Four Corners Power Plant was at a crossroads. The plant faced prohibitively expensive requirements to clean up its emissions. Environmentalists and regulators were concerned about haze at the Grand Canyon. The Navajo Nation had a significant economic engine and good-paying jobs on the line. And at APS, we were concerned about protecting affordability and reliability for our customers.

In collaboration with all stakeholders, we found a way to “cut the Gordian knot,” as an op-ed in The Arizona Republic put it in 2010. We closed three older units at the plant, expanded our ownership share of the newer, cleaner units and committed to add more pollution controls.

Those changes have had a clear result: cleaner air. Closing the older units reduced nitrous oxide (NOx) emissions by more than 90%. New pollution controls, known as selective catalytic reduction or SCRs, installed in the remaining two units in 2018 reduced their NOx emissions by 88%.

The installation of pollution controls at Four Corners is part of our continued investment in a cleaner energy future. In fact, this year we announced our commitment to provide customers with 100% clean energy by 2050.

Our clean energy commitment includes ending all coal-fired generation by 2031. So why did we invest in pollution controls on a plant that will close by 2031? Because while we are moving away from plants like Four Corners, the truth is we still need them right now.

Consider the lessons of summer 2020, when the western United States experienced a severe regional heat wave. Some of our neighbors experienced rolling blackouts, but we kept lights on and ACs running for our customers on the hottest days. Four Corners played an important role in that reliability, delivering affordable power during hot summer evenings when customer demand peaks.

We are in the midst of a significant transition – a transition to clean energy – and we are committed to providing reliable, affordable service for our customers during this transition.

Four Corners won’t be a part of our energy mix 11 years from now. But we’ll depend on the plant in the intervening years to support reliability and affordability even as we invest in additional clean energy resources. And we’ll work with stakeholders like our partners on the Navajo Nation to manage the economic transition that accompanies this clean energy transition.

You can count on Four Corners to produce cleaner power on hot summer days until new solar plants, wind farms and energy storage solutions are in place to supply those megawatts our customers need to run their homes and businesses in 2031 – and beyond.

The skyline in Tempe changed significantly when the Ocotillo Power Plant’s 178-foot-tall steam units came down in the first months of 2020. Those units stood watch over Tempe for nearly 60 years and were a familiar sight to travelers on the Loop 202 in the East Valley. Their removal marked the final phase of the modernization project taking place at Ocotillo over the last few years.

Through the Ocotillo Modernization Project, we installed five high-tech gas turbine generators and retired two 1960-era gas-fired steam generators. The project provides a variety of benefits for customers and the community, including:

• Environmental: Decreases water-use and emission rates at the plant.
• Economic: Increases property-tax revenue for city, county and state agencies.
• Reliability: Supports reliability for our customers and helps meet summer peak energy needs.
• Flexibility: Adds enhanced responsiveness to our generating mix.

That last point is important for Arizona’s clean energy future. The modern Ocotillo Power Plant helps us integrate more renewable energy into our system because its new quick-start generators can be up and running in less than six minutes – delivering energy to customers when clouds roll in or the sun sets and solar production wanes. This type of flexible generation is critical as we put the pieces in place to deliver on our goal to provide 100% clean energy for customers by 2050.

The Ocotillo Power Plant is now a quieter, cleaner-running and more efficient plant – and a cornerstone of Arizona’s sustainable energy future.

Electric vehicles are growing in popularity. A recent study by Consumer Reports revealed 36 percent of prospective car buyers would consider an EV for their next new car.

Do you fall within this group? If so, discover the buzz surrounding EVs during this year’s National Drive Electric Week.

“When people get into an electric vehicle, they’re just amazed,” said Kathy Knoop, an APS Energy Innovation Advisor. “When people think of electric vehicles, they typically think of a golf cart, or something like that, and that they’ll be limited to going 40 miles per hour. Today’s electric vehicles aren’t like that at all. They offer a driving experience like none other. EVs accelerate immediately, and their performance, and the quiet, is just astounding.”

Believe it or not, there are 45 EV models currently on the market, and Knoop said that number will balloon to 120 by the end of 2023. Tesla, Nissan and General Motors are some of the manufacturers providing popular EV options. And, Knoop said, look for EV trucks and SUVs to debut within the next three years.

While some people are driving far less during this year’s National Drive Electric Week, others are still taking to the road regularly or replacing other forms of travel with longer road trips. If you’re in the market for a new or replacement car, EVs can help trim budgets over the long-term by lowering the cost to fuel the car over its lifetime.

“Gasoline prices go up and down, and are all over the place,” Knoop said. “Meanwhile, electric prices are really consistent compared to inflation. So, if you look at the cost of using electricity to charge a battery to power a vehicle versus the cost of gasoline, there’s typically a huge cost savings there.”

Beyond economics, EVs are a driving force in ensuring a cleaner energy future for Arizona.

“When you’re burning gasoline, there are 20 pounds of carbon per gallon of gasoline. That will never change,” Knoop said. “Your car may get more efficient so you can get more miles to the gallon, but a gallon of gas will still continue to emit the same amount of carbon. When you’re driving an electric vehicle, as utilities’ resource mixes get cleaner for powering that car, you’re continually reducing the amount of greenhouse gasses you emit into the air.”

The number of EVs in the APS service territory is about 16,000 and growing, so we’re revving up our support of the infrastructure that drivers need for a reliable EV experience.

With the Take Charge AZ pilot program, we cover the cost of installing and maintaining Level 2 EV charging equipment at businesses, government agencies, non-profits and multifamily communities. The customer pays for the energy used by the chargers, which will be metered separately on their best plan, and we encourage customers to fuel up when energy prices are lower, including mid-day when solar energy is abundant.

“Our goal is to have 300 to 400 Level 2 charging ports across our service territory in Arizona by the end of 2021,” Knoop said.

Other EV benefits include all-day, everyday use of carpool (HOV) lanes – even if driving alone – for 100 percent battery electric vehicles. Also, your home is your primary fuel station.

Those considering buying an EV can visit aps.com/evs and check out the consumer guide from the Electric Power Research Institute. Browse it to see if there are any EV models that pique your interest and fit your budget. If so, contact a local dealer and go for a test drive. It’s a great way to celebrate National Drive Electric Week – and show your support for Arizona’s clean energy future!

Today, Arizona Public Service (NYSE: PNW) and national business organization Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) announced Arizona Clean Energy Future, a joint project to develop solutions to help APS achieve its ambitious goals for clean energy and support electrification of the transportation sector.

The Arizona Clean Energy Future project involves 13 AEE member companies representing a range of advanced energy technologies and services working with APS to explore and evaluate innovative clean energy ideas and prioritize those that will be most beneficial for APS customers, the Phoenix metropolitan area and the broader region.

“APS is not new to collaborating with stakeholders to pursue opportunities and tackle challenges, but this particular process with Advanced Energy Economy is a new approach for us,” said Jeff Guldner, APS Chairman and CEO. “Working with AEE gives us direct access to the expertise and vision of industry leaders across a wide range of innovative, clean energy technologies. This project will focus on identifying the possibilities now in order to advance those that can be developed into the real solutions of the future for serving customers with 100% clean energy and supporting decarbonization of Arizona’s transportation sector.”

“Arizona Public Service has put itself in a leading position in the quest for 100 percent clean energy,” said Nat Kreamer, CEO of Advanced Energy Economy. “AEE is proud to help connect APS with the companies pioneering the technologies that can help them get there. Working together, utility and industry can develop the systemic solutions that provide clean electricity and clean transportation for Arizona.” 

Last month, APS announced a goal to deliver 100% clean, carbon-free electricity to its customers by 2050. APS set nearer-term targets of reaching 65% clean energy by 2030, with 45% coming from renewable energy. APS also plans to end all coal-based generation by 2031, seven years sooner than previously projected. 

Through Arizona Clean Energy Future, APS is pioneering a new approach to modernizing the electric power system. It is tapping into AEE’s vast network to engage external industry experts to help imagine, evaluate and implement solutions for providing safe, reliable, affordable electricity from carbon-free resources, as well as supporting a transition to electric vehicles. This ground-breaking initiative can potentially serve as a model for other utilities to identify solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve grid resilience and better engage customers.

Arizona Clean Energy Future brings APS together with AEE and 13 of AEE’s member companies to gain additional insight into the capabilities of new and emerging clean energy technologies and services and how they can all work together to meet the electric power needs of the future. The effort is led by AEE Senior Managing Director Lisa Frantzis with participating member companies Arcadia, EnergyHub, EVgo, Form Energy, Highland Electric Transportation, Landis+Gyr, Modern Energy, NuScale Power, Pattern Energy, Recurve, Siemens, sPower, and Uplight.

Through working groups focused on electrifying transportation, grid flexibility, expanding low-carbon generation capacity and maximizing clean energy use, APS experts and industry representatives will identify the most promising solutions for near-term and longer-term use. The jointly developed ideas will be tested in pilots or incorporated into APS filings such as Integrated Resource Plans, Demand Side Management Plans, and Renewable Energy Standards.

Today marks a historic milestone in the 134-year history of Arizona’s largest electricity provider as Arizona Public Service (NYSE: PNW) announces a goal to deliver 100 percent clean, carbon-free electricity to customers by 2050. The company has been on a trajectory of increasingly clean energy through solar power innovation, major investments in energy storage technology, carbon-free nuclear operations and advances in energy efficiency solutions. Now, the company’s destination for that path is set as the boldest clean-energy goal of all Arizona electric companies, as well as one of the most ambitious in the country.

The goal includes a nearer-term 2030 target of achieving a resource mix that is 65 percent clean energy, with 45 percent of our portfolio coming from renewable energy. APS will end all coal-fired generation by 2031, seven years sooner than previously projected.

“We see incredible things ahead for Arizona, and are excited to power our state’s future with electricity that is 100 percent clean,” said APS Chairman and CEO Jeff Guldner. “We’re starting from an energy mix that is 50 percent clean today, including energy efficiency and electricity from one of the nation’s largest solar fleets and the country’s most powerful carbon-free and clean energy resource – the Palo Verde Generating Station.

“This is an important day for APS, our customers and Arizona. Our clean energy plan will be guided by sound science, and will encourage market-based solutions to climate issues. Through increased collaboration with our customers, regulators and other stakeholders, we expect to achieve environmental and economic gains without undermining our commitment to affordable, reliable service,” Guldner said.

Pathways to 100 Percent Clean

On the journey to a carbon-free future, APS plans to ensure reliability and affordability through intelligent investments in renewable resources and developing technologies, nuclear power produced at Palo Verde Generating Station and energy efficiency and other programs for customers.

Achieving this 100 percent clean goal while maintaining reliability of service at affordable rates for customers also will rely on: 

• Existing power sources in the near term, including some natural gas, as APS makes a sensible transition to clean generating resources. In time, APS expects technological advances to eliminate the need to supplement renewable energy with even low-emitting carbon resources like natural gas in order to maintain reliable service around the clock at reasonable prices.
• Continued modernization of the electric grid as APS builds an advanced infrastructure that is more responsive and resilient, supports more renewables, minimizes outages and provides customers more choice and control over their energy decisions.
• Energy storage solutions to increase the effectiveness of renewable resources and provide more clean energy to customers after the sun has set. These will include APS’s previously announced plans for an 850-megawatt expansion of large-scale energy storage, mostly paired with the company’s innovative solar farms.
• Policy decisions that leverage market-based technology and innovation and keep Arizona and its utility industry an attractive place to invest.
• Electrification of the state’s different economic sectors, particularly the transportation sector and specific building applications. In addition to supporting affordability for utility customers, electrification will drive a cleaner environment and more energy-efficient operations throughout the economy.
• Evolving regional and market-based solutions such as participation in the Western Energy Imbalance Market, which is saving customers tens of millions of dollars each year.

Collaboration Will Be Fundamental to Success

After the Integrated Resource Plan process in 2018, Arizona’s experience with Proposition 127 and the Arizona Corporation Commission’s efforts to update the state’s energy rules, APS took a hard look at its generation mix and future plans. APS spent more than a year engaged with a variety of stakeholders including customers, business organizations and non-governmental organizations. This plan reflects those experiences and discussions.

Collaboration with stakeholders and regulators will be key to the plan’s ultimate success, with full transparency regarding APS’s roadmap and progress through Arizona’s established process of Integrated Resource Plans. Flexibility, reliability and affordability will remain fundamental planning principles that will guide the addition of carbon-free resources at a reasonable cost and on pace and scale with customers’ growing and changing energy needs.

“Our existing generation facilities, employees and communities have made possible the affordable and reliable energy APS has delivered to customers for decades,” Guldner said. “As we set out to generate only clean power by 2050, it will mean transitioning away from coal. We do not take that transition lightly, and are committed to working with our employees and stakeholders on the economic and other effects of retiring those assets.”

APS also acknowledges that some of the solutions needed to achieve the goal are in early stages or even yet to be developed, and that realizing the full potential and benefits of a completely clean energy mix will take partnership. APS’s progress to date and developing this goal would not have been possible without the support from an array of stakeholders.

“As a leader in innovation, ASU is excited to see Arizona’s largest electricity provider reimagine our state’s energy sector with this bold commitment to clean power generation,” said Dr. Michael M. Crow, President of Arizona State University. “We are excited to be among the early collaborators in APS’s approach, which will include diverse stakeholders from across Arizona, in charting this course to a carbon-free future so imperative to our long-term quality of life.”

“This is a bold and historic decision that is coming at an important time,” said Patrick Graham, State Director, The Nature Conservancy. “APS’s commitment to a clean economy in Arizona demonstrates the kind of leadership that will create momentum to put us on a path where Arizonans, now and in the future, can thrive. Arizonans expect sustainable communities, a healthy environment and access to good jobs.”

The benefits of a 100 percent clean power portfolio will include helping customers achieve their own sustainability goals and attracting more employers to Arizona who want to be served fully by carbon-free resources at a reasonable cost and without compromising reliability.

“This landmark clean energy goal helps further differentiate Arizona’s leading position as a strategic, forward-thinking market to do business, especially with many companies placing emphasis on their own sustainability targets,” said Chris Camacho, President and CEO of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council.

“Arizona Public Service is taking the lead among U.S. utility companies to achieve 100 percent carbon- free energy,” said Nat Kreamer, Chief Executive Officer, Advanced Energy Economy. “Advanced energy technologies like renewable energy, electric vehicles, storage, energy efficiency and nuclear will all play important roles. Advanced Energy Economy and its member companies are already working with APS to find innovative solutions that can help achieve its clean energy goals, and we look forward to continuing this work together.” 

“Our commitment is to maintain a leadership role in shaping a forward-thinking, healthy and prosperous Arizona where people can build a better life,” said Guldner. “We believe this initiative will encourage economic development in clean and innovative industries, create thousands of jobs and advance a healthy environment. Now comes the hard work of making it happen, which we are excited to carry out with others dedicated to securing a bright future for Arizona.”