New Clean Energy Initiative to Bring Jobs and Lower Energy Costs in Arizona
The Biden Administration has unveiled a significant initiative, allocating over $7.3 billion to promote clean energy in rural communities across the United States. The funding will be distributed through the Empowering Rural America (New ERA) program, designed to finance rural electric cooperatives and help them transition to renewable energy.
Arizona is among the states set to benefit from this investment. Sandy Bahr, Director of the Sierra Club Grand Canyon Chapter, discussed the initiative on “Arizona Horizon,” highlighting its potential to create jobs, lower energy costs, reduce pollution, and strengthen the country’s electric grid.
The Arizona Electric Power Cooperative, Inc. (AEPCO) has been chosen to serve Arizona, California, Nevada, and New Mexico in the clean energy transition. AEPCO announced plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 43.7 million tons annually, equivalent to removing over 10 million cars from the road each year.
According to Bahr, AEPCO’s clean energy project includes 730 megawatts of solar power, 2,900 megawatt-hours of battery storage, and 70 megawatts of wind energy, representing a $480 million investment.
Bahr also expressed hope that this funding could lead to the closure of the Apache Generating Station Coal Plant, one of the last remaining coal plants in Arizona without a retirement date. She noted that AEPCO’s efforts to reduce emissions by one million tons annually would make a substantial environmental impact.
“This investment gives AEPCO a real opportunity to be leaders in clean energy,” Bahr said, emphasizing the potential for Arizona to play a pivotal role in the nation’s shift to renewable power sources.
