Marana, AZ – U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack visited Arizona today to highlight key U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) investments designed to protect communities from wildfires and drought while promoting clean energy and economic growth. The visit underscored the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to building resilient, prosperous rural communities in the face of climate challenges.
“The Biden-Harris Administration recognizes that Western states like Arizona face unique climate-related challenges,” said Secretary Vilsack. “We are making historic investments in wildfire risk reduction, drought adaptation, and clean energy infrastructure, all of which will create jobs and help communities thrive.”
At an Investing in America Town Hall in Marana, Vilsack spoke to 150 Arizonans about the recent $7.3 billion investment to build clean energy in rural areas through the Empowering Rural America (New ERA) Program. Arizona Electric Power Cooperative (AEPCO) will receive $485 million to reduce carbon emissions and expand renewable power across the state and the Southwest, benefiting 40 electric cooperatives and public power utilities.
The clean energy projects are expected to generate over $3 billion in investment, create 600 construction jobs, and establish long-term renewable energy jobs through retraining and apprenticeships.
Other USDA clean energy investments in Arizona include:
- Powering Affordable Clean Energy (PACE): Trico Electric Cooperative and Sierra Southwest Electric Cooperative will receive over $138 million combined to expand battery energy storage and provide reliable power to rural communities.
- Rural Energy for America Program (REAP): USDA has invested $57.6 million in 50 renewable energy and energy efficiency projects across Arizona, reducing energy costs for rural businesses.
In a separate event in Tempe, Secretary Vilsack met with Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego and stakeholders to discuss wildfire resilience and water conservation. The USDA’s Wildfire Crisis Strategy is actively mitigating risks in Arizona, with funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act supporting $247 million in wildfire risk reduction activities across 86 communities.
Other key investments in Arizona include:
- Community Wildfire Defense Grants: More than $7 million has been awarded to Arizona communities to support wildfire prevention on state and private lands.
- Water-Saving Commodities: USDA is investing $400 million to help farmers conserve water in the face of ongoing drought, with $15 million each going to two Arizona irrigation districts to expand innovative water-saving technologies.
The USDA continues to work closely with rural communities to promote climate-smart practices and create more equitable opportunities for farmers and producers. For more information, visit www.usda.gov.
