Tempe is more than halfway to its goal of using 100% renewable energy for city operations due to a new Salt River Project (SRP) partnership. By 2026, 52% of Tempe’s city operations will be powered by renewable energy, with the goal of 100% by 2035.
The partnership, approved by Tempe City Council will supply up to 20% of the electricity for city facilities within the SRP service area with clean, renewable energy from a 300 megawatt solar field planned for construction in Flagstaff. The partnership will supplement the city’s current renewable energy efforts— six solar installations at city facilities and an existing partnership for renewable energy through the APS Green Power Partners Program.
“The council is making progress on the city’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality in municipal operations with a strategy of 100% renewable energy,” Mayor Corey Woods said. “By entering into this agreement with SRP, city operations powered by renewable energy will increase from 35% to 52% by 2026. Tempe really has been making strides as a leader to address sustainability in our community.”
Energy use accounts for 70% of Tempe’s municipal carbon emissions and 56% of community-wide emissions. Tempe is taking action to reduce municipal energy use by investing in technologies that use less energy and by powering city buildings, streetlights, and water treatment facilities with renewable energy.
“Ultimately, Tempe is working towards the council-adopted goal of carbon neutrality in city operations by 2050. This goal considers emissions from city electricity, transportation fuels, waste and waste operations.” Sustainability and Resilience Director Eric Iwersen said. “By becoming carbon-neutral, we aim to improve community health outcomes, save money and create jobs while setting a precedent for Tempe residents, businesses, and other cities to prioritize investing in energy-efficiency.”
In addition to renewable energy, Tempe is making strides in other sustainability-related initiatives like sustainable building practices, landfill diversion, water conservation, extreme heat resilience, community resilience, expanding access to local food and more. Recently Tempe City Council adopted a green building policy, known as the International Green Construction Code, which commits future city facilities to sustainable building practices and establishes a voluntary sustainable building code for local developers to follow.
Community members can make an impact and save money by taking simple steps to reduce their energy use:
-Plant native or desert-adapted trees and plants for natural shade near your home
-Cover drafty windows or install insulating drapes or shades near windows
-Find and seal leaks around utility cut-throughs for pipes, gaps around chimneys and recessed lights and unfinished spaces behind cupboards
Look into available rebates and incentives.
Learn about energy savings tips, Tempe sustainability initiatives and more at tempe.gov/SustainableTempe. Learn more about Tempe City Council goals and priorities at performance.tempe.gov.
