Tempe is partnering with Arizona Public Service Co. (APS) to purchase renewable energy to help lower the city’s carbon emissions and make progress on its municipal carbon neutrality goal. Renewable energy through the Green Power Partners (GPP) program will help reduce Arizona air pollution, enhancing the quality of life for Tempe residents and visitors.

The GPP program will allow the city to purchase renewable wind power from APS, powering every city facility within their service area and increasing Tempe’s overall renewable energy in city operations to about 35%.

“The APS partnership puts us one step closer to achieving the Council’s goal of carbon neutrality in municipal operations by 2050,” said Tempe Councilmember Arlene Chin. “I think it’s important that we make this investment and I hope we can be a model for other organizations.”

The APS Green Power Partners Program helps municipalities and businesses within the APS service area celebrate their own sustainability goals and make a positive impact on the environment through renewable energy options.

“Cities and businesses in Arizona want innovative clean energy programs that help them make a positive impact on the environment and communities they serve,” said APS Director of Customer Technology Kerri Carnes. “The City of Tempe is a leader in sustainability, and we’re excited to build on our partnership to help power city operations with renewable energy.”

The APS partnership is just one way Tempe is working to reduce municipal carbon emissions. Since 2010, the city has made efforts to reduce carbon emissions with the implementation of city facility energy audits. The first solar panels were installed at a city facility in 2014 and, since then, five other facilities have had solar installations, resulting in about 10% of renewable energy in city operations.

“The Tempe City Council set a goal to power all city facilities with renewable energy by 2035,” said Grace Kelly, the city’s energy manager. “We’re making great progress with APS’s Green Power Program, but we have several other plans in place that will help us reach that goal.”

As identified in the 2022 Climate Action Plan Update, the city is pursuing policies, programs and infrastructure that will further its carbon reduction goals. Learn more about the actions planned to reduce municipal carbon emissions by visiting tempe.gov/SustainableTempe.