Learn About APS' Green and Sustainable Initiatives

APS understands clean energy plays a key role in meeting Arizona’s electricity needs today and in years to come. Yet, aside from supporting technology and resources to ensure more Arizonans have access to clean, reliable, and affordable energy — did you know APS is also making efforts to keep the environment and your community safer and healthier?

APS' Green Initiatives and Programs

1. Reducing Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions

In America, approximately 29% of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions come from the electricity sector, and most are linked to fossil fuels like coal and natural gas:¹ a contributing factor to climate change.

Fortunately, Arizona receives over 300 days of sunshine per year; a tremendous amount of solar power to electrify hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses across the state while producing little to no GHG emissions.

With all that sunshine, it’s easy to figure out why Arizona is a solar leader, and APS is driving this solar leadership with more than 1 gigawatt of capacity on their system, including grid-scale and private rooftop solar. To date, APS serves customers with an energy mix which is already 50% GHG-free.²

2. Greener Fleet and Personal Electric Vehicles

APS is implementing a new standard of replacing their fleet of vehicles — such as cars, SUVs, pickup trucks, forklifts, and even bucket trucks — with electric alternatives to reduce carbon emissions, noise pollution, and consumption of natural resources.³

APS is also working hard to boost the accessibility of electric vehicles (EVs) through its Energy Efficiency proposal.⁴ This proposal includes equipping new homes with pre-wiring for EV charging outlets, increasing the number of charging stations, and placing charging stations in multi-family housing locations. Plus, APS has partnered with Nissan to offer customers thousands of dollars in rebates in the purchase of a new EV.⁵

3. Wildlife Protection

APS’ wildlife protection program was created to minimize the dangers of active power lines to animals in Arizona. See, raptors, hawks, condors, and other birds are drawn to power poles because they offer a high spot to rest, nest and hunt.

That’s why APS modifies their equipment in certain service areas by installing customized “branches” to safely-accommodate birds on power poles, as well as placing bird-guard covers on electrical equipment, and using avian-safe techniques to construct new facilities when needed. In short, APS is seriously committed to keeping birds and other little critters safe, not only around their power lines but in the larger environment, too.⁶

If you see an animal frequently using a power pole or substation in the Phoenix area, please call (602) 371-7171 or 1-800-253-9405 for all other areas of Arizona, so a trained field technician can take protective action.

To report injured animals, reach out to Liberty Wildlife at (480) 998-5550 if it’s an emergency. For non-emergencies, call 480-998-0230. Always avoid contact with injured wildlife to prevent potential harm to yourself and others.⁷

4. Community Tree Stewardship

Trees are an important element of any urban landscape. Not only because they look nice, but also because they clean the air, provide shade, block the sun’s heat during hotter months, and reduce energy costs.

APS is highly aware trees must coexist with overhead power lines, so when a tall tree growing near power lines becomes a potential hazard that can’t be resolved by routine pruning, APS will replace it with a low-growing tree whenever possible.⁸ 

At the same time, APS sponsors programs which encourage Arizona residents to plant the right kind of tree in the right place, including power-line-friendly ones. To learn more about tree selection and planting, or to find a certified arborist, visit the Arizona Community Tree Council or the International Society of Arboriculture.

APS is Committed To A More Sustainable Future, Are You?

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