SE Valley Times

The City of Tempe has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a Green Power Partner, underscoring its commitment to clean energy and reducing environmental impact.

"This recognition from the EPA is an honor,” said Tempe Transportation and Sustainability Director Eric Iwersen. “Not only are we reducing air pollution and emissions, but we are also exercising our choice in how our city's power is generated while supporting the development of new U.S.-based renewable electricity sources."

In 2018, the Tempe City Council set a goal to achieve carbon neutrality in municipal operations by 2050, with a strategy of using 100% renewable energy by 2035. Since then, the city has been purchasing green energy to meet this objective. The EPA's recognition comes from Tempe’s participation in Arizona Public Service (APS) Green Power Partners program, Green Connect, which allows the city to purchase up to 12,700 megawatt-hours (MWh) of renewable energy.

“We created the Green Power Partners program to help Arizona businesses and cities reach their sustainability goals and transition to 100% clean operations,” said Kerri Carnes, APS Director of Customer Technology. “The City of Tempe is a leader in this area, and through our long-standing partnership, we’re excited to help the city power its facilities with clean, renewable energy.”

Tempe's city operations use nearly 11.6 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power annually within APS’s service area. This accounts for approximately 17% of the city's overall electricity use and is equivalent to powering over 1,000 average American homes annually.

Between 2014 and 2018, Tempe installed 4.14 MW of solar power across seven facilities through Power Purchase Agreements. Additionally, City Council has approved two Power Purchase Agreements with Salt River Project (SRP), projected to increase Tempe's renewable energy use to 52% of its municipal operations by 2026.

The City of Tempe will celebrate this achievement with a proclamation at the City Council Meeting on June 6, 2024.

About the City of Tempe:

Located in the heart of the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area, Tempe offers an innovative urban environment with central location benefits including border-to-border light rail access. Home to Arizona State University and named one of the nation’s best college towns, it is among Arizona's most educated communities.

About EPA’s Green Power Partnership:

The Green Power Partnership is a voluntary program that helps increase green power use among U.S. organizations to advance the American market for green power as a way to reduce air pollution and other environmental impacts associated with electricity use. In 2022, nearly 700 partners used almost 95 billion kilowatt-hours of green power annually.

Program Contacts:

Andy Escobar & Grace DelMonte Kelly

City of Tempe Transportation and Sustainability Department

andy_escobar@tempe.gov | Grace_Kelly@tempe.gov

480-350-8860 | 480-350-8369

Media Contact:

Mary Kate Nacke

City of Tempe Public Information Officer

marykate_nacke@tempe.gov

480-521-5002

###