Four Arizona utilities and the state’s three public universities are forming a new coalition with the goal of attaining a carbon neutral economy in Arizona. Arizona Public Service, Salt River Project, Tucson Electric Power, and Southwest Gas, along with Arizona State University, the University of Arizona, and Northern Arizona University, will together play a crucial leadership role in helping Arizona move the state toward a robust carbon-neutral economy.
The coalition’s work will operate in a new ASU-based center called the Center for an Arizona Carbon-Neutral Economy, housed within the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory on the ASU Tempe campus. The Center will begin its work by pursuing the creation of a regional clean hydrogen hub under the framework of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which was signed late last year and establishes program guidance and funding to create regional clean hydrogen hubs across the country. In Arizona, a hub would include hydrogen producers, consumers, and a connected infrastructure.
A successful regional clean hydrogen hub will help address difficult-to-reduce carbon emissions as well as grow Arizona’s economy, attract new businesses, and create high-quality jobs. Once operational, a new hydrogen hub would also support a reliable and resilient electric grid, provide clean energy for the electric, transportation and industrial sectors, and create economic development opportunities.
Arizona’s universities are optimistic about what the coalition can accomplish, and are eager to work together to explore the most effective ways to develop a sustainable and thriving carbon neutral economy.
Arizona’s utilities are similarly enthusiastic. Of the coalition, APS CEO Jeff Guldner said,
“The need to address the causes and impacts of climate change has never been more important. By partnering with Arizona’s universities and peer utilities, this statewide hub will help advance hydrogen as a clean-energy solution with tremendous potential to accelerate decarbonization. It also will further Arizona’s reputation as a national leader in the clean energy transition while creating economic opportunities for our state and its people.”
Likewise, Laura Nelson, vice president of sustainability and public policy for Southwest Gas, said,
“Southwest Gas is committed to helping our customers and the communities we serve achieve emissions reductions goals. Advancing hydrogen technology and increasing availability of hydrogen to the market is strategically important to achieving our clean energy goals. With existing infrastructure that can be used to transport this powerful clean fuel, Southwest Gas is excited to work with this coalition and stakeholders to lead efforts to bring a regional hydrogen hub to our state.”
Arizona is already making great strides toward greater deployment of clean and renewable energy resources and growing the clean economy. Further research, development, and deployment of hydrogen through the Center for a Carbon-Neutral Arizona has the potential to significantly reduce even further carbon-emissions while continuing to grow and strengthen Arizona’s economy.