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Energy Planning

Pima Association of Governments manages several energy-related efforts.The Energy Planning Division has two programs: the Tucson Regional Clean Cities program and the Southern Arizona Regional Solar Partnership. Both programs promote alternative energy use.

Clean Cites, a voluntary program of the U.S. Department of Energy, promotes the use of alternatively fueled vehicles instead of petroleum to reduce our nation’s dependence on foreign oil. Tucson received its Clean Cities designation in 1999 and is now among 90 Clean Cities programs nationwide.

Through a coalition of local public/private partnerships, Clean Cities works with its stakeholders to reduce petroleum use and educate the public about its mission and the use of clean-fuel technology.

Clean Cities advocates the use of biodiesel, ethanol, compressed natural gas (CNG), propane and the use of all-electric, hybrid and hydrogen vehicle technologies. Clean Cities also advocates for idle reduction, travel reduction and truck stop electrification, which help reduce petroleum consumption and lead to improved air quality.
 
The Southern Arizona Regional Solar Partnership formed in 2008 and is a cooperative effort among government agencies, local businesses and individuals to encourage the use of solar power, which is an abundant natural resource in our region. The partnership was established was established in conjunction with a grant the City of Tucson received from Solar America Cities to develop the Greater Tucson Solar Energy Development Plan and City Solar Integration Plan.

The SARSP recognizes southern Arizona’s unique position in using solar energy to reduce both fossil fuel consumption and the generation of greenhouse gas emissions.

SARSP works to facilitate the increase of solar energy use through partnering with local electric utilities, solar manufacturers, solar installers and concerned citizens to increase awareness of solar energy, educate the public about solar energy and also to educate businesses and individuals about how they will realize benefits by installing solar power applications at their home or business.

As part of PAG's energy and sustainability efforts, we have held two expos, focusing on energy and sustainability. The events were held at the Tucson Convention Center and each drew several thousand people.
PAG, in conjunction with community stakeholders, local, state and federal agencies, developed the Greater Tucson Strategic Energy Plan. The plan was developed as part of a memorandum of understanding between PAG and the U.S. Department of Energy to cooperate in the development of a vision and plan that positions the region as a leader in the development of renewable energy, clean energy technologies, energy surety and green building techniques.

Sustainability and Energy

A growing component of Pima Association of Government’s Environmental Planning Program is to build awareness of energy alternatives and sustainable living in the region.

In addition to PAG’s longstanding support of the Clean Cities program, which encourages the replacement of imported petroleum with alternative fuels, PAG facilitated discussions by the Greater Tucson Strategic Energy Plan working group leading to a set of recommendations for alternative energy options. These recommendations were approved in November 2006 by PAG’s Regional Council. 
 
One of the initial outcomes of these recommendations was PAG’s first Alternative Energy EXPO, held Sept.14 and Sept. 15, 2007, with over 4,000 people attending and 60 vendors showcasing their products and services. An Alternative Energy Forum for community leaders was held on Sept. 14 in conjunction with the expo. A second Sustainability and Energy EXP09 was held March 6 and 7, 2009.
 
PAG also has started efforts to help promote the use of solar power, southern Arizona’s greatest natural resource.
 
A sustainable desert living environment is increasingly seen as an important public policy goal. In the spirit of measuring ongoing sustainability, PAG  prepared the 2009 Greater Tucson Regional Indicators Report (PDF) as a followup to its 2006 report. The 2009 report was approved by PAG’s Regional Council in January 2010. The report provides baseline statistics that will provide measures of progress in the areas of natural resources, air quality, water, transportation/energy, as well as the community and our economy.
 
 

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