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.

PAG helps to promote the use of solar power, southern Arizona’s greatest natural resource, through the Southern Arizona Regional Solar Partnership and the Southern Arizona Solar Standards Board.

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.

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Energy Planning