Arizona and New Mexico to Collaborate on Climate Change Strategies

Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano and New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson announced on February 28 the signing of a joint agreement launching the Southwest Climate Change Initiative, which establishes a framework for the two states to collaborate on strategies to address the effects of climate change in the Southwest and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the region.

To view a copy of the press release click here. (PDF)

To view a copy of the Southwest Climate Change Initiative please click here. (PDF)

New Energy Portfolio Standards Set for Arizona

In other news, the Arizona Republic reported that on February 27 the Arizona Corporation Commission approved a plan to require the state's power providers to get more electricity from clean, renewable sources of energy such as wind and solar.

Arizona Public Service (APS) and other regulated electrical utilities will be required to get at least 15% of  all electricity sold from renewable sources by 2025. Salt River Project, a major provider of electricity for Arizona consumers, is not a regulated utility and will not be subject to the new standards.

The new plan also requires that 30% of the clean energy must come from utility customers who generate their own electricity with solar panels, wind turbines or other renewable sources.

This is a big step forward for the state and is good news for conservationists.

New Poll Shows Support For Gas Tax Increase

According to a new New York Times/CBS poll, U.S. citizens want to reduce oil use, energy consumption and global warming, and they are willing to pay for it as long as the increased gas tax revenues are used to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and/or cut down energy consumption and reduce global warming.

To view an Arizona Republic editorial on global warming threats click here.  (PDF)

To view an Arizona Republic editorial supporting renewable energy click here. (PDF)

To view the poll please click here. (PDF)

To view an Arizona PIRG report on Cars and Global Warming please click here. (PDF)