Arizona Sustainability News

Federal energy regulators reject hydro-storage project on Navajo Nation
Federal energy regulators have denied a key permit for a proposed hydro-storage project on the Navajo Nation. The controversial plan was slated for an environmentally and culturally sensitive area near the Little Colorado River.
You cant call 811 before digging on the Navajo Nation. That may change after Shiprock oil spill
Back in December, a severe spill of crude oil on the Navajo Nation contaminated the land. Remediation efforts are still underway, but this accident has a silver lining, one that may facilitate faster emergency responses on the largest reservation in the U.S.
Apr. 25, 2024
Report: Phoenix continues to have among worst air quality
In the American Lung Association’s latest State of the Air report, the city ranks fifth in ozone pollution and ninth worst for year-round particle pollution.
Apr. 25, 2024
Tribes ask 9th Circuit to block SunZia project in AZ
SunZia is among the projects that supporters say will bolster President Joe Biden’s agenda for cutting greenhouse gas emissions. The planned 550-mile conduit would carry more than 3,500 megawatts of wind power to 3 million people.
Apr. 25, 2024
One week left to comment on draft of Scottsdales sustainability plan
Scottsdale residents have about a week left to submit comments on the city’s proposed plan for sustainability.
Apr. 23, 2024
$1.75 million will go to Mesa water infrastructure projects
Mesa Mayor John Giles and Arizona Congressman Greg Stanton on Monday announced roughly $1.75 million in federal money for two water infrastructure projects. Stanton said the projects’ focus is on improving Mesa’s ability to make the most of its water supply.
Apr. 22, 2024
Uranium transport through northern Arizona is about to begin. Why some are concerned
Conservation groups have asked the U.S. Forest Service to lay out how it will manage mined uranium as it’s transported across northern Arizona. KJZZ posed those concerns to Energy Fuels, the company that owns the Pinyon Plain Mine just south of the Grand Canyon.
Apr. 22, 2024
SRP, Apple partner on forest-thinning project
SRP has partnered with the Cupertino-based company for assistance with its forest-thinning initiatives, which will decrease forest fire risk and increase groundwater availability in Arizona.
Apr. 22, 2024
Applications open for Flagstaffs expanded Urban Farm Incubator program
The City of Flagstaff has been leasing farmable land in its Urban Farm Incubator program since 2018. Now that program is expanding, with the goal of promoting sustainable farm practices in an urban setting.
Apr. 22, 2024
Rockin’ River Ranch State Park opens in Camp Verde
The 209-acre state park was originally privately owned and operated as a guest ranch with horse riding and boarding facilities. The state acquired Rockin’ River Ranch in 2008, and master planning happened in 2017 and early in 2018.
Apr. 12, 2024
A plumbing issue at this Lake Powell dam could cause big trouble for Western water
Damage inside Glen Canyon Dam could mean problems with the "river outlet works," a set of small tubes near the bottom of the dam that were originally intended to release excess water when the reservoir is nearing full capacity. The dam allows water to pass through to the Colorado River and Grand Canyon.
Apr. 13, 2024
EPA sets new drinking water standards to reduce forever chemical PFAS
The EPA announced the first mandatory limits on forever chemicals in the nation’s drinking water Wednesday and is distributing $1 billion to help local governments meet the new standards.
Apr. 9, 2024
A Phoenix farm is making renewable energy while also providing shade for crops
The triple-digit heat in Phoenix makes it difficult to farm — everything from growing crops to tending livestock. There is a solution that cools off the land while also providing sustainable energy — agrivoltaics.
Apr. 9, 2024
This Arizona utility company wants to build a new lake in the middle of the desert
One of the major utility providers for the Phoenix area wants to construct a new dam and flood a portion of the desert as part of Arizona’s largest pumped storage hydropower system. The dam would help supplement SRP's solar power generation after dark.
Mar. 29, 2024
Sinking cities: How land subsidence is affecting Arizona
Coastal cities around the world are contending with rising sea levels and sinking due to land subsidence. We're not on the ocean, but Arizona is sinking, too — due to excessive groundwater pumping.
Mar. 27, 2024
His first reporting assignment in Arizona: Meet the venomous reptiles
The Show's new reporter/host Sam Dingman started his time in Arizona with a visit to Phoenix Herpetological Sanctuary — where he got to experience firsthand the things he read about with anxiety back in Brooklyn.
Mar. 28, 2024
Stinknet weed shuts Casa Grande monument picnic area
Monument officials announced Wednesday that the picnic area will be closed from March 28 through April 30 due to the density of an invasive and noxious winter weed called stinknet that can grow more than 2 feet tall.
Mar. 27, 2024
New report warns of threats to metro Phoenix groundwater
When Valley cities pump groundwater in their area, they are not required to recharge the aquifer in the same place. So supply is being depleted in some areas faster than others.
Mar. 27, 2024
Program brings shade trees to low-income schools
As the weather begins to warm up, the city of Phoenix is kicking off a new program to plant more shade trees around schools.
Mar. 26, 2024
Arizona leaders tell appeals court: EPA pollution standards have gone too far
The Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry along with Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen and House Speaker Ben Toma asked an appeals court to declare the EPA action unlawful.
Mar. 25, 2024
UA scientists explore new way to control mosquito populations
University of Arizona Entomology professor Michael Riehle is leading a research group aiming to find a new way to fight the mosquito population, by focusing on the chemicals inside the insect’s gut at the larval stage.
Mar. 22, 2024