Resource Hub
Arizona
Every day, millions of people in Arizona rely on the energy grid to power our lives. Thanks to a network of transmission lines that carry energy from where it’s generated to where it’s used, we’re able to heat and cool our homes, keep the lights on in our businesses, and even charge our vehicles. We rarely think twice about it — until the power goes out. The problem is most of America’s transmission lines were built in the 1950s and 1960s, and were only intended to have a 50-year lifespan. We’re way overdue for an upgrade.
Improving Arizona’s existing transmission infrastructure, building new lines, and pursuing a regional approach to transmission planning and coordination will ensure all Arizonans enjoy reliable energy, while also lowering energy costs and bringing thousands of new living-wage jobs to the state.
Transmission Means Jobs.
Thousands of Living-Wage, Clean Energy Jobs
With an average of more than 300 sunny days every year, Arizona is poised to become a national clean energy leader. But to harness the full potential of abundant solar and wind power in the Southwest, we’ll need to build roughly 2,000 miles of new transmission lines — and that means creating thousands of new jobs. One study found that pursuing a regional approach to transmission planning could create 28,200 living-wage jobs across the state.
Transmission Means Affordability.
Electricity Savings for Homes and Businesses
Expanding transmission infrastructure in Arizona will allow the state to tap into low-cost wind and solar resources and even become a net exporter of clean energy, which could bring significant savings to Arizona homes and businesses.
It’s estimated that building more regional transmission lines and using them efficiently could save households in Arizona $142 million a year in energy costs.
Transmission Means Reliability.
Keeping the Power On When Extreme Temperatures Strike
As Arizona continues to experience summer heat that breaks records year after year, a reliable energy grid will be a critical lifeline to help millions stay cool. Today, we have access to modern transmission technologies that are far more efficient than what we had in the 1960s. With a robust, 21st-century transmission system, grid operators can better coordinate resources and send power where it’s needed most to avoid the risk of blackouts.