What New Climate Laws Could Mean for Arizona

The need for action to confront the climate crisis and accelerate a just transition from fossil fuels to clean energy couldn’t be clearer.

Across the US Southwest, people are feeling the effects of the climate crisis. Most noticeably, they’re feeling the heat.

In recent years, summers in the region have become an endless series of record-breaking heat waves. Decades-long droughts are drying out rivers and reservoirs, creating thousand-acre tinderboxes just waiting for the next wildfire. All the while, the most vulnerable among us are suffering the impacts of this crisis first and worst.

But with vast, open desert spaces providing some of the nation’s highest solar potential, the state of Arizona can also be a major player in helping to power the just transition to a clean energy future. And two new pieces of climate legislation, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, aim to put it on a path to be just that.

Clean Energy

Arizona has incredible potential for both solar and wind energy. Good thing then that the IRA offers numerous rebates, tax credits, and grant opportunities to electrify our lives and communities and improve our homes using these clean energies.

The legislation offers tax credits to cover as much as 30% of the costs to install solar panels and battery storage systems in homes across the Grand Canyon State. Similarly, community solar projects will see as much as a 30% credit.

The IRA is also here to help Arizonans who are ready to make the switch to electric vehicles.

With upfront discounts up to $7,500 for new EVs and $4,000 for used EVs, the legislation helps make these newer, cleaner technologies available to more people than ever – all the while saving even more money on gas and other expenses down the line.

Roadway Repairs

“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework will devote more than $312 billion to transform our nations' transportation infrastructure and make it more resilient, including $109 billion for roads, bridges, and major projects,” The White House announced. “The Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework is the single largest dedicated bridge investment since the construction of the interstate highway system.”

This investment is great news for Arizona, which has 132 bridges and over 3,100 miles of highway in dire need of repair.

Good-Paying Jobs

Arizona has incredible solar energy production potential, and investments from the IRA will help the state build out its clean energy sector even further.

The law provides a historic set of tax credits to create jobs across solar, wind, storage, and other clean energy industries.

“In 2021, there were already 59,383 Arizona workers employed in clean energy jobs,” the White House reports. “The Inflation Reduction Act will expand these opportunities, bringing an estimated $4.1 billion of investment in large-scale clean power generation and storage to Arizona between now and 2030.”

Money like that means jobs. Lots of them. Good paying jobs too. Credits in the bill include bonuses for businesses that pay a prevailing wage!

Join Us to Learn More

Navigating the ins and outs of federal laws, funding opportunities, and requirements can be daunting – even for those with experience with the process. So if you’re ready to stand up for Arizona and make sure the state and your community take full advantage of these new climate laws, you should join us this April for Power Up: From Acts to Action.

Power Up: From Acts to Action offers individuals, business owners, state and local office holders, community leaders, and grassroots advocates the chance to learn from former Vice President Al Gore and field-leading experts how to take advantage of the IRA and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Join us to learn what it takes to get the funding you need, manage reporting requirements, and use these new laws to make life better for families and neighborhoods in your state. Register today!