Arizona Indicators

Over One-Third Of Energy Produced In Arizona Is From Coal, But Not Without Controversy

Not all electricity that is generated in Arizona is used by Arizonans; much of it is exported to neighboring states, particularly to markets in Southern California. In 2007, over one-third (36.4%) of the energy generated in Arizona was from coal, with much of that produced by the Navajo Generating Station. New rules proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency would force owners of the coal-fired station near Page to install complex new air scrubbers to break down the pollutants that can restrict visibility in the Grand Canyon. Critics fear that the cost of these scrubbers would lead to increases in the price of water supplied by the Central Arizona Project (CAP). Power generated by the Navajo Generating Station is used to pump water from the Colorado River through the (CAP) canal to users in the Phoenix and Tucson metropolitan areas.

Sustainability is often defined as meeting the needs of the present, while not compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. A sustainable society works to balance the needs of the economy, environment, and society. This means considering how our use of land, water, energy, and atmosphere can protect quality of life, livability, and prosperity across all segments of society and for future generations. Increasingly, governments, businesses, and organizations in Arizona and around the globe are putting sustainability into practice as:

• An overarching value that requires the best practices at every level of organization
• A framework for building strong economies, healthy environments, and equitable opportunities
• An organizing principle for local and state governments
• An area in which every person can make a contribution

Sustainability indicators include metrics associated with air and water quality, energy, urban heat island, and land use.