Arizona state representatives join solar power leaders to call for a renewable energy future

Today, Arizona State Representatives Daniel Hernandez (D-2) and Morgan Abraham (D-10) joined solar power advocates gathered for a press conference to call on the U.S. Senate to pass significant investments in climate and clean energy to support the state’s growing clean energy industry. This event was sponsored by Solar United Neighbors Action.

In late 2021, the U.S. House of Representatives delivered for the American people with its historic vote to approve $550 billion in climate investments. This included landmark investments in climate change, clean energy, justice, equity, families, and communities. The speakers thanked Senator Mark Kelly for leading on clean energy growth and solar power, and urged him to continue to fight for Arizonans by supporting critically needed investments to address the climate crisis, increase the adoption of solar power in Tucson, and drive growth in Arizona’s renewable energy sector.

“When it comes to confronting the climate crisis, our leaders are responsible to do everything in our power to protect both the lives and livelihoods of our constituents,” said State Rep. Daniel Hernandez (D-2) “The results we’ve already achieved at the state level and in cities like Tucson illustrate that an economy that is more resilient to climate change can also be one that creates better-paying jobs and sets up Arizona’s cities for decades of high-tech economic growth. We know that climate change and economic growth are top of mind for Mark Kelly, and we need his help to secure the votes needed to pass this transformational climate funding through the Senate.”

“Arizonans are already battling climate change in the form of worsening air quality, more extreme heat, and increasingly frequent potential droughts,” said State Rep. Morgan Abraham (D-10). “There’s broad awareness in this state that taking creative and committed action to move toward more clean energy is of critical importance, and the data is also clear that this transition has the potential to promote entrepreneurship and to create tens of thousands of high-quality long term jobs across Arizona in the process. Mark Kelly has proven time and again that he is a leader who puts science, pragmatic problem solving, and the safety of his constituents first, and we’re counting on him to fight for us to pass this critical climate funding.”

Speakers stressed that time is running out to address the climate crisis. Climate change is making extreme weather events more frequent and severe with communities across the state paying the price. From 2010 to 2020, Arizona experienced 13 extreme weather events, costing the state up to $10 billion in damages. More than 40% of Americans experienced a climate change-fueled extreme weather event in 2021 alone.

“Going solar helps families save money by taking control of where their electricity comes from,” said Adrian Keller, Program Associate with Solar United Neighbors Action. “Congress has an opportunity to help more Arizonans benefit from solar energy. It should take it. In November, the House passed a bill with important investments that will ensure solar’s benefits are shared by rural and underserved communities across the state. These investments will create good local jobs. Now, it is up to the Senate to come together to pass these needed measures.”

These investments in clean energy will not only help fight climate change but also will bring massive economic growth to Arizona. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, clean energy jobs were growing faster than the economy as a whole. As of 2021, there were more than 56,000 Arizona residents working in clean energy. Passing the $550 billion in climate investments will add nearly 83,000 jobs in Arizona over the next five years.

“Arizona’s solar industries have already proven we can grow fast to meet ambitious capacity goals and create thousands of high-quality, long term jobs in this state,” said John Mitman, President of Arizona Solar Energy Industries Association. “Now, the country has a pivotal opportunity to expand on that progress on an unprecedented scale. This is not only critical funding for the climate fight, but also $550 billion of incentives and investments that will fuel cutting edge industries, foster entrepreneurship across this state, and create tens of thousands of family-sustaining jobs over the next five years. The House did their job – now we need the Senate to step up and pass this bill.”

“The people of Arizona have been on the front lines of the climate crisis, and there is a clear popular will behind the measures that passed the House earlier this winter,” said Duane Etiger, of Sustainable Tucson. “This is long overdue funding that will fuel a revitalization and realignment of Arizona’s economy as we create thousands of jobs electrifying dangerously carbon-dependent transportation and broader energy use. These are investments in sustainability, but they are also investments in economic justice, in indigineous communities and communities of color, and a more prosperous future for our state as a whole. We’re grateful for Mark Kelly’s past leadership on climate, and we’re counting on him to follow the science and champion this bill on behalf of Arizona.”

A video of the in-person press conference can be found here.

The event was held at The Historic Y in Tucson, Arizona. The Historic Y is the premier center for the arts, education, human rights, and social and environmental justice in Southern Arizona. In 2017, The Historic Y installed a 65.21 kW SunPower PV Solar System on the building’s rooftops that in 2018 accounted for approximately 45% of The Historic Y’s electric consumption.