As we’ve mentioned in previous blogs, Arizona is making leaps and strides in becoming a more sustainable state, especially in lighting retrofits. Another project in the city of Phoenix that began over the summer will help residents and business owners become more “green.” Energize Phoenix is a $25 million project funded by the U.S. Department of Energy Better Buildings Program and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that will transform a 10 mile stretch of the Valley Metro Light Rail into the “Green Rail Corridor” by making energy efficient changes to various buildings and neighborhoods.
According to the Energize Phoenix website, some goals of this project include reducing home energy consumption by 30%, decreasing commercial energy consumption by 18%, decreasing carbon emissions by 50,000 metric tons annually, and retrofitting 2,000 homes and 30 million square feet of business space. Homes, businesses, and factories between Central Avenue and Camelback Road and 44th Street and Washington can submit their street addresses to the Energize Phoenix website to see what incentives they apply for, including energy efficient air conditioners, windows, and water heaters. The project is also expected to create 1,900 to 2,700 “green” jobs! Everyone is benefitting! The website also has some useful energy saving tips for homeowners and businesses that do not qualify for the energy efficient incentives, but would also like to save. For example, if 10% of Arizona installed a solar water heater, it would be the equivalent of removing 57,000 cars off the road, said the website.
If you want more information on how to qualify for Energize Phoenix or how to get involved, please visit www.energizephx.com.