The Center for an Arizona Carbon-Neutral Economy pursues a bold vision: A thriving, resilient Arizona by 2050—advancing collaboration, innovation, and shared opportunity to realize a carbon-neutral economy that strengthens communities, enhances economic opportunity, and supports enduring prosperity.
We support cross-sector efforts that draw on Arizona’s regional strengths—including world-class solar resources, a growing manufacturing base, leading research institutions, and strong community leadership—to enhance long-term prosperity and resilience.
AzCaNE convenes Arizona’s public, private, Tribal, academic, and community collaborators, providing transparent analysis that helps assess and identify opportunities that contribute to long-term prosperity and resilience.
AzCaNE takes an “all of the above” approach to achieving a low-carbon and sustainable future, recognizing that no single solution will achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
The center coordinates its efforts across multiple low-carbon strategies, including low-carbon intensity hydrogen, bioresources, transportation electrification, carbon capture, infrastructure resilience and more.
AzCaNE brings together leading experts in bioenergy, biomass management and sustainable technologies to transform organic bioresources into renewable fuels and valuable products.
By converting agricultural residue, dairy biogas and other bioresources into low-carbon energy and usable products, AzCaNE is advancing circular economy strategies that support a carbon-neutral future.
Extensive reservoirs of oil, gas and natural carbon dioxide in the Southwest make it an ideal place to explore carbon capture, utilization and storage.
The area benefits from existing CO2 pipelines and geological formations, facilitating enhanced oil recovery and deep brine storage; these support large-scale storage solutions and address technical challenges.
As the world navigates rising CO2 emissions, low-carbon-intensity hydrogen stands out as a promising solution for enhancing energy security.
AzCaNE balances near-term solutions, like upgrading industrial equipment to cut emissions, with longer-term investments like low-carbon-intensity hydrogen infrastructure.
No single technology or pathway can meet the scale or complexity of our ongoing energy, resource and carbon management challenges.
AzCaNE works across disciplines to assess and advance diverse strategies—from long-duration energy storage and electrification to sustainable land use, circular economy and beyond—to build a holistic path toward a carbon-neutral economy in Arizona.
Supplying all heavy-duty trucking and 5% of Arizona’s electricity with low-carbon-intensity hydrogen in 2050 would consume around 15,500 to 34,250 acre-feet of water each year. This equals roughly 0.5 % of today’s statewide demand, or 4 to 9 gallons per kilogram of hydrogen.
Sustainable supply is influenced by groundwater drawdowns, scarce reclaimed water, complex surface-water rights and similar factors. AzCaNE convenes utilities, tribal nations, industry and regulators to navigate these trade-offs and ensure future hydrogen projects align with Arizona’s long-term water resilience.
April 16, 2026 The SunZia Wind project, the largest renewable energy development in U.S. history, has begun generating electricity as it nears full commercial operation. The 3.5 GW wind project in New Mexico will deliver power across a 550-mile transmission line to customers in California and Arizona, helping meet growing demand and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. After years of permitting challenges, the project marks a major milestone for large-scale renewable infrastructure in the Southwest and highlights the critical role of transmission in connecting clean energy to high-demand regions.
April 9, 2026 Salt River Project (SRP) election results revealed a divided but engaged voter base, with record turnout and representation from both clean energy advocates and conservative groups. While leadership positions were won by Turning Point-backed candidates, a majority of board seats went to Clean Energy Team candidates. Despite differing perspectives, both sides emphasized shared priorities such as affordability, grid reliability, and water protection, reflecting the ongoing balance between energy policy direction and customer impact in Arizona.
April 2, 2026 Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs has introduced a comprehensive strategic energy plan to address rising electricity demand driven by data centers, population growth, and economic expansion. Developed by the Arizona Energy Promise Task Force, the plan outlines 31 recommendations focused on grid reliability, affordability, and long-term sustainability. Key priorities include expanding renewable energy, supporting emerging technologies like geothermal and nuclear, and improving energy efficiency. The plan also highlights the need for community engagement and new frameworks to manage large energy users, positioning Arizona to balance growth with a reliable and diversified energy future.
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