Explore the Evolution of AzCaNE
The Center for an Arizona Carbon-Neutral Economy was established in 2022 to advance a thriving, carbon-neutral economy in Arizona and the Southwest. From the beginning, AzCaNE’s mission has extended beyond any single technology. While our first major initiative focused on low-carbon-intensity hydrogen, we have always recognized that reaching carbon neutrality will require a broader, multi-pathway approach.
AzCaNE brings together Arizona’s major energy utilities alongside the state’s three public universities. As a cross-sector coalition, our role is to coordinate efforts, align research and build partnerships that support the development and deployment of diverse clean energy solutions across the region.
ASU achieves carbon neutrality, ranked among most sustainable universities in the world
In 2007, Arizona State University was ahead of the curve when it came to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. That’s when ASU pledged to reach zero greenhouse gas emissions from campus operations by 2025. To underscore the urgency to act, ASU reached that goal six years early — on June 30, 2019.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal
On this date, Congress passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal—the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act—making a historic investment in the nation’s infrastructure. This legislation aims to rebuild roads, bridges and public transit, expand access to clean water and high-speed internet and invest in clean energy and electric vehicle charging infrastructure to combat climate change and promote environmental justice.
Arizona energy providers, state universities join forces to pursue a carbon-neutral economy
Four Arizona energy providers and the state’s three public universities are forming a new, interdisciplinary coalition with the goal of attaining a carbon-neutral economy in Arizona[…] To begin, the coalition established a new ASU-based center called the “Center for an Arizona Carbon-Neutral Economy,” housed within the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory on the ASU Tempe campus.
Biden signs Inflation reduction Act into law
On August 16, 2022, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law, marking one of the largest investments in the American economy, energy security and climate. The IRA creates opportunities to build projects, hire workers, strengthen domestic supply chains, lower household energy costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It also includes tax incentives for clean energy and manufacturing, benefiting communities, workers and tax-exempt entities like state, local and Tribal governments.
2022 Funding notice: Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs
The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) issued a $7 billion funding opportunity announcement to support six to 10 hydrogen hubs. As part of a larger $8 billion Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs (H2Hubs) program funded through President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this effort will catalyze investment in the development of H2Hubs that demonstrate the production, processing, delivery, storage, and end-use of clean hydrogen—all while supporting President Biden’s goal of a net-zero carbon economy by 2050.
Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub develops in the desert Southwest
In 2022, energy leaders in Arizona, Nevada and the Navajo Nation formed the Southwest Clean Hydrogen Innovation Network to propose a regional clean hydrogen hub. SHINe includes over 40 member organizations such as cities, clean energy companies, nonprofits and major utilities like Arizona Public Service Company and Salt River Project. On November 7, 2022, SHINe took its first step in developing the hub by submitting a concept paper to seek federal funding from the U.S. Department of Energy under the $8 billion regional hydrogen hub program from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
2023 SHINe submits ful proposal for the development of a Clean Hydrogen Hub
The Southwest Clean Hydrogen Innovation Network submitted a full proposal for developing a clean hydrogen hub in the desert Southwest, following encouragement from the U.S. Department of Energy. SHINe, selected from 79 initial applicants and one of 33 invited to proceed, aims to create an ecosystem for producing, storing, transporting and using clean hydrogen, providing economic, environmental and community benefits. The proposal highlights the collaboration of over 40 organizations and the support from Nevada and Arizona Governors’ Offices and U.S. senators, emphasizing the region’s strategic advantages for a clean hydrogen market.
2023 U.S. National Clean Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap
The U.S. National Clean Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap outlines a comprehensive plan to accelerate production, processing, delivery, storage and use of clean hydrogen. This strategy supports national decarbonization goals, sets concrete targets and calls for collaboration across federal agencies, industry and communities to drive progress.
2023 Biden-Harris Administration announces regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs
The Biden-Harris Administration announced seven regional clean hydrogen hubs selected to receive $7 billion in funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The selected hubs are the Mid-Atlantic Hydrogen Hub, Appalachian Hydrogen Hub, California Hydrogen Hub, Gulf Coast Hydrogen Hub, Heartland Hydrogen Hub, Midwest Hydrogen Hub and Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Hub. These hubs aim to accelerate clean hydrogen production, create tens of thousands of jobs and significantly reduce carbon emissions, supporting the nation’s transition to a clean energy economy.
2023 Arizona loses bid for hydrogen fuel project, researchers vow to push ahead
The Biden-Harris Administration announced that the Southwest Clean Hydrogen Innovation Network was not among those selected for funding under the $7 billion Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs program. Despite this setback, SHINe is determined to continue its efforts to advance clean hydrogen projects in Arizona and Nevada, seeking alternative funding sources and leveraging private investments to support their initiatives.
Section 45V Credit for production of clean hydrogen
The U.S. Department of the Treasury published its proposed regulations, open for comments, for the Section 45V clean hydrogen production credit and the energy credit, as established by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. These regulations cover lifecycle greenhouse gas emission rates for hydrogen production, provisional emissions rates, verification of clean hydrogen production and use, retrofitting existing facilities and using renewable or zero-emissions electricity for hydrogen production. The regulations impact taxpayers producing clean hydrogen and those claiming related credits.
ASU retains No. 1 in US, top 10 globally in UN Sustainable Development Goals ranking
Through its Impact Rankings, Times Higher Education once again has recognized ASU for its commitment to assuming fundamental responsibility for the communities it serves. For the fifth consecutive year, ASU retains its No. 1 spot in the United States and top-10 ranking globally for its work through education, research and practice in alignment with the SDGs. ASU also ranks No. 1 in the U.S. for 11 out of the 17 SDGs.
Phoenix releases progress report on plan to reach carbon neutrality, zero waste by 2050
Three years after adopting a strategy to attain carbon neutrality and zero waste by 2050, the city of Phoenix released its first Climate Action Plan Progress Report. “This progress report indicates that we are on the right track to reach our ambitious targets and will help us sharpen our focus as we continue toward our vision to become the most sustainable desert city in the world,” Mayor Kate Gallego said in a press release Wednesday.
NAU’s inagaural sustainability report marks important first step in achieving carbon neutrality
Northern Arizona University released its inaugural State of Sustainability report, documenting progress on its path to achieving carbon neutrality by 2030. This comprehensive report highlights NAU’s wide-ranging sustainability efforts, which are integrated into campus life and the broader community, and its responsibility to prepare the next generation of sustainability professionals.
AZ company becomes first aviation company to be certified ‘climate neutral’
An Arizona-based aviation company has achieved a distinction no other aviation company has been able to accomplish. AvAir in Chandler has been certified “climate neutral” by Climate Change. The company received the distinction in part because of its commitment to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions.
IRS and Treasury issue final regulations for clean hydrogen tax credits
This update discusses recently issued final regulations under sections 45V and 48(a)(15) regarding tax credits enacted as part of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 for clean hydrogen production projects.[1] On January 3, 2025, the IRS and Treasury released final regulations relating to tax credits for clean hydrogen that were enacted as part of the Inflation Reduction Act (the “Final Regulations”) and that are scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on January 10, 2025. […] The Final Regulations make material modifications to the proposed regulations published in December 2023 (the “Proposed Regulations”).
University of Arizona to help develop national standards for sustainability in higher ed
Thanks to its institutional commitment to sustainability and climate action, the University of Arizona will help the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching develop a new classification to recognize U.S. higher education institutions’ sustainability work.
California launches nation’s first public hydrogen utility
California just made history with the launch of the country’s first public hydrogen utility, and it all kicked off in Los Angeles County. On May 5, 2025, the Rowland Water District officially became the founding member of First Public Hydrogen—a groundbreaking Joint Powers Authority that brings public agencies and hydrogen producers together under one roof.