photo credit: simax105

I’ve had what I consider to be the good fortune of business trips to Phoenix over the past few years.  The sun and plenty of great places to eat makes it one of my favorite destinations. But nothing matches my enthusiasm of another trip to the desert Southwest, as the recent news that Phoenix is taking steps to become the first carbon-neutral city in the U.S.

Inspired by the stimulus package monies coming its way, Phoenix has outlined 17 steps that would allow it to cut greenhouse gas emissions from City operations by 70%, which would be the equivalent of taking 80,000 vehicles off the road, per year.  To get there, the capital of Arizona proposes both new projects and implementation of existing plans, including bicycle rentals at light-rail stops and development of Phoenix’s canal system for both business and recreation.  In order to accomplish all 17 steps would require about $1 billion in green investments.

“To become carbon-neutral, a city must offset all its activities that produce carbon dioxide with efforts that remove the greenhouse gas from the atmosphere or produce no pollution at all. For example, the approach could require reducing vehicle use, planting trees and promoting alternative energy.”

The plan, known as “Green Phoenix,” was  developed in collaboration with Arizona State University’s Global Institute of Sustainability.  Last month, the mayor pitched the plan to Department of Energy Secretary Chu, emphasizing in part the number of green jobs that would result.

photo credit: bkusler

Perhaps most exciting is the fact that, as Phoenix strives to go carbon-neutral, other cities and counties could follow suit.  And, Phoenix will be leading the way with respect to solar energy, in particular.  All existing and new city buildings would be retrofitted with solar panels to provide both electricity and hot water.  Lighting at transportation facilities would be powered by solar energy, too.

The cornerstone of “Green Phoenix” is arguably the region’s first solar-power plant, envisioned to be constructed on 1,200 acres at the city’s landfill in Buckeye. The city is asking the U.S. Energy Department for $90 million in stimulus dollars to cover the cost of connecting the future plant to the region’s power grid.  Mayor Gordon has stated that Green Phoenix means “turning Phoenix into a solar city.”

“In the middle of what has always been known as the Valley of the Sun, Phoenix will become the ‘City of the Sun.’ “

This is precisely the type of development and focus on real renewable energy solutions that the stimulus package should be helping to fund.  I’m looking forward to my next trip to the desert Southwest, and some prime Greenspotting© in Phoenix!

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