In every corner of Arizona, from the heart of Yuma to the vast rural and tribal lands of Legislative District 23, a clean energy revolution is taking shape. Thanks to bold investments from theInflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), our state is leading the charge in building a safer and healthier future–creating thousands of good-paying jobs, driving down energy costs, and positioning Arizona as a national hub for clean technology.
However, these critical investments are now at risk due to recent Executive Orders pausing federal clean energy funding grants, putting our progress and its economic and environmental benefits in limbo. This shift isn’t just about fighting climate impacts but economic opportunity, energy independence, and expanding the middle class. I know this firsthand–my husband is a union member, and I have seen how investments in clean energy are opening doors for more skilled trade jobs like his. These projects are not only driving innovation, but they are also providing stable, well-paying careers for hardworking families across Arizona.
Since the passage of these landmark bills, Arizona has gained $12.75 billion in clean energy investments, creating over 18,700 jobs. Disadvantaged communities received $4.4 billion and 3,319 jobs, while rural areas saw $2.2 billion and 1,562 jobs. Tribal communities, including the Tohono O’odham Nation and Cocopah Tribe, are also benefiting from expanded energy infrastructure and workforce training, ensuring an inclusive, clean energy future.
These investments are not just numbers–they are transforming communities across Arizona. In Tucson and Yuma, part of the 23rd Legislative District I represent, we’re witnessing the birth of a green technology hub. American Battery Factory is investing $1.2 billion in a new lithium battery gigafactory, bringing 1,000 new jobs to our community. Nearby, Sion Power is expanding its EV battery plant, adding 150 more jobs with a $341 million investment.
Beyond urban centers, Yuma County’s $200 million solar-powered cobalt facility will create 200 jobs, boosting an area plagued by high unemployment. Rural Arizona also gains from the $2.16 billion Hermosa critical minerals project in Santa Cruz County, adding 1,100 jobs.
In 2023 alone, more than 88,000 Arizona families saved over $285 million on clean energy and energy efficiency investments for their homes. As more solar farms like Sun Streams 3 and 4 come online, households will benefit from increased access to affordable, renewable energy. Expanding clean energy isn’t just about savings–it’s key to Arizona’s overcoming environmental challenges.
Arizona faces extreme heat, droughts, and poor air quality–worsened by fossil fuel dependency, endangering vulnerable communities. Rising temperatures contribute to more heat-related illnesses and deaths, disproportionately impacting outdoor workers, seniors, and low-income families who may lack access to adequate cooling. Additionally, the continued reliance on fossil fuels worsens air pollution, increasing rates of asthma, heart disease, and other respiratory illnesses, particularly in children and marginalized communities. According to the American Lung Association’s State of the Air report, many counties in our state consistently receive failing grades for air quality, with 84% of Arizonans living in areas with unhealthy air.
For too long, working families have faced rising energy costs while corporations controlled our energy future. The IRA and IIJA are changing that by expanding solar and wind power, reducing fossil fuel dependence, and cutting emissions that worsen extreme heat and air quality. These laws also fund energy efficiency programs, helping families lower utility bills and stay cool without financial strain.
As we welcome spring, let’s reaffirm our commitment to a cleaner, healthier future. By working together–across party lines and communities–we can expand clean energy, lower costs, improve public health, and build a more sustainable Arizona for future generations.
Rep Mariana Sandoval was elected to the Arizona State House of Representatives in 2022 and currently represents Legislative District 23, a diverse region that includes urban, rural and tribal communities.
