Tucson and TEP Launch First Climate Partnership in Arizona

Tucson just made history by creating something no other Arizona city has done: a formal partnership with its electric utility to tackle climate change together.

The City of Tucson and Tucson Electric Power spent more than a year developing an Energy Collaboration Agreement that puts both organizations on the same team. Instead of working separately on clean energy goals, they're joining forces to make real change happen faster.

The partnership supports Tucson Resilient Together, the city's official climate action plan. It creates a clear framework for how the city and its power company will expand clean energy, build resilience hubs for emergencies, improve energy efficiency, develop green jobs, and keep the community informed every step of the way.

Only a handful of cities across the entire country have created similar partnerships with their utilities. Tucson is leading the way in Arizona and showing other communities what's possible when local government and power companies work together instead of staying in separate lanes.

The agreement didn't happen behind closed doors. City staff and TEP leaders spent months gathering input from Tucson residents to shape what the partnership would look like. Now they're opening it up for even more community feedback before any final decisions get made.

Three public meetings are scheduled for mid-March so residents can learn about the agreement, ask questions, and share their thoughts. One meeting happens in person at TEP headquarters on March 10, and two virtual options are available on March 11 for people who can't attend in person.

After hearing from the public, the Tucson Mayor and Council will discuss the agreement during a special study session on March 17. The draft agreement is already available online for anyone who wants to read through it before the meetings.

The Ripple Effect

This partnership could change how cities and utilities work together across the Southwest. When local government and power companies collaborate instead of compete, communities get cleaner air, more reliable energy during extreme weather, and jobs in growing green industries.

Tucson's approach shows that climate action doesn't have to be a fight between cities and the companies that power them. Working together creates solutions that benefit everyone, from lower energy bills through efficiency programs to workforce training that prepares residents for tomorrow's jobs.

One city partnership is opening doors for cleaner energy across Arizona.