Green Opportunities Fair Showcases Arizona’s Clean Energy Future with Major Announcements from the Governor’s Office of Resiliency
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PHOENIX – The Green Opportunities Fair, hosted yesterday at the Arizona Science Center, highlighted the transformative impacts of clean energy investments in Arizona through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The event connected residents with resources to tap into workforce development, business support, and information on clean energy opportunities.
Maren Mahoney, Director of the Governor’s Office of Resiliency, took center stage at the press conference to outline several key initiatives and funding programs.
“Investments from the Inflation Reduction Act are being implemented across the Hobbs Administration,” Mahoney said, underscoring the state’s efforts to bolster its clean energy infrastructure.
Key highlights announced by Mahoney included:
- $850 million in low-interest loans for the KORE Power battery manufacturing facility, aimed at supporting the production of advanced energy storage solutions.
- $485 million in low-interest loans and grants through the Empowering Rural America program, focusing on solar, battery, and wind power projects to accelerate clean energy transitions in rural communities.
- $156 million for the Solar for All program, designed to ensure access to solar energy for low-income residents across Arizona.
- $76.5 million for electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure, allocated to the Arizona Department of Transportation over the next five years to build out a statewide EV charging network.
- $6 million in urban forestry grants for the Department of Fire and Fire Management to support climate resilience in cities by expanding urban tree canopies.
- $3 million for statewide climate action planning, to be administered by the Office of Resiliency, which will also develop a comprehensive greenhouse gas inventory for Arizona.
“We’ve also launched a one-stop-shop website—resilient.az.gov—where Arizonans can access clean energy tax incentives, utility rebates, and resources for energy efficiency, batteries, and electric vehicles,” Mahoney added.
The Green Opportunities Fair, organized by Dream.Org and Climate Power, featured local businesses, labor unions, and organizations focused on developing Arizona’s clean energy workforce. Participants had the opportunity to explore career development programs, small business loans, and technical assistance related to IRA incentives.
With over 18,000 clean energy jobs announced and more than $11 billion in clean energy investments since the passage of the IRA, Arizona is rapidly becoming a leader in the nation’s clean energy transformation.
“The [IRA] has supercharged our efforts to decarbonize Arizona,” said Jason Lowry, Director of Sustainability Initiatives at Local First Arizona. “And through the USDA, the Rural Energy for America program is making hundreds of millions of dollars available with their implementation grants that help small, locally-owned businesses by covering half the cost to install renewable energy or energy efficiency measures in their buildings.
“These can be combined with other tax incentives, credits, and deductions to increase [the return on investment],” Lowry added. “If we do this well, we can drive tens of millions of dollars into Arizona small businesses that are saving them money and reducing our carbon footprint and making sure Arizona remains this beautiful state for generations to come.”
The event culminated in a vibrant career fair that provided attendees with direct access to opportunities in the clean energy economy, helping them transition into green jobs and benefit from the numerous IRA-supported programs.
For video and images from this event, follow this link. (Credit: Climate Power)
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