As Phoenix swelters under a record-breaking 118-degree heat wave, the state’s energy demand is soaring — and utilities are holding the line, keeping the lights (and air conditioning) on. That’s no small feat, especially when you consider that states like California and Texas haven’t been as consistent.
But that success hides a looming challenge: Arizona’s electricity use is projected to grow 60% over the next 30 years, according to the Common Sense Institute. Without expanding supply, that demand surge will only mean one thing — higher electricity prices.
That’s already happening. Arizona’s top three utilities — APS, SRP, and TEP — are either raising or preparing to raise rates.
It’s easy to blame the utilities or regulators like the Arizona Corporation Commission, but the real issue is simple: we need more power.
Natural Gas and Solar Alone Won’t Cut It
Right now, natural gas provides nearly half of Arizona’s electricity. And while solar and wind projects are on the rise, they still haven’t reached the scale needed to power entire cities.
Arizona needs a proven, reliable, large-scale energy solution. Fortunately, it already has one — nuclear power.
Arizona’s Quiet Nuclear Success
The Palo Verde Generating Station, operating for nearly 40 years, is one of Arizona’s best-kept secrets. Running 24/7 in all weather conditions, it can power millions of homes and produces more energy than any of the state’s solar projects. And importantly — zero fatalities, zero major incidents.
Despite outdated fears, nuclear power is among the safest and cleanest energy sources available. Radiation exposure near a nuclear plant is less than what you’d get from a dentist’s x-ray or a cross-country flight. And as for nuclear waste? All of it ever produced in the U.S. could fit on a football field, stacked just 10 yards high — and it’s tightly regulated and safely stored.
New Tech and Growing Support Make Nuclear a Smart Bet
Technological advancements — like NuScale’s modular nuclear reactors — are making it faster, safer, and more affordable to build new nuclear plants. Both the Biden and Trump administrations have backed nuclear energy, streamlining regulations and investing in domestic reactor projects.
Public support is rising, too. A June Pew Research poll shows that 60% of Americans now support building more nuclear power plants.
Arizona Is Booming — and Powering That Growth Is a Must
With companies like TSMC, Intel, and LG pouring billions into Arizona, and the state ranked 14th in population (and still growing fast), the pressure on the power grid will only intensify. More people means more jobs, more opportunities, and yes — more energy demand.
Energy costs already affect how Arizonans live, work, and budget. If we want to keep Arizona affordable and competitive, we must stay ahead of the demand curve.
It’s not about politics or partisanship — it’s about powering Arizona’s future.
It’s time to go nuclear.
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