A new white from autonomous technology firm Aurora Innovation examines how the cutting edge innovation could reshape the trucking industry and positively affect energy efficiency. 

By using fuel sources more efficiently, autonomous technology could reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality. The paper looks at the factors influencing energy usage and delves into the specific opportunities and obstacles for autonomous trucking, and it introduces an integrated model for estimating the potential energy savings of a standard over-the-road tractor-trailer in the United States.

The potential benefits

• Autonomous trucks, exempt from hours-of-service regulations, diminish the need to drive at high speeds for quicker arrivals. Consequently, driving at lower speeds reduces fuel consumption per mile. Adopting Aurora鈥檚 strategy of maintaining a speed of 65 mph rather than 70-75 mph could potentially decrease highway fuel usage by 9%-17%.

• Trucks frequently use fuel while idling during driver breaks for rest, meals, or downtime between hauls, accounting for 4%-9% of fuel consumption. Although autonomous trucks cannot eradicate idling entirely, they could optimize driving time more effectively.

• A large amount of energy is expended due to ineffective acceleration and braking. Autonomous trucks have the capacity for eco-driving, which involves strategically optimizing acceleration, braking, and coasting to enhance energy efficiency and lower fuel consumption. Referencing a study highlighted in the white paper, it was discovered that implementing more strategic coasting could result in fuel savings of up to 9.5%.

• Autonomous trucks have the capability to operate almost continuously throughout the day, allowing them to transition more freight transportation to off-peak hours. This shift not only lowers the fuel consumption of autonomous trucks by reducing time spent in traffic but also aids in alleviating congestion and decreasing fuel usage for other vehicles.

Furthermore, the white paper also suggests that the adoption of autonomous trucks could pave the way for accelerated adoption of next-generation powertrains. 

鈥淎s autonomous trucks make hauling freight safer, we have a responsibility to make logistics more sustainable as well. Self-driving technology can fight climate change by increasing energy efficiency and reducing emissions in the supply chain,鈥� paper author Garrett Bray said.

The view from Arizona

Arizona has become a hub for the testing of autonomous passenger and heavy-duty vehicles, which the head of the Arizona Manufacturers Council said enhances the state鈥檚 competitive standing for advanced manufacturing.

鈥淎rizona is a leader in the research, development, and manufacture of next generation automotives, whether they鈥檙e autonomous, electric, or alternative fuel,鈥� AMC Executive Director Grace Appelbe said. 鈥淭he innovations in the heavy-duty truck space are especially exciting because they not only attract new job-creating talent to Arizona, but they also are likely to have an immediate positive effect on our supply chain and logistics sector, which further enhances the state鈥檚 economic competitiveness.鈥�

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SRP has provided water and power to the Valley for more than 100 years, and that experience continues to serve our customers well.

SRP and our 5,000 employees have long been recognized as one of the top utilities in the nation and we are at the forefront of driving extraordinary changes to the power grid, our watershed and the greater Phoenix community while always doing right by our customers.

This means ensuring reliable, affordable and sustainable power and water now and for generations to come.

Reliability and Affordability 

As a not-for-profit, community-based utility, SRP has among the lowest electricity rates in the southwestern United States and the lowest rates of any major utility in the state. This can be attributed to careful planning by the company and our publicly elected Board of Directors, and our customers have made it clear that we must continue to prioritize affordability and reliability even as we substantially grow our electric system.

SRP has among the best reliability rankings in the nation, and we continue to invest in equipment and technology to improve our grid.

David Rousseau, president of the SRP board of directors

Responsible Decarbonization 

SRP is taking significant, industry-leading steps to decarbonize the power it generates for one of the fastest-growing service territories in the country. In the last year alone, we鈥檝e doubled the amount of utility-scale solar energy on the grid and are proud of the fact that our customers are benefiting from enough clean energy to power nearly 500,000 homes. Five additional solar facilities are currently under development. When they are operational by the end of 2027, nearly half of our generation will be carbon free.

And we aren鈥檛 close to being done. Our Board recently approved more ambitious sustainability goals including net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. To help reach this goal and meet the projected 56% increase in energy needed to serve our customers over the next 10 years while also retiring most of our coal generation, SRP will double the size of our current electrical system. We鈥檒l do this by adding new carbon-free generation and new storage resources by 2035.

To maintain a balanced, low-cost grid and to meet the unique challenges of our Valley, new fast-ramping natural gas units will also be part of SRP鈥檚 future generation mix. This technology allows SRP to meet our customers鈥� energy needs and better integrate intermittent renewables, which are critical to maintaining our industry-leading reliability that helps keep our customers safe, especially during Arizona鈥檚 hot summer days (and nights).

SRP will also continue to support our growing number of customers who choose to add rooftop solar and batteries to their homes. We offer a variety of ways to help evaluate potential projects and avoid scams, including a rooftop solar calculator and a list of preferred solar installers.

Jim Pratt, SRP general manager and CEO.

Water Resiliency 

SRP was created when a group of Phoenix-area landowners pledged their land as collateral for a federal loan to build Theodore Roosevelt Dam, establishing a regular flow of water to the Valley and ensuring our long-term growth.

SRP now supplies water to almost half of the Phoenix region. Even though our water comes from a watershed that is expected to be less impacted by climate change than the Colorado River, we continue to collaborate with state agencies, cities and tribes to develop programs and infrastructure that will help maximize the Valley鈥檚 future water supply.

These include increasing storage capacity on the Verde River and the SRP Central Arizona Project Canal Interconnection, allowing water to be moved to communities that need it. We are also seeking approval to extend the amount of time SRP can hold water in a portion of the Flood Control Space at Roosevelt Dam to put more of it to use, particularly during times of heavy precipitation like we experienced last winter.

SRP and our partners will continue to plan for future growth and variable climate conditions to help ensure reliable and well-managed surface water and groundwater supplies.

While we鈥檝e experienced incredible change over the last 100 years, one thing has remained constant: We are driven to always make decisions in the best interests of our customers and the communities we serve. This commitment is ongoing and will become even more important to ensure reliable, affordable and sustainable power and water as we address critical challenges facing our company and our state.

David Rousseau is president of the SRP board of directors. Jim Pratt is SRP general manager and CEO.

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Two years after proposing an expansive and expensive climate disclosure regulation for public corporations, the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 6 adopted more narrow requirements amid concerns over potential legal disputes and recent court rulings, including one from the Supreme Court, that raised questions about the extent of the regulatory body’s jurisdiction. 

National Association of Manufacturers 

鈥淭he NAM demonstrated for the SEC the practical realities of such a sweeping proposed rule, encouraging the SEC to make significant changes to remove inflexible and infeasible mandates, require disclosure only of material information and protect small manufacturers from the impact of these requirements. Among other critical issues, the NAM called on the SEC to remove the rule鈥檚 onerous and unworkable Scope 3 supply chain emissions reporting mandate鈥攚hich the SEC has now done,鈥� NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons said.  

U.S. 小红帽直播app of Commerce 

“For two years now, the U.S. 小红帽直播app of Commerce has raised significant concerns about the scope, breadth, and legality of the SEC鈥檚 climate disclosure efforts. We are carefully reviewing the details of the rule and its legal underpinnings to understand its full impact. While it appears that some of the most onerous provisions of the initial proposed rule have been removed, this remains a novel and complicated rule that will likely have significant impact on businesses and their investors. The 小红帽直播app will continue to use all the tools at our disposal, including litigation if necessary, to prevent government overreach and preserve a competitive capital market system,鈥� U.S. 小红帽直播app of Commerce Center for Capital Markets Competitiveness Executive Vice President Tom Quaadman. 

The SEC also modified the initially suggested Scope 1 and Scope 2 disclosures, now mandating that only larger companies furnish emissions data if it鈥檚 deemed material. Scope 1 pertains to direct emissions, while Scope 2 refers to indirect emissions from purchased energy. The SEC dropped Scope 3 entirely, which would have required reporting across customers and supply chains and would be difficult for companies to calculate.  

The regulation mandates that companies must divulge the capitalized costs, expenditures, and losses associated with carbon offsets and renewable energy credits or certificates if they utilize them as significant elements in attaining their climate objectives or targets. 

Despite its narrower scope than originally proposed, the rule could still face a legal challenge from industry that it violates the 鈥渕ajor questions鈥� doctrine, which the Supreme Court cited in West Virginia v. EPA, a 2022 ruling that curbed EPA鈥檚 ability to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from coal-fired power plants and that requires Congress to give agencies permission to adopt policies of significant political or economic consequence.  

鈥淭he NAM remains committed to ensuring the SEC acts within its statutory authority, prioritizes flexibility and provides much-needed guidance鈥攋ust as we are committed to providing leadership in addressing environmental challenges,鈥� said Timmons, 鈥淭his is why the NAM is keeping all options on the table as we evaluate the rule鈥檚 potential impacts on the manufacturing sector.鈥�

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The National Association of Manufacturers has moved to block a rule from the EPA that lowers the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) to 9 micrograms per cubic meter.

The NAM Legal Center has sued to block the ruling. The NAM and the EPA had a similar conflict in November. 

鈥淚n pursuing this discretionary reconsideration rule, the EPA should have considered the tremendous costs and burdens of a lower PM2.5 standard,鈥� NAM Chief Legal Officer Linda Kelly said. 鈥淚nstead, by plowing ahead with a new standard that is vastly more restrictive than any other national standard, including that set by the EU, the agency not only departs significantly from the traditional NAAQS process, but also gravely undermines the Biden administration鈥檚 manufacturing agenda鈥攕tifling manufacturing investment, infrastructure development and job creation in communities across the country. The NAM Legal Center is filing suit to protect manufacturers鈥� ability to obtain permits, expand facilities and pursue long-term investment plans, and defend our country鈥檚 competitive advantage.鈥�

The Clean Air Act mandates that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conduct a review of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) every five years to assess the adequacy of the PM2.5 standard. 

Recently, the EPA performed an out-of-cycle reconsideration of this standard. In December 2020, after a comprehensive review, the EPA chose to maintain the PM2.5 standard at 12 micrograms per cubic meter. However, in June 2021, the agency announced its intention to revisit this decision. 

NAM submitted comments advocating for the retention of the current standard. The EPA has reported a 42% reduction in PM2.5 concentrations since 2000, attributing this decline to significant emissions reductions from various sources, including the mobile sector and power generation. 

Notably, the European Union鈥檚 standard stands at 25 micrograms per cubic meter, with a proposed reduction to 10 by 2030, while the United Kingdom aims to achieve a standard of 10 by 2040. 

The EPA acknowledges that a substantial portion (70%) of particulate matter originates from nonmanufacturing sources, such as wildfires (29%), agriculture and prescribed fires (15%), crop and livestock dust (12%), unpaved road dust (10%), paved road dust (3%), and general “dust” (2%).

Arizona business community: new standard undermines cooperative federalism

The Arizona 小红帽直播app of Commerce & Industry has been equally critical of the EPA鈥檚 new PM2.5 standard, saying it undermines the idea of cooperative federalism embedded in the Clean Air Act and replaces 鈥渃ooperation with an unrealistic and unattainable mandate.

鈥淎rizona and the Southwest face unique issues and should not be subjected to this ineffective, one-size-fits-all approach,鈥� 小红帽直播app President and CEO Danny Seiden said. 鈥淎rizona job creators believe in cooperative federalism and are good faith partners in efforts to improve air quality. But the federal government鈥檚 top-down regulatory approach will have real consequences for Arizona industries like manufacturing, mining, and agriculture, and jeopardizes permitting for new job-creating projects.鈥�

The 小红帽直播app last week hosted Joe Goffman, the head of EPA鈥檚 Office of Air and Radiation to discuss this and other EPA proposals that have the potential to constrain economic growth in the state.

Congressional delegation weighs in

Arizona U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego (D) wrote to EPA Administrator Michael Regan to urge the agency to acknowledge that some pollution is outside the control of the state.

鈥淓fforts to address air pollution in Arizona must focus on practical solutions that both account for the sources of pollution, including sources outside of impacted communities, and for ongoing efforts around electrification and environmentally conscious development,鈥� Gallego said in his .

鈥淲e appreciate Rep. Gallego鈥檚 decisive stand against EPA measures that unfairly penalize Arizona for emissions beyond our control,鈥� Seiden said. 鈥淭he 小红帽直播app supports his call for pragmatic solutions, recognizing that 80% of the pollution affecting our state originates elsewhere. We thank Rep. Gallego for his leadership and join him in calling for a balanced approach that fosters both environmental sustainability and economic growth.鈥�

U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.) has partnered with Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) to introduce legislation to modernize the Clean Air Act to include permitting reforms that will encourage business and job growth.

鈥淎rizona is home to the resources and businesses that serve as the bedrock for the clean energy technologies of the future. Our bipartisan legislation responsibly updates the Clean Air Act to help develop new clean energy technologies, attract more businesses to Arizona, create strong jobs for Arizona families, and ensure clean air for generations to come,鈥� she said.

The 小红帽直播app supports the effort.

鈥淚ndustries in the region have demonstrated their willingness to act responsibly under the Clean Air Act, but we require a partner at the federal level who is equally committed,鈥� Seiden said.

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While the 2023 legislative session did little to solve Arizona鈥檚 ongoing housing supply crisis, this year鈥檚 gathering of 90 elected legislators has offered some hope that relief is coming.聽

The state faces a housing deficit of more than 270,000 homes, according to analysis by the Arizona Department of Housing. Lawmakers studied the issue in 2022, including holding stakeholder meetings and listening sessions in all corners of the state. The last legislative session saw ambitious proposals, but at the end of the session, no real solutions made their way through the process and onto the governor for signature. 

There鈥檚 reason to hope that 2024 will be different. 

The Arizona Multihousing Association, the leading advocate for rental property owners and managers, is backing several bills that remain alive, have all garnered bipartisan support and now are on their way to the Senate. 

First, Rep. Matt Gress, R-Phoenix, sponsored HB2518 to have cities and towns with a population above 30,000 perform a housing needs assessment. Each community understanding its housing shortfalls and true needs will lead to better policies to fix the problems. To streamline the development process and minimize administrative delays, the bill would require cities to make a rezoning decision within 180 days of receiving an application. The intent is to alleviate the cumbersome delays that impede developers from promptly introducing new homes and apartments to the market, thereby reducing costs for both developers and prospective homebuyers. 

House Majority Leader Leo Biasiucci, alongside a bipartisan group of lawmakers, introduced HB2297, a groundbreaking proposal that empowers developers to transform underutilized or vacant commercial developments into new housing options, with a mandatory inclusion of low- and or moderate-income options. The bill streamlines the conversion process for developers, enabling them to repurpose vacant shopping centers and office buildings for housing without going through a protracted rezoning process. Conversions allow developers to capitalize on existing infrastructure, leading to enhanced property values and increased tax revenue. 

LeVinus 

HB2734, sponsored by Democrat Rep. Analise Ortiz, mandates that municipalities in Arizona hold a maximum of two public hearings on residential zoning ordinances, aiming to streamline zoning cases while ensuring adequate public involvement and feedback. Currently, some cities such as Tucson, Phoenix, and Scottsdale conduct more than three public hearings, leading to significant delays in project entitlement. By limiting public hearings to two, unnecessary time delays for both the Council and developers can be avoided, while still allowing for local input. The measure also seeks to simplify approval processes and encourage collaboration between municipalities and developers, ultimately expediting project approvals while upholding local authority. 

All three bills have received bipartisan support in House committee hearings as well as the floor vote. The AMA is hoping to get enough support to propel all three bills to the governor鈥檚 desk for her signature. 

At the same time as we are supporting these legislative efforts, the AMA is also encouraging cities to take steps to alleviate the housing crisis. Cities need to loosen regulations on casitas 鈥� accessory dwelling units 鈥� to allow for more options to house family members or to offer them for rent. And expedited timelines to approve rezoning cases or building permits allow developers to bring new homes to market faster. 

It’s long past time that the state and local communities address the significant housing shortfall. The Legislature and governor can take the first steps this session to give the thousands of people who move to Arizona every year more options.

Courtney Gilstrap LeVinus is the president and CEO of the Arizona Multihousing Association.

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The on Tuesday released its fourth report in its Advancing America series, , which outlines the essential role of the natural gas industry in sustaining the operations of the American pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors. 

鈥淭he value natural gas brings to America鈥檚 pharmaceutical industry is tremendous,鈥� AGA President and CEO Karen Harbert said. 鈥淔rom the gloves and mask a surgeon wears, to the disinfectants used in hospitals, to the life-saving medicines Americans depend on and the bottles they come in, natural gas and other petrochemical molecules are indispensable.鈥�  

Highlights from the report include: 

• The pharmaceutical manufacturing industry in the United States sustains 1.8 million jobs, contributes to an economic output of $663 billion, generates $338 billion in GDP, and yields $30 million in state and local taxes.

• Businesses across the entire pharmaceutical manufacturing supply chain in the United States utilize more than 104 billion cubic feet of natural gas each year, equivalent to the annual natural gas consumption for all households in Missouri.

• A significant majority of adults, totaling 86%, believe that policymakers should prioritize reducing out-of-pocket healthcare expenses.

鈥淣atural gas is essential to putting downward pressure on pharmaceutical prices,鈥� Arizona Manufacturers Council Executive Director Grace Appelbe said. 鈥淲ithout it, drug manufacturing costs would spike, putting some medicines out of reach for too many and driving up healthcare costs broadly.鈥�

Manufacturing facilities of all types, including drugmakers, rely on natural gas for its 24/7 reliability and the delivery of stable heating and temperature control, which is critical to the development and storage of medicines. 

鈥淎s we learned during the pandemic with the rollout of the vaccines, undependable temperature controls harm a medicine鈥檚 potency and could make for life altering results,鈥� Appelbe said. 

The report found that facemasks, disposable gloves and syringes are also manufactured from petrochemical feedstocks like natural gas and are critical to combating the spread of disease. Petrochemical feedstocks are used for 129 billion facemasks, 300 billion medical gloves, and 979 million American vaccine syringes.  

鈥淭his report is a reminder that removing natural gas from the nation鈥檚 energy portfolio would have real-world consequences,鈥� Appelbe said. 鈥淲ithout natural gas鈥� reliability and contribution to lifesaving manufacturing, our country is less safe and less healthy.鈥�

Medical equipment and pharmaceutical manufacturers in Arizona include Dexcom, Medtronic, Roche Tissue Diagnostics, and Bristol-Myers Squibb, as well as major commercial pharmacies like Express Scripts.聽

Previous AGA reports in the series have examined natural gas鈥� contribution to the healthcare sector and to tourism and hospitality.

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Taking into consideration testimony it received from the state鈥檚 business community, the Arizona Corporation Commission last Thursday approved a rate case from APS that will help ensure the utility can continue to deliver reliable service, even during record-high triple-digit summer temperatures.

The decision was the culmination of proceedings that began in June of 2022 with APS notifying commissioners of its intent to file a rate case. Commissioner Kevin Thompson it 鈥渢he toughest and most time-consuming rate case to date.鈥�

Here鈥檚 a look at what representatives of the business community had to say during their hearing testimony.

Danny Seiden, president and CEO, Arizona 小红帽直播app of Commerce & Industry: 鈥淎PS invests approximately $1.5 billion annually into maintenance of the energy grid, which is a commitment to reliability that has been instrumental in keeping the delivery of energy in Arizona robust, reliable, and resilient. Businesses in our state benefit from stability, they benefit from consistency and it鈥檚 APS that provides this through these substantial investments.鈥�

Joe Galli, senior adviser for public policy, Greater Flagstaff 小红帽直播app of Commerce: 鈥淎cross the decades, APS has been a tremendous community partner maintaining regular engagement to support existing businesses and the growth of new businesses. A robust utility grid for our member businesses providing consistency and certainty is a necessity. And we鈥檙e grateful to APS as they provide this service.鈥� 

Steve Macias, president, Pivot Manufacturing: 鈥淎PS has and is offering an excellent product at a fair price. Over the last five years, my labor costs have gone up by about 26%, my health insurance has gone up by 30%, but our APS bill has only increased about 12%.鈥� 

Spencer Kamps, vice president of legislative affairs, Central Arizona Home Builders Association: 鈥淎rizona is the most energy efficient new housing market in the country and that is due to a partnership with APS.鈥� 

Jimmy Lindblom, vice president of economic development & infrastructure, Willmeng Construction, quoted from a letter he sent APS in 2022: 鈥淚n unprecedented times, APS has stepped up to the challenges of growth and continues to be the driving force in the economic development for our community. It鈥檚 safe to say that most do not realize the profound impact that your team鈥檚 leadership, planning, and execution have on our economies each day.鈥澛�

Following the Commission鈥檚 decision, Chairman Jim O鈥機onnor , 鈥淎PS and the 28 parties in the case were thoughtful, vigorous advocates for their respective interests. Our constitutional obligation is to protect the interest of all ratepayers and ensure the grid is reliable. I believe today鈥檚 decision fulfills our duties. It means that rates are equitable and fair among customers. Arizona鈥檚 population and economy is growing at a rapid pace, and that means utilities must expand their infrastructure and service, as well. While Thursday鈥檚 decision was not easy, it is a necessary one to make sure utilities continue to meet the demand of our growing economy and maintain reliable service.鈥�

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American Airlines recently announced new international service to Tijuana, Baja Calif., Mexico. The route joins several others offered by American and other carriers from Phoenix to Mexico, but it鈥檚 the first to Mexico鈥檚 second-largest city by population, an emerging tech and industrial hub.

鈥淧hoenix and Mexico share strong trade and tourism connections, and this new direct route to Tijuana further reinforces our partnership,鈥� Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said. 鈥淲e expect the new flight to generate $10 million in economic impact every year and ultimately help us on our mission to diversify and fortify Phoenix鈥檚 growing economy, particularly in the manufacturing industry. I want to thank the great Aviation Team and American Airlines for all of their hard work to make today鈥檚 announcement possible.鈥�

Phoenix serves as the sole United States destination for Tijuana, with TIJ Airport ranking among Mexico’s most well-connected hubs, offering flights to more than 40 domestic destinations.

Phoenix Sky Harbor now includes Tijuana as its 14th Mexican destination served by American Airlines. The presence of international flights holds significant economic advantages for the local community. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, these international flights contributed an annual economic impact of $3 billion.

鈥淭his new air service to Tijuana strengthens our mutually beneficial economic ties to Mexico, opening even more avenues for trade and travel. Phoenix continues to be a destination of choice for investment and leisure, and we are providing yet another opportunity鈥� Phoenix Councilwoman Ann O鈥橞rien said.

The announcement coincided with a visit to Arizona by Baja California Gov. Marina del Pilar 脕vila Olmeda and Kurt Ignacio Honold Morales, the state鈥檚 secretary of the economy. 

In a roundtable with business leaders and representatives of the Arizona Commerce Authority, including ACA President and CEO Sandra Watson, Del Pilar touted Baja California as a destination for nearshoring, as manufacturers reconsider manufacturing in Asia and look for operations closer to the U.S. with more resilient supply chains. 

Baja California has the largest concentration of aerospace companies in Mexico, and the state touts more than 80 companies in life sciences, with the San Diego-Baja California region contributing more than $250 billion in the sector, which includes medical devices, biotech, and pharmaceuticals.

Honold said Baja California, Sonora, California, and Arizona should be thought of as a mega region of more than 50 million people that 鈥渃an win the race for nearshoring and the future.鈥�

In addition to the roundtable, Del Pilar met with representatives from the state鈥檚 three public universities, executives at Footprint, which has operations in Mexicali, and with Gov. Kaite Hobbs.

鈥淚t is a strategic goal of our government to consolidate a strong relationship with our neighboring states to strengthen supply chains in priority economic sectors such as semiconductors, medical and aerospace among many others,鈥� Del Pilar said on social media.

Photo courtesy Gov. Del Pilar Facebook

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At a panel on Monday, leaders from Lucid Motors, the state, and Casa Grande discussed how they have worked together to develop an ecosystem attractive to advanced manufacturers like Lucid as well as other manufacturers producing exciting products and generating good jobs.

Steven David, the senior vice president of operations for Lucid, told an audience at the Arizona 小红帽直播app of Commerce & Industry forum that Casa Grande鈥檚 strategic location has proven to be a 鈥渉idden gem,鈥� offering key logistical links where Interstate 8 meets Interstate 10, as well as rail access.聽

As a result, Casa Grande is now turning out what David calls, 鈥淎rguably the best technology and the best car in the world.鈥�

Now, Lucid is preparing to produce its newest vehicle, Gravity, an SUV. Gravity made its global debut at last November鈥檚 L.A. Auto Show. Gravity was on display at the state Capitol on Tuesday, giving visitors a chance to check out its technology and cutting-edge design. 

Sandra Watson, CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority, which was integral in bringing the company to the state, said, 鈥淟ucid is one of the most exciting projects we have in Arizona.鈥�

Watson said projects like Lucid are highly competitive, but that Arizona and the ACA worked to ensure Arizona had 鈥渢he best value proposition,鈥� with access to a supply chain that included Arizona鈥檚 neighboring Mexican state of Sonora.

That supply chain is developing quickly. She said UACJ Whitehall鈥檚 investment in Flagstaff, that city鈥檚 biggest in 50 years, is a critical supplier for the automotive industry, and that Arizona has also announced eight battery manufacturing projects, producing batteries that could find their way not only into Lucid vehicles but other manufacturers鈥� as well.

ACA has also helped to stand up Drive 48, a collaboration with Central Arizona College to prepare students to enter the field of electric vehicle manufacturing. 

By fostering partnerships with educational institutions, Lucid is investing in the development of a dynamic and skilled workforce, which David said will benefit the broader economy.

Casa Grande Mayor Craig McFarland said the global reach of ACA helps cities like his, which offer assets like highways, rail, and land, compete for projects that they otherwise would not.

State Sen. T.J. Shope, R-Coolidge, commended the collaboration at all levels of government that has transformed Pinal County into a thriving jobs hub. He touted the news that Arizona had secured federal funding to expand I-10 between Chandler and Casa Grande, which will make commuting to and from Lucid safer and promote greater freight mobility.

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Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs and state leaders announced Monday that Arizona had secured a $95 million INFRA grant from the US Department of Transportation for major improvements to widen Interstate 10.

鈥淭he I-10 serves as a major connector for the entire state, and I am thrilled to announce that we have secured the funds necessary to ensure it remains a gateway for generations to come,鈥� Hobbs said. 鈥淏y securing this investment, we are not only improving our state鈥檚 infrastructure, we are propelling Arizona鈥檚 economy forward, ensuring a prosperous future for all. I want to thank (Gila River Indian Community) Governor Lewis for his tireless advocacy and our federal partners for helping make this possible.鈥� 

The purpose of the grant is to improve safety conditions on the highway, especially on the 26-mile stretch of the I-10 located within the Gila River Indian Community that sits between Chandler and Casa Grande. Some parts of the high-traffic stretch see up to 120,000 vehicles daily. This 26-mile segment of the I-10 is the last remaining unimproved section of the highway, with only two eastbound lanes and two westbound lanes. 

Obtaining funding for this project has been a top priority for Hobbs, the Gila River Indian Community, the Arizona congressional delegation, and the Arizona state Legislature. 

This grant represents a unique partnership of governments, involving state, federal, tribal, and county governments in the planning and development of the grant to address the safety and infrastructure needs in Arizona and within the Gila River Indian Community. 

Funding was made possible by passage of the 2022 bipartisan infrastructure law, a bill that Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) played a significant role in shaping. 

鈥淚鈥檓 proud to secure these funds for I-10鈥檚 expansion through my bipartisan infrastructure law,鈥� Sinema said. 鈥淚 promised Arizonans I鈥檇 do the hard work to deliver real results, not lip service 鈥� today鈥檚 investment is one of many more to come for Arizona from my bipartisan infrastructure law.鈥�

Over in the House. Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ) said he was pleased to land the funding despite years of delay.

鈥淭his grant funding will allow for the critical widening needed on one of the most dangerous stretches of highway in Arizona,鈥� Ciscomani, who sits on the Appropriations Committee, said. 鈥淲hile it is overdue, I am pleased to see DOT recognize the importance of the project nationally and allocate the necessary resources.鈥�

State Sen. T.J. Shope (R-Coolidge), a longtime advocate for the improvement project in his district, referred to the project on Monday while appearing on a panel about the positive economic effects of Lucid Motors鈥� investment in Casa Grande. 

The unimproved area is especially dangerous because it creates bottlenecks and traffic delays. As Pinal County鈥檚 development as a manufacturing jobs hub continues to grow, freight mobility and commuter safety in the region has become a greater need. 

On social media, Shope called the announcement, 鈥渢he day we鈥檝e been waiting for as the federal government saw fit to return some of our tax dollars to Arizona.鈥� 

Safety improvements along the corridor include: 

• Adding a new general-purpose lane in the east- and westbound directions, extending the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane on I-10 from Loop 202 to Riggs Road, and improving interchanges and crossroads will increase capacity and access. This improves safety by reducing congestion and travel times and lessening detoured traffic on the Gila River Indian Community. 

• Replacing I-10 bridges over the Gila River will maintain a state of good repair by modernizing this key infrastructure. 

• Building new and improved traffic interchanges creates safer crossings for farm equipment, bicyclists, and pedestrians and boosts connections and quality of life.

• Installing fiber optic infrastructure within ADOT Right-of-Way will allow for the installation of sensors, cameras, and other highway safety-related technology. 

Key Commerce Corridor, Arizona Jobs, and Local Connections: 

• As the principal roadway between metro Phoenix and Tucson for commuters, cross-country travelers, and commercial traffic, I-10 is a Key Commerce Corridor for Arizona and the U.S. 

• The freeway provides a vital link for freight traffic from the ports of southern California and for international commerce, with a significant amount of freight transported along the route daily. The proposed improvements will boost the reliability of freight traffic in the corridor. 

• The project, coupled with others around the state, will help attract employers and create jobs in Arizona.

• Locally, the route serves the Gila River Indian Community by improving connections to employment, medical, educational, and other critical services both within and outside of the Community. 

Funding for improvements:

• The total estimated project cost is approximately $1 billion. 

• $692 million allocated in the state budget 

• $221 million in MAG funding 

• $95 million in DOT INFRA grant funding

Timeline of the project:

• Following completion of the required environmental review and clearance, work is expected to start in 2024, beginning with expanding the bridges that carry traffic over the Gila River. 

• The target completion date for the full project has not been determined. For more information on the I-10 Wild Horse Pass study: i10wildhorsepasscorridor.com. 

• 鈥婣DOT works in partnership with MAG on the planning and construction of new freeways, additional lanes, and other improvements in the Phoenix area as part of the Regional Transportation Plan.

Photo courtesy ADOT聽.

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