Community sustainability

This year, SRP challenged Valley residents to make water conservation a way of life. Buoyed by a comprehensive public education campaign, a fun opportunity allowed residents to share their water-saving actions by uploading their photo with the campaign’s water-drop poster to our Together We Conserve website.

Tips about how to save water at home — especially outdoors, where the bulk of water is used — helped residents understand that water conservation can be easy to do once it’s adopted as a lifestyle. Residents can ask about water conservation by posting questions on facebook.com/srpconnect.

From the watershed to the showerhead, managing this precious resource is one of SRP’s core responsibilities. Water stewardship is the basis of our foundation and a practice that allows Valley communities to flourish.

Key programs and initiatives

Weatherization Assistance Program:
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

SRP conducts free preliminary low-income home assessments and provides information on weatherization.

 FY11 ACCOMPLISHMENTS
  • Annual aggregate net energy savings
    (MWh): 1,237
  • Participation:
    145 customers
NEXT STEPS

SRP will continue to assist in Arizona's administration of the U.S. Department of Energy's Weatherization Assistance Program.

Retail CFL Program:
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Customers receive a discount when purchasing CFL bulbs at local retailers.

 FY11 ACCOMPLISHMENTS
  • Annual aggregate net energy savings
    (MWh): 174,811
  • Participation:
    1,856,276 lamps
NEXT STEPS

SRP will continue this program in FY12 and will enhance promotional efforts about its value and benefits by adding more retailers offering CFL discounts.

SRP EarthWise™ Trees for Change Program:
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

SRP matches each dollar customers contribute to plant trees in the community and reforest fire-damaged lands in Arizona.

 FY11 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Estimated number of seedlings planted in Arizona forests:

  • 65,000 Ponderosa Pine seedlings planted on 365 acres of the Apache-Sitgreaves
  • 254,000 seedlings (247,000 Ponderosa Pine and 7,000 Douglas fir) planted on 900 acres of the North Kaibab Ranger District.
  • 96,525 Ponderosa pine seedlings planted on 300 acres of the North Kaibab Ranger District.
NEXT STEPS

SRP will continue this program in FY12 with an emphasis on Wallow Fire reforestation projects.
SRP EarthWise™ Energy Program:
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Customers contribute $3 per month to fund solar energy projects in the community.

 FY11 ACCOMPLISHMENTS
  • Estimated participation: 5,500 customers
NEXT STEPS

SRP will install more systems in FY12 including:

  • 10 kW system for the Arizona Recreation Center for the Handicapped.
  • 10 kW system for The Centers for Habilitation.
  • 10 kW System for Sarah's Place/Glencroft
  • 10 kW system for the Boys & Girls Club
DesertWise Water Conservation Expo:
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Customers and shareholders learn about water conservation, energy efficiency and environmental programs from municipalities, agencies and vendors.

 FY11 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

SRP hosted one expo with an estimated 550 Phoenix area residents and businesses in attendance.

 NEXT STEPS

SRP will continue to provide water educational opportunities in FY12.
WaterSense:
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

This Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) program promotes water conservation education, programs, products and technology.

 FY11 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

SRP continues to be a promotional partner in this program.

NEXT STEPS

SRP will continue to encourage customers to look for the WaterSense label that ensures a 20% reduction in water usage as compared to standard models.
Water Banking:
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

SRP, in partnership with Valley cities, operates and maintains two recharge projects that store water supplies underground for drought protection, water rights settlements, and groundwater replenishment. SRP also operates two groundwater savings facilities that store surface water in lieu of pumping groundwater.

 FY11 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Underground storage projects:

  • Granite Reef – 945,200 af of water stored since 1994.
  • New River/Agua Fria – about 95,800 af of water stored since 2006.

Groundwater savings facilities:

  • SRP: 532,900 af of water stored since 1996.
  • Pinal County: 26,000 af of water stored.
NEXT STEPS

SRP will continue to operate these recharge facilities and look for additional ways to store water supplies.
Powering our Future:
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

SRP's renewable energy curriculum offers educational modules designed for grade levels 4-12. All address state academic standards in science, social studies, math and language arts. In addition, SRP provides $350 mini grants to teachers using the curriculum so they can purchase hands-on materials.

 FY11 ACCOMPLISHMENTS
  • SRP provided educational materials to 500+ teachers.
  • SRP trained 168 teachers.
  • SRP awarded 79 mini-grants.

NEXT STEPS

SRP will continue to offer the curriculum and mini-grants to interested schools and educators. We will increase teacher training to reach over 200 teachers in FY12 through our planned workshops. SRP also will contract with the Arizona Environmental Exchange to develop two additional lessons in a Global Climate Change mini-unit companion to the 6-8th grade module.
Global Climate Change Academy:
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

SRP and the Center for Teacher Success provide teachers with training to educate students about global climate change and renewable energy.

 FY11 ACCOMPLISHMENTS
  • The academy was divided into two sessions to provide a tailored approach: one for grades 3-6 and another for grades 6-12.
  • 61 educators attended the 4-day workshop held in June 2011.
NEXT STEPS

SRP will continue to offer teacher training in FY12.
SRP Energy Bike:
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

SRP initiated a partnership with the Arizona Environmental Education Exchange to develop and present 100 presentations to local sixth grade classes related to solar energy.

 FY11 ACCOMPLISHMENTS
  • 100 classroom presentations
  • Solar For Schools participants given preference
NEXT STEPS

SRP will continue to offer in-school presentations facilitated through AEEE. SRP has increased funding for FY12 to enable 250 presentations in the coming year.
SRP Go Green Shop at Junior Achievement Biztown:
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

SRP provides an interactive learning kiosk that teaches students about making sustainable choices in their everyday lives.

 FY11 ACCOMPLISHMENTS
  • Estimated participation: 9,500 students.
NEXT STEPS

SRP will continue the partnership with Junior Achievement Biztown to educate future generations about the importance of sustainable living.
SRP’s Solar Summit for Educators:
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

SRP initiated a two-day workshop for educators to learn all about solar energy and the technologies associated with them. Teachers also learn how to use output data streaming from solar arrays in the community with their students to build real-world community-based learning in their classrooms.

 FY11 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

SRP initiated the program and facilitated two Summits, one for K-6th grade teachers, and another for 7th-12th grade teachers.

NEXT STEPS

SRP hopes to continue the program into next year.

Key programs and initiatives

Weatherization Assistance Program:
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

SRP conducts free preliminary low-income home assessments and provides information on weatherization.

 FY11 ACCOMPLISHMENTS
  • Annual aggregate net energy savings
    (MWh): 1,237
  • Participation:
    145 customers
NEXT STEPS

SRP will continue to assist in Arizona's administration of the U.S. Department of Energy's Weatherization Assistance Program.

Retail CFL Program:
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Customers receive a discount when purchasing CFL bulbs at local retailers.

 FY11 ACCOMPLISHMENTS
  • Annual aggregate net energy savings
    (MWh): 171,811
  • Participation:
    1,856,276 lamps
NEXT STEPS

SRP will continue this program in FY12 and will enhance promotional efforts about its value and benefits by adding more retailers offering CFL discounts.

SRP EarthWise™ Trees for Change Program:
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

SRP matches each dollar customers contribute to plant trees in the community and reforest fire-damaged lands in Arizona.

 FY11 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

  • Estimated number of seedlings planted in Arizona forests:

    • 65,000 Ponderosa Pine seedlings planted on 365 acres of the Apache-Sitgreaves
    • 254,000 seedlings (247,000 Ponderosa Pine and 7,000 Douglas fir) planted on 900 acres of the North Kaibab Ranger District.
    • 96,525 Ponderosa pine seedlings planted on 300 acres of the North Kaibab Ranger District.
NEXT STEPS

SRP will continue this program in FY12 with an emphasis on Wallow Fire reforestation projects.
SRP EarthWise™ Energy Program:
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Customers contribute $3 per month to fund solar energy projects in the community.

 FY11 ACCOMPLISHMENTS
  • Estimated participation: 5,500 customers
NEXT STEPS

SRP will install more systems in FY12 including:

  • 10 kW system for the Arizona Recreation Center for the Handicapped.
  • 10 kW system for The Centers for Habilitation.
  • 10 kW System for Sarah's Place/Glencroft
  • 10 kW system for the Boys & Girls Club
DesertWise Water Conservation Expo:
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Customers and shareholders learn about water conservation, energy efficiency and environmental programs from municipalities, agencies and vendors.

 FY11 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

SRP hosted one expo with an estimated 550 Phoenix area residents and businesses in attendance.

 NEXT STEPS

SRP will continue to provide water educational opportunities in FY12.



WaterSense:
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

This Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) program promotes water conservation education, programs, products and technology.

 FY11 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

SRP continues to be a promotional partner in this program.

NEXT STEPS

SRP will continue to encourage customers to look for the WaterSense label that ensures a 20% reduction in water usage as compared to standard models.
Water Banking:
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

SRP, in partnership with Valley cities, operates and maintains two recharge projects that store water supplies underground for drought protection, water rights settlements, and groundwater replenishment. SRP also operates two groundwater savings facilities that store surface water in lieu of pumping groundwater.

 FY11 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Underground storage projects:

  • Granite Reef – 945,200 af of water stored since 1994.
  • New River/Agua Fria – about 95,800 af of water stored since 2006.

Groundwater savings facilities:

  • SRP: 532,900 af of water stored since 1996.
  • Pinal County: 26,000 af of water stored.
NEXT STEPS

SRP will continue to operate these recharge facilities and look for additional ways to store water supplies.
Powering our Future:
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

SRP's renewable energy curriculum offers educational modules designed for grade levels 4-12. All address state academic standards in science, social studies, math and language arts. In addition, SRP provides $350 mini grants to teachers using the curriculum so they can purchase hands-on materials.

 FY11 ACCOMPLISHMENTS
  • SRP provided educational materials to 500+ teachers.
  • SRP trained 168 teachers.
  • SRP awarded 79 mini-grants.

NEXT STEPS

SRP will continue to offer the curriculum and mini-grants to interested schools and educators. We will increase teacher training to reach over 200 teachers in FY12 through our planned workshops. SRP also will contract with the Arizona Environmental Exchange to develop two additional lessons in a Global Climate Change mini-unit companion to the 6-8th grade module.
Global Climate Change Academy:
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

SRP and the Center for Teacher Success provide teachers with training to educate students about global climate change and renewable energy.

 FY11 ACCOMPLISHMENTS
  • The academy was divided into two sessions to provide a tailored approach: one for grades 3-6 and another for grades 6-12.
  • 61 educators attended the 4-day workshop held in June 2011.
NEXT STEPS

SRP will continue to offer teacher training in FY12.
SRP Energy Bike:
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

SRP initiated a partnership with the Arizona Environmental Education Exchange to develop and present 100 presentations to local sixth grade classes related to solar energy.

 FY11 ACCOMPLISHMENTS
  • 100 classroom presentations
  • Solar For Schools participants given preference
NEXT STEPS

SRP will continue to offer in-school presentations facilitated through AEEE. SRP has increased funding for FY12 to enable 250 presentations in the coming year.
SRP Go Green Shop at Junior Achievement Biztown:
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

SRP provides an interactive learning kiosk that teaches students about making sustainable choices in their everyday lives.

 FY11 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Estimated participation: 9,500 students.

NEXT STEPS

SRP will continue the partnership with Junior Achievement Biztown to educate future generations about the importance of sustainable living.
SRP’s Solar Summit for Educators:
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

SRP initiated a two-day workshop for educators to learn all about solar energy and the technologies associated with them. Teachers also learn how to use output data streaming from solar arrays in the community with their students to build real-world community-based learning in their classrooms.

 FY11 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

SRP initiated the program and facilitated two Summits, one for K-6th grade teachers, and another for 7th-12th grade teachers.

NEXT STEPS

SRP hopes to continue the program into next year.
Letter from the general manager