HOW TO STAY COOL IN THE DESERT?

This means something completely different to the Nation’s largest clean air energy producer and Arizona’s largest contributor to our states clean-air energy. The Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station plays a crucial role in meeting the Southwest’s electricity demands.

We hope you take this moment with us, to embark on an educational journey about a powerful business that sits within our desert oasis and has a unique way to “cool” itself down.

Palo Verde serves as an example of how nuclear power can be used effectively and responsibly in conjunction with the efficient use of our state’s limited water resources. The Nuclear Generating Station is the ONLY nuclear plant in the world not adjacent to a large body of water to cool the plant and is the only “desert” plant in the Western Hemisphere. Seems odd right?

Palo Verde, which began construction in the late 1970’s found their distinct solution to keeping cool in the desert. Instead of fresh water, PVNGS reclaims and uses wastewater from our local cities which is piped more than 35 miles across the desert from the 91st Avenue Wastewater Treatment Plant. Palo Verde further treats and recycles this water to maintain the plant’s cooling needs. Fun fact, their innovative water management system creates an uncommon habitat that supports various plant and animal species. Additionally, PVNGS works closely with local and federal agencies to implement conservation efforts.

Read along to educate yourself on how the plant gets down to business and delivers power to over 4 million people on an annual basis!

The plant uses roughly 65 million gallons of treated wastewater EVERY DAY and more than 23 BILLION gallons a year to generate electricity which serves portions of the states of Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas. PVNGS is also one of the top electricity producers among ALL power plants in the U.S. They deliver an energy mix that is 51% clean and this percentage is continuously growing!

Palo Verde’s contract (which currently runs through 2050) with nearby cities to sell treated wastewater is predicted to get increasingly more expensive in a few years; higher prices of doing business is not something new to any of us. Starting in 2026, water rates will be set using a tiered formula, rising with our water use. This agreement is really no different than many others supporting our growing infrastructure and services, such as freeways, the light rail and public servant occupation projects to name a few. The upside of this type of contract is, that it safeguards the future of generations to come and demonstrates a commitment from PVNGS toward the safety and reliability of the performance of the nuclear power plant, which operates 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

We are thrilled to share additional positive impacts that PVNGS has on our economy, communities and environment. Let’s start with the fact that the plant does not emit any greenhouse gasses, which is a direct result of its efficiency in the use of our limited water resources. The plant also plays an instrumental role in driving Arizona’s economy by placing over $130M of goods and services into 1200+ local businesses. Palo Verde proudly employs over 2500 full time staff members, (1 in 3 being veterans), plus hires an additional 1000 contractors during scheduled maintenance months.

For our future engineers, managers, technicians, safety personnel and, well the list is endless… the plant provides support for STEM Education (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) to our Valley Schools. PVNGS is a leader in giving back to the community by advocating for local initiatives and is a true partner within our educational system, while also sponsoring the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History and their annual Nuclear Science Week event. They are true stewards in promoting environmental awareness and helping to pave the way for our future community development. Fun fact number two, did you know the Valley has a Palo Verde Generating Station Energy Education Center? Take a field trip to Buckeye with your favorite little ones and check it out.

The annual rainfall in the valley is around 3 inches annually; the amount of water flowing from the Colorado River has decreased for a decade, yet only 36% of AZ usage comes from the CR; water demand is rising with the increase in population, yet AZ is a national leader in water conservation; local Scottsdale community loses its access to water… We could offer more of these tidbits, however much of these reports, articles, truths and misconceptions are readily available for you to research on your own. Our goal was to offer you an introduction into a piece of Arizona that positively impacts not only the state of Arizona, yet the entire country.

Mark Hutchins & Jereme Kleven
Owners
My Home Group
8360 E. Raintree Drive, Suite 120
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
myhomegroup.com