New regulatory requirements have led to significantly higher electric bills for most consumers across the nation. We have not been immune from such rate increases, but controlling costs remains one of our top priorities.

Arizona G&T Cooperatives is:

  • A not-for-profit utility
  • Owned by our Member cooperatives

Joining the California ISO Energy Imbalance Market

Joining the California ISO Energy Imbalance Market (EIM) paves the way for future economic and environmental benefits.

  • In the summer of 2021, the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) Desert Southwest region agreed to participate in the Western EIM.
  • Arizona Electric Power Cooperative (AEPCO) is participating in the project with:
    • WAPA our Arizona public power class D Members
    • Southwest Public Power Association
    • Central Arizona Project
  • The Western EIM uses state-of-the-art technology to:
    • Find and deliver low-cost energy
    • Meet real-time demand for its participants
  • Since its launch in 2014, the Western EIM has provided more than $1.42 billion in:
    • Economic benefits
    • Environmental benefits
  • For more information: WAPA Desert Southwest region announces it plans to join the EIM.

Western EIM Active & Pending Participant Map

 

Controlling Costs

Other examples of how we’re controlling costs:

  • We saved $240,000 by installing new technology upgrades in-house rather than depending on the manufacturer.
    •  Systems run faster and more efficiently, due to upgrades to our:
      • Upgrades to our Supervisory Control
      • Data Acquisition (SCADA)
      • Emergency Management System (EMS)
    • The project:
      • Earned the admiration of Ryan Lacy of GE Power Software Solutions, who said, “The collaboration between GE and Arizona G&T Cooperatives resulted in the fastest and most comprehensive implementation of a SCADA/EMS upgrade in our experience.This project sets the bar for future partnerships.”
  • We continue to add new customers, which:
    • Benefits all Members and customers
    • Provides new revenue to drive down our scheduling and trading fees
  • We’re expanding our transmission footprint, increasing:
    • Reliability and positioning AzGT
    • Members and customers for future growth
  • We found affordable and efficient ways to meet new EPA regulations, by:
    • Converting 1 of our 2 coal-fired units at Apache Station to natural gas
    • Adding emission controls to the other coal unit at significantly lower cost than EPA’s proposal
Using in-house personnel to install SCADA/EMS upgrades saved an estimated $240,000 in 2018. From left, Robert Cubley, Jace Lewis, Craig Bear, Ryan Manzo, Eric Jensen and Richard Cole helped implement the upgrades.