Tucson Electric Power
–Who’s Green? Advertising Partner–
Caring for Our Environment: Preparing for Southern Arizona’s Energy Future
At Tucson Electric Power, we recognize that a clean, safe and healthy environment is essential to the community’s well-being. That’s why we devote so much of our attention to preserving or improving our quality of life.
Alternative Fuel
Since February of 2003, TEP’s 214 diesel-fueled vehicles have run on biodiesel, a non-toxic, environmentally friendly fluid produced from soybeans. In 2007, TEP purchased 233,829 gallons of 80/20-blended biodiesel, greatly reducing vehicle emissions. TEP also operates 5 hybrid electric vehicles and 89 E-85 (ethanol) Flex Fuel vehicles.
Green Waste Recycling
Tree limbs and brush trimmed from around utility poles and power lines are made into high-quality fertilizer rather than being discarded in landfills. A large-capacity mulching operation at a TEP generating station also recycles wood waste from commercial landscaping operations in Tucson. More than 8,000 tons of green waste will be produced at the Irvington site this year. The waste will then be used as planting soils on 50 acres of cultivated land at the Civano Plant Farm on the Old Nogales Hwy. It is estimated that the green waste will help to grow more than 890,000 plants in 2008.
Travel Reduction Program
TEP encourages its employees to carpool or take advantage of alternate modes of transportation. In 2007, these efforts contributed to a 618,368-mile reduction in the number of miles driven by our employees, sparing our local environment from 17,667 pounds of automobile emissions.
Burrowing Owl Relocation Project
Since 2004, TEP’s Sundt Generating Station has provided a home for 20-30 burrowing owls, depending on migratory patterns. In partnership with the Arizona Game and Fish Department and a non-profit organization, Wild at Heart, 45 Community Action Team volunteers worked to create artificial burrows to relocate owls displaced by development in their native habitats. In 2007, eight new babies hatched at TEP and were tagged by Game and Fish to help keep track of members of this species of special concern.
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