KNAU NewsRoom

Flagstaff, AZ (2009-09-11) Over the past year dozens of wind farms and solar plants have been proposed across Arizona, and new solar panels and wind turbines are powering homes across the state. Arizona Public Radio's Daniel Kraker caught up with Kris Mayes at the Southwest Renewable Energy Conference in Flagstaff. Mayes chairs the Arizona Corporation Commission, which regulates the state's electric utilities. She says the growth in renewable energy in the southwest is being driven largely by state policy.

Small wind not so small

Flagstaff, AZ (2009-09-10) Not too long ago homeowners wanting to save money and shrink their carbon footprint installed solar panels. Now small wind turbines are sprouting up all over the country. More and more people are buying wind turbines as federal and state tax credits make them more economical. And northern Arizona has become a center for the small wind industry. Arizona Public Radio's Laurel Morales has the latest installment of KNAU's week-long series "Going Green."

More neighbors to renewable energy projects mean more complaints

Kingman, AZ (2009-09-09) Hundreds of homeowners are fighting a proposed biodiesel plant that may be built about a mile from their community in northwest Arizona. There's currently a big environmental surge of support for wind farms, solar projects and biodiesel plants. But neighbors to these proposed projects are worried about water usage, safety and property values. Arizona Public Radio's Laurel Morales has this report on the common Not-In-My-Backyard complaint.

Navajo look to sun to help power the rez

Tuba City, AZ (2009-09-08) On the Navajo Nation, nearly 20,000 households still live without electricity. And small scale solar and wind systems are often their only option. Arizona Public Radio's Daniel Kraker looks at a Navajo program trying to power the remote corners of the reservation.