Our decentralized EHS management structure encourages our operating areas to institute conservation practices and procurement methods that address their individual and sometimes diverse needs.

In 2003, our corporate headquarters in downtown Phoenix was converted to the Northwind Cooling system which uses an industrial grade, ice-based chiller that manufactures three million pounds of ice each night when utility loads and rates are lowest. During peak periods, the ice is melted and 34-degree water is distributed through an extensive network of underground pipes to provide state-of-the-art cooling to buildings throughout the area.

The result of the conversion to Northwind eliminated the on-site requirement need for cooling towers and their associated air-conditioning chillers. Results were a drastic reduction in water consumption and the elimination of CFC refrigerant R-11. 

Our facilities implement a variety of energy efficiency measures including:

• Operating air conditioning systems with energy efficiency software that manages duty-cycling and set-backs
• Replacing outdated air conditioning with high-efficiency equipment
• Writing all new construction specifications with energy efficiency in mind
• Specifying energy-efficient Energy Star computers whenever new computer equipment is needed

More than 97 percent of our facility space is equipped with energy-efficient fixtures. We estimate energy savings of more than 13 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year from the use of energy-efficient products.

Water is one of our most precious resources and APS employees are sensitive to the need to minimize water usage. Examples of water conservation activities include recycling water in power plant cooling towers several times before discharging, adapting evaporative coolers to reduce blow-down at large facilities and capturing car wash water as well as other recycling where feasible.

Water is a requirement for most traditional generation sources and we work to minimize our impact on the fresh water supply. At the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, we use treated effluent, purchased from seven cities in the Phoenix-metropolitan area for cooling. A 35-mile pipeline carries treated waste water from a City of Phoenix sewage treatment facility to Palo Verde, where we use an advanced waste water treatment process capable of preparing 90 million gallons of water each day for use in the plant. The adjacent Redhawk, natural gas-powered facility uses treated effluent from the Palo Verde treatment plant to meet its cooling needs as well.

In 2003, the Palo Verde plant’s water reclamation facility processed a total of about 20 billion gallons of treated effluent for power plant use, preserving enough potable water for about 75,000 homes. 

The Silverhawk power plant currently being built about 30 miles northeast of Las Vegas is an air-cooled combined-cycle plant. It will use about 200 to 250 acre feet of water per year at full capacity, compared to 3,300 acre feet per year for a similar water-cooled plant.

Travel Reduction
2003 Clean Air Campaign

Our company and two of our employees were recognized and received awards for participation in the 2003 Clean Air Campaign. The company was lauded for its Trip Reduction Program and the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station Vanpool. Two employees were recognized for use of Alternate Modes of Transportation.

Travel reduction is an important part of our EHS programs, particularly in the Phoenix area — a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) non-attainment area for ozone and particulate matter. We encourage employee travel reduction activity and offer subsidies to further persuade our employees to use alternative means of transportation. Our subsidies cover a portion of the cost for vanpool, bus fares and carpool parking. We accommodate compressed work weeks, alternative work schedules, telecommuting and videoconferencing.

In 2003, we conducted an annual travel reduction program survey of 4,686 employees at seven of our sites. Our participation in 2003 was 2,022 employees.

Land Use and Biodiversity
Trees For The Rim is a Special Committee dedicated to securing resources for replanting trees on residential, commercial and community lands damaged by Arizona’s Rodeo-Chedeski Fire in June, 2002. APS donated $25,000 and has transported trees, provided volunteers, dug holes for new trees and will provide other needed services as the project unfolds.

Also in 2003, the Arizona Quality Alliance honored APS for environmental stewardship. The company’s Wildlife Protection Program was chosen as a winner of the first annual Showcase in Excellence Award. This first-year award represents a high level of achievement in performance excellence and a commitment to quality. Our program centers on preventing birds of prey and other wildlife from contacting electric lines and focuses on three areas: prevention, training and partnerships. Prevention activities include line construction standards and installation of raptor protection devices. We also train key personnel in raptor protection issues. Finally, APS partners with non-profit wildlife rehabilitation organizations, such as Liberty Wildlife and U.S. Fish and Game, which handle specific issues and help keep our wildlife protection programs up-to-date and effective.

APS builds and maintains more than 18,000 miles of electric lines in Arizona — lines, which run through the natural habitats of several species of indigenous birds of prey, or raptors including eagles, hawks, falcons, owls, and carrion-eating vultures and condors. Raptors are an important and valued biological resource and have long been recognized for helping maintain ecological balance and are sensitive indicators as to the health of the environment.

For more information, see our Manging Rights of Way section.