Updated: February 2022

Environmental Management

Our environmental department, which reports to the Senior Vice President of Operations, provides environmental and sustainability leadership to the company through establishing sound environmental policies, managing environmental risks, implementing world-class environmental management systems and driving the adoption of sustainable concepts. The department activities include: 

• EMS Program. Implement and maintain an Environmental Management System (EMS) based on ISO 14001 principles.
• Training. Conduct environmental training on environmental compliance and risk identification and reduction.
• Audits. Interface with agency inspectors during site compliance audits and inspections. 
• Corrective Action Program. Engage with the APS Corrective Action Program and work for continuous improvement.
• Policy, Process and Procedure. Develop, implement and maintain environmental processes and procedures to maintain environmental compliance.
• Regulatory compliance. Complete required reporting by EPA and local regulatory governing agencies.  
• Adhere to the company’s Code of Ethics and Business Responsibility, including the policy on environmental stewardship and sustainability.  

Learn more about Clean Energy, Water, Waste, and Environmental Data

Environmental Training

The corporate environmental department conducts environmental training throughout the company on environmental compliance and risk identification and reduction. Trainings are regularly updated to enhance and improve education and share best practices.

Environmental Management Systems

We have established, documented, implemented, and maintained an EMS, based on ISO 14001 principles, since 2011. Through the process of internal and external audits/inspections, and a robust Corrective Action Program, we work to continually improve its effectiveness. APS’s Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability Policy establishes our vision and standards for environmental stewardship, performance and compliance. These standards ensure our company’s environmental programs and activities support our corporate environmental policy, goals and company vision to provide a sustainable energy future.

In addition to strengthening our environmental awareness, lowering environmental risks and ensuring a high level of environmental compliance, the policy is fully integrated with all laws, regulations and other applicable requirements concerning the environment at all APS facilities and construction projects.

All APS employees, visitors, contractors, sub-contractors and independent contractors performing services are required to comply with the company’s EMS.

Implementing an EMS helps us achieve improved performance in several ways, including:

• Identify and control the environmental impact of our activities, products and services 
• Standardize our operational approach to managing environmental issues at our facilities through fulfilment of our compliance obligations
• Improve our environmental performance and reduce environmental risks 
• Employ a systematic approach to setting environmental objectives and targets, achieving these targets and demonstrating that they have been achieved

Voluntary Environmental Stewardship Program

As a result of having an effective EMS in place, four of our power plants have received the Platinum Level Voluntary Environmental Stewardship Program (VESP) with Superior Compliance History designation from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ). This is the highest award given under this program. Per ADEQ, this three-year recognition is given to a facility that has met the Gold Level standard, has a functioning EMS with at least one completed audited EMS cycle, and commits to community outreach. We look forward to adding our other sites to this list as we continue our commitment to operational excellence and environmental stewardship.

View a complete list of ADEQ VESP members.