Ameer Randolph
Arizona's energy consumption is dominated by fossil fuels, with coal, natural gas, and nuclear electric power fueled by uranium fission contributing the most to the state's energy mix. In 2015, Arizona's energy consumption was ~400 trillion BTU from coal, ~375 trillion BTU from natural gas, and ~330 trillion BTU from nuclear electric power. While Arizona has some fossil fuel deposits, it is not a major producer of oil and gas. The state's largest oil field, Dineh-bi-Keyah, has produced 19 million barrels of crude oil since its discovery in the 1960s. Arizona's energy landscape is transitioning, with a push for renewable energy sources, and the state ranks third in the nation for installed solar generating capacity.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fossil fuels | Coal, natural gas, oil, uranium |
| Fossil fuel energy consumption in 2015 | Coal (~400 trillion BTU), natural gas (~375 trillion BTU), nuclear electric power fueled by uranium fission (~330 trillion BTU) |
| Fossil fuel-fired power plants | 3 primarily coal-fired plants and 7 primarily methane gas-fired plants |
| Fossil fuel emissions | Carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide |
| Fossil fuel resources | Arizona has few fossil fuel resources |
| Renewable energy resources | Solar, wind, geothermal, biofuel, hydroelectric |
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What You'll Learn
Fossil fuel sources in Arizona
Arizona's energy consumption in 2015 was dominated by fossil fuels, with coal, natural gas, and nuclear electric power fueled by uranium fission being the most consumed. The state has major uranium reserves, including the highest-grade uranium in the nation. In 2024, mining resumed at the Pinyon Plain Mine after years of inactivity.
Arizona's largest oil field, Dineh-bi-Keyah, has produced almost 19 million barrels of crude oil since its discovery in the mid-1960s. However, production has decreased over time, with oil production at Dineh-bi-Keyah dropping to 1,000 barrels per month from a high of 35,000. The field has since shifted from oil to helium drilling.
Over the past century, more than 1,100 oil and gas exploration wells have been drilled in Arizona. The state became the 30th petroleum-producing state in 1954 when Shell Oil Co. drilled a natural gas well in Apache County on the Navajo Reservation. By 2016, Arizona had 32 oil and natural gas wells.
While Arizona has abundant renewable energy sources, primarily solar, it still sources over 90% of its electricity from non-renewable resources. Coal contributes 38%, natural gas 24%, and nuclear power 29%. The state's top 10 power plants, all powered by fossil fuels, produce 30 million metric tons of emissions, equivalent to 6.5 million cars on the road for a year.
There has been a push for Arizona to transition to renewable energy sources, with Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez making clean energy a top priority. The state ranks third in the nation in installed solar generating capacity and has ideal solar conditions with over 300 sunny days a year. However, Arizona's rooftop solar penetration is only around 5%, presenting an opportunity for significant environmental improvement through solar adoption.
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Arizona's largest oil field
Arizona has few fossil fuel resources and is not a major oil and gas-producing state. Most of its oil production comes from small oil fields in northeastern Arizona, on Navajo Nation land.
The Navajo Nation has been pushing to move away from fossil fuels and towards renewable energy sources. Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez has made clean energy a top priority, and there is concern about the impacts of oil production on the community and sacred sites. Arizona has abundant renewable energy sources, particularly solar, and ranks third in the nation in installed solar generating capacity.
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Uranium mining
Uranium was first discovered in Arizona in 1948 when a copper deposit in the Moenkopi Formation was found to have economic concentrations of the element. Uranium mining began in the state in 1953, and over the following years, several mines were established, particularly near the Grand Canyon National Park.
In 1969, mining stopped in the Monument Valley district, which produced 8.7 million pounds (3900 metric tons) of uranium oxide, the highest in the state. In 1970, the Navajo Nation, which has a history of uranium mining on its reservation, saw a moratorium on uranium mining due to environmental and health concerns.
In the 2000s, there were attempts to resume uranium mining in Arizona. In 2011, the state issued permits to Denison Mines to mine uranium at three locations north of the Grand Canyon. In 2015, the US District Court for the District of Arizona allowed Energy Fuels to proceed with work on its Pine Nut mine, located north of the Grand Canyon, and its Canyon Mine, just six miles from the south rim of the Grand Canyon.
However, uranium mining in the Grand Canyon region has faced strong opposition due to concerns about groundwater contamination and the potential impact on the environment, wildlife, and local communities, including the Havasupai Tribe. In 2009, a two-year ban on new mining on federal land surrounding the Grand Canyon National Park was implemented, which was extended to a 20-year ban in 2012. In 2024, a study concluded that there was a risk of the Pinyon Plain Mine contaminating groundwater, which threatens springs inside the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River, a vital water source for millions of people.
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Fossil fuel power plants
Fossil fuels, including oil, natural gas, and coal, are formed through the anaerobic decomposition of organic matter over millions of years. Arizona's energy consumption in 2015 was dominated by fossil fuels, with coal, natural gas, and nuclear electric power accounting for the majority of its energy mix. While Arizona is not a major producer of oil and gas, it has a significant history of exploration and production, with over 1,100 wells drilled in the state over the past century. The state's largest oil field, Dineh-bi-Keyah, has produced nearly 19 million barrels of crude oil since the 1960s.
The Navajo Generating Station, a coal-fired power plant, was scheduled for closure in 2019, threatening the continued operations of the Black Mesa coal mine, which supplied coal to the plant. This closure highlights the challenges faced by fossil fuel power plants in Arizona as the state transitions towards renewable energy sources. Arizona has abundant renewable energy sources, particularly solar, and is well-positioned to develop wind, geothermal, and biofuel resources. The state ranks third in the nation in installed solar generating capacity, and there is a growing push for the Navajo Nation to prioritize clean energy.
To address the impact of fossil fuel power plants on climate change, aggressive action is needed to limit global warming pollution. This includes implementing strong regulations on existing fossil fuel-fired plants and accelerating the transition to renewable energy sources. Arizona has the potential to lead in renewable energy development, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and mitigating the climate impact of fossil fuel power plants.
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Transition to renewable energy
Arizona has few fossil fuel reserves, with coal, oil, natural gas, and uranium being the primary sources. The state's energy consumption in 2015 was dominated by coal, natural gas, and nuclear electric power. However, Arizona also has abundant renewable energy sources and is well-positioned to transition to clean energy sources.
The state ranks third in the nation in installed solar generating capacity and has abundant sunshine, allowing for expansive solar energy programs. Arizona businesses have engineered and built photovoltaic power plants across the state, and its universities are committed to sustainable initiatives, including solar and wind installations. The state also has deep, high-temperature geothermal resources, particularly in central and southern regions, which are used in direct-use applications such as aquaculture and copper extraction.
Arizona adopted a renewable energy standard (RES) in 2006, requiring regulated electric utilities to source 15% of their electricity from renewable resources by 2025. While this standard was repealed in 2024, the state still generated about 20% of its electricity from renewable sources that year. Additionally, almost one-fifth of the electricity generated in-state is sent over the regional grid to consumers outside of Arizona.
There has been a push for the Navajo Nation to transition to renewable energy, with President Jonathan Nez signing a proclamation prioritizing clean energy. Arizona regulators are also considering imposing a 100% clean energy requirement by 2050. With its abundant renewable energy sources and ongoing initiatives, Arizona is poised to continue its transition away from fossil fuels toward a more sustainable energy future.
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Frequently asked questions
Fossil fuels are fuels that are formed as a result of the anaerobic decomposition of buried organisms. Examples include coal, oil, and natural gas.
Arizona's energy consumption is dominated by fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas, and oil. In 2015, coal accounted for around 400 trillion BTU of energy consumption, natural gas for 375 trillion BTU, and oil for 3.6 barrels a day.
The burning of fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, contributing to global warming and climate change. Arizona's top 10 power plants produce 30 million metric tons of emissions, equivalent to the emissions of 6.5 million cars on the road for a year.
