CPS Energy’s environmental stewardship stands strong on World Environment Day

Did you know that today is World Environment Day? CPS Energy is a proud steward of the environment. In fact, it’s one of our six guiding pillars, and a responsibility we take very seriously. We understand the importance of clean energy and the impact it has on our community.

Our teams ensure our environment is protected and that we are offering customers programs that help us work together toward common goals. From offering rebates to making significant strides in emission reductions, the environmental responsibility CPS Energy strives to uphold is not taken lightly. In the spirit of World Environment Day, let’s look at a few of the ways we are working towards making sure our environment is preserved for future generations.

• San Antonio ranks 5^th in the U.S. for solar energy: Just last week, San Antonio and CPS Energy were recognized by the Environment Texas Research & Policy Center. Shining Cities: The Top U.S. Cities for Solar Energy ranked San Antonio 5th nationally and 1^st in Texas for solar energy capacity within city limits. CPS Energy also ranked 2^nd in total solar, owned or contracted among municipally-owned utilities. We continue to drive solar adoption by offering rebates for homeowners and businesses and with programs like Big Sun Community Solar, to fit the needs of customers. The Big Sun program provides an option for customers who may live in an apartment or may not want to install solar on their home’s rooftop, to purchase panels in a community solar array that also serves as shade in parking lots.

• CPS Energy is reducing emissions: CPS Energy has significantly reduced emissions over time, even in a growing community. We have reduced nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, and carbon dioxide since 1997. Our Flexible Path is our path forward as we continue to reduce these emissions through 2040. Additionally, CPS Energy closed its J.T. Deely Units 1&2 at the end of 2018 – 15 years early. Save for Tomorrow Energy Program (STEP): Through the STEP program, CPS Energy took a proactive approach to reduce the growth of our community’s demand for electricity. Between 2009 and 2020, CPS Energy reduced demand by 845 megawatts (MW), which is the equivalent to the energy production of a large power plant. Through STEP, CPS Energy offers customers a wide array of energy efficiency and conservation programs such as home weatherization for low-income customers, demand response offerings, and solar rebates.  Due to high customer interest and innovative programs, the STEP reduction goal was met a year ahead of schedule and resulted in the reduction of 3.3 million tons of CO2 emissions!

• Environmental Rebates: CPS Energy has implemented rebates that encourage customers to make purchases that are good for our environment. Programs such as our Green Shade Tree Rebate, in partnership with the City of San Antonio, encourages customers to purchase trees, which results in shade and ultimately helps to keep homes cooler and reduce energy use. Our Mow Down Smog rebate, incentivizes customers to improve air quality by providing rebates to customers for purchasing electric and battery-operated lawn equipment instead of gasoline-powered lawn equipment.

While CPS Energy provides safe, reliable, and affordable electric and natural gas service for our community, we are also committed to ensuring we are doing our part to support the environment. World Environment Day or not, we will continue on our Flexible Path to introduce new renewables and technologies into our power generating portfolio, in a responsible manner.