New Statewide Survey: As Electricity Demand and Costs Skyrocket, Arizonans Support Building More Wind and Solar Energy

(PHOENIX – Dec 4, 2025) As Arizona faces surging electricity demand and unprecedented rate hikes, a new statewide survey from Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) finds that nearly two-thirds of Arizonans support building more wind and solar and believe that clean energy will bring down the cost of electricity. Arizonans rank the cost of living as the top issue the state government should address, with around 1 in 4 specifically worried about electricity costs.

The survey, conducted with the support of Lincoln Room Strategies and 270 Strategies, comes on the heels of Governor Hobbs’ announcement of the Arizona Energy Promise Task Force, which will focus on lowering energy costs, reducing regulatory burdens and identifying solutions for addressing energy demand across the state. 

“Arizonans are feeling strained by rising costs and clearly want more affordable clean power as our state’s electricity needs continue to grow,” said Kevin Moran, Associate Vice President for Regional Affairs at EDF and Member of Governor Hobbs’ new Energy Promise Task Force. “Solar and wind energy offer the fastest and most affordable ways to bring more electricity supply to the grid – and they use less water than fossil fuel projects. Clean energy also creates income opportunities for landowners who lease their land to projects, and it can generate new tax revenue in communities for schools, roads and emergency services.”

The survey of 1,525 respondents was fielded October 30-November 5 and found that Arizonans want fewer restrictions on solar and wind, including bans or limitations on where these projects can be built: 

• The majority of Arizonans believe that state policies that restrict renewable energy discourage economic growth and end up costing Arizonans more in the long run.
• A strong majority (76%), across Democrats, Republicans and Independents, agree that landowners should be able to lease some of their land to solar and wind projects for income, without lawmakers getting in the way.

“The findings underline that Governor Hobbs is rightly focused on unleashing Arizona’s energy potential,” said Moran. “State leaders should find ways to cut red tape around clean energy projects – rather than adding more – to keep electricity costs down and reliably power our homes and growing economy well into the future.”

In August, three Arizona utilities broke records for peak electricity demand – recording the highest-ever electricity usage – amid extreme heat. Arizona utilities estimate significant electricity needs over the next 15 years, largely due to the construction of data centers, with some utilities projecting a 40% increase in peak demand.

Arizona Public Service is asking state regulators to approve a 14% rate increase – about $20 per month – to pay for rising demand. Tucson Electric Power is also seeking a 14% increase, which it says would add about $16 per month.

Governor Katie Hobbs signed Executive Order 2025-13 Removing Barriers to Delivering Affordable Energy for Arizona in September, which established the Arizona Energy Promise Taskforce. The Taskforce will create plans to facilitate large-scale economic growth while identifying potential ways to prevent significant increases in Arizonans’ energy costs, expand Arizona’s clean energy economy and use state lands for energy infrastructure.

Link to the survey deck and the survey tool.

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Lincoln Room Strategies is an advisory services firm specializing in transportation and climate policy, advocacy strategies, and regulatory wayfinding.

270 Strategies is a next-generation public engagement firm that is redefining how companies and organizations build winning campaigns by integrating people-centered, grassroots organizing with smart digital strategies and a data-driven approach.