Tucson, Arizona Warning: You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you log in or create an account, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.Anti-spam check. Do not fill this in! ==Infrastructure== ===Energy=== Tucson's primary electrical power source is a natural gas power plant managed by [[Tucson Electric Power]] that is within the city limits on the southwestern boundary of Davis-Monthan Air-force base adjacent to Interstate 10. The air pollution generated has raised some concerns as the Sundt operating station has been online since 1962 and is exempt from many pollution standards and controls due to its age.<ref>{{cite web|last=Vanderpool|first=Tim|title=Polluting the Poor:TEP's southside coal plant keeps on pumping out noxious gases|url=http://www.tucsonweekly.com/tucson/polluting-the-poor/Content?oid=3596947|publisher=Tucson Weekly|access-date=December 27, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131228013941/http://www.tucsonweekly.com/tucson/polluting-the-poor/Content?oid=3596947|archive-date=December 28, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Solar has been gaining ground in Tucson with its ideal over 300 days of sunshine climate. Federal, state, and even local utility credits and incentives have also enticed residents to equip homes with solar systems. Davis-Monthan AFB has a 3.3 [[Megawatt]] (MW) ground-mounted [[solar photovoltaic]] (PV) array and a 2.7 MW rooftop-mounted PV array, both of which are in the Base Housing area. The base will soon have the largest solar-generating capacity in the [[United States Department of Defense]] after awarding a contract on September 10, 2010, to [[SunEdison]] to construct a 14.5 MW PV field on the northwestern side of the base.<ref>{{cite web |id=Release: 050910 |url=http://www.dm.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123222163 |title=D-M awards solar photovoltaic utility contract to SunEdison |publisher=Dm.af.mil |access-date=October 27, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929230631/http://www.dm.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123222163 |archive-date=September 29, 2011}}</ref> [[Global Solar Energy]], which is at the University of Arizona's science and technology park, is one of the planet's largest [[Copper indium gallium selenide solar cells|CIGS]] solar fields at 750 kilowatts.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://globalsolar.com/en/press/press-releases/77-global-solar-energy-opens-landmark-manufacturing-plant-sets-full-scale-production-capacity-records.html |title=Global Solar Energy Opens Landmark Manufacturing Plant, Sets Full-scale Production Capacity Records | Global Solar Energy - POWER the Possibilities |website=globalsolar.com |access-date=January 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101020145116/http://globalsolar.com/en/press/press-releases/77-global-solar-energy-opens-landmark-manufacturing-plant-sets-full-scale-production-capacity-records.html |archive-date=October 20, 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uatechpark.org/|title=Tech Parks Arizona-research park and business incubator|website=Uatechpark.org|access-date=July 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106111046/http://uatechpark.org/|archive-date=January 6, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> ====Light pollution==== Tucson and Pima County adopted [[Dark-sky movement|dark sky]] ordinances to control [[light pollution]] in support of the region's astronomical [[observatory|observatories]] in 1972.<ref>{{cite web |title=Light Pollution – Tucson/Pima County, AZ |website=The Public Good |date=January 12, 2009 |url=http://www.ilsr.org/rule/light-pollution/2466-2/ |access-date=June 10, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130714040617/http://www.ilsr.org/rule/light-pollution/2466-2/ |archive-date=July 14, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Last amended in 2012,<ref>{{cite web |title=Pima County approves changes to lighting ordinance |website=KVOA.com |date=March 13, 2012 |url=http://www.kvoa.com/news/pima-county-approves-changes-to-lighting-ordinance/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105113819/http://www.kvoa.com/news/pima-county-approves-changes-to-lighting-ordinance/ |archive-date=November 5, 2013}}</ref> the City of Tucson/Pima County Outdoor Lighting Code establishes maximum illumination levels, shielding requirements, and limits on signage in "continuing support of astronomical activity and minimizing wasted energy, while not compromising the safety, security, and well-being of persons engaged in outdoor nighttime activities."<ref>{{cite web |title=2012 City of Tucson/Pima County Outdoor Lighting Code |url=http://www.dsd.pima.gov/Building/Codes/OLC.pdf |publisher=Pima County Development Services |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014172124/http://www.dsd.pima.gov/Building/Codes/OLC.pdf |archive-date=October 14, 2013}}</ref> ===Water=== [[File:Snowy Catalinas.jpg|thumb|right|The nearby Santa Catalina Mountains, covered in snow]] Less than 100 years ago, the [[Santa Cruz River (Arizona)|Santa Cruz River]] flowed nearly year-round through Tucson. This supply of water has slowly disappeared, causing Tucson to seek alternative sources. In 1881, water was pumped from a well on the banks of the Santa Cruz River and flowed by gravity through pipes into the distribution system.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://m.tucsonaz.gov/water/about-us|title=About Tucson Water|website=M.tucsonaz.gov|access-date=December 13, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140329083415/http://m.tucsonaz.gov/water/about-us|archive-date=March 29, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> Tucson currently draws water from two main sources: [[Central Arizona Project]] (CAP) water and [[groundwater]]. In 1992, Tucson Water delivered CAP water to some customers that was unacceptable due to discoloration, bad odor and flavor, as well as problems it caused with some customers' plumbing and appliances. Tucson's city water currently consists of CAP water mixed with groundwater. In an effort to conserve water, Tucson is recharging groundwater supplies by running part of its share of CAP water into various open portions of local rivers to seep into their aquifer.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ci.tucson.az.us/water/heritage.htm |title=Tucson Water—Tucson Water's Heritage |website=www.ci.tucson.az.us |access-date=January 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060703194522/http://www.ci.tucson.az.us/water/heritage.htm |archive-date=July 3, 2006 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Additional study is scheduled to determine how much water is lost through evaporation from the open areas, especially during the summer. The City of Tucson provides [[reclaimed water]] to its inhabitants, but it is only used for "applications such as irrigation, dust control, and industrial uses".<ref name="City of Tucson-2012">{{cite web | title = Reclaimed Water | publisher = City of Tucson | year = 2012 | url = http://cms3.tucsonaz.gov/water/reclaimed | access-date = March 22, 2012 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120505110418/http://cms3.tucsonaz.gov/water/reclaimed | archive-date = May 5, 2012 | df = mdy-all }}</ref> These resources have been in place for more than 27 years, and deliver to over 900 locations.<ref name="City of Tucson-2012"/> To prevent further loss of groundwater, Tucson has been involved in water conservation and groundwater preservation efforts, shifting away from its reliance on a series of Tucson area wells in favor of conservation, consumption-based pricing for residential and commercial water use, and new wells in the more sustainable Avra Valley aquifer, northwest of the city. An allocation from the [[Central Arizona Project Aqueduct]] (CAP), which passes more than {{convert|300|mi|-1|abbr=on}} across the desert from the [[Colorado River]], has been incorporated into the city's water supply, annually providing over 20 million gallons of "recharged" water which is pumped into the ground to replenish water pumped out.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cms3.tucsonaz.gov/water/clearwater_faqs |title=Clearwater Frequently Asked Questions | The Official Website for the City of Tucson, Arizona |publisher=Cms3.tucsonaz.gov |access-date=October 27, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111105141442/http://cms3.tucsonaz.gov/water/clearwater_faqs |archive-date=November 5, 2011}}</ref> Since 2001, CAP water has allowed the city to remove or turn off over 80 wells.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cms3.tucsonaz.gov/files/water/docs/coloradoriver.pdf |title=Tucson Water's Long Range Water Resource Planning |publisher=City of Tucson |access-date=January 22, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110516095331/http://cms3.tucsonaz.gov/files/water/docs/coloradoriver.pdf |archive-date=May 16, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ==== Water harvesting ==== The city of Tucson, Arizona, in an attempt to combat climate change, is providing financial incentives for residents to harvest their rainwater. Tucson's water supply, like many Western cities, is drawn from two main sources: surface water that is pumped more than 300 miles from the Colorado River and groundwater.<ref name="Malloy-2020">{{Cite web|last=Malloy|first=Chris|date=November 23, 2020|title=A Desert City Tries to Save Itself With Rain|website=[[Bloomberg News]]|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-11-23/harvesting-rainwater-in-a-desert-city}}</ref> The pump expends a significant amount of energy and the Colorado River is diminishing as a result of climate change and overuse. In 2012, the city began a program that rebates residents as much as $2,000 for the purchase of water harvesting systems. "Water harvesting" refers to rainwater, which is gathered from building surfaces, and stormwater'','' which collects nonpotable storm runoff from streets and earth. The program is financed by a water bill fee of 10 cents per 748 gallons of city water used. In the first few years, the rebate program was not conserving water as efficiently as they anticipated. But in fiscal year 2018 to 2019, the rebate program saved 52.1 million gallons of water.<ref name="Malloy-2020" /> That is enough water to meet the annual usage of 160 households.<ref name="Malloy-2020" /> The city has been trying to grow the approximately 250 people who obtain active rebates each year by introducing a loan program to bring rebates within reach of lower-income residents. The city government has an ambitious goal to be carbon neutral by 2030 and is integrating changes that will help change local resident's conventional thinking and practices. On May 1, 2020, Tucson began charging residents and businesses within city limits a monthly Green Stormwater Infrastructure fee (13 cents per 748 gallons of city water used), which is projected to raise some $3 million a year for public stormwater capture installations and other projects.<ref name="Malloy-2020" /> But this comes at a time when unemployment is rising and the number of low income residents facing unaffordable bills between 2010 and 2018 doubled to 46% as the average bill increased by 119% in Tucson.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Lakhani|first=Nina|date=June 23, 2020|title=Revealed: millions of Americans can't afford water as bills rise 80% in a decade|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/jun/23/millions-of-americans-cant-afford-water-bills-rise|access-date=December 1, 2020|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Additionally, as part of the citywide climate resiliency effort, Mayor Regina Romero recently announced the planting of a million trees over the next decade.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sayers|first=Justin|title=For Mayor Romero, 1 million planted trees in city admittedly a 'big effort'|url=https://tucson.com/news/local/for-mayor-romero-1-million-planted-trees-in-city-admittedly-a-big-effort/article_81c4c718-ef9c-5b65-aae2-d6bf979f3c1d.html|access-date=December 1, 2020|website=Arizona Daily Star|date=February 15, 2020 |language=en}}</ref> ===Transportation=== [[File:Tucson May 2019 38 (2nd Street).jpg|thumb|2nd Street with a [[Sun Link]] streetcar in the background]] ====Public transit==== Tucson's [[Sun Tran]] bus system serves greater Tucson with standard, express, regional shuttle, and on-demand shuttle bus service. It was awarded [[American Public Transportation Association|Best Transit System]] in 1988 and 2005.<ref name="tdt-2009">{{cite press release |title = Federal Transit Administration Gives Approval to the Tucson Modern Streetcar Project |publisher = Tucson Department of Transportation |date = October 1, 2009 |url = http://dot.tucsonaz.gov/news/details.cfm?id=604 |access-date = March 12, 2010 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100527213837/http://dot.tucsonaz.gov/news/details.cfm?id=604 |archive-date = May 27, 2010 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> A {{convert|3.9|mile|km|adj=on}} [[streetcar]] line, [[Sun Link]], connects the [[University of Arizona]] campus with 4th Avenue, downtown, and the Mercado District west of [[Interstate 10 (Arizona)|Interstate 10]] and the [[Santa Cruz River (Arizona)|Santa Cruz River]]. Ten-minute [[headway]] passenger service began July 25, 2014.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://news.azpm.org/p/bus-econ-news/2014/7/25/40393-tucson-streetcar-debuts-to-crowds-hot-weather/ | title=Tucson Streetcar Debuts to Crowds, Hot Weather | newspaper=Arizona Public Media | publisher=Arizona Board of Regents | date=July 25, 2014 | access-date=October 24, 2014 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006111811/https://news.azpm.org/p/bus-econ-news/2014/7/25/40393-tucson-streetcar-debuts-to-crowds-hot-weather/ | archive-date=October 6, 2014}}</ref> The streetcar uses Sun Tran's card payment and transfer system, connecting with the University of Arizona's CatTran shuttles, [[Amtrak]], and [[Greyhound Lines|Greyhound]] intercity bus service. Sun Tran has been [[Free public transport|fare-free]] since the spring of 2020. Initially this change was made to limit contact between riders and drivers due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], but the city council voted to eliminate fares indefinitely in 2023.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Pallack |first1=Becky |title=Tucson's public transit system is now officially free to ride |url=https://azluminaria.org/2023/05/09/tucsons-public-transit-system-is-now-officially-free-to-ride-a-first-in-arizona/ |website=AZ Luminaria |access-date=January 16, 2024 |date=May 10, 2023}}</ref> ====Rail==== [[Amtrak]], the national passenger rail system, provides service to [[Tucson station|Tucson]] three times weekly in both directions, operating its ''[[Sunset Limited]]'' between [[Los Angeles, California]] and [[New Orleans, Louisiana]]; and ''[[Texas Eagle]]'' service between Los Angeles and [[Chicago, Illinois]]. ====Airport==== [[Tucson International Airport]] {{airport codes|TUS|KTUS}}, is {{convert|6|mi|km|abbr=on}} south of the city's center. TIA is the second-largest commercial [[airport]] in Arizona, providing nonstop flights to 15 destinations throughout the United States.<ref>{{cite news |title=Alaska Airlines to launch Tucson-Portland nonstop |last=Wichner |first=David |date=June 27, 2013 |url=http://azstarnet.com/business/local/alaska-airlines-to-launch-tucson-portland-nonstop/article_d73c4e5a-debc-11e2-9bb6-0019bb2963f4.html |newspaper=Arizona Daily Star |access-date=August 13, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130731140448/http://azstarnet.com/business/local/alaska-airlines-to-launch-tucson-portland-nonstop/article_d73c4e5a-debc-11e2-9bb6-0019bb2963f4.html |archive-date=July 31, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> In addition to passenger and freight service, TIA supports the [[162d Fighter Wing]]'s fleet of seventy [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon|F-16s]] stationed at the [[Tucson Air National Guard Base]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.162fw.ang.af.mil/resources/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=11853 |title=162nd Fighter Wing Fact Sheet |date=July 3, 2012 |publisher=162nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714152813/http://www.162fw.ang.af.mil/resources/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=11853 |archive-date=July 14, 2014}}</ref> There are two general aviation reliever airports in the area. The city of Tucson operates [[Ryan Airfield]] {{convert|13|mi|km}} southwest of the city center, and the town of Marana operates [[Marana Regional Airport]] {{convert|15|mi|km}} to the northwest. [[Pinal Airpark]] is also within the metropolitan area. ====Roadways==== There are two [[Interstate Highway System|Interstate highways]] in the metropolitan area. [[Interstate 10 in Arizona|Interstate 10]] runs southeast from Phoenix through Marana, passes west of downtown, and continues east toward El Paso. [[Interstate 19]] leaves the I-10 south of downtown and heads south to the Mexican border. [[Arizona State Route 210]] is a shorter expressway that links downtown with [[Davis-Monthan Air Force Base]] and Tucson's southeast side. Tucson does not have a [[ring road|beltway]] system, and relies almost entirely on surface streets. Freeways and state highways in Tucson include: * [[File:I-10.svg|20px]] [[Interstate 10 in Arizona|Interstate 10]] * [[File:I-19.svg|20px]] [[Interstate 19]] * [[File:Arizona 77.svg|20px]] [[Arizona State Route 77|State Route 77]] * [[File:Arizona 86.svg|20px]] [[Arizona State Route 86|State Route 86]] * [[File:Arizona 210.svg|20px]] [[Arizona State Route 210|State Route 210]] ====Cycling==== Cycling is popular in Tucson. Tucson and Pima County maintain an extensive network of marked bike routes, signal crossings, on-street bike lanes, mountain-biking trails, and dedicated [[shared use path|shared-use paths]]. [[The Loop (Tucson)|The Loop]] is a network of seven linear parks, built mainly along river beds, comprising {{convert|131|mi|km}} of paved, vehicle-free trails that encircles the majority of the city with links to Marana and Oro Valley.<ref>{{cite news |title=New segment of The Loop trail opens Saturday with a fiesta |newspaper=Arizona Daily Star |date=April 28, 2015 |last=Kreutz |first=Douglas |url=http://tucson.com/news/local/new-segment-of-the-loop-trail-opens-saturday-with-a/article_9a16985c-3d80-5a8f-9a3a-b9bafaf3565f.html |access-date=February 29, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305020510/http://tucson.com/news/local/new-segment-of-the-loop-trail-opens-saturday-with-a/article_9a16985c-3d80-5a8f-9a3a-b9bafaf3565f.html |archive-date=March 5, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Pima-County-2014">{{cite web |title=The Loop 2014 Annual Report: The First 100 Miles |publisher=Pima County |url=http://webcms.pima.gov/UserFiles/Servers/Server_6/File/Government/The%20Loop/Annual%20Reports/1386%20-%20Loop%20Annual%20Report_web-ready.pdf |access-date=February 29, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150811080230/http://webcms.pima.gov/UserFiles/Servers/Server_6/File/Government/The%20Loop/Annual%20Reports/1386%20-%20Loop%20Annual%20Report_web-ready.pdf |archive-date=August 11, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ford |first=Tyler |title=The Loop River Path Tucson, AZ {{!}} Bike Path Ride Map & Elevation |url=https://www.arizonabikerides.com/rides/586/the-loop-bike-ride-tucson/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418141644/http://www.arizonabikerides.com/rides/586/the-loop-bike-ride-tucson/ |archive-date=April 18, 2019 |access-date=November 23, 2019 |website=Arizona Bike Rides |language=en-US}}</ref> The Tucson–Pima County Bicycle Advisory Committee (TPCBAC) serves in an advisory capacity to local governments on issues relating to bicycle recreation, transportation, and safety. The [[League of American Bicyclists]] awarded Tucson a gold rating for bicycle-friendliness in 2006.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bikeleague.org/media/press/042406_press.php |title=League Names New Bicycle Friendly Communities |access-date=March 12, 2010 |date=April 24, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100315212042/http://www.bikeleague.org/media/press/042406_press.php |archive-date=March 15, 2010}}</ref> Summary: Please note that all contributions to Christianpedia may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. If you do not want your writing to be edited mercilessly, then do not submit it here. You are also promising us that you wrote this yourself, or copied it from a public domain or similar free resource (see Christianpedia:Copyrights for details). Do not submit copyrighted work without permission! Cancel Editing help (opens in new window) Discuss this page