Brian Drummond
Jan 14, 2026
I wanted to share a personal experience from this past year that connects clean energy, transportation, and health in a very tangible way. Over the last year, our household expanded our rooftop solar system, added battery storage, and paired it with an electric vehicle—effectively creating a small, integrated renewable power and transportation system at home.
One of the most exciting parts of this journey has been participating in Tucson Electric Power’s Energy Storage Rewards Program, which helps create a virtual power plant (VPP) here in Tucson. Through this program, homes with battery storage allow TEP to draw limited energy from their batteries during periods of high demand, helping stabilize the grid and reduce reliance on fossil fuel “peaker” plants.
This summer, I received a $415 credit for participating. There were 10 total events (1 in August, 7 in September, and 2 in October), each lasting about 2–3 hours. Importantly, participants retain full control—you decide how much energy TEP can draw from your battery, ensuring your home remains powered as you see fit. Currently, 228 homes in Tucson are participating, collectively functioning like a distributed, community-scale power plant without the pollution.
The financial benefits extended beyond electricity. By charging our electric vehicle primarily at home using solar—and occasionally at superchargers—we saved $1,141 in gasoline costs over the year. That’s money that stayed in our household instead of going to fossil fuel extraction and combustion.
From a health perspective, the benefits are even more compelling. Generating power locally from solar reduces air pollution from centralized power plants, which are a major source of particulate matter and ozone—both linked to asthma, cardiovascular disease, and premature death. Similarly, electric vehicles eliminate tailpipe emissions entirely. Replacing internal combustion engines with electric motors reduces exposure to nitrogen oxides and fine particulates, improving air quality in our neighborhoods, especially for children, older adults, and those with chronic lung or heart disease.
Programs like TEP’s virtual power plant demonstrate how clean energy solutions can improve grid resilience, lower costs, reduce emissions, and deliver real health benefits—all while empowering individuals to participate directly in the energy transition.
If you’re interested in learning more about the Energy Storage Rewards Program, you can find details here: https://www.tep.com/energy-storage-rewards/
I hope this example helps illustrate how climate solutions can be practical, affordable, and health-promoting at the household and community level. As always, thank you for your continued advocacy and leadership in climate and health.
Brian Drummond, MD
Sorry for the delay in getting the email out, I shut down for the holiday season and now getting back on track.
Welcome Candice to AZHPCA!
NEWS:
CLIMATE POWER's newest report.
The first year of Trump’s second term has been disastrous for the health, safety, and economic well-being of Arizonans. The state has already seen the cancellation of six clean energy projects, resulting in 8,058 lost jobs and $2.026 billion in lost investment. Trump and Republicans gutted federal clean energy tax credits and rebates that had benefited tens of thousands of Arizonans, increased toxic pollution by granting exemptions to polluters, and cut extreme weather programs that funded infrastructure and wildfire mitigation. Arizonans deserve leaders who will lower the cost of living while protecting the health and well-being of our communities. Take a look at our release below and read the full report HERE.
New EIA projections show that nearly all net new U.S. electricity-generating capacity expected in 2026 will come from renewable energy sources, led by solar and battery storage. This shift toward clean energy reduces air pollution from fossil fuel combustion, lowering risks of asthma, cardiovascular disease, and heat-related illness—especially in frontline communities. Expanding renewables also strengthens grid resilience during extreme heat events, a growing climate-driven health threat. Read the article:https://electrek.co/2025/12/29/eia-all-net-new-generating-capacity-in-2026-may-be-renewables/
Events & Resources
Our Planet, Our Health: Climate Action Convention
Dates: March 1–4, 2025Location: Washington, DC + VirtualA major national convening of health and climate leaders focused on policy, equity, healthcare decarbonization, and planetary health. Event link:https://web.cvent.com/event/d4956ac4-7dac-4fec-9d83-e1ed58fd4b5c
AZHPCA at the Annual Convention
Currently, we have 3 participants registered from Arizona.
As in past years, the Consortium provides two complimentary registrations per state group.
The hope is that this will allow more State Network staff and leaders to attend in-person, but you are also able to use the complimentary registration for online participation.
The code for free registration is: FREE.
Hotel Information:
We have a hotel block at $169/night, about a 15-minute walk from the venue.
There are also great deals within a 20-minute walking radius on Booking.com We know travel to the D.C. area is not cheap.
If you are going and are able to attend below, please let me know, I will not be able to make it. I can pass on more info about advocacy events.
NEW: Pre-Convention Programming | Saturday, February 28, 2026
Details & Registration: https://forms.gle/ps7HdFb5vSe2oozy5
Who: Climate and Health State Network staff and leaders
What: Policy Strategy Session & Communications Workshop
When: Saturday, February 28, 2026, 1:00 PM–5:00 PM
Lunch will be provided before the session, and a reception will follow.
Where: Same location as the conference (GMU Arlington Campus)
Why: We received funding for a communications workshop, and many have expressed interest in a State Network advocacy and policy strategy session.
Healthy Climate America Podcast
A podcast from the Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health featuring clinicians and advocates discussing climate change and its health impacts.
Listen here:https://medsocietiesforclimatehealth.org/healthy-climate-america-podcast/
Regenerative Farm Lending: Aligning Our Money with Climate & Health
Steward (gosteward.com) offers a way to lend directly to regenerative farms and food businesses—supporting soil health, local economies, and community nutrition while earning a financial return.
I’ve participated in Steward loans since 2021 and have found them rewarding both ethically and financially.
Example: Ecco Market (Baltimore, MD)An Italian-style market and production kitchen from Chef Spike Gjerde focused on regeneratively sourced regional foods.
Goal: Generate ~$1M annually for regional growers
Keeps food dollars in the local economy
Expands access to healthy, locally sourced food
#ClimateCrimeScene: Speak Up for Clean Energy
Recent rollbacks of clean energy investments—including canceled IRA programs, Solar For All, REAP, and near-complete offshore wind projects—are already increasing energy costs, eliminating jobs, and deepening energy inequity, especially in underserved communities.
Starting Monday, January 12, the Climate Action Campaign is launching #ClimateCrimeScene to highlight these canceled projects and their real-world harms.
Take Action
Share posts from the #ClimateCrimeScene Social Toolkit
Use the hashtag #ClimateCrimeScene
Toolkit link:https://app.sosha.ai/toolkit/251c99b1-18b1-45d1-8932-1875852defcc