CPS Energy: Clean Energy, Community, and Business Vitality

Abstract

Like every utility, CPS Energy has grappled with balancing the need to satisfy increasing state and federal regulations with keeping rates low and service reliable. CPS Energy saw the writing on the wall regarding two older coal units that supplied approximately 20 % of the utility’s total electricity. The challenge, however, became how to continue supplying reliable and affordable electric service to an economically disadvantaged customer base under increasing environmental regulation. In a creative turn, the company decided to leverage its substantial buying power to stimulate the local economy, create new jobs, attract world-class energy companies, increase renewable energy generation, and cultivate a more educated future workforce for San Antonio. The effort was called The New Energy Economy. As of October, 2015, CPS Energy’s New Energy Economy has resulted in more than 842 new, full-time jobs, $52 million in payroll, $200 million in capital investment, and $4.2 million in education contributions.