In This Issue
Mesa RNG Facility and Water Treatment Plant Tour
Upcoming Events
Learning Opportunties
Member Spotlight: Breathe EV
City of Mesa RNG Production Facility and Water Treatment Plant Tour
VSCCC board members, mesa employees and guests stand in front of one of the biogas processing systems at the Mesa Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Valley of the Sun Clean Cities (VSCCC) board members and guests enjoyed a tour of the new renewable natural gas (RNG) facilities at the city of Mesa’s wastewater treatment plant. VSCCC board member, Anthony Cadorin, from Mesa Utilities, was kind enough to arrange a tour for our coalition. Guests were able to learn all about how RNG is produced and processed at the wastewater treatment plant.
The process starts within the large domes at the plant. These are anaerobic digesters that hold and break down the solid wastes left over after the water treatment process. Bacteria breaks down this solid waste sludge and releases biogas. This biogas is mostly methane but also contains many other compounds that need to be removed. To do this the biogas goes through special equipment that removes the unwanted components step by step. The end product is renewable natural gas that can be sent into the pipeline to be used as energy and fuel.
By collecting and refining the biogas produced at the wastewater treatment plant, the city of Mesa is reducing harmful emissions. Without the RNG processing facilities, the biogas from the the water treatment process would be flared or burned off into the air. Now it can be collected and turned into fuel. The city of Mesa’s refuse trucks run on low emission natural gas and can now be supplied with fuel made right at the city’s wastewater plant.
Our board was so grateful to be able to learn about this process up close during our tour. It is a great example of renewable energy production and just one of the ways the city is working towards its sustainability goals. Learn more about Mesa’s sustainability and energy projects here.
Upcoming Events
National Drive Electric Month Phoenix EV Ride and Drive
Come join us at Gateway Community College this October 4, 2025 for an EV Ride and Drive! Test drive different types of EV’s, EV bikes and talk to EV owners. The event will also feature a raffle and host vendors from the area. This ride and drive is presented by Valley of the Sun EVA, City of Phoenix, Drive Electric Arizona, and SRP as part of National Drive Electric Month. National Drive Electric Month, Sep 12-Oct 12, 2025, is a nationwide celebration to raise awareness of the many benefits of all-electric and plug-in hybrid cars, trucks, motorcycles, and more. Go to https://driveelectricmonth.org/ to look up more ride and drive events in your area and learn more about EV’s.
Learning Opportunities
Energy to Communities (E2C) Program: Peer-Learning Cohort
Successful Energy Project Implementation- Technical Assistance to Deployment
Cohort Description
Participants in this cohort will explore common challenges in implementing energy projects and learn strategies to turn project plans into reality. Each participant will focus on a local energy project or priority as a cornerstone for their learning throughout the series. Workshops will provide opportunities to explore strategies to build internal and external stakeholder buy-in, identify and secure funding and financing, and accelerate siting, procurement, and construction.
Expected Outcomes
Participants will have the opportunity to create a personalized action plan for a priority energy project and get feedback from experts and peers to help move the project forward.
Ideal Participants
Ideal participants include energy managers, sustainability managers, resilience managers, facilities managers, project managers, and staff responsible for implementing energy projects (from public entities and Tribes) or partnering on local energy projects (from nonprofit organizations).
Eligible Entities
Local governments (cities, towns, villages, counties, etc.)
Regional governments (councils of governments, etc.)
Tribes, including state-recognized Tribes
Local nonprofit organizations.
The next round of peer-learning cohorts will start in January 2026. E2C is accepting applications until Oct. 31, 2025.
VSCCC is happy to welcome BreatheEV as a new member of our coalition. BreatheEV provides reservation-enabled EV charging solutions nationwide, helping property owners monetize parking assets with minimal investment. The company offers specialized charging solutions across various property types, each designed to maximize revenue and enhance user experience.
VSCCC strives to provide alternative fuel information to all people within our region. In order to increase our outreach abilities we are working with local agencies to share our newsletter and clean fuel resources with an even greater audience. We are proud to partner with the Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona's Air Quality Department, ASU's Sustainable Cities Network and Maricopa County Air Quality Department.
