Trico was one of five cooperatives across the country selected by the USDA to move forward in the award process for the Powering Affordable Clean Energy (PACE) program. In support of Trico’s $83.5 million PACE award, Trico Staff and Board welcomed USDA Under Secretary Dr. Basil Gooden to Trico’s headquarters in Marana on March 14, 2024. Trico provided a tour of their Avion Solar and Battery Energy Storage Facility to Under Secretary Gooden, USDA officials, and

local and statewide representatives. Following the tour, Trico hosted a roundtable discussion regarding Trico’s four clean energy PACE projects.

The following representatives were in attendance to demonstrate their support of Trico’s vision to provide sustainable and cost-effective energy solutions to Trico Members for decades to come:

• Under Secretary Dr. Basil Gooden, USDA
• Jimmy Dahman, Senior Advisor Rural Development, USDA
• Charlene R. Fernandez, State Director Arizona State Office | Rural Development USDA
• Alesia Stanley, USDA AZ State Deputy Director
• CJ Karamargin, Senior Advisor to Rep. Juan Ciscomani
• Blaise Caudill, Office of Gov. Hobbs
• Ed Honea, Mayor of the Town of Marana
• Terry Rozema, Marana Town Manager
• Joe Snell, President & CEO, Sun Corridor
• Scott Leach, CCO, Torch Clean Energy
• Dave Lock, CEO, GCSECA

Trico expects to develop and build their PACE projects over the next five years in collaboration with Torch Clean Energy. Trico previously worked with Torch to successfully develop and build its Avion Solar and Battery Energy Storage Facility and Chirreon Solar and Battery Energy Storage Facility.

“Torch is excited to continue our longstanding partnership with Trico to develop and construct these PACE projects,” said Scott Leach. “Trico’s vision to own and operate cost-effective, clean generation is a model for all rural cooperatives across the country and these next four projects will further promote them as a leader in the space.”

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Trico Electric Cooperative, Inc., is a not-for-profit electric cooperative serving nearly 50,000 Members in Marana, Corona de Tucson, Saddlebrooke, Mt. Lemmon, Sahuarita, Green Valley, Three Points, Star Valleyand Arivaca. Trico is dedicated to making a difference in the communities we serve by providing our Members cost-effective and sustainable energy solutions. For more information about the cooperative, visit www.trico.coop or follow them on social media at facebook.com/TricoelectricAZ or instagram.com/TricoElectricAZ.

Torch Clean Energy is a renewable energy and battery storage developer with extensive experience developing, permitting, designing, and building solar, wind, and battery energy storage projects. For moreinformation about Torch, please visit www.torchcleanenergy.com.

Contact: 

Roberta Lopez-Suter, APR 

Manager, Marketing & Communications 

Trico Electric Cooperative, Inc.

PO Box 930 • Marana, AZ 85653

Phone: (520) 744-2944, ext. 1362

Trico is an equal opportunity provider and employer.