For more than 15 years, CPS Energy's Sustainable for Tomorrow Energy Plan (STEP) programs have helped customers in our community save energy and money.
Launched in 2009, the original STEP program had a goal of reducing energy demand by 771 MW. With the support and commitment from our community, CPS Energy exceeded that goal ahead of schedule and under budget. In 2022, the program evolved into a five-year initiative that aims to reduce community demand by 410 MW, achieve annual energy savings of 1%, weatherize up to 16,000 homes, and avoid 1.85 million tons of carbon emissions.
Today, STEP includes more than 25 programs designed to help residential and commercial customers use energy more efficiently and saving money.
"STEP creates paths for our customers to participate in saving energy and money," said Ana Lozano, director of technology and product innovation at CPS Energy. "Whether it's making a home or apartment more energy efficient or helping an EV driver shift charging to off-peak hours, these programs are giving customers more choices while helping us meet the energy needs of our growing community."
Program Highlights
Over the past four years, CPS Energy has expanded existing STEP programs and introduced new options to help more customers.
The Multifamily Program, which began as a pilot, has now transitioned into a full-scale program following strong customer demand. Through July 31, 2026, CPS Energy weatherized 25 apartment complexes representing 3,738 units and reduced energy use by approximately 5 million kilowatt-hours. Demand for the program remains strong, with 8,800 units currently in line to receive weatherization improvements.
CPS Energy has also made enhancements to its Casa Verde program. Changes include giving customers more choice in the work performed and the trade ally they select, streamlining enrollment and reduction in wait times, and providing funding for certain minor home repairs through the Weatherization Repair Assistance Program (WRAP). More than 2,000 homes have been weatherized since the program transitioned in October 2025.
Expanding Ways to Participate
As STEP continues to grow, customers have more opportunities to take part in new programs that support the adoption of renewable energy and reduce our community's demand for energy during peak times.
Through the expansion of CPS Energy's Community Solar Program, Big Sun Community Solar will provide up to 50 MW of local solar generation to the community. The program gives customers another way to participate in solar without installing panels on their own roof.
For EV drivers, CPS Energy has partnered with WeaveGrid to introduce new electric vehicle charging programs. The programs encourage customers to charge during off-peak hours through incentives while still allowing drivers to maintain control over when they charge their vehicles.
STEP is also looking for the next great idea. The STEP Innovation Hub provides community innovators an opportunity to submit new approaches to energy efficiency and conservation for CPS Energy to evaluate, test, and potentially incorporate into the program.
Current STEP Progress
Since the current Sustainable Tomorrow Energy Plan began in 2022, customer participation across our community has helped move STEP closer to its five-year goals. Through July 31, 2026, that progress includes:
- Reduced energy demand by 337 MW - the equivalent to powering 84,000 homes!
- 1.5 million tons of carbon emissions avoided - helping create a cleaner, more sustainable community.
- $268 million invested in energy-saving programs for our community.
- Generated $1.15 billion in lifetime avoided costs by reducing future expenses for fuel and additional power generation through STEP energy savings and demand reductions.
Learn more about STEP programs and find opportunities for your home or business at cpsenergy.com/STEP.
