About EQC
The Phoenix Environmental Quality Commission (EQC) helps city leaders identify environmental issues and advises the City Council on opportunities to protect Phoenix’s natural and urban environment. The EQC works closely with the city’s Office of Environmental Programs to implement and monitor initiatives that ensure a sustainable future for area residents and businesses.
Established in 1987, the 15-member citizen-based commission has made significant strides in response to environmentally related challenges and opportunities facing city departments. From providing recommendations on various city actions such as the City Well Shutdown Policy, to its most recent endorsement of Phoenix's solar project permitting process, the Commission has over the years set a course that continues to propel city efforts to unparalleled heights.
The EQC plays a leadership role on a number of environmental topics, including greener neighborhoods, renewable and solar energy projects, land use policies, air and water quality, sustainable building codes, urban heat island, recycling initiatives, climate action plan goals, the Phoenix General Plan, and other key city efforts.
Message from Jeremy Stapleton, EQC Chair:
"The Environmental Quality Commission is committed to making Phoenix adaptable and resilient in the face of population growth and economic and ecologic uncertainty. This year, we’ll be focusing on infrastructure and the built environment, our codes, policies, standards and guidelines that define the form and function of our city so that it’s easier for each of us to live lighter on the land and steward our resources.
Join us in protecting and improving our environmental quality; here are a few of our favorite suggestions:
- Better Air, Better Health: Carbon emissions from vehicles are the biggest detriment to our air quality while active mobility may be the biggest aid to public health. Re-design how you move about the valley. Incorporate biking, walking, car-share and transit into your mobility options.
- The 5 Mile Challenge: Try shifting more of your activities to within a 5 mile radius of your home; discover new people and places in your neighborhood. Living locally not only shrinks individual environmental impact, it helps circulate more money locally, strengthening our economy. Then let us know how it goes. Visit localfirstaz.com for ideas.
- Recycling & Solid Waste: If you’re inhibited from recycling because of where you live or work, request that your property management provide the service and let your council member know you want recycling! If you don’t want those phone books delivered every year, you can opt out; visit yellowpagesoptout.com. Compost with your neighbors; share the efforts and the rewards while helping the city send less to the landfill.
- Invest Water Wisely: 70% of water use in Arizona is used on the landscape. Reduce water consumption and improve the return on your investment by planting native plants, edibles and medicinals. Naturalizing the landscape improves the habitat for pollinators and harvests the value of nature’s processes while improving food security and biodiversity. For the really passionate, consider hydroponics or aquaponics, methods that decrease water consumption while improving production.
- Chime In: If you have employable, scalable ideas on how we can build and manage a more efficient city, let us know. Send the EQC an email or join us at our standing meeting on the third Thursday of the month at 8 a.m. in the Office of Environmental Programs at 200 W. Washington, 14th Floor.
Thank you for your companionship in the protection and enrichment of our environment."
Mayor Stanton Proclaims Sept. 20, 2012 as EQC Day!
Caption: Current & former EQC members with Mayor Stanton.
The EQC celebrated 25 years of dedicated service to improving the environment and quality of life for residents on Sept. 20, 2012. Mayor Greg Stanton formally recognized the commission’s 25 years by proclaiming Sept. 20, 2012 as EQC Day. Former EQC Chairwoman Kate Gallego spoke at the event and commented, “The EQC is proud to mark our quarter century of work to make Phoenix a leader in sustainability. Phoenix has partnered with its citizens to make major progress on issues ranging from bicycling to solar energy.” Current and past members of the commission attended the event. Former EQC Chair, and former U.S. EPA Assistant Administrator, Stephen A. Owens, spoke about the early days of the EQC. Attendees enjoyed music provided by a clarinet quartet from Central High School.
More information about the EQC
