Arizona is no stranger to high temperatures, but many experts say last year’s record-shattering summer is only the beginning.
With the hottest June on record now behind us, President Joe Biden announced Tuesday that he’s proposing new federal standards for workers.
Biden pointed to the above-average temperatures states like Arizona have been seeing for months.
“I quite frankly think it’s not only outrageous, it’s really stupid,” he said. “Everyone who willfully denies the impacts of climate change is condemning the American people to a dangerous future. And either is really, really dumb or has some other motive.”
If finalized, the Department of Labor’s latest proposed rule is expected to help roughly 36 million workers reduce or avoid heat injuries, illnesses, and deaths at work
“Extreme heat is the number one weather-related killer in the United States,” said Biden. “More people die from extreme heat than floods, hurricanes, and tornadoes combined.”
The new measures will help better protect people on the job in- and outdoors.
“This includes things like developing response plans to heat illness,” Biden said. “Training employees and supervisors, implementing rest breaks, access to shade and water.”
Despite a recent investment in projects partially dedicated to combating extreme heat, advocates continue to push the Federal Emergency Management Agency to classify extreme heat and wildfire smoke as major disasters.
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Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs wants ongoing funding for energy assistance programs, but she needs support from Republican lawmakers to make it happen. -
As temperatures continue to rise, the risk of rattlesnake encounters does as well. The Arizona Game and Fish Department is warning people to stay aware of these animals when going out. -
Maricopa County's chief medical officer said the county saw 427 heat deaths in 2025, down from 608 the year before. -
Under a proposal from SRP management, customers would see a 3% decrease on power bills May through October this year. That would save the average residential customer about $5.57 per month. -
An Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health advisory committee vote on proposed heat safety regulations fell short of what labor rights groups were hoping for.
