Energy Policy

Op-ed: ACC Chair’s rhetoric about clean-energy rules doesn’t match reality

June 29, 2021

It’s disappointing that Arizona Corporation Commission Chair Lea Márquez Peterson has reversed her position, voting down a bipartisan set of clean-energy rules twice in one month. We are especially pleased to see the strong energy-efficiency standard and a 100% carbon-free electricity standard included in the package. While we would have liked to see a more aggressive timeline for Arizona to achieve 100% carbon-free electricity, the compromise of a strong interim target to achieve 50% clean energy by 2032 will go a long way to growing a thriving clean-energy industry.

A renewable-energy future: How government action can drive private investment

June 5, 2021

A renewable energy future is within our grasp: the technology is now widely available and cost-effective in most places around the world. This working paper focuses on the challenges and solutions to scaling investment in renewable energy generation and provides actionable policy solutions to unlock the private sector investment needed to support the energy transition.

Arizona energy regulators find compromise to revive 100% clean-energy requirements

May 26, 2021

The new rules update the Renewable Energy Standard and Tariff that an all-Republican commission passed in 2006 and requires utilities to get 15% of their power from renewables by 2025, as well as the 2010 energy-efficiency requirements for them to use efficiency measures to meet 22% of their energy demand by this year.

ACC Chair Lea Márquez Peterson: Modified clean energy rules back on the agenda

May 21, 2021

Arizona is at a crossroads and has an opportunity to lead the nation in a clean energy proposal that differs from the Green New Deal. Arizona Corporation Commissioners have an opportunity to shape our state’s energy future while protecting our ratepayers and assuring reliability.

Arizona Corporation Commission’s energy-smart Republican leadership

May 10, 2021

Commissioner Márquez Peterson’s energy–smart leadership has the Arizona Corporation Commission going in the right direction, making sure that Arizonans realize the full benefits of current energy market trends. Beyond being good for our wallets, it represents the most prudent, market-oriented, and conservative path forward for Arizona.

Lawmakers don’t have the power to mess with utility regulators’ clean-energy rules

April 12, 2021

In this op-ed published by the Arizona Republic, Arizona Technology Council CEO Steven G. Zylstra and Doran Miller, state director of The Western Way, discuss why columnist Robert Robb misses the mark completely that the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) lacks the authority to update the energy standards at all. Additionally, he fails to recognize the many ways in which modernizing our clean-energy rules will benefit Arizona ratepayers, communities, the economy and environment.

Honeywell to go carbon neutral by 2035

April 9, 2021

Honeywell committed to become carbon neutral in its operations and facilities by 2035 through a combination of further investment in energy savings projects, conversion to renewable energy sources, completion of capital improvement projects at its sites and in its fleet of company vehicles, and utilization of credible carbon credits. These initiatives represent a continuation of the company’s sustainability efforts since 2004, which have already driven a more than 90% reduction in the greenhouse gas intensity of its operations and facilities.

Arizona needs new, innovative ways to produce energy

April 3, 2021

We are well-positioned for a strong recovery, in part because of the strength of Arizona’s clean energy, technology and innovation sectors. With that in mind, last fall The Western Way partnered with the Arizona Technology Council to convene a group of stakeholders working at the forefront of technology and innovation here. Together, the group identified key policy priorities that, if implemented, can supercharge Arizona’s economic recovery and cement our state as a national leader in clean and renewable energy technology and innovation.

Arizona Technology Council to play role in clean-energy initiative

April 1, 2021

Arizona Thrives has the real potential for real change in collectively securing Arizona’s energy future via the diverse perspectives invited to the decisions table. Working together, Arizona can attract more high-wage jobs, improve air quality, reduce the impact of heat to improve the livability of communities, increase water security, protect Arizona’s natural beauty, and sustain agriculture and energy independence.

Energy News: March 2021

March 27, 2021

Arizona is among top states for new solar installations in 2020; Salt River Project offers $1,000 rebates to drivers buying or leasing electric vehicles; UACJ Whitehall selects Flagstaff for its new electric vehicle parts plant; ElectraMeccanica selects Arizona to establish U.S. base of operations; Nikola unveils its plans for 2021; electric vehicle start-up Lucid Motors will soon go public; Arizona Public Service, Salt River Project, Tucson Electric Power and the Arizona Electric Power Cooperative are well prepared to avoid energy disasters; Arizona State University promotes a new book titled “Cities of Light: A Collection of Solar Futures” to discuss the future economic and social justice implications of a fully sustainable society; and more.

Energy Policy

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