Energy Standards

Arizona Energy: Bill to give lawmakers say on energy policy likely dead

March 13, 2021

A controversial bill to prohibit Arizona’s utility regulators from setting state energy policy appears dead after a Republican senator decided he cannot support it. Sen. Paul Boyer, R-Glendale, told the Arizona Capitol Times that he still has too many outstanding questions about SB1175, which would allow only the Legislature to set energy policy. The House and Senate just don’t have the same expertise as the Arizona Corporation Commission, Boyer said.

Our View: Energy rules offer opportunity to continue shaping Arizona’s history

March 8, 2021

The Arizona Technology Council, Ceres and The Western Way applaud Arizona Corporation Commission Chair Márquez Peterson’s commitment to move the pending energy rules forward. Every step of the way, she has demonstrated strong leadership while championing this initiative. She has stood by her commitment to this goal while also steering clear of the turbulent political headwinds created by legislation that would undermine Arizona’s clean energy business sector.

Arizona Legislators should get out of the way of needed clean-energy standards

March 4, 2021

The Arizona Corporation Commission is an independent elected body, constitutionally charged with setting energy policy and regulating utilities. The Arizona Legislature is not in charge of the Corporation Commission and lacks the legal standing to pass Senate Bill 1175. This bill targets and threatens the bipartisan clean energy rules now being considered—rules that will save ratepayers money, clean up our air and boost our economy.

February 2021 | Clean Energy News

February 18, 2021

Arizona Public Service Company (APS) partners with Electrify Commercial to expand fast-charging across the state; Wilmot Energy Center, Tucson Electric Power’s biggest solar energy farm, aims to be churning out clean energy in a few months; electric bike manufacturer Phat Scooters accelerates as an Arizona success story; what it’s like to drive ElectraMeccanica’s three-wheeled Solo vehicle; Nikola Motor Company exec to lead global standardization project for hydrogen fueling technologies; FirstSolar, Enphase and SunPower are among the renewable energy stocks that are benefiting from the new White House administration’s green-energy agenda; and more.

TWW interviews Arizona Corporation Commission Chair Lea Márquez Peterson

February 17, 2021

The Western Way’s (TWW) Arizona State Director Jaime Molera had the chance to virtually interview Arizona Corporation Commission Chairwoman Lea Márquez Peterson recently. The conversation covered the latest in Arizona’s energy policy landscape and how new technologies and innovation are driving significant changes.

Misinformed lawmakers poised to raise electricity cost

February 8, 2021

Identical measures in the House and Senate, HB2248 and SB1175, are targeting new bipartisan clean energy rules currently under consideration by the Arizona Corporation Commission–rules that will save ratepayers money, while simultaneously boosting Arizona’s economy at a time when we need it most. If enacted, this legislation will strip the Corporation Commission of its rulemaking authority and ensure that the state’s ratepayers—lawmakers’ constituents and voters—ultimately pay much more for electricity than folks in neighboring states.

Arizona Corporation Commission elects new department chair

January 5, 2021

The Arizona Corporation Commission has voted to elect Republican Lea Márquez Peterson to serve as chair of the state body that sets rates and policies for utilities. Márquez Peterson can now influence the tone and direction of the regulatory body by running meetings and setting agendas as chairperson. The commission regulates electric, gas and water utilities in the state and oversees pipeline safety, railroad crossings and securities issues.

Arizona power must come from 100% carbon-free sources by 2050, ACC decides

November 2, 2020

The Arizona Corporation Commission has approved a plan for utilities to get all of their energy from carbon-free sources like solar and nuclear energy by 2050, bringing the state closer in line to other Western states. The new requirements would make Arizona’s renewable rules stricter than Montana, Oregon and Washington, although Washington’s goal of going carbon-free is to do so by 2045, five years earlier than Arizona.

Arizona Corporation Commission proposes 100% clean-energy standard by 2050

July 26, 2020

Arizona Corporation Commission’s proposal calls for at least 50% renewables by 2035. Staff of the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) on Thursday proposed a 100% Clean Energy Standard by 2050, a new integrated resource planning (IRP) process and other rule changes as part of the state’s efforts to modernize electricity regulation. The proposal includes a “technology neutral” all-source request for proposal (RFP) process where utilities solicit bids from market participants to address resource needs.

July 2020: Renewable Energy + Sustainability News

July 15, 2020

Tucson Electric Power plans to end use of coal-generated electricity by 2032, details on how to apply for SRP’s Business EV Charger Rebate; the Arizona Corporation Commission needs to raise anemic energy standards; builders and businesses are developing low-carbon concrete; Apple commits to be 100% carbon neutral by 2030; Nikola Motors Corporation, a leader in zero-emissions, is one step closer to bringing a 1 million-square-foot manufacturing facility to Coolidge, Ariz., and more.