Arizona Corporation Commissioner Opposes Bills Threatening Clean Energy Future

Strategic Insights -

Arizona Corporation Commissioner Anna Tovar testified against two legislative bills that would limit the commission's authority to regulate renewable energy and protect the state's clean energy future. The bills, House Bill 2248 and Senate Bill 1175, would prohibit the commission from specifying the type of generation an electric utility can purchase, effectively eliminating future renewable energy requirements and the commission's ability to regulate conventional generation like nuclear, coal, and gas.

Key Takeaways:

  • Commissioner Anna Tovar testified against House Bill 2248 and Senate Bill 1175, which would limit the Arizona Corporation Commission's authority to regulate renewable energy and protect the state's clean energy future.
  • The bills would eliminate future renewable energy requirements and the commission's ability to regulate conventional generation like nuclear, coal, and gas.
  • The commission passed energy rules in a bipartisan vote of 4-1, which gradually reduce emissions over the next thirty years.
  • Commissioner Tovar believes the bills infringe on the commission's ratemaking and permissive authority in Article 15, Section 3 of the Arizona Constitution.
  • The commission has the authority to weigh all the evidence and set energy policy in the best interest of customers and the state.
  • Commissioner Tovar stated that the bills would hurt the economy, environment, and health of Arizona's citizens.
  • The commission's long-term energy resource planning is necessary to attract investment and jobs to the state.
  • The Arizona Corporation Commission has a constitutional duty to set energy policy that benefits the people of Arizona.

Statistics:

  • The commission voted 4-1 to pass energy rules that gradually reduce emissions over the next thirty years.
  • The bills would eliminate future renewable energy requirements.
  • The commission has the authority to regulate conventional generation like nuclear, coal, and gas.
  • The bills would infringe on the commission's ratemaking and permissive authority in Article 15, Section 3 of the Arizona Constitution.
  • The commission's long-term energy resource planning is necessary to attract investment and jobs to the state.

Sources:

  • Arizona Corporation Commission, "Commissioner Tovar Testifies Against Legislation Limiting Clean Energy Future"
  • Arizona Republic, "Arizona Corporation Commissioner Anna Tovar opposes bills limiting commission's power"
  • Phoenix New Times, "Arizona Corporation Commissioner Testifies Against Bills That Would Derail Clean Energy Push"