Arizona has a new utility regulator. Andy Tobin was sworn in Tuesday to fill the vacancy left by former Corporation Commissioner Susan Bitter Smith.
Tobin is a veteran of Arizona politics, having been speaker of the House in the state Legislature and run for Congress.
After he was sworn in, Tobin pledged to spend lots of time traveling the state and advocating for rural Arizona.
“Places I call home that many of us down here don’t get a chance to visit, that worry a lot about water," said Tobin.
Tobin will serve the final year of Susan Bitter Smith’s term. The former commissioner resigned earlier this year because of her ties to the telecom industry, which is regulated by the commission. Tobin also will have to navigate a conflict of interest.
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His son-in-law works for SolarCity, which has been at odds with the state’s largest utility over the rates for rooftop solar. The Arizona Public Service rate case is scheduled for later this year.
Tobin said he may have to recuse himself from votes involving those companies.
