Republican lawmakers in the state Legislature are trying to strip the Arizona Corporation Commission of some of its most fundamental powers.
Twin bills in the House of Representatives and the state Senate would strip utility regulators of the power to force electric companies here to shift to 100% carbon-free energy.
Late last year — with three Republicans supporting it — the Corporation Commission passed clean energy rules that will compel utilities in the state to phase out coal and natural-gas-burning power plants soon and produce energy with no carbon emissions by 2050.
If the bills pass, the authority to do that would lie with the Legislature instead. One of the measures passed out of committee in the state House Jan. 26, while the other will be heard Jan. 27.
For more on what all of this means for how we produce — and who regulates — energy in our state, The Show spoke with Arizona Republic reporter Ryan Randazzo.
