Democratic Attorney General Kris Mayes wants Arizona regulators to reconsider a decision to repeal renewable energy requirements for most of the state’s utilities.
The Arizona Corporation Commission voted earlier this month to roll back the Renewable Energy Standard and Tariff, or REST, rules that required regulated utilities like Arizona Public Service and Tucson Electric Power to obtain at least 15% of their electricity from renewable sources.
The all-Republican commission voted to abandon the rules, arguing they amount to a subsidy for the renewable energy industry that unfairly burdens Arizona ratepayers.
Regulators first adopted the requirements two decades ago when Mayes, then a Republican, served on the commission.
The Attorney General’s Office filed an application asking for a rehearing on the issue.
Mayes argued the commission began the process to repeal the rules before completing a required analysis that looks at the economic impact of the decision, including the costs and benefits to residents and businesses.
“Arizonans never got the chance to review the completed analysis or comment on it before the commission voted — completely undermining meaningful public participation in the process,” Mayes said in a statement. “We're asking the Commission to follow its own rules and comply with its own rulemaking procedures.”
The Sierra Club’s Grand Canyon Chapter also filed a request for rehearing, making similar arguments.
The commission has 30 days to respond.
-
Turning Point USA’s political arm spent months pouring money and resources into a little-known utility election in Arizona, an effort that contributed to massive increase in voter turnout but ultimately failed to stave off a challenge from a slate of clean-energy candidates. -
The election for the board of the Salt River Project is normally very quiet. It's an off-cycle election in the middle of April with an archaic voting model that allows only some property owners to even vote.
-
Tuesday, April 7, is election day for various positions in SRP's water and power branches, including presidential and board positions. -
A report from the Arizona Governor's Office of Resiliency says geothermal energy provides substantial promise for state utilities as they face unprecedented power demand from large users like data centers and a growing population. -
New funding is aimed at helping fossil fuel-dependent communities in the Mountain West navigate a changing energy economy, with one project focused on the Four Corners region.
