As Gov. Katie Hobbs has pushed for geothermal energy expansion in Arizona in recent months, state regulators are working to update policies to attract investors.
Arizona's utilities haven’t yet used geothermal energy to help the grid. But as they face unprecedented demand, a report from the Governor’s Office of Resiliency highlighted ways to expand geothermal in the state.
The Arizona Oil and Gas Conservation Commission is drafting a new policy framework to provide a single source of rules on geothermal drilling.
Frank Thorwald chairs the commission. He says the commission won't be providing legal advice to companies, but that updating the policy framework something that will be necessary to streamline processes and make sure the drilling is done safely and doesn’t impact the environment and the state’s water.
“Make the system more efficient, more effective for businesses, but at the same time, without deteriorating the protections for the public," Thorwald said.
Thorwald says it will take months before any framework is finalized.
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Arizona Public Service, the state’s largest public electricity provider, is asking the Arizona Corporation Commission for its third rate increase in just four years. -
The two Republicans seeking re-election to the Arizona Corporation Commission are facing a challenge from the far right by critics, bolstered by President Donald Trump, who claim they haven’t done enough to keep coal power plants running in Arizona. -
Monsoon storms may have cooled things down briefly — though not enough to go without air conditioning. APS has a few tips to help keep cooling costs down. -
The Sonoran capital, along with three other cities, will become one of the first to receive solar panels through the government program, the governor says. -
The Sun Streams solar farm, located 17 miles west of Buckeye, is first and foremost built to harvest energy. But it has also become home to what some people say is one of Arizona’s most recognizable birds.
