By Luige del Puerto | Arizona Capitol Times
The Arizona Corporation Commission has asked the public to weigh in on electricity deregulation, which would break up the state’s system of “regulated monopoly” under which a handful of public utility companies are in charge of generating and distributing power to homes and industries.
Deregulation would be a major policy shift in Arizona, whose previous attempts to move in this direction were hobbled by legal issues and stifled by California’s disastrous foray into inviting competition in electricity service.
In any case, the looming debate could easily overshadow other energy-related issues before the commission, which sets rates and regulates public utilities.
“This is a big deal. The bottom line is: What is a better deal for the rate payer?” Robert Burns, one of the regulatory agency’s commissioners, told Arizona Capitol Times.
