By Luige del Puerto | Arizona Capitol Times
As it reaches a climax, the months-long campaign to reduce a key incentive for residential solar has given Arizonans a glimpse into a nearly obscure but powerful body of regulators that oversees some of Arizona’s biggest industries.
The fight over solar net metering and the battle to dismantle the state’s electric monopolies have demonstrated the reach of the Arizona Corporation Commission, whose powers are derived straight from the state Constitution.
The debates have shown the public how five individuals possess the authority to cultivate — or kill — an industry, or to shake up the status quo.
On Nov. 14, Commissioner Brenda Burns reminded both sides of the net metering debate that the commissioners — not social media or anyone else — would decide the outcome.
