By Ryan Randazzo | Arizona Republic
Lawmakers moved Wednesday to strip the Arizona Corporation Commission of its power to make rules about clean energy in the state, following regulators’ move to require electric companies to get all of their energy from carbon-free sources by 2050.
The House voted 31-28 on House Bill 2248 on Wednesday, with one member not voting. The bill prohibits the Corporation Commission from enacting any new energy rules after June 2020.
Last fall, after years of workshops and hearings on the issue, the Corporation Commission voted 4-1 to require electric companies like Arizona Public Service Co. and Tucson Electric Power Co., to get all of their energy from carbon-free sources by 2050, with intermediate targets before that date. Carbon emissions would need to be halved by 2032.
“Arizona has more sun than any other state in the US and modern businesses want access to clean renewable energy more than ever. So naturally, you would think Arizona would look to take advantage of this situation. Paradoxically, this bill actually shuts the door on this key natural resource advantage and tells the world that Arizona has no interest in attracting businesses that are looking for low cost clean energy.”
Court Rich, Rose Law Group Cofounder, Senior Partner, Renewable Energy Dept. Director
