By Ryan Randazzo || Arizona Republic
The Arizona Republic sent policy questions to candidates running for the Arizona Corporation Commission to help voters understand their views as they relate to this important state office.
Two of the five seats on the commission are on the November ballot, and there are two Republicans and two Democrats in the race.
Republicans Nick Myers and Kevin Thompson chose to answer the questions together.
Myers is a policy advisor to Commissioner Justin Olson, who is leaving office. Myers has experience dealing with commission issues through a prolonged dispute with the notorious Johnson Utilities water and sewer company in the far east valley.
Thompson is a Mesa councilman who previously worked as a lobbyist for Southwest Gas Corp., one of the larger utilities regulated by the Commission.
Democrats Sandra Kennedy and Lauren Kuby answered individually.
Kuby, until recently, served as a Tempe councilwoman. She works at Arizona State University managing the Stardust Center for Affordable Homes and the Family, and where she also has the title of Senior Global Futures Scientist at ASU’s Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory.
Kennedy is a former state lawmaker seeking a second term on the Commission. Kennedy also served a term from 2009-2012.
The Corporation Commission sets rates and policies for utilities like Arizona Public Service Co. It also oversees pipeline safety, railroad crossings, securities investments and other duties.
Renewable energy
Question: It’s already established that the Democrats in this race believe in setting renewable energy requirements for utilities while the Republicans oppose such mandates.
