By Reagan Priest | Arizona Capitol Times
The Arizona Corporation Commission voted 3-2 to allow formula ratemaking on Tuesday after a marathon hearing that at times got contentious.
Three Republican commissioners approved a policy statement that will allow utilities to apply for formula rate plans, bypassing the traditional rate case process that utilities go through to implement rate increases. Democratic Commissioner Anna Tovar and Republican Commissioner Lea Marquez Peterson voted against the policy.
Under the plan, utilities will be required to submit an annual update using historical test year data and a determination of the company’s value to increase rates for customers. Companies would not have to defend the update during a hearing process before the commission, which is how rate increases are approved currently.