By Yellow Sheet
The Arizona Corporation Commission voted unanimously on Wednesday to repeal its energy efficiency rules for electric utilities in the state.
Despite pushback from consumer, business and technology groups, four Republican commissioners voted to repeal the Electric Energy Efficiency Standards Rule, which required electric utilities regulated by the commission to demonstrate an annual energy savings of 22% through energy efficiency programs by 2020. Commissioner Kevin Thompson was absent and did not cast a vote on the repeal.
“The repeal of these mandates does not eliminate (demand-side management) and (energy efficiency) programs,” Chairman Nick Myers said during the meeting. “Traditionally, we’ve seen mandates like this as a blank check to utilities. Anytime you tell them what to do, they will recover on it.”
Most utilities exceeded the 22% energy savings standard, leading commissioners to decide that the standard was no longer necessary. Several utility companies like Arizona Public Service, Tucson Electric Power and UNS Electric told the commission they would still continue to utilize energy efficiency programs if the rules were repealed.
