By Patrick O’Grady
Phoenix Business Journal
The race for three Arizona Corporation Commission seats could wrest control away from one party, solidify it moving forward, or simply maintain the status quo.
Much is at stake, including the ongoing implementation of the state’s renewable and energy efficiency standards, as well as utility rates for electricity and water.
Three Democrats and three Republicans are squaring off in the race, along with one Libertarian and two Green candidates. Both of the Democratic commissioners (Paul Newman and Sandra Kennedy) and one of the three Republicans (Bob Stump) are up for re-election — and both parties, of course, want the majority of the five seats.
Renewable questions
One of the biggest issues — just as it was four years ago when Newman, Kennedy and Stump won their seats on the ACC — is Arizona’s renewable standard and how it is being deployed.
