By Ryan Randazzo
The Arizona Republic
Solar energy and global warming have gotten scant attention from the presidential candidates this campaign season, but those issues mark the key distinctions in the race for seats on the Arizona Corporation Commission.
The three people elected to the five-member board oversee a variety of other issues, but solar energy has taken center stage.
The commission sets rates for utilities such as Arizona Public Service Co., Tucson Electric Power and Southwest Gas; oversees new power-plant and transmission-line locations; and has authority over securities, pipeline safety and railroad crossings.
But the Republicans and Democrats are spending most of their time debating who is a stronger, more efficient supporter of solar energy.
The heavy focus on solar probably has a lot to do with polls by major utilities in the state, which suggest a majority of people would like to see more renewable energy such as solar used here, as long as the price is kept in check. That has made solar a lightning-rod topic overshadowing many other aspects of the race.
