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| Four Corners Generating Station |
The Sierra Club has put together an action kit (below) with several actions (along with talking points) you can take on this important issue. If you don't feel comfortable talking, you can share the action with others.
- Speak at one of the public comment sessions either telephonically or in person or both.
- Submit written comments to the docket.
- Share on social media and/or share the information with a friend.
- Write a letter to the editor pointing out the concerns with this rate case.
In this rate case, APS asks ratepayers to pay for the continued operation of its polluting, outdated coal-fired power plants, even though those plants are no longer economical to operate and are more costly than clean energy alternatives. Since the last rate case, APS has spent hundreds of millions of dollars in capital expenses and operations and maintenance costs at its fossil-fueled power plants, including the coal-fired Four Corners Generating Station, where APS has just announced it will postpone a switch to reduced seasonal operations, and the coal-fired Cholla Power Plant. APS proposes to spend hundreds of millions more to keep Four Corners operating until 2031. APS can save ratepayers money and reduce pollution by retiring the Four Corners Power Plant prior to 2031 and replacing it with lower-cost renewable energy. Ratepayers should not have to pay for APS’s irresponsible spending to keep Four Corners running until 2031.
APS has also doubled down on fossil gas, spending over $100 million on its Sundance and Redhawk gas plants. On top of its existing coal and gas, APS is also proposing to add even more new gas through an upcoming “Request for Proposals,” even though renewables and storage are cheaper and more reliable.
Unlike Tucson Electric Power, APS is requesting approval of coal community transition (CCT) funding for communities impacted by coal-fired power plant closures. APS proposes $106.5 million in funding over nine years to support coal community transition, including for the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, and the areas around Joseph City where the Cholla Power Plant is located. This funding is urgently needed to help these communities transition from coal to clean energy, although it is not enough to meet the need.
ACTION KIT:
Our key asks of APS and the ACC are:
APS should retire the Four Corners Power Plant prior to 2031 and replace it with lower-cost renewable energy, which would save ratepayers money and reduce pollution.
Ratepayers should not have to pay for APS’s irresponsible, unjustified spending to keep the costly, dirty Four Corners Power Plant running until 2031.
APS should switch Four Corners to seasonal operations in 2023 as originally planned.
APS should close Cholla Power Plant by no later than 2025 as scheduled.
The ACC should approve funding for Coal Community Transition for communities impacted by coal plant retirements. APS’s proposed funding of $106.5 million CCT funding proposal is an important first step and should be approved by the Commission.
APS should increase investments in energy efficiency and demand-side management (DSM) programs that save ratepayers money.
SPEAK AT ONE OF THE PUBLIC COMMENT SESSIONS
We would especially like to have a strong turnout for the June 7th meeting.
To attend in person, go to 1200 West Washington Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85007 and enter from the back or north side of the building. You will need to go through security to enter.
To speak in person, either complete a "Request to Speak" form on one of the kiosks in the lobby at the ACC or fill out a paper slip or use your computer or mobile device ahead of time and request to speak via the ACC Portal here: https://efiling.azcc.gov/cases
To provide telephonic comments, phone 1-877-309-3457, then enter the passcode 801972877#.
The comments are usually limited to three minutes in length.
SUBMIT WRITTEN COMMENTS TO THE DOCKET
Be sure to include the docket number at the top of your comments – Docket Number E-01345A-22-0144
Use the talking points listed below for your comments, plus include any specific reasons you are concerned about this rate case. Tell your story!
You can mail your comments to: Arizona Corporation Commission, Consumer Services Section, 1200 West Washington, Phoenix, AZ 85007
You can submit your comments electronically or ask us to drop them off for you.
To submit a public comment, go to https://efiling.azcc.gov/cases, Click on “Make A Public Comment in a Docket.” Complete your information and click “Submit.”
Talking Points
Personal Financial Burden
The proposed 13.6% rate increase is too much following a time in which we have lost income as Arizona residents survived the hardship of decreased wages and lost jobs during a global pandemic.
Bill increases have come too often – this is the second proposed rate increase in just three years..
Continued Spending on Dirty, Expensive Coal Plants
APS cannot keep charging ratepayers for its dirty, expensive coal. APS is continuing to spend money on the dirty, expensive, and outdated coal-fired Four Corners and Cholla power plants, and is seeking to recover those expenses from ratepayers. The costs to keep operating APS’s coal plants exceeds the costs of alternatives like renewable energy. APS fails to justify those high costs, and relies on flawed and outdated analysis. Ratepayers should not have to pay for APS’s imprudent spending on fossil fuels.
APS can save ratepayers money by speeding up the retirement of Four Corners Power Plant and switching to cleaner and cheaper renewable power sources. Four Corners Power Plant is slated to retire in 2031, but an earlier retirement date can save ratepayers tens of millions and perhaps hundreds of millions of dollars, while keeping that additional carbon and other air pollutants out of the air.
Renewables are cheaper and cleaner than coal. Clean energy resources like solar, wind, and battery storage are cheaper, cleaner, and more reliable than APS’s aging coal plants.
Across the nation, coal use is swiftly declining. By propping up polluting, toxic coal-fired power plants, APS isn’t preparing for a future that prioritizes a transition to clean energy – holding Arizona back.
Environmental Justice and Coal Community Transition
APS is asking ratepayers to pay for dirty, expensive fossil fuel infrastructure that pollutes communities and harms public health.
APS should not be burning coal or gas, or proposing new gas plants when we have a climate crisis.
APS is proposing to provide $106.5 million in funding for coal community transition, which is an important first step, but not enough to meet the needs of impacted communities. The ACC should support APS’s proposed funding and the requests of the Hopi Tribe and Navajo Nation, as well as the grassroots Indigenous groups who have requested a just and equitable transition for these coal-impacted communities.
The burning of fossil fuels continues to occur at the cost of the environment and health of communities of color. Coal plants emit thousands of tons of harmful pollutants that pose serious public health concerns, like increased asthma attacks, bronchitis, and heart attacks. Black, Indigenous, and people of color communities bear a disproportionate air pollution burden, and cleaner alternatives must be prioritized.2
Energy Efficiency
APS should be increasing investments in energy efficiency, which can reduce customer bills.
APS has not invested enough in cost-effective programs to increase energy efficiency and reduce peak energy demand.
Lack of energy efficiency in homes forces higher energy costs, disproportionately affecting Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) and those of low and fixed incomes. These higher costs can lead to households going without needed electricity, which is uncomfortable and unsafe.
Investing in energy efficiency helps keep electric bills lower and as noted above can lower energy burden on those with low incomes.
Energy efficiency programs are the lowest-cost energy option available.
We need to invest in what works. When we invest in efficiency, all electricity customers pay less than it would cost to generate that same power from more expensive alternatives.
By eliminating energy waste, we reduce the need for APS to generate power from more expensive alternatives.
Energy Efficiency is also one of the few ways customers can reduce the cost of their utility bills.
3) Share information on Social Media and with a friend.
4) Write and submit a letter to the editor. See information below and use talking points above.
General LTE Guidance:
Where to publish your LTE:
Jana Segal-Stormont
Environmental Advocacy and Water Committee Lead
Jana@SustainableTucson.org
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