Urge the ACC to stop big utilities from siting gas plants without environmental review

UNS Electric, a sister company to Tucson Electric Power, is trying to create a loophole to avoid environmental reviews and scrutiny regarding the impact of siting a large gas power plant. Currently, these larger plants must get a certificate of environmental compatibility (CEC) from the Arizona Power Plant and Line Siting Committee where they evaluate the impacts of the proposed plant versus the need.

If UNSE is successful with creating this loophole, other utilities – APS, SRP, and TEP – will follow and we could end up seeing a rush of big gas plant sitings that have no environmental review.

In April, the Arizona Power Plant and Line Siting Committee voted 9-2 to deny UNSE's request to eliminate the CEC requirement. Now, UNSE has appealed that decision to the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC).

Sign the petition to the ACC. Tell them to uphold the AZ Power Plant and Line Siting Committee decision and to say no to this big loophole!  If you would like to submit a written comment - it is due by Friday, June 7th. 

https://act.sierraclub.org/actions/Arizona?actionId=AR0445282

HERE ARE 4 THINGS YOU CAN DO

1.Speak Telephonically or In Person at the June 11th ACC Open Meeting
2.Submit Individual Written Comments to the Docket by June 7th.
3.Sign a petition that we will submit to the AZ Corporation Commission

4. Share call to action on social media. 

More details on the Sierra Club's Action kit: 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/10DUC91-1yfq1yi3E1W05iyFHtfdt98OshguoOu89LfM/edit?usp=sharing

Comment to ACC to Protect Rooftop Solar

On August 24, 2023, the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) voted to cut the Resource Comparison Proxy (RCP) for Arizona Public Service (APS), Tucson Electric Power (TEP), and UNS Electric, by 10 percent. The RCP is the mechanism that is used to determine how much the utility will credit you for the solar you produce on your rooftop and send to the grid.

At its October 11th meeting, we are expecting the ACC to vote on whether or not to reopen the Value of Solar decision and ultimately that it will take action to harm efforts to increase accessibility for rooftop solar. They are likely to make other significant changes like eliminating the 10 year lock in for how solar is valued, removing grandfathering for net metering customers – so breaking a contract with those who adopted solar early on, or increasing the permissible annual step down for the RCP, etc. 

All written comments have to be filed to the docket in Docket No. E-00000J-14-0023. We need comments to recommend NOT reopening the docket and for the ACC to keep its word and not break the contracts with those who have and who would like to adopt solar. It’s just not fair! If you can help: 

• Attend the October 11th open meeting at the ACC in Phoenix or, at a minimum, call in and speak against reopening this Value of Solar decision. The meeting starts at 10:00 A.M. Rules for public comment can be found here. Here is the call-in information 
• Dial-in Phone Number: 1-877-309-3457 Passcode: 801972877##
•  NOTE: When requesting to speak, please be prepared to provide the phone attendant your name, company you represent, and the item number in which you are calling about.
• File comments in the docket in opposition to reopening the decision. You can file your comments here. If you don't have an account, you can set one up at that same link.
• Consider submitting a letter-to-the-editor.

If you need help or have any questions, email Sandy Bahr at sandy.bahr@sierraclub.org.

Note that there is a news conference at 9:30am in front of the ACC.

MORE INFO:

Arizona Corporation Commission wants you to get paid less for your solar

https://azcapitoltimes.com/news/2023/10/05/arizona-corporation-commission-wants-you-to-get-paid-less-for-your-solar/

Tell the ACC to Support a Just & Equitable Transition From Coal & Gas to Clean Energy For TEP!

Tucson Electric Power (TEP) is requesting an 11.8% rate increase and an increase in a service charge of $2.00 per month, making the entire increase in residential ratepayers’ bills an average of $16.22 per month. This impacts low-income communities that already shoulder a disproportionate energy burden. Plus, TEP is proposing no funding for coal-impacted communities for economic transition, including for the Navajo Nation and Hopi Tribe, communities in which TEP has contributed to environmental harm.

Please speak up for a just and equitable transition from fossil fuels to clean energy! If you are in Tucson, please attend this upcoming public comment session and also sign the petition today.

https://addup.sierraclub.org/campaigns/tell-the-acc-to-support-a-just-and-equitable-transition-from-coal-and-gas-to-clean-energy-for-tep
 

March 29, 2023 at 10:00 AM
In Person and Telephonic Public Comment
Arizona Corporation Commission
400 W Congress St, Tucson, AZ 85701 Room 222
E-01933A-22-0107 - Tucson Electric Power Company
Speak in person (preferred) or call in 1 (888) 450-5996 Passcode to Speak 457395#

RSVP 

https://act.sierraclub.org/events/details?formcampaignid=7013q000002OCT7AAO 

Below are links to the Sierra Club's action kit with talking points and a poster in eng/span. Feel free to share. 

file:///C:/Users/janas/OneDrive/Pictures/TEP%20Rate%20Hike%20Action%20Kit%20updated%202023.pdf

file:///C:/Users/janas/OneDrive/Pictures/New%20TEP%20Rate%20Hike%20Flyer.pdf

Request to Speak & Call Reps on bills that affect the environment

In addition to the Request to Speak Actions (below), there are three bad bills (HB2055, HB2101 and HB2536) that made it through committee. Please, take a few minutes to call your Representatives this week.

Keep calling your House members, asking them to oppose HB2055 Harquahala non-expansion area; groundwater transportation (Griffin: Bowers). The bill has not moved out of the House, so our efforts are making a difference. HB2055 allows private water companies to import water from the Harquahala Valley and into active management areas (AMAs) for development. Creating groundwater sacrifice zones and further privatizing water is a bad idea.

HB2101 electric energy; reliability; public policy (Griffin: Abraham, Blackman, et al.), which repeals provisions in the law that create parameters for retail competition of electricity, is likely to go to the floor of the House next week. We are still opposed as we have concerns about how it will affect community choice aggregation, rooftop solar in SRP territory, and have not seen what additional amendments they may be adding to it. Let your House members know you have concerns about this bill too. Its twin is up in the Senate Natural Resources, Energy, and Water Committee on Wednesday.

Please call and ask your representatives to oppose HB2536 corporation commissioners; qualifications (Griffin). It requires corporation commissioners to be at least 30 years old and have five years experience in business, accounting, finance, economics, administrative law, or professional engineering. This would disqualify a lot of people who have been or would be excellent commissioners. It is ready to go to the House floor.

You can find your representatives' phone numbers here.

Some of us have been experiencing great frustration with the Request to Speak System -- it has been super slow and sometimes will not allow you to sign in on a bill at all. It was supposed to be fixed today.

REQUEST TO SPEAK ACTIONS FOR THIS WEEK:

Monday, February 14th

House Committee on Land, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs at 2:00 PM

• HB2151 land division; acting in concert (Kavanagh) authorizes a county or the State Real Estate Department to deny a building permit or certificate of occupancy if a group is under investigation for attempting to violate land division laws. It increases penalties for selling or leasing subdivided lands without obtaining a public report. This is a way to crack down a bit on wildcat subdivisions. SUPPORT
• HB2181 technical correction; game; fish; facilities (Cook) will have a S/E amendment on game and fish; taking wolves that forbids the Arizona Game and Fish Commission from prohibiting anyone from killing a wolf that is actively threatening or attacking a person, livestock or other domestic animal. The first of these is clear cut, although not necessary. People can kill wolves if they are threatened -- which almost never happens -- but allowing endangered wolves to be killed for taking livestock or other animals is not appropriate. OPPOSE

House Committee on Military Affairs & Public Safety at 2:00 PM

• HB2591 border security fund; administration (Grantham) is an emergency measure to authorize the Department of Emergency and Military Affairs to use up to $250,000 from the Border Security Fund to pay for additional full-time equivalent positions. This is more border militarization. OPPOSE

Tuesday, February 15th

House Committee on Natural Resources, Energy, & Water at 2:00 PM

• HB2128 rulemaking; exemption; limitation; corporation commission (Griffin: Carroll) subjects the Arizona Corporation Commission to the rulemaking process that is followed by agencies. This is an effort by the legislature to assert more control over the ACC. OPPOSE
• HB2560 appropriation; DWR; water efficiency projects (Dunn) appropriates $1 million to the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) to identify water efficiency projects that have significant potential for water savings and that also have legal impediments hindering implementation. SUPPORT
• HCR2038 supporting proper forest management (Griffin) contains revisionist history regarding the history of national forests. It fails to recognize the impacts of commercial logging on forest health -- most of the larger trees were logged in Arizona, leaving more opportunities for the dense growth of smaller trees -- fire suppression, and livestock grazing. There is no mention of climate change. It seeks to repeat the mistakes of the past that have contributed to unhealthy forests. OPPOSE

Senate Committee on Appropriations at 2:00 PM

• SB1032 border fence construction; appropriation (Rogers) appropriates $700,000,000 to the Border Security Fund for the construction and maintenance of a physical border fence. OPPOSE
• SB1718 appropriation; border security fund (Gowan) appropriates $1,140,800 and 14.5 full-time equivalent positions from the state General Fund to the Border Security Fund. OPPOSE

Wednesday, February 16th

House Committee on Judiciary at 8:00 a.m.

• HB2750 prisoners; forest restoration projects; expungement (Cano: Abraham, Andrade, et al.) allows prisoners who participated in forest restoration projects to petition for expungement of their record. SUPPORT

Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Energy, & Water at 2:00 PM

• SB1631 electric energy; public policy; reliability (Kerr: Fann, Gray, et al) eliminates the requirements for retail competition. The bill may have a negative impact on rooftop solar in SRP territory. OPPOSE
• SB1656 water and energy; improvement district (Pace: Shope, Abraham, et al) establishes a property assessed clean energy program for commercial property. This provides a mechanism for financing energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. SUPPORT

House Committee on Transportation at 2:00 PM

• HB2728 appropriations; ADOT; tier 2 studies (Wilmeth) appropriates funding for various freeway studies, including $25 million for I-11. OPPOSE

REQUEST TO SPEAK DIRECTIONS: Sign on to your Request to Speak account, click the blue Request to Speak button, click on New Request in the nav bar (left column), then simply cut and paste the bill number into Search Phrase (for example: SB1032). Push blue Add Request button, weigh in FOR or AGAINST, click No on Do you wish to speak? (in person), leave a short Comment, and click on SUBMIT. For another submission, click on the New Request link in the nav bar on the left and follow the directions above.

If you had an account with RTS previously, it is still active. If you do not have an account, go ahead and set one up, but someone will have to help you activate it as it requires going to the Capitol. Reach out to Civic Engagement Beyond Voting.

Don't let the AZ legislature bulldoze our voting rights and the ACC's environmental actions

It was a bad week for democracy at the Arizona Legislature as several committees and full House and Senate advanced bills to suppress votes (SB1593, HB2792, HB2793, HB2811), purge the Permanent Early Voting List (SB1485), and make ballot measures more difficult (SCR1024, HCR2001, HCR2016). They also moved forward with some bad energy and water bills.

The attacks on the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) and its clean energy rules inched forward with some amendments that fail to address the constitutional and public policy flaws. I know it gets a bit tiresome having to keep contacting your legislators about these bills, but I fear that if we let up, even a little bit, they will end up on the governor's desk.

HB2737 corporation commission actions; investigations (Parker: Barton, Biasiucci, et al.) was on the House Committee of the Whole (COW) calendar twice, but did not move after they adjourned early for legislators to attend a conservative gathering. This bill allows any legislator to challenge an action by the ACC (with a few limits in the amendment), sending it to the attorney general who could take it directly to the Arizona Supreme Court. A successful challenge would result in a hit to the ACC budget, affecting its ability to fulfill its responsibilities to regulate utilities and other entities.

HB2248 corporation commission; electric generation resources (Griffin) was amended in COW and now specifically preempts the ACC from directly or indirectly reducing carbon emissions and it establishes the current low renewable energy standard. It is still unconstitutional and still bad policy. Sadly, the House Speaker, Representative Bowers, is strongly supporting the bill. HB2248's twin in the Senate, SB1175 corporation commission; electric generation resources (Kerr: Gowan, Gray, et al.), passed out of the Senate Rules committee and awaits floor action. Senator Fann, President of the Senate, expressed support for it.

One other bill, SB1459 agency decisions; administrative reviews (Petersen), is also advancing to make the ACC subject to the same administrative process as agencies. That is inappropriate as it is a separate branch of government, not just another agency.

Please use this link to ask your legislators to oppose all four bills. Also consider a phone call to your legislators. You can find the legislators' numbers here.

Stop Attacks on Ballot Measures

Request to Speak Action: Stop AZ legislature from overturning the ACC’s renewable energy mandate

 Use Request to Speak to OPPOSE SB1175 and HB2248

Sign on to Request to speak: https://apps.azleg.gov/account/signon

Sign up for a Request to Speak account here: https://www.cebv.us/rts.html

In November, the Arizona Corporation Commission voted on a comprehensive set of new clean energy policies. If finalized, these rules will require Arizona utilities to deliver 100% carbon-free electricity by 2050 (with benchmarks along the way), invest in more energy efficiency and energy storage, and make utility planning processes more transparent. Our legislature, of course, sees this as a personal attack, so two bills are moving forward to ban the ACC from doing its job. (Called mirror legislation, which you may remember from the bill that became Prop 305, it involves two identical versions of a bill moving simultaneously in the House and Senate, in a process designed to fast-track legislation and limit public input.) And since our ACC was established in Article 15 of the Arizona Constitution, the bills may even be unconstitutional.

RTS to OPPOSE SB1175 and HB2248, you can make one or more of the following points in your comment:

• Clean energy is good for Arizona. It keeps electricity costs lower, consistent, predictable and reliable over the long term. Being a solar leader gives us more energy independence and control.
• This is not the Legislature's job. Managing energy policy is one of many reasons why the ACC exists and why Arizona voters elect their utility regulators.
• This silences voters. The ACC rules have gone through nearly two years of development and vetting, If we wanted this done, we would have said so.
• This would make our state an outlier. APS, TEP and SRP all have introduced plans to significantly reduce carbon emissions, as have neighboring states like New Mexico, Nevada and Colorado.

Scheduled for House Natural Resources, Energy and Water Committee, Tuesday at 2 p.m.

(Weigh in on Request to Speak before or while it is still in committee.)

HB2248, sponsored by Gail Griffin (R-14), would prohibit the Arizona Corporation Commission from regulating the types of electric generation used by public service corporations, retroactive to June 2020. In other words, the entity that is supposed to regulate power companies in Arizona would be left unable to require clean energy standards. This comes in the wake of landmark new rules the ACC passed in November which require state-regulated utilities to get 100% of their power from carbon-free sources by 2050. Newly elected commissioner Anna Tovar described the bill on Twitter as an unconstitutional overreach that would force the ACC to abdicate its power to the legislature. See mirror bill SB1175, also moving this week. Scheduled for House Natural Resources, Energy and Water Committee, Tuesday. OPPOSE.

Senate Natural Resources, Energy and Water Committee Wednesday at 9 a.m.

(Weigh in on Request to Speak before Wednesday or while it is still in committee.)

SB1175, sponsored by Sine Kerr (R-13), would prohibit the Arizona Corporation Commission from regulating the types of electric generation used by public service corporations, retroactive to June 2020. In other words, the entity that is supposed to regulate power companies in Arizona would be unable to require clean energy standards. This comes in the wake of landmark new rules the ACC passed in November which require state-regulated utilities to get 100% of their power from carbon-free sources by 2050. Newly elected commissioner Anna Tovar described the bill on Twitter as an unconstitutional overreach that would force the ACC to abdicate its power to the legislature. See mirror bill HB2248, also moving this week. Scheduled for Senate Natural Resources, Energy and Water Committee, Wednesday. OPPOSE.

Wanna do more? 

Then consider watching the committee hearings (House Tuesday at 2pm, Senate Wednesday at 9am). It's also not too late to testify remotely in the Senate. Here's how: RTS "no" on SB1175, click the "testify remotely" button, and email SenateNREW@azleg.gov by Tuesday at 9am for login instructions.

1. Use Request to Speak as usual; select "Yes - Remotely" under "Do you wish to speak?"
2. Send an email to the committee email address (listed here) at least 24 hours before committee hearing begins (not counting weekends and holidays)
3. You will receive an email with teleconference sign-in instructions.

Tell Arizona Corporation Commission we need more rooftop solar

Tell the Arizona Corporation Commission that we want rooftop solar to be more accessible in AZ

Solar United Neighbors has joined forces with Vote Solar and consumer and business groups, faith leaders, tribal communities, and health and conservation organizations to call for more rooftop solar in our state.

This powerful coalition is urging the Arizona Corporation Commission to adopt a clean energy plan that ensures that 10% of the state’s electricity comes from local distributed resources like rooftop solar, and other customer-driven energy options by 2030. The plan also sets a statewide renewable energy goal of 50% by 2030, moving toward 100% clean energy by 2045.

Now is the time for Arizona solar advocates, like you, to tell the ACC commissioners that powering our households and businesses with homegrown, clean energy lowers and stabilizes electricity costs while boosting our economy with clean energy jobs across the state.

Please make your voice heard by signing this petition, please forward this message to your friends and neighbors. 

Sign the petition (below) by clicking here. 

https://www.solarunitedneighbors.org/arizona/take-action-in-arizona/add-your-voice-arizona-needs-more-rooftop-solar/

Dear Commissioners,

I’m an Arizona energy customer, and I support clean energy progress and solar rights in our state.In Docket RU-00000A-18-0284, I urge you to make a bold commitment to renewable energy and expand consumer clean energy options by:

• Setting a binding 50% by 2030 renewable energy standard and 100% by 2045 clean standard.
• Ensuring that 10% of electricity comes from local distributed resources like rooftop solar, and other customer-driven energy options by 2030.
• Ensuring cumulative energy efficiency savings of 35% by 2030.
• Establishing more comprehensive and transparent energy planning process in which the ACC would review a utility’s Integrated Resource Plan and provide opportunities for public and stakeholder input.

Stakeholder Workshop on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Standards

Support a Renewable Energy Standard of 50 percent renewables by 2030, an Energy Efficiency Standard of 35 percent by 2030, and a just transition from fossil fuels to clean energy and an investment in communities that disparately affected by coal and gas retirements.

Renewable energy is a key component of Arizona’s energy future and offers a great opportunity for our state to develop a stronger and more sustainable economy. In addition to the enormous environmental benefits it affords – clean air, clean water, reduced carbon emissions, and low water use – it is also increasingly economical. According to data compiled and analyzed by Lazard, the cost of solar photovoltaic fell 88 percent from 2009-2018[i] and the cost of wind fell 69 percent.

Energy Efficiency continues to be the most cost-effective and cleanest thing we can do. Investing in energy savings also is good for consumers.

Please attend one or both days of these workshops. Your presence will help demonstrate support for truly clean energy. You can also speak up and comment, if you are willing, but just being there is important. Thank you!

Tue, Mar 10, 2020 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
1300 W Washington St, Phoenix, AZ 85007, USA

Arizona Corporation Commission Workshop on renewable energy, energy efficiency, just transition, and resource planning. It will start at 10:00 A.M. There will also be a news conference at 9:00 A.M. in the Rose Garden at the Capitol, after which we will head over to the workshop. Please come if you can. Here is a link to RSVP and also a link to the Facebook event.

Organized By: Grand Canyon Chapter

Tell Gov. Ducey & Your State Reps: No Monopolies for Utilities

Ask Gov. Ducey To Veto Power Grab By Monopoly Utilities!

HB2686 building permits; utilities; restrictions; prohibitions (Bowers) is being promoted by Southwest Gas to prohibit action by local government to limit extension of gas lines in areas for new construction and limit gas hookups in new construction. The bill is now on the Governor's desk.

We need strong local democracy that is responsive to protecting citizens. HB2686 restricts the ability of local governments to best meet the needs of their residents. The one size fits all approach proposed by HB2686 limits cities’ and counties’ ability to pursue policies that protect our health and put financial resources back in the hands of local families and businesses.

Building codes that emphasize energy efficiency and appliance standards have consistently saved individuals and families money. The Rocky Mountain Institute found that the upfront costs for new fully electric buildings are as much as 30 percent cheaper than a combination of electricity and natural gas, even in cold climates, such as northern Arizona.

Please support local communities in protecting the health of their residents and ask Governor Ducey to veto HB268

Find Sierra Club Action here. 

MORE INFO:
http://arizonadailystar.az.newsmemory.com/?publink=1c83aa47e

Our voices, Our vote for the Arizona Corporation Commission!

Some Arizona Legislators think that the people of Arizona should no longer be able to elect candidates to the Arizona Corporation Commission, the entity that regulates monopoly utilities. They want us to instead agree to allow the Governor to appoint those positions. Please contact your House members today and ask them to vote NO on HCR2041

Click here to find your district

Use that district to find your House Reps.

MORE INFO:

An appointed Corporation Commission would be more corruptible than an elected one

Weigh in @State Legislature's online Request to Speak System. 

At 11:30 AM Tuesday, February 25th, the Senate Committee on Appropriations at  will consider a strike everything on a energy, consumer protection.

SCR1010 bond elections; technical correction (Gowan) will have a strike-everything added on energy; consumer protection. The striker would refer to the ballot a constitutional amendment to limit cost recovery for renewable energy and electric vehicle charging stations. Clearly the Arizona Legislature is interested in getting in the way of progress on clean renewable energy, including that generated on your rooftop. OPPOSE.

If you are signed up for the Request to Speak, login in here. 

If not, find the directions for signing up and navigating the system here.  

There will be future opportunities to weigh in on bills while they are in committee. Check back on Desktop Activist Tucson for more Request to Speak Actions. 

Request to Speak Action: Bad Water Bills, the ACC and others

The State Legislature is now in session. You can weigh in on bills that are currently being heard in committee through the Request to Speak system on their website.  

If you are not signed up for Request to Speak, here are two ways to do that.

1) Go to  https://bit.ly/2P3CEtM and fill out the form with your e-mail address and legislative district. The Civic Engagement rep will sign you up and then e-mail a login pin number that you can use to create a password. Do that right away before it expires. 

(You can find your legislative district by putting your zip code in the district locator. )

2) To do it yourself... go to Request to Speak to set up an account, just select "Create An Account" and fill out the information. Then you will need to go to the Tucson legislative offices at 400 W. Congress, Suite 201 to finish activating it. 

Here is a YouTube video on how to set up an account as well. 

Once you are signed up, you can support a bill with a thumbs up or oppose it with a thumbs down. You can also leave a short (one or two sentence) explanation. The Committee members actually review the Request to Speak submissions before making their final decisions. If they are on the fence, your input might help influence them.

Here are my directions on how to navigate the system. Once you've done it a couple times, it's super easy. You just need the Committee the date and time, and the bill number. After clicking on New Request, just cut and paste the bill number on the line provided. 

NOTE: You must submit your comment before the bill is heard in committee or while it is still being heard in committee. Once that meeting is over, it is too late. For example, before it comes to a vote at 2 o'clock. 

Here are some bills being heard in committee this week and the
Sierra Club's recommendations on how to weigh in.

Tuesday, February 18th

House Committee on Natural Resources, Energy, & Water at 2:00 PM 

HB2787 water; augmentation authority; special districts requires a county water augmentation authority to charge a voluntary assessment on certain lands within its active management area and allows county improvement districts to undertake water supply development. This seems like another recipe for unsustainable development. OPPOSE.

HB2818 adjudication; subflow wells; claim; priority codifies pumping surface water and attempts to give people a surface water right to water they have been pumping. OPPOSE.

HB2880 assured water supply; availability; plats limits what the Arizona Department of Water Resources can consider in determining whether water is physically available for purposes of determination of an assured water supply in the Pinal Active Management Area. This is more unsustainable water policy. OPPOSE.

Senate Committee on Transportation and Public Safety at 9:30 A.M. 

SB1369 vehicle fuels; infrastructure; legislative authority limits the Arizona Corporation Commission's ability to regulate electricity as a motor vehicle fuel. This appears to be a bill from the Western States Petroleum Association. OPPOSE.

House Committee on Commerce at 2:00 P.M. 

HB2841 municipal zoning; housing overlay would open up massive amounts of land for development and take away more local control while purporting to address affordable housing. It does not. OPPOSE. 

Wednesday, February 19th

Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy at 2:00 P.M. 

SB1666 endangered species conservation; confidential information makes any data collected about endangered species by a state agency from a private property owner confidential and limits its disclosure to the public. This would include information that is part of a survey, other research, or as part of a conservation plan. If information is collected by the state for the public using public dollars, then the public should have access to that information. OPPOSE.

House Committee on Appropriations when floor adjourns 

HB2551 appropriation; state parks; heritage fund appropriates $10 million from the general fund for the Arizona State Parks Heritage Fund. SUPPORT.

Thursday, February 20th

House Committee on Government at 8:30 A.M. 

HCR2041 corporation commission; appointment; members  would refer to the ballot a measure to have corporation commissioners appointed instead of elected. This would not give us better, more accountable commissioners. We would be giving up one of our rights in the Arizona Constitition. OPPOSE.

Tell TEP and ACC: Protect Tucson's Future -- We Need Clean Energy Now!

Take Action - Tucson could be a clean energy leader and bring customers affordable, clean power. But right now, Tucson Electric Power (TEP) wants to increase energy costs to prop up dirty fossil fuel plants!

If you haven't already, please, send a letter to the ACC as soon as possible. The public hearings concluded yesterday, but there is still time to submit written comments until February 14.

WHY THIS MATTERS

TEP is asking the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) for permission to increase energy costs on its customers to prop up expensive and harmful gas and coal plants.

TEP's residential customers, including low-income folks, on average, would have to pay over $90 per year more for energy that harms our communities and pollutes our environment. And despite advertising itself as a "green" company, TEP gets over 80% of its power from fossil fuels.

Instead of charging customers more to prop up its dirty, expensive coal and gas plants, TEP should be helping communities transition to clean energy, including Arizona’s potential for a rich solar economy.

We must stop all investments in coal and gas and provide clean, affordable, and local energy to Tucson. The quality of our air and the sustainability of our climate depend on it. Arizona officials must take action to keep Tucson’s electric bills low and clean up our air, including in communities where coal and gas plants are sited.

Take action below -- send a message to Arizona Corporation Commission asking them to protect TEP ratepayers, such as yourself, from fossil fuel pollution and unnecessarily high electricity prices!

Here is the direct link to the public comment form on the ACC website:

https://eservice.azcc.gov/Utilities/PublicComment

There is a place to put the docket number - TEP's rate case docket number is E-01933A-19-0028

Written public comments may be submitted by mailing a letter referencing Docket No. E-01933A-l9-0028 to Arizona Corporation Commission, Consumer Services Section, 1200 West Washington Street, Phoenix, AZ 85007, or by submitting comments on the Commission's website (www.azcc.gov) using "Cases and Open Meetings" and "Make a Public Comment in a Docket." If you require assistance, you may contact the Consumer Services Section at 602-542-4251 or 1-800-222-7000.

All documents related to this item can be found in the Corporation Commission’s online docket at https://edocket.azcc.gov and entering docket number E-01933A-19-0028.

###

About the ACC:

The Arizona Corporation Commission was established by the state’s constitution to regulate public utilities and business incorporation. The Corporation Commission is Arizona’s co-equal, fourth branch of government. The five Commissioners elected to the Corporation Commission oversee executive, legislative, and judicial proceedings on behalf of Arizonans when it comes to their water, electricity, telephone, and natural gas resources as well as the regulation of securities, pipeline, and railroad safety. To learn more about the Arizona Corporation Commission and its Commissioners, visit http://azcc.gov.

Ask ACC to increase the current renewable energy standard and energy efficiency standard

Right now, there is a proposal on the table to increase Arizona's renewable energy standard to 50% by 2028. Unfortunately, some Arizona officials are pushing for a goal, rather than a strong standard, which would mean less accountability for polluting utilities like APS and TEP!

We need the Arizona Corporate Commission (ACC) to hold the utilities accountable and to look out for the interests of Arizona ratepayers by requiring an increase in both renewable energy and energy efficiency. These increases are more than achievable in one of America's sunniest states with record low solar prices and with energy efficiency being the cheapest, cleanest energy resource.

Take action by sending a comment to the ACC and call them out on social media!

We need your help in asking the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) to increase the current renewable energy standard and energy efficiency standard and to actually require that utilities meet them. While the ACC discussed this, it has not yet sent a clear message on what direction it will take.

If you haven't already, please take a moment to send a message to the ACC in support of requiring 50% clean renewable energy in Arizona by 2028! The current standard of 15% electricity from renewable sources by 2025 is far too low and well below our neighboring states. We also are supporting an increase of the energy efficiency standard to 35% by 2030, an increase of 15% above the current 20% by 2020 standard.

Arizona officials could bring more clean energy to our state, but only if we're louder than polluters! Watch the video to see why clean energy is important for Arizona and then take action!

WHY THIS MATTERS

South Tucson disproportionately suffers the consequences of fossil fuel pollution as it is home to all of the dirty industries in that city, including the refurbished gas-fired H. Wilson Sundt Generating Station, which used to burn coal, plus a Superfund site. As a consequence, its Latino community, especially the young, is plagued by pollution-related illnesses, such as asthma and other respiratory issues. Transitioning to clean energy is vital for this area.

Clean Energy Changemakers: Tucson video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfPfa6TsoYE

Video en español --> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BueJxqItmls

Learn more at http://www.beyondcoal.org

Ask Arizona Corporation Commission to increase current renewable energy standard & energy efficiency standards

Ask the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) to increase the current renewable energy standard and energy efficiency standards and to actually require that utilities meet them.

If you haven't already, please take a moment to send a message to the ACC in support of requiring 50% clean renewable energy in Arizona by 2028! The current standard of 15% electricity from renewable sources by 2025 is far too low and well below our neighboring states. We also are supporting an increase of the energy efficiency standard to 35% by 2030, an increase of 15% about the current 20% by 2020 standard.

https://addup.sierraclub.org/campaigns/lets-bring-more-clean-energy-to-arizona?promoid=7010Z000001aMrEQAU&ddi=719ESAFB13&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=beyondcoal

For more information on this and how you can help, contact Sandy Bahr at (602) 253-8633 or sandy.bahr@sierraclub.org.

The Sierra Club Energy Program is going to be making a presence at an important upcoming ACC Staff meeting at the Arizona Corporation Commission this Wednesday, where they'll be deciding on whether our Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Standards will be "goals" or real standards, and what that standard (we hope) will be. This will be affecting the rules they are setting now, which will govern Tucson Electric Power's ongoing Rate Case.

We are looking to have a few Tucson people come to Phoenix with us for the meeting, if available, that afternoon, in solidarity with Tucson's clean energy interests. I will be personally be driving up a carpool and I do have a couple more seats open. We will be leaving around 11:30am and returning by 8pm, though hopefully sooner, depending on the proceedings of the ACC open meeting just prior.
Please get in touch with me if you're interested, by office or cell number, listed below.

- Catalina Ross, Energy Coordinator
Sierra Club || Grand Canyon Chapter
Office: 520.867.8683
Cell: 520.312.2849

More reasons for transitioning to clean energy:

It's a social justice issue...

South Tucson disproportionately suffers the consequences of fossil fuel pollution as it is home to all of the dirty industries in that city, including the refurbished gas-fired H. Wilson Sundt Generating Station, which used to burn coal, plus a Superfund site. As a consequence, its Latino community, especially the young, is plagued by pollution-related illnesses, such as asthma and other respiratory issues. Transitioning to clean energy is vital for this area.

Clean Energy Changemakers: Tucson video:

https://youtu.be/mfPfa6TsoYE

Learn more at http://www.beyondcoal.org

Nominate the "Godfather of Solar" Bill Mundell for the ACC

I don't have to tell you that there is an important election coming up in 2020. But there is one race that is often overlooked on the ballot - the corporation commissioners. The Arizona Corporation Commission wields great power in Arizona. The ACC functions as the fourth branch of Arizona state government. Commissioners make important decisions that affect Arizona residents - like regulating the utility companies. If you are an environmental advocate, you might want to pay special attention to the next election for the ACC. Their decisions influence how fast Arizona moves to clean energy.

It is important to do your homework and make sure that the ACC candidates you select represent you.  This is especially vital because recent ACC members have been prosecuted for accepting dark money from the Arizona Public Service Electric Company (APS) to influence their vote.

Remember APS? APS spent 38 million dollars of their customers' money to affect the outcome of Prop 127. Former commissioner Kristin Mayes suggested that we make it illegal for utility companies to spend money to influence elections. That is something we really should work on.  Meanwhile, let's support candidates who won't be accepting dark money from them.

Consider signing Bill Mundell's nomination petition for the AZ Corporation Commission. He is running again and is very pro-solar. 

Bill Mundell served in the Arizona House of Representatives for six years and was Chairman of the Environment Committee for four of those years. As Chairman, he sponsored numerous pieces of legislation protecting Arizona’s environment, including the state’s first recycling law, a law preventing Arizona from becoming the nation’s dumping ground for hazardous waste and a law protecting the Phoenix Mountain Preserves.

He also sponsored legislation protecting victims of domestic violence and legislation that increased the penalties for crimes against children. He served as a Commissioner on the Arizona Corporation Commission for nine years (1999 to 2009) and was also Chairman. In 2001, when he was Chairman, Arizona was one of the first states to enact a rule that required its utilities generate a percentage of their electricity from renewable sources, such as solar and wind.

Read current Commissioner Sandra Kennedy's note below for more about him and sign the nomination petition on line. Please also share this with others.

"I have dubbed Bill Mundell the “Godfather of Solar.” He was the co-author of the Renewable Energy Standard we now have that requires regulated utilities to have 15% of their electrical energy generated by solar and renewables by 2025. Bill wants to support my proposal to raise the standard to 50% by 2028, and to make it 100% by 2050. Solar energy with battery storage is cheaper than coal or natural gas, so this is a very logical choice.

I have signed Bill’s on-line nominating petition, and now I am asking that you also go on-line and nominate him.

Please go to https://apps.azsos.gov/equal/ and nominate Bill Mundell.

There are three seats open in the 2020 election, and I want three Democrats elected for these seats. But I want Bill Mundell to be taking office with two other Democrats and joining me at the Corporation Commission in January 2021. 

- Sandra Kennedy