by Kara Shah
A functioning democracy and informed citizens are the two basic requirements for environmental justice. If people don’t utilize their rights and voice their opinions, we are left with a corrupt and incompetent bunch in office. This leads to people losing access to clean water and clean air, especially people living in underserved communities. Arizona is no stranger to getting controversial approvals for plans that harm the environment, people, and biodiversity.
The Arizona Corporate Commission (ACC) is generally regarded as the fourth branch of government in Arizona. The members of this Commission are elected by the voters rather than being appointed by the governor as is done in most states. Commissioners are responsible for regulating public utility companies to meet their goals of providing safe, reliable, and affordable utility services to all. Interestingly, they don’t aim to provide clean energy, and the utilities more often than not end up being unaffordable, especially as they double down on expensive fossil fuel generation.
The ACC is infamous for its money-minded approach, a trait that they have showcased quite a lot recently. Earlier this year, the Commission voted to begin a rulemaking to eliminate the Renewable Energy Standard & Tariff (REST), which was introduced in 2006 aiming for utilities to achieve a skimpy 15% renewable energy by 2025. If the Commission eliminates these rules, along with the rules to help us conserve energy, the Commission will take a huge step backwards as both help save dollars and keep the state’s grid reliable as neither relies on imported energy.
The ACC indicated that the state had already achieved the target, so it should not be an issue, but this completely disregards the fact that households in our hot state desperately need investment in energy efficiency and that repealing renewable energy requirements sends a terrible message.
Since 1971, the ACC, through the Arizona Power Plant and Transmission Line Siting Committee, has had to evaluate the environmental impacts of power plants, and Arizonans have had the right to voice their opinions on them in public hearings. The ACC’s recent decision, however, will make it tougher for people to have a say on new methane gas-fired power plants. Earlier, to construct a gas plant, companies would have to obtain a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility (CEC). This
Since 1971, the ACC, through the Arizona Power Plant and Transmission Line Siting Committee, has had to evaluate the environmental impacts of power plants, and Arizonans have had the right to voice their opinions on them in public hearings. The ACC’s recent decision, however, will make it tougher for people to have a say on new methane gas-fired power plants. Earlier, to construct a gas plant, companies would have to obtain a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility (CEC). This summer, the ACC allowed a huge methane gas-fired plant with no CEC based on a new and harmful interpretation of the statutes. Until then, gas plants would have to give detailed environmental reports on their projects and the Committee and Commission would have to weigh the environmental impacts against the need for the power plant. If nearby communities were affected, they might be ordered to fund mitigation or even provide direct payments to homeowners. With the new ruling, companies can get away with high pollution and causing great harm to nearby neighborhoods without being held responsible.
The current ACC has continually disrespected the people of Arizona by opting for profit over people and failing to hold monopoly utilities accountable. It is important that people understand the significance of the ACC.
by Kara Shah