Arizona

Arizona’s major utilities plan to join Southwest Power Pool’s new Markets+, but in doing so, these utilities would be giving up more than half of their potential trading partners, raising concerns among state regulators. In an interview with KJZZ Phoenix, United’s Brian Turner described the move as a huge risk, stating that the utilities would have less visibility and less connectivity during extreme weather events and peak demand periods.

On our blog, United’s Michael Barrio outlines how United’s policy teams engaged both during Arizona’s legislative session and outside of session to protect the policy conditions that let Arizona keep attracting investment and building clean energy infrastructure reliably, affordably, and at the pace the state’s growing economy requires.

Arizona is at a critical moment as energy demand rises rapidly. In an op-ed for the Arizona Capitol Times, United’s Michael Barrio writes that the state legislature’s current policy decisions risk undermining energy reliability and affordability, calling for a more pragmatic, forward-looking approach focused on speeding up project development, expanding transmission capacity, and diversifying the energy resource mix.

The Arizona Republic reports that Arizona’s utility regulators voted to eliminate the state’s renewable energy standard in a 5-0 vote, removing the benchmark incentive to clean up and diversify energy production in the Grand Canyon State. United’s Brian Turner emphasized that the renewable energy standards would have made affordable, flexible energy resources more accessible to Arizonans and help ease the pressure of rising utility bills.

Utility Dive reports that Arizona regulators voted unanimously to begin the process of repealing the Renewable Energy Standard and Tariff (REST) rules, which required electric utilities to deliver 15% renewable energy by 2025. United’s Michael Barrio criticized the decision, warning that the repeal will scare off private investment and jeapordize Arizona’s multi-billion dollar advanced energy economy.

The Arizona Republic reports on the Arizona Corporation Commission’s vote to continue the process of repealing the Renewable Energy Standard & Tariff (REST) rule and the Energy Efficiency (EE) Standards. United’s Michael Barrio said that policies like the renewables standard will reduce costs from increased demand, support jobs, and keep the state’s economy ticking.

Arizona has long been known as a business-friendly state, but inconsistent energy policies and regulatory uncertainty are putting that reputation at risk. United’s Michael Barrio authored an opinion piece for the Arizona Capitol Time urging decisionmakers to restore investor confidence and secure long-term economic growth by advancing policies that support clean energy investment and keep Arizona competitive

The Arizona Republic reports on Arizona’s recent decline in rooftop solar installations over the past year, attributed to a combination of regulatory hurdles and financial barriers. United’s Michael Barrio spoke to Arizona’s potential as a leader in solar energy adoption, emphasizing the need for stable policies that support the solar industry’s growth across the state.

Arizona Capitol Times reports that the clean energy industry may face new challenges as republicans will fill all five seats on the Arizona Corporation Commission in 2025. However, many clean energy advocates, including United’s Michael Barrio, are looking forward to new opportunities to engage with the commission on the benefits of clean energy.

Due to significant federal funding for advanced energy initiatives, Arizona stands to be one of the biggest beneficiaries in the country. United’s Michael Barrio authored an opinion piece for the Daily Independent, praising the economic gains advanced energy has produced in Arizona and highlights the importance of continued growth in the advanced energy industry.

In 2023, advanced energy employment nationwide increased by 4%, more than double the growth rate of the overall U.S. labor market. Advanced energy jobs surged from 2022 to 2023, with 4.1 million U.S. workers now working in the sector. Some of these gains were driven by the early impact of tax credits from the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

United’s Michael Barrio reflects on the recent Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) candidate forum, which was co-hosted and organized by United. The event brought together member companies from the United West Working Group to engage in thoughtful discussions with the ACC candidates.