The Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) voted to initiate the formal steps needed to withdraw Arizona Standard and rate of renewable energy (rest). This still marks a setback for the progress of the state in investments in clean energy.
The rest rules were adopted in 2006 by a majority of the Republican Commission and require utilities that at least 15% of their electricity will come from renewable energy sources by 2025. This requirement was the key to the progress from Arizona to a clean and modernized grid. Today’s vote (5-0) To initiate the withdrawal of the residual rules, endangers the continuous progress of the state. Arizonans have the option of submitting comments to the committee before November 14.
“In 2006, the ACC had the foresighting look to acknowledge the value of promoting investments in the most abundant source of Arizona, Sunshine, Sunshine, and to set a goal to achieve 15% renewable energy by 2025.” Today, Zonne Energy has become the cheapest source of power. The rest -standard withdrawal would deter continuous investments in solar energy and have a negative influence on many Ratepayers who already have difficulty managing rising utility accounts. “
The rest has been crucial for increasing investments and vacancies in the state. Since 2006, the rest has led to an estimated $ 2 billion in benefits for consumers of Arizona Public Service (APS) and Tuscon Electric Power (TEP), while climate pollution is also reduced. Early investments in solar energy have paid off: Arizona is now in 4th place in the country for total solar capacity. About 1 in 5 Arizonans uses sun on the roof to lower their electricity bill, and the solar industry offers More than 9,700 jobs And last year alone invested $ 2.6 billion in the state. In contrast to coal and methane gas installations, renewable energy technologies and investments such as wind and sun do not require water for cooling, which saves the state considerably water. Less than a third of fossil fuel plants report their water consumption, but those who use enough water to meet the needs of 28% of the houses of Arizona.
The utilities of Arizona expect that energy consumption will increase by no less than 70% over the next 15 years, and solar energy is currently the least expensive form of electricity. However, new restrictions on federal tax credits and persistent inflation make building sustainable energy projects more difficult. A Recent Study Predicts that the federal phaser of the tax credit ensures that Arizona’s electricity prices will rise by 15% to 20% by 2029. All extra obstacles for investments in clean energy will only aggravate the impact on the consumer.
“It is naive to think that withdrawing the rest will not have direct consequences for families in Arizona. The actions of the ACC steer the message that Arizona is closed for business when it comes to renewable energy,” said the regional director of STEM Solar for the interior West, Itzel Rios-Vega. “We are urging the committee not to give its responsibility to guide Arizona’s energy cloth. This is the time to expand opportunities for families and companies to increase affordable solar solutions.”
News item from STEM SOLAR
