Local Arizona Businesses Call on AZ Corporation Commission to Ensure State is on a Path to a Cleaner, Greener Future

Arizona -- Thirty local Arizona businesses from cities across the state are raising their voices in support of bold, progressive action from the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) in the Energy Modernization Docket. This docket includes everything from updating the renewable energy standard to supporting a just and equitable transition away from fossil fuels.

Arizona is among the states in the West with the lowest  renewable energy standards in place to support the inevitable transition away from coal and gas to solar, wind, and battery storage, as well as increased energy efficiency. By creating a pathway to a renewable energy future, the ACC can ensure the state receives the benefits of renewables, from new jobs and income to cleaner air and reduced water extraction. For instance, among the rules in consideration in this docket is the Renewable Energy Standard and Tariff, which was set in 2006, requiring that regulated electric utilities must generate 15 percent of their energy from renewable resources by 2025. Over the years, this standard has spurred nearly $2 billion in benefits for the public and utility customers and an updated, higher standard will provide more economic benefits to the state.

“Arizona businesses across the state are calling on the Arizona Corporation Commission to develop a path to a cleaner and more just and equitable future for themselves and their communities,” said Catalina Ross, Energy Program Coordinator at the Sierra Club’s Grand Canyon Chapter. “The ACC must ensure that the new standards and rules created through the Energy Modernization Docket are, in fact, modern and that can only mean one thing: strong actions to ensure Arizona utilities are equitably and fairly transitioning away from out-dated fossil fuels.”

You can view the letter with the six rules being advocated by Arizona businesses below, along with the full list of signatories.

“As an Arizona business owner I am in full support of the Joint Stakeholder Proposal urging the ACC to adopt new, updated clean, renewable energy standards. The ACC has a responsibility to hold utilities accountable. Setting mandatory standards, not voluntary goals will ensure goals are met on a timeline,” said Joanne Schlosser, President at Rising Stars LLC in Gilbert, Arizona. “It’s important to our health, and quality of life. Poor air quality days from carbon pollution trigger asthma and other respiratory issues. These issues cost Arizonans and Arizona businesses significant money for healthcare and missed work.”

"Our state has built the foundation for a bold commitment to 100% carbon free energy generation through successful adoption of both utility scale and distributed generation renewable power plants. It is important for the Arizona Corporation Commission to set a new 100% clean energy standard that will set Arizona up to remain economically competitive and to protect the environment for all of our citizens," said Kevin Koch, CEO of Technicians for Sustainability in Tucson, Arizona. 

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To the Arizona Corporation Commission:

As Arizona businesses, community leaders, and local organizations, we appreciate the conversation taking place at the Commission to modernize Arizona’s energy systems and power generation. The most important steps the Commission can take for Arizona’s energy future is to prioritize a just and equitable transition to clean energy, energy efficiency, and low-cost renewable energy generation that is essential to strengthening our economy, protecting ratepayers from expensive fossil fuels, and supporting coal-affected communities who have been burdened with the worst aspects of our over-reliance on fossil fuels. 

A well-planned transition that supports coal-affected communities, including Tribal nations that have been hit hard by COVID-19 and that helps our state move from gas and coal-fired power to renewable wind and solar resources, combined with energy efficiency upgrades and emerging storage technologies, promises economic, health, and grid resilience benefits for all Arizonans in the face of climate change. 

As part of the Energy Modernization Docket, Arizona community leaders and businesses ask the Commissioners to adopt a rule to include:

1. A Renewable Energy Standard that requires 50 percent renewable energy by 2030. 

2. A Clean Energy Standard that requires 100 percent carbon free energy by 2050.

3. A Distributed Renewable Energy Requirement (e.g. rooftop solar) of 10% by 2030. 

4. An Electric Energy Efficiency Resource Standard that requires 35% cumulative energy savings by 2030.

5. Essential improvements to the Commission’s Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) process that require greater accountability, transparency, and Commission review (including IRPs that are filed every three years and consider a 15-year outlook). 

6. A just and equitable transition for communities impacted by power plant closures that includes provisions as part of the IRP process and the Renewable Energy Standard that make resource and favorable siting, and procurement decisions of new renewable projects in those communities.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Signed,

Don Steuter, Owner of Air Engineering A/C and Heating

Hazel Chandler, Arizona Co-Chair of Elders Climate Action - Arizona

Beverly Janowitz-Price, Psychotherapist at Beverly Janowitz-Price, LPC

Stephanie A Vasquez, Owner of The Fair Trade Cafe

Donna DiFiore, Owner of Delectables Catering and Venue

Matthew Salenger, Managing Partner of coLAB studio, llc

Leslie Lange, Executive Director of Arizona Apparel Foundation

Sara Patterson, CoFounder of Locals Only LLC

Arlene Leaf, Owner of Tucson Thrift Shop

Shane Reiser, CEO of For the World

Michael Jacobs, Principal of Holly Street Studio, LLC

Duane Ediger, Owner of RafterEye LLC

Peter Dobrovolny, Chair, Board of Directors of Tucson 2030 District

Joanne Schlosser, President of Rising Stars, LLC

Damian Cox, CEO of Ecoblue

Kevin Koch, CEO of Technicians For Sustainability

Nichole Koch, Director of People at Technicians For Sustainability

David S. Komm, President of Augspurger Komm Engineering, Inc.

Christina Burgstaler, Owner of How Sweet It Was Vintage

Rachel King, Business Manager at Yoga Oasis, LLC

Barbara Eiswerth, Executive Director of Iskashitaa Refugee Network (IRN)

Carolyn O’Connor, Owner of Ceres

Mark Hayduke Grenard, of Mark's Bookmark Bookseller

Charles and Marleen Lyon, Lyons Rentals

Kari Ross, Microcosm Landscaping

Logan Byers, Owner of Green Cloud Landscapes LLC

Lauren Baker, Owner of Razorz Edge

Gregory Penniston D.C., Owner of Lifeline Chiropractic

Robert Bulechek, Consultant at Energy Management