In Arizona, a state blessed with abundant sunshine, the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) holds a crucial role in shaping the future of solar energy. This independent regulatory body influences policies that directly impact how solar energy is adopted, integrated, and managed across the state. 

As voters prepare to cast their ballots, understanding the ACC’s significance and the importance of electing pro-solar candidates is absolutely essential for both solar customers and the general public, especially when considering the down-ballot position of this race.

The ACC is responsible for regulating utilities, overseeing corporate practices, and ensuring consumer protection. Among its many duties, the ACC plays a pivotal role in determining policies related to energy, including solar power. In addition, the ACC approves long-term resource plans provided by the utilities, including the balance of how many of those resources are distributed on residential or commercial properties versus sited upstream of transmission lines. This is a critical function when considering the future of our grid given substantial load growth projections across the state and the need for an “all of the above” approach to reliability.

What Does a Pro-Solar Candidate Look Like?

Promoting solar adoption: Electing pro-solar candidates ensures that the ACC supports policies conducive to a more modern and sustainable grid. These candidates advocate for distributed solar and energy storage as an important tool in Arizona’s toolbox to complement continued utility-scale investment in the same technology as the lowest-cost resource. As a result, more Arizona communities are likely to invest in solar technology, and will benefit from cleaner, renewable energy.

Protecting consumer interests: Commissioners are constitutionally dedicated to protecting the interests of ratepayers. Regulated monopoly utility companies are enshrined with a similar responsibility. It is important as a ratepayer and a voter to look into the true cost of energy infrastructure and operations. Generally, solar with energy storage remains cheaper than fossil fuels even without environmental considerations. 

Enhancing energy independence: Investing in local solar energy infrastructure reduces reliance on imported energy resources. By supporting pro-solar policies in Arizona, the ACC can accelerate our path to energy independence, which is crucial for a stable and secure economy. Pro-solar candidates promote policies that enhance local energy production and contribute to a more resilient energy infrastructure.

Addressing environmental impact: Arizona has a significant opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through solar investment. Pro-solar candidates prioritize environmental sustainability and support policies that align with climate goals. Their efforts help to mitigate environmental impacts and promote a healthier, cleaner state.

Boosting the economy: The solar industry creates jobs, stimulates economic growth and drives technological innovation. As larger companies relocate to Arizona, they will prioritize sustainability factors due to evolving state, national, and global regulations that require mandatory disclosures, and because investors are increasingly focused on these factors. A diversified grid that includes renewable energy is instrumental in company decisions to establish offices in Arizona. 
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In conclusion, the Arizona Corporation Commission is the key player in shaping the state’s solar energy landscape. Voting for pro-solar candidates is essential for advancing solar adoption, protecting consumer interests, promoting energy independence, addressing environmental concerns, and boosting the economy. Be sure to vote for 3! The ACC race is below national and legislative candidates, but before judges and ballot propositions.

The Hidden Power of the Arizona Corporation Commission: Why Your Vote Matters

There are a lot of really important issues on your ballot this fall. But it is not just the presidential candidates and the ballot propositions that you need to pay attention to. The Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) also has three out of its five members up for a vote in November. The ACC is the body that regulates water, gas, and electric utilities in Arizona. A five-member body sets the rates you pay to your monopoly utility every month. They are also in charge of energy policy in Arizona, meaning they decide if we keep using fossil fuels or transition to clean energy.

If you get electricity from Arizona Public Service (APS), Tucson Electric Power (TEP), Unisource, or a rural cooperative, the ACC impacts you. If you get gas from Southwest Gas, the ACC matters to you. If you get water from Global Water, EPCOR, Liberty, or any of these hundreds of companies, the ACC impacts you. If you have or ever hope to have solar panels, an electric vehicle, or an energy-efficient home, the ACC impacts you. If you are concerned about Arizona’s air quality or whether or not we will run out of water, the ACC impacts you.

Just since the last election, the ACC has made important decisions on rates for TEP, APS, Unisource, and Southwest Gas. They voted to prevent community solar from developing in Arizona. They have increased fixed fees on solar customers and decreased the value of the solar those same customers sell back to the grid. They have curtailed several energy efficiency programs. They have also voted to repeal renewable energy and energy efficiency requirements. Solar and energy efficiency are the only ways customers can meaningfully reduce their electric bills. Renewable energy uses less water than fossil fuels and does not contribute to air pollution.

Candidates for the ACC run statewide, meaning there are no districts, so all voters will have the same choices. You will find this race after other statewide and legislative candidates, but before judges and ballot propositions. You should vote for three, not just one, like a lot of other races. A lot of people that fill out a ballot just skip this race. That is because a lot of people do not know what the ACC is, think it only has to do with “corporations,” and do not realize that three people (because simple majority rules) decide nearly everything about electric, water, and gas utilities in the State. 57,000 votes was the difference between winning this election in 2022 and losing. That means your vote matters. And nearly 100,000 people who voted in the 2022 gubernatorial race did not vote in the ACC race.

Six candidates are running for three seats. All of these candidates have websites and social media. In alphabetical order, they are: Ylenia Aguilar (D) (website and social), Jonathon Hill (D) (website and social), Rene Lopez (R) (website and social), Lea Marquez Peterson (R) (website and social), Joshua Polacheck (D) (website and social), and Rachel Walden (R) (website and social). Only Marquez Peterson is an incumbent.

Ballots are mailed out on October 9th. You can request a mail-in ballot until October 25th. You need to mail back your ballot by October 29th. The last day to vote in-person, early is November 1st. Election day is November 5th and polls are open 6am-7pm. Get all of your voting info at the Secretary of State’s website. The ballot is going to be long this year, but take your time and complete all of it. Research the candidates. If you are voting from home, you have a lot of time to review the voter guides, candidate websites, and candidate social media accounts. If you are voting in person, plan ahead. The ACC race impacts you.

Autumn Johnson is the Executive Director of the Arizona Solar Energy Industries Association.
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