OCT. 18 NEWS: TRANSPORTATION AND ELECTRIC VEHICLES

Commissioner Boyd Dunn (R) Closes the Arizona Corporation Commission’s Electric Vehicle Docket, Quarterly Electric Vehicle Arizona (EVAZ) Meeting Still to Take Place at the Commission on Nov. 5th, Commission Electric Vehicle Workshop Still To-Be-Scheduled
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On October 1st, Commissioner Boyd Dunn (R) issued a letter requesting that the Commission’s new electric vehicle docket be closed so that matters on electric vehicles would be addressed in the new rule-making docket on the “Arizona Corporation Commission’s Energy Rules.” Commissioner Dunn’s directive followed a comprehensive, multi-part filing from Commissioner Andy Tobin (R) on electric vehicles (see here, here and here). The electric vehicle docket was officially closed on October 2nd.

As you may remember from prior updates (see updates from August 14th and August 29th), the docket on the “Arizona Corporation Commission’s Energy Rules” will address 14+ issues, including electric vehicles, and was created as a result of a Commission Staff Meeting vote that included discussion on next steps with Commissioner Andy Tobin’s Energy Modernization Plan. As a starting point, Commission Staff will hold stakeholder workshops to discuss the multiple topic areas identified for the rule-making.

Despite the electric vehicle docket being closed, we understand that a Commission workshop on electric vehicles will still be scheduled as part of the broader set of workshops that will be held as part of the “Arizona Corporation Commission’s Energy Rules” proceeding. However, a date for the Commission’s workshop on electric vehicles has not yet been announced.  

Additionally, the Quarterly Electric Vehicle Arizona (EVAZ) meeting scheduled for Monday, November 5th, will still be held at the Arizona Corporation Commission. See agenda here.

Phoenix City Council Casts Two Important Votes on the Phoenix Light Rail

On October 3rd, the Phoenix City Council voted to delay a 12-mile extension of the Phoenix light rail that would have connected downtown Phoenix and the Paradise Valley Mall by 2036. Monies from the delay will be used for street repairs. The delay may “kill” the project. Read more here.
Meanwhile, in late September, the Phoenix City Council voted 6-2 to move forward with a two-lane configuration to extend the light rail into South Phoenix. A group of some businesses and communities had previously mobilized in opposition to the extension raising concerns that a decrease in four-to-two lanes on Central Avenue would negatively impact business. Read more here. 

AriSEIA thanks Ellen Zuckerman from SWEEP for sharing her report!