OCT. 4 NEWS: ARIZONA CORPORATION COMMISSION UPDATES

Arizona Corporation Commission elections:

• As you may remember, two-of-five Arizona Corporation Commission seats will be on the ballot in November’s General Election – the seats currently held by Chairman Tom Forese (R) and Commissioner Justin Olson (R).
• Arizona’s primary election was held on Aug. 28th and four candidates are advancing: Rodney Glassman (R), Sandra Kennedy (D); Justin Olson (R), and Kiana Sears (D).
• These candidates have recently faced off in several debates, including on PBS Horizon, see the video here (scroll down to the video on Thurs., Sept. 20).

Post-hearing Briefs filed in Arizona Public Service Company’s (APS) Four Corners Rate Case. Decision expected by the end-of-the-year:

• As you may remember, earlier this year APS filed an application to increase rates to recover ~$400 million for the cost of new pollution controls installed at the Four Corners Power Plant in Farmington, New Mexico. That application was filed in Docket No. E-01345A-16-0036 and hearings concluded this month.
• On the table are several issues including: the total amount of the revenue increase; the fair value rate of return (FVROR); whether on not the depreciation of the plant’s pollution control equipment should be accelerated to align with the expiration of the plant’s current coal contract (which expires in 2031); whether or not limited-income customers should be held harmless from the proposed rate increase; and whether or not APS should begin planning for a just transition of the plant — among other issues.
• Post hearing briefs were filed by rate case intervenors last Friday and can be round here:
  • Arizona Community Action Association’s Brief
  • Arizona Energy Policy Group Brief
  • Arizona Public Service Company Brief
  • Commissioner Staff Brief
  • Freeport McMoRan/Arizonans for Electric Choice and Competition Brief
  • San Juan Citizens Alliance, To Nizhoni Ani, and Dine CARE (Citizen Groups) Brief
  • Wal-mart’s Brief
  • Western Resource Advocates Brief
• Under the APS rate case settlement agreement approved by the Commission in August 2017; rates to address the cost of the Four Corners’ pollution controls must be adjusted no later than January 1, 2019. As a result, a Recommended Opinion and Order (or ROO) from the Administrative Law Judge is anticipated this fall; and a Commission decision is likely in November or December.

AriSEIA thanks Ellen Zuckerman from SWEEP for sharing her report!