ACC passes new 15% renewable energy standard

PHOENIX -- After nearly three years of consideration and hearings, the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) today passed a final rule establishing a new Renewable Energy Standard and Tariff (REST) that sets the goal and sets up a funding mechanism for 15% of a utility's power resources to come from renewable sources by the year 2025. The current goal was just over 1 % by 2007.

Some members tried to pass amendments that would have weakened the rule and/or sent it back to the Attorney General's office for yet another review. In the end, the proponents of reason prevailed and the measure passed by a vote of four in favor and one against.

Please send a quick thank you to these 4 commissioners for supporting renewable energy.

Chairman Jeff Hatch-Miller hatch-web@cc.state.az.us

Commissioner Kris Mayes mayes-web@cc.state.az.us

Commissioner Bill Mundell mundell-web@cc.state.az.us

Commissioner Barry Wong Wong-web@azcc.gov

Update from Sierra Club.