Arizona Corporation Commission Candidates Clash Over Electricity Rate Hikes in Heated Debate

(The Center Square) – Six candidates are competing for three seats on the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) and faced off in a televised debate on Tuesday night. The Citizens Clean Elections Commission moderated the event, drawing attention to several critical issues affecting Arizonans.

Energy price increases took center stage during the debate. This summer was notably hot in Arizona, leading to significant spikes in energy bills, reportedly rising by as much as $100 for some households. A study by Texas Electricity Ratings highlighted Arizona as one of the states expecting the highest energy costs in 2024, estimating an average of $2,190.60 per household.

Democratic candidates criticized the current Republican-led ACC for failing to ensure fair energy prices as mandated by the Arizona constitution. In 2023, the ACC approved numerous rate hikes, which Republican incumbent Lea Marquez Petersen defended as necessary. These hikes included a 9.31% revenue increase for Southwest Gas and a staggering 153% rise in APS fuel reimbursements.

Republican candidate Rachel Walden echoed this sentiment, stating that inflation has impacted utilities significantly. “Now it’s time to pay the bill,” she asserted.

Conversely, Democratic candidate Joshua Polacheck argued against rising utility profits during a time of escalating consumer costs. “We should not be seeing record profits with our utilities while we’re seeing record prices every month with our electricity and gas bills,” he stated, emphasizing the need for accountability.

Jonathan Hill, an engineer with experience on NASA missions, pointed out the burdens faced by rural communities. “Rural co-ops have seen increases of 30, 40, 60%. It is really difficult for these isolated communities to absorb these huge increases,” he highlighted.

The Democratic candidates also advocated for a shift toward renewable energy, claiming it could alleviate some cost burdens. Polacheck noted, “Right now, it is cheaper to be building clean energy in our state,” suggesting that existing incentives do not favor the transition to sustainable resources.

Walden refuted this, citing lower costs associated with traditional sources. “The average price for solar is eight cents a kilowatt, Palo Verde generates energy for three cents a kilowatt,” she countered.

In response to public concerns, Polacheck insisted that residents are opposed to new oil and gas plants in their communities. He referenced complaints in Mohave County regarding the recent approval of new energy turbines near Kingman, emphasizing the lack of rigorous environmental assessments.

Republican candidate Rene Lopez acknowledged Mohave County’s past decisions, noting that they had also placed a moratorium on solar projects due to budgetary constraints. “They got inundated with them,” he remarked about the community’s mixed feelings toward energy development.

Joining the race is Democrat Ylenia Aguilar, rounding out the pool of candidates vying for voter support in the upcoming election.