Democrats have slight lead in race for 3 seats on Arizona Corporation Commission
Arizona #Arizona
Democrats are ahead in the first returns of the six-way race for three seats on the Arizona Corporation Commission, which sets rates and policies for utilities in the state, including how much renewable energy they are required to use.
Early ballots counted and posted Tuesday in Arizona are thought to skew toward registered Democrats, with more Republicans showing up in person Tuesday to vote. While Democrats led, the margin between them and the Republicans was small.
If Democrats take the majority on the commission, which would represent a massive change for the body, they could amend policies such as how customers with rooftop solar are credited for their surplus electricity, or increase the amount of renewable energy electric companies must procure.
The commission consists of five elected officials who set rates and policies for electric, gas and water utilities. They also oversee railroad crossings, pipeline safety and securities.
Much of their time is spent on major utility rate requests for companies such as Arizona Public Service Co. and Tucson Electric Power Co., but they also grapple with policies such as the state’s renewable-energy rules and whether customers should be allowed to choose between electricity providers.
SEE THE WINNERS:Arizona election results
Democrats on the ballot this year favor increasing renewable-energy requirements on utilities, while the Republicans generally oppose such mandates, except for one currently on the commission who supports more carbon-free power sources of both renewables and nuclear.
Arizonans currently have no choice in who provides their electric service. It is determined by their address and which utility serves that territory. But the commission is reviewing a change that could allow competitive electricity providers to offer services to Arizonans, and the newly elected commissioners likely will make a decision on that issue of electric retail competition.
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Three seats on the commission are on the ballot this year and voters may cast three votes, but with two sitting commissioners not on the ballot, two new members are guaranteed, and three could be new if the one sitting commissioner on the ballot doesn’t win.
The other seats on the commission will be on the 2022 ballot.
The current makeup of the commission is four Republicans and one Democrat.
The current chairman, Republican Robert Burns, is termed out. Republican Boyd Dunn failed to qualify for the ballot during the pandemic, leaving open his seat after serving one term.
The candidates on the ballot are:
Commissioners serve four-year terms and earn about $80,000 annually, and can hire policy advisers and assistants to help them wade through the dozens of cases they review each month.
Reach reporter Ryan Randazzo at ryan.randazzo@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-4331. Follow him on Twitter @UtilityReporter.
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