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Phoenix, Ariz. — The Arizona Corporation Commission voted on 7 matters, including electric, and water utilities items, in addition to a Policy Changes and Legislation (2024-2025) Proposal, and one policy statement. Highlights from the meeting include:
Corporations
Utilities
Corporations Division (AC-00000A-24-0269) – The Commission voted unanimously (5-0) to give the Corporations Division the green light to pursue, formulate, and ultimately implement several policy/legislative changes that will combat fraud and fraudulent filings, as well as make the customer experience more efficient. One proposed policy changes would require two forms of identification when filing both by paper and online. One of the proposed legislative changes includes requiring Arizona businesses to register with the Commission prior to being granted authority to conduct business (currently, an Arizona business is not required to register with the Commission prior to conducting business).
Eagl, LLC (L-21323A-24-0209-00236) – The ACC approved a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility, authorizing Independent Power Producer (IPP) Brightnight, approval to construct a generation tie-in transmission line (gen-tie) in La Paz County, Arizona, to connect its Eagle Eye Solar and Storage Project to the local grid. The 400 MW project is expected to generate enough clean renewable energy to power approximately 100,000 homes. The site is located in a remote area, approximately 3-miles north of the Town of Wenden.
Arizona Public Service Company (L-00000D-24-0218-00238)- The ACC approved a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility, authorizing Arizona Public Service Company (APS) to construct a Single Circuit 230kV Transmission Line which will connect a new substation adjacent to the existing Willow Lake 115kV Powerline approximately one mile east of the Town of Bagdad. APS says the new transmission line is needed to meet the expanding energy needs of more people and businesses throughout Yavapai County. The proposal includes building a new high-voltage power line to support future increased energy usage at the Freeport-McMoRan mine in Bagdad. It will be built on steel monopole structures approximately 130 feet high, and approximately 14 miles long.
Arizona Corporation Commission - (AU-00000A-23-0012) – The Commission voted 3-2 (with Commissioners Anna Tovar and Lea Márquez Peterson dissenting) to approve the Recommended Order, formally adopting the ACC Formula Rate Plans (FRP) Policy Statement. “Rather than jumping into rulemaking at this time, the Commission will be better positioned to develop FRP rules after gaining some real experience vetting proposed FRPs. After all, the evaluation of proposed FRPs from different types of utilities will likely shed light on issues the Commission needs to address in rulemaking that we would otherwise be unaware,” said Commissioner Myers. “Scrutinizing FRPs in multiple rate cases and then through the rulemaking process will allow for far greater vetting and public participation before any final FRP rules are adopted.” The ACC FRP gives Arizona’s regulated utilities the option to stay with the current ratemaking process which uses a historical test year, or use the formula rate model.
Arizona Public Service Company (E-01345A-22-0144) - The Commission voted 3-1 (with Commissioner Tovar dissenting, and Commissioner Marquez Petersen excused from the vote due to her absence regarding a family emergency) to approve the Recommended Opinion and Order in the matter of the 2024 APS Rehearing on Decision No. 79293 – Grid Access Charge. Based on the evidence presented during the 6-day rehearing that concluded in November 2024, the ACC found that the application of federal and Arizona law reflects that the Grid Access Charge (GAC) does not unlawfully discriminate against residential solar customers, is supported by substantial evidence, and is just, reasonable, and in the public interest.
