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Wind Power News: Arizona
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch in its noncommercial educational effort to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch. They are the products of and owned by the organizations or individuals noted and are shared here according to “fair use” and “fair dealing” provisions of copyright law.
In major reversal, Arizona utility regulators kill 100% clean-energy rules in the state
Three Republican utility regulators have voted down a proposal for 100% carbon-free energy in Arizona that was considered, debated, workshopped and offered for public comment for more than five years. The rules appeared on the verge of passage last year when Jim O’Connor, a Republican member of the Arizona Corporation Commission, and Anna Tovar, a Democratic member, reached a compromise. But O’Connor backtracked Wednesday and voted against that deal, saying state rules were not necessary. It was the second time . . . Complete story »
BLM issues decision on proposed wind testing facility
ST. GEORGE, Utah—The Bureau of Land Management Arizona Strip Field Office issued a decision that would allow wind testing facilities to move forward on public lands located near Yellowstone Mesa, southeast of Colorado City, Arizona, on the Arizona Strip. “This decision supports the administration’s priorities, including identifying steps to accelerate responsible development of renewable energy on public lands and waters,” said Arizona Strip Field Manager Lorraine Christian. “This project also meets the administration’s goal of supporting the rapid development of . . . Complete story »
Arizona regulators poised to vote on new state clean-energy rules
After more than five years of wrangling, Arizona regulators are poised to approve new green-energy standards for state-regulated utilities that supporters say are needed to slow global warming and keep the air clean of unhealthy fossil-fuel emissions. The Arizona Corporation Commission next week is expected to vote on final approval of new energy standards that will require the state’s regulated utilities, including Tucson Electric Power, to get 100% of their power from carbon-free sources like solar, wind and nuclear by . . . Complete story »
Babbitt Ranch wind farm breezes through county planning and zoning
A proposed renewable energy project about 30 miles northwest of Flagstaff is one step closer to becoming reality after it was unanimously approved by the Coconino County Planning and Zoning Commission last month. Several commissioners said the decision to approve the project, which hopes to bring just more than 50 wind turbines and a solar array to an area just southeast of the community of Grand Canyon Junction/Valle, was not an easy one. Commissioners were mostly concerned about the impacts . . . Complete story »
Here’s how much Arizona’s move to 100% green energy could cost you
Arizona’s proposed move to 100% carbon-free energy will have a “low to moderate” impact on customer bills, with estimated increases varying from as little as about $1.50 to nearly $60 per month for the average Tucson Electric Power home bill by 2050. And as regulators focus on costs, ratepayers can weigh in on draft clean-energy rules requiring a shift to 100% carbon-free energy by 2070, at meetings hosted by the Arizona Corporation Commission beginning next week. Corporation Commission Chairwoman Lea . . . Complete story »
Arizona regulators adopt revamped clean-energy rules
Arizonans could see faster adoption of clean energy sources such as solar and wind after state regulators resurrected proposed clean-energy rules on Wednesday. Reversing course after rejecting similar rules just a few weeks ago, the Arizona Corporation Commission voted 3-2 to advance new rules that would require Arizona utilities to get 100% of their energy from carbon-free sources like solar, wind and nuclear by the end of 2070 – 20 years later than originally proposed. The Corporation Commission last November approved . . . Complete story »
Corporation Commission rejects the will of the voters, adopts Prop 127–styled energy mandates
Phoenix – On Wednesday, the Corporation Commission disregarded the clear will of the voters and advanced energy mandates nearly identical to what the voters overwhelmingly rejected just over two years ago. With 68.2% voting no, Arizonans resoundingly defeated Proposition 127 that would have required Arizona’s utilities to obtain 50% of their power from renewable sources. Voters sent a clear message that they do not support arbitrary mandates that will drive up the cost of their energy bills. While Proposition 127 was . . . Complete story »
Arizona utility regulators reject 100% clean energy rules
Arizona’s utility regulators have rejected new rules that would have required most of the state’s electricity providers to get 100% of their power from clean energy sources by 2050 to limit carbon emissions and address climate change. The 3-2 vote by the Arizona Corporation Commission was a surprise because the plan was backed by the state’s major regulated utilities and was given initial approval by the commission on a 4-1 vote in November after three years of work. Two new . . . Complete story »
Coconino County developing new guidance for renewable energy developments
Coconino County is developing a new renewable energy ordinance. The effort comes as there has been an increased demand for renewable sources of energy as an alternative to fossil fuels. The county approved a wind project last year just south of Winslow, and it appears the county planning and zoning commission will be considering another wind project this year. Melissa Shaw, the county long-range planner, told the Coconino County Board of Supervisors this week that the ordinance is designed to . . . Complete story »
Senate group votes to end ACC energy-policy authority
PHOENIX – Rejecting arguments about economic development, clean air and even constitutional issues, a Senate panel voted along party lines Wednesday to strip the Arizona Corporation Commission of its power to set energy policy for utilities. The 6-4 vote by the Senate Appropriations Committee followed arguments by Rep. Gail Griffin, R-Hereford, that it was wrong of the independently elected utility regulators to propose that half of the state’s energy be generated by carbon-free sources by 2035 and have power be totally . . . Complete story »
