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.
NextEra examining environmental impacts of wind turbines as project continues
With NextEra Energy Resources proposing a new wind, solar and energy storage facility about 30 miles north of Flagstaff, officials with the company say they are examining the environmental implications of the project. The 160-megawatts facility proposed by the company could bring about 61 wind turbines and between 400 and 600 acres of solar panels, as well as a battery storage facility, to an area made up of Babbitt Ranch and state trust land east of Valle. The project has . . . Complete story »
Wind and solar farm planned north of Flagstaff
After a decade, a new windfarm appears to be moving forward on an area about 30 miles north of Flagstaff. The project, by the Florida-based company NextEra Energy Resources, hopes to bring about 61 wind turbines and between 400 and 600 acres of solar panels, as well as a battery storage facility, to an area east of Valle. The turbines would have a maximum height of 614 feet from their base to the tip of the blade. The entire Babbitt . . . Complete story »
Effort to block clean energy rules stumbles in Legislature
The bigger roadblock could be APS, a powerful political force in the state that provides power to 1.1 million residential and commercial customers in 13 of 15 counties. The utility supported the draft rules adopted by the commission in November but had not taken a position on the Legislature's efforts until this week, saying the company believes the issue of energy rules should be settled in court. APS announced last year that it would get all its power from carbon-free sources by 2050. “APS has become increasingly concerned with the legal and regulatory uncertainties these bills would create over the Company’s ability to plan and procure infrastructure and generation necessary to continue ensuring the reliability and affordability of electricity,” Michael Vargas, director of state and local affairs for APS, wrote in a letter to Ducey's office and bill sponsors in the House and Senate. Complete story »
Arizona lawmakers move to strip commission from mandating use of renewable energy
State lawmakers voted Wednesday to strip the Arizona Corporation Commission of its power to mandate the use of renewable energy by utilities. HB 2248, given preliminary approval on a voice vote, bars the panel from adopting or enforcing any new policy, decision or rule that regulates the electric generation resources without specific legislative authorization. And the measure, sponsored by Rep. Gail Griffin, R-Hereford, provides no such authority. State senators have yet to consider virtually identical legislation in SB 1175. The . . . Complete story »
Proposed wind farm on Babbitt Ranches seeks approval
WILLIAMS, Ariz. – Babbitt Ranches is taking another step in its quest to join the wind energy race as it moves forward with its latest project – a wind farm 30 miles northwest of Flagstaff. [rest of article available at source] Complete story »
Arizona regulators adopt new clean energy rules without renewable mandate
The Arizona Corporation Commission on Friday passed landmark new rules requiring state-regulated utilities to get 100% of their power from carbon-free sources by 2050 – but the panel rejected any specific mandate for renewable energy like solar and wind. The new rules – which still need to go through a final rulemaking process before a new commission in January – also set new requirements for energy storage and energy efficiency gains for power-generating utilities including Tucson Electric Power Co. and Arizona Public Service . . . Complete story »
More wind turbines on the horizon north of Williams?
VALLE, Ariz. – Grand Canyon visitors traveling north on State Route 64 are often surprised to see a sea of wind turbines – 62 in all – that dot the landscape 13 miles outside of Williams. The Perrin Ranch Wind Farm can power about 25,000 Arizona homes, according to Arizona Public Service, the company that buys the power. On average, the wind farm operates at 30 percent capacity-enough to power about 8,000 homes. The wind farm isn’t without controversy, though. The 298-foot-tall turbines, . . . Complete story »
Arizona regulators give tentative OK to new clean-energy rules
Arizona’s state-regulated electric utilities will be required to get 100% of their power from carbon-free sources by 2050 and at least 50% of their power from renewable sources by 2035, under new rules tentatively adopted Thursday by the Arizona Corporation Commission. In amendments to a package of clean-energy rules still awaiting final approval, the commission also voted to require major utilities including Tucson Electric Power Co. and Arizona Public Service Co. to cut their carbon emissions in steps to 100% . . . Complete story »
Corporation Commission hopefuls clash at debate
The three Republicans running to become state utility regulators are warning that putting Democrats in charge of the regulatory panel would turn Arizona into California. And they don’t mean that in a good way. At a debate Wednesday, all three criticized the self-named “solar team’’ of Democrats Bill Mundell, Anna Tovar and Shea Stanfield would mean higher rates as consumers are forced to buy what they contend is more expensive power from renewable resources, just as what has happened in . . . Complete story »
Ruling sets up renewable energy fight between Corp Comm, lawmakers
The Arizona Supreme Court may have opened the door to allowing the legislature to overrule the Corporation Commission on renewable energy standards, a longtime goal of some conservative lawmakers who dislike the mandates imposed on electrical utilities. On July 31, the court upheld the commission’s decision to appoint an interim manager for Johnson Utilities, a Pinal County water company, following a series of issues, including problems with low water pressure and overflowing sewage. The case had nothing to do with . . . Complete story »
