The Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) today took a final vote to eliminate Arizona\u2019s Electric Energy Efficiency Standards (EES), finalizing a repeal process that it started in 2025. The EES required utilities like Arizona Public Service (APS) and Tucson Electric Power (TEP) to offer cost-effective programs that help Arizonans conserve energy and lower electric bills.<\/p>\n
The EES were designed to incentivize utilities to invest in energy efficiency programs that have proven to successfully save customers money. According to the Sierra Club, repealing the EES is likely to result in higher energy consumption and long-term utility bill increases. An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) prepared by the Commission\u2019s own consultant found the same thing.<\/p>\n
Deleting the EES means that utilities will have less incentive to invest in efficiency programs and may lead them to build expensive new generation infrastructure, increasing costs passed on to ratepayers. This decision comes as Arizonans are already witnessing backsliding on clean energy commitments. The vote to repeal the EES follows the ACC\u2019s earlier vote to delete the state\u2019s Renewable Energy Standard and Tariff (REST), which supported the development of renewable energy like solar power and brought clean energy jobs and investment to Arizona.<\/p>\n
The removal of the EES enables utilities to ignore cheaper, cleaner energy resources to prop up fossil operations that are expensive, worsen air quality, and contribute to climate change. The ACC’s pattern of gutting clean energy measures has been criticized by environmental and community groups for locking Arizonans into a more expensive, fossil-fuel-heavy future.<\/p>\n
Environmental and community organizations have voiced strong opposition to the ACC’s decision.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe ACC has made no secret of its pattern to gut and slash clean energy at every opportunity despite proven cost benefits to customers,\u201d said Sierra Club Grand Canyon Chapter Director, Sandy Bahr. \u201cThe Commission\u2019s decision is a step backwards, locking Arizonans into an expensive, fossil fuel heavy future that will result in higher and higher electric bills when Arizonans have clearly called for the opposite.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cEnergy efficiency is one of the most cost effective ways to lower utility bills and reduce unnecessary energy demand,\u201d said Environmental Justice Coalition Coordinator for Activate 48, Vanessa Perez. \u201cEliminating the Energy Efficiency Standard means Arizona families will ultimately pay more while losing access to programs that help keep energy costs down at a time when many households are already struggling.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLatino families are among the most impacted by fossil energy operations that worsen air quality, and among the most affected by energy rate hikes,\u201d said Mi Familia en Acci\u00f3n Arizona State Director, Monica Sandschafer. \u201cMi Familia en Acci\u00f3n is disappointed in the ACC’s decision and we will work to make sure our community is well-informed on the implications of eliminating Arizona\u2019s Electric Energy Efficiency Standards.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis Arizona Corporation Commission continues to eliminate every possible tool we have to keep energy affordable in Arizona,\u201d said Chispa Arizona Organizing Director DJ Portugal. \u201cFrom allowing profitable energy companies to raise electricity rates over and over, to getting rid of Renewable Energy Standards that help lower bills and protect the environment, to eliminating Energy Efficiency Standards. This commission is clearly looking out for the interests of greedy electricity companies, while leaving Arizonans to drown in expensive light bills. Shame on them.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Sierra Club, America\u2019s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, continues to advocate for clean energy and natural resource protection.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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