SB1309

THE CONTEXT: The Commission is a statewide agency and public utility commission that is responsible for ensuring safe, reliable and affordable utility services. The Commission has five elected committee members who oversee executive, legislative and judicial proceedings on behalf of Arizona's residents in regard to utilities and regulation of securities ( ACC ).

WHAT THE BILL DID: The final vetoed version would require the Commission, during the integrated resource planning process, to mandate a public service corporation ensure that any changes to an electric power grid must be capable of producing enough electricity to provide safe, adequate and reliable service throughout the year and mandate that upon retirement of an electric generation plant, the Commission will require a replacement electric generation plant that is able to provide an equal or more reliable electric generation that ensures safe and adequate service.

WHY IT MATTERED: The practical reason for this bill was to turn the Legislature's standard for public utilities into an enforceable rule. It would require the Commission, during the integrated resource planning process, to mandate a public service corporation ensure that any changes to an electric power grid must be capable of producing enough electricity to provide safe, adequate and reliable service throughout the year, and would also mandate that upon retirement of an electric generation plant, the Commission will require a replacement electric generation plant that is able to provide an equal or more reliable electric generation that ensures safe and adequate service, rather than leave the current rule unchanged.