Arizona is the sunniest state in the nation with enough solar potential to power the entire American economy. Unfortunately, some key elected officials are undermining our leadership and independence.
Arizona Power PAC is a local, bipartisan political action committee dedicated to supporting state and local candidates who will establish Arizona as a national leader in energy innovation.
The Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) regulates all investor-owned gas, electric and water utilities. The five commissioners vote on proposed rate increases and major infrastructure projects like power plants. All five commissioners are elected statewide and serve four-year terms.
With three seats up this November, we can remake the Commission in just one election!
The Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) is out of touch! For decades, Republicans have controlled the commission and allowed greedy corporations to raise prices, add junk fees, and undermine our water and energy security. Meanwhile we, the ratepayers they’re elected to defend, have seen our bills get so expensive that we’re struggling to make ends meet.
Since 2022, the Republican-majority commission has been building coal and natural gas projects that waste our limited water resources and increase our monthly bills. It’s time for new leadership and this November, we can elect three commissioners that will defend ratepayers, hold utilities accountable, and protect our water resources. Check the resources below and vote Aguilar, Hill and Polacheck for Corporation Commission if you want to put a stop to rising energy costs.
In just one day, October 8, 2024, the current commission approved 18 new gas turbines across two sites1. Gas and coal power plants use 140x more water than clean energy sources like solar and wind2.
If our leaders continue to build new coal and gas, it’s our families who will pay the price, either by limiting our water use, or paying a hefty premium. The Corporation Commission is elected to regulate water and electric companies. They failed miserably. Now it’s up to us to change the commission this November.
Since 2023, the Republican majority has approved nearly half a billion dollars in rate hikes and junk fees3. Now, Republican candidates are lying to voters and claiming rates are much lower than they really are4. Federal data shows that Arizonans paid the 12th highest price in the nation for energy in 20225.
During the September 26, 2024 debate, Rachel Walden falsely asserted that the “Commission is doing everything they can to keep those prices as low as possible.” Yet, their record is abundantly clear. The commission voted with utilities and against you SEVEN TIMES this year alone3.
Oh, and about those new gas plants the ACC just approved. The data shows that fossil fuels are far more expensive than renewable energy. In fact, solar farms are 62% cheaper than gas plants6.
The commission has a long history of being in the pocket of major utility providers. From the dark money scandal of the early 2010’s7 to the recent ethics investigation after a commissioner met privately with the same Wall Street companies he’s supposed to regulate8.
What’s more? Despite recommendations from the Residential Utility Consumer Office (RUCO), a state agency that represents the interest of consumers, the ACC voted this year for:
This time is now for new leadership on the commission. With three seats up this November, your vote can make the difference.
The choice is clear: Rachel Walden will continue to exploit Arizona families if elected to the ACC. Vote Ylenia Aguilar to protect Arizona ratepayers and water!
Still need more? Check out these clips of Rachel Walden lying to voters... again.
