Statement from Arizona Corporation Commissioners Kevin Thompson and Nick Myers
While others talk about standing with President Trump's energy policies, we've actually delivered. That means advancing energy policies that promote economic growth, protecting ratepayers, creating jobs, and putting America and Arizona first.
From the moment we were sworn onto the Arizona Corporation Commission, our focus has been on building a reliable, affordable, and secure energy future for our state--one that aligns with a vision of American energy dominance and economic strength.
Under our leadership, Arizona is embracing an all-of-the-above energy strategy rooted in common sense and energy realism. We've greenlit major natural gas projects, including SRP's Coolidge Expansion Project, which adds 575 megawatts of low-cost, reliable generation, and two APS projects adding another 487 megawatts. We also approved the 480-megawatt Project Bella Natural Gas plant in Pinal County that will help secure Arizona's energy future while keeping costs in check.
We've taken steps to ensure our utilities are planning responsibly and not chasing costly, agenda-driven energy mandates. That's why we required APS to prove in its 2023 Integrated Resource Plan that it has enough reliable and dispatchable generation to replace retiring plants. And it's why we initiated the termination of Kris Mayes' Renewable Energy Standard, which was an outdated mandate that artificially inflated utility costs by forcing ratepayers to subsidize unreliable, high-cost sources like wind and solar.
We've rejected costly proposals like the $500 million ratepayer-subsidized community solar program and stopped efforts to mandate appliance electrification that would have reduced consumer choice. We've eliminated ratepayer subsidies to homebuilders, reduced subsidies for rooftop solar users, and rejected policies promoted by the Sierra Club and their allies that jeopardize the integrity of our grid. We've also eliminated a previous requirement forcing APS customers to pay for commercial EV chargers.
Our commitment is simple: secure Arizona's energy supply, protect the pocketbooks of ratepayers, and create an environment where American energy can thrive. This is how we put Arizona first: by standing strong for practical, pro-growth energy policies that work for our state and our future.