Read about AZ4CC, CCA and other news related to consumer energy choice…
Arizona experts reflect on what the Supreme Court climate ruling means
While SCOTUS wants to use the excuse of a document written in the late 18thcentury to roll back GHG emission regulations by the EPA, state constitutions have more latitude. AND cities and states can make the difference with their climate action plans. Kevin Gurney, one of the authors of the most recent IPCC report and a professor at Northern AZ University, is optimistic:
“Right now, I’m still optimistic that, at the end of the day, we’ll just work around (the court decision),” Gurney said. “States are trying to do stuff. Cities are trying to do stuff. If we can release the information they need that will allow them to independently go after this problem that, to me, is the hopeful part.”
...Moving from Business as Usual to Community Choice Energy
Electric ratepayers in our state have a choice, if the State of Arizona authorizes us to do what ten other states have already done. We will have the choice to move away from “business as usual” to a new Community Choice Energy (CCE) scenario relying heavily on renewable energy, energy efficiency, solar, battery storage and some wind. The benefits will be high.
...Salt River Project wants to spend nearly $1 billion on 16 gas peaker plants.
SRP customers had no say in the matter. The SRP board practically rubber stamped the project and if the AZ Corporation Commission approves the Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and the project moves forward, ratepayers will be saddled with the bill. Read the rant by AZ4CC state director Shelly Gordon and our argument for energy choice and renewable energy.
...Why can’t Arizona ratepayers get solar energy from their utilities?
Read the cover story in the Phoenix New Times that answers the big question, why can’t Arizona ratepayers get solar energy from their utilities? AZ4CC state director Shelly Gordon is featured in the article.
...Why CCA is a much better, greener, cheaper option for TEP ratepayers
Read the latest op-ed by Shelly Gordon and Russell Lowes, published in the Arizona Star where we tell readers why CCA is a winning energy choice model for Tucson and Pima County
...New Nuclear Energy Plants Are a “Fool’s Errand”
AZ4CC Advisory Board member, Russell Lowes, penned an op-ed for the Arizona Star (Tucson), challenging the alleged benefits of developing more nuclear energy. From a dollar standpoint, Lowes argues, why would the average consumer spend more than three times the price for new nuclear energy compared to solar energy. Dollar for dollar, the average household would get 3 kilowatt hours of new nuclear energy compared to 10 kilowatt hours of solar energy.
...Lots of Solar… Many Missed Opportunities for Arizona
So what does the solar landscape look like in Arizona?
Arizona is ranked fifth nationally in solar production, which is an improvement over last year. As of Q2 2021, solar was generating 6,100 MW of energy, which is up by over 500 MW from last year.
...California CCAs Secure Almost 10,000 Megawatts in Long-Term Contracts with New-Build Clean Energy Resource
The California Community Choice Association (CalCCA) announced November 3 that Community Choice Aggregators (CCAs) in the state have to date signed long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) for almost 10,000 megawatts (MW) with new-build clean energy resources, adding more than 3,000 MW since November 2020.
...Playing Monopoly; or how utilities make money
Did you know that utilities’ profit don’t come from the energy they provide to customers. Their profits come from the investment in the assets (the pipes, substations, transmission lines, etc.) that are used to provide the service. The more infrastructure a utility builds, the higher the profits.
...Time to Demonopolize Arizona IOUs, Make Room for Energy Choice
What is the problem with investor-owned utility monopolies?
Monopolies are needed if the barriers to entry are too high to support competitors entering the market. This was certainly the case over 100 years ago. Today, there are many independent power producers and when they choose the energy resources to invest in, the risk is shifted from captive ratepayers to their investors.
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