Arizona Democrats Fuming at APS Taking Back Their Commitment to Clean Energy Goals

Bowing to the alter of the all mighty dollar, Arizona utility company APS told investors on Wednesday that they were just kidding when they made the statement in 2020 to firmly commit to being carbon neutral by 2050.

Now, they say, those goals, with different political headwinds from the Trump climate science denying-know nothing government and an Arizona Corporation Commission that puts profits over consumers and their health, are aspirational and they will steer their portfolio to meet the non-green energy needs of the emerging data center industry taking hold in parts of the Grand Canyon State.

It seems that the only time APS likes the word green is when they think of the color of the monies in profits they project making with this new growth strategy.

Suffice it to say, Arizona Democrats, wedded to scientific reality and a desire to transition to clean energy alternatives, are up in arms.

Governor Katie Hobbs posted on social media:

“Arizona needs an abundance of energy, with a strong, and reliable grid to keep our communities safe and to continue our economic growth. This decision sets us back. It makes our air dirtier, hurts our growing clean energy economy, and forfeits the cost savings of renewable options. I’ll be reaching out to APS to discuss their decision and reiterate that we must continue investing in new energy technologies and diversify our energy portfolio at the fastest rate possible.”

Attorney General Kris Mayes wrote:

“APS just broke its promise to Arizonans. Abandoning clean energy goals is reckless and unacceptable. Our state is on the front lines of drought, wildfires, and extreme heat. This requires bold action, not corporate cowardice.”

Arizona Senate Democratic Leader Priya Sundareshan posted:

“Shame on APS and other AZ utilities for hoodwinking the AZ Legislature, including some Dems, into voting for their bills this year. Their intent all along was to back away from low-cost renewables while saddling us with volatile gas generation and ever higher rates.”

State Senator Lauren Kuby and State Representative Brian Garcia released a joint statement on APS going back on their commitments.

Senator Kuby said in the statement:

“I am not surprised by APS’ actions after witnessing the last legislative session, where their messaging and tactics to secure bills that placed profits over people undermined the public trust.

Eliminating their clean energy goals while further investing in natural gas will hurt Arizonans. While they claim that this will help reduce energy costs for their clients, we know that these actions mean our electricity rates will keep going up. Since 2023, APS has had two approved rate increases, with a proposed third increase pending. In 2023, there was an 8 percent increase, and in 2024, another 8 percent increase was approved. Currently, APS is seeking a 14 percent rate increase for residential customers.

If their goal was truly to help people save money, they would have doubled down on clean energy, instead they are succumbing to the all-Republican Arizona Corporation Commission, which has ‘disappeared’ Arizona’s Renewable Energy Standard, and the Trump Administration’s commitment to keep coal and gas plants online across the country. On top of that, this decision will wreck our climate, pollute our air and water, and prevent the state from building a healthy, sustainable future for its residents.”

Representative Garcia conveyed:

“It’s an infuriating betrayal of trust that fresh after utilities begged the Legislature for the massive gift of securitization — needed, they said, to help transition to clean energy — that APS has abandoned all meaningful commitments to that goal to kiss Trump’s ring. And worse, they are doing so at the expense of Arizona ratepayers and communities.

Trading affordable clean energy for the more volatile fossil fuel market shows dangerous short-term thinking. This will not only hurt Arizona pocketbooks, but it ignores the urgency needed to address climate change, pollution, and Arizona’s long-term energy needs.”