If Reelected to the Arizona Corporation Commission, Sandra Kennedy will fight for Clean Energy Jobs and Lower Utility Rates for Everyone
Arizona Corporation Commissioner Sandra Kennedy is running with Tempe City Councilwoman (and former Vice Mayor) Lauren Kuby on a ticket to hopefully secure a majority for ratepayers on that unwritten fourth branch of the Grand Canyon state’s governing structure.
On the Commission since 2019, Kennedy will be running for a third term.
If reelected, she, Kuby, and current Commissioner (and former Tolleson Mayor Anna Tovar) will fight for lower utility rates for Arizona residents. They will also work to expand Arizona’s clean energy portfolio and push for an expansion of jobs in that sector.
Commissioner Kennedy graciously took the time to interview with Blog for Arizona and discuss her reelection campaign.
The questions and her responses are below.
1) Please tell the readers, at least two reasons you would like to run for reelection to the Arizona Corporation commission. Please explain.
“Ultimately, it is do or die when it comes to renewable energy. We are at a crossroads. We have Republicans killing the renewable energy rules and Democrats trying to fight and make sure that they are included in the utility rules. In order to achieve this goal and protect Arizona, I need to get reelected. I also need Lauren Koby to be elected with me in November. We need to win so that we have a majority at the Commission. I want to continue my fight to lower utility rates and prevent those unjustified utility rate increases.”
2) Please tell the reader, what were your two proudest accomplishments in your current term on the commission? Please explain.
“My first big accomplishment was forcing Pinnacle West APS to stop dark money spending in the Commission elections. And of course, other races. When I say other, I mean especially legislative races, which we all hadsuspected that they were spending lots of money. I don’t know about the legislature, but the Company promised the Commission that they would stay out of Commission races and I will continue to be vigilant and watch out for their spending. I think that it is important for Arizona voters to know where their dollars are being spent.”
“My next accomplishment would be to make sure that APS rates are lower. That is probably the one thing that I hear all the time from APS rate payers is “my bill is too high. I can’t afford it. Do I choose my medication or do I choose my utility bill?” With this last APS rate case and I can’t say too much about it because the Commission is currently in litigation with APS regarding the rate case Decision I think it is very fair to say that we gave them a decrease this last go round.”
“ I am very proud of the stand that I took on their rate case.”
3) If reelected, please tell the reader, what are two goals you will pursue on the commission?
“Again? I think the most important thing is to make sure that Arizona has a strong, renewable energy standard.”
“If we don’t have that standard. What I’m afraid of is my children, their children, or my grandchildren and their children will be kinda forced to live in a climate of Arizona where we know that public health is a big concern. We see the smog that sits over the valley every day. We’re at a crossroads where the Commission could really do an awful lot when it comes to rules and regulations when it comes to renewable energy. We’re talking about the economy and health issues. I want to build upon the economy by creating more jobs, clean energy jobs. And I think that is important. And I’m going to continue to fight for clean energy jobs and create a sustainable grid, renewable grid for the state of Arizona. And I think that it is missing. And I am not afraid to say that I’m a fighter for renewable energy, but I am also a staunch consumer advocate. I am an advocate for the people and I want to continue to be that voice for them.”
You’re undoubtedly aware that Mayors in Arizona, like Mayors Gallego and Romero in Phoenix and Tucson are embarking on fairly significant sustainability policies. In your mind, is that enough If the Corporation Commission doesn’t follow your lead on this?
“No! I commend them. I really do commend the Mayors for doing everything that they’re doing. They’re only doing so much of what, their city governance and ordinance will allow them to do. I think the Commission has the ability to set rules and regulations, for every utility that we regulate and I think that we should do that and we should do it very proudly.”
“We have an opportunity to set energy efficiency rules. Those rules that we set back in 2009 and 2010 haveexpired. They expired in December 2021. So, these companies are not functioning on rules. They’re just doing whatever they want to do in the state of Arizona. And if you look at states around us, they’re doing a lot better than we can, that we are, and we should. So why can’t Arizona step up to the plate and do even better? We’ve got sunshine today. The sun is free. We have wind in certain parts of Arizona. The wind is free. Why aren’t we capitalizing on those resources and do away with the fossil fuels.”
“People say all the time we’ve got a nuclear plant (Palo Verde) out there. I’m not trying to force the nuclear plant to shut down. But what I am saying is we can build upon that with renewable energy and store it. And we can do it in a fashion that moves Arizona economically and be prosperous as far as creating jobs. Absolutely, we can do it.”
4) Madam Commissioner, is there anything not covered in the first three questions that you’d like to the reader to know about you or your campaign? Please explain.
“You know what, I’m going to continue to say that I am grateful for the opportunity that the voters gave me in 2018.”
“I talk about the Arizona Corporation Commission being the corruption commission, and we are still there. I think there’s still a lot that goes on. There are a lot of things that the majority of the Commission now defend large corporations. They are there on behalf of the large corporations. And I think that it is time to change the atmosphere and to bring back some integrity.”
“The Commission was created to protect the rate payers of this state. I don’t see any protection going on with the majority. All I see is business as usual, and I think that it is time to make that change. And that’s why I think it is so important to elect people who are going to speak on behalf of the voters and the rate payers of this state.”
“And I think that it is important to elect those individuals such as myself and Lauren Kuby to the Commission. And I would ask people to go to the Secretary of State’s website. I am still in need of signatures (the deadline is April 2, 2022) and fives (Clean Election Donations.) You can go to the secretary website to equal. You can sign that petition. You can give me a five dollar donation online. I am just looking forward to staying at the Commission, and to continue to be a voice for the people.”
Please click on the below social media site to find more information about Arizona Corporation Commissioner Sandra Kennedy and her candidacy.
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