I don’t have to tell you that there is an important election coming up in 2020. But there is one race that is often overlooked on the ballot – the corporation commissioners. The Arizona Corporation Commission wields great power in Arizona. The ACC functions as the fourth branch of Arizona state government. Commissioners make important decisions that affect Arizona residents – like regulating the utility companies. If you are an environmental advocate, you might want to pay special attention to the next election for the ACC. Their decisions influence how fast Arizona moves to clean energy.
It is important to do your homework and make sure that the ACC candidates you select represent you. This is especially vital because recent ACC members have been prosecuted for accepting dark money from the Arizona Public Service Electric Company (APS) to influence their vote.
Remember APS? APS spent 38 million dollars of their customers’ money to affect the outcome of Prop 127. Former commissioner Kristin Mayes suggested that we make it illegal for utility companies to spend money to influence elections. That is something we really should work on. Meanwhile, let’s support candidates who won’t be accepting dark money from them.
Consider signing Bill Mundell’s nomination petition for the AZ Corporation Commission. He is running again and is very pro-solar.