AZ utility speaks out against possible energy-efficiency rules changes
November 25, 2014 | By
Doug Peeples
The Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) is considering a major overhaul of its energy-efficiency standards for utilities, which many large companies doing business in the state endorse. However, utility Arizona Public Service Company (APS) is opposing any changes to the current rules. Commission rules, first established in 2010, currently require investor-owned utilities to achieve a 22 percent cumulative reduction in electricity sales by 2020. The commission is now looking at setting specific energy-efficiency goals for each utility, with similar changes for natural gas companies. Arizonans for Electric Choice and Competition, which includes members like Intel and Petsmart, has said it favors utility energy-efficiency programs but not the way they are administered now. In comments to the commission, the organization said the reason it supports the rule changes is that "the current rule establishes (efficiency) savings targets irrespective of the cost of achieving the prescribed targets within the time frame required by the rule." Attorney C. Webb Crockett, who represents the organization, was quoted in The Republic as saying that energy is the second largest expense for companies and they already are doing all they can to cut those costs. "You can't squeeze anything more out of them. It is in their self-interest," he said. Other companies reacted with similar sentiments. In its statement to the ACC, APS said "Energy efficiency has the potential to help reduce peak load and can defer energy purchases or generation facilities, both of which can help APS provide reliable and reasonably priced electric service in Arizona." APS has estimated that about 40 percent of its 1.1 million customers take part in the energy-efficiency programs it operates and funds. The programs include energy-efficient appliances, low-wattage light bulbs and other measures. Residential APS customers now pay a traffic fee of about $2, but the fee is substantially higher for businesses and can run from $500 for a large store to $4,000 for a manufacturing company, The Republic said. For more:
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