Commissioner Newman has called for an increase in the renewalbles portfolio...Here's how the Republic covered the story. "It's time to consider raising the amount of energy Arizona utilities are required to get from solar power, one of the five state utility regulators said Friday. Corporation Commissioner Paul Newman issued a statement asking for support and feedback on a proposal to increase the requirement that utilities get 15 percent of their energy from renewable sources, such as solar, by 2025. He noted that New Mexico, Colorado, Nevada, California, Oregon and Utah have higher standards, with requirements to get 20 percent to 33 percent of their power from renewables by 2020-25. Interest in renewable power is rising, and solar and wind power have many supporters, but Newman's proposal is likely to face opposition because the existing Corporation Commission requirement already is being challenged in court. Alternative energy is more expensive than power from coal or natural-gas power plants, but it has little to no pollution, and renewables don't need fuel. "Arizonans are hurting, and we must balance citizen demand for solar with the cost," Newman said. "But let's also keep in mind that investing in solar means we lower significant long-term costs such as fuel."" Here's a link if you want to read the whole thing. |