Arizona Corporation Commission adopts policies on biomass, electric vehicles
The Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) adopted policies related to biomass, electric vehicles and other matters at its monthly Open Meeting this week.
The ACC voted to adopt a policy statement on the use of forest bioenergy, biogas, and biomass as a renewable energy resource. The statement directs utilities to examine having 60 megawatts (MW) or more of biomass energy developed through renewables. The affected utilities would be required to obtain their share of the 60 MW total as determined by a one-time allocation by the affected utilities.
The policy statement applies to electric utilities regulated by the Corporation Commission. The ACC also encouraged regulated electric utilities, non-regulated electric utilities, and other interested parties to work together to use bioenergy as a resource.
The commissioners also adopted a policy to encourage regulated utilities to invest in electric vehicle infrastructure and develop programs for supporting electric vehicle charging. The Corporation Commission staff noted that the benefits of the policy could include rate designs that reduce peak load and take advantage of times with low-priced electricity, enhanced grid reliability, future possibilities of vehicle-to-grid integrations and lower costs for consumers.
The ACC also voted to allow same-day approval of expedited online LLC filings and to have three major electric utility companies establish or modify their alternative generation rate schedules for medium and large size commercial customers.
