Arizona regulators voted to begin the process to repeal renewable energy requirements for most of the state’s electric utilities.
The all-Republican Corporation Commission voted 5-0 to direct staff to take the first steps to repeal the Renewable Energy Standard and Tariff, or REST, rules, first adopted by the commission nearly two decades ago.
The rules require many utility companies to obtain at least 15% of their electricity from renewable sources, with 30% of that coming from sources like residential rooftop solar panels.
Commissioners argued the rules were no longer needed.
“I don’t think that there’s going to be any impact, or at least minimal impact, on the solar or wind or any kind of renewable industry,” Commissioner Nick Myers said. “They are self-sufficient enough as it is.”
Renewable energy and environmental advocates agreed that the rules have been effective in increasing the…
