Dive Summary:
- Republican Arizona Corporation Commission veteran Gary Pierce has withdrawn a proposal that would have reduced the state's 15 percent renewables by 2025 requirement on investor-owned utilities.
- Opponents of the proposal were quick to respond to Pierce's January announcement and filled a petition with nearly 7,000 signatures.
- According to insiders, Pierce would have faced opposition from his own Republican colleagues if the measure ever came to a vote, which is likely one reason why he didn't pursue it.
From the article:
At least three Commissioners, one Arizona solar professional observed, had campaigned on the promise not to cut the REST and are moderate enough to be inclined toward pro-business Republican Governor Jan Brewer’s concern with supporting business and job creation, especially with Arizona’s solar industry now going through major changes in the wake of ACC actions along with Suntech’s financial difficulties.
The proposed REST change could have also worried Republican and professedly pro-business Arizona legislators, the Arizona source added, who last year passed up the opportunity to alter the REST because of the potential impact on the state’s already troubled economy. ...
