Qualifications and Experience
Central Arizona Project Board Member, Osborn Governing Board Member
Endorsements
Please see website: https://www.aguilarforarizona.com/
Education
BA University of Arizona
I am a strong proponent of expanding rooftop solar adoption in Arizona. Our abundant sunshine can allow Arizonans to have homegrown renewable energy resources that individuals and businesses should be able to take full advantage of.
I recognize the need for utilities to be able to maintain and update grid infrastructure, which has upfront costs. So I don't oppose reasonable grid-access charges for solar customers. However, any such charges must be fair and not structured in a way that disincentivizes or undermines rooftop solar growth.
My approach would include a need for balance in order to keep any grid fees as low as possible while still giving utilities the funds they need for grid maintenance and upgrades. I would not support excessive or punitive fees aimed at protecting the utility monopolies rather than accounting for true costs. Solar owners should not bear the full burden.
The ACC should play an active role in encouraging that more investments are being made for clean and renewable energy. As we are one of the fastest states in the nation we must make sure to diversify our energy sources to maintain this growth. In addition to making sure these sources of energy are clean and renewable going into this century.
I would like to see changes that increase transparency for Arizona consumers so they can be more informed of the work that is being done at the commission. This can be done through more community outreach with rural communities. In making sure they are informed of important decisions that will affect their energy future.
Below are some of my priorities for the commission.
Utility and Rate Protection: I am dedicated to ensuring that utility rates remain affordable for Arizona residents and businesses. I will work to increase transparency in rate-setting processes to empower consumers and hold utility companies accountable.
Renewable Energy and Sustainability: I support expanding renewable energy infrastructure and promoting sustainable practices to reduce Arizona's carbon footprint. We can do this by using our homegrown energy created in Arizona from the sun. This includes incentivizing the adoption of solar and wind energy and implementing energy efficiency programs.
Consumer Protection and Advocacy: I will prioritize advocating for consumer rights, including protections against fraud, unfair billing practices, and ensuring access to essential utility services. I will work to represent the interests of Arizona residents and businesses in all matters related to utilities and regulation.
The ACC is the public utilities commission which encompasses many responsibilities. These include regulating public utility companies, regulating the incorporation of businesses and organizations, securities regulation, and railroad/pipeline safety.
The relationship between the commission and utility companies is to make sure standards and regulations are followed thoroughly to make sure the state has the resources necessary to protect its energy future.
The ACC ensures we are investing in future energy sources that will be able to meet the demand of our growing population in the state of Arizona.
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Public Policy Priorities
Energy and Water Affordability, Solar Industry Job Growth, Utility Cybersecurity
Qualifications and Experience
18 years as a spacecraft engineer/geologist at Arizona State University
Organization Memberships and Affiliations
American Geophysical Union
Endorsements
Indivisible Sedona, Sierra Club, AZ NOW PAC, Climate Cabinet, Ironworkers Local 75, Communications Workers of America (CWA) Arizona Council, others pending
Community Service
Arizona State University STEM outreach programs, Walk on Mars Program (www.walkonmars.space)
Occupation
Spacecraft Engineer/Geologist (Arizona State University)
Education
BSE and MS in Aerospace Engineering, MS and PhD in Geological Sciences
I support the reintroduction and expansion of the renewable energy standards, which the current Commissioners are in the process of repealing. Those standards direct Arizona’s power utilities to generate at least 15% of their power using renewable methods by 2030, which is far below the standards of our fellow southwestern states. New Mexico, for example, has a renewable energy standard of 50% required by 2030. Instead of repealing the modest goal of 15%, the Commission should lay out a longer-term roadmap for the power utilities to transition to 100% renewable energy generation over the coming decades, which will allow them to do the long-term planning necessary to implement such a complex transition. The Commission also needs to increase economic incentives for the installation of home-based solar power generation. Customers who invested in solar panel systems should receive a fair market price for the excess power they generate, which will help them to recoup their investment.
The Corporation Commission is the voice of Arizona’s utility customers, not only related to power rates, but also how their power is generated. Many Arizonans, like myself, want to purchase power that was generated renewably. The Commission needs to reflect the desires of such voters by taking an active role in incentivizing investment in renewable energy at all scales, from power plants to rooftop solar on homes and businesses. The Commission also needs to help educate businesses and homeowners on how they can take advantage of federal tax credits and other incentives that are intended to encourage the growth of America’s renewable energy industry. Arizona has the highest potential for solar power generation in the country and our economy will benefit greatly from the expansion of the solar industry over the coming decades.
The Corporation Commission needs to significantly improve their communication with ratepayers. When utility companies begin the rate increase process, they send their customers a very long and complicated letter that serves as their official explanation of why a rate increase is being requested. However, these letters often have the opposite effect and cause confusion among customers because of all the legal jargon that is used. The Commission should require that the utility companies also send a short “plain language” letter explaining in everyday language why the utility is requesting a rate increase and how much the customer’s bill will increase if it is approved. The Commission also needs to do a better job of communicating with ratepayers outside of the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas. In the past, the Commission used to hold hearings in rural communities when cases concerning them were being decided, and the Commission should return to this practice.
Energy and Water Affordability: The Commission must work hard to carefully balance the evolving financial needs of Arizona’s utility companies while ensuring that hardworking Arizonans are not shouldering an undue financial burden and can afford the utilities needed to survive in our desert environment.
Solar Industry Jobs: Our state does not have many oil and gas resources, so when we use oil and gas to satisfy our energy needs, we are sending our money and jobs out-of-state. Instead, we should use our abundant sunshine for our energy, so we can keep our money and jobs in Arizona to grow our own economy.
Cybersecurity: In recent years, we’ve seen hackers attack and disable utilities across the US. We can all imagine the damage that would occur in Arizona if we lost power or water during the height of summer temperatures. The Commission should take a larger role in ensuring our utility companies are implementing sufficient cybersecurity precautions.
The Corporation Commission was established by the Arizona State Constitution as a way for voters to balance the power of the state’s monopolies. This is necessary because voters typically do not have a choice of who they buy their power, water, gas and other utilities from. This lack of competition means that there are no market forces ensuring that prices remain competitive. So instead, it is the responsibility of the Corporation Commission to ensure that the utilities are charging fair and reasonable prices for their services. Naturally, this can lead to friction between the utility companies. However, that does not mean that the relationship always needs to be adversarial. The Commission and the utility companies should be partners and work together when it comes to modernizing our utility grids and improving energy and water efficiency. In the end, we should all have the same goal: safe, reliable and affordable utility services for all Arizonans.
Public Policy Priorities
ADDRESSING INFLATION Recently, the current federal administration’s policy is causing increased cost of coal and natural gas that has caused major increases in the utility rates we are paying across the country. I will work to ensure that only necessary costs of operations, maintenance and cost-effective reliable sources of energy are passed onto the rate payers. ENERGY RELIABILITY I believe that a diverse energy portfolio is in the best interests of stability and cost effectiveness for Arizona’s long-term future. SECURING ARIZONA’S FUTURE For variable energy production, which is used to meet peaking and supplemental energy demands, I see natural gas and solar as the two main viable options in the immediate term.
Qualifications and Experience
Educated and trained in Nuclear Operations. Experience in Oil & Gas, Representative on the Arizona Municipal Waters Users Association. Elected official on the Chandler City Council running the 4th largest water district in the state,
Community Service
Served on Chandler Parks & Recreation Commission. Currently on the Chandler Planning and Zoning Commission. Co-Founded Cece's Hope Center; helping young women rescued form sex-trafficking from all around the state of Arizona.
Occupation
Manager, IT; PMO-EI
Education
B.S. Nuclear Engineering; Minor in Direct Energy Conversion from University of Arizona
Need more information on specific issues. The role of the ACC is not to edict types of energy production, but the reliability and affordability of existing and future generation.
The ACC's priority is reliability and affordability, as dictated by the Arizona State constitition, and this is what we should be encouraging.
Expansion of already existing public comment periods.
INFLATION: The current federal administration’s policy is causing increased cost of coal and natural gas that has caused major increases in the utility rates we are paying across the country. Along with the wasteful use of Colorado River water by California, we have lost approximately 40% of our hydro generating capacity from Hoover Dam. I will work to ensure that only necessary costs of operations, maintenance and cost-effective reliable sources of energy are passed onto the rate payers.
RELIABILITY: I believe that a diverse energy portfolio is in the best interests of stability and cost effectiveness for Arizona’s long-term future. All forms of energy production should be on the table for use.
SECURING ARIZONA’S FUTURE: For variable energy production, which is used to meet peaking and supplemental energy demands, I see natural gas and solar as the two main viable options in the immediate term. For long term, Small Modular Reactors or other forms (i.e. batteries, GeoThermal, etc.)
One of oversight and regulation for adherence to rate payer expectations and assurances of long-term viability, reliability and affordability.
Public Policy Priorities
My Priorities: Scrutiny of utility proposals for rate increases, particularly those that exceed inflation rate; A balanced approach to renewable energy production and distribution without burdening and sacrificing critical natural resources; We must protect public lands, wildlife habitats and public health; Enact stricter guidelines for inspection and maintenance of railways and pipelines, with inclusion of utility equipment, to ensure public safety; Enact measures for full ACC transparency; Public database for status of aquifers for all counties. Agribusinesses and mines should be denied locations where a community's aquifer is or will be depleted.
Qualifications and Experience
As a physician who devoted 40 years to healthcare and a community activist, I adhere to the moral code of “people over profit”. As a Commissioner, I will uphold the same ethical standards for Arizona businesses and corporations. I have no conflict of interest. My goal is to serve and not acquire status. The combination of my scientific background, my analytical skills, and my integrity makes me an especially strong voice for Arizona’s public interest.
Organization Memberships and Affiliations
Save the Scenic Santa Ritas [SSSR], Great Old Broads for Wilderness [GOBW], Corona de Tuscon Community Alliance [CdT], Jewish Voice for Peace [JVP]
Endorsements
Green Party
Community Service
Volunteer and spokesperson for SSSR, GOBW, CdT, JVP
Occupation
Physician
Education
Rutgers Medical School, Albert Einstein Medical Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Let’s expedite transition away from fossil fuels and towards renewable options by: Incentivizing homeowners to go solar with increased rebates for solar panel installation and net metering so the dollar value for energy given to the grid equals that taken from the grid; Grants and stipends to develop low cost batteries, flywheels, and other solar energy storage systems; Supporting R&D for wind turbine designs to maximize efficiency and minimize impact on wildlife and noise pollution; Evaluate which areas are most suitable for renewable energy production and distribution (solar installation projects, wind farms, transmission lines, etc.) while protecting public lands; Until we have the capability through cost effective storage of utilizing solar and wind energy ‘round the clock, let’s investigate geothermal as a renewable alternative over nuclear and fossil fuel, because its radioactive emission and greenhouse effect are significantly lower.
Arizona must transition from our current energy portfolio of 70% coal, natural (fossil) gas, and nuclear to clean energy as soon as possible to address the climate catastrophe of our rapidly warming planet. In a state with abundant potential to harvest solar power, we must also plan to phase out nuclear energy to avoid the buildup of radioactive waste. Additionally, the locations for clean energy production and distribution must use the already degraded public land to prevent further harm to our irreplaceable nature. With adoption of clean energy, the public is at less risk for pipeline leaks and ruptures and toxic railway accidents. Globally, many cities and localities are adopting climate resilience policies and here in Arizona, we, too, must become leaders in the movement for climate action. I am convinced that we can tackle these goals and aspirations together.
My plans to bring greater transparency to the process by which rate increases are approved:
1. Review of the utility company’s financial records by a forensic accountant so that corporate business expenses such as operating costs, salaries of executives, and payments to shareholders are transparent.
2. Require appropriate justification for rate increase requests. For instance, if a utility wants to buy new equipment, why can’t they purchase with their own capital? When does it become the customer’s responsibility?
3. Greater public accessibility to rate hearings between the Commission and the utility company by uploading hearing transcripts to the web. Currently customers must go to a Commission office to read transcripts. Customers are charged for copies and the limit is 20 pages, yet transcripts can be 100s of pages long.
4. Sufficient notification of when public hearings are held, so customers have ample time to prepare their comments and questions.
Groundwater shortage: Mining co. drilling and constructing roads across ephemeral washes in Santa Rita Mts., hindering flow of water to Santa Cruz River and disrupting wildlife habitats. ADEQ granted water permit and no limit of usage and no fee. Address: Prohibit mining in areas with critical water shortages. Review relationship of ACC and ADEQ.
Environmental and ecological impact of utility cos: Private transmission line co project approved for San Pedro Valley, which is a culture intact landscape. BLM failed to submit required culture landscape study report to ACC. Majority of energy going to CA, not AZ. Address: Requirements for approvals. Input from environmental, indigenous, and community groups.
Utility rate increases: 2023 TEP $12/mo. 2024 APS $11.50/mo. 2025 GWR $7/mo. No rebate for water harvesting from GWR yet public water co offers $2000. Address: Moratorium on rate increases. Remove fixed fees. Add sliding-scale rates based on usage. Require rebates from private cos
Private utilities are essentially unregulated monopolies and ACC controls costs to customers and protects their safety and health. ACC should place customers above utility company profits. Approval of rate hikes for water and electricity that exceed the inflation rate does not protect the economic security of the public. ACC is responsible for approving or denying sites for energy production and transmission line construction, yet federally mandated rules are not always followed and there is little or no communication with environmental, indigenous, and community groups. The Safety Division of ACC is in charge of railways and pipelines, but should also include the inspection and maintenance of all electric utility equipment, otherwise Arizona runs the risk of the deadly wildfires that have plagued California when private utilities cut corners for the sake of corporate profit.
Campaign YouTube
Public Policy Priorities
Energy Reliability at the most affordable utility rates
Qualifications and Experience
Commissioner and Past Chairwoman for the Arizona Corporation Commission - approved more than $40 million in rebates for TEP and APS customers during pandemic, approved a policy of no disconnections during the heat of summer for public safety, created the Energy Reliability Summit for increased focus on peak demand during summer months in light of California's rolling blackouts. Additionally, I am the only Commissioner based outside the Phoenix area and am the first Latina to serve in a statewide role in the history of our state. Former President - Tucson Hispanic Chamber which was one of the largest Chambers in the State.
Organization Memberships and Affiliations
Co-Chair of the NARUC/NASEO Nuclear Taskforce, Vice-Chair of the NARUC national Water committee, Vice-Chair of the Western Interconnection Regional Advisory Body. Board Member - EPRI (global energy think tank), Past Chair - Carondelet Health Network hospitals, Member - Pima County Workforce Investment Board, Advisory Member - Arizona Judicial Council
Community Service
Tucson Rotary Club, Flinn Brown Fellow, Tucson Leading Women, International Women's Forum, Tucson Airport Authority; Former President/CEO - Tucson Hispanic Chamber, Former Executive Director - Greater Tucson Leadership; Former Board Member - YWCA, National Association of Women Business Owners, Arizona Finance Authority
Occupation
Arizona Corporation Commissioner
Education
MBA - Pepperdine University, BSBA - Marketing and Entrepreneurship
I support an "all of the above approach" to our energy demands to ensure energy reliability at the most affordable utility rates. With the fast growing pace of commercial and residential growth in our state, we need to ensure that we do not face rolling blackouts like California and that we can provide adequate energy during our peak times and the heat of the summer months. Since 2019, I have voted to approve interconnection for dozens of utility scale solar and battery projects owned by third party developers and our regulated utilities. I support the continued buildout of renewable energy - like solar and wind, but also support natural gas plant expansion as necessary and the development of small modular nuclear plants in the future as it becomes more affordable. We need an "all of the above approach" to our energy future due to the intermittent nature of solar and wind as well as the growing energy load we are projecting in the near future.
The ACC should not be choosing "winners and losers" for certain types of energy but instead should be encouraging investment in projects that will provide a reliable energy load based on the projections provided by our regulated utilities. Each utility has set their own clean energy goals and are bringing online many utility scale solar and batter projects in their territories. Utilities use all-source RFPs to choose the best projects to meet the demands by their commercial and residential customers while also meeting their internal goals.
As Chairwoman of the Commission, I focused on providing greater transparency to our processes and we have added the voting record for every vote to our website. The Commission utilizes a docket system which is helpful in allowing ratepayers to file comments on each rate case before the Commission. We generally hear 40-50 rate cases a year. Each utility is required to notify ratepayers and stakeholders of their rate applications and as a Commissioner, I encourage them to weigh in on issues related to the rate case via letters, emails and public comments. One of the stakeholder groups - small businesses - have lacked a voice at the Commission and it is my hope that local Chambers of Commerce and industry association groups will also comment on rate cases that impact their members in the future. I have continued to speak at Chambers of Commerce, Rotary Groups and Kiwanis groups to increase the visibility and awareness of our work at the Commission.
1) Energy Reliability - Created an Energy Reliability Summit to focus on energy needs for the upcoming summer months. This effort was especially important as California experienced rolling blackouts and leaned on Arizona to provide excess energy. I also support an "all of the above approach" to energy projects to ensure that we will provide enough energy capacity for our growing state. Arizona Public Service estimates that their energy demand will grow by 40% over the next 8 years.
2) Affordable Utility Rates - I carefully review every rate case before us to lessen the impact of utility rate increases on customers. I support low income programs and payment plans as necessary for families and small businesses. I also support a moratorium on disconnections during the summer months due to the excessive heat.
3)Transparency - I led on the creation of a Code of Ethics, added voting records to the website, and promote ratepayers writing letters to the dockets to provide comments on rates.
The private, investor owned utilities that the ACC regulates are monopolies and the ACC was created as part of the Arizona Constitution to ensure that they are making the proper capital investments and charging just and reasonable rates to their customers. The ACC is a quasi-judicial, legislative body that is elected statewide and works with close to 400 utility companies.
Public Policy Priorities
Bringing the Corporation Commission back to our constitutional duty of making sure our state gets affordable, reliable, and safe utilities through democratically elected oversight of the utility companies.
Qualifications and Experience
United States Foreign Service - 2003-2020; Executive Director, Pima County Democratic Party 2020-2021
Endorsements
Ironworkers Local 75; Communications Workers of America (CWA) Arizona State Council; Sierra Club - Grand Canyon Chapter; Indivisible Sedona Endorsement; AZ NOW PAC; Climate Cabinet; AFSCME Arizona; Democrats of the Red Rocks; Stonewall Democrats of Arizona
Community Service
VOLUNTEER POSITIONS - Co-Troop Leader and Founder, Girl Scouts Troop #446 2019–present; Board member and advocacy chair, League of Women Voters of Greater Tucson 2019–2024; Advocacy Committee Member, Living Streets Alliance (Tucson) 2023–present; Governance Committee and Board Member, Tucson Young Professionals 2021–2023; Lineweaver Elementary School Site Council Member 2023-present
Occupation
Retired Foreign Service Officer
Education
Brandeis University, B.A. 2003; Harvard Kennedy School, M.P.A. 2018
The primary challenges standing in the way of Arizona’s push for energy independence through building out our clean energy infrastructure are government regulations. The current GOP majority on the Commission has set up regulations where utilities get higher profits from building new fossil fuel power plants and ratepayers pay higher bills instead of transitioning to cheaper clean energy production and storage. Once elected, I will reform the regulatory system to level the playing field between pricier, more water intensive, and dirtier coal and methane and less expensive, largely water free, and clean solar, wind, storage, and efficiency.
Ratepayers should not be paying billions every year to out-of-state fossil fuel multinationals for dirty, unreliable, and water-hungry power.
The Corporation Commission’s core constitutional duty is to ensure that the Arizona public receives affordable, reliable, and safe utility services. The outdated government regulations supported and pushed by the current GOP majority actually make it more expensive for our citizens to get the affordability and security of clean energy, putting the profits of out-of-state fossil fuel wholesalers over the needs of our state. The Commission should take a leading role in bringing private and public clean energy investment to Arizona by reforming these outdated regulations. This will result in tens of thousands of good, high-skilled construction jobs across the state, in urban and rural areas. With federal dollars from the Inflation Reduction Act, many of these jobs will be union. Once elected, I will bring the Commission in line with market conditions so that ratepayers are not on the hook for paying for antiquated fossil fuel infrastructure in 2050 or 2060.
First, the Residential Utility Consumer Office is massively underfunded. The utility puts a rate case forward as a single organization but there are thousands, even millions of ratepayers impacted by these decisions. Consumers, small businesses, and institutions like our public school deserve an advocate before the Commission with similar resources to the utilities. Second, we need to update our technology to make public comment and testimony accessible to all Arizonans. Finally, the Commission staff should be responsible for producing summaries and analysis of the rate which translate the arcane calculations into the concrete impacts it will have on the lives of the ratepayers.
Returning the Commission to its core constitutional duty of ensuring that the Arizona public receives affordable, reliable, and safe utility services. Right now, the Commission is setting our state up for decades of pricey dependence on water-hungry and unreliable coal and methane. We cannot afford to bet our future on this outdated and dirty way of doing things. We need a plan to phase in our energy freedom that will protect our water and bring down rates. The ACC should work to complete the unfinished job of rural electrification. Finally, the Commission needs reform top to bottom to deliver 21st century service to the people of Arizona.
The Commission provides elected oversight over the public service corporations. Companies like APS and TEP have the privilege of serving the Arizona public. They have been partners for decades in building Arizona’s economy and I want to see that partnership continue into the 21st century. Ultimately though, the Commission answers to the people of Arizona not to the shareholders of our utilities. My duty will be to the voters and making sure they get the affordable, reliable, and safe utilities they deserve. I will fight for my fellow citizens so when the temperatures hit triple digits, the a/c runs and the taps don’t run dry.
Public Policy Priorities
I am running to keep Arizona affordable and a great place to live. The Commission exists under the state Constitution to protect the rate payer. Their responsibility is to maintain a safe and reliable grid using the least cost of generation. The Commission is supposed to regulate, not legislate. Forced energy investments and mandates put the rate payer last and thwart free market principles. We need to eliminate subsidies and government overreach which increase the cost of your utilities. The Commission enforces investment law and we must ensure the integrity of the financial marketplace. More training and resources are needed to fight crypto currency scams.
Qualifications and Experience
My background is finance and business. That experience led to my career with Vanguard. For 10 years I managed the Institutional accounts for some of the most recognized companies in America. I was securities licensed and trained on fraud prevention, anti money laundering, and other investment related issues. I am on the Mesa School Board and that board experience will be very similar to the Commission board.
Organization Memberships and Affiliations
Precinct Committeeman and State Committeeman for GOP
Endorsements
Chairman Jim O'Connor, Commissioner Kevin Thompson, Commissioner Nick Myers, former Commissioner Justin Olson, Senate President Warren Petersen, Senate Majority leader Sonny Borrelli, Senator David Farnsworth, The Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry, The Council on American Exceptionalism, AZ Republican Assembly, Mom's for America
Community Service
Mesa Public Schools Governing Board member
Occupation
Politics
Education
Arizona State University, Bachelor's degree, Master of Arts program
The criteria that should drive the Commissioner decisions are cost, reliability, and grid integrity. The Commission is not a fourth branch of government and should not mandate policy, but allow the above factors to guide the rate cases. The authority of the Commission is granted through the Arizona Constitution to ensure that the rates Arizonans pay for their services are "just and reasonable." However, many of the renewable developments are from third party companies, and not the utilities. Such projects are not approved by the Commission, but the Commission does approve the purchase of power from these renewable projects.
The Commission protects the rate payer first by prioritizing cost and reliability. The Commission should determine a just and reasonable rate, not dictate which energy generation to use. An all of the above approach to energy has proven to be the best option to hedge against market conditions and supply and demand issues. Every energy option has a trade off. Renewable energy for example is associated with clean energy yet it is primarily manufactured in China with dirty and unregulated coal plants. There's nothing clean about mining the rare earth minerals needed for the solar panels and batteries and the manufacturing of the materials. We can best serve the rate payer by keeping the Commission in its statutory lane.
The Commission has a transparent process. There are public meetings in communities that will be impacted by pending rate cases. All the rate case information, financial reports, and evidence related to the case are public and available online. The meetings are public and recorded. I would be open minded to suggestions on ways this process could be even more transparent.
We need to eliminate subsidies from the rates. As rate cases come to the Commission, we have the opportunity to add amendments to the case to repeal subsidies. Subsidies socialize the costs of special interests among all the customers. Customers end up paying more so other customers can get a benefit. Everyone should pay their fair share of what they use. 2. Arizona is one of the slowest states for rate case processing. The cost of this regulatory lag gets passed to the rate payer. We must work to improve efficiency in our processes which will save both the rate payers and utilities money. 3. As coal plants get retired the energy that they produced is not always replaced with a comparable, reliable base load. Arizonans should not have to see brown outs and energy shortages. The Commission can address these issues in the Integrated Resource Plans and Summer Preparedness Workshops and help in the planning of resource adequacy.
The Commission must be professional, effective, and responsive towards the utility companies we regulate. They are private companies, not government entities, that provide vital services to the state. We must fulfill our Constitutional duties to protect the rate payer and ensure costs are prudent, but also need the companies we regulate to be healthy so we don't risk losing these services. The Commission must balance affordable rates against grid reliability, which means ensuring a stable regulatory environment to keep up with the need for well distributed and reliable resources.
