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In Arizona, Pascua Yaqui Tribe Expresses Support For Electric Choice, Says Consideration Of Any Aggregation Authority Should Include Tribal Governments

January 31, 2019

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Copyright 2010-19 EnergyChoiceMatters.com
Reporting by Paul Ring • ring@energychoicematters.com

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The Pascua Yaqui Tribe, which described itself as, "a federally recognized Indian tribe," filed comments with the Arizona Corporation Commission in support of electric choice

"The Tribe supports the development of rules that allow all classes of ratepayers to participate in retail electricity choice. Tribal communities, such as Pascua Yaqui, could benefit from retail choice that allows the Tribe - for itself and its tribal members who live on the Reservation - to choose our source of power, to obtain more renewable energy power consistent with our commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and to lower our electricity costs," the Pascua Yaqui Tribe said in its comments

"Furthermore, the Commission can further retail choice through the creation of innovative 'choice' options, such as community choice aggregation (CCA). CCAs are authorized in Illinois, New Jersey, California and Massachusetts where the CCAs are able to exercise choice on an aggregate basis for all customers within a specific geographic area. If the Commission considers an aggregated metering program, such as community choice aggregation, then the Commission must include tribal governments," the Pascua Yaqui Tribe said in its comments

"Regardless of whether the Commission decides to start from scratch or just fix the aspects of the regulations overturned by the Phelps Dodge decision, the Tribe also strongly encourages the Commission to explicitly acknowledge the sovereign rights and authorities of the Tribe - and the other tribes in the state - over energy services on tribal lands. The Commission should therefore consult with the Tribe on the retail choice program as it might be applied to the regulated utilities operating on the Tribe's (and the other tribes') reservation. The Commission should also consult with the Tribe, and the other tribes, on an appropriate regulatory scheme that would implement retail choice on tribal lands," the Pascua Yaqui Tribe said in its comments

The Pascua Yaqui Tribe said in its comments that, "In 2018, the Tribe conducted a feasibility study to determine the economic feasibility of establishing its own tribal utility authority. One of the key findings of this study was the financial analysis that showed the Tribe, its enterprises, and its tribal members living on the Pascua Yaqui Reservation could save between 9 - 15% on electricity generation costs if the Tribe could secure power at a wholesale price, instead of the retail rate it pays to its current utility."

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