Arizona Commissioner to Hold Stakeholder Meetings on Retail Choice Topics

Arizona Corporation Commissioner Brenda Burns informed her colleagues that she will hold a series of meetings with stakeholders regarding specific topics in the Commission's retail electric choice investigation, stating there is, "a great deal more information to acquire, research, study and discern in order to assist me in my full consideration of the Retail Competition matter."

"As many have noted, the decision on whether or not to pursue Retail Competition in Arizona is one of the most, if not, 'the most' important decision to face the Commission in more than a decade. I have appreciated the fervor and passion displayed by both sides of this crucial question and I have learned a great deal from both the advocates and opponents of the proposal to pursue this venture," Burns said.

"However, I feel that I still have a great deal more information to acquire, research, study and discern in order to assist me in my full consideration of the Retail Competition matter," Burns said.

"There are some distinct issues that I wish to delve into on a deeper scale. I will be inviting several key stakeholders to the Commission to discuss and deliberate these separate topics so that I can weigh the disparate arguments and ask questions of both sides. I trust that all of you share my concerns and frustrations with the limited way we can discuss and weigh the conflicting volume of evidence as it has been presented to us for the better part of this year," Burns said.

"These discussions will be noticed and anyone who wants to attend in order to listen and observe is welcome. It is my desire to move in a deliberate, thoughtful and prudent manner towards an informed decision when I/we finally vote on this matter. I anticipate inviting stakeholders to meet throughout the month of September on the various topics and invite you to join me in any or all of these meetings," Burns said.