Arizona Commissioner Urges ACC To "Prioritize" Discussion Of Retail Competition (Staff Had Proposed Not Holding Next Retail Workshop Until July)

In a memo to fellow Commissioners, Arizona Corporation Commissioner Justin Olson urged the ACC to "prioritize" a discussion on retail competition

Olson's memo follows a proposal from ACC Staff to hold the next retail competition workshop in July 2019, as exclusively first reported by EnergyChoiceMatters.com

Olson wrote, "I am writing to respond to the proposed timeline submitted by Staff addressing topics raised in the docket, RU-00000A-18-0284, on possible modifications to the Commission's energy rules. It would be my preference that the Commission prioritize a discussion on retail competition and provide a timeline or schedule for considering the issue."

"I echo the comments made by Chairman Burns in his December 28th letter when he confirmed the opening of a separate docket, RE-00000A-18-0405, for considering retail competition. Chairman Burns expressed his intention that the Commission ensure an opportunity to fully consider retail competition. We want to allow Commissioners the time to seek the information they need. I believe our Commission can invite more rigorous participation from all parties by developing a schedule for workshops and a timeline for a decision from the Commission whether to pursue Competition," Olson wrote

"I would like to discuss with the Commission prioritizing retail competition, or at least, considering retail competition alongside the other policy considerations. I am requesting that the Commission discuss the topic and timeline at our next available Staff meeting," Olson wrote