Arizona Staff Seek Clarification From Commissioners On Process For Retail Choice Investigation

Staff of the Utilities Division of the Arizona Corporation Commission have sought clarification from all Commissioners on the process to be followed in the ACC's review of retail electric choice

The Utilities Division Staff noted that, "During the Staff Open Meeting on September 11, 2019, the Commissioners discussed item No. 5 'Discussion, Consideration, and possible vote regarding process/procedure for drafting Retail Electric Competition Rules'. As part of the conversation, Commissioner Marquez Petersen suggested that the Commissioners docket their questions and/or relevant topics. The Commission's Utilities Division Staff ('Staff') would then compile those questions and topics into one document seeking comments from stakeholders and interested parties. Commissioner Dunn suggested September 30, 2019, as a possible date to docket the comments."

"It was Staff's understanding that Staff would compile all Commissioners' questions and send them to all stakeholders for them to respond within 60 to 90 days. Staff was also directed to file its research as the document is available and be ready to present the outcome/result of its research at the December Open Meeting," Utilities Division Staff noted

"However, on September 23, 2019, Chairman Burns filed a letter requesting Staff and interested parties to respond to his questions by October 18, 2019. On September 24, 2019, Chairman Burns and Commissioner Olson outlined a process for their two offices to begin work on a preliminary rules package that would be available early next year," Utilities Division Staff noted

Burns and Olson's announcement that they would begin work on a draft initial/preliminary rules package had been exclusively first reported by EnergyChoiceMatters.com

In light of the developments, Utilities Division Staff is seeking clarification from all Commissioners on the process to be followed.

Utilities Division Staff asked whether Staff should:

l. Continue compiling a list of questions and topics (including those questions docketed by Chairman Bums on September 23, 2019) from all of the Commissioners to send to interested parties for comments?

2. Continue working on a set of proposed Retail Electric Competition Rules?

RE-00000A-18-0405