Recently elected Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton and architectural sustainability consultant Bill McDonough held a conversation with the downtown Phoenix community last month to figure out ways to put the empty lots that dot the city to work.

Zimmerman Diary has been operating in Arizona for nearly 90 years, but its long-lasting success doesn’t mean its third-generation owners haven’t had to innovate to survive along the way.

Facing rising costs, in March 2011 the Zimmermans installed a shiny new fixture they say will enable them to continue to stay in business regardless of electricity rates.

Legislation aimed at barring the Arizona Corporation Commission from adopting renewable energy standards that are more stringent than what is currently in place is an unconstitutional power grab by lawmakers, the Commission’s lead attorney says.

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management is holding a series of public meetings across Arizona on proposals for renewable energy development.

Three meetings are scheduled next week in Phoenix, Flagstaff and Kingman. Two others are scheduled in Yuma and Tucson next month.

A panel of senators today approved legislation to bar the Arizona Corporation Commission from adopting renewable energy standards that are more stringent than what is currently in place.

Many consider the bill an attempt by lawmakers to assert control over the state’s energy policy, but critics said it infringes on the commission’s constitutional authority to set rates for public utility companies.

A bill that would give the Legislature a say over energy rules adopted by the Arizona Corporation Commission is being scaled back.

An amendment proposed for consideration by a Senate committee Wednesday would rewrite the bill approved by the House.

BUCKEYE – A year after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, operators of Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station said Friday that events in Japan prompted new initiatives to prepare for emergencies.

“We’re adamant that we’re going to take a safe industry and make it even safer by applying those lessons learned,” said Randy Edington, executive vice president and chief nuclear officer of Arizona Public Service.

Environmentalists fear that the Arizona Corporation Commission may waive its stringent energy efficiency standards rather than approve a power-cutting plan submitted by Tucson Electric Power and scheduled for a vote Friday.

The Arizona Legislature is considering HB2789, which significantly increases government regulation by requiring every rule the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) makes that affects “public service corporations” (a.k.a. utilities) go before the full House, the Senate and the governor for approval prior to the rule taking effect. This bill will cause unnecessary delays in the rules [...]

A new solar power project is planned near the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station west of Phoenix. KTAR-FM reports the Arlington Valley Solar Energy 2 project will generate an estimated 127 megawatts of power when commercial operations start. That’s enough power to supply 25,400 homes.