Recent Articles from Luige del Puerto
Q&A with Jim Waring – Phoenix Councilman and former legislator
After losing to Ben Quayle in a crowded congressional race in 2010, former Republican legislator Jim Waring bounced back to win a seat on the Phoenix City Council in 2011.
Electricity deregulation is dead
In a sudden turn of events, the Arizona Corporation Commission today voted to end the discussion to open the state’s electricity market to competition.
But the commissioners left open looking into related issues, such as discussing technological innovations in delivering electricity.
Critics warn of legal obstacles to deregulation
Arizona’s energy regulators dug deep into the legal complications surrounding a proposal to open up the state’s electric market to competition.
Lifesaving Laws
With little fanfare, lawmakers take small steps to make the state safer
On Sept. 13, most of the laws that legislators and the governor enacted in this year’s session finally take effect. While several were highly controversial, such as expanding the state’s Medicaid program or simplifying the sales tax system, others are aimed at saving people’s lives. Many of the li[...]
Corporation commissioner considers hearing to dig into deregulation
Dismayed by the combative stance adopted by critics and proponents of electricity deregulation and dissatisfied by answers he’s received so far, a state regulator is mulling a court-style hearing to dig deeper into the pros and cons.
Electricity deregulation advocate challenges opponent to debate
A senior policy expert at the Goldwater Institute said he has challenged an anti-deregulation critic to a one-on-one debate over a proposal for Arizona to dismantle its monopolistic system of providing electricity to homes and industries.
State finishes fiscal year with more money than expected
Arizona is poised to end fiscal 2013 in a better position than anticipated.
Higher education officials press for more business engagement
University officials today pressed the business community and the state for more engagement in creating a robust college education system, even as they acknowledged that schools are adapting to technology-driven changes in higher education.
Q & A: Mark Schiavoni APS vice president for operations
In this Aug. 2 interview, Mark Schiavoni, APS vice president for operations, argued that Arizona’s regulated model has worked for more than a century and there is no reason to plunge into the unfamiliar waters of competition. APS spokesman Jim McDonald also sat in for the chat with Arizona Capitol Times reporter Luige del Puerto.
APS puts plans on hold as talk of deregulation heats up
Arizona Public Service is temporarily halting plans for more than $550 million in investments to secure its power supply after energy regulators opened up the possibility of competition in electric service.
Power Struggle
Showdown looms over electrical deregulation
For a century, public utilities have produced and delivered electricity to homes and industries in a system that guarantees their profit and ensures steady service to residents.
Now, the Arizona Corporation Commission is considering whether to shake up the monopolies and bring competition to the state.
Corporation Commission asks for public’s views on electricity deregulation
The Arizona Corporation Commission has asked the public to weigh in on electricity deregulation, which would break up the state’s system of “regulated monopoly” under which a handful of public utility companies are in charge of generating and distributing power to homes and industries.