The Arizona Corporation Commission will hold a public hearing with operators of the nation's largest nuclear power plant to assess safety procedures in the wake of Japan's nuclear catastrophe.

From homebuilders to Realtors, representatives of the recession-ravaged construction and real estate industries are doggedly pursuing dual legislative goals.

They’re determined to block legislation that they say would further sink their struggling businesses while supporting measures that might give them a financial boost. Several bills are under consideration that would make it easier to sell homes.

A draft plan on the solar potential of federal land identifies three Arizona sites encompassing nearly 14,000 acres as highly suitable for energy development.

A recent ruling by the Arizona Corporation Commission allows customers of UniSource Energy Services, which provides electricity to 230,000 people in rural areas of northern and southern Arizona, to receive power line extensions for free if the distance is 400 feet or less.

Attending a renewable-energy company’s grand opening Monday, Gov. Jan Brewer said Arizona will become the U.S. leader in solar manufacturing and technology.

While the state Department of Health Services will be mired in the process of drafting regulations for the industry over the next four months, it’s not stopping businesses from forming and pitching products and services that may never be approved by state regulators. And competition is already getting fierce.

The Republican dominance of statewide contests appeared to include two seats on the Arizona Corporation Commission. Republicans Brenda Burns and Gary Pierce held comfortable leads over two Democrats, two Green Party candidates and a Libertarian.

Maria Garcia, wife of the late Democratic leader Jorge Garcia, was among three Tucson residents who were nominated Oct. 26 to replace the senator.

Senate Minority Leader Jorge Garcia had an aura of almost monkish austerity. You saw it in what he wore – earth-colored trousers and a drab polo shirt. And you saw it in how he spoke – plain and direct.

Although utility deregulation was a colossal failure in California, Libertarian Rick Fowlkes says turning the energy industry over to the free market in Arizona will be his top priority if he is elected to the Corporation Commission this November.