Full restructuring of electricity markets in Arizona offers the best antidote for the outdated monopoly model.

The Arizona Corporation Commission voted to require electric companies to give those who fall behind up to four months after Oct. 15 to repay their outstanding balance. But it bars the utilities from charging interest or late fees.

Undoubtedly, natural gas and renewables are gaining prominence in Arizona and the nation. But it makes sense to keep all options on the table. In Arizona, coal and nuclear power have proven reliable for decades. They should continue to be part of an all-of-the-above energy mix alongside natural gas and solar for years to come.

Electricity is among the most political of commodities, and everyone has her favored form of power, with a constellation of advocates to promote it. Too often, wishful thinking masquerades as fact and political sloganeering substitutes for intellectually rigorous policy analysis. Utility regulators have a challenging set of responsibilities as they sift among the claims of these competing interests.

Billionaire Democratic mega-donor Tom Steyer criticized the state’s largest electric company and the biggest competitor of his clean energy ballot initiative Friday for using shady tactics to block a public vote of the renewable energy measure in November.

The Arizona Capitol Times team didn't know how to say no to a "Hamilton" tribute, and "licenses schmicenses" was a real topic of conversation.

States that generate large amounts of renewable energy, such as California with its abundant supply of solar power, have to “sell” power to neighboring states at negative prices, meaning California is effectively paying Arizona to take energy from their systems.

The state of Arizona – much like the rest of the nation – is at an energy crossroads. As demand for electricity grows, residents and policymakers are wrestling with questions that will define the future of the state’s energy grid, and will determine Arizona’s ability to keep its lights on and its economy vibrant in the years to come.

In the last year, three electric utilities have already stepped up to the plate seeking a rate increase from the Arizona Corporation Commission. Fortunately, two have struck out.

Picking up where he left off last year, Arizona Corporation Commissioner Bob Burns is pursuing rules on transparency and electioneering disclosure for his beleaguered regulatory body.