The Arizona Corporation Commission has the legal right to seize managerial control of utilities that pose a risk to public health and safety, the state Supreme Court ruled Friday. In a 6-1 decision, the justices rejected claims by George Johnson ...

Commissioners, who sit in the directors’ chairs, can and should extend and expand Arizona’s Energy Efficiency Standard to 35% by 2035, providing an encore to the pragmatic framework of an annual increase of energy savings as well as accountability measures such as implementation plans. Only then should they take a bow.

The owners of Johnson Utilities are going to get a chance to argue that the takeover of the management of the firm by state regulators is illegal.

Democrat Sandra Kennedy said Thursday there would be no need for voters to impose a renewable energy mandate if state utility regulators would do their job.

Michael Hernandez supports the incorporation of San Tan Valley, and Sen. David Farnsworth, a Mesa Republican, wasn’t willing to sponsor legislation to aid that goal.

On Tuesday, prosecutors filed a motion to dismiss all charges against former Arizona Corporation Commissioner Gary Pierce, his wife, Sherry Pierce, lobbyist Jim Norton and utility owner George Johnson.

A federal judge on Wednesday rebuffed a bid by the family trust that owns Johnson Utilities to block state utility regulators from taking control of the water and sewage company.

A federal judge refused Thursday to allow state utility regulators to seize control of Johnson Utilities, at least for the time being.

The Arizona Corporation Commission will proceed with a vote today to install an interim manager at Johnson Utilities after the water company’s failed attempts in court to halt the appointment.

Gary Pierce and his fellow co-defendants aren’t off the hook yet, despite the government’s failed attempt to convince a jury they were part of a scheme to bribe the former utility regulator.