The Arizona Corporation Commission announced on April 10 that it voted on 30 matters during its April 8 open meeting, addressing issues related to safety, securities, telecommunications, electric utilities, and railroads.
One of the main actions was a unanimous vote to work with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in efforts to fight illegal robocalls and phone scams. The Utilities Division will submit comments in response to an FCC Notice of Proposed Rulemaking about changes to numbering rules aimed at stopping these calls. The commission said this step will help hold accountable those misusing Arizona’s phone numbers.
“Today’s vote reflects our commitment to combatting illegal robocalls,” said Chairman Myers. “By working alongside our colleagues at NARUC and engaging in the FCC’s rulemaking process, we can work towards protecting Arizona consumers from the growing threat of illegal robocalls and holding bad actors accountable.”
In other business, the commission approved a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility for the Vulcan Interconnection Project located west of Buckeye. This project includes a new high-voltage transmission line connecting an 800 megawatt solar power facility and battery storage system—together called the Vulcan Energy Center—to Salt River Project’s Hassayampa Switchyard.
The commission also unanimously approved a reduction in UNS Electric’s Purchased Power and Fuel Adjustment Clause surcharge for residential customers from May through December 2026. With this change—and updates to UNS Electric’s Renewable Energy Standard surcharge—a typical customer using about 884 kilowatt-hours per month could see their monthly bill decrease by around $15.50 compared with previous rates. This follows another surcharge elimination last December that had already lowered bills by about $20 per month.
“As we are approaching the summer heat, I am glad the Commission was able to provide some rate relief for customers in Kingman, Lake Havasu, Nogales and other smaller communities in Mohave and Santa Cruz counties,” Myers said.
Additionally, commissioners approved construction of a new at-grade rail crossing on Ethington Road at Illinois Road in Casa Grande. The crossing is needed for industrial development serving companies such as Kohler and Green Bay Packaging. Construction is expected to take up to fifteen months.
