What is the Arizona Corporation Commission?

The Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC or Commission) was established on statehood in 1912 as a Constitutional authority. The framers established the Commission as a separate, popularly-elected branch of state government. The ACC was originally made up of 3 commissioners; but was expanded to 5 commissioners in 2000 by popular vote. Commissioners are elected to four-year staggered terms – meaning that only two or three are up for re-election every election cycle – and are limited to two terms each.

Arizona is one of 13 states with an elected Commission; in the 37 other states, Commissioners are either appointed by the Governor or the legislature. In many states, the Commission is known as the Public Utilities or the Public Service Commission.

The ACC functions in all three constitutional roles: executive, legislative and judicial, and its decisions are made in open meetings.

The ACC sets rates for utilities, including power, water and local telephone service; regulates private water and sewer companies; sets the Renewable Energy Standard (RES), oversees the Universal Service, Fund, which are funds from surcharges to pay for rural phones; monitors oil and natural gas pipelines and railroad safety; grants corporate status, maintains corporate records, monitors the integrity of AZ businesses and organizations; and ensures the integrity of the Securities marketplace, regulates brokers, protecting the public from investment scams.

The ACC does not have authority over the internet or cellular phone service, but works with federal agencies and municipalities to protect consumers. The ACC regulates 16 electric utilities, 7 natural gas utilities and over 350 private water and sewer utilities.

In 2005-2006, the Commission deposited $56.5 million in the State treasury; and spent $25.5 million.

The ACC has 7 divisions: Administrative, Legal, Utilities, Corporations, Securities, Hearings and Information Technology; and has about 350 employees.

I believe that the ACC’s main role is to protect consumers, while ensuring utilities’ financial health. As a life-long consumer advocate, I believe that it’s time to return the "power to the people," and time to invest in a long-term, stable strategy to build our home-grown resources: sun and wind.

Here’s what I believe the ACC can do for YOU:

v Oversee rural and electric gas cooperatives:

v Prepare Transmission Assessment Reports every two years and make them available to the public;

v Enforce safety of overhead power lines;

v Provide maps of utility service areas to the public;

v Inspect railroads and pipelines for safety;

v Ensure local phone companies are charging fair rates and allowing competition;

v Hear and resolves consumer complaints;

v Ensure that AZ’s corporations are acting lawfully;

v Provide online access to corporate filings; and