Arizona Voters Just Got A Preview of Who’s Really Working for Them — And Who Isn’t

PHOENIX, AZ– Yesterday,  three of the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) candidates, including Republican Commissioner Kevin Thompson and Democrats Clara Pratte and Jonathon Hill, took the stage for the Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission’s debate for the ACC race. Republican candidate Ralph Heap skipped the debate entirely for the second time in a week. The candidates were asked about rising utility bills, data centers, and clean energy, and Thompson’s answers made clear just how expensive his vision for the ACC would be for Arizona families. 

During the debate, Clara Pratte and Jonathon Hill pointed to record utility profits flowing to Wall Street and said affordability has to come first, pressing Thompson on why the ACC is defending formula rates that voters never asked for. 

Under Commissioner Kevin Thompson, Arizona has experienced record-breaking electricity rates with the commission killing a program that saved families almost $2 billion. Recent polling shows how important lowering energy costs and building clean energy are to voters. 

Climate Power Arizona State Director Diali Avila issued the following statement: 

“The choice is between two competing visions, one where regulators fight for our families and invest in the clean, affordable energy Arizona needs now more than ever, and one where regulators continue to do the same things that led us to where we are today: approving rate hikes, blocking cheaper, cleaner energy sources, and taking money from the same utility and fossil fuel interests they’re supposed to regulate. This is a crucial choice for Arizona families experiencing high energy costs, extreme heat, and the growing danger of data centers. Put simply, our ability to pay our energy bills is on the ballot this fall.”

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