PHOENIX — As states across the U.S. West beef up their renewable energy mandates, a push to do so in Arizona has been met by fierce resistance from the Republican governor and GOP-dominated Legislature.
Lawmakers are looking to strip elected utility regulators of their power to set energy policy in one of the nation's sunniest states.
Utilities are well on their way to meeting Arizona's 15% renewable energy mandate by 2024.
Environmentalists worry that progress would stall if power companies aren't forced to keep installing green technologies at a time when Arizona faces more extreme heat from climate change.
Republican lawmakers supporting the move say the Legislature is the better venue to decide on energy policy.
