The Flagstaff City Council went over their plans for the state legislature and Congress, as well as drafting a letter opposing two bills currently in the state legislature. Council voted unanimously to oppose two bills related to the Arizona Corporation Commission. The proposed bills, House Bill 2248 and Senate Bill 1175 would require the state legislature to approve any ACC rulings on how utility companies generate electricity. City Management Analyst Sarah Langley says the ACC is considering a new set of rules that would require electrical providers to generate 50-percent of their energy from renewable resources by 2035, with the goal of reaching 100-percent renewables by 2050. In a letter to State legislators, the council argued that the bills would limit the impact of the community feedback that ACC uses in their policy decisions and would negatively impact Arizona’s environment. Council also approved a list of other priorities for state and federal legislators. Among the key issues were to promote more funding and legislation on affordable housing, as well as reinstating daily service for Amtrak’s southwest chief to increase tourism and boost the local economy.
###
Nicholas Bratcher
