Arizona candidates criticize utility commission over ratepayer protection

Democratic candidates Jonathan Hill and Clara Pratte have criticized the Arizona Corporation Commission, the body regulating utility prices, for failing to protect ratepayers. During a recent debate, Hill accused the commission of ignoring the financial struggles of electric customers and mishandling the rapid growth of data centers.

One specific allegation involved commissioners failing to attend public hearings where citizens had traveled to testify. Republican Commissioner Kevin Thompson defended the commission's practices, stating that commissioners can monitor hearings remotely and still consider all testimony. The debate also highlighted tensions regarding utility rate increases, renewable energy transitions, and the impact of large-scale data center development on consumer costs.