Coronado Generating Station

 
Palo Verde


Integrated roof top solar


Springerville Generating Station


Suncatcher

The Arizona Corporation Commission was established by Article 15 of the Arizona Constitution and is the Public Utilities Commission of the State of Arizona. The Arizona constitution calls for the election of commissioners unlike many other states which have governor-appointed commissioners. There are currently five members of the commission who are directly elected statewide and serve staggered four-year terms. The commission's scope of responsibility is generally larger than most commissions in other states.

 The Commission regulates investor-owned or privately-owned utilities that provide gas, water, electricity or telephone service. Examples are: Southwest Gas, Arizona Public Service, Tucson Electric Power Co., Qwest, and Arizona American Water Pima Utilities Wastewater. With the exception of siting its power plants and transmission lines, the Salt River Project is outside the jurisdiction of the Commission.

The Commission also regulates utility cooperatives (owned by the customers) such as Graham County Electric Cooperative, Mohave Electric Cooperative and Doney Park Water Cooperative. Many cities own and operate electric, gas, sewer and water utilities. The Commission has no jurisdiction over these operations with the notable exception of pipeline safety for municipal, public or any natural gas distribution system.

The Commission also oversees the safe operation of railroads in the state and enforces state and federal regulations safeguarding the transportation of hazardous materials by rail. It also inspects railroad crossings and clearances for safety and maintenance deficiencies.

The Commission is the state agency that polices the sale of securities within Arizona and oversees the corporate status of Arizona and foreign corporations.