Arizona Corporation Commission

The Arizona Corporation Commission is the Public Utilities Commission for the State of Arizona. It was created by Article 15 of the Arizona Constitution. Unlike most states, Arizona’s constitution requires the commission to be elected by the people, rather than appointed by the governor. This was done because the writers of the constitution were worried that a governor might choose officials who would favor big companies over regular people.

When Arizona became a state in 1912, the commission started with three members who served six-year terms. In 2000, voters changed this by approving Proposition 103. This made the commission bigger, with five members instead of three. It also changed the terms to four years and limited members to serving no more than two terms in a row. However, after a break of one term, a former commissioner can run again.

Because the commission operates separately from the governor and other leaders, it is sometimes called the "fourth branch of government". This name is not official, though, because the Arizona Constitution says that state government has only three parts: the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

As of January 2025, the commission has five members: Lea Márquez Peterson, Nick Myers, Rene Lopez, Kevin Thompson, and Rachel Walden. They work together to make important decisions about utilities and other issues in Arizona.

Responsibilities and duties

The Arizona Corporation Commission has many important jobs. It helps control public utility companies, like those that provide electricity and water. It also looks after the rules for starting new businesses and organizations, watches over securities (which are like investments), and makes sure railroads and pipelines are safe.

In January 2018, a former leader in Arizona’s government, Andy Tobin, suggested a plan for energy. This plan aimed to use 80 percent clean energy and get 3,000 MW of energy storage ready. If achieved, this would be more than what California and New York have.

Leadership

Each year, the Arizona Corporation Commission chooses one of its members to be the Chairperson. As of January 2025, the Chairperson is Kevin Thompson. Before him, the Chairperson was Jim O'Connor.

Controversies

Before January 5, 2016, the leader of the Arizona Corporation Commission was Susan Bitter Smith. She started in 2013. In 2015, the Arizona Attorney General’s office started looking into a problem. People thought Susan might not be fair because while she was in charge of watching over phone and internet companies, she also worked for them through her own business.

In June 2016, a lawyer named Eric Hill left the Arizona Corporation Commission to work for companies that install solar panels on roofs. He joined a law group that was helping these solar companies in disputes with Arizona’s biggest electric company about fair prices for electricity.

Hearing Division

The Hearing Division, led by the Chief Hearing Officer, holds important meetings and suggests decisions for the Commissioners to review and approve. Over the years, many people have served as Chief Hearing Officers.

Regulation of public utilities

The Commission helps control power companies in Arizona. In 2006, it created rules to encourage using sunlight for power. To share this information, the Commission and power companies made a website called Arizona Goes Solar. Some people disagreed with these rules, but they were supported by a court in 2011.

Past Commissioners

Notes:
† = the first group of Commissioners were elected in the 1911 election, shortly before Arizona was officially admitted into the union
= Left office before completing term, requiring a special election to fill the vacancy
= Elected to a partial term in a special election
= Elected to shortened terms to begin the staggering of terms for the 3-member Commission
= Elected to 2-year term to begin staggering of terms for the 5-member Commission
- seat numbers are not formal designations, but are included to make the history easier to read
- when multiple Commissioners are elected to full terms in the same election (2002–present), the informal seat order has been determined in the order of the total votes received
-this list only includes the winners of regular and special elections; it does not include Commissioners appointed to fill a vacancy until the next election

Current Commissioners

The current members of the Arizona Corporation Commission in 2025 are Lea Márquez Peterson, Nick Myers, Rene Lopez, Kevin Thompson (who serves as Chair), and Rachel Walden. All are members of the Republican Party.