We believe the land and the air around us are a gift, and we are responsible for their care. Individual efforts to “safeguard the earth and her resources for our children and generations that follow” are important but insufficient on their own. Reasonable, well-written policies can help to ensure sustainability.
Last Wednesday, January 26, the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC), by a vote of 3-2, rejected the Energy Rules package that would have required the state’s regulated electric utilities to reduce their carbon emissions to combat climate change. The Energy Rules were drafted over a period of several years and drew upon judgment from industry experts, public utility companies, and Arizona ratepayers, including from members of the Arizona chapter of Mormon Women for Ethical Government. The process of writing the Energy Rules was an example of how government bodies can work with multiple stakeholders in a collaborative and transparent process to produce sound and equitable policy.
After an initial rule-making procedure and vote last spring, some Arizonans, including Commissioner Jim O’Connor, still had concerns about the Energy Rules. Rather than abandon them altogether, Commissioners Anna Tovar (D) and O’Connor (R) reached across the aisle to draft amendments addressing Commissioner O’Connor’s concerns, and these amendments, with the additional support of Commissioner Sandra Kennedy (D), were adopted by the ACC. This was a powerful example of how government processes should work. Unfortunately, when the Energy Rules came up for a final vote this week, Commissioner O’Connor voted against the very rules and amendments he helped to write.
Without adoption of the Energy Rules, Arizona’s greenhouse gas emissions from electricity production will remain unchecked, causing a further decline in air quality, weakening water resources, testing our ability to sustain agriculture, limiting our ability to participate in the clean-energy economy, and putting the health of Arizona and her future inhabitants at risk.
Despite this disappointing conclusion, we take great hope from the truly collaborative process and ask the commissioners to quickly and transparently chart a path forward — a path that includes equitable sustainable energy policies. Ultimately, caring for the earth is caring for each other, and we are expected to work together in cooperation and respect as stewards of God’s great creations.
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Mormon Women for Ethical Government (MWEG) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring women of faith to be ambassadors of peace who transcend partisanship and courageously advocate for ethical government. MWEG is not affiliated with or endorsed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We do, however, fully sustain the leaders and doctrines of the Church.
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