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U.S. House Natural Resources Committee Hearing Requiring Withdrawal of Controversial Proposed Rule

The U. S. House Committee on Natural Resources hearing held on Thursday, June 15, 2023, was singularly focused on H.R. 3397, sponsored by Rep. John R. Curtis (R-UT-3), which requires the Director of the Bureau of Land Management (“USBLM”) to withdraw its‘ Conservation and Landscape Health Proposed Rule.  This is the second such committee hearing held […]

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AR
Environmental & Regulatory Policy Advisor

Bipartisan Infrastructure Package Passes the Senate

by Amanda A. Reeve Arizona’s Senior U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema is credited as being instrumental in negotiating the $1.2 trillion infrastructure package, H.R. 3684, entitled “Investing in a New Vision for the Environment and Surface Transportation in America Act (“INVEST in America Act”), as amended, that passed with bipartisan support (69-30) in the U.S. Senate on […]

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AR
Environmental & Regulatory Policy Advisor

More Biogas Projects Set for Arizona

by Patrick J. Paul Avolta, a renewable energy company focused on originating, developing, owning and operating renewable natural gas (RNG) projects, along with its regional development partner, Atlas Global Holdings, LLC, recently broke ground on a RNG project at the Butterfield Dairy in Buckeye, AZ – the first of several such new biogas projects planned in […]

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Colorado Announces GHG Reduction Road Map

By Patrick J. Paul On January 14, 2021, Colorado published its Greenhouse Gas Pollution Reduction Roadmap, representing the most substantive planning process the state has ever undertaken on climate leadership, pollution reduction and clean energy transition. The Roadmap is a testament to the efforts of numerous state agencies including the Colorado Energy Office and the Departments of […]

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Are Smart Grids Smart Enough to Prevent Cyber Attacks?

by Raymond Heyman As electric utilities move towards the implementation of smart grid software and hardware, an area of interest is potential exposure to cyber attacks. The electric grid generally refers to the network of transmission lines, substations, transformers and related equipment that delivers power from generators to businesses and homes. “Smart grids” integrate digital […]

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RH
Former Partner

Arizona Corporation Commission Presses Forward with New Energy Policies and Potential Updates to Energy Rules

by Michael W. Patten Over the past two years, the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) has been considering how to address the rapidly changing electric energy landscape.  Through a variety of proceedings, the ACC is reviewing existing energy-related rules, considering (and adopting) policy statements regarding emerging issues and conducting workshops on a variety of energy-related topics. […]

Transportation Funding Via The Taxing of Alternative Fuel Vehicles

by Amanda A. Reeve Just as a state’s economic development and growth is impacted by its ability to build and maintain its highways and bridges and improve its transportation systems, so too is its air quality.  After all, transportation conformity is a requirement of the Clean Air Act, specifically for those states that struggle with […]

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AR
Environmental & Regulatory Policy Advisor

Midterm Election Impacts on Electric Power Industry

by Matt Derstine Aside from deciding high profile Senate, House and governor races across the country, the midterm elections impacted a variety of electric power industry issues at the state and federal level. State Midterm Elections Mixed results on ballot initiatives to increase renewable energy mandates. Arizona and Nevada voters were presented with virtually identical […]

MD

The Arizona Corporation Commission’s Landmark Proposed Energy Modernization Plan

by Raymond S. Heyman On January 30, 2018, Commissioner Andy Tobin submitted an expansive Proposed Energy Modernization Plan in Arizona Corporation Commission, Docket No. E-00000Q-16-0289. This docket, the “Review, Modernization and Expansion of the Arizona Renewable Energy Standards and Tariff Rules and Associated Rules” was originally opened in August 2016.  Commissioner Tobin’s Plan includes: The […]

RH
Former Partner

Green Cars: Reducing Range Anxiety and Increasing Incentives

by Kim S. Colton The “green car” market is growing. Tesla may lead the way in luxury, but almost all auto manufacturers are investing significantly in plug-in electric vehicles (EV(s)). Policy, law, and regulation must change as the EV market expands. The Governors of Colorado, Nevada, and Utah recently announced collaboration on building a regional […]

KC
Former Counsel