Presentation on Arizona's electricity system: how much solar, coal, natural gas, and nuclear. Water use and drought, power plant water use; cost of electricity; utility of the future. Why does AZ have so little solar (less than 3%) and so much in-state-used coal (40-50%)?

1. Arizona’s Electricity Future
Nancy LaPlaca
LaPlaca & Associates
laplaca.nancy@gmail.com
480-359-8442
November 14, 2013

2. Who Am I?
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ASU: Bachelor Fine Arts, J.D., College of Law
3.5 years as Policy Advisor to AZ Corporation
Commissioner Paul Newman
Staff co-chair for the Environment Committee
at the National Association of Regulatory
Commissioners
3 years as public interest intervener at
Colorado Public Utilities Commission
5 years Congressional staff for AZ
Representatives Morris K. Udall and Karan
English
6 years (total) at AZ Court of Appeals, AZ
Supreme Court, State Senate, Criminal
Justice Commission
Management and technology consulting
Love to hike, swim, sing and play guitar and
piano; read and listen to books.

3. Agenda
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Background and Key Concepts
AZ's Electricity Mix
The AZ Corporation Commission (ACC)
What does electricity "cost“?
Coal and Natural Gas in AZ
Huge Jobs Potential -- and Possible Threats-- to AZ’s
Clean Energy Future
Regional Clean Energy: Integrating Large Amounts of
Distributed and/or Clean Energy
The ACC and the public sector

4. Five Things To Remember
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Net/Energy Available for Work” declining.
AZ imports 90% of electricity fuels. No one knows
what fuel will cost in the future, can rise quickly.
Solar, wind have higher up-front but lower longterm costs, less risk.
Electricity production: from large, central-station to
distributed, closer to load; business models
under growing stress.
Damages from “externalities” such as water and
air pollution, mortality, lost work days, childhood
asthma are known; a range of costs could be
included in the “cost” of electricity.

5. Background: Key Concepts
ENERGY v CAPACITY
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Energy = kWh, MWh – usable energy
Capacity Factor = output over time
Why is this important? Because power plants
have different capacity factors:
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Nuclear: 93% Capacity Factor (CF)
Coal:
80% CF
Wind: 30-40% CF
Solar: 20-23% CF (in AZ)
Geothermal: 92% CF

6. Energy, Electricity and “Net” Energy
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Energy: liquid transportation fuels
Electricity: coal, natural gas, nuclear, solar, wind, hydropower
 Currently not much overlap, but will change as we “electrify”
transportation with light rail, electric cars, etc.
Net Energy = the energy left after using energy to drill, mine,
transport, compress, combust, build, etc.
Also called E-ROI (Energy Return on Investment)
Energy costs are going to rise: Do we invest in renewables,
with higher capital costs, or fossil fuel plants, with increasing fuel
costs and high Operation and Maintenance?
“Externalities” increasingly important: global warming, water
scarcity; also enormous health effects from fossil fuels we’ve
ignored for decades
Environmental justice issues: local, U.S., global

7. The easiest-to-get
resources are extracted
first. Example:
deepwater v. onshore
drilling for oil.

8. Energy Slaves?
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~8 calories of oil embedded in every
single calorie of food delivered
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Renewable energy (solar, wind) not as
dense, not ‘on demand,’ need storage.

We will likely electrify transportation

One Barrel Oil = 25,000 hrs human labor
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25,000 hrs human labor = 12.5 yrs work
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At $20/hr = $500,000 of labor/barrel
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Oil at $110/barrel = 6 cents/kWh, or 500
times cheaper than human labor.

9. Agenda
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Background and Key Concepts
AZ's Electricity Mix
The AZ Corporation Commission (ACC)
What does electricity "cost“?
Coal and Natural Gas in AZ
Huge Jobs Potential -- and Possible Threats-- to AZ’s
Clean Energy Future
Regional Clean Energy: Integrating Large Amounts of
Distributed and/or Clean Energy
The ACC and the public sector

10. What Is AZ’s Electricity Mix?
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Total in-state generation: ~27,000 MW (27GW)
Total in-state consumption: ~16,000 MW
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40-50% coal
~30% natural gas
~22% nuclear
~4% hydro
AZ: less than 2% of electricity
used in-state is solar
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Total in-state solar: 1,300-2,000 MW
However, ~50% of the output is sold to California

11. AZ: Electricity by Source 2012
Lots of coal electricity!
Solar electricity generation: not enough!

12. AZ: Only 1-2% of Non-hydro Generation
is Renewable in 2011
17 states were
less than 1% RE in
2001, including AZ
Only 4 states
less than 1% RE
in 2011,
including AZ!
http://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.cfm?id=5750

13. Includes
GHGs
from
exported
power.
Arizona Republic, CO2 Pollution Soars in Ariz., new study says, Shaun McKinnon,
11/13/09; http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/2009/11/13/20091113air-carbon1113.html

14. Agenda
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Background and Key Concepts
AZ's Electricity Mix
The AZ Corporation Commission (ACC)
What does electricity "cost“?
Coal and Natural Gas in AZ
Huge Jobs Potential -- and Possible Threats-- to AZ’s
Clean Energy Future
Regional Clean Energy: Integrating Large Amounts of
Distributed and/or Clean Energy
The ACC and the public sector

15. AZ Corporation Commission (ACC)
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One of 7 states with a constitutional Comm’n
One of 13 states with an elected Comm’n
The ACC has absolute authority over energy policy
Most states: Governor appoints Utilities
Commissioners
In my experience, nearly every other state has more
transparency, and easier access to information.
Complex process, need a lawyer or a lot of time,
energy and guts to participate meaningfully.
Key: it’s all about underlying assumptions such as
fuel costs, discount rates, cost of capital, value of
‘externalities.’

16. Agenda
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Background and Key Concepts
AZ's Electricity Mix
The AZ Corporation Commission (ACC)
What does electricity "cost“?
Coal and Natural Gas in AZ
Huge Jobs Potential -- and Possible Threats-- to AZ’s
Clean Energy Future
Regional Clean Energy: Integrating Large Amounts of
Distributed and/or Clean Energy
The ACC and the public sector

17. $ = Financing Costs
G
A
S
F
U
E
L
C
O
A
L
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
NUCLEAR FUEL
Fuel Costs
Source: Energy Darwinism, Citi GPS: Global Perspectives &
Solutions, October 2013

18. Lazard’s Levelized Cost of Energy Analysis 2012, Subsidized v Unsubsidized

19. Adding Up The Costs of ALL Coal Regulations
Would Triple the Cost of Coal Power....
But see next slide…
http://www.raponline.org/event/the-importance-of-effective-energy-efficiency-cost-effectiveness

20. 0
APS’ RW Beck Study on the Value
Of Distributed Energy
Operating Impacts and Valuation study
RW Beck
study says
the value of
distributed
solar is 7.9
to 14.11
cents/kWh
in avoided
costs for
fuel, transmission,
line losses,
etc.

21. Why Do the Costs of Electricity Vary
So Much?
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Different “capacity factor” for each type of
plant: solar generates electricity during the
day, natural gas has high and volatile fuel
costs, coal compliance costs are increasing.
How much are fuel costs increasing/yr?
How much will nuclear decommissioning?
How much will the cost of solar, wind and
other clean energy solutions decrease?
What about water supplies?

22. Two-thirds of Energy From Coal Plants Lost as
Heat; Natural Gas Combined Cycle More Efficient
Waste
Generation
and
distribution
Waste
Inefficient gas
appliances
Waste
Inefficient
electric
appliances
Fuel for
electricity
Natural
gas
Power,
light,
and
usable
heat
Source: A Micro-Grid with PV, Fuel Cells, and Energy Efficiency, Tom Hoff, Clean Power Research.com
02458605
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Innovation for Our Energy Future

23. AZ Imports 90% of Fossil Fuels
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Imports all natural gas; $1.5 to 2.5 billion/year on
natural gas for electricity and heating
Imports 66% of coal; coal imports $500 million/year;
total coal costs $900 million/year
AZ TOTAL electricity fuel costs/year:
$2.5 - 3 billion
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Retail electricity costs in AZ 2010:
$7 billion
http://www.eia.gov/state/seds/data.cfm?incfile=/state/
seds/sep_sum/html/rank_pr_cl_es.html&sid=AL

24. Agenda
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
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Background and Key Concepts
AZ's Electricity Mix
The AZ Corporation Commission (ACC)
What does electricity "cost“?
Coal and Natural Gas in AZ
Huge Jobs Potential -- and Possible Threats-- to AZ’s
Clean Energy Future
Regional Clean Energy: Integrating Large Amounts of
Distributed and/or Clean Energy
The ACC and the public sector

25. ARIZONA AVERAGE COAL COSTS
2004-2011
The average cost
of coal in AZ is up
8%/year from 2004-2011

26. Coal By The Numbers
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U.S. utilities purchase ~$40 BN/yr coal
$40 BN coal = $160 BN coal-fired
electricity
$160 BN/yr in coal-fired electricity = $187
BN/yr in health damages alone, plus
$530BN/yr total damages for life-cycle of
coal per Harvard School of Public Health
Study
•http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2011/02/16/207534/life-cycle-study-coal-harvard-epstein-health/

27. Coal’s Externalities / True Costs
Coal-fired power plants produce 50% of U.S. electricity.
Coal costs the U.S. $500B annually over its life cycle
(extraction, transport, processing, and combustion)
•$74B in public health burdens in Appalachian communities
•$187.5B from health costs of cancer, lung disease, and
respiratory sickness in other parts of the U.S.
•$29.3B from mercury impacts
•$205B from carbon emissions’ climate impacts on land use,
energy consumption, and food prices
•$18B from the costs of cleaning up spills of toxic waste,
the impact of coal on crops, property values, and tourism
Externalities would raise costs of electricity from coal-fired
plants, from $0.10 / kWh to $0.28 / kWh, shifting it from one of
the cheapest sources of electricity to one of the most expensive.
Dr. Paul Epstein, Harvard study, Feb. 2011
“Full Cost Accounting for the Life Cycle of Coal”,

28. Cost of Natural Gas More Volatile Since 2000
Hurricane Katrina
Oil at $147/barrell
NYMEX
Cost
Of
Natural
Gas
11/13/13:
$3.61

30. Coal, Electric Utilities Spend Heavily on
Lobbying
http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2012/04/beyond-coal-plant-activism?page=

31. Health Effects from Burning Fossil Fuels
are Enormous

32. Health Benefits = 30x Cost of Clean
Air Emissions Controls
Benefits
Costs
http://www.epa.gov/air/sect812/feb11/graphicsstack.pdf

33. $72.5 billion
for Fossil
Fuels
$12.2
billion for
Wind and
Solar

34. Total 10-year spending: $645 million

35. AZ Renewable Energy Standard
(RES) is 15% by 2025
AZ’s RES means that 15%
of the kilowatt-hours
generated by regulated
utilities come from ‘clean
energy’: solar, wind,
biomass, solar hot water,
concentrating solar etc.
by 2025…
AZ’s RES is far lower than
Colorado (30% by 2020),
California (33% by 2020),
Nevada (25% by 2025)
New Mexico (20% by 2020)
Year
Requirement
2008
1.75 %
2011
3.00 %
2014
4.50 %
2017
7.00 %
2020
10.00 %
2024
14.00 %
After 2024
15.00 %

36. Renewable Portfolio Standards
RPS Policies
www.dsireusa.org / February 2012
WA: 15% x 2020*
MN: 25% x 2025
MT: 15% x 2015
OR : 25% x 2025
(Xcel: 30% x 2020)
SD: 10% x 2015 WI : Varies by utility;
CO: 30% by 2020
(IOUs)
10% by 2020 (co-ops & large munis)*
UT: 20% by 2025*
MA: 22.1% x 2020
New RE : 15% x 2020
(+1% annually thereafter)
~10% x
IA: 105 2015 statewide
RI: 16% x 2020
NY: 29% x 2015
CT: 27% x 2020
OH : 25% x 2025 †
PA: ~ 18% x 2021 †
MW
IL: 25% x 2025
CA: 33% x 2020
NH: 23.8% x 2025
x 2015*
5% - 10% x 2025 (smaller utilities)
NV : 25% x 2025*
New RE: 10% x 2017
MI: 10% & 1,100 MW
ND: 10% x 2015
(large utiliti es )*
ME: 30% x 2000
VT: (1) RE meets any increase
in retail sales x 2012;
(2) 20% RE & CHP x 2017
KS: 20% x 2020
IN: 15% x 2025†
WV: 25% x 2025*†
VA: 15% x 2025*
NJ: 20.38% RE x 2021
+ 5,316 GWh solar x
2026
MD: 20% x 2022
M O: 15% x 2021
AZ: 15% x 2025
OK: 15% x 2015
NM: 20% x 2020 (IOUs)
NC : 12.5% x 2021
(IOUs)
10% x 2018 (co-ops & munis)
10% x 2020 (co-ops)
TX: 5,880 MW x
HI: 40% x 2030
Solar water heating eligible
DC
DC: 20% x 2020
PR: 20% x 2035
2015
29 states ++
29 states
Renewable portfolio standard
Renewable portfolio goal
DE: 25% x 2026*
*
†
Minimum solar or customer-sited requirement
Extra credit for solar or customer-sited renewables
Includes non-renewable alternative resources
DC and PR
DC and PR
have an RPS
have an RPS
(8 states have goals)
(8 states have goals)

37. 24 States Generate More Clean Electricity
Than AZ!
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Why?
Because the U.S. has nearly 6 times more wind
than solar – 60 GW wind v. 10 GW solar PV and
CSP or Concentrating Solar Power).
In most other states, solar is far more expensive
than in AZ because they don’t generate as much
electricity per installed watt of solar.
See www.dsireusa.org/library by Justin Barnes,
3/6/12, RPS Update at Renewable Energy Markets
Association webinar.

38. Solar in New Jersey v. Arizona
New Jersey
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1,119 MW of solar energy currently installed
2012: $1.3 billion invested
Average installed price down 27% from last year.
Arizona
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1,250 MW of solar currently installed
2012: $590 million invested
Average installed price down 1% from last year.
Why?
 NJ PUC committed to solar, Hurricane Sandy driving more clean
energy, higher rebates even though AZ solar generates
electricity 20-23% of hours/year v. NJ 15% of hours/year.
http://www.seia.org/policy/state-solar-policy

39. AZ’s Commercial Sector
Small Relative to CA and NJ

40. Total Installed Solar Power Per Million
People Low In the U.S. Relative to
Germany, Spain, Czech Republic –
even Canada!

41. Worldwide Solar Installations 2011
Germany has 15x
more solar per person
than the U.S.!
Saa
http://cleantechnica.com/2012/12/11/renewable-energy-big-pic-including-34-charts-graphs/

42. Installed Cost of Solar PV Lower in
Germany Than the U.S.
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German installed cost of solar $1.34/watt
U.S. installed cost of solar $2.00-$5.00/watt.
$EU10.9 billion: cost of Feed-in-Tariff
$EU7.1 billion: savings on fossil imports
$EU4.6 billion: peak savings from renewables
Source: Solar Power Begins to Shine as Environmental Benefits Pay Off,
by Diana S. Powers, 11/11/13, New York Times

43. http://www.circleofblue.org/waternews/
2013/world/since-1900-the-u-s-haslost-enough-groundwater-to-fill-lakeerie-twice/

44. http://www.snl.com/InteractiveX
/Article.aspx?cdid=A25354226-13358

45. http://www.businessspectator.com.au/article/2013/11/25/policy-politics/newspaperembraces-lomborg-while-dumping-climate-reporter?
utm_source=exact&utm_medium=email&utm_content=527549&utm_campaign=cs_daily
&modapt=

46. Power Plants Accounted for 72 Percent
Of Greenhouse Gases Reported in 2010
Source: Bloomberg BNA: Power Plants Accounted for 72 Percent Of
Greenhouse Gases Reported in 2010 http://www.bna.com/powerplants-accounted-n12884907225/ Thursday, January 12, 2012

47. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/08/1308
Colorado River
1999
National Geographic
8/16/13
Feds Slash Colorado River
Release to Historic Lows

48. Colorado River
2013

49. http://cdn.photo.lasvegassun.com/media/img/photos/2013/09/18/Waterlevels_web__.jpg

50. CO River, Hoover Dam, Lake Mead:
Water and Power Lifeline for 30 Million

Lake Mead levels at ~45%
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In 2010, was at 1,084 feet, the lowest since 1956
Level will hit the lowest since the 1930’s when dam was built
Power generation is ~23% lower; power reduced by 5.7 MW for every 1 foot loss in the
lake level

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Experts don’t know what will happen if water drops below 1,050

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Power output reduced from 2,080 MW to 1,617 MW
Every 1 MW power loss = ~ 1,000 homes
Turbines could be damaged if not enough pressure so would be turned off.
“If Lake Mead were to drop to that level, it would be devastating,” Joseph Mulholland,
Executive Director of the AZ Power Authority, which markets Hoover power.
Climate change means less water and more evaporation.



Study by Tim Barnett and David Pierce predicts that by 2017 Lake Mead level will be
too low for power production; and by 2021 a 50% chance of going dry.
Hoover and Glen Canyon Dam on Lake Powell handle 80% of peak power regulation
in 5 Western states and parts of 2 others.
Electricity from Hoover Dam:
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
28.5% Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
23% Nevada, 18% AZ; remaining to Los Angeles and others.
Source: Low Water May Halt Hoover Dam’s Power, Brett Walton, Circle of Blue, 201

51. AZ Reservoirs: at 45.7% Capacity
http://climas.arizona.edu/swco/sep2013/arizona-reservoir-volumes

52. NM Reservoirs: at 16% Capacity
http://climas.arizona.edu/swco/sep2013/new-mexico-reservoir-volumes

53. Lake Mead: Minimum Depth for
Generating Power: 1065-1050 Feet

http://serc.carleton.edu/earth_analysis/image
_analysis/introduction/day_5_part_1.html

54. Water To Cool Power Plants = 50% of
U.S. Water Withdrawals




The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reports that
53% of all fresh surface water withdrawn for human
use in 2005 was used by power plants.
In 2009 the water footprint of U.S. electricity was
approximately 42 gallons per kilowatt hour (kWh)
produced.
Average U.S. household requires 39,829 gallons of
water for electricity; five times more than direct
residential water use.
13% of total electricity used to move, treat and heat
water.

55. Public Supply: 11%
Domestic: Less than 1%
Irrigation: 34%
Livestock, Mining and
Aquaculture:
Less than 1% each
Industrial: 5%
USGS:
Thermoelectric
Power 48-53%
of Total U.S.
Water
Withdrawals
Thermoelectric Power: 48%
http://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/2004/circ1268/htdocs/text-total.html

56. Source: Burning Our Rivers, The Water
Footprint of Electricity, by Wendy Wilson et al
April 2012
http://www.rivernetwork.org/sites/default/files/BurningOurRivers_0.pdf

57. s
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Source: Western Resource Advocates
“The Energy-Water Nexus: A Case Study of the Arkansas River Basin” 2008
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58. Agenda








Background and Key Concepts
AZ's Electricity Mix
The AZ Corporation Commission (ACC)
What does electricity "cost“?
Coal and Natural Gas in AZ
Huge Jobs Potential -- and Possible Threats-- to
AZ’s Clean Energy Future
Regional Clean Energy: Integrating Large Amounts of
Distributed and/or Clean Energy
The ACC and the public sector

59. Local v.
Out-of-State
Dollars
$73 of $100
spent
on locallyowned biz
stays local;
while only $43
stays if nonlocal.

60. AZ Solar Economic Potential:
6,000 -8,000 MW

6,000 – 8,000 MW x
$2.5 to 3 million/MW
= $15-18 BILLION

To put this in
perspective, AZ
spends $2-3
BILLION/year on
fuel

Solar would displace
fuel costs forever!

If fuel costs stayed at $3
billion/year, and solar costs
continued to fall, AZ could pay for
the build-out with 5 years of fuel
payments!
Source: http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2012/04/30/473744/three-charts-that-illustrate-why-solar-has-hit-a-true-tipping-point/

61. Cracks in the Current System

Germany: 59% renewable peak, grid fine. 10/30/13



Germany's RWE: “massive erosion of…prices caused
by solar PV” “may…threaten the company's survival.”


RWE's share price has lost one-third of its value over 3 years.
Coal replaces natgas when the cost is $3.504.00/MMBtu.


Solar/wind means less power from coal, nuclear; don’t “cycle.”
Solar steals peak demand, along with peak profits.
Natgas at $3.61 on 11/12/13.
Net Metering is a big battle in many states: Idaho,
Georgia, California, Texas and Colorado.


Idaho and Georgia PUC made pro-solar decisions.
AZ still in the balance, likely to add $20/month fee for solar.
Source: http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/Germany-Hits-59-Renewable-Peak-Grid-Does-Not-Explode

62. Cracks in the Current System



Lots of talk about the utility “death spiral” and the need
for a new business model.
Utility profits based on volume rather than value.
Very high fixed costs for utilities:



Nuclear has high labor costs; coal has high compliance costs;
production costs rising.
As more people put on solar, less people to pay for coal.
Fukushima: Huge unresolved issue with spent fuel that
needs to be moved; very difficult and potentially
dangerous. 23 U.S. nuclear plants with same design.
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2013/10/major-european-utility-set-fordramatic-transformation?cmpid=WNL-Friday-November1-2013

63. Cracks in the Current System


Solar is ‘stealing’ peak demand, which is
where utilities make the most profit
Once renewables are paid for, “almost zero”
operating cost.
Source: Citi GPS: Global Perspectives and Solutions, Energy Darwinism, October 2013, XXXX

65. What Are the Obstacles to More Clean
Energy in AZ?





Determine what is a solar kWh “worth”? 4 cents
(utilities) or 22 cents (solar)
Monopoly utilities “own” geographic territories, so
reduced competition.
AZ’s Renewable Energy Standard is very low.
Utilities currently lose money on clean energy and
energy efficiency, so have no financial incentive.
Economics of solar/wind different than coal, nuclear or
natural gas: clean energy costs are all up-front, while
fuel-related costs are ~70% of lifetime fossil plant costs.

66. What Are Possible Solutions?


Provide access to the Grid: Community Solar, who
owns?
Provide access to Capital





Utilities: rate-base (own) solar and get a higher
rate of return for clean electrons
Include Cost of Environmental/Health Externalities


Support PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy)
Support Extension of Federal Section 1603 Cash-in-Lieuof-Tax-Benefit (30%)
Solar securitization happening
Pay now or pay later
Consider re-evaluating “avoided cost” for utilities


Doesn’t include value of water, health benefits
Doesn’t include time-value of solar

67. What Are Possible Solutions?







Increase the REST from 15% by 2025 to ?
Level the playing field for subsidies
Use Life-Cycle Analysis
When Modeling, Use a Range of
Costs/Risks/Discount Rates
Allow the use of Master Limited Partnerships for
clean energy – not just oil, gas and biofuels.
Increase Pilot Programs for Solar Hot Water,
Combined Heat and Power, Biodigesters etc.
Solar Hot Water is a HUGE unused resource.

68. Section 1603: $581 Million Worth of
Projects in Arizona To Date

Section 1603 is a cash grant in lieu of taking a 30% solar tax
investment tax credit.

Section 1603 expired on 12/31/11.

AZ has rec’d $581 million in Section 1603 projects, mostly
solar. http://www.treasury.gov/initiatives/recovery/Pages/1603.aspx

The Solar ITC (Investment Tax Credit) expires in 2016 and
should be extended.
http://www.pv-magazine.com/news/details/beitrag/us-congress-pulls-the-plug-on-section-1

69. Agenda








Background and Key Concepts
AZ's Electricity Mix
The AZ Corporation Commission (ACC)
What does electricity "cost“?
Coal and Natural Gas in AZ
Huge Jobs Potential -- and Possible Threats-- to AZ’s
Clean Energy Future
Regional Clean Energy: Integrating Large Amounts
of Distributed and/or Clean Energy
The ACC and the public sector

70. Regional Clean Energy: What Does It
Mean?


Lots of studies going on right now, very complex
issues in predicting what will happen if power is
shared regionally
April 2013 report on Energy Imbalance Market
(Western states) that sharing power regionally would
save $94-$294 million the first year.



Why? Because when utilities share power they need less
‘reserves’, i.e. backup power.
With more geographic diversity and in greater amounts,
solar and wind are more reliable.
Bottom line: sharing power can reduce a utility’s
need for more power plants; thus reduce profits.
http://www.westgov.org/PUCeim/meetings/2013sprg/briefing/present/m_milligan.pdf

71. The Solar “Duck” Graph
http://www.caiso.com/Documents/Apr5_2013InitialCommentsWorkshopIssuesR11-10-023.pdf

72. Agenda








Background and Key Concepts
AZ's Electricity Mix
The AZ Corporation Commission (ACC)
What does electricity "cost“?
Coal and Natural Gas in AZ
Huge Jobs Potential -- and Possible Threats-- to AZ’s
Clean Energy Future
Regional Clean Energy: Integrating Large Amounts of
Distributed and/or Clean Energy
The ACC and the public sector

73. The ACC and the Public Sector



Need more transparency, better website,
ability to track dockets more easily
Need more stakeholder processes
LOTS at stake!




Jobs
Water
Climate change
Cost of electricity

74. Wrap-Up




AZ in-state electricity: 2% solar, 50% coal
AZ sends $2.5-3 billion/year out of state for
coal/natural gas.
Net Metering debate: what is the 'value' of a
solar kWh?
Clean Energy needs:



Access to capital
Access to the grid
Stable, predictable policies

75. Thank You!



Please don’t hesitate to call or email me
I love these issues and am happy to explain
I believe in AZ’s clean energy future!
Nancy LaPlaca
Laplaca.nancy@gmail.com
480-359-8442
“The future’s so bright, I gotta wear shades.”
Timbuk 3