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Candidates offer ideas on energy costs, policies

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Age: About 60

Occupation/employer: Structural engineer, Fowlkes Enterprises Inc.

Family: Wife, Linda; three children; five grandchildren

Religion: Christian

Residence: Mesa

Education: Master's degree in business administration with focus on management; bachelor's degree in civil engineering.

Political experience: Never held elected office before.

Why are you running?

Fowlkes: To work for ALL ratepayers and keep rates low.

Hobbs: To work for ALL ratepayers and keep rates low.

McClure: I believe you need someone that has a proven record of trying to keep the consumers from being ripped off while also understanding the need to have reliable energy and clean water.

Robson: To help bring solutions to the complex issues that are going to affect our state in the areas of clean and abundant water, utility cost and delivery and securities fraud.

Stump: Few issues are more important in securing a bright future for Arizona than water and energy. I wish to secure the lowest possible rates for ratepayers in the face of rising energy costs; aggressively protect citizens against securities fraud; and pursue all avenues of energy production to secure energy which is cheaper and cleaner.

Swapp: To work for ALL ratepayers and keep rates low.

Wong: As an experienced former commissioner, to provide leadership in addressing energy, water and other infrastructure demands of a fast-growing state.

The biggest issue facing my constituents (or potential constituents) is . . .

Fowlkes: REST mandate must be reversed. It is forcing a series of unnecessary rate increases on all the ratepayers of Arizona. Our AZ regulatory policy is based on RoR (goes back to the early 1900s!) and needs to migrate to Performance Based Ratemaking to align our 21st-century requirements with 21st-century regulatory policy.

Hobbs: (Same as Fowlkes, above).

McClure: The high cost of energy.

Robson: The cost and availability of energy.

Stump: Holding the line on excessive rate increases by utilities.

Swapp: REST and other energy issues along with water issues would be a big issue. Then there are always issues relating to telecommunication, securities, and railroad and pipeline safety.

Wong: Rising cost of electricity.

What do you think are the biggest issues facing the commission?

Fowlkes: Renewable Energy Standard Tariff or Mandate (REST). Clean, safe, and affordable energy, water, communications, and dealing with securities fraud.

Hobbs: (Same as Fowlkes, above).

McClure: I believe that with our growing population, it is necessary to ensure we have reliable and affordable sources of energy.

Robson: While there are several important issues facing the Arizona Corporation Commission, I will focus my first efforts on making sure that Arizona's infrastructure is in an acceptable condition. All Arizonans deserve to have a safe and reliable supply of drinking water, of affordable electricity and of natural gas.

Stump: Arizona's energy needs are growing by leaps and bounds. If Arizona welcomes one million new residents over the next 10 years, we will likely need 20 million megawatt hours of new electricity. We need a diverse portfolio of energy options — fossil-based, nuclear and renewable — to meet Arizona's growing demand for power. Commissioners must advocate for adequate water and energy infrastructure to ensure clean, affordable water and cheaper energy.

Swapp: (Same as Fowlkes and Hobbs, above).

Wong: Ensuring adequate and reliable energy, including solar and other renewables, and water in a fast-growing state.

What are your top three goals for the commission?

Fowlkes: A. Reduce rate review time. B. Review REST mandate and hold hearings to remove the mandate.

Hobbs: (Same as Fowlkes, above)

McClure: To ensure reasonable rates for the consumer, while assuring a reliable source of energy and water. I also believe the commission should be more proactive with security fraud.

Robson: 1. A safe and reliable utility infrastructure.

2. A diverse energy portfolio.

3. An efficient and customer-oriented corporate filings division.

Stump: Guaranteeing a fair deal for ratepayers; combating securities fraud by increasing outreach to seniors; ensuring clean water and cheaper and cleaner energy supplies.

Swapp: (Same as Fowlkes and Hobbs, above).

Wong: 1. Ensuring electricity is adequate and reliable through diverse energy production including from solar and other renewable energy sources.

2. Ensuring quality and reliable water.

3. Protecting Arizonans from investment fraud.

How do you feel about the renewable energy rules that are currently in place?

Fowlkes: The RES currently in place needs to be amended to remove the "mandate." Ratepayers should not have to pay for unnecessary rate increases to fund extremely expensive "renewable" options.

Hobbs: (Same as Fowlkes, above)

McClure: I have no plans to change the rules in place. I do have concerns though at the estimated higher cost per kwh.

Robson: I support these rules and will enforce them if elected.

Stump: They should be realistically attainable goals which take into account how technological innovation and market conditions will enable utilities to meet such goals.

Swapp: (Same as Fowlkes and Hobbs, above)

Wong: In 2006, as a commissioner, I was a key vote in the passage of the 15 percent renewable energy standard; it was the right decision at the time as it is now. If returned to the Corporation Commission, I will work to maintain these standards as passed.

How would you balance the need for more power transmission lines and federal mandates for local power corridors with local concerns over their location and environmental impact?

Fowlkes: I would not do any balancing. The state Corporation Commission can recommend scenarios that would work after reviewing utilities' requests for delivering their services. Again, the corporations and utilities have the knowledge and expertise to plan for such balancing after an environmental impact study is completed pertaining to the circumstance and project. Then, the review starts at the ACC to assure laws and regulatory policies are adhered to.

Hobbs: (Same as Fowlkes, above)

McClure: I believe that long-term planning by having utility corridors should be part of the mix. This would allow communities that are planned in the future to know exactly where transmission lines are likely to be installed.

Robson: This is a very important and timely issue. When a new transmission line is proposed, I believe that it is crucial that the commission listen to all the affected property owners. My experience as a state legislator and as a member of the Chandler City Council has taught me that an elected official cannot truly make an informed decision without receiving input from the community.

Stump: Commissioners are elected by Arizona citizens and the needs of Arizonans come first. In particular, electric reliability in the Nogales area needs to be improved. Yet the wishes of the people of Tubac need to be respected. The ACC will likely need to find a different route or line configuration.

Swapp: (Same as Fowlkes and Hobbs, above)

Wong: I presently serve on a Corporation Commission committee called "Arizona Power Plant and Transmission Line Siting Committee." All proposed new power plants and high-voltage transmission lines must first seek the approval of this Line Siting Committee. The Line Siting Committee must determine if the new power plant or transmission line is compatible with the environment; if yes, then it issues a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility. Local concerns over location and environmental impact should take precedent over federal mandates of any "power corridors."

What is your view of Gov. Janet Napolitano's "cap and trade" plan to track and trade carbon dioxide credits?

Fowlkes: This is a massive HOAX. Anything to do with "carbon dioxide credits" is unacceptable. This is one of the biggest boondoggles that has come about in recent time.

Hobbs: (Same as Fowlkes, above)

McClure: I believe this should be a legislative issue.

Robson: I am very concerned that the Western Climate Initiative will have the unintended effect of drastic increases in rates Arizonans pay for electricity. While I applaud the governor's efforts to improve our environment, it should not be done in a way that cripples the pocketbooks of Arizona's families and businesses. I would like to bring many different groups to the table to talk about climate change and find real solutions that can have a practical impact on our state.

Stump: Historically, such programs have been cumbersome because of allowance-issuance issues. If more allowances are issued based on new research regarding the environmental impacts of a controlled substance, the value of those already in circulation is driven down.

Swapp: (Same as Fowlkes and Hobbs, above)

Wong: If a cap and trade system is established, it should be on a national rather than regional basis; however any such system which would have a great impact on Arizona energy prices must include the Corporation Commission in the discussions, planning and implementation.

In your opinion, what is the commission's role when it comes to renewable energy?

Fowlkes: To allow the corporations/utilities run their business as they see fit as long as service to the people is acceptable. Government cannot run business better than the business. Fowlkes, Swapp and Hobbs are in agreement with the Goldwater Institute in their concern that the ACC has no constitutional authority in these matters, should make rulings on rate requests, not special interest groups or social engineering.

Hobbs: (Same as Fowlkes, above)

McClure: I believe it should encourage renewable energy and if necessary to get legislative incentives to the utility companies.

Robson: After decades of limited use of solar energy, the country is at the dawn of large-scale solar production. Arizona should be a leader in this field. Electric utilities have been tasked with ambitious but reachable goals and I will work to ensure that they meet them.

Stump: The commission may set goals which encourage research and investment in Arizona and which spur the development of renewable technologies.

Swapp: (Same as Fowlkes and Hobbs, above)

Wong: The commission has a clear though limited role to provide leadership and act as a catalyst to advance the generation and deployment of renewable energy.

Age: 66

Occupation/employer: Technical systems engineer, AT&T Global Services.

Family: Wife, Glenda, two sons and three grandchildren

Religion: Raised a Baptist, now a Lutheran.

Residence: Avondale

Education: Master's degree in with an emphasis on telecommunication technologies; bachelor of science degree in computer information systems.

Political experience: Never held elected office before.

Age: 66

Occupation/employer: Legislator

Family: No answer given

Religion: Christian

Residence: Northeast Side

Education: No answer given

Political experience: State representative, 2001-2008

Age: 52

Occupation/employer: Owner of insurance agency; speaker pro tem, Arizona House of Representatives

Family: Wife and two children

Religion: Catholic

Residence: Chandler

Education: Bachelor's degree and master's degree in criminal justice from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York.

Political experience: Former Chandler City Council member; currently member of the Arizona House of Representatives.

Age: 36

Occupation/employer: Representative, Arizona House of Representatives.

Family: Single

Religion: Christian

Residence: Peoria

Education: Bachelor's degree, University of California, Berkeley; master's degree, Harvard University.

Political experience: State representative.

Age: 61

Occupation/employer: Self-employed real estate investors

Family:Wife, Kathleen; three sons and five grandchildren

Religion: Christian

Income: Greater than $60,000

Residence: Maricopa County

Education: Electrical/civil engineering, with continuing-education classes over 25 years.

Political experience: None

Age: 49

Occupation/employer: Attorney in private practice

Family: Single

Religion: Christian

Income: $50,000-plus

Residence: Phoenix

Education: Bachelor's degree in accounting from Arizona State University; law degree from the University of Arizona; global leadership certificate from Thunderbird School of Global Management.

Political experience: Legislator, Arizona House of Representatives, 1993-2000; filled vacancy as commissioner, Arizona Corporation Commission, 2006.