(AZ) Utilities required to use more solar, wind power by 2025 (new RPS)

[jpak]

http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/breakingnews/022806AZ_Utilities

MESA, Ariz. - Arizona Public Service, Tucson Electric Power and other regulated Arizona utilities will be required to obtain 15 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by 2025 under a new rule approved by state regulators.

Arizona utilities now only get about 1 percent of their electricity from nonpolluting, renewable sources such as solar and wind power.

"This is a watershed event," said Kris Mayes, a member of the Arizona Corporation Commission, which approved the rule. "We are taking our energy destiny into our own hands."

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Another commissioner, Bill Mundell, said it is "pathetic that New Jersey has more solar energy than Arizona," adding that will change under the commission's new rule.

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