HCR 2017 Summary

• Proposes constitutional amendment adding Article XV, Section 20 to establish renewable energy requirements for Arizona utilities, contingent on Corporation Commission approval within 90 days.

• Sets escalating annual renewable energy requirements beginning at 12% in 2020, reaching 50% by 2030, calculated as percentage of retail electricity sales from eligible renewable energy resources.

• Establishes separate distributed renewable energy requirements starting at 3% in 2020, increasing to 10% by 2030, for small-scale generation including rooftop solar, wind, and thermal systems.

• Allows Corporation Commission to reject or modify requirements if implementation would adversely affect electricity affordability, grid reliability, or state well-being.

• Defines eligible renewable energy resources as biogas, biomass, geothermal, hydropower (with size/age restrictions), fuel cells, and wind/solar generators, but excludes nuclear, fossil fuels, and pre-1997 facilities.