WIEB Inventory of Energy Policies
as of December 2025
The WIEB Inventory of energy policies seeks to identify and summarize the major clean energy policies of the states and provinces of the Western Interconnection. The Inventory is based upon multiple sources of public information and will be reviewed and updated by the states and provinces on a biennial basis.
RPS targets:
In 2025, the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) directed Staff to repeal the Renewable Energy Standard and Tariff (REST) Rules (A.A.C. Title 14, Chapter 2, Article 18). This includes removing the requirement that utilities obtain at least 15% of their electricity from renewable sources by 2025.
Clean Energy Targets:
-none-
GHG Reduction Targets:
-none-
Net Metering:
In 2016, the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) voted to replace net metering with “net billing”, where new customer-generators are credited at an avoided cost rate for energy exported to the grid (ACC Decision No. 75859, 2016). The specific avoided cost rates for exported energy differ by utility but are based on ACC’s adopted avoided cost methodology.
Additionally, in December 2024, the ACC voted to approve a grid access charge (GAC) for residential solar customers in Arizona Public Service (APS) jurisdiction. The GAC is a $2-3, fixed charge added to residential solar customers’ bills (ACC Decision No. 79293, 2024).
Energy Efficiency Resource Standard:
The Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) voted in September 2025 to repeal its mandatory Energy Efficiency (EE) and Demand-Side Management (DSM) rules, which were adopted in 2010. The repeal does not eliminate all energy efficiency programs; existing and future programs will continue to be evaluated and approved on a case-by-case basis during rate cases.
Building Codes:
Arizona is a home rule state. The majority of construction occurs in jurisdictions that have adopted 2012, 2015 or 2018 IECC. All state-funded buildings constructed after February 11, 2005, must achieve LEED Silver certification and meet the energy standards of ASHRAE 90.1-2004 (Executive Order 2005-05).
Appliance Standards:
Arizona enacted energy efficiency appliance standards covering twelve categories in 2008-10. All were preempted by federal standards. Three new appliance standards were enacted in 2012 covering pool pumps, pool pump motors, and electric spas.
Reference:
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE)
https://database.aceee.org
EV Policies:
The Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) adopted electric vehicle (EV) policies in 2018 and 2019 that encourage utilities to develop rates and pilot programs to promote EV development. IOUs are encouraged but not mandated to submit Transportation Electrification or EV Infrastructure plans to the ACC. ACC also encourages rate design that supports charging during off-peak hours. (2019 EV Implementation Plan).
Arizona provides HOV lane exemptions for EVs and other alternative fuel vehicles. Prior to 2022, EVs in Arizona paid a reduced Vehicle License Tax (VLT). The EV VLT was repealed in 2022 (SB 1148).
Energy Storage:
In 2021, the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) adopted a goal as part of its broader clean energy rulemaking process which included a target for utilities to procure energy storage equal to 5% of their 2020 system peak demand by 2035. Of that 5%, 40% must be customer-sited or customer-owned (ACC Docket No. E00000Q160289).
RPS targets:
Applies to all electric utilities:
- 33% in 2020
- 44% in 2024
- 52% in 2027
- 60% in 2030
- 100% renewable and zero carbon resources in 2045 (SB 100, 2018)
Clean Energy Targets:
Utilities must have 100% retail electricity produced from renewable and zero carbon resources by 2045 (SB 100 in 2018)
GHG Reduction Targets:
GHG reductions from 1990 baseline:
- return to 1990 level by 2020;
- 40% by 2030;
- 80% by 2050
(AB 32 in 2006; SB32 in 2016)
Net Metering:
Net metering available to customer-generators with PV and other energy systems up to 1 MW can export power to grid and receive credit at retail rate. Customers pay an interconnection fee, non-bypass charges on the grid and participate in time-of-use rates. Prohibits fixed charges such as demand charges, grid access charges, installed capacity fees, and standby fees. (First enacted in 1996 with multiple revisions to “Net Metering 2.0”)
Energy Efficiency Goal:
In 2006, AB2021 called for a 10% reduction of energy consumption in 10 years. In 2015, SB 350 raised the goal for a doubling energy efficiency savings in electricity and natural gas end uses by 2030 relative to 2015 level. CEC issues EE Action Plan with steps to attain the EE goal every 3 years
Building Codes:
In 1976, adopted building codes to improve energy efficiency. The current Building Energy Efficiency Standards are updated every 3 years by the CEC (Title 24, Parts 6 and 11). The 2019 code update for residential buildings requires solar PV system for all new homes starting in 2020. The 2019 update for non-residential buildings requires alignment with the ASHRAE 90.1 2017 national standards.
Appliance Standards:
In 1974, CA was the first state to adopt energy efficiency standards for appliances. Federal appliance standards have since pre-empted certain categories of appliances. CA maintains appliance regulations in many areas that cover 15 categories of energy and water appliances. (Title 20)
Reference:
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE)
https://database.aceee.org
EV Policies:
In 1990, CARB adopted a zero emission vehicle (ZEV) standard as part of its low emission vehicle (LEV) requirements. ZEV standards require auto manufacturers to produce a specified number of ZEVs each year based on a credit system. Combined ZEV and LEV sales in 2025 are estimated to 8% of CA’s annual car sales. To date, 13 other states have adopted CA’s ZEV and LEV standards including: CO, NV, OR and WA. CARB’s EV Rebate Program provides up to $750 for purchase or lease of new EV or Plug-in hybrid. CPUC advances ZEV deployment through electric rate design, electric infrastructure deployment, and grid management. CEC has funded more than 8,800 EV charging stations across the state.
Energy Storage:
CA PUC established electric storage procurement levels for IOUs: 1325 MW by 2020 among 3 IOUs: SCE: 580 MW; PG&E: 580 MW; SDG&E: 165 MW (AB 2514, 2013 and CPUC Decision No. 13-10-040); Distributed storage 500 MW by 2020 (AB 2868, 2016). Self-Generation Incentive Program set aside $378 million for customer sited energy storage projects from 2017 to 2021. CPUC decision to allow net metering with storage provided power controls prevent the storage device from charging from the grid or exporting to the grid (CAPUC Decision 19-01-030, 2019)