WIEB Inventory of Energy Policies
as of May 2026
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 retail sellers (SB 100, 2018):
- 33% in 2020
- 44% in 2024
- 52% in 2027
- 60% in 2030
- 100% renewable and zero carbon resources by 2045
Clean Energy Targets:
Utilities must serve 100% of retail electricity sales from renewable and zero carbon resources by 2045 (SB 100, 2018). SB 1020 (2022), codified at Public Utilities Code § 454.53, added binding interim clean electricity targets covering RPS eligible and zero carbon resources:
- 90% of retail sales by 2035
- 95% of retail sales by 2040
- 100% of retail sales by 2045
- 100% of electricity procured to serve all state agencies by 2035
California’s three large IOUs collectively served 52% of 2022 retail sales with renewables.
GHG Reduction Targets:
GHG reductions from 1990 baseline (AB 32, 2006; SB 32, 2016; AB 1279, 2022):
- Return to 1990 level by 2020
- 40% by 2030
- 85% reduction with statewide carbon neutrality by 2045
Net Metering:
In December 2022, the CPUC adopted the Net Billing Tariff (NEM 3.0), replacing NEM 2.0 for new customer-generators submitting interconnection applications on or after April 15, 2023 (CPUC Decision 22-12-056). NEM 1.0 and NEM 2.0 customers are grandfathered for 20 years.
Energy Efficiency Resource Standard:
In 2006, AB 2021 called for a 10% reduction in energy consumption over 10 years. In 2015, SB 350 set a goal to double statewide energy efficiency savings in electricity and natural gas end uses by 2030 relative to 2015 levels. The CEC issues an Integrated Energy Policy Report and EE Action Plan updates every three years.
Building Codes:
The Building Energy Efficiency Standards (Title 24, Parts 6 and 11) are updated every three years by the California Energy Commission. The 2025 Energy Code (effective January 1, 2026) expands heat pump requirements across building types, mandates battery energy storage for new nonresidential buildings with required PV systems, and imposes high efficiency retrofit requirements for rooftop HVAC equipment at end of life in retail, school, office, and library buildings.
Appliance Standards:
California was the first state to adopt appliance energy efficiency standards in 1974. Federal standards have since preempted certain categories. California maintains appliance regulations covering 15 categories of energy and water appliances under 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) program. In 2022, CARB adopted Advanced Clean Cars II, requiring ZEVs and qualifying plug in hybrids to reach 35% of new light duty vehicle sales by model year 2026, 68% by 2030, and 100% by 2035. In June 2025, Congress rescinded California’s Clean Air Act waivers for Advanced Clean Cars II, Advanced Clean Trucks, and the Heavy-Duty Engine and Vehicle Omnibus (Low NOx) rule. Governor Newsom signed Executive Order N-27-25 on June 12, 2025, directing CARB to develop Advanced Clean Cars III through the Drive Forward Light-Duty Vehicle Program.
Energy Storage:
In 2010, the California Legislature authorized the CPUC to evaluate energy storage procurement targets for load serving entities (AB 2514). In 2013, the CPUC issued Decision 13-10-040 setting the nation’s first energy storage procurement target of 1,325 MW by 2020, divided among PG&E, SCE, and SDG&E. AB 2868 (2016) required the three IOUs to propose programs to accelerate deployment of an additional 500 MW of distributed energy storage. California’s three IOUs have collectively exceeded the AB 2514 target.
In August 2024, the CPUC authorized centralized procurement of up to 2 GW of long duration energy storage (1 GW at 12+ hour duration and 1 GW multi day) deployable between 2031 and 2037 (D.24-08-064). The Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) continues to fund customer-sited energy storage.