Arizona Corporation Commission Repeals Renewable Energy Standard The Arizona Corporation Commission has finalized its decision to repeal the state’s Renewable Energy Standard and Tariff (REST) under Title 14, Chapter 2 of the Arizona Administrative Code. The repeal eliminates Arizona’s longstanding clean energy requirements, including provisions governing renewable energy certificate (REC) retirement and compliance obligations. This action follows a regulatory process initiated in early 2024, when the Commission voted 4–1 to begin formal rulemaking on the repeal. The move comes after repeated waiver requests from Arizona Public Service (APS) to avoid retiring RECs for compliance purposes. Center for Resource Solutions (CRS) submitted formal comments opposing both the waiver and the repeal, emphasizing that eliminating REC retirement requirements would undermine the integrity of compliance and voluntary renewable energy markets. CRS warned that repealing REST risks widespread double counting and could drive voluntary investment out of the state, weakening Arizona’s role in regional clean energy markets. The organization stressed the importance of REC retirement, transparent tracking and credible verification to ensure that renewable energy claims remain accurate and verifiable. The repeal takes effect as part of the Commission’s finalized decision, marking a significant shift in Arizona’s clean energy policy landscape. Corporate buyers rely on exclusive REC ownership to support emissions claims, and uncertainty around REC use may erode demand for voluntary renewable energy in the state. California SB 253 Implementation — CRS Highlights Key Accounting and Reporting Considerations The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has initiated rulemaking to implement the Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act (SB 253), including establishing an initial timeline for Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions reporting. SB 253 requires large corporations doing business in California to publicly disclose their greenhouse gas emissions. CARB has released a draft reporting template for corporate greenhouse gas disclosures under SB 253, outlining the format for Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions reporting. Center for Resource Solutions (CRS) submitted comments emphasizing the importance of clear, consistent, and credible accounting approaches as CARB develops the reporting framework. CRS highlighted that transparent and standardized reporting is essential to ensure the credibility of corporate climate claims and to support market consistency across industries. The organization cautioned that ambiguities in the reporting template could lead to inconsistent disclosures, undermining the effectiveness of the legislation. The rulemaking process remains ongoing, with CARB expected to finalize the reporting requirements following public comment and review. Implementation of SB 253 represents a major step toward greater corporate accountability on climate impacts in California.
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