Governor Hobbs Misses Opportunity to Prevent California-Style Blackouts During Arizona's Scorching Summer Months with Latest Veto

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                    

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

Governor Hobbs Misses Opportunity to Prevent California-Style Blackouts During Arizona's Scorching Summer Months with Latest Veto

PHOENIX, ARIZONA— Senate Majority Whip Frank Carroll is expressing concern over Governor Hobbs' latest veto of legislation that would have protected Arizonans from California-style blackouts during the scorching summer months.

"This was a missed opportunity by Governor Hobbs to take proactive steps to ensure Arizonans would not have to endure life-threatening and preventable power outages due to poor decisions made to hastily advance a radical climate-change agenda at the expense of our citizens' safety," said Majority Whip Carroll.

SB 1309, sponsored by Majority Whip Carroll, would have required the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) to ensure that any changes made to an electric power grid are capable of producing enough electricity to meet the demand for power in the summer and winter months. The bill also required a power generation resource mix that avoids both blackouts and brownouts unrelated to severe weather conditions or power quality incidents. Additionally, the ACC would have been required to ensure that if an electric generation plant is retired, its replacement must be capable of providing the same reliable power service to customers.

Across the nation, solar and wind power are gradually replacing electricity produced from coal, natural gas, and oil. Solar and wind are generally considered less reliable power sources because their output is not guaranteed and is dependent on weather factors like abundant sunshine or increased wind speeds. These uncontrollable fluctuations in atmospheric conditions can make it difficult to consistently meet power demands. California is a prime example, as most residents in this state expect to endure multiple blackouts each summer. Thousands suffered in Los Angeles County last September without power during a sweltering heat wave.

"A power outage in the high country during freezing winter conditions, or in the desert during periods of crippling heat, has the potential to claim lives. Government should not deprive citizens of having a reliable energy supply by prioritizing radical environmental goals over safety, but this is exactly what Governor Hobbs is allowing to happen with her irresponsible veto of SB 1309," said Majority Whip Carroll. "Due to Hobbs' lack of leadership and political motivations, Arizona runs the risk of acquiring the same energy problems as California."

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For more information, contact:

Kim Quintero

Director of Communications | Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus

kquintero@azleg.gov