Drink With LOOKOUT And Listen to Energy Debates

Welcome to the second week of the Drunken Debates!

On Tuesday, May 19, we'll be guzzling down liquor and live blogging the Republican primary debates for the Arizona Corporation Commission.

The Arizona Corporation Commission has long been one of the state’s most powerful — and least understood — elected bodies. The five-member commission regulates utilities like APS and Southwest Gas, oversees pipeline and railroad safety, and decides how aggressively Arizona moves toward renewable energy. Because commissioners are elected statewide, the body has increasingly become a political battleground over utility rates, clean energy mandates, and the future of Arizona’s power grid.

Republicans have controlled the commission for years, often with support from utility and business interests. In recent election cycles, conservatives aligned with the Arizona Freedom Caucus and Turning Point USA have pushed candidates who argue renewable energy mandates and “green agenda” policies are driving up costs for ratepayers. But that message has not always resonated with voters. In other Arizona utility-related races — including recent Salt River Project board elections — candidates backed by far-right groups and anti-green-energy messaging suffered major losses. Critics argued voters were more concerned with rising utility bills and grid reliability than culture war politics.

This year’s Corporation Commission race continues those fights. Republican incumbent commissioners Kevin Thompson and Nick Myers are seeking reelection while facing a challenge from state Rep. Ralph Heap, a Freedom Caucus-aligned conservative who has campaigned heavily against renewable energy policies and what he calls the “Green New Deal” approach to energy regulation. Heap is not participating in the debate.

Now, the rules for tonight's game: