Phoenix, Ariz. - Commissioner Rachel Walden secured broad approval of her multiple amendments at the July 9, 2025 Open Meeting of the Arizona Corporation Commission to ensure accountability from utility companies. 

In the matter of Southwest Gas Company, the Commission passed Commissioner Walden's amendment to hold the company accountable to focus on critical infrastructure and perform deferred maintenance for public safety. With this vote, the Commission put in place a recovery cost mechanism to spur the company to perform crucial pipe replacement while ensuring regulatory lag isn’t the reason for delay. 

In the matter of Coldwater Canyon Water Company, Commissioner Walden made certain only prudent expenses were approved. Her amendment reduced management fees, reduced water testing expenses, and eliminated a system mapping charge so that the rate design aligned with the costs and practices of similarly sized utilities. These changes reduced the company’s revenue requirement, which lowered the costs for Coldwater's customers.

The last item on the Open Meeting Agenda, EPCOR Water Arizona, was truly "the end of an era," as said by Vice Chair Nick Myers. Many may remember that the Commission ordered EPCOR to serve as the interim manager to take over Johnson Utilities. "I was proud to vote alongside my fellow Commissioners to bring to a close such a troublesome time for the San Tan communities for their water and wastewater services,” said Commissioner Walden. “I applaud the Settlement Agreement, which was supported by Staff, the Company, and the community represented through their HOAs, along with other parties to the case.  I appreciate the dramatically improved service EPCOR provides to these customers. I thank Vice Chair Myers for his tireless efforts to bring safe and reliable water to San Tan Valley and working to end the fear and uncertainty experienced under Johnson Utilities."

Commissioner Walden's amendment to the settlement passed, which yielded a change to reflect real time data and not hypothetical data. 

"I thank my fellow Commissioners supporting my amendments to hold our utilities accountable and lower costs to our ratepayers," Commissioner Walden shared.

For more information, contact Commissioner Walden’s office at Walden-Web@azcc.gov.