|
| Affiliation | Democratic |
|
| Name | Kara Kelty |
| Address |
Flagstaff, Arizona , United States |
| Email | None |
| Website | None |
| Born |
Unknown
|
| Contributor | Thomas Walker |
| Last Modifed | RBH
Feb 26, 2010 02:01am |
| Tags |
|
| Info | Name: Kara Kelty.
Office seeking: Arizona Corporation Commission.
Age: 41.
Occupation/employer: 17 years public service, non-profit sector experience including Northern Arizona University, United Way of Northern Arizona and the Flagstaff City Council.
Family: Married to John, 2 children, ages 9 and 12.
Religion: Catholic.
Income: $12,000/year as Flagstaff City Council member.
Residence: Flagstaff.
Education: B.A. Political Science, Holy Cross. Master's degree in Education from Northern Arizona University.
Offices held/run for: Served 2 terms on the Flagstaff City Council.
Civic activities/organizations: Returned Peace Corps Volunteers, AFS, Flagstaff Cooperative Preschool, Friends of Flagstaff's Future, Flagstaff Cultural Partners, League of Conservation Voters, Flagstaff Youth Commission, United Way
● Why are you running?
I am running for the Arizona Corporation Commission because I want to see Arizona commit to a clean energy future. Now is the time to move Arizona away from dependence on conventional generation of electricity with fossil fuels and towards a more sustainable economic and environmental future for all of us. As a corporation commissioner, I will pressure the utilities to plan adequately for the future in order to keep the costs of energy services reasonable and stable. Finally, I want to ensure that consumers are protected from corporate monopolies and that there is transparency and integrity in the marketplace.
● The biggest issue facing my constituents (or potential constituents) is: Rapidly escalating costs of all forms of energy.
● Do you have a personal motto or words you live by? Never, ever give up.
● Favorite local hangout: Bookmans (in both Flagstaff and Tucson).
● NPR or FOX? NPR.
● How long have you lived in Arizona? 14 years.
● What kind of vehicle do you drive? What kind of mileage does it get? I started off the campaign in a Mazda 626 (31 highway and 23 city), but I was hit by a drunk driver and my car was totaled. We had to buy another car quickly and settled on a 2002 Volkswagen Passat (29 highway and 19 city).
● If I could have dinner with any living person, I would choose: Nelson Mandela.
● If I had my own reality show, it would be titled: "The New Energy Future."
● First job: Paper route carrier when I was 11.
● What do you think are the biggest issues facing the commission?
1) The rapidly escalating cost of energy and energy sources leading to increased utility rates
2) Aging infrastructure for electrical transmission, water production and delivery, gas pipelines, and Internet access and service.
3) Planning for rapid growth: anticipating a population that is projected to add another 1 million households over the next 10 years requiring an additional 20 million megawatt-hours of electricity.
4) Ensuring that risk and volatility in the market is not being absorbed by consumers, but stays with the shareholders who benefit from their investments.
● What are your top three goals for the commission to accomplish?
1) Protect the Renewable Energy Standards.
2) Provide for an increase in energy demand while protecting the consumer from dramatic rate increases. Current projections show electricity demand increasing by 3.6% per year. The best way to meet the state's growing demand for electricity is through a combination of energy efficiencies and the implementation of renewable energy. We must prioritize new energy investments with the end goal of facilitating a rapid transition to a clean-energy economy. Energy efficiency is the most immediate and inexpensive way to expand energy services and it acts as a transitional bridge as we wait for emerging technologies, such as the APS/Solana Power Plant to be constructed.
3) Develop additional transmission capacity for renewable energy sources.
● In your opinion, what is the commission's role when it comes to renewable energy?
It is the responsibility of the Arizona Corporation Commission to protect the consumer from fluctuations in the market which could lead to large increases in utility rates. We are facing a significant change in the energy market. Increased development by China, India and Brazil means increased demand for traditional fuel sources and equipment. The best hedge against volatility in the market is to invest in clean energy because once the initial capital costs are accounted for, the price of the energy source will remain constant over time.
● How do you feel about the renewable-energy rules that are currently in place?
I support the Renewable Energy Standards. This standard is already showing signs of success because it has led to the proposed Solana Concentrated Solar Power Plant in Gila Bend, that will create 280 MW of clean energy, thousands of new jobs, and a long-term stability in utility prices for consumers. Renewable energy is an investment in creating a diversification of sources that will protect consumers from looming rate increases. Additionally, clean energies reduce pollution and create high paying jobs for Arizona.
● What is your view of Gov. Napolitano's "Cap and Trade" plan to track and trade carbon dioxide credits?
Both the Arizona state Legislature and Congress recessed without taking action on an energy plan. We need leadership on both an energy policy and efforts to curb greenhouse gases. It makes sense that there be regional solutions instead of a one size fits all federal plan. I applaud the governor for working with the Western Governors' Association to create a 7-state plan. While the plan has not been finalized, I like the proposed provision for an auctioning off of permits to create revenue that will offset the impact on consumers' utility bills. It should be noted, however, that the biggest contributors to carbon emissions are fossil fuels used for transportation, and the production of electricity for commercial and residential use. By increasing our use of renewable energy we can have a dramatic impact on both areas since renewable energy can be used to produce electricity for homes and businesses, as well as for transportation by promoting the use of plug-in electric cars and buses.
● What's the greatest infrastructure issue among the industries the commission regulates?
Pipelines. As the Kinder Morgan pipeline rupture demonstrated, there is a fragile system of pipeline delivery in our state. Aging pipelines have created significant safety issues as well as delivery obstacles. The Arizona Corporation Commission must ensure that pipeline infrastructure and delivery systems are updated.
● How would you balance the need for more power transmission lines and federal mandates for local power corridors with local concerns over their location and environmental impact?
The primary factor to be considered should be, why is this new power transmission line necessary and who will it serve? Before any new power lines are considered, demand-side efficiency projects and investment should be measured to see if peak load could be reduced to prevent the need for new electrical generation plants and transmission. Secondly, all opportunities for an increase in distributed generation should be considered as well. Third, decisions regarding transmission line siting shouldn't be made by what is most effective for the federal government (such as cost and energy delivery to other states), but should take into consideration local interests such as proposed land-use planning and environmental impacts.
[Link] |
 | BOOKS |
 |
|
| Title |
Purchase |
Contributor |
|
| Start Date |
End Date |
Type |
Title |
Contributor |
|
| Date |
Category |
Headline |
Article |
Contributor |
|
| INFORMATION LINKS |
|
|
|
