Arizona AG Seeks Commissioner Recusal in Rate Cases
The Attorney General is demanding Nick Myers step down from utility proceedings, citing alleged bias.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Utilities
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Should utility regulators be required to recuse themselves from cases when they show public political bias?
The Arizona Attorney General's Office has filed motions seeking the recusal of Corporation Commissioner Nick Myers from pending rate cases for Arizona Public Service and Tucson Electric Power. The motion alleges that Myers demonstrated bias through social media posts that criticized the Attorney General.
Why it matters
The motion argues that public statements from the commissioner violate the Corporation Commission Code of Ethics, which requires impartiality. Myers maintains that he has acted fairly and has rejected the request to step down from the proceedings.
The Arizona Corporation Commission is governed by 5 Republican members. These members oversee regulatory decisions impacting the state's major utility providers.
The players
Nick Myers
He is an Arizona Corporation Commissioner who is currently at the center of a dispute regarding his impartiality in utility rate cases.
Arizona Corporation Commission
This is a regulatory body responsible for overseeing the rates and services of public utilities operating within the state of Arizona.
The details
The Attorney General's Office cites May 11, 2025, social media posts where Myers characterized legal actions against him as lawfare as evidence of his inability to remain impartial. Myers, who voted to adopt the contested formula rate policy, continues to reject the claims of bias while the legal process plays out.
Timeline
In 2023, the commission cleared Kevin Thompson of ethics violations.
In 2024, the commission voted to censure Anna Tovar.
May 11, 2025, marked the date Commissioner Myers posted social media criticism of the Attorney General.
Market Landscape
This dispute over commissioner impartiality fits into an ongoing pattern of regulatory friction within the Arizona energy sector. It highlights broader tensions as the state grapples with the implementation of its formula rate policy and the oversight of utility monopolies.
Utility customers in Arizona may see delays or shifting timelines in rate case outcomes as the commission navigates these legal challenges. These proceedings determine the regulatory framework that directly influences the electricity rates paid by households and businesses.
The takeaway
The clash highlights how personal conduct and public statements by regulators can trigger significant legal hurdles in administrative proceedings. Readers should monitor these developments as they impact the final rate structures approved for major state utility providers.
Further reading
Learn more about local regulatory oversight in Arizona Utilities.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KJZZ.
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Should utility regulators be required to recuse themselves from cases when they show public political bias?
