PHOENIX — Environmental advocates achieved significant victories in Arizona’s utility board elections, gaining control over decisions at the country’s largest public power company as it faces mounting electricity demands from expanding data centers.
Tuesday’s election results from the Salt River Project in the Phoenix area show that competing groups will need to find middle ground on critical issues including potential rate hikes and the choice between natural gas versus renewable energy sources to satisfy growing power needs.
The electoral contest concluded amid heightened voter engagement driven by climbing household energy costs and community resistance to large-scale data centers throughout this swing state and beyond, as national political dynamics energize previously obscure utility board races.
The campaign also attracted involvement from Turning Point Action — primarily recognized for rallying young conservative voters for President Donald Trump — which labeled the environmental advocates as “radical environmentalists.”
Clean energy supporters secured two additional positions on the 14-member board, establishing an 8-to-6 voting advantage. Nevertheless, candidates supported by construction companies and data center developers maintained control of the president and vice president roles, preserving their authority to determine which issues reach the board for consideration.
“We’re a little disappointed by not winning president and vice president, but now we have a majority, so we’re going to have to do a little negotiating,” said Randy Miller, a renewable energy advocate on the board.
The power company estimates it must expand its generating capacity by 100% over the next ten years while facing mounting pressure to decrease dependence on fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas that produce climate-warming emissions.
Supporters of the incumbent president and vice president caution about potential energy shortages and power outages without maintaining some reliance on natural gas-powered generating facilities.
The group campaigning under the “clean energy” banner argued that current board leadership shows excessive willingness to connect to natural gas infrastructure, implement rate increases, and welcome data center development. These candidates have previously opposed significant natural gas initiatives by the Salt River Project and last year’s rate increase proposal.
