New Arizona commissioner called “transparent” by ACC critics

The Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) will have a new member when it convenes its next open meeting on October 23, thanks to Governor Doug Ducey’s appointment of Justin Olson, a former member of the Arizona House of Representatives, to the body.

Olson replaces former commissioner Doug Little, who left the ACC to join the Trump administration as a Deputy Assistant Secretary for Intergovernmental and External Affairs at the Department of Energy.

“Justin has built a reputation as a strong proponent for taxpayers and an incredibly hard worker,” Ducey said in a release announcing the appointment. “He is someone with a proven record of service whose detailed understanding of regulatory and policy issues prepares him to hit the ground running from day one. I’m pleased to be filling this important position with someone with Justin’s significant experience and qualifications.”

Importantly, Olson has the endorsement of The Arizona Republic, a newspaper that has often been critical of the ACC. The newspaper has called Olson “transparent” and highlighted his “ability to compromise” – two qualities that could serve him well in his new position.

Olson’s role in the Arizona House was to chair of the Appropriations Committee from 2011-2017. His day job at the moment is being a senior tax analyst for the Apollo Education Group in Phoenix.

“I’m honored to have the opportunity to represent Arizona citizens again in this new capacity,” Olson said. “My approach to governing and legislating has always been to keep an open mind, study the issues careful and thoroughly, be transparent, look out for the hard-working taxpayer, and put my constituents first. I will bring that same mindset to this important position with which I have been entrusted.”