Name: Sandra Kennedy.
Office seeking: Arizona Corporation Commissioner.
Age: 48.
Occupation/employer: Owner/operator Kennedy Restaurants', LLC, dba Denny's.
Family: Three children.
Religion: Baptist.
Income: No answer given.
Residence: Phoenix.
Education: Arizona State University.
Offices held/run for: Arizona House of Representatives 6 years; Arizona state Senate 6 years; Phoenix Union High School Governing Board 4 years; Candidate, Arizona Corporation Commission, 2000.
Civic activities/organizations: Member of the National Association of Female Executives; Past: Tutor for Valley Christian Center and Valle Del Sol; board member of the Arizona Cactus Pine Girl Scout Council, ex-officio member of Phoenix Community Alliance.
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● Why are you running?
To assure a Democratic majority on the Arizona Corporation Commission, so the commission can take steps necessary to ensure a reliable, affordable, and independent energy future for all Arizona.
● The biggest issue facing my constituents (or potential constituents) is:
Rising fossil-fuel costs, which spur rate increases and uncertainty for citizens and businesses.
● Do you have a personal motto or words you live by?
Treat others as you would want to be treated.
● Favorite local hangout: None.
● NPR or FOX? NPR.
● How long have you lived in Arizona?
Since August 1971.
● What kind of vehicle do you drive? Camry Hybrid.
● If I could have dinner with any living person, I would choose:
Denzel Washington.
● If I had my own reality show, it would be titled:
"Shandosa."
● First job: The YMCA summer program.
● What do you think are the biggest issues facing the commission?
Implementing the Renewable Energy Standard while using energy efficiency as a bridge during transition.
● What are your top three goals for the commission to accomplish?
1) Making Arizona the Persian Gulf of solar energy.
2) Creating a process for which low income and seniors will be able to afford renewable energy.
3) Making sure water is safe and affordable for rural communities.
● In your opinion, what is the commission's role when it comes to renewable energy?
The ACC must be the leader and advocate for solar and renewable energy in its policies and rulings as well as working with policy-makers at the Legislature and the governor's office.
● How do you feel about the renewable-energy rules that are currently in place?
I support it.
● What is your view of Gov. Napolitano's "Cap and Trade" plan to track and trade carbon dioxide credits?
There will either be a cap-and-trade system or a carbon tax, either of which will help solar and renewables while hurting coal and natural gas, but a cap and trade system has to be done openly and honestly, and not have the CO2 reduction exist just on paper.
● What's the greatest infrastructure issue among the industries the commission regulates?
The siting of new power lines to service and connect new solar power plants.
● 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?
If all stakeholders are given an opportunity to participate in a transparent process, we can determine where these new lines must go. As a consumer advocate concerned about the environment and environmental justice, I especially want to hear from those who will see these new power lines on a daily basis.
