Arizona: No US vaccine mandate for state-regulated utilities | Well being & Health

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TUCSON, Arizona (AP) – State-regulated utility workers in Arizona cannot be fired for refusing to be vaccinated against COVID-19, according to a guideline a state commission passed this month.

The practical implications of the guideline are unclear as it runs counter to federal vaccination regulations for companies that go into effect in January but still face several legal challenges, the Arizona Daily Star reported.

The Arizona Corporation Commission cleared it on December 15, banning state-regulated corporations from developing, enforcing, and enforcing mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policies as a condition of employment.

Tucson Electric Power, Arizona Public Service Co., TEP and its rural sister utility UniSource Energy Services could be affected.

The directive was approved by the Republican majority of the commission in a party vote and aims at the mandate of the Biden government that private companies with 100 or more employees must ensure that their employees are vaccinated against COVID-19 or undergo regular tests. The original federal period of January 4th was recently extended to January 10th.

TEP and other government regulated utility companies say they are closely monitoring the legal status of the mandate. However, they have no plans of their own to require vaccinations or tests beyond current workplace safety protocols.