Image Credit: TUSK

APS Proposal To Tax Solar Energy Gets Big “No” From Arizona Corporation Commission Staff

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Image Credit: TUSK(Scottsdale, Ariz) The staff at Arizona Corporation Commission has issued a memo advising Commissioners to reject both of APS’ proposals to kill competition by taxing solar savings.

According to their report:

“Staff recommends that the Commission not approve either of the NM cost-shift solutions proffered by APS in the instant application for the reasons discussed above. Instead, Staff recommends that no changes be made at this time, but instead, this issue be evaluated during APS’s next rate case.”

The staff report also said the APS proposals yield unwarranted increased revenue to APS without giving money back to the people.

ACC Staff’s report comes after a July 16 letter by Commissioner Gary Pierce to Staff requesting help in analyzing APS’ net metering proposals, primarily due to Staff’s “experience in analyzing costs and revenues related to rate cases.”

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APS seeks to end net metering, a process by which rooftop solar customers are fairly compensated for excess electricity they send back to the grid.

The utility’s reaction to the report is stunning in that APS fails to mention its plan was outright rejected. Here is an excerpt from APS’ statement:

“We stand by our initial proposal and we look forward to working with the commissioners, staff and other stakeholders on
developing the right solution for our customers.”

APS has taken spin to a whole new level, a complete departure from reality.

About T.U.S.K
T.U.S.K (Tell Utilities Solar won’t be Killed) was formed to stand for energy choice and energy independence. T.U.S.K. Chairman Barry Goldwater Jr. said, “The Corporation Commission staff doesn’t buy APS’ false claims and let’s hope our Corporation Commissioners heed the expert advice of their staff.”

To learn more about T.U.S.K. visit www.dontkillsolar.com

T.U.S.K. believes that rooftop solar is similar to a charter school—it provides a competitive alternative to the monopoly. Monopoly utilities aren’t known for reducing costs or for driving business innovation, but the Arizona solar industry is. Solar companies have a track record of aggressive cost reduction in Arizona. The more people use rooftop solar, the less power they need to buy from the utilities. Energy independence for Arizonans means smaller profits for the utilities, so APS is doing everything it can to stop the spread of independent solar. Recently, APS has proposed a plan to tax rooftop solar out of existence.


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