By Sandra Kennedy
The Arizona Republic
Regarding APS CEO Don Brandt’s column about the company’s aggressive attempt to reduce or eliminate the current net metering program for renewable-energy choices.
During my tenure as an Arizona Corporation commissioner, I heard Arizona Public Service Co.’s numerous complaints and excuses as to why its captive ratepayers should not have more tools and options to mitigate rising energy costs. APS officials like to pat themselves on the back when it comes to their renewable-energy programs. However, APS fails to tell the full story: It was the Arizona Corporation Commission, responding to the pleas of the APS ratepayers, that held their feet to the fire and required in several rate cases that APS provide more solar options to their customers.
As Brandt complains about the details in a properly designed net metering program, he doesn’t mention that APS, along with the other utility monopolies and numerous stakeholders, was a very active participant in the development and creation of the net metering program.
I find it interesting and maybe a little disingenuous that Brandt does not mention the price at which APS sells the excess power produced by residential solar units. I believe that it is also a bit hypocritical that APS is now lamenting fairness when it comes to all their ratepayers, given its history.
If you’d like to discuss energy issues, contact Court Rich, Co-Chair of Rose Law Group’s Renewable Energy Department at crich@roselawgroup.com
