(News release)
On Friday, Arizona Public Service will propose a tax on the sun.
The utility monopoly is seeking to alter net metering which requires APS to credit rooftop solar customers a retail rate for any excess power they send back to the grid.
Even though a recent study shows the rooftop solar industry provides $34 million a year in uncompensated benefits and subsidies to APS, the utility sees rooftop solar as competition and is seeking to reduce its ratepayers’ ability to save money with solar via a tax it will unveil on Friday.
The goal is to drive up the price of independent solar energy, thus cementing APS’ monopoly control over its ratepayers’ electricity purchases. As a result homeowners, schools, and churches that have been saving with solar energy will be paying more money to APS.
T.U.S.K. Chairman Barry Goldwater Jr. stated, “Arizonans need to be aware that on Friday APS will call for a tax on all rooftop citizen solar. This tax will line their pockets while undermining the birth of a homegrown job creator and competitor to government-regulated monopoly power.”
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.
