(GUADALUPE, Ariz.) The town of Guadalupe this week passed a pro-net metering resolution, striking yet another blow to the monopoly Arizona Public Service. It follows the towns of Cave Creek and Clarkdale in making a stand against APS in opposing a absurd tax plan that would make Arizona, of all states, the most anti-rooftop solar in the country.
Guadalupe Town Councilors rejected an attempt by APS to change the net metering policy that applies to APS’ solar customers. Net metering requires APS to credit rooftop solar customers a retail rate for any excess power they send back to the grid.
The town’s move represents what most Arizonans think about solar policy. A new poll conducted by the award-winning Public Opinion Strategies found an overwhelming majority across party lines oppose APS’ efforts to tax rooftop solar savings.
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 new tax scheme proposed last week to the Arizona Corporation Commission.
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 and others that have been saving with solar energy will be paying more money to APS.
APS currently has two options before the Arizona Corporation Commission, either of which would wipe out rooftop solar savings, decimate the solar industry in Arizona, and cement APS’ status as a utility monopoly.
Tusk Chairman Barry Goldwater Jr. stated, “First, Cave Creek delivered a clear message to APS which said, ‘Don’t mess with solar choice.’ Since then, Clarkdale and now Guadalupe have joined the coalition of towns that cherish energy choice. It’s a message that needs to be spread across Arizona so we don’t allow monopolies to crush alternatives.”
T.U.S.K (Tell Utilities Solar won’t be Killed) was formed to stand for energy choice and energy independence.
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.
