Arizona is in the midst of what seems like an intense election-year campaign: millions of dollars in spending, a barrage of negative TV ads and large amounts of outside money. The issue, however, has nothing to do with taxes, a hot-button policy or anything on the ballot, AP reports.
It is about the future of rooftop solar power in a state known for its abundant sunshine and at a time when the industry is booming.
The state’s largest utility, Arizona Public Service, has spent more than $3.7 million to convince the public that homeowners using solar panels are costing other customers money, and it wants utility regulators to OK a proposal it says would make the system more fair.
The solar industry, on the other hand, has spent at least $370,000 on its own ads, arguing that the utility’s proposal would increase rates for those who use rooftop solar power and decrease competition.
The Arizona Corporation Commission met Wednesday to discuss the issue, hearing testimony from a series of residents who packed the room to have their opinions heard. Others who couldn’t get in the room testified via telephone, and some received applause as they extolled the virtue of solar power.
“If you decide to vote on the side of the utility company, then we are going over to the dark side,” said Glendale resident Sophia Ross, a homeowner with a rooftop solar system.
