All Parties Overwhelmingly Oppose APS Sun Tax, Solar Kill
(News Release)
(SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.) Despite a multi-million dollar assault on solar savings and energy choice waged by APS, the vast majority of likely Maricopa County voters are not buying APS’ deceptions. They remain opposed to the utility monopoly’s efforts to tax solar power. Eighty-one percent of those surveyed reject APS’ solar tax. A stunning 77% would be less likely to vote for a candidate who ends solar savings.
The survey specifically asked as it has in 2 previous surveys:
“Solar energy is finally succeeding in Arizona because solar customers are allowed to sell the extra energy their solar panels generate back to the utility company. In other words if we are forced to buy power from Arizona Public Service for a certain price, Arizona Public Service should have to buy excess power created by solar panels for that same price. This is a good policy that exists in forty-three other states and it should not be ended by the Arizona Corporation Commission.”
In March of this year 83% of the respondents agreed with the statement. In August 88% agreed. In November, following APS’ multi-million dollar attacks on solar savings, 81% still agreed with the statement.
The parent company for Arizona Public Service, Pinnacle West, has admitted to spending at least $3.7 million dollars on a public relations assault on solar savings and energy choice in Arizona. The $3.7 million represents only part of the story. In their most recent quarterly report, Pinnacle West admitted to spending a total of $9 million on efforts to kill not only net metering but also opposition to deregulation of the utility industry.
Despite this massive spending campaign, which has been denounced by the Arizona Republic , only 45% of those surveyed have a favorable view of APS while 69% have a favorable view of SRP.
APS’ attacks center on net metering which allows rooftop solar users to be fairly compensated for excess electricity they send back to the grid.
The poll, which was conducted on November 6 and 7 by renowned Republican pollster Glen Bolger of Public Opinion Strategies, surveyed 300 likely voters in Maricopa County.
Bolger stated, “It continues to be political malpractice for Arizona elected officials to vote to end the solar power program in Arizona.”
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. Co-Chairman Tom Morrissey said, “Arizonans aren’t being fooled by APS’ tactics. Let’s hope those on the Commission see the APS solar attack for what it is, a well-financed attempt to eliminate competition through government intervention. That’s crony capitalism that isn’t supported by likely voters including an overwhelmingly large number of Republicans.”
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.
