Arizona Progress & Gazette
(Editor’s note: Posting opinion pieces is strictly for purposes of discussion.)
Over the past year Arizona was subject to the craven quest of utility monopoly Arizona Public Service (APS) as they attempted to squash the innovation and savings of rooftop solar. APS made its move last year for two reasons. The first is that energy choice, efficiency and improving solar technology is eating into their profits. The second is that the group regulating such matters, the Arizona Corporation Commission, became all Republican after the elections in November, 2012. So APS pursued crony capitalism to the fullest extent seeking the utility of potential allies in government to hamper competition and preserve profits.
But for a public outcry and push-back from many leading Republicans APS might have had its way. Instead, they still got a solar tax they were seeking albeit much smaller than what they had proposed. A wise majority emerged on the Arizona Corporation Commission to resolve the matter, though we would argue they can be wiser still.
