By Ryan Randazzo | The Arizona Republic
Arizona utility regulators are considering taking away a water company’s lucrative service territory and giving it to a competitor whose executives have donated thousands to the political campaigns of two of the regulators.
Commissioner Andy Tobin joined Dunn and Forese in a 3-2 vote forcing Arizona Water Co. to negotiate with Robson over the water-service rights for an 11-square-mile undeveloped area near Casa Grande.
The Corporation Commission, under different commissioners, had granted Arizona Water the territory in 2004. Attorneys for Robson companies have been challenging that decision unsuccessfully since 2005.
Dunn proposed reversing the grant within a month of taking office, but said the donations from the Robsons are not driving his decisions.
“Any person who gave me a contribution, when I had a chance to talk to them, I made very clear that whatever contribution you make will not make any difference at all in what I decide,” Dunn said. “My decision will be based on the law and it will be based on the best interests of the ratepayers.”
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