By Howard Fischer, Capitol Media Services via Arizona Capitol Times
State utility regulators on Thursday invited the top executive of Arizona Public Service to answer questions at next month’s Arizona Corporation Commission meeting with the clear implication that, if he doesn’t come willingly they, will force the issue.
“It’s time, past time, that this commission hears from the executive of APS,’’ said Sandra Kennedy.
But don’t expect to find Don Brandt who is CEO of both APS and parent company Pinnacle West Capital Corp. sitting in the witness chair when the panel meets on August 6.
“We will be sending our most senior subject-matter official,’’ said company spokeswoman Suzanne Trevino. And she declined to answer questions about what the utility would do if commissioners exercise their legal power to subpoena Brandt.
Kennedy told Capitol Media Services after Thursday’s meeting the offer of having a lower-level executive appear before the commission is not going to cut it
“The person who really needs to come in here is Don Brandt,’’ she said. “He is the CEO of the company and that’s who we really need to hear from.’’
That’s not to say that Kennedy would spurn testimony from other company execs. But she said she wants to pose her questions directly to him.
