APS won’t spend money on political campaigns for Arizona Corporation Commission, company CEO says
Jeff Guldner at the 2019 Arizona Technology Innovation Summit at The Duce in Phoenix./ Gage Skidmore via Flickr
By Ryan Randazzo | Arizona Republic
Arizona Public Service Co.’s new chief executive, Jeff Guldner, told state regulators on Tuesday that the company will not fund candidates who are running for elected office as utility regulators.
Commissioner Robert Burns, who fought unsuccessfully for years to get APS and its parent company Pinnacle West to turn over documents related to political donations, questioned Guldner directly.
“Will you make a commitment here today that Pinnacle West Capital Corp., or any of its affiliated companies including Arizona Public Service Co., will not participate in any way, shape or form in the election of Corporation Commissioners, including both the primary and general election process, as long as you hold the position you now hold?” Burns asked.
Guldner took over as CEO in November, after the retirement of former CEO Don Brandt.
He responded: “Today as chairman and CEO of both APS and Pinnacle West, I can say that under my leadership, Pinnacle West and APS, and any of our affiliates, will neither directly nor indirectly participate in any election of any Corporation Commissioner through either financial or in-kind support.”
The issue has been more than a little controversial for APS.
