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Regulators set to referee solar net metering fight
After several months of intense and expensive campaigning, Arizona utility regulators today begin formal hearings on a proposal by Arizona Public Service to drastically cut incentives to install rooftop solar panels.
Solar storm
All eyes on Arizona as formal energy hearings begin
At the heart of Arizona’s battle over solar net metering systems is whether utilities can balance solar energy with the cost of maintaining the grid that delivers electricity to all users.
APS: $3.7 million spent on metering publicity
Arizona Public Service, the state’s largest energy company, told regulators Nov. 6 that its parent corporation has spent $3.7 million dollars to fight for a drastic reduction to a key rooftop solar incentive in Arizona.
Solar industry: $336k spent on net metering PR so far, another $100k planned
An advocacy group for rooftop solar companies told Arizona utility regulators today that it has spent $336,000 fighting the state’s largest utility provider over an incentive that has led to explosive growth for the solar industry in Arizona.
APS: $9 million spent on net metering, energy deregulation PR
As of September 30, Arizona Public Service’s parent organization had spent $9 million - more than every 2010 gubernatorial campaign combined - in the fight over Arizona’s solar incentives and deregulation of the utility market, according to the company’s most recent earnings report.
Utility oversight office proposes solar compromise
Arizona’s Residential Utility Consumer Office today recommended Arizona’s utility regulators to reduce solar “net metering” incentives by a fraction of what the state’s largest utility has sought in recent months.
Instead of cutting the monthly savings of solar net metering customers in half, or by around $75 each month, as Arizona Public Service has asked the state’s energy reg[...]
Utility regulator demands solar publicity receipts
Arizona Corporation Commissioner Bob Burns said today he’s “troubled” by the vicious public relations war waged by Arizona’s largest utility provider and the solar industry over future rooftop solar incentives.
He wants an accounting of the money that’s been spent so far to see whether customers have been paying for the fight. If so, it could be a violation of the utility’s[...]
Retirees protest APS over solar incentives, call utility dishonest
The fight over Arizona’s solar industry spilled into the streets Wednesday as a group of about 40 retirees protested in front of the headquarters of Arizona Public Service, criticizing the utility for asking state regulators to reduce rooftop solar incentives.
Into the core
Palo Verde is one place where no one can afford to make mistakes. “Put these on,” the security officer, whose bullet magazines protruded and glistened against his black uniform, told me.
Energy deregulation proponents push ahead despite setback
Stung by their sudden defeat at the Arizona Corporation Commission, proponents of electricity deregulation have gone back to the drawing board to map out their next move.
Net metering battle takes center stage
Statewide political warfare is usually reserved for even-numbered years, targets millions of Arizona voters and follows well-defined partisan boundaries. But the fight over solar energy in Arizona has broken all those maxims this year.
Incentive program enables hundreds of schools to go solar
As students cavort around Sunnyslope Elementary School’s playground, a shade structure high above the slides and monkey bars helps harness the sun’s power.
