Arizona Public Service sought to quickly quash concerns last week that a letter submitted as a part of its request for a rate increase gave the appearance that dozens of government officials and nonprofit groups supported raising customers’ utility bills.

A small electric cooperative is trying again to change the way it handles solar by changing net metering and upping fixed charges, a move critics say will cripple the industry in its territory.

The state’s largest electric utility wants to move its residential customers to demand rates, a controversial mechanism that critics say would mean higher bills for many ratepayers.

Two ballot referrals would regulate solar companies as public service corporations and require the Arizona Corporation Commission to change rates and rules for solar.

A small utility that serves parts of rural Arizona is dropping its bid for new controversial rates for all residential customers, but keeping its plan to move solar customers onto those rates.

A constitutional ballot initiative that would preserve the status quo for solar energy for the next six years already has major funding. But utilities and some public officials are lining up against it, setting up a big election battle.

Lesko today confirmed that she’s working with APS, Legislative Council, and Marc Osborn of Arizona Prosperity Alliance to craft a referendum to compete with Kris Mayes’ pro-solar initiative.

The Tempe Transportation Center, which opened in 2008, houses one of the few green roofs in Arizona, where the heat can be inhospitable and keeping plants alive isn’t always easy.

A constitutional ballot initiative, dubbed the Arizona Solar Energy Freedom Act, filed today with the Secretary of State’s Office takes aim at several tactics used by utilities that critics say are meant to undermine rooftop solar.

Arizona Corporation Commissioner Andy Tobin sat out on a vote April 12 because of a potential conflict of interest. But after that matter failed, Tobin now says he should have been able to vote and he wants an emergency meeting so the Commission can vote again.