Arizona Commerce Authority missing data on incentives, audit finds
A new report reveals that the Arizona Commerce Authority could not show that it confirmed that companies that received nearly $11 million in incentives proved that they invested the money or hired the workers they promised at the agreed-to wages.
Government should forgo gold shovels, oversized scissors
Despite the evergreen temptation to involve itself in the market, the government should resist the gold shovels and oversized scissors and commit themselves to the difficult and mundane work of improving government functions for all.
Arizona House OKs credits, exemptions for Apple data center
The Arizona Legislature wants to help Apple Inc. by extending renewable energy tax credits and exemptions to cover the 1.3-million-square-foot data center it plans to open in the Phoenix suburb of Mesa.
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.
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.
Class action lawsuit alleges securities fraud against First Solar of Tempe
A federal judge in Phoenix on Tuesday certified a class action lawsuit alleging securities fraud against First Solar and its executives, a company that is selling a Mesa plant that Gov. Jan Brewer once hoped would be a shining example of solar investment.
Authorities debate whether lavish economic development incentives are worth the price
Arizona’s city, county and state governments are handing out billions in economic development incentives to attract business — but not without resistance from critics who dispute their necessity.
Mesa offers incentives for solar systems
MESA ai??i?? The city of Mesa is launching a pilot program that will provide up to $100,000 in incentives to residents and business owners who install a solar system.
Lawmakers looking at AZ solar industry after Solyndra bust
The Solyndra collapse and its subsequent Washington investigation have re-ignited the national debate over whether the solar industry should be subsidized by the government, and some state legislators are calling for a re-examination of Arizona’s own solar incentives.