An Arizona regulator wants the state’s biggest utility to turn over campaign contribution records that could be linked to dark money in last year’s election.
Writing that the public appears to look upon the commission with “suspicion" and "mistrust,” Corporation Commissioner Bob Burns called upon Arizona Public Service to disclose any spending on the 2014 election cycle. The demand comes in response to $3 million in alleged dark money contributions from the utility and its parent company to the campaigns of current Commissioners Tom Forese and Doug Little.
Burns said he would like to confirm APS spent only its profits and not ratepayer dollars that should only be used to recover the costs of providing service.
Earlier this year, Commissioners Burns and Susan Bitter Smith asked for the utility to voluntarily refrain from making such contributions, but that was sharply rejected by the company’s CEO, who argued that would “muzzle” its political speech, even while others continue to pour money into elections. The company has not confirmed or denied whether it was behind the contributions in question last election cycle.
Burns' letter, dated Monday, requested the utility provide the information within 30 days.
"The Commission is APS's regulator, and as a duly elected commissioner, I look forward to APS's full compliance with my request," concluded Burns.
