The fight that's been playing out between utilities and solar installers could wind up on the ballot in November.
Most residential utility customers pay a base service fee and usage charge. And utilities want the Arizona Corporation Commission to approve some changes for customers who generate their own power. One would alter the requirement that companies buy back the excess power homeowners generate at the same per-kilowatt hour rate they charge. Another would impose a peak demand charge.
Former utility regulator Kris Mayes says that's wrong-- "The policies that they are promoting would have the effect of seriously undermining the ability of Arizonans to go solar."
The initiative drive Mayes is heading would constitutionally bar what utilities want. She disputes arguments by utilities that non-solar customers are underwriting the fixed costs of the power system.
"The argument that APS and other utilities make that non-solar customers are subsidizing solar customers is mythology and has been completely debunked in all the evidence that's been presented in all the cases that are currently going on before the corporation commission. It's just a bunch of hooey," she says.
Backed by solar interests, Mayes has until July 7 to get more than 225,000 signatures to put the measure on the November ballot.