Here's How Much Arizona Utilities Spent to Fight Retail Choice

Arizona utilities have disclosed in response to a request from Arizona Corporation Commissioner Bob Burns the amount of money spent publicly supporting their position regarding retail electric choice, which for the state's utilities, was unanimous opposition.

Pinnacle West, the parent of Arizona Public Service, spent approximately $410,000 for public relations work related to deregulation, including amounts contributed to the Arizona Power Consumers Coalition, a group opposed to retail choice.

"APS estimates that salaried employees spent approximately 2,800 hours on public relations activities related to the Commission's inquiry into deregulation," APS said.

Salt River Project, another opponent of retail choice, expended approximately $110,000 over an eight-month period to, "help develop a voice for a wide variety of organizations that held similar views."

Tucson Electric Power and UNS Electric contributed $35,520 to support the operations of the Arizona Power Consumers Coalition. Tucson Electric Power and UNS Electric's salaried staff spent approximately 75 hours of combined time in public relations activities regarding the companies' opposition to retail choice.

Among supporters of retail choice, Arizonans for Electric Choice and Competition members and affiliated companies spent $322,000 on public relations and similar efforts. Exelon and Constellation, members of Arizonans for Electric Choice and Competition but reporting separately, spent $327,000 to support retail choice.