Setting the record straight on clean energy in Arizona
Recent news articles have criticized APS’ fight against the so-called cleanenergy ballot measure in our state. In many of those stories, fundamental facts surrounding the ballot measure and APS’ position on renewable and clean energy have been misrepresented or missing, or sometimes just wrong.
Contrary to recent coverage, this effort to change Arizona’s Constitution is not about clean energy — or even renewable energy — it is about California billionaire Tom Steyer, a political player with no ties to Arizona. The Steyer camp makes the arrogant claim that opposition to their bad-energy policy is the same as opposing clean energy. That’s not true. We strongly disagree with the ballot initiative because it’s bad for customers and our state. Here are some of the reasons why:
Fact #1: There is a clear distinction between renewable and clean energy. Renewable energy includes solar power, wind, hydropower, and biomass energy, while clean energy also includes nuclear power, which is carbon-free. Truly cutting carbon emissions and improving air quality require the use of every carbon-free resource we have available. In fact, by excluding nuclear power as a clean-energy resource, the ballot initiative would force Arizona to add more carbon-emitting resources to ensure reliable service after the sun goes down and solar panels stop working.
Fact #2: Today our energy mix already stands at 50 percent clean. Our customers have told us that clean energy is a priority, and we are listening. APS generates about 14 percent of our energy from renewable resources, including nine large solar farms across the state, and almost 80,000 rooftop solar installations. APS is in the top tier of all utilities in terms of solar power nationwide. Paired with our nuclear fleet and other clean sources, we have a long, proven track record of advancing both clean and renewable energy.
Fact #3: We oppose this measure precisely we believe in a clean energy future. APS owns and operates the Palo Verde Generating Station, the nation’s largest producer of carbon-free energy. Palo Verde’s clean-energy generation, combined with renewables, has helped make APS a national leader in clean-energy production, and it is licensed to continue providing clean power for Arizonans into the 2040s. And we cannot stress this enough: By excluding nuclear power as a clean-energy resource, the ballot initiative would force Arizona to add more carbon-emitting resources to ensure reliable service.
Fact #4: The proposed ballot measure would alter our state Constitution to mandate energy resources. APS customers enjoy the benefits of safe, reliable and increasingly clean energy at reasonable prices. The initiative would require unnecessary and expensive infrastructure additions to meet California-style standards. All this California policy would cost billions of dollars, a bill that would be paid by Arizona families. Tom Steyer does not live in Arizona, and would not be around to suffer the consequences of costly changes he wants to impose on our residents.
At APS, we remain a proponent of clean energy, now and in the future. As a long-term leader in this area, we continue to invite further thoughtful discussion about increasing the amount of renewables and other technologies that support clean energy in our state. Let’s invest in that, rather than in a measure that is misaligned, costly and counterproductive to enabling long-term economic growth and vitality for Arizona.