| SolarCity Backing Re-Election of Utility Regulator Robert Burns, a 'Dark Money' Critic |
SolarCity Backing Re-Election of Utility Regulator Robert Burns, a 'Dark Money' Critic
Five Republicans and two Democrats are running for the commission this year. Three people will be elected to the five-member commission, which sets rates for electric, water and gas utilities and decides policies such as how rooftop-solar customers are billed. Burns has fought with Arizona Public Service Co. over its political activity, and has waged a high-profile fight to force the company of its parent brand, Pinnacle West Capital Corp., to disclose whether it helped get commissioners Tom Forese and Doug Little elected in 2014. 'Unacceptable and inappropriate' Last year, Burns and fellow Commissioner Susan Bitter Smith wrote a letter asking all regulated companies like APS, and unregulated companies that have key interests in commission policies, such as SolarCity, to voluntarily refrain from spending money on commission elections. Their letter, which the other three commissioners refused to sign, said it is "unacceptable and inappropriate" for utilities and unregulated businesses to finance campaigns for or against corporation commissioners. Burns said Monday he is working with his campaign staff to reiterate the points raised in that letter. "We need people who come before the commission to stand down when it comes to commission races," he said. Mailers in support of Burns have been sent to voters, in addition to robocalls and volunteers and paid staffers making calls to voters, said Kris Mayes, who is leading the Save Our AZ Solar group. The group gets its funding from Energy Choice for America, which she said is being funded entirely by SolarCity. Mayes also is a former chairwoman of the Corporation Commission. A push for transparency
By law, the independent expenditure groups supporting Burns can't coordinate with the candidate, but they can advertise on his behalf or in opposition to his rivals. Burns is running with traditional, private financing, not the state's public funding program for candidates. SolarCity is the largest solar installer in both the state and country, and has grown rapidly because of its leases that allow customers to add solar to homes without large up-front expenses. Elon Musk, the charismatic leader of Tesla Motors Inc. and Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX), is chairman of SolarCity. Musk's cousin, Lyndon Rive, is SolarCity's CEO. "We are going to be completely transparent about this effort," Mayes said. "Commissioner Burns is fact based, fair minded and always puts the best interests of Arizonans first," Mayes said. "He also has a strong track record of supporting job creation in Arizona and believes in the right of Arizonans to create their own power through solar and through competitive energy choices." Mayes would not say how much SolarCity plans to spend in the election, or whether the independent political groups plan to endorse any other commission candidates. The dollar figures of their spending will all be reported, as required, with the Secretary of State, she said. Looking into 'dark money' In addition to Burns, Republican Andy Tobin is looking to be elected to a full term after being appointed to the commission this year. Republicans Rick Gray, Al Melvin and Boyd Dunn also are running in the primary election. The three winners will face Democrats Tom Chabin and Bill Mundell in the general election. Burns last week announced the hiring of a Maryland attorney for $315 an hour to investigate outside influences into the decisions made by the commission. APS has not denied support for "dark money" political groups that backed Forese and Little, who were elected in 2014 when independent political groups spent more than $3 million on their behalf, but APS hasn't provided all the documentation Burns requested. Burns has said that while he believes corporations have a right to spend money on political races, they should disclose such spending. Pinnacle West in June said the U.S. Attorney has contacted the company regarding statewide elections in 2014, though it is unclear what is under investigation in that case. |
Ryan Randazzo, The Republic | 
SolarCity Corp. has begun advertising on behalf of Republican utility regulator Robert Burns, hoping to get him re-elected to the Arizona Corporation Commission, even though Burns has asked for energy companies to stay out of the elections.