Closer look at Prop 127
Before you head to vote this morning you’ll be deciding on multiple measures that affect the future of Arizonans.
The fight over Proposition 127 is heating up. Here’s what the proposition is looking to do and why some may be against it.
Right now Arizona has a renewable energy standard that requires utilities to get 15%of their power from renewable sources, such as solar and wind, by 2025. This is a standard that was adopted back in 2006.
If proposition 127 were to pass, utility companies in Arizona would be required to get 50%of their energy from renewable sources by 2030. This is an idea Clean Energy for a Healthy Arizona is pushing.
The communications director for Clean Energy for a Healthy Arizona, Dj Quinlan says, “We believe that by transitioning to more solar, more renewable energy, consumers will save money, will create thousands of new jobs in a new solar industry, and also will have cleaner healthier air and water.”
On the other side, Matthew Benson, spokesperson for Arizonans for Affordable Electricity says its a proposition that will actually hurt our wallets. “Every major utility as well as more than 70 community groups across the state have come out against prop 127 and the biggest reason why it is going to increase your utility bills.”
According to Benson, the average Arizona family utility bill may increase by a thousand dollars a year.
Quinlan claims yes on prop 127 has done credible research with the World Renowned Energy from IFC
using an integrative planning model. He says they conducted a computer simulation looking at the Western Electricity Grid and what would happen if Arizona went 50% renewable energy. According to their results, customers would save money immediately.
One of the biggest issues the proposition faces is how no on prop 127 advocates it will greatly impact our schools. Benson emphasizes that, “The increase cost for heating and cooling are gonna result in significant additional costs for public schools.” Prop 127 argues solar is actually cheaper than gas and coal.
So far the campaign for a Cleaner Arizona has spent about $23 million and the opposition spending more than $30 million.
