Now Tucson Electric is following the lead of SW Gas, SRP and APS…penalizing customers for saving energy by charging them more.

As monopolies supplying a product needed by all, people are left with little to no course of action, save legal challenges.

The relative silence about these increased expenses in Fountain Hills is surprising, given that:

• The mayor spoke against a minimal $3/month environmental fee to help fund expensive mandatory storm water and other infrastructure (in the millions);

• Citizens joined the majority of council at the time by actively opposing rising water rates and also paying the Dept. of Water Resources with local tax dollars in order to balance the Legislature’s budget…we acquiesced due to a threat from Attorney General Tom Horne;

• Recently the mayor vocally rejected a $1/year addition to dog licenses to help with barking mitigation and park improvements (council tabled the item).

These had less effect on Fountain Hills households than SRP’s plan, which not only raises everyone’s monthly rate but severely punishes homeowners with solar panels by diminishing the value of our property if we ever sell, and subjecting us to large increases in the future if we don’t.

A few voiced objections, and Councilman Leger assisted, but SRP was apparently not accountable to us…we live in a non-voting district.

It is questionable whether the town can move forward with the Cutillo Plaza solar project, similar to Safeway’s, if it is not economically feasible anymore for bidders to provide free parking shelters. We would’ve saved taxpayer dollars on electric bills and, of course, provided shade for visitors and staff.

Add the SW Gas “you didn’t use enough energy so we’re charging you for nice weather” policy, and it appears residents have been abandoned.

See http://dontkillsolar.com/tusk, Barry Goldwater Jr., chair.