In September, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) proposed reforms to the outdated Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA). With the process slowly moving, it is costing Arizonans billions. David Holt shares just how much:
“PURPA’s dual-edged sword forces utilities to purchase renewable energy at inflated prices regardless of whether they need the electricity or not. These contracts are long – sometimes spanning several decades – and do not take into account any changes in reality even when the cost of renewables or the need for power has significantly changed. At a time when the nation is looking to advance renewables, driving up the cost unnecessarily will only serve to slow their growth and force higher costs on those who can least afford to pay. This is not a policy that any of us want.
Energy developers have been taking advantage of this system for long enough. In the past five years alone, you and your fellow customers have overpaid by as much as $2.3 billion. This is the result of inflated, hidden prices that are passed on to you and other consumers for long periods of time.”
Read more – Arizona Capitol Times