Neil Travor with Arizona Public Service (APS) addressed the Holbrook City Council on July 10 regarding the Clean Energy for a Healthy Arizona Amendment that will be voted on in November. Travor said his goal was to “help people understand what the reality of this bill really means.”
The amendment, which is being introduced by NextGen America, a political advocacy group funded by California billionaire Tom Steyer, is creating great concern among the utility companies within Arizona. If passed by voters, the amendment will force dramatic changes within the current power structure, including the potential shutdown of the Palo Verde Nuclear Plant, which employees 3,000 people and is considered to be a clean source of energy.
“The challenge in the amendment is how they define renewable. The amendment threatens the viability of the Cholla Plant, possibly shutting it down earlier than anticipated, as well the Four Corners Generating Station. Fifty percent of our power will have to be created by wind and solar. Arizona will no longer have the right to say what should or should not be green energy,” Travor stated.
He continued by stating the amendment would “handcuff” the Arizona Corporation Commission, and has the potential of doubling commercial and residential costs for utilities.
“The other interesting thing is that it is only regulated utilities that have to comply. Salt River Project, which is a quasi government entity, will not have to comply and they are the single largest carbon producer in the state. There is obviously something else going on as that doesn’t make sense,” explained Travor.
In an update on incidents in the city, Interim Police Chief Nathan Christensen told the council that the officers had responded to 328 calls for service last month with 43 arrests, 14 felonies and 29 misdemeanors. “Just to clarify, the 328 doesn’t mean we took 328 reports, some calls were closed just by the officer arriving on the scene,” said Christensen. “We also had a pretty serious call last week with an aggravated assault. The suspect has been found and will be charged.”
Christensen reported that Animal Control brought in 32 dogs along with 22 cats, of that number only three were euthanized last month. The year-to-date stats as of last month included 170 dogs and 129 cats brought in with a total of seven euthanized during that time period.
The agenda item regarding the license and agreement for a crossing with the Apache Railway was tabled at the request of Interim City Manager Randy Sullivan as he is researching the legality of the matter.
Cindy Tafoya, director of Holbrook Chamber of Commerce, shared that the food truck social has been rescheduled to Saturday, Aug. 18. “The first one was a great success and this is something we want to do to bring the community back together.”
Tafoya also noted that the Old West Days has been rescheduled to Saturday, Oct. 20. “We are planning a full day event, will be starting at 8 a.m. and finishing at 9 p.m. We are lining up great entertainment, games and things for people to do.”
In other business, the council approved the claims and payment for June 21-July 3 in the amount of $76,962.
