The Phoenix Sun

In a surreal scene yesterday afternoon, the Republican-dominated House Government Committee voted *5-to-2 to approve a bill that major business interests in the state had just testified against, portraying HB 2701 as a major jobs-killer in a state that has been one of the hardest hit by the current recession.

Back Door Attack

The bill adds “nuclear” power to the list of renewable energy sources that count toward Arizona’s Renewable Energy Standards (RES). Used by 32 states, an RES mandates that a certain percentage of a utility’s electricity be produced by renewable sources. (No other state counts existing nuclear power generation toward meeting an RES mandate.)

But even proponents of the bill say privately and sometimes publicly, that their intent has nothing to do with extending renewable incentives to nuclear power. A source working with pro-HB2701 legislators agreed with the assessment that what is really at issue is a “turf battle” between the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) that currently sets the RES and the legislature, which believes only it has that power.

Some speakers last night objected to being “caught in the middle” of the battle.

A Turf Fight - and More

But there is much more going on than feuding elements of government

A representative of the Arizona Free Enterprise Club, speaking in favor of the bill, based his argument in part on doubts about the reality of climate change. Even if it exists, he said, he’d still back HB2701 because the bill would end government subsidies for all renewable energy sources.

Click on image to download bill (pdf)

Representative Steve Montenegro (R-12), a co-sponsor of the bill and a committee member, explained his support for the bill during yesterday’s hearing. “I’m a believer in the free market,” he said. “Solar should stand without having to be propped up,” by government incentives.

Democratic Rebuke

That drew sharp criticism from Democratic minority whip, Chad Campbell (D-14), also a member of the committee, who countered that all energy sources receive government subsidies of some sort.

“While we sit here and debate whether solar is viable,” Campbell added, “the rest of the world has already decided it is.”

The bill now moves to the House Committee on Rules, before heading to the floor for a full House vote.

(You can read more about the bill in an article I wrote for OnEarth magazine.)

*One of the no votes came from Republican Warde Nichols (District 21), a cosponsor of HB2701.

Green elephants may not be extinct, but in recent years they’ve joined polar bears and right whales on the threatened and endangered species list.

With good reason, the chairman of Republicans for Environmental Protection (REP), Martha Marks, has opened many a speech with the line: “I am with Republicans for Environmental Protection, and, no, that is not an oxymoron.” It always got a laugh; usually a rueful one.

Jim DiPeso, policy director for REP, has one of the sharpest minds in environmental politics — of any political party. REP isn’t taking a formal position on Earth Hour. Yet (hint, hint, Martha & Jim). But when Fireitup asked DiPeso what he thought of the event he sounded supportive.

“Earth Hour is a good reminder that using energy wisely is a critically important element of good stewardship,” DiPeso said. “Plus, what could be more conservative than saving money?”

He makes a good point, too, about the potential dangers of such an event.

“Once the lights are turned back on at 9:30 PM,” DiPeso added, “I hope that those lights are high-efficiency models, so that Earth Hour is more than just one-time, feel-good symbolism.”

And an Amen to that brother DiPeso.

(But I still think you guys ought to embrace this thing. Nothing wrong with symbols if you also live by the principles they represent. Like, the American flag, for example.)