FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 29, 2013
Contact: Michael Scerbo
Email: mscerbo@rosemoserallynpr.com
Work: 480.423.1414
Mobile: 602.615.6523
Immediate Past Arizona Republican Party Chairman Tom Morrissey To Co-Chair TUSK; Effort To Stop APS From Eliminating Rooftop Solar, Electric Competition In AZ
(SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.) Former Arizona Republican Party Chairman Tom Morrissey is now co-chairman of TUSK (Tell Utilities Solar won't be Killed). He joins TUSK Chairman Barry Goldwater Jr. in leading this organization, which is fighting for energy choice in Arizona.
Tom Morrissey was elected Arizona Republican Party Chairman in 2011 to a two year term, at the end of which, Republicans held all statewide offices, maintained the majorities in both houses of the Arizona Legislature, and won the state for Governor Romney.
Morrissey served in the United States Marshal's office from 1975 to 1995. He retired as Chief Deputy US Marshal District of Arizona. From 1996 to 2008 he served as Chief of the Office of Special Investigations for the Arizona Department of Economic Security.
Morrissey joins a growing list of conservatives who believe that energy choice is just as important as school choice and healthcare choice.
Morrissey hopes APS will one day "see the light" and understand that the proper use of solar power can help them and also help our nation to get somewhat closer to energy independence, and consequently, economic recovery, by keeping our energy dollars in the U.S.
“This debate isn’t about subsidies. All energy sources and energy providers receive subsidies. That’s just how the electricity market is structured, unfortunately. This is about whether we are going to have at least some competition in this state for the monopoly utilities. I strongly believe we should. Also, individuals should have the right to make private investments in technology that benefits them and their fellow Arizonans. The government should not hamper that right,” Morrissey said.
Arizona Public Service has called on the Arizona Corporation Commission to tax the sun by ending solar savings for rooftop solar customers. That plan would essentially end energy choice and result in a new $2 billion subsidy for the utility monopoly on top of the many subsidies they and their shareholders already receive.
Morrissey continued, "Conservatives who support school choice and healthcare choice should join me in supporting energy choice. As conservatives, we are morally obligated to fight new tax proposals. APS' request to end net metering amounts to a tax on solar savings. It also seeks to line the pockets of a regulated monopoly through government intervention. I am proud to join Barry Goldwater Jr. in leading the charge towards more energy competition and private investment."
TUSK Chairman Barry Goldwater Jr. stated, “Conservatives embrace solar energy because it represents ratepayers taking control of their energy choices. I welcome Tom Morrissey to TUSK and to the ever growing list of conservative solar supporters.”
T.U.S.K. (Tell Utilities Solar won’t be Killed) was formed to stand for energy choice and rooftop solar savings. The position has been supported by diverse groups ranging from The Arizona Republic and The Rec Center Board of Sun City to town and city councils in Cave Creek, Clarkdale and Guadalupe.
To learn more about T.U.S.K. visit www.dontkillsolar.com
T.U.S.K. believes that rooftop solar is similar to a charter school—it provides a competitive alternative to the monopoly. Monopoly utilities aren’t known for reducing costs or for driving business innovation, but the Arizona solar industry is. Solar companies have a track record of aggressive cost reduction in Arizona. The more people use rooftop solar, the less power they need to buy from the utilities. Energy independence for Arizonans means smaller profits for the utilities, so APS is doing everything it can to stop the spread of independent solar.