UniSource Energy Corp., parent of Tucson Electric Power Co., has initially contributed $50,000 to a political-action committee opposing Proposition 127, which would require state-regulated utilities to generate 50 percent of their power from renewable sources by 2030.
A third-quarter finance report filed with the Arizona Secretary of State also shows that Southern Arizonans for Responsible Energy, a group formed in August by TEP and local business opponents of Prop. 127, paid local marketing firm Strongpoint Marketing $35,000 for market research and campaign planning.
After a recent merger, Strongpoint is now known as NüPoint Marketing.
A companion group focused on Mohave county, which is served by TEP sister company UNS Electric, has been registered but reported no contributions or spending in the third quarter.
Prop. 127 backers say the measure is needed to reduce pollution from fossil-fuel power plants and will save ratepayers billions of dollars.
TEP says passage of the clean-energy initiative would increase rates and prompt the closure of two units at its coal-fired Springerville Generating Station. The utility said no ratepayer funds will be used in the campaign effort.
Arizona Public Service Co., the largest state-regulate utility, has contributed more than $11 million to two other groups opposing Prop. 127.
APS also says the measure would cause hefty rate increases and prompt the utility to close the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station.
