Arizona fights back

[galt11]

I saw this article and couldn't help laughing and cheering.

Adam

L.A. Mayor Dismisses Warning That Arizona Could Cut Off Power Over Boycott

By Judson Berger

- FOXNews.com

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa on Wednesday defiantly rejected a warning by a top Arizona utilities official that the state could cut off power to Los Angeles should the city proceed with its boycott of all things Arizona.

Traffic flows along the Pasadena Freeway May 14 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo)

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa on Wednesday defiantly rejected a warning by a top Arizona utilities official that the state could cut off power to Los Angeles should the city proceed with its boycott of all things Arizona.

Spokesman David Beltran told Fox News that the message didn't even warrant a response.

"We're not going to respond to threats from a state which has isolated itself from the America that values freedom, liberty and basic human rights," Beltran said.

That was after Gary Pierce, a commissioner on the five-member Arizona Corporation Commission, wrote a letter to Villaraigosa slamming his City Council's decision to boycott the Grand Canyon State -- in protest of its immigration law -- by suspending official travel there and ending future contracts with state businesses.

Noting that a quarter of Los Angeles' electricity comes from Arizona power plants, Pierce threatened to pull the plug if the City Council does not reconsider.

"Doggone it -- if you're going to boycott this candy store ... then don't come in for any of it," Pierce told FoxNews.com.

In the letter, he ridiculed Villaraigosa for saying that the point of the boycott was to "send a message" by severing the "resources and ties" they share.

"I received your message; please receive mine. As a statewide elected member of the Arizona Corporation Commission overseeing Arizona's electric and water utilities, I too am keenly aware of the 'resources and ties' we share with the city of Los Angeles," Pierce wrote.

"If an economic boycott is truly what you desire, I will be happy to encourage Arizona utilities to renegotiate your power agreements so Los Angeles no longer receives any power from Arizona-based generation."

Appearing to tap into local frustration in Arizona over the raft of boycotts and threatened boycotts from cities across the country, including Los Angeles, Pierce warned that Arizona companies are willing and ready to fight boycott with boycott.

"I am confident that Arizona's utilities would be happy to take those electrons off your hands," Pierce wrote. "If, however, you find that the City Council lacks the strength of its convictions to turn off the lights in Los Angeles and boycott Arizona power, please reconsider the wisdom of attempting to harm Arizona's economy."

Pierce told FoxNews.com that he was speaking for himself, not the entire commission, though he has the support of at least one other member. But Arizona has some serious leverage over Los Angeles, as well as the rest of California. The state and city get electricity from a nuclear power plant outside Phoenix, as well as from coal-fired power plants in northern Arizona and two giant hydroelectric power generators along the Colorado River.

Despite that, the Los Angeles City Council voted overwhelmingly last week to ban future business with Arizona -- a decision that could cost Arizona millions of dollars in lost contracts.

Los Angeles officials were furious with the Arizona immigration law passed last month and joined local officials in cities across the country in pushing boycotts to register their dismay. Critics say the law will lead to racial profiling and civil rights abuses.

Arizona officials have defended the law, saying the state needed to take its illegal immigration problem into its own hands. Pierce said he's "supportive" of the state's efforts to control the border.

The law requires local law enforcement to try to verify the immigration status of anyone they have contact with whom they suspect of being an illegal immigrant. It empowers them to turn over verified illegal immigrants to federal custody. The legislation explicitly prohibits screening people based solely on race or national origin.

Fox News' Ron Ralston contributed to this report.

[Corey]

haha, thats awesome! way to go Arizona

[JimmyZip]

Unfortunately, considering economies of scale. AZ really can't afford to lose even more tax revenue, or revenue period by not selling the electricity to CA.

I am in no way saying anything about this law. I am just stating that it's kinda like us telling China how we REALLY feel about anything they do anymore. They have our finacial hands in their pockets. If enough people boycott something, and it really starts to take effect. I haven't heard as to whether tis boycott has much in the way of true effect on Arizona's economy. But if it did, the last thing you would want to do, is shut off the power to someone who is paying yo for it.

Now changing or renegotiation, that's a different story. Most of those types of contacts are done at regular intervals are they not? I was under the impression that the sate the southwest buys most of its power from is Texas through a signle conglomerate that owns the likes of IID. Kinda hard to change prices already negotiated.

Bet when that time comes, this whole things kinda disappears?

Just saying. I BTW am a first generation American on my mothers side, and a tenth on my dads. I'm a mutt and I'm proud of it! I think I need to vacation in AZ this year, and send back postcards to my governor saying "Enjoying Our Stay In The Grandcanyon State!"

And to whatever other politician is being a weenie on this one.

JZ

[Team Amish 1]

Here's an interesting related soundbite that I just found.

[kevinj308]

I'm not making a comment on the AZ law, but the threat is most likely just that. Los Angeles Department of Water and Power has partial ownership in the power plants that supply the power in question. Here's some response from LA officials.

http://www.dailybreeze.com/news/ci_15119206?source=rss