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Is Arizona's largest power company trying to block 'Clean Energy' initiative?

The initiative would require Arizona power companies to get 50 percent, 10 percent from rooftop solar, of their electricity from renewable sources.

A lawsuit backed by Arizona Public Service forced hundreds of "Clean Energy" initiative signature gatherers to show up Monday at the Maricopa County courthouse.

APS wants a judge to block a statewide vote on the "Clean Energy for a Healthy Arizona" initiative.

The state's largest power company claims that organizers of the pro-solar initiative knew tens of thousands of petition signatures these folks collected were invalid.

The lawsuit comes after Secretary of State Michele Reagan certified the "Clean Energy" initiative for the November ballot last week. It even has a number: Prop 127.

The initiative would require Arizona power companies to get 50 percent, 10 percent from rooftop solar, of their electricity from renewable sources. The deadline is 2030, just 12 years away.

So how can APS block an initiative that's been certified?

That's just the way the law works. The state elections director said as much last month as signatures were turned in.

"There is enough money to gather the signatures. That means there's enough money raised to challenge the signatures," Eric Spencer, state elections director, said.

Tom Steyer, the billionaire investor who's funding the initiative, has this message for APS: "Get your head out of the sand."

Steyer said he'd urge the company to cut a deal.

"Make a deal with them because this is the future, and let's make sure we do it in a way that's great for Arizona and pays us for our work," Steyer said.

APS has said the initiative would drive up customers' utility bills and possibly lead to the shutdown of the Palo Verde nuclear plant.

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