ARIZONA XENOPHOBIA THREATENS LA ENERGY

L.A. Mayor Dismisses Warning That Arizona Could Cut Off Power Over Boycott
Judson Berger (w.Ron Ralston), May 19, 2010 (FOXNews)

"Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa… 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…"

[Villaraigosa pokesman David Beltran:] "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…"

Is LA risking a third of its power supply? Or is AZ compelled by contracts to deliver? (click to enlarge)

"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…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…Pierce [said] he was speaking for himself, not the entire commission, though he has the support of at least one other member."

Does LA need the supplier more or does AZ need the customer more? (click to enlarge)

"…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… 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…Critics say the law will lead to racial profiling and civil rights abuses…"

[Arizona Corporation Commissioner Gary Pierce:] "Doggone it -- if you're going to boycott this candy store ... then don't come in for any of it…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… Arizona's utilities would be happy to take those electrons off your hands…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."