©2010 The Daily Courier

Byline: Ken Hedler 

Realtors and development interests are urging the Arizona Corporation Commission to repeal a policy that enables Arizona Public Service to charge for utility line extensions.

They said the policy harms homeowners in the pocketbook and hurts the economy as well. They seek to reinstate a free service for line extension for as much as 1,000 feet as long as it costs no more than $25,000.

"It is arbitrary, and we are dealing with a monopoly (utility company)," Holly Mabery, first vice president of the Arizona Association of Realtors, said during a meeting Tuesday evening. "If 100 homes are built, it is equal to 112 jobs." Read more.