Let’s assume Arizona’s largest utility company and the long list of critics warning voters to reject Proposition 127 are correct that the renewable energy measure would double consumers' electricity bills – by an extra $1,000 per year, to be exact.

Never mind that proponents say otherwise and that it’d actually save ratepayers money while gradually increasing power to 50 percent from renewable sources such as solar and wind by 2030.

Let’s just stick to APS' assertion. Yes, $1,000 more per year would be a heck of a lot of money, especially for seniors on fixed incomes and Arizona’s poorest residents. The idea is to scare voters into thinking they’d have to shell out that much soon after passage of Prop. 127 on Nov. 6.

APS may or may not be right that electricity bills would go up, but it wouldn’t be an immediate increase because the proposed mandate would take 12 years to be fully implemented.

You're going to pay more, regardless

But what is certain is that you – the ratepayer – will keep shelling out a lot more money regardless of Prop. 127. Think about APS’ rate increases, one after another, including the one that prompted a fight where ratepayers are contending that their bills went up way more than the company had advertised.

It’s no coincidence that APS earned a $488 million profit over the last year.

If you’re going to be paying more money no matter what, wouldn’t you want to ensure it is at least going toward cleaner energy than in the pockets of APS and its shareholders?

I say absolutely yes. I’d rather make sure my hard-earned money is spent on efforts to build the infrastructure to deliver renewable power like solar and wind than the current one that continues to pollute the environment.

What’s wrong with private companies like APS protecting shareholder profits?

Nothing.

We expect that in a capitalist society. But not indiscriminately and at the expense of utility ratepayers, as has been APS' case in recent history.

Why we must change the Constitution

Opponents of Prop. 127 range the gamut, from small rural utility companies, Navajo Nation leaders and union bosses to two of the largest and most respected Latino organizations -– Chicanos Por la Causa and Valle del Sol.

These folks, some of whom I deeply respect, argue that the constitutional renewable energy mandate would hurt the economy, the most vulnerable Arizonans and would cost jobs – thousands of jobs.

YOUR TURN:Why am I voting for Prop. 127? It's for my kids

Do you spot the theme? It’s about saving tons of money for the pocketbooks of a few and saving jobs from existing energy sources. Never mind that renewable energy would create thousands of new jobs or that cleaner energy is an effort for a cleaner environment.

But why etch the mandate in the state Constitution? If passed, only voters could remove it – a monumental task for anyone. I, too, would have preferred some other route. However, it’s easier said than done, especially in a Republican-controlled state government that is inclined to always side with enterprises like APS.

Don't believe APS' claims

APS, which is spending millions of ratepayer money fighting the initiative, is sounding the alarm over the possibility that the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station could be shuttered because nuclear energy isn’t part of the renewable goal.

Can that really happen? Proponents say APS is lying. The fact is, Palo Verde is owned by a consortium that includes APS, which operates it and holds about a 29 percent share of the plant. So no, APS doesn’t have unilateral power to close it should the renewable-energy goal threaten its finances.

But know this. With or without Prop. 127, you’re almost certainly going to pay more in electricity bills, given APS' history of rate increases that get the blessing of the Arizona Corporation Commission – the group charged with regulating utilities but which bends over backwards for APS.

YOUR TURN:Prop. 127 is the issue that divides the Corporation Commission

So the decision is simple, really.

Do you – as a voter and ratepayer – want your extra dollars you’ll likely have to pay, no matter what, to go toward renewable energy efforts or to simply boost the profits of APS and other utilities companies?

Elvia Díaz is an editorial columnist for The Republic and azcentral. Reach her at 602-444-8606 or elvia.diaz@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on Twitter, @elviadiaz1.

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