By Matthew Holloway |
A resurfaced 2009 interview in which Kris Mayes suggested water prices might need to rise has drawn criticism from Republican attorney general candidate Warren Petersen. Public relations consultant Stacey Champion responded by highlighting Mayes’ recent efforts to challenge utility rate increases.
During the 2009 Arizona PBS “Horizon” discussion, Mayes, then chairman of the Arizona Corporation Commission, said higher water prices could reduce consumption and the energy needed to pump water. She appeared alongside Arizona Investment Council President Gary Yaquinto and Arizona State University professor Mike Pasqualetti.
Public records researcher Brian Anderson circulated an excerpt on X, accusing Mayes of admitting that she deliberately increased water bills to combat global warming. The exchange does not identify a specific rate increase approved by Mayes or establish that stated motive.
Petersen shared the clip, writing, “I disagree with Mayes. I think your utility prices should go down, not up.”
In the recorded interview, Mayes explained the relationship between water prices, consumption, and the energy needed to deliver water.
“As it increases in price, what happens to energy? Well, what happens to energy is, well, when it increases in price, the water, and people use less of it, then we use less energy to pump that water. And so that’s a good thing,” Mayes said.
She then called for changing how Arizonans value water and for utilities to participate in that effort.
“But to Gary’s point, you know, we do need to value water differently. And I think Arizonans are ready to do that. I think Arizonans are ready to step up. But our utilities, and, you know, water companies, electric companies, natural gas companies, they need to step up too,” she said.
Mayes proposed a statewide discussion about resource consumption and prices.
“We need a statewide effort on both of these issues. And I think we need a statewide, frankly, marketing campaign around this to generate a dialogue, you know, about how we use our energy and how we use our water. And then I think we can all come together around this idea that maybe the price needs to go up.”
Champion responded on X, accusing Petersen and his allies of misrepresenting Mayes’ record.
“The lying & spinning from Weasley Warren & his team of misfits is just gross,” Champion wrote. “Want to pay exorbitant utility bills? Vote R. Lower bills? Vote D.”
Champion attached screenshots of six announcements from Mayes’ office concerning utility rates and data centers. The headlines included efforts to reduce proposed APS and Tucson Electric Power rate increases, challenges involving two water utilities, a proposed statewide pause on data center development, and a request to investigate whether APS customers subsidized large energy users.
Champion’s post highlighted Mayes’ subsequent positions on utility costs. However, it did not dispute the words Mayes used in the 2009 interview.
The original pricing discussion followed host Ted Simons’ question about whether Arizona’s era of inexpensive water was ending.
Yaquinto said water had been undervalued and argued that higher prices could encourage more efficient consumption. He also emphasized affordable access for families.
“I think it’s important that because it is an essential commodity for life, and everybody needs water to live and survive, there has to be some water made available to families on a low-cost basis,” Yaquinto said. “But if you’re a high user, I think that it’s now time for us to begin valuing and pricing the water properly.”
Later in the discussion, Mayes pointed to differences in water costs across Arizona. “We see places in Arizona where the cost of water is $10 a month. Crazy low,” she said.
Mayes also called for utilities to provide customers with conservation and energy-efficiency measures.
“What I would say is, if we give the tools to people that allow them to conserve, I think people do conserve,” she said.
The broader interview examined the water requirements of electricity generation and the implications of building power plants in an arid state. Mayes said the commission was considering water consumption as part of utilities’ long-term resource planning.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
