It Seems Two Can Play This Game

Don Surber says PUOSU — Put Up Or Shut Up.  I couldn't agree more. 

Los Angeles, standing on "principal", has called for a boycott of Arizona.  Gary Pierce, a commissioner on the Arizona Corporation Commission, which regulates public utilities, has responded by kindly inviting LA to get the power it receives from Arizona elsewhere.  His letter to LA Mayor Villaraigosa, via Hot Air:

Dear Mayor Villaraigosa,


I was dismayed to learn that the Los Angeles City Council voted to boycott Arizona and Arizona-based companies — a vote you strongly supported — to show opposition to SB 1070 (Support our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act).

You explained your support of the boycott as follows: “While we recognize that as neighbors, we share resources and ties with the State of Arizona that may be difficult to sever, our goal is not to hurt the local economy of Los Angeles, but to impact the economy of Arizona. Our intent is to use our dollars — or the withholding of our dollars — to send a message.”
I received your message; please receive mine. As a state-wide elected member of the Arizona Corporation Commission overseeing Arizona’s electric and water utilities, I too am keenly aware of the “resources and ties” we share with the City of Los Angeles. In fact, approximately twenty-five percent of the electricity consumed in Los Angeles is generated by power plants in Arizona.

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. I am confident that 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.

People of goodwill can disagree over the merits of SB 1070. A state-wide economic boycott of Arizona is not a message sent in goodwill.

Sincerely,

Commissioner Gary Pierce


My comment over at Surber's was, how much of its water does California get from Arizona? Nothing makes a body thirsty like being hot. A boycott is a boycott.  I am also wondering how many of the illegals from Arizona will move to California, increasing the state's need for electricity and further straining California's already overburdened welfare system.

I'm not sure that LA is in the position to get in to a pissing match with Arizona.  In any case, I am glad to see Arizona standing up against those would try to bully them.  It has always been my experience the bullies fold pretty quickly when confronted.

Cross posted at Potluck