Climate Activists Gain Control of Phoenix Public Utility Amid Turnout Surge and Political Spending

A slate of climate and clean energy activists has won control of the Salt River Project's power board, marking a significant shift in Arizona's largest public utility after an unusually contentious election that drew four times the typical turnout.

Unofficial results released Wednesday show the Clean Energy Team candidates won a majority of the 14-member power board, doubling their representation from six to eight seats. The activists also gained control of the utility's advisory councils, where they now hold eight of 30 seats, up from four.

The election drew unprecedented attention to SRP governance after the conservative activist group Turning Point Action stepped in to support a traditional leadership slate. Despite heavy spending from Turning Point, the Clean Energy Team outperformed expectations in most races, though they did not capture the top positions.

Though two traditional SRP candidates hung onto the board's presidency and vice presidency, the "Clean Energy" candidates won a majority on the utility's power board and doubled their representation on the utility's advisory councils after the April 7 elections.

— AzCentral

The Clean Energy Team expected to be outspent by a 10-to-1 margin by Turning Point Action, the political arm of Turning Point USA. The organization's founder, Charlie Kirk, was assassinated last year, and Turning Point distributed white t-shirts labeled "FREEDOM" to supporters in reference to Kirk's death.

SRP elections traditionally have been sleepy contests, but this year's races saw unprecedented political spending and surging turnout.

— AzCentral

The election used acreage-based voting, which gives larger landowners more votes and has historically favored incumbents. This system allowed Turning Point candidates Chris Dobson and Barry Paceley to win the positions of board president and vice president respectively.

The new influx of voters heavily favored the clean energy slate. Activists flipped two new board seats with the victories of 4th and 6th district candidates Ken Clark and Lupe Conchas.

— AzCentral

Maricopa County Supervisor Thomas Galvin, while praising the wins for Turning Point candidates Dobson and Paceley, called Turning Point Action's overall performance a "complete botch job" after the Clean Energy Team won most of the contested seats.

The Salt River Project serves approximately 1.1 million power customers in metro Phoenix and is a not-for-profit utility with no investors. The two elected boards work with management to establish policies affecting electricity rates, energy generation, and water management.

The election required voters to own property within SRP's service area. SRP received roughly 36,000 ballots this year, according to spokesperson Jennifer Schuricht, compared to approximately 9,000 voters in 2024.

The race pitted the slate of climate and clean energy activists against the utility's traditional leadership, who were supported by many in Arizona's business community and Turning Point.

— AzCentral

Results will become official after a canvass by the SRP boards on April 13. The election covered both the Salt River Valley Water Users' Association and the Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement and Power District.

SRP consists of two boards: One 10-seat board governing water, and another 14-seat board governing power. There is also a 30-member advisory council for each board.

— AzCentral

The victory for the Clean Energy Team comes as Arizona faces ongoing challenges with electricity rates, energy reliability, and the transition to cleaner power sources. The newly elected board will face decisions about power generation, rate structures, and long-term infrastructure investments that will affect millions of Arizona residents.

Whoever wins will decide fundamental questions about Arizona's energy and water future.

— KTAR