Arizona vs. Los Angeles

Last week LA City Council voted to boycott Arizona.  Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa still has to approve the boycott but he already has expressed his support for the economic ban that would suspend official travel and future contracts with state businesses.  Now, Gary Pierce, a commissioner on the five-member Arizona Corporation Commission has responded to the ban with this letter to the Mayor:

"I received your message; please receive mine. As a statewide 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," Pierce wrote.

"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," Pierce wrote. "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."

Although Pierce acknowledged he spoke for himself and not the entire commission, it is quite clear where this is going.  Reconsider the ban or we turn the power off.  Currently, West Hollywood, Oakland, San Diego and San Francisco have already passed resolutions to boycott Arizona.

The Mayor is not expected to respond to the threats.