Regulators OK sale of troubled Johnson Utilities to EPCOR, new customer fees
by Ryan Randazzo | Arizona Republic
Arizona utility regulators on Tuesday approved a controversial deal for EPCOR USA to purchase the troubled Johnson Utilities water and wastewater company in the far East Valley, and for customers to pay for part of the deal on their monthly bills.
The contentious decision came after several hours of discussion, with Arizona Corporation Commissioners splitting 3-2 to allow the sale, even though the sale price has yet to be disclosed to the public.
EPCOR USA, a subsidiary of a Canadian company, will purchase Johnson Utilities, which has about 30,000 water customers and about 40,000 wastewater customers in the Florence, Queen Creek and San Tan Valley area. Its territory is about 160 square miles, or approximately the size of New Orleans, and is in a fast-growing portion of Arizona coveted by home builders.
