During the Arizona Corporation Commission’s Special Open Meeting on December 22, commissioners approved the purchase of long-embattled Johnson Utilities by EPCOR. The vote followed the filing of a joint application by both companies requesting the acquisition.
EPCOR will acquire Johnson for $110,300,000. Part of the deal that the Commissioner’s approved includes a $45 million deferred debit to be recovered after the first rate case EPCOR files as the owner. The deferred debit will be recovered through a monthly surcharge over a 15-year period. Another stipulation of the deal is that three pending dockets at the Corporation Commission related to Johnson be closed. Within 120 days of this order being finalized, both parties must provide the Corporation Commission with proof of acquisition, not until that is filed with the Commission will the Certificates of Convenience and Necessity be transferred to EPCOR.
Following dozens of complaints regarding water and wastewater service issues in the Johnson service territory of San Tan Valley, the Corporation Commission appointed EPCOR as interim manager of the embattled utility in July 2018. T