Arizona Public Service (APS), Arizona's largest utility, is asking the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) for a rate increase of about 14%, increasing the average residential utility bill by about $240 per year. If approved, this would be the third rate increase in the last five years.
To make matters worse, APS is proposing "formula rates," which would allow the utility to fast-track rate increases every year without a rate case and with very limited oversight by the ACC, tying the hands of the entity that is supposed to protect ratepayers and hold monopoly utilities accountable.
Unfortunately, this is all happening while APS backs off on clean-energy commitments. APS now says it plans to run the dirty, expensive coal-fired Four Corners Power Plant beyond its planned 2031 retirement date, which will mean even higher costs for ratepayers. APS is also spending hundreds of millions to build and expand methane gas plants, including the $443 million Redhawk expansion. APS recently announced plans to add 2,000 megawatts of new gas generation in another project, much of it for data centers.
The ACC is supposed to ensure that rates are just and reasonable, hold utilities accountable, and help protect ratepayers like us. If the Commission approves another significant rate increase, and allows APS to increase rates on a fast track every year going forward, our electricity bills will be even less affordable, and APS will have fewer incentives to operate cost-effectively, increasing the risk of out-of-control spending on big, expensive projects like methane gas power plants.
Take Action! Use the form at right to tell the Arizona Corporation Commission to reject this rate hike as well as the mechanism for allowing annual rate increases with little accountability. Add a personal comment to make your message more impactful!
