Most Arizona families are getting blasted from several directions at once on electricity costs.
APS is demanding another huge rate increase – this time a whopping 14% electric rate increase in your rate per kilowatt. That comes after the Arizona Corporation Commission already approved an 8% APS rate increase that took effect in 2024.
Tucson Electric Power wants a 12% increase. Southwest Gas is demanding a 10.69% increase.
These rate increases directly impact the social determinants of health, and not in a good way.
When electricity bills take a bigger bite out of the family budget, there’s less money left for rent, food, medications and other things that keep people healthy.
I we think the Corporation Commission should be asking some tougher questions before approving these increases as they have routinely done in the last few years.
And it’s not just electricity. Both utilities are methane generation enthusiasts rather than focusing on less expensive long term renewable sources – especially solar and storage.
A new analysis from Sierra Club and Synapse Energy Economics raises concerns about APS’ plans to hugely expand natural-gas generation and the long-term fuel-price risks customers will end up paying for.
Sierra Club Report: Ratepayer Report
SRP is making similar choices with its proposed Marigold Energy Center in Pinal County. But at least that project includes some renewables (600 MW of solar and 400 MW of battery storage) but also 675 MW of new gas generation.
Before utilities lock customers into decades of gas-plant construction costs, volatile fuel (methane) costs, maintenance expenses and additional air pollution, they should have to show that alternatives like solar, battery storage, energy efficiency and demand response can’t do the job more cheaply and with less risk.
A Few Dates to Watch
- The Arizona Corporation Commission Candidate Forum is October 2. Register here.
- Southwest Gas has public-comment hearings scheduled for October 22 at 6 p.m., October 28 at 6 p.m., November 3 at 10 a.m., and December 7 at 10 a.m.
- The TEP rate case is also moving toward a Recommended Opinion and Order. For APS, the ACC says the Recommended Opinion and Order is expected in late November, with the Commission required to vote by December 31.
- You can still send comments on the enormous APS rate increase case (AZPHA has already submitted these comments) The APS docket is E-01345A-25-0105 and the TEP docket is E-01933A-25-0103. Submit a comment to the Corporation Commission here.
