Clean Energy Slate Wins Control of Arizona’s Biggest Utility
Proponents of renewable power will control the Phoenix area utility’s policymaking for the first time after they won an unusually contentious race that drew attention from national groups. A slate of liberal candidates won control of the board of Arizona’s largest public utility this week, according to preliminary results posted on Wednesday, emerging from a […]
Formula-based rates don’t add up for consumers | Opinion
If you find it challenging to pay your utility bill or are concerned about the costs of running your air conditioner for the next six months to stay comfortable, you are not alone. Unfortunately, the end is not in sight. Based on recent actions and statements by elected members of the Arizona Corporation Commission, Arizona […]
AG: Northern Arizona ratepayers ‘foot the bill’ in APS rate hike
Arizona Public Service Company wants to raise its electricity rates by about 14%. If approved by the Arizona Corporation Commission, it could take effect later this year. But Attorney General Kris Mayes says APS could get away with a 3% increase and still maintain reliable service. She says in the current plan, residential rate-payers would […]
Where did the Phoenix heat wave come from and when will it end?
Call it spring hellfire, the Heat Miser’s meddling or the harbinger of summer — a historic heat wave is descending on Arizona, bringing three-digit temperatures to Phoenix. But this week’s record-breaking heat is not the stuff of myth or legend, experts warn: It’s on trend for a warming planet. The heat is the result of […]
Paying for Their Profits: How Ratepayers Foot the Bill for Soaring Utility Profits
Households and businesses served by investor-owned utilities pay billions of dollars in profits to utility investors each year. Until now, no one has put a precise number on how much of an electric bill is made up of that profit. Using publicly reported financial data, this report provides the first systematic look at how much […]
Guess the first 100-degree day in Phoenix
After a very brief heat reprieve brought on by Monday’s storm, temperatures are expected to climb once again, with some forecasts calling for 100-degree weather next week. 👎 Why it matters: That’s more than a month sooner than we’re supposed to see triple-digit temperatures. State of play: To add a bit of levity to our least favorite time of the […]
Avondale landowner exploited loophole in SRP’s election rules to influence board races, group says
A watchdog group has accused a Valley landowner of exploiting a loophole in Salt River Project’s rules to use a large property to influence the outcome of the utility’s 2024 board races, before flipping the land to a data center developer for hundreds of millions of dollars. The allegations center on 200 acres of land […]
Before utility rates rise again, raise your voice | Opinion
When most Arizonans open their electric bill and see another increase, they blame the utility company. That reaction makes sense. The utility companies are the ones sending the bill. But what many people don’t realize is that utilities don’t raise rates on their own. In Arizona, the authority to approve energy rate increases rests with […]
Somerton Mother Speaks Out on Proposed APS Rate Hike
Arizona Public Service (APS), is proposing a roughly 14 percent increase to its base rates. If approved by the state, families could see their monthly electricity bills rise. Maura Valenzuela, a mother of two who has lived in Somerton for more than 20 years, says the increase would hit families like hers hard. “Many times, […]
First Solar releases poll showing support for solar among GOP voters
When asked if all forms of electricity generation, including utility‑scale solar, should be allowed to compete fairly in the marketplace without political interference, 79% of GOP voters agreed. The survey polled 800 Republicans, Republican-leaning independents and Trump voters. Of those surveyed, 68% said they agreed with the statement, “We need all forms of electricity generation, […]
