Arizona families could see their electric bills rise by roughly $20 each month if state regulators approve a significant rate increase request from the state's biggest power company.
Arizona Public Service (APS) has asked to boost customer charges by almost 14%, which would bring in an extra $580 million yearly from residents and businesses. The higher rates wouldn't start until late 2026 if approved.
State Attorney General Kris Mayes jumped into the fight Monday, winning the right to challenge the utility's proposal on behalf of consumers before the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC).
Company Says Higher Costs Are Unavoidable
The company claims it needs more money to keep electricity flowing reliably as Arizona's population grows. Officials say their current pricing is outdated, reflecting expenses from several years ago rather than today's actual costs.
Company CEO Ted Geisler acknowledged that nobody wants higher bills, especially when household budgets are already tight. However, he stressed that keeping the lights on isn't optional, particularly during Arizona's brutal summer heat.
The utility wants to spend the extra money on fixing aging equipment, installing better technology to restore power faster after outages, and upgrading power plants to handle peak summer demand more efficiently.
Top Prosecutor Calls Plan "Outrageous"
Kris Mayes isn't buying the company's arguments. She pointed out that the utility's parent corporation made over $600 million in profits last year, questioning why customers should pay more when the company is already highly profitable.
"Arizonans are already feeling squeezed by sky-high electric bills and now APS is trying to jack them up even further," Mayes argued. “Giving APS another rate increase, after making more than $600 million in net income last year, is outrageous and I will not stand for it.”
She criticized the company for taking advantage of its position as the only power option for most Arizona customers.
Arizona residents have watched their electric costs steadily increase over recent years. The power company raised rates 8% in 2023, followed by another 8% increase in 2024, adding about $12 monthly to typical bills each time. Before that, rates went up 4.5% in 2017.
Arizona customers already pay more for electricity than people in most other states. The proposed increase would affect households and businesses in 11 of Arizona's 15 counties.
The approval process will take more than a year, with public hearings and comment periods before regulators make their final decision. A judge will review all the evidence and testimony before any final action, and customers will have multiple chances to voice their opinions during the review process before commissioners vote on the proposal.
“APS has a monopoly and should not be allowed to exploit that monopoly on the backs of Arizona consumers,” Mayes concluded.
