APS power rate hike could be lower than once thought
Mar 2, 2017, 2:59 PM
(Pexels Photo)
(Pexels Photo)
PHOENIX — A proposed rate hike for Arizona Public Service customers may not be as drastic as once feared.
State regulators are reviewing a compromise deal the utility made after hearing from consumer advocates. The deal calls for a 4.5 percent increase in residential rates – instead of 8 percent — and existing solar customers will keep their net-metering rates for the next 20 years.
Net metering is the practice of APS buying solar customers’ excess energy at market rates. In theory, the practice keeps costs down for the solar user. APS had wanted to either cut net metering or have solar customers pay more for using grid energy.
APS also dropped a plan to charge customers more during peak energy-use periods.
The deal was announced Wednesday.
