ARIZONA NEWS

APS boss says big rate hike necessary to keep up with customer demand

Feb 1, 2023, 12:26 PM | Updated: 2:04 pm
(Facebook Photo/Arizona Public Service)...
(Facebook Photo/Arizona Public Service)
(Facebook Photo/Arizona Public Service)

PHOENIX – The president of Arizona’s largest public utility said Wednesday a proposed monthly base rate hike of at least 23% is necessary but most customers would not see that large an increase.

Arizona Public Service President Ted Geisler told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Arizona’s Morning News the net impact on an average residential customer would be about 13.6%, or roughly $18 per month, if suggested reductions are applied.

“We know there’s never a good time to raise rates for customers … our goal is to continue to keep up with Arizona’s energy growth but keep it affordable as well,” Geisler said.

“Our rates are actually below the national average for residential rates,” he added.

The increase would bring in a net revenue of about $460 million. If approved by Arizona Corporation Commission, the new rates would take effect Dec. 1.

“Our rates are actually at the same level today as they were back in 2018, and yet we’ve invested about $1.5 billion a year to keep up with the growing needs of Arizona,” Geisler said, adding the electric supplier needed to start recovering some of those costs.

“It’s really hard to think about anything else in our households that are at the same price level [as 2018].”

The utility filed the request with regulatory governing body Arizona Corporation Commission on Oct. 28, 2022.

The commission has scheduled a series of public comment sessions for June and July, to be followed by a public hearing on the matter Aug. 2.

“We’ve got quite a while before customers would see the increase on their bill,” Geisler said. 

Customers can find ways to lower their bills or ask for financial assistance on the company website, he added.

Geisler said customers could find ways to lower their bills or ask for financial assistance on the company website.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

(Facebook Photo/The Offspring)...
KTAR.com

Offspring with Simple Plan, Sum 41, coming to Phoenix for summer tour

PHOENIX — American rock band The Offspring announced Monday it will stop by the Valley on its 24-city Let The Bad Times Roll Tour this summer. The Offspring, accompanied by Canadian rock bands Simple Plan and Sum 41, will stop by Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre in Phoenix on Aug. 9. Tickets go on sale to […]
4 hours ago
(Banner Health Photo)...
SuElen Rivera

Banner Health announces plan to open Scottsdale hospital in 2026

Banner Health announced Monday it plans to open a full-service hospital and cancer care center in the northeast Valley.
4 hours ago
(Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Photo)...
KTAR.com

Man arrested after allegedly attempting to kidnap woman at Phoenix airport

A man was arrested over the weekend for allegedly attempting to kidnap a woman from a Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport parking garage.
1 day ago
(Screenshot/Phoenix Police Department)...
KTAR.com

Phoenix police release camera footage of shooting that left man holding knives dead

Police released body camera footage on Monday of an officer-involved shooting that left a man holding two knives dead in Phoenix.
1 day ago
Katie Hobbs and Alejandro Mayorkas...
KTAR.com

Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas joining Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs on border tour

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas is scheduled to visit the Arizona-Mexico border with Gov. Katie Hobbs on Tuesday.
1 day ago
Katie Hobbs and Alejandro Mayorkas...
Sponsored Content by

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas is scheduled to visit the Arizona-Mexico border with Gov. Katie Hobbs on Tuesday.

Sponsored Articles

(Photo: OCD & Anxiety Treatment Center)...

Here’s what you need to know about OCD and where to find help

It's fair to say that most people know what obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders generally are, but there's a lot more information than meets the eye about a mental health diagnosis that affects about one in every 100 adults in the United States.
(Desert Institute for Spine Care in Arizona Photo)...
Desert Institute for Spine Care in Arizona

5 common causes for chronic neck pain

Neck pain can debilitate one’s daily routine, yet 80% of people experience it in their lives and 20%-50% deal with it annually.
...
Day & Night Air Conditioning, Heating and Plumbing

Prep the plumbing in your home just in time for the holidays

With the holidays approaching, it's important to know when your home is in need of heating and plumbing updates before more guests start to come around.
APS boss says big rate hike necessary to keep up with customer demand