Frustrated Arizonans rallied Tuesday to voice their displeasure with Arizona Public Service over recent rate hikes that have, in some cases, tripled monthly utility bills.
The hearing, held at the Arizona Corporation Commission on Tuesday, marked day one of a planned three-day session where consumers aim to overturn the approved rate increase. A press conference led by Stacey Champion, a local activist and owner of Champion PR, was hosted outside prior to the hearing.
The increase was the result of a rate review in beginning 2016 and approved in 2017.
“Twenty-nine separate parties came together for a settlement which agreed to a rate increase of 4.54 percent, on average,” Suzanne Trevino, an APS spokeswoman, said.
The rate hike, which was approved by the Arizona Corporation Commission, sought to bring in an added $95 million in revenue for APS. Since implementing this rate increase, APS has reported $128 million in additional revenue, according to The Arizona Republic. This is already higher than their estimates, and only nine months have passed.
The hike was also promised to only increase consumers monthly bills by 4.54 percent, or $6 on average.
“It is an average. So, some consumers will pay less, and some will pay more,” Trevino said.
However, many consumers did not see their bills decrease, instead of observing increases at much higher rates, according to those at the press conference and hearing.
“My bill has gone up 87 percent with a 4 percent increase in consumption,” John Lassen, a Phoenix resident, said.
One major factor in this is the shift in demand charges for peak rate hours. On-peak hours, or times when electricity charges are most expensive, have been changed from noon to 7 p.m. to 3 to 8 p.m. It costs roughly 33 percent more to use electricity during on-peak times.
This change has added undue stress on customers who, when they get off work, or when their children come home from school, are not able to run a bath, wash clothes or use kitchen appliances without incurring higher charges on their bill.
“The time of use shift from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. has impacted my quality of life,” Chris Stephens, a Phoenix resident, said. “The time of use shift means that I cannot shower, use my oven, range or prep top to do the cooking. I can’t do laundry now until after 8 p.m.”
“Families with kids can’t cook or have them take baths and be in bed at a reasonable time because of these plans,” Stephens continued. “This time of use shift is just making APS more money.”
At the press conference, Champion discussed the journey she has taken since she brought the complaint against APS last December.
“I have heard from many people throughout the state who have been really severely impacted by this rate hike. People having to make the choice between buying groceries and paying their power bill,” Champion said. “I have heard stories from people that have made me cry. We’re here, I am here, to say it’s time to stop the APS greed.”
Since starting the petition in December, Champion has gathered over 7,000 signatures, some also submitting comments in favor of a rehearing to overturn the APS rate increases.
Trevino responded to Champion’s efforts in an interview: “Of the 7,000 signatures, we were not able to verify that they are all APS customers.”
Contact the reporter at bsimons2@asu.edu.
