The Arizona Corporation Commission, in a 4 – 1 vote, approved a rate increase for Arizona Public Service’s customers. Commissioner Bob Burns had hoped to delay approval of the increase the rate.
The ACC approved the previously established agreement with modifications, but the changes do not materially affect the overall economic terms of the agreement.
The agreement allows for a 3.3 percent overall revenue increase, effective Aug. 19.
The rate adjustment will take effect on Aug. 19. Customers do not need to take any immediate action. APS will communicate with customers starting in the fall about how they can pick a new rate plan.
For business customers, the agreement:
Establishes a special discount rate for public schools;
Caps the net impact bill increase for military installations;
Offers a new economic development rate option to encourage businesses to relocate or expand, along with a rural municipal economic development rate;
Creates a new rate to attract highly efficient customers, such as data centers, that need affordable, highly reliable electricity;
Provides an aggregation rate that lowers energy costs for qualifying chain accounts such as grocery stores; and
Improves time-of-use options to work better with the operating schedules of many businesses.
APS will not file another request for a comprehensive review of its rates before June 1, 2019, meaning three years between rate reviews.