Two of Arizona’s largest electric utilities plan to ask state regulators for permission to raise their rates in 2026.Arizona Public Service and Tucson Electric Power both filed paperwork notifying the Arizona Corporation Commission that they plan to file rate case applications, the formal process by which regulated utility companies ask commissioners to approve new rates paid by customers.The commission just approved a rate increase for APS last year, and TEP’s current rates were approved in 2023.But both utilities claim that they need to raise rates again to recover costs associated with infrastructure investments and inflation.“The tremendous growth across APS’s service territory shows no sign of letting up, with the Company’s infrastructure and reliable energy supply providing the backbone of this historic expansion,” according to APS’ filing. “And yet, with high rates of inflation, persistently high interest rates, and continued supply chain volatility, the costs to serve current APS customers (let alone prepare for growth) are substantially higher than when the test year concluded in the Company’s last rate case.”Consumer advocates, who have accused utilities of prioritizing shareholder profits over customers, said they will be keeping a close eye on the rate cases.“To protect ratepayers, especially those already struggling, the Arizona PIRG Education Fund urges APS to ‘ask for what they need, not what they want,’” according to a statement from Arizona PIRG, a public interest watchdog group.APS has experienced consistent income growth. Pinnacle West Capital Corporation, the utility’s parent company, reported a net income of $609 million last year, up from $502 million in 2023.APS noted in its filing that it will ask the commission to consider changes to its rates for larger industrial users “to ensure that the costs of serving large high load factor customers, including data centers, are apportioned fairly and in a manner that does not place undue financial burden on residential and small business customers.”APS could also seek an increase to increase a controversial surcharge on solar customers approved by …
[wpts_spin]{Read|See} the {entire|full} article {on|about} infrastructure development in Arizona, or, read more news about {Arizona real estate investing|real estate investing in Arizona|real estate investing in Arizona}. We {warmly |}{welcome and |}encourage you to {mention|recommend} our site to your{ circle of|} fellow investors, {letting them |allowing them to }benefit from the valuable{ resources and|} insights we provide. {Thanks!|Thank you!}[/wpts_spin]
