Three years after approving a $95 million rate hike for Arizona Public Service (APS), the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) is still debating whether or not it was implemented correctly and if that caused the company to over-earn.
Arizona chief utility regulator calls report on APS customer programs 'scathing' as commission considers reopening 2017 rate case
The Chairman of the Arizona Corporation Commission called a May 19 staff consultant's report "a scathing assessment of Arizona Public Service's (APS) customer outreach and education program." The commission is reviewing the customer education and outreach plan implemented by APS, and is considering the possibility of reopening the utility's 2017 rate case.
Report: APS failing to help customers understand electricity plans
A new independent report harshly criticizes Arizona’s largest power company, APS, for not doing enough to help customers save on their bills. The report also accuses APS of failing to implement mechanisms to determine if customers comprehended the menu of billing options that went into effect in August 2017 and remain in place today.
APS paying additional refunds to customers on costly rate plans
Thousands of Arizona Public Service Co. customers are getting a second check in the mail because they continue to pay too much for their power after getting bad advice from the company. The company is spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to get customers to switch rate plans. Those who get the checks may want to review their plans because the company will not continue to refund people for being on more expensive rate plans forever.
Confused about how to save money on your APS bill? You’re not alone.
“It’s basically a coin toss. Heads, APS wins. Tails, ratepayers lose.” That was the sentiment from a recent conversation I had with Abhay Padgaonkar, a local management consultant who served as the expert witness on behalf of ratepayers in the Stacey Champion complaint against APS.
An appointed Corporation Commission would be more corruptible than an elected one
For the past 2-plus years, I have personally spent countless hours at the Arizona Corporation Commission for my complaint tied to the 2017 APS rate hike, as an intervenor in the APS rate review, and for many various stakeholder meetings. Over this time, I have studied rate-making and energy policies locally and nationally. I have delved into the history surrounding the creation of the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) and Public Utility Commissions (PUC) as they’re known in other parts of the country.
Elect or appoint? Lawmakers hear arguments on how to select utility regulators
Recent controversies with Arizona utility regulators have gotten the attention of state lawmakers, who propose to let voters decide whether the regulators should be appointed by the governor rather than elected.
Arizona lawmaker wants appointed utility commission
Arizona voters may be asked to decide in November whether they should continue electing utility regulators or let the governor choose who approves electricity and natural gas prices. The debate comes amid growing scrutiny of political spending by Arizona Public Service, the state’s largest electricity provider, and a commitment by its new chief executive not to spend money on races for the Arizona Corporation Commission.
Regulators disagree about confidentiality of AG's investigation into APS
Just before last week's meeting about the faulty APS rate comparison tool, the company told commissioners that it was also under investigation by the Arizona Attorney General's Office. The company also relayed that state law required that information be kept under wraps during the open meeting.
New APS boss apologizes for misguiding customers on rates
The new Arizona Public Service CEO offered a mea culpa before the Arizona Corporation Commission on December 11 over a faulty rate comparison tool that misguided 10,000 customers about the most cost-effective rate plan.
New APS Chief Promises Change Amid Problems With Customer Bills
Following a slew of problems with customers' bills, the new CEO of Arizona Public Service, Jeff Guldner promised regulators that the utility would do more to serve their 1.2 million captive customers. The meeting opened on Wednesday afternoon with the five elected Arizona Corporation Commissioners excoriating APS over a rate comparison tool that gave incorrect advice to customers.
New APS CEO to explain why faulty rate tool gave bad information to customers
Arizona Public Service (APS) is set to answer state regulators about a faulty online tool on Wednesday. The company's new CEO Jeff Guldner is expected to explain why the online calculator that was supposed to tell customers how to save money actually recommended more expensive plans.
Regulators Want An Investigation Into APS's Misleading Online Rate Tool
Arizona Public Service said it will repay about 12,000 customers who may have been led to sign up for rate plans that, instead of saving them money, could cost them hundreds of dollars more each year. That was thanks to bad advice from the company's online rate tool.
Customer frustration with APS, Commission staff grows
The admission that the rate comparison tool for Arizona Public Service gave inaccurate information to thousands of rate payers has started even more inquiries into the company's practices by regulators and customers.
Corporation commissioner suggests punishing APS for giving bad advice to Arizona customers
A frustrated utility regulator is suggesting Arizona Public Service Co. could be sanctioned for giving bad advice to customers that encouraged them to switch to more expensive rate plans. "I am appalled with the repeated 'problems' that have arisen from a seemingly simple commission directive," Commissioner Boyd Dunn wrote to the other four commissioners Wednesday.
How hot is too hot to shut off your power? AZ Corporation Commission will consider
On Monday the Arizona Corporation Commission begins work to determine how hot the temperature gets before power companies must suspend shutting off power to delinquent customers. Since the middle of June, APS has not terminated service to any customer for failure to pay.
Stephanie Pullman died after APS cut off power on 107-degree day. Are there more Stephanie Pullmans out there?
APS cut off power to a 72-year-old woman's home on a 107-degree day last year. She died, and a medical examiner's report found the extreme heat contributed to her death. On "Sunday Square Off," we talk to citizen activist Stacey Champion, who's been tracking power shutoffs by Arizona utilities, and the danger they pose to customers.
She took on Arizona's most powerful company - and she's winning
On this weekend’s “Sunday Square Off,” Stacey Champion yells us how she figured out she could challenge the rate increase Arizona Public Service got two years ago and the utility watchdogs who approved it.
What will happen with the APS rate-hike challenge? Here are 5 things to know
The hearings are over. Now it's time for a judge and state utility regulators to decide if a $95 million rate hike approved last year for the state's biggest electric company needs reconsideration or even elimination.
Customers: APS rate hike 3 times higher than we were told
The rate hike the Corporation Commission approved for Arizona Public Service Co. ayear ago is costing customers almost three times as much money as the company said, critics seeking a rehearing in the case said.