In March, following pushback from members of the public and affected customers, Tucson Electric Power quietly lowered its proposed rate increase from 14% to 12.6%. Joe Barrios, spokesperson for TEP, says the adjustment was the result of input from interveners, or participants who represent stakeholder interests. “Particularly ACC staff and also the Residential Utility Consumer Office known as RUCO,” he said.

The Arizona Corporation Commission is responding to a consumer complaint about an APS billing error that has left dozens of customers facing unexpected charges for electricity that was used years ago, despite being current with payments. Cyndee Jago always pays her APS bills on time, but she is on the hook for an extra $500 charge. “I’m still beside myself that this has even happened,” Jago told On Your Side. “Going back six years. It blows my mind. It’s not customer service.”

Phoenix homeowners are seeing electricity rates climb as rapid population growth, rising commercial demand and longer, hotter summers put increasing strain on an expanding energy grid. In addition, time-of-use pricing is changing the rules, making power significantly more expensive during the late afternoon and evening hours, exactly when customers are returning home from work. That means higher bills when they need energy most.