TUCSON, AZ (TNN) – Tucson Electric Power is asking the Arizona Corporation Commission for an increase that would cost the average electricity user about three dollars a month.
Several rate payers Monday night told TEP to bring back the conservation programs that help them save money as it asks to increase the basic rate. The utility said the increase covers the maintenance of keeping the lights on.
Starting in July, if the Arizona Corporation Commission approves it, the average customer would pay an additional $36 a year on average. TEP said that it needs that money to cover the cost of poles, wires, and other infrastructure. Its last increase was in 2008.
About four of the fifteen or so public speakers Monday urged TEP to bring back conservation programs that it has phased out. Those programs sometimes helped cover the cost of looking over a house to see where the customer was using more power than necessary.
"I believe that would lower my bills, it would help me to understand what areas need to be taken care of," said Miriam Weber, who wants the conservation programs to return.
"We have a limited number of energy efficiency programs. Under the settlement agreement that several parties have agreed to, additional resources would be available and we would offer a more robust variety of energy efficiency programs," said TEP spokesman Joe Barrios.
The commission will begin rate settlement hearing for TEP in Tucson Wednesday morning at 10 a.m. at the commission offices in the state building at 400 W. Congress. The hearing will begin with more public comment. A decision could be later this month.
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