TUCSON, Ariz. — Tucson Electric Power is requesting a rate increase of about seven dollars for the average customer.
A TEP spokesperson says over the last four years there have been improvements made to the grid including big investments in renewable energy. He took us to the Solar Zone at the UA Tech Park to explain.
Even in January the sun often shines brightly in southern Arizona.
“We operate our resources now in a way that is reliable, but we are also looking towards the future,” said Spokesperson Joe Barrios.
Barrios says the rate proposal would translate to about $6.80 more a month for the average customers electric bill. Spokesperson Joe Barrios says much of that money will help pay for more than a billion dollars worth of improvements and renewable energy investments over the last 4 years.
“We understand that even a small increase could have a significant impact on some of our customers so we don’t do so lightly.”
Barrios says TEP will soon be getting 28% of their power from clean energy with the construction of two windfarms in New Mexico and a solar farm south of Tucson.
“We have made improvements to our electric system, we have invested in cleaner generating resources, so the rate increase will cover the costs of those investments.”
The environmental group the Sierra Club that says they are against the TEP rate increase because much of the money will go to fossil fuels such as continuing two coal plants. Many people also voiced concerns about affordability at the Arizona Corporation Commission public comment meeting.
