APS rate hike increases bills

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - With summer month temperatures increasing, some locals say they are also experiencing an increase in their APS bills.

APS says there was a rate increase of roughly 8% starting this past spring. APS says that's a bill increase of just over $10 dollars for the average person's monthly usage this summer.

"Customers who use about a 1,000 kilowatts of power per month will see about a $10.50 increase in their bill per month," said Katie Conner with APS Media Relations.

The rate increase was approved by the Arizona Corporation Commission this February and went into effect in March. APS sent a press release and says customers were notified about the rate increase through bill inserts and on their webpage.

And with June and July being some of the hottest months on record, APS says extreme temperatures also play a factor in higher bills.

APS says for those struggling to make ends meet, they offer billing assistance programs. If on a plan, they encourage customers to look at their bill, and make sure they’re on the right one.

"We also have budget billing, so that's a great program right now while we're in the summer. What that does is it evens out the highs and the lows throughout the year, so you're not hit with an unexpected bill," said APS Community Development Consultant Venus Ramirez. "So you’ll pay the same amount throughout the year."

They also have an upcoming community event called the APS Blitz event on Saturday August 24, in San Luis, for customers to talk to a representative about their bill plan and ask any questions.