Somerton Mother Speaks Out on Proposed APS Rate Hike

SOMERTON, Ariz. (KYMA) - Arizona Public Service (APS), is proposing a roughly 14 percent increase to its base rates. If approved by the state, families could see their monthly electricity bills rise.

Maura Valenzuela, a mother of two who has lived in Somerton for more than 20 years, says the increase would hit families like hers hard.

“Many times, I honestly couldn’t pay my electricity bill in full just to pay for gas or fill the fridge,” Valenzuela said. “I had to sacrifice other things, trips, other bills, other expenses just to cover the electricity bill.”

Valenzuela says families in Somerton who rely on seasonal farm work could struggle even more. Summer bills can reach $500, a time when jobs are scarce.

APS plans to hold three public comment hearings in the coming months to discuss the proposed increase. The utility says customers can also reach out to review options like payment plans or switching to a different rate plan.

“Some of the increases are related to the cost of materials, like poles and wires, and other things we’re doing to maintain a sustainable grid and ensure good reliability for Arizona,” said APS representative Anne Carlton.

Valenzuela says electricity is essential in Arizona, especially during the summer heat. “I can assure you there isn’t a family or person who doesn’t have air conditioning in their home during this time,” she said. “Maybe people from other states don’t understand…but I invite them to come in July or August to Arizona without air conditioning and see how long they could last.”

She hopes utility leaders and lawmakers will consider how rate increases affect rural and low-income families.

For families like hers, Valenzuela says, an APS rate increase could impact their livelihoods for years to come.