APS seeks 14% rate increase; Yuma residents voice concerns

YUMA,Ariz.(KYMA)-Arizona Public Service (APS) is seeking a 14-percent rate increase this year, following an eight-percent increase in 2022 and 2024.

Locals say they are opposed to APS’s rate increase.

“I don't like it, it's hard enough, you know,” said Dawn Rico-Angermeier.

The Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) held a public hearing for Arizona residents to share how the proposed rising energy costs are impacting their households. One Arizona resident shared with us how this increase will impact her.

Charity Jenkins, an Arizona resident, said, “We will be starving if they do this. We will no longer be able to afford the basics at the grocery store anymore if they do this.”

APS says they’re focused on doing their part to keep costs down as much as possible, but Arizona residents are fearful of this proposed increase and call out APS for being greedy.

Charity Jenkins added, “Martin Luther King said it the best: ‘Silence becomes deadly. At a point to stay silent is to become part of the problem. If you speak out it lets everybody know there is a problem. We need to let them know this is a problem. Greed is a problem.’”

The Arizona Corporation Commission will make a final decision this fall on how much rates will go up.

If you are opposed to the rate increase, you can submit comments online anytime via the commissioners’ website.