News Release
Commissioner Lea Márquez Peterson Calls for Action in the UNSE Rate Case
Phoenix, Ariz. - Arizona Corporation Commissioner Lea Márquez Peterson called for a reconsideration of the recent UNSE rate case (Decision Number 79277) due to the high electricity rates seen by many residents in Kingman and Lake Havasu.
She has requested that the Decision from January 30th, 2024 (ACC docket number E-04204A-22-0251) related to the UNSE recent rate case be placed on a future agenda to study and potentially modify the rate design.
Commissioner Márquez Peterson stated “I have received many communications from ratepayers in the Lake Havasu and Kingman area which is served by the company. They are experiencing rate shock from higher than usual summer electricity bills. As a response, I have reminded people that they cannot be disconnected due to our disconnection moratorium, and that there are utility assistance programs and budget billing proposals available. However, it has also caused me to reflect on the design of this rate structure.”
She outlined in her letter to the Chairman of the Commission that the structure in which the gross revenue or “revenue requirement” not change, but that the percentage of rate increase fall higher during the winter months and lower during the summer months to lessen and gradualize the impact on ratepayers. She commented that this would not be retroactive, as that is illegal per Commission rules, but could assist customers in the future.
Commissioner Márquez Peterson is requesting suggestions from parties to the docket regarding this concept, and any other suggestions to alleviate the current situation of high bills for UNSE customers. Comments can be placed within the Docket by electronically filing a comment at https://tinyurl.com/UNSE-Docket-Link.
Commissioner Lea Márquez Peterson has served on the Commission since 2019 and is the Past Chairwoman. She is a former small business owner and previously served as the President of the Tucson Hispanic Chamber. She has spent her time on the statewide Commission focused on energy reliability at the most affordable utility rates. Her office can be reached at lmarquezpeterson-web@azcc.gov.