Utilities

This summer was the hottest on record in the Valley, and local governments are grappling with how to respond to the growing threat of extreme heat. In Tempe, city officials are considering microgrid power sources to keep certain community spaces cool, even in an emergency.

The Arizona Corporation Commission indicated it could move to take over a struggling rural water company that serves about 150 people in La Paz County if it doesn’t resolve a litany of issues left behind by its owner, who died in 2023.

President-elect Donald Trump has promised to overturn the Inflation Reduction Act. But that would take an act of Congress, and many of Trump’s fellow Republicans represent states that reap big benefits from it, and some have openly vowed defiance if necessary to protect the law.

Arizona regulators narrowly approved a controversial proposal to allow utility companies to seek yearly rate increases over opposition from consumer protection advocates and the state’s attorney general.

The proposed increase would raise monthly bills for the average residential customer by 3.5% – which amounts to $5.64. This comes on the heels of a 3.2% increase that took effect last month.

Every year, SRP cleans a section of the Salt River canal system by relocating the fish, draining the area, removing debris and silt and performing repairs. This year’s cycle, from November to February 2025, involves cleaning up close to 10 miles of the 131-mile canal system.

A Tucson nonprofit has filed a lawsuit to challenge a decision by utility regulators that could allow Tucson Electric Power to bypass city rules requiring new power lines to be built underground.

Arizona Public Service, Salt River Project, Tucson Electric Power and UniSource Energy Services are joining an energy market agreement with several other electric providers across the U.S. West. The utilities say it will keep costs affordable for customers and make energy more reliable as demand grows.

Salt River Project is continuing to quickly increase its battery storage capacity. The utility this week announced plans for a new battery facility in Coolidge.

Why does SRP continue to advertise if Arizonans already know who they are? That’s what one listener asked through our Q&AZ reporting project.