Republican Claims about Lower Utility Costs Shows they Actually Awarded Rate Hikes 

Arizonans are discovering that Republicans are responsible for rate hikes at the Arizona Corporation Commission after they were caught lying that utility bills are “among the lowest in the country.”

KVOA Tucson: Arizona regulators tout second place energy cost ranking, but federal data says otherwise

Channel 12 News: “According to federal data…, Arizona households paid the 12th highest electricity price in 2022…. the Commission approved new fees and rate hikes.”

FALSE: Walden said: “There’s a really strong team there on the Commission … The Commission is doing everything they can to keep those prices as low as possible.”
strong

FALSE: Marquez Peterson stated on Sept. 24: “We are the second-lowest in energy costs in the nation in Arizona. …We need your support to continue the work of keeping our costs low and our energy reliable.”

FALSE: Rene Lopez incorrectly said: We’re all feeling the pain … but we’re the slowest sinking ship out there (when it comes to energy costs).”

The truth: Arizona’s energy bills have gone up dramatically under Republican control

U.S. Energy Information Administration data shows that Arizona has the #1 highest electricity costs in the country during the summer and the 14th highest year-round. Not only that, but Arizona’s energy bills are spiking faster than most of the country.

Thompson and Republican colleagues Nick Myers and Jim O’Connor voted ‘yes’ on all six decisions opposed by the state Residential Utility Consumer Office in 2023. Republican Lea Márquez Peterson voted ‘yes’ in four of the six.

Only Democrat Anna Tovar voted ‘no’ on all six.” [12News, 1/17/24]

Republicans in control of the Arizona Corporation Commission have approved nearly half a billion dollars in rate hikes on Arizona families since 2023, while Democrats have consistently voted to lower costs.

Arizona Corporation Commission votes:

Marquez Petersen VotesCost Increases
Southwest Gas rate increase (Jan 2023)Yes$61.7 million
Tucson Electric Power rate increase (Aug 2023)Yes$136 million
UNSE rate increase (Jan 2024)Yes$25.2 million
Arizona Public Service rate increase (Feb 2024)Yes$220 million
Arizona Public Service fuel adjuster (Feb 2023)Yes$456 million
Southwest Gas fuel adjuster (July 2023)Yes$357 million
Total ratepayer cost increases approved by Marquez Petersen (2023-2024)$1.3 billion

U.S. Energy Information Administration rate data:

  • Arizona’s all-sector electricity rate (residential, commercial, industrial and transportation) ranked 14th most expensive in the country in 2024. That rate rose faster than in 29 other states from 2023-2024.
  • Arizona’s residential electricity rate ranked 26th most expensive in the nation in 2024, rising faster than 36 other states year over year.

Smart voters will select Democrats Ylenia Aguilar, Jonathon Hill and Joshua Polacheck for the Arizona Corporation Commission.

They support renewable resources like solar and wind power, and call for an end to burning fossil fuels to generate electricity.


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