1/ If you're an @apsfyi customer you should pay close attention this week. Your elected utility regulators @CorpCommAZ will cast a *MAJOR* vote that determines if your electricity rates go UP. A 🧵👇
2/ One BIG question is what regulators will do about the Four Corners Coal Plant. @apsfyi wants to raise customer rates by ~$400 million to pay for pollution controls installed at the plant. These costs represent ~40% of @apsfyi’s requested rate hike.
3/ For the history buffs, these costs have actually been the subject of at least 3 major proceedings spanning years, but so far @CorpCommAZ has not made a decision on them.
4/ In this case the judge overseeing & reviewing @apsfyi’s rate hike disagrees with the utility. She found these costs to be “imprudent” & has recommended AGAINST charging customers for them potentially putting the issue to rest.
5/ This is a BIG deal. I work in 20+ states and I can’t think of a single time that a utility rate hike like this has been 100% denied. What @CorpCommAZ decides to do could set national precedent.
6/ And @apsfyi has concerns. In a recent call with shareholders, APS executives said they were “disappointed and concerned” by the Judge’s recommendation. They also threatened to sue @CorpCommAZ depending on the outcome.
7/ The whole issue is incredibly complex. For example, the #NavajoNation government wants the costs approved because they’re worried the Plant will close, impacting Navajo jobs & coal royalties that fund their services.
8/ On the other hand, there is convincing info that shows that the plant is a money pit & other options would be a lot cheaper for @apsfyi customers.
9/ So where do things stand? @CorpCommAZ will decide this week if they agree with the Judge or not.
10/ And there are some early indicators suggesting that they may not. For example, two amendments have been filed so far: (1) One calling for a discussion to okay ~half of the costs; & (2) A second calling for more hearings which would delay a decision.
11/ Starting tomorrow at 9 a.m AZ/PT you can tune in to find out what happens here: azcc.gov/live
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