New client in Tempe has an Arizona Public Service bill with a "Clean Energy Charge" of $2.35/month that started showing up in June. I can't find this anywhere in their published rate schedules or recent ACC filings. Client swears it wasn't there before. Anyone familiar with APS seeing this charge? Wondering if it's authorized or just something they're hoping no one notices.
APS "Clean Energy Charge" - is this legit?
Hannah - I'm here in Phoenix and haven't seen that specific charge name on any of my APS clients' bills. They do have various environmental surcharges that change periodically, but those are usually clearly listed in the tariff. Could be they're renaming an existing charge or it might be completely unauthorized. I'd file an inquiry with ACC Consumer Services to get clarification.
Sarah's right about filing with ACC. I've got TEP customers here in Tucson and we went through something similar last year where they added an environmental charge without proper notice. Turned out to be legitimate but the implementation was sloppy. APS has been pretty aggressive lately with new fees so definitely worth checking the authorization.
Thanks both. I'll file with ACC Consumer Services tomorrow. The timing seems suspicious since it showed up right after their last rate case concluded. Makes me wonder if they're trying to recover costs that got denied in the rate case through this back-door fee approach. Will keep you posted on what ACC says.
That's a really good point Hannah. The timing right after the rate case is definitely suspicious. If ACC denied certain environmental costs in the rate case and APS is trying to recover them through an unauthorized fee, that would be a pretty serious violation. Definitely worth investigating thoroughly.