SRP raises energy rates as some customers voice concerns
The Gila River Power Station based in Gila Bend. Construction began in 2001, and the plant went online in 2003. (SRP)
Michael McNamara
Some Valley veterans and retirees are concerned over the recently approved Salt River Project utility price hike.
On Thursday, the Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement and Power District Board approved a rate hike that will increase energy bills by 2.4% for all residential and commercial SRP customers, on average.
The average residential customer is expected to see a monthly bill increase of 3.5%, or $5.61, according to a press release.
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Some Valley veterans and retirees are concerned over the recently approved Salt River Project utility price hike.
On Thursday, the Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement and Power District Board approved a rate hike that will increase energy bills by 2.4% for all residential and commercial SRP customers, on average.
The average residential customer is expected to see a monthly bill increase of 3.5%, or $5.61, according to a press release.
In December, SRP announced the price change “reflects a proposed increase of $168.8 million in base revenue to support upgrades to the power system and an anticipated decrease of $67.7 million in fuel and purchased power revenues, which are recovered through the fuel and purchased power” adjustment mechanism rate.
SRP asked its board for an increase of 3.5%, or $5.64 for the average residential customer.
The new rates take effect on the November 2025 billing cycle. SRP serves about 1.1 million Valley residents.
But some Valley residents are less than happy over the rate hike.
Chris Hill, a U.S. Army veteran, said his SRP energy bill has gone up about 20% over the past four years.
Current high temperatures have prompted the Gilbert resident to turn on his home’s air conditioning unit in February.
Valley temps are heating up. On Feb. 25, Sky Harbor International Airport hit a high of 90 degrees — two degrees shy of the record mark set in 1921, according to the National Weather Service in Phoenix.
“I just know everyone (is dealing with) higher prices,” Hill said. “You can give up some things. Utilities and energy isn’t one of them.”
Some residents on fixed incomes also are feeling the financial pinch of rising costs of items such as eggs and gas. Adding a hike to energy doesn’t help, said Anna Cicero, a Chandler resident who attended Thursday’s meeting.
She said she knows of peers from the Arizona Alliance of Retired Educators that some adult children have had to take their kids in which drives up costs.
“Everything has gone up,” Cicero said. “...How much more can you take?”
Hill said Arizona State University — which touts itself as a sustainability leader — should partner with the local utility on renewable energy.
The cost of inflation and everyday bills increasing is a “heavy” pressure, Hill said.
“I’ve got three kids in college,” Hill said. “Every dollar counts.”
Brent Ruffner joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2021 where he writes about developments at TSMC and Maricopa County issues, including election topics.
He's written about stories that range from accusations that a Mesa monkey breeding facility is unsafe to what to do if you encounter a rattlesnake in the desert.
Community: He is a supporter of the American Cancer Society.
Education: Bachelor's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication, Arizona State University, May 2007.
Random Fact: He met former San Francisco Giants outfielder Willie Mays at a Phoenix Firebird game after winning a contest for an autographed baseball.
Hobbies: Hiking in the woods and collecting sports memorabilia.
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