skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Friday, March 29, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Arizonans Could Be Missing Out on Energy Savings

play audio
Play

Thursday, July 19, 2018   

PHOENIX – Arizonans know when the temperature climbs outside and their air conditioners are blowing, electric bills can climb, too.

But consumer advocates say utilities in the state could be doing more to save energy – and save ratepayers money.

Diane Brown, executive director of Arizona Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) Education Fund, says utilities that invest in efficiency programs can not only reduce bills for their customers, but also decrease demand on the electric grid, and even create job growth in fields like appliance installation.

"Energy efficiency should be a no-brainer when it comes to increased investment in programs that ultimately, will save businesses and households money on monthly electric bills," she states.

The Arizona Corporation Commission regulates major utilities, including Arizona Public Service in Phoenix and rural areas, and Tucson Electric Power.

Both utilities have gotten recent rate hikes, but the commission hasn't pushed back when the companies also cut back their energy efficiency programs.

Brown is counting on that to come up at the commission's August meeting.

Brown says utilities could easily offer more customer rebates for energy saving “smart” appliances, and provide more energy audits to help families assess the best ways to reduce bills.

She maintains the Corporation Commission should be doing more to protect ratepayers.

"The Arizona Corporation Commission needs to require the restoration of programs and increase investment in energy saving programs from the utilities, as soon as possible," Brown stresses.

Arizona is one of only a few states in which these types of commissions are made up of elected officials. The commission has a broad range of responsibilities, but Brown says ensuring that utilities stay affordable should be a high priority.


get more stories like this via email

more stories
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments this week about the popular abortion pill Mifepristone and will weigh in on whether the U.S. Food and Drug Administration was correct in how it can be dosed and prescribed. (Ascannio/Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

Missouri residents are worried about future access to birth control. The latest survey from The Right Time, an initiative based in Missouri…


Social Issues

play sound

Wisconsin children from low-income families are now on track to get nutritious foods over the summer. Federal officials have approved the Badger …

Social Issues

play sound

Almost 2,900 people are unsheltered on any given night in the Beehive State. Gov. Spencer Cox is celebrating signing nine bills he says are geared …


The U.S. teaching workforce remains primarily white while the percentage of Black teachers has declined. However, the percentage of Asian and Latinx teachers is rising.(WavebreakMediaMicro/Adobestock)

Social Issues

play sound

Education advocates are calling on lawmakers to increase funding for programs to combat the teacher shortage. Around 37% of schools nationwide …

Health and Wellness

play sound

A recent report examined how some rural Tennessee hospitals have managed to stay afloat despite financial challenges. The report includes interviews …

Many factors affect a customer's bill amount, including energy usage, weather, and the number of days in a billing period, according to Arizona Public Service. (Jason Yoder/Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

Earlier this month, a new Arizona Public Service rate hike went into effect and one senior advocacy group said those on a fixed income may struggle …

Social Issues

play sound

Michigan recently implemented a significant juvenile justice reform package following recommendations from a task force made up of prosecutors…

Health and Wellness

play sound

Medicare and Medicaid are key sources of health coverage for many Americans and some people qualify for assistance under both programs. With lagging …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021