One of Arizona’s most influential figures in business and politics has managed to avoid answering direct questions from 12 News and other media outlets about his role in several controversial chapters of Arizona's largest utility company dating back to 2013. Don Brandt has overseen Arizona Public Service (APS), and its parent company Pinnacle West Capital Corporation, during an unprecedented era of political activism by the utility.
Community Gathers to Protest APS Rate Hikes
Frustrated Arizonans rallied Tuesday to voice their displeasure with Arizona Public Service over recent rate hikes that have, in some cases, tripled monthly utility bills. The hearing, held at the Arizona Corporation Commission on Tuesday, marked day one of a planned three-day session where consumers aim to overturn the approved rate increase. A press conference led by Stacey Champion, a local activist and owner of Champion PR, was hosted outside prior to the hearing.
Smug APS says residents can't understand their rates? Well, maybe they'll understand this
Lost amid the campaign flash bangs and boomers our politicians are presently lobbing to and fro’ is a teeny, tiny speck of encouraging light. A group of citizens are taking on one of the state’s most powerful organizations … and actually being heard.
APS Customers Urge Judge to Reconsider $95 million Rate Hike
Customers frustrated by last year’s rate hike from Arizona Public Service Co. kicked off a three-day hearing Tuesday with passionate pleas for a judge to order a reconsideration of the rates they said push people deeper into poverty.
APS customers accuse utility company of 'unjust' practices
A highly-anticipated hearing began Tuesday at the Arizona Corporation Commission that is meant to determine whether a rate hike approved for APS customers last year is unjust, or at the very least has resulted in “unintended consequences,” as one commission staff member explained.
'David vs. Goliath' Showdown Set Between Customers and APS
Last March, north Phoenix homeowner Steve Huscher proactively switched to an APS usage plan that the company advised would save him the most money, given his electricity-usage history. But Huscher’s bills, relative to his power usage, have been significantly higher this summer compared to last.
APS Rate Complaints Slated for September Hearing
Arizona Public Service Co. will get a hearing next month to address customer concerns the utility's recent rate hike was more than what was allowed. An administrative law judge will hear complaints from APS customers on Sept. 25 that the utility is charging more than the average 4.5 percent approved last year by the Arizona Corporation Commission, according to the Arizona Republic.
Customers: APS rate hike 3 times higher than we were told
The rate hike the Corporation Commission approved for Arizona Public Service Co. ayear ago is costing customers almost three times as much money as the company said, critics seeking a rehearing in the case said.
Corporation Commission May Take Another Look at APS Rate Increase
A group of consumers are taking on Arizona Public Service (APS) in what has been described as a ‘David vs. Corporate Goliath’ battle. Stacey Champion, a single mom and small business owner, is at the forefront. She started a petition page on change.org and has also set up a crowd funded legal defense fund at fundedjustice.com to take on APS through a rehearing by the Arizona Corporation Commission (AZCC).
Thousands of APS customers could have bills analyzed in rate hike case
Thousands of Arizona Public Service Co. customers who want a redo with the electric company's recent rate hike could have their bills analyzed as part of the case. A complaint with the Arizona Corporation Commission seeking a rehearing in the August rate increase on 1.1 million APS customers had its first hearing before a judge Thursday afternoon.
APS challenges rate-hike complaint as 100K customers face deadline to change rate plans
Arizona Public Service Co. on Tuesday asked utility regulators to either dismiss a petition for a rehearing of the company's recent rate hike, or for the protesters to be more specific with their complaint.
APS customer bills climb after rate increase, with more rate changes on the horizon
Munds Park residents Vanessa and Martin Zeigler aren’t huge energy users and try to conserve wherever they can. They know they can usually expect an electric bill from APS to come in between $110 and $120 around this time of year, so when their December bill was $190, Martin Zeigler immediately called the utility to see what was going on.
APS' $95M rate hike will get a second look after customers protest
State utility regulators will review their August decision to grant a $95 million rate hike to the state's biggest electric company thanks to a petition filed Wednesday with the Arizona Corporation Commission.
APS rate hike shocks customers; loophole could allow rate rehearings
Arizona Public Service Co. customers are reporting much higher bills than expected after the state’s utility regulators allowed the company to raise rates in mid-August.