The Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) this week unanimously gave Arizona Public Service (APS) the go-ahead to install “pre-pay” electric meters which shut-off electricity without regard to the temperature or heath of the homeowner.
“At this week’s public hearing, the consumer representatives outlined the dangers of pre-pay service, but our concerns were not heeded,” said AARP Arizona Advocacy Director Steve Jennings. “APS sold this as a way of getting ratepayers to conserve energy. It definitely will – when a senior’s money runs out the meter automatically makes the house go dark.”
While acknowledging that AARP, representing all Arizonans over 50 including nearly 800,000 Arizona AARP members, testified in opposition to deciding the matter as part of APS energy saving application plan, Arizona Corporation Commission members ignored the concerns and voted 5-0 in favor of allowing APS to install 2,000 pre-pay meters.
“This plan removes the current legal protection that a personal visit is required before electricity can be terminated,” said Jennings. “That protection exists as Arizona has both very high and very low temperatures. No electricity when it is 110 degrees is a serious health concern among older people. Our citizens deserve better from the Arizona Corporation Commission than their quick approval of the utility’s plan with a promise to address consumer protection later.”
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