Valley Power Cutoffs

Flagstaff, AZ – Two of the state's largest utility companies cut off power to more than 11,000 Phoenix customers in June. That's 3,000 more cutoffs than June of 2008. Salt River Project and Arizona Public Service say hard economic times and higher rates led more customers to fall behind on their bills. Also, APS raised monthly rates by nearly 5 dollars in December and SRP raised its average bill by nearly the same in October. The Executive Director of the Arizona Community Action Association says when electric rates increase during a poor economy, families are negatively impacted and bills often don't get paid.