Organizations that offer utility assistance to low-income Arizonans see a surge in demand this time of year.
The Arizona Corporation Commission bars many of the state’s power companies, including APS from disconnecting customers June 1 through Oct. 15 so that Arizonans are not left without air conditioning during dangerous heat. SRP, which is not regulated by the commission, won’t disconnect customers for nonpayment July through August, or anytime there’s an excessive heat warning in effect.
“We’ve already started to see an increase in people reaching out to us asking about the utility assistance programs we run,” said Phillip Scharf, CEO of the Tempe Community Action Agency…