Constituents in the Picacho area have raised concerns after a foreign-owned utility requested a rate increase that many residents believe is too high. Following the rate hike proposal, constituents contacted the Residential Utility Consumer Office (RUCO) for assistance but reported that RUCO was slow to respond and ultimately chose not to intervene.
“RUCO exists to stand up for utility consumers, not ignore them,” said Representative Martinez. “Our constituents are understandably frustrated. They’re facing steep hikes from a foreign-owned utility, and when they turned to the Governor’s office for help, they got silence and a refusal. They deserve better.”
Representatives Martinez and Lopez have sent a letter to RUCO requesting information about how the office logs and tracks consumer calls, its response timelines, and who was responsible for handling the constituent contacts in the Picacho rate case. The letter also asks for the dates when the calls were received and when responses were given.
“We’re pressing for answers because these families deserve accountability,” Representative Lopez said. “Ratepayers shouldn’t be left in the dark when they turn to the very office meant to advocate for them.”
A copy of the letter from Representatives Martinez and Lopez is available at https://www.azleg.gov/press/house/57LEG/1R/250929MartinezLopezRUCO.pdf.
Carbone, a Republican, was elected to the Arizona State House in 2023 to represent the state’s 25th House District, replacing previous state representative Michelle Udall.
