Judge Recommends Consolidation in EPCOR Case

The EPCOR Wastewater case has been chugging along for a year and a half now.  Verrado ratepayers have been working on influencing the Arizona Corporation Commission for three years.  At long last, there is light at the end of the tunnel.  The commissioners still have to vote, and they can do pretty much whatever they want.  But we are one step closer to resolution.  

On May 23rd, the Administrative Law Judge overseeing the EPCOR case has issued her Recommended Opinion and Order (ROO, for short, and it's a HUGE file, so don't download unless you're on good WiFi).  The ROO is the final recommendation, based on all of the testimony from all sides, that gets submitted to the commissioners for a vote in an open meeting.  And it's good news.

The 284 page document summarizes the entire case, along with much of the history.  In her recommendation, Judge Harping recommends strongly IN FAVOR of full consolidation of EPCOR's wastewater districts, which would result in a reduction in our wastewater charges from $71 to $38 each month.  

Judge Harping recognized the strong public interest in this case on all sides.  She also said that the commission could not base its decision on popularity and public comment, but rather the facts of the case itself.  She affirmed the justifications that Verrado has maintained all along:  that affluence or age aren't factors for policy; that systems don't have to be interconnected to be consolidated; that Agua Fria is being unfairly charged; and that cost-cause is still upheld under a consolidated system.  

The one dark spot in her recommendation:  Judge Harping is advocating for a five-year phase-in period.  This means it would take us five years in small bites to get down to the final rate of $38.  Some communities are already preparing exceptions to this finding, as we all believe that three years should be the maximum period for a phase-in.

If we're lucky, the commission will vote on this ROO during the June open meeting (scheduled for the 12th and 13th).  We won't know until about a week prior.  It's important to note, the commissioners can vote ANY WAY they want to on this.  They could accept it, reject it, or modify it to any extent they deem fit.  We're not out of the woods yet.  But we are closer than we have ever been to finally getting the fair rates for the service we all share as EPCOR customers.  

As always, your Utilities Council will keep you posted, just as soon as we know anything.  Thank you, Verrado, for all you have done to support this effort!