Rate Decrease Makes Renewable Energy More Affordable for APS Customers
Applications for Non-Residential Customers Due by Oct. 30, 2009

October 16, 2009

APS customers looking for more green energy for their home or business will now find their wallets a little bit greener as well.

APS Green Choice Rates, which allow customers to receive more renewable energy than the standard APS service, have been lowered 60 percent - from $0.01 per kilowatt-hour to $0.004 per kilowatt-hour. This cost is in addition to a customer's normal monthly charges. Customers can choose to receive the additional renewable energy based on a percentage of their monthly usage or in specific amounts.

The Arizona Corporation Commission's Renewable Energy Standard (RES) requires APS to provide a certain amount of renewable energy each year to customers. In 2009, the requirement is 2 percent. Green Choice Rates give customers the ability to receive more renewable energy - above and beyond the amount they already are receiving. 

"Green Choice Rates allow customers to invest in the development of a cleaner, more sustainable future for Arizona," said Eran Mahrer, APS Manager of Renewable Energy Programs.

Because APS purchases the additional energy in advance, there is a set amount of renewable energy available for Green Choice Rates each year.  Residential customers can purchase the energy by going to www.aps.com/greenchoice or by calling (800) 659-8148.

"APS has set aside enough renewable energy for what we believe will meet the needs of our residential customers," Mahrer said. "However, because demand by non-residential customers (businesses and organizations) is expected to outstrip supply, we are requesting that non-residential customers who want to participate should contact their APS account manager or call (800) 659-8148 by Oct. 30, 2009."

Green Choice Rates are adjusted each year and are based on the difference in cost between renewable energy and conventional sources at the time the energy was purchased - in this case, 2008. The current drop in Green Choice Rates reflects the reduced difference between the costs of conventional generation (mostly natural gas) compared to renewable generation last year.

Energy from the Green Choice program is "Green-e Certified," which means it meets strict environmental and accounting standards. The program also is approved by the Arizona Corporation Commission.

APS, Arizona's largest and longest-serving electricity utility, serves about 1.1 million customers in 11 of the state's 15 counties. With headquarters in Phoenix, APS is the principal subsidiary of Pinnacle West Capital Corp. (NYSE: PNW)

Steven Gotfried, APS Media Contact
(602) 250-3040