ED3 not to hike rates

The board of directors for Electrical District No. 3 voted to keep rates flat for the fourth consecutive year.

In a press release, the company pointed out the decision was made at a Nov. 19 board meeting and the utility “will not pass any rate increase to its customers during a time when other utilities and businesses in Arizona and across the nation continue to raise their rates.”

Next year, according to the press release, residents will begin to see the construction of the South Eastern Valley 500 kV transmission line in the southern part of ED3’s territory which will provide access to electrical power from the Palo Verde hub to ED3 and five other electrical utilities.

The transmission line is expected to be completed in May 2014. ED3 will bring power to its customers over this line in January 2015.

ED3’s five-year construction work plan will concentrate on updating a number of 69 kV high voltage lines and replacing several large substation transformers in the southern part of the system.

In December, ED3 will begin rebuilding 4 miles of a 69 kV high voltage line on Highway 84 from White and Parker Road to its Sexton Substation at the corner of Anderson Road.

More information is available on the ED3 website or by calling customer service at 520-424-9021.