By David Wichner | Arizona Daily Star
Arizona Sens. John McCain and Jeff Flake have sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Energy, questioning higher rates charged to utilities by a federal agency that markets hydroelectric power across the West.
Following concerns raised by utilities including Arizona’s rural electric cooperatives, the senators sent a letter to DOE Deputy Secretary Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall expressing strong concerns that the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) has improperly expanded its mission and raised rates without delivering more power or explaining the rate increases.