May 17 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - The Arizona Daily Star, Tucson

Santa Cruz and Mohave County residents will begin paying more for electricity from UniSource Energy Services starting June 1 as increased costs for wholesale power and other charges kick in.

Santa Cruz County residents are expected to pay about 14.5 percent, or $12.28 per month. Mohave County ratepayers are expected to pay about 19.5 percent, or $15.80 more per month.

Increased purchased-power costs, which the utility passes along under state-approved rules, will add 13 percent, or about $11, per month for Santa Cruz customers, partly offset by a reduction of 1 percent in UES' distribution rates.

Mohave ratepayers face similar increases, plus an increase in distribution rates.

New fees to support renewable energy and energy efficiency programs are expected to add a combined 2.6 percent, or about $2.15 per month, to average residential bills in each county.