Tucson Electric Power
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Electric utility |
| Founded | 1892 |
| Founder | Frank E. "Red" Russell and partners |
| Headquarters | Tucson, Arizona , United States |
Area served | Southern Arizona |
| Parent | Fortis |
| Website | www |
Tucson Electric Power (TEP) is an electricity provider serving the southern Arizona region and functions as a subsidiary under Fortis, which completed the acquisition of its parent company, UNS Energy, in 2013.
History
The Tucson Electric Light & Power Co. was established in 1892 by Frank E. "Red" Russell and his partners, with Russell acting as the inaugural manager-operator. After acquiring Tucson Gas Company by 1901, the entity was renamed Tucson Gas, Electric Light and Power Co. The company experienced several ownership transitions, including sales to J.J. Henry and subsequently to U.S. Light and Traction Company in 1902.
In 1904, the company relocated its power generation facilities to West Sixth Street, a location that later served as TEP’s main office from 1967 until 1999. By 1907, it had established connections with Tucson Rapid Transit, and in 1910, Federal Light and Traction took over United States Light and Traction.
Control shifted to Cities Service in 1930. Following the enactment of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, Federal Light and Traction/Cities Service divested numerous assets, leading to Tucson Gas & Electric being offered publicly. The sale of gas operations to Southwest Gas in 1979 resulted in rebranding the company as Tucson Electric Power.
In 1998, TEP created the holding company UniSource Energy, becoming one of its subsidiaries. Demonstrating its commitment to community involvement, TEP collaborated in 2016 with Tucson-based Fed By Threads, a circular economy clothing manufacturer, to provide shirts for employee volunteers.
The present-day headquarters at 88 E. Broadway stand on land originally acquired by Russell and his associates back in 1899.
Rooftop solar rates
In 2018, TEP submitted a proposal to the Arizona Corporation Commission suggesting new rate structures for customers utilizing rooftop solar panels combined with home battery storage systems. An administrative law judge recommended implementing a distinct rate category for these solar customers, potentially shaping the commission's final ruling.