UNISOURCE ENERGY CORP
S-3/A, 1998-08-06
ELECTRIC SERVICES
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       As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 6, 1998
    

                                                 Registration No. 333-31043-99
      =======================================================================

                          SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                                Washington, D.C. 20549

                                                  
                                   ---------------
   
                            PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1
                                          TO
    
                                       FORM S-3
                                REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                        UNDER
                              THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                                                  
                                   ---------------
   
                             UNISOURCE ENERGY CORPORATION
    
                (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

   
                           ARIZONA                        86-0786732
    
               (State or Other Jurisdiction of         (I.R.S. Employer
               Incorporation or Organization)          Identification No.)

                                220 WEST SIXTH STREET
                                TUCSON, ARIZONA  85701
                                    (520) 571-4000

            (Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including
               Area Code, of Registrant's Principal Executive Offices)

   
            Dennis R. Nelson, Esq.                   John T. Hood, Esq.
         UniSource Energy Corporation             J. Anthony Terrell, Esq.
             220 West Sixth Street                Thelen Reid & Priest LLP
            Tucson, Arizona  85701                  40 West 57th Street
                (520) 571-4000                         (212) 603-2000
    

           (Names, Addresses, Including Zip Codes, and Telephone Numbers, 
                     Including Area Codes, of Agents for Service)
                                                  
                                   ---------------

   
    
               THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON
          SUCH DATE OR DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE
          DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH
          SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL
          THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION,
          ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A), MAY DETERMINE.


     <PAGE>

   
                                   EXPLANATORY NOTE
    

   
               On May 26, 1995, the shareholders of Tucson Electric Power
          Company ("TEP") voted to approve, and on January 1, 1998 there
          became effective, a statutory share exchange to change the
          corporate organization of TEP into a holding company structure
          whereby the outstanding shares of TEP common were exchanged, on a
          share-for-share basis, for shares of Common Stock (the "Common
          Stock") of UniSource Energy Corporation (the "Company"). This
          transaction resulted in TEP becoming a subsidiary of UniSource
          Energy Corporation which became the holder of all of the
          outstanding common stock of TEP, and the holders of outstanding
          TEP common stock became the holders of Common Stock.
    

   
               Pursuant to Rule 414(d) under the Securities Act, the
          Company hereby expressly adopts as its own, for all purposes of
          the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, this Registration
          Statement applicable to the Investment Plus Plan previously filed
          by TEP.
    


     <PAGE>


          INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR
          AMENDMENT.  A REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES
          HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. 
          THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY OFFERS TO BUY BE
          ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES
          EFFECTIVE.  THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL
          OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY
          SALE OF THESE SECURITIES IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFER,
          SOLICITATION, OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR
          QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH JURISDICTION.

   
                        SUBJECT TO COMPLETION AUGUST   , 1998
                                                     --
    

          P R O S P E C T U S


   
                             UNISOURCE ENERGY CORPORATION
    

                                 INVESTMENT PLUS PLAN
                                   1,000,000 SHARES

                                     COMMON STOCK
                                  WITHOUT PAR VALUE

                                   ---------------


   
               The Investment Plus Plan (the "Plan") of UniSource Energy
          Corporation (the "Company") provides a simple and convenient
          method of investing in the Company's common stock, without par
          value (the "Common Stock"), without brokerage commissions or
          service charges.  Anyone, whether or not a current shareholder of
          the Company, is eligible to join the Plan (subject to certain
          legal restrictions).
    

   
               The Plan is designed to promote long-term ownership among
          investors who are committed to building their ownership of Common
          Stock over time.  Interested investors may enroll by making an
          Initial Investment of $250 or more.  Once enrolled, investors are
          eligible to make additional Optional Investments as frequently as
          twice per month of $50 or more to purchase additional shares of
          Common Stock.
    

   
               To enroll in the Plan, simply complete a Direct Stock
          Purchase Plan New Enrollment Form (an "Enrollment Form") and
          return it in the envelope provided.  Enrollment in the Plan is
          entirely voluntary and participants in the Plan may terminate
          their participation at any time.
    

          PARTICIPANTS IN THE PLAN MAY:

   
               .  Make optional investments by electronic funds transfer
                    (monthly)
               .  Make optional investments by check (twice monthly)
               .  Make gifts of shares from their Plan account
               .  Deposit share certificates for safekeeping
               .  Receive, upon written request, certificates of whole
                  shares credited to their Plan account
               .  Sell shares of stock credited to their Plan account,
                  paying a reduced commission
    

   
               Participants do not pay any fees for purchases of Common
          Stock under the Plan.  However, the Participant pays brokerage
          commissions and any applicable taxes for any sale of shares.  See
          "Costs."
    

   
               To the extent required by applicable law in certain
          jurisdictions, shares of Common Stock offered under the Plan to
          persons not presently shareholders of record are offered only
          through a registered broker/dealer in such jurisdictions.  The
          Company has selected The Bank of New York as the Plan
          Administrator.  The Bank of New York uses BNY ESI & Co., a
    


     <PAGE>

   
          wholly-owned subsidiary of The Bank of New York Company, Inc., as
          the registered broker/dealer through whom Common Stock will be
          offered in such instances and for all Plan trading activity.
    

   
               On May 26, 1995, the shareholders of Tucson Electric Power
          Company ("TEP") voted to change the corporate organization of TEP
          into a holding company structure.  On January 1, 1998, a
          statutory share exchange took place where the holders of TEP
          common stock automatically became owners of Common Stock.  Any
          outstanding shares of TEP common stock were automatically
          exchanged, on a share-for-share basis, for shares of Common
          Stock.  Shareholders were not required to take any action to
          effect this exchange, as TEP stock certificates automatically
          represent shares of the Company.
    

   
               TEP's Dividend Reinvestment and Common Stock Purchase Plan
          (the "Prior Plan"), which was suspended in 1990 with respect to
          optional cash payments, has been amended and restated and
          constitutes a part of this Plan.  EACH PARTICIPANT IN THE PRIOR
          PLAN IS, WITHOUT ANY FURTHER ACTION, ENROLLED IN THIS PLAN. 
          Prior Plan shares are automatically credited to a Participant's
          Plan account as shares of Common Stock.
    

   
               This Plan does not provide for automatic reinvestment of
          dividends, as the Company is not currently paying dividends.  See
          "Dividends on Common Stock."
    

   
               This Prospectus contains the provisions of the Plan.  It is
          suggested that this Prospectus be read and retained for future
          reference.
    


                   THESE SECURITIES INVOLVE A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK.
                             SEE "CERTAIN RISK FACTORS."

                                   ---------------

            THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE
              SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
             COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR
              ANY STATE COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY
               OF THIS PROSPECTUS.  ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY
                                IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

                                   ---------------
   
                  The date of this Prospectus is August     , 1998.
                                                        ----
    


     <PAGE>

                                  TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                       Page
                                                                       ----

   
          AVAILABLE INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   1

          INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE . . . . . . .   1
          CERTAIN RISK FACTORS  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   2

          THE COMPANY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   5

          THE PLAN  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   7
               CERTAIN DEFINITIONS  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   7
               PURPOSE OF THE PLAN  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   9
               ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF THE PLAN . . . . . . . .   9
               PLAN ADMINISTRATION  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  10
               PARTICIPATION IN THE PLAN  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  11
               INITIAL INVESTMENTS AND OPTIONAL INVESTMENTS . . . . . .  12
               PURCHASES  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  14
               CERTIFICATES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  15
               SAFEKEEPING OF CERTIFICATES  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  15
               GIVING PLAN SHARES TO OTHERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  16
               SALE OF SHARES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  17
               TERMINATION OF PLAN PARTICIPATION  . . . . . . . . . . .  17
               COSTS  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  19
               REPORTS TO PARTICIPANTS  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  19
               OTHER INFORMATION  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  20
               FEDERAL INCOME TAX INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . .  21

          USE OF PROCEEDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  22

          DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  22

          EXPERTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  24

          PARTICIPANT INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  25
    

     <PAGE>

                                AVAILABLE INFORMATION

             This Prospectus is a prospectus of the Company delivered in
          compliance with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
          "Securities Act").  A Registration Statement (the "Registration
          Statement") has been filed by the Company with the Securities and
          Exchange Commission (the "SEC") under the Securities Act with
          respect to the shares of Common Stock offered hereby.  As
          permitted by the rules and regulations of the SEC, this
          Prospectus omits certain information contained in the
          Registration Statement on file with the SEC.  For further
          information pertaining to the securities offered hereby,
          reference is made to the Registration Statement, including
          exhibits filed as a part thereof.  The Company is subject to the
          informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
          1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance
          therewith, files periodic reports, proxy statements, and other
          information with the SEC.  The Registration Statement, as well as
          such reports, proxy statements, and other information, can be
          inspected and copied at the public reference facilities
          maintained by the SEC at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
          Washington, D.C. 20549, and the Regional Offices of the SEC
          located at 500 West Madison Street, 14th Floor, Chicago, Illinois
          60661-2511, and 7 World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York, New
          York  10048.  Copies of such documents can be obtained from the
          Public Reference Section of the SEC at prescribed rates by
          writing to it at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549

             The SEC also maintains a Web site that contains periodic
          reports, proxy statements and other information regarding the
          Company and other registrants that file electronically with the
          SEC at http://www.sec.gov.

   
               Finally, reports, proxy statements, and other information
          concerning the Company are available for inspection and copying
          at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., 20 Broad
          Street, New York, New York 10005, and the offices of the Pacific
          Exchange, Inc., 301 Pine Street, San Francisco, California 94104.
    

                   INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

             The Company hereby incorporates by reference, and as of any
          time hereafter prior to the termination of the offering made by
          this Prospectus the Company shall be deemed to have incorporated
          herein by reference, (1) the latest Annual Report on Form 10-K
          (the "Latest Annual Report"), filed by the Company with the
          Commission pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act, and (2) all
          other reports and documents filed by the Company with the
          Commission pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the
          Securities Exchange Act subsequent to the filing of the Latest
          Annual Report, and all of such documents shall be deemed to be a
          part hereof from the respective dates of filing thereof.  The
          documents incorporated herein by reference are sometimes called
          the "Incorporated Documents".  Any statement contained in an
          Incorporated Document shall be deemed to be modified or
          superseded to the extent that a statement contained in any
          subsequently filed Incorporated Document modifies or replaces
          such statement.

   
             The Incorporated Documents, incorporated herein by reference
          as of the date of this Prospectus, are the Company's Annual
          Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997, as
          amended by Form 10-K/A, dated March 5, 1998 (the "1997 10-K"),
          Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31,
          1998 (the "First Quarter 10-Q"), and Current Reports on Form 8-K
          dated January 6, 1998, June 26, 1998 (the "June 26 8-K"), July
          16, 1998 (the "July 16 8-K") and July 22, 1998, which have been
          filed by the Company with the SEC.
    

   
             The Company will provide without charge upon the request of
          any person to whom this Prospectus is delivered, a copy of any or
          all of the Incorporated Documents, excluding the exhibits (unless
          any such exhibit is specifically incorporated by reference into
          an Incorporated Document).  Requests for such documents should be
          directed to the Company at the following address:  UniSource
    



   
          Energy Corporation, Records & Library Services - DAB03, P. O. Box
          711, Tucson, Arizona  85702, or by calling (520) 884-3781.
    

     <PAGE>

                                 CERTAIN RISK FACTORS

   
             The shares of Common Stock described herein and being offered
          hereby are subject to a number of material risks, and, therefore,
          involve a high degree of risk of loss.  The following summary of
          the principal factors that make the securities being offered an
          investment of high risk is qualified in its entirety by reference
          to the detailed information contained in the Incorporated
          Documents.  Prior to deciding whether or not to make an
          investment in the shares of Common Stock being offered, investors
          should consider carefully all the information contained herein
          and in the Incorporated Documents.
    

   
    

   
          OVERVIEW
    

   
             The financial condition and results of operations of TEP are
          currently the principal factors affecting the financial condition
          and results of operations of the Company on an annual basis since
          TEP currently accounts for substantially all of the Company's
          assets, revenues and net income.
    

   
             The Company's and TEP's financial prospects are subject to
          significant regulatory, economic, and other uncertainties, some
          of which are beyond the Company's and TEP's control.  These
          uncertainties include the extent to which TEP, in light of its
          continued high financial and operating leverage, can alter
          operations and reduce costs in response to industry changes or
          unanticipated economic downturns.  The Company's and TEP's
          success will depend, in part, on TEP's ability to contain and/or
          reduce the costs of serving retail customers and the level of
          sales to such customers.  In a deregulated environment, revenues
          from sales of energy may become less certain.
    

   
               The  Company's  financial  prospects  are  also  subject  to
          uncertainties   relating  to   the  start-up   and  developmental
          activities   of   the   unregulated  energy-related   affiliates.
          Although  the Company's investments in unregulated energy-related
          affiliates comprise less than 1% of total assets,  start-up costs
          and other subsidiary developmental activities have contributed to
          losses  from  these  activities  in  1998.    These  losses  have
          contributed  to the losses reported  by the Company  for the six-
          months ending June 30, 1998.

               Depending  on the nature of future investment opportunities,
          the  Company  expects to  make  additional  investments in  these
          subsidiaries and  in other energy-related ventures.   The Arizona
          Corporation Commission (the "ACC") Holding Company Order requires
          that  the  capitalization  (debt  and equity)  of  the  Company's
          affiliates other than  TEP not exceed 30% of TEP's capitalization
          unless otherwise approved by the ACC.
    


   
          RETAIL COMPETITION
    
   
             In December 1996, the 
          ACC adopted rules that, if implemented as adopted, would
          require a phase-in of retail electric competition in Arizona
          beginning January 1, 1999.  The adopted rules are a framework to
          implement competition.  On June 25, 1998, the ACC Staff issued a
          First Draft of Proposed Revisions of the Retail Electric
          Competition Rules. Among other things, the Proposed Revisions to
          the Rules state that "an Affected Utility shall divest itself of
          all competitive generation assets and services prior to January
          1, 2001.  Such divestiture shall either be to an unaffiliated
          party or to a separate corporate affiliate or affiliates.  If an
          Affected Utility chooses to divest its competitive generation
          assets to a competitive electric affiliate, such transfer shall
          be at a value determined by the ACC to be fair and reasonable." 
          The Proposed Revisions of the Rules were adopted
          by the ACC at an Open Meeting on August 5, 1998.  It
          is difficult to predict the outcome of this process and the
          ultimate impact of increased retail competition on TEP's and the
          Company's future sales, revenues or profitability.  See Item 2. -
          -  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
          and Results of Operations -- "Competition, Retail" and
          "Accounting for the Effects of Regulation" in the First Quarter
          10-Q, the June 26 8-K and the July 16 8-K.
    

                                      -2-

     <PAGE>

   
             As discussed in the June 26 8-K, the ACC has issued an order
          concerning stranded cost quantification and recovery.  The order
          provides TEP with two methods for quantifying and recovering
          stranded costs:  (1) Divestiture/Auction Methodology and (2)
          Transition Revenues Methodology.  The order encourages, but does
          not require, full divestiture of generating assets through an
          auction to unaffiliated third parties.  The order states that
          only those Affected Utilities choosing divestiture through the
          Divestiture/Auction Methodology shall have the opportunity to
          recover 100% of unmitigated stranded costs.  TEP must file its
          choice of options and preliminary plan with the ACC by August 21,
          1998.  The amount of stranded costs and method of recovery that
    

                                      -2-
    <PAGE>

   
          the ACC approves for TEP will determine whether write-offs will
          be incurred at that time.  The ACC is not expected to make a
          final determination of a stranded cost recovery plan for TEP
          until at least the fourth quarter of 1998.  The Company and TEP
          are unable to predict the amount of write-offs, if any, that may
          be incurred at that time.
    
   
          DEBT LEVERAGE
    
   
             The Company's and TEP's  capital structure is highly
          leveraged.  Although TEP was able to refinance and extend the
          maturities of certain debt obligations at favorable rates and
          terms in 1997 and 1998, there can be no assurance that continued
          access to the capital markets at such rates and terms will be
          available.  Despite a reduction in variable rate debt obligations
          in 1997 and 1998, the Company's and TEP's earnings and cash flow
          would still be affected by changes in interest rate levels on the
          remaining variable rate debt.  As of June 30, 1998, TEP had $329
          million aggregate principal amount of variable rate debt
          obligations.  See Item 8. -- Consolidated Financial Statements
          and Supplementary Data in the 1997 10-K, and Item 2. -
          Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
          Results of Operations -- "Overview" in the First Quarter 10-Q.
    

   
          TAX EXEMPT LOCAL FURNISHING BONDS
    
   
             A substantial portion of TEP's utility plant assets qualify as
          "facilities for the local furnishing of electric energy" within
          the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code, and have been financed
          with the proceeds from the issuance of industrial development
          revenue bonds (approximately $580 million at the date of this
          Prospectus).  The interest on these bonds is, generally, excluded
          from gross income for federal income tax purposes.  Should TEP's
          local furnishing system become disqualified, in whole or in part,
          due to asset divestitures or unanticipated changes in tax laws,
          industry structure or system operations, it likely would be
          necessary for some or all of these bonds to be redeemed or
          defeased.  See Item 7. -- Management's Discussion and Analysis of
          Financial Condition and Results of Operations -- "Liquidity and
          Capital Resources, Tax Exempt Local Furnishing Bonds," in the
          1997 10-K.
    

   
          LOSSES FROM ENERGY-RELATED AFFILIATES

               The  Company's investments in the energy-related ventures of
          MEH Corporation  ("MEH") and its subsidiaries (included in 
          Investments and  Other
          Property in  the Company's  consolidated balance sheet)  comprise
          less  than 1% of total assets.   However, the net loss related to
          these  start-up operations  totaled $5.6  million for  the second
          quarter and  $9.7 million for the first six months of 1998.  This
          loss  is included in the Other Income (Deductions) section on the
          Company's income statement.   Almost all of MEH's losses  in both
          the  second quarter and first six  months of 1998 occurred at New
          Energy Ventures, L.L.C. (NEV), a buyer's agent providing electric
          land aggregation  and advisory  services to retail  purchasers of
          electric  energy.     The   California  electricity   market  was
          originally  scheduled to  open  to  competitors  such as  NEV  on
          January  1, 1998.    However, technical  matters  related to  the
          California Independent System  Operator and the  California Power
          Exchange  delayed the  opening  of the  electricity market  until
          March 31, 1998.  Therefore, NEV could not make retail power sales
          in  California in the  first quarter.   Start-up costs associated
          with  expansion  into  additional  regions of  the  country  also
          contributed to  the losses in  the first half  of 1998.   NEV may
          continue  to experience losses  in future periods.   In addition,
          other of  such energy-related  ventures are in  the developmental
          and  start-up stages,  have limited  operating histories  and, to
          date,  have not been profitable.   Consequently, there  can be no
          assurance that the Company  will not experience additional losses
          from the  activities of  its energy-related affiliates  in future
          periods.
    

                                      -3-

     <PAGE>

   
          DIVIDENDS ON COMMON STOCK
    
   
             UNISOURCE ENERGY
    
   
             The Company's ability to pay dividends is dependent upon cash
          flow from its subsidiaries, TEP and MEH. TEP
          comprises substantially all of the Company's assets.  As
          described below, although TEP is currently unable to declare or
          pay dividends, it has called for redemption in the third quarter
          of 1998 those First Mortgage Bonds which have covenants
          restricting the payment of dividends.  No dividend on common
          stock has been declared or paid by TEP since 1989.  Until such
          time as TEP is able to pay dividends to the Company, it is
          unlikely that the Company would declare and pay dividends to
          holders of Common Stock.  
    

   
             TEP
    
   
             Five outstanding issues of  First Mortgage Bonds (aggregating
          $137 million in principal amount) prevent TEP from paying
          dividends until specific cash flow coverage  and retained
          earnings tests are met.  As of June 30, 1998, TEP met the cash
          flow coverage test, but did not meet the retained earnings test,
          which requires positive retained earnings.  These covenants will
          apply until these First Mortgage Bonds have been paid or redeemed
          or the applicable mortgage indentures have been amended.  The
          latest maturity of these First Mortgage Bonds is in 2003.  To
          amend these bonds would require approval by 75% of all First
          Mortgage Bond holders.  During the  third quarter of 1998, TEP
          issued bonds to refinance all of the First Mortgage Bonds that
          prohibit the payment of dividends and has called such First
          Mortgage Bonds for redemption.
    

   
             TEP's Credit Agreement allows TEP to pay dividends if it
          maintains compliance with the agreement and meets certain
          financial covenants, including a covenant that requires TEP to
          maintain a minimum level of net worth.  As of June 30, 1998, the
          required minimum net worth was $169 million.  As of June 30,
          1998, TEP is in compliance with the terms of the Credit
          Agreement.
    
   
             Pursuant to the Arizona Corporation Commission Holding Company
          Order, until such time as TEP's equity ratio equals 37.5% of
          total capital (excluding capital lease obligations), TEP may not
          pay dividends to the Company in excess of 75% of TEP's earnings. 
          As of June 30, 1998, TEP's equity ratio, as so calculated, was
          15.6%.
    
   
             In addition to these restrictive covenants, the Federal Power
          Act states that dividends shall not be paid out of funds properly
          included in the capital account.  Although the terms of the
          Federal Power Act are unclear, TEP believes that there is a
          reasonable basis to pay dividends from current year earnings.
    
   
             See the Incorporated Documents for more information on Common
          Stock dividends.
    

   
                                     THE COMPANY
    
   
             The Company was incorporated under the laws of the State of
          Arizona on March 8, 1995.  The Company is a holding company which
          owns all of the outstanding common stock of TEP and MEH.  On
          January 1, 1998,  TEP and the Company completed a statutory share
          exchange, pursuant to which the outstanding common stock of TEP
          was exchanged, on a share-for-share basis, for shares of Company
          common stock, no par value.  Following the share exchange, TEP
          transferred the stock of its subsidiary, MEH, to the Company in
          exchange for a promissory note in the approximate amount of $95
          million.  The Company's stock is traded on the New York and
          Pacific Stock Exchanges under the ticker symbol UNS.
    

   
               TEP is the principal subsidiary of the Company and accounts
          for substantially all of its assets, revenues and net income. 
          TEP is an operating public utility engaged in delivering energy
          services to retail customers primarily in the Tucson, Arizona

                                      -4-
     <PAGE>



          metropolitan area and to wholesale customers throughout the
          Western United States.  As a public utility, TEP falls under the
          jurisdiction of the Arizona Corporation Commission which has the
          authority to approve rates and certain other corporate actions.  

    
   
             TEP provides electric power to approximately 317,000 retail
          customers.  In 1997, TEP generated and sold more than 7,400
          gigawatt hours of energy to retail customers and 3,400 gigawatt
          hours to other customers at wholesale.  Operating revenues from
          such sales exceeded $729 million.  TEP owns or leases 1,896 MW of
          generating capacity located in Arizona and New Mexico.  TEP also
          has transmission and distribution assets to transmit electricity
          from TEP's remote generating facilities to the Tucson area for
          use by TEP's retail customers and to provide interconnections to
          neighboring utilities.
    

   
               MEH  owns all of the outstanding common stock of (i) Nations
          Energy  Corporation,  which  is  active in  the
          development  of  independent   power  projects  worldwide,   (ii)
          Millennium Energy Holdings, Inc.,  which holds a 50%
          interest  in NEV,  a buyer's agent
          providing electric  load  aggregation and  advisory  services  to
          retail  purchasers  of  electric energy,  (iii)  Advanced  Energy
          Technologies,  Inc. which  holds a 50%  interest in Global
          Solar Energy, L.L.C., a manufacturer of thin-film
          photovoltaic cells,  and (iv)  Southwest  Energy Solutions,  Inc.
          (SES),  a  provider  of  ancillary energy  services  to  electric
          consumers.   SES owns all of the outstanding common stock of SWPP
          Investment  Company and  SWPP International, Ltd., 
          which  hold  ownership interests  in  businesses  engaged in  the
          manufacture and sale of concrete power poles.
    

   
             In 1997, earnings for the Company declined relative to 1996
          primarily due to the lower recognition of non-cash income tax
          benefits in 1997.  Net income was $83.6 million in 1997, compared
          with $120.9 million recorded in 1996 and $54.9 million recorded
          in 1995.  Income tax benefits related to prior period net
          operating losses totaled $43.4 million in 1997, $88.6 million in
          1996 and $23.3 million in 1995, accounting for the majority of
          the fluctuation in reported net income for the last three years.
          See Item 7. - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
          Condition and Results of Operations - "Income Tax Position," in
          the 1997 10-K.  The Company's common stock equity was $216.9
          million at year-end, compared to $133.3 million as of December
          31, 1996, benefiting from a fourth consecutive year of
          profitability.
    

   
             In addition to the reduction in income tax benefits described
          above, items having a one-time effect on earnings resulted in net
          reductions to earnings of $2.4 million in 1997 and $6.1 million
          in 1996.  Excluding each of these one-time items from the periods
          in which they were recorded, ongoing net income increased by 11%
          to $42.6 million in 1997 from $38.3 million in 1996.  See Item 7.
          - Management's Discussion and Analysis - "Overview" and Item 8. -
          Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Notes
          4, 7 and 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the
          1997 10-K for information pertaining to certain of these items.
    
   
             The Company's net cash flows from operating activities were
          $124.4 million in 1997, $151.3 million in 1996 and $119.4 million
          in 1995.  After capital expenditures, scheduled debt maturities
          and payments to retire capital lease obligations, net cash flows
          available for other investing and financing activities were $38.1
          million in 1997, $36.9 million in 1996, and $25.9 million in
          1995.
    
   
             The Company recorded net income of $1.1 million for the second
          quarter and a net loss of $6.0 million for the first six months
          of 1998.  This compares with net income of $29.9 million in the
          second quarter and $41.4 million for the first six months of
          1997.  The results in the second quarter of 1997 included the
          effect of non-recurring tax benefits and a reversal of a loss
          provision relating to the dissolution of one of TEP's former
          investment subsidiaries, which were partially offset by non-
          recurring expenses.
    
   
             Excluding these one-time adjustments, the Company would have
          recorded net income of $10.4 million in the second quarter of
          1997.  Results in the second quarter of 1998 were affected
          primarily by lower tax benefit recognition, lower non-cash
          regulatory revenues, higher interest expense and lower retail
    


                                      -5-
     <PAGE>

   
          sales due to mild weather conditions, as well as startup costs of
          new unregulated energy-related subsidiaries.
    
   
             The results of the first six months of 1997 also included the
          effects of non-recurring tax benefits, reversal of loss provision
          and non-recurring expenses.  Excluding these one-time
          adjustments, the Company would have recorded net income of $10.0
          millon in the first six months of 1997.  Results in the first six
          months of 1998 were effected primarily by losses from unregulated
          energy-related subsidiaries, lower non-cash regulatory revenues,
          and higher interest expense. 
    

   
               The unregulated energy subsidiaries  owned by MEH reported a
          net loss of $5.6  million for the second quarter and $9.7 million
          for the  first half  of 1998,  compared with  net income  of $0.5
          million in  the second quarter and a net loss of $0.4 million for
          the  first   half  of  1997.    The   delayed  implementation  of
          California's competitive electricity market until March 31, 1998,
          expansion  into  additional regions  of  the  country, and  other
          subsidiary  development activities affected the financial results
          for these businesses.
    

   
             Net cash flows from operating activities increased in
          aggregate by $27.5 million in the first six months of 1998
          compared with the same period in 1997.  This increase was due
          mainly to the payment of $30 million in contract termination fees
          to the coal supplier at the Company's Springerville Generating
          Station in the first half of 1997 compared to only $10.0 million
          paid in the first half of 1998 and the receipt of $11.3 million
          in June 1998 from the sale of emission allowances.  During the
          remainder of 1998 TEP expects to be able to fund operating
          activities and construction expenditures with internal cash
          flows, existing cash balances, and, if necessary, borrowings
          under a revolving credit facility.
    

                                      -6-
     <PAGE>

                                       THE PLAN

             The following is a complete statement of the Plan.

   
             Nothing contained herein or in any other Plan information
          represents a recommendation that any person buy, hold or sell
          Common Stock.  A decision to purchase shares of Common Stock
          through the Plan should only be made after an eligible investor
          has read this prospectus and independently made an investment
          decision.
    
          CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

             For convenience of reference, the definitions of certain terms
          are provided below.


           Acknowledgement      A form  acknowledging the Participant's
            Form --             enrollment in the Plan.

   
           Business Day --      A day  on which  the Plan Administrator
                                is open for business.
    
   
           Common Stock --      The common stock, without par value, of
                                the Company.
    
   
           Company --           UniSource Energy Corporation.
    
   
           Enrollment Form --   A  "Direct  Stock   Purchase  Plan  New
                                Enrollment  Form."   The form  that the
                                investor  must complete  to be  able to
                                participate  in the Plan and to express
                                other directions  with respect  to  the
                                Plan  account.   The completion  of  an
                                Enrollment Form  is not  necessary  for
                                participants in the Prior Plan.
    
   
           Independent Agent -  BNY   ESI   &   Co.,   a   wholly-owned
           -                    subsidiary of  The  Bank  of  New  York
                                Company,  Inc., the  registered broker-
                                dealer    selected    by    the    Plan
                                Administrator  to purchase  and/or sell
                                shares    of     Common    Stock    for
                                Participants.
    

           Initial              A payment made to the  Company by those
            Investment --       participants who were not  part of  the
                                Prior  Plan for the initial purchase of
                                shares of  Common Stock to  open a Plan
                                account.       The    minimum   Initial
                                Investment is $250.

   
           Investment Date --   Investments  from Participants  will be
                                invested on the  10th and  25th day  of
                                each  month (or, if not a Business Day,
                                the     preceding     Business    Day).
                                Investments made automatically  through
                                Electronic Funds  Transfer are deducted
                                on the 25th day  of each month and will
                                be invested on such Investment Date.
    
   
           Latest Annual        The latest  Annual Report on Form  10-K
            Report --           that is filed by the Company.
    
   
           Optional             A  payment  made   subsequent  to   the
            Investment --       Initial  Investment  and enrollment  in
                                the  Plan.   An Optional  Investment is
                                $50 or more.
    

           Participant --       A person who is enrolled in the Plan.


                                      -7-
     <PAGE>


   
           Plan --              UniSource Energy Corporation Investment
                                Plus Plan.
    
   
           Plan                 The Bank of New York.
            Administrator --
    

           Prior Plan --        Tucson Electric  Power Company Dividend
                                Reinvestment and  Common Stock Purchase
                                Plan.

   
           Safekeeping --       The Plan's  "safekeeping" service which
                                Participants  may  use  to  deposit any
                                Common  Stock   certificates  in  their
                                possession with  the Plan Administrator
                                and  have   credited  to   their   Plan
                                account.
    
   
           Shareholder of       An  investor  whose  shares  of  Common
            Record --           Stock  are registered  on the  books of
                                the  Company  as   maintained  by   the
                                Transfer Agent.
    
   
           Statement of         A statement  providing detailed account
            Account --          information  such  as amount  invested,
                                purchase   price,   number  of   shares
                                accumulated   and    other   investment
                                information.
    
   
           Transaction Request  A  form completed  by the  investor  in
            Form --             order  to  make  Optional  Investments,
                                address     changes,     deposit     of
                                certificates,  withdrawal   of  shares,
                                sale of shares, or account termination.
    
   
           Transfer Agent --    The Bank of New York.
    

          PURPOSE OF THE PLAN

             1.   WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE PLAN?

   
          The purpose of the Plan is to provide interested investors with a
          convenient method of purchasing Common Stock directly through the
          Plan Administrator without payment of any brokerage commission.
    

          ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF THE PLAN

             2.   WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF THE PLAN?

   
          ADVANTAGES:
    
   
             DIRECT PURCHASE OF STOCK--Participants may purchase Common
             Stock directly through the Plan Administrator, without the
             cost of brokerage or other fees.
    
   
             FULL INVESTMENT OF FUNDS--The full amount of Initial
             Investments and Optional Investments is invested because the
             Plan permits fractional shares to be credited to Plan
             accounts.
    

   
             CERTIFICATE SAFEKEEPING--Participants may deposit their Common
             Stock certificates with the Plan Administrator, whether or not
             the Common Stock represented by such certificates was
             purchased through the Plan.  This convenience is provided at
             no cost to the Participant and eliminates the possibility of
             loss, inadvertent destruction or theft of certificates.  Also,
             because shares deposited for Safekeeping are treated in the
    

                                      -8-
     <PAGE>


             same manner as shares purchased through the Plan, they may be
             transferred or sold through the Plan.

   
             GIVING PLAN SHARES--An investor may give Plan shares by:
    
   
             .  making an Initial Investment to establish a Plan account
                for the recipient;
    
   
             .  by making Optional Investments to the recipient's
                existing Plan account; or 
    
   
             .  transferring shares from the investor's Plan account to
                the recipient's Plan account.
    

             SELL STOCK--Participants may sell shares held in their Plan
             account, including odd-lot sales.

   
             BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS--No brokerage commissions are charged in
             connection with purchases under the Plan.
    
   
             SIMPLIFIED RECORDKEEPING--A Statement of Account will be
             mailed to Participants after any investment activity and a
             comprehensive statement will be mailed to Participants
             annually.
    

   
          DISADVANTAGES:
    

             NO INTEREST ON FUNDS PENDING INVESTMENT--No interest is paid
             on Initial Investments or Optional Investments held pending
             investment.

   
             DELAY IN DETERMINING PURCHASE PRICE--The number of shares
             purchased for a Participant's Plan account and the purchase
             price will not be determined until all shares for the relevant
             Investment Date have been purchased.  Therefore, Participants
             will not know the number of shares purchased or the purchase
             price until after the applicable Investment Date.
    

   
             RETURN OF OPTIONAL INVESTMENTS--Initial Investments or
             Optional Investments sent to the Plan Administrator will not
             be returned to a Participant unless a written request is
             received by the Plan Administrator two Business Days prior to
             the applicable Investment Date.  However, the Plan
             Administrator reserves the right to return an Optional
             Investment for any reason (an unsigned check, for example).
    

   
             BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS--Sales under the Plan are subject to
             brokerage commissions.
    

             PRICE OF SHARES--Participants cannot designate a specific
             price at which to sell or purchase Common Stock.  Therefore,
             Participants bear the risk of fluctuations in the market price
             of Common Stock.

             INSURANCE--Plan accounts are not insured by the Securities
             Investor Protection Corporation, the Federal Deposit Insurance
             Corporation or any other entity.


          PLAN ADMINISTRATION

             3.   WHO ADMINISTERS THE PLAN?

   
          The Company has retained The Bank of New York as plan
          administrator (the "Plan Administrator").  The Bank of New York
          is a recognized leader in the securities processing industry and
          is committed to providing shareholders of the Company with
          quality service.

    

   
          As Plan Administrator, The Bank of New York will purchase and
          hold shares of Common Stock acquired under the Plan, keep
          records, send reports of account activity to Participants, and
          perform other duties relating to the Plan.  Shares purchased
          under the Plan and held by the Plan Administrator for each
          Participant's account, will be registered in the Plan
          Administrator's name or the name of its nominee for the benefit
    

                                      -9-
     <PAGE>


   
          of the Participants.  In the event that the Plan Administrator
          resigns or otherwise ceases to act as plan administrator, the
          Company will appoint a new plan administrator to administer the
          Plan.
    

   
          The Plan Administrator also acts as transfer agent and registrar
          for the Common Stock.  Questions can be answered by contacting
          The Bank of New York at the following locations:
    

   
    

   
             .  Participants may contact the Plan Administrator toll free
                1-888-269-8845.
    
   
             .  The Plan Administrator's website address is
                http://stock.bankofny.com
    
   
             .  The Plan Administrator's e-mail address is Shareowner-
                [email protected]  Messages sent through the Internet
                will be responded to within one business day.
    
   
             .  The Plan Administrator's mailing address is as follows
                (other address(es) may be published for the Plan
                Administrator from time to time):
    
   
                  For Inquiries:                For Transaction Processing:
                  -------------                 --------------------------

                  The Bank of New York            The Bank of New York
                  Shareholder Relations           Dividend Reinvestment
                   Department - 11E                Department
                  PO Box 11258                    P.O. Box 1958
                  Church Street Station           Newark, NJ  07101-1958
                  New York, NY  10286

    

   
          THE BANK OF NEW YORK PROVIDES NO ADVICE AND MAKES NO
          RECOMMENDATIONS WITH RESPECT TO ANY SECURITY.  ANY DECISION TO
          PURCHASE OR SELL MUST BE MADE BY EACH INDIVIDUAL PLAN PARTICIPANT
          BASED ON HIS OR HER OWN RESEARCH AND JUDGMENT.
    

          PARTICIPATION IN THE PLAN

             4.   WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PLAN?

   
          Any interested investor is eligible to participate in the Plan
          provided that (i) they meet the requirements for participation as
          described in the following paragraph outlined below and (ii) in
          the case of citizens or residents of a country other than the
          United States, its territories or possessions, participation
          would not violate local laws applicable to the Company or the
          Participant.
    

   
          In certain jurisdictions, applicable laws require that Common
          Stock offered under the Plan to persons not presently
          Shareholders of Record be offered only through a registered
          broker-dealer. No offers or sales will be effected in those
          jurisdictions unless the Company has satisfied the requirements
          of the state securities laws applicable to the operation of the
          Plan. To the extent required by applicable law in certain
          jurisdictions, shares of Common Stock offered under the Plan to
          persons not presently Shareholders of Record of Common Stock are
          offered only through a registered broker/dealer in such
          jurisdictions.  The Plan Administrator has selected BNY ESI & Co.
          as the registered broker/dealer through whom shares will be
          offered in such instances and for all plan trading activity.
    

             5.  HOW DOES AN ELIGIBLE INVESTOR ENROLL THE PLAN?

   
          PARTICIPANTS IN THE PRIOR PLAN are, without further action,
          enrolled in the Plan.  Prior Plan shares are automatically
          credited to their Plan account as shares of UniSource Energy
          Corporation common stock.  Prior Plan participants are not
          required to make any Initial Investment.  Prior Plan participants
          who wish to withdraw from the Plan may do so by following the
          procedure outlined in Question 25.
    
   
          After being furnished with a Plan Prospectus, OTHER ELIGIBLE
          INVESTORS may join the Plan by completing and signing an
          Enrollment Form and returning it to the Plan Administrator at the
          address shown in "Plan Administration."  See Question 3. 
          Shareholders of Record should sign their names on the Enrollment
          Form exactly as they appear on their certificates.
    


                                      -10-
     <PAGE>


   
          The Enrollment Form serves both to initiate participation and to
          appoint the Independent Agent to act on behalf of the Participant
          in buying and selling shares of Common Stock under the Plan.  An
          eligible applicant's Initial Investment of $250 or more must be
          enclosed with the Enrollment Form.  See Questions 8 and 9.
    

          Requests for Enrollment Forms, as well as other Plan forms and
          this Prospectus, should be made by writing to the Plan
          Administrator or by calling the Plan Administrator.  See "Plan
          Administration," Question 3.

             6.   WHEN WILL PLAN ENROLLMENT COMMENCE?

   
          Enrollment Forms will be processed promptly by the Plan
          Administrator.  Once enrolled in the Plan, Participants will
          remain enrolled until (i) they withdraw from the Plan, (ii) the
          Company terminates their participation in the Plan, or (iii) the
          Company terminates the Plan.  See "Termination of Plan
          Participation,"  Questions 24-27.
    


             7.   MAY THE PLAN ADMINISTRATOR RESTRICT PARTICIPATION IN THE
                  PLAN?

   
          Yes.  The Plan Administrator reserves the right to restrict or
          terminate participation in the Plan if such participation appears
          to be contrary to the general intent of the Plan or in violation
          of applicable law.  See "Termination of Plan Participation,"
          Questions 24-27.
    

          INITIAL INVESTMENTS AND OPTIONAL INVESTMENTS

             8.   HOW IS AN INITIAL INVESTMENT MADE?

   
          Any investor whose signed Enrollment Form has been accepted by
          the Plan Administrator is eligible to make Initial Investments. 
          A Participant may make the Initial Investment when enrolling.  An
          Initial Investment must be $250 or more and should be in the form
          of a check, money order, or wire transfer payable through a U.S.
          bank or other financial institution, to "The Bank of New York." 
          Third party checks will not be accepted.  DO NOT SEND CASH. 
          Investors making wire transfers should contact the Plan
          Administrator for wire instructions and may be charged fees by
          their institution.  Please use the pre-addressed envelope
          provided to send the signed Enrollment Form and any Initial
          Investment.
    

   
          NOTICE TO TEP CUSTOMERS:  Do NOT include Initial Investments and
          Enrollment Form with payment for utility service billings or
          other payments due TEP or affiliates.
    

             9.   WHAT ARE OPTIONAL INVESTMENTS?

   
          Once enrolled, Plan Participants are eligible to make periodic
          Optional Investments, as frequently as twice monthly to purchase
          additional shares of Common Stock.  The minimum Optional
          Investment is $50.
    

   
          Participants may make Optional Investments in the form of a
          check, money order or wire transfers through a U.S. bank or other
          financial institution, in U.S. dollars, payable to "The Bank of
          New York."  Third party checks will not be accepted.  DO NOT SEND
          CASH.  A Participant may also make Option Investments on a
          monthly basis automatically through Electronic Funds Transfer. 
          See Question 10.
    

          Participants are under no obligation to make Optional Investments
          and may cease making Optional Investments at any time without
          withdrawing from the Plan.

          Optional Investments will not be accepted by the Plan
          Administrator if a Participant imposes any restrictions with
          respect to the number of shares to be purchased, the price at


                                      -11-
     <PAGE>


          which shares are to be purchased, the timing of a purchase, or
          what the Participant's balance will be following a purchase.  In
          addition, the Plan Administrator will not purchase shares for a
          Participant without advance payment, nor will it refund any part
          of a Participant's Optional Investment after shares are
          purchased. It is not possible for the Plan Administrator to
          inform a Participant in advance of how much money to send for the
          purchase of a full or fractional share because the per-share
          price will not be known until the shares are purchased.

   
             10.  HOW DOES A PARTICIPANT MAKE OPTIONAL INVESTMENTS?
    

   
          OPTIONAL INVESTMENTS BY MAIL
    

   
          A Participant may make an Optional Investment by enclosing a
          check with the Transaction Request form attached to the Statement
          of Account, which will be sent to each Participant by the Plan
          Administrator.  A Participant may also send in a check without
          this form, however, your Plan account number must be included on
          your check.  Payments should be mailed to the following address:
    

   
                  The Bank of New York
                  Dividend Reinvestment Department
                  P.O. Box 1958
                  Newark, NJ  07101-1958
    

   
          OPTIONAL INVESTMENTS BY ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFER
    

   
          A Participant may contact the Plan Administrator to arrange for
          Optional Investments to be made automatically through Electronic
          Fund Transfers (EFT).  EFT payments are deducted monthly from the
          Participant's designated account through any financial
          institution that participates in the Automated Clearing House. 
          Deductions are made on the 25th day of each month, or if such
          date is not a Business Day, the deduction will be made on the
          preceding Business Day.  Amounts received will be invested on
          such Investment Date after receipt of the funds.  Participants
          may be charged by their financial institution for this service.
    

   
    
             11.  WHEN WILL A PARTICIPANT'S INITIAL INVESTMENT OR OPTIONAL
                  INVESTMENT BE INVESTED?

   
          The Plan Administrator must receive Optional Investments and
          Initial Investments at least three Business Days prior to an
          Investment Date to be invested on that Investment Date. 
          Otherwise, the Optional Investment or Initial Investment will be
          held by the Plan Administrator for investment until the next
          Investment Date.  See Question 10 for information regarding when
          EFT funds will be invested.
    

          Initial Investments and Optional Investments received by the
          Company are deposited promptly into a segregated escrow account
          pending investment.  No Initial Investment or Optional Investment
          will remain uninvested more than 35 days following receipt by the
          Company.

             12.  WHAT HAPPENS IF A CHECK SUBMITTED FOR INVESTMENT IS
                  RETURNED UNPAID?

   
          In the event that a check submitted for investment is returned
          unpaid for any reason, the Plan Administrator will consider the
          request for investment of such funds null and void.  Any shares
          purchased with such funds will be immediately removed from the
          Participant's account.  The Plan Administrator will be entitled
          to sell those shares to satisfy any uncollected amounts,
          including the returned-check fee.  If the net proceeds of the
          sale of such shares are insufficient to satisfy the balance of
          such uncollected amounts, the Plan Administrator will be entitled
          to sell additional shares from the Participant's account to
          satisfy the uncollected balance.
    


                                      -12-
     <PAGE>


             13.  MAY A PARTICIPANT REQUEST THAT AN INITIAL INVESTMENT OR
                  OPTIONAL INVESTMENT BE RETURNED?

   
          Yes.  A Participant may request, in writing, the return of an
          Initial Investment or Optional Investment that has not yet been
          invested.  The funds will be returned if the request is received
          at least two Business Days immediately preceding the applicable
          Investment Date.  However, no refund of a check or money order
          will be made until the funds have been actually deposited into
          escrow by the Plan Administrator.  Accordingly, such refund may
          be delayed for up to three weeks.
    

          PURCHASES

             14.  HOW IS COMMON STOCK PURCHASED FOR THE PLAN PARTICIPANTS?

   
          Common Stock purchased through the Plan will be purchased, either
          directly from the Company or on the open market, at the Company's
          sole discretion.  Shares purchased directly from the Company are
          issued from the Company's previously authorized but unissued
          shares.  Open market transactions are effected through the
          Independent Agent appointed by the Plan Administrator.  In either
          case, there are no commission charges to participants on the
          purchase of Common Stock.  The Independent Agent will have full
          discretion in all matters related to open market purchases,
          including the day and time of purchase, price paid, number of
          shares purchased, and the markets or persons through whom the
          purchases are made.  The purchase price to the Plan Participant
          is the same, however, the tax basis may differ.  See Question 38. 
    

             15.  WHEN ARE SHARES PURCHASED FOR THE PLAN?

   
          Shares will be purchased on each Investment Date.  See definition
          of Investment Date.
    

             16.  WHEN WILL SHARES BE CREDITED TO A PARTICIPANT'S ACCOUNT?

   
          Shares purchased will be considered settled and credited to a
          Participant's Plan account on the Investment Date.
    

             17.  HOW IS THE PURCHASE PRICE OF THE COMMON STOCK DETERMINED?

   
          The purchase price of Common Stock will be the average of the
          high and low sale prices of the Common Stock on the consolidated
          tape as reported by Dow Jones on the respective Investment Date.
    

   
          The purchase price of Common Stock purchased by the Independent
          Agent on the open market will be the weighted average purchase
          price per share of all shares purchased on the applicable
          Investment Date.
    

             18.  HOW MANY SHARES OF COMMON STOCK WILL BE PURCHASED FOR A
                  PARTICIPANT?

   
          The number of shares purchased for a Participant will be equal to
          the Participant's Initial Investment or Optional Investment for
          the applicable Investment Date divided by the purchase price of
          the shares.  The Participant's Plan account will be credited with
          the whole and fractional shares (to four decimal places).
    

   
             19.  CAN A PARTICIPANT REQUEST THE PURCHASE OF A SPECIFIC
                  NUMBER OF SHARES OR A SPECIFIC PRICE?
    

          No.  Since the purchase price of the Common Stock cannot be
          calculated until the Common Stock is purchased, a Participant may
          not request the purchase of a specific number of shares.


                                      -13-
     <PAGE>


          CERTIFICATES

             20.  WILL CERTIFICATES BE ISSUED FOR SHARES PURCHASED THROUGH
                  THE PLAN?

   
          No.  The certificates for shares purchased through the Plan are
          registered in the name of the Plan Administrator, or its nominee. 
          Participants requesting the issuance of a certificate for their
          Plan shares must submit a Transaction Request Form to the Plan
          Administrator, specifying the number of whole shares and
          certificates to be issued.  Certificates cannot be issued for
          fractional shares; fractional shares must be sold when
          terminating participation.  The certificate will be issued in the
          name(s) of the Participant(s) only.  After the issuance of a
          certificate, the shares represented thereby are deemed withdrawn
          from the Plan.  Certificates will be issued within five Business
          Days following the receipt of the request.  See Questions 22 and
          23 for information on giving or transferring plan shares to
          others.
    

          SAFEKEEPING OF CERTIFICATES

             21.  CAN CERTIFICATES BE DEPOSITED WITH THE PLAN ADMINISTRATOR
                  TO BE HELD IN THE PARTICIPANT'S PLAN ACCOUNT?

          Yes.  Participant's may use the Plan's "safekeeping" service to
          deposit any Common Stock certificates in their possession with
          the Plan Administrator.  Some of the advantages of certificate
          safekeeping are:

   
             .    The risk associated with the loss of stock certificates
                  is eliminated.  If certificates are lost or stolen, the
                  owner cannot sell or transfer them without first
                  obtaining replacement certificates.  This process could
                  take several weeks and results in cost and paperwork for
                  the owner and the Transfer Agent.
    

             .    Certificates deposited in the Plan for safekeeping are
                  treated in the same manner as shares of Common Stock
                  purchased through the Plan and may be conveniently sold
                  or transferred through the Plan.

   
          Participants may submit certificates for Safekeeping at any time.
    

   
    
          The method used to submit certificates for Safekeeping is at the
          option and risk of the Participant.  The Company strongly
          recommends that Participants use registered mail with insurance
          when sending stock certificates.

   
          All shares represented by the certificates submitted for
          Safekeeping will be transferred into the name of the Plan
          Administrator or its nominee and credited to the Participant's
          Plan account.  The physical certificate submitted to the Plan
          Administrator for safekeeping will then be marked "canceled" and
          ultimately discarded.  A Statement of Account showing the number
          of shares credited to the Participant's Plan account will be
          mailed to the Participant.
    

   
          Shares of Common Stock held in a Participant's account may not be
          assigned or pledged.  (See Question 35)  Lost certificates must
          be replaced before they can be submitted for Safekeeping.
    

          It is the Participant's responsibility to establish and maintain
          a record of the cost of shares represented by certificates sent
          to the Plan Administrator for Safekeeping.  In addition, the Plan
          Administrator reserves the right to establish limits on the
          number of shares held for Safekeeping and minimum time periods
          for retention of these shares in the Plan.  This reservation is
          intended to minimize administrative expense and discourage use of
          the Plan for purposes other than as a continuing investment
          service.


          GIVING PLAN SHARES TO OTHERS

             22.  CAN PLAN SHARES BE GIVEN TO OTHERS?


                                      -14-
     <PAGE>


   
          Yes.  Common Stock can be given to others in three ways:
    

   
             .    A donor may make an Initial Investment to establish an
                  account in the recipient's name.  Under this method, the
                  donor completes and submits to the Plan Administrator an
                  Enrollment Form in the recipient's name together with an
                  Initial Investment of $250 or more.
    

   
             .    A donor may submit an Optional Investment in an amount of
                  $50 or more on behalf of an existing Participant; or
                                              --------
    
             .    An existing Participant may transfer shares from his or
                  her account to a new or existing recipient's account. 
                  See Question 23.

          In order to establish a new account for a gift recipient a
          Participant must complete and submit to the Plan Administrator an
          Enrollment Form in the recipient's name.  See Question 23.

   
          Unless otherwise requested by the donor, the recipient will
          receive a Statement of Account showing the number of shares given
          to and held in the recipient's Plan account.
    

             23.  MAY PARTICIPANTS ASSIGN OR TRANSFER ALL OR PART OF THEIR
                  SHARES HELD UNDER THE PLAN TO ANOTHER PERSON?

   
          Yes.  Participants may transfer the ownership of all or part of
          the shares of Common Stock held in their Plan account through a
          gift, a private sale or otherwise by delivering written
          instructions and a properly executed stock assignment (stock
          power) to the Plan Administrator.  The completed assignment must
          specify the number of shares of Common Stock and the name,
          address, and federal identification number of the transferee. 
          Requests for transfer are subject to the same requirements as for
          the transfer of Common Stock certificates, including signatures
          of all account owners, guaranteed by a member of a Medallion
          program.  UPON SUCH A TRANSFER, THE RECIPIENT WILL BE DEEMED A
          PARTICIPANT IN THE PLAN.
    
   
    
          In order to establish a new account for the transferee the
          Participant must complete and submit to the Plan Administrator an
          Enrollment Form in the recipient's name.  The transferees will
          receive a statement showing the number of shares transferred and
          now held in their Plan accounts.

          Stock power forms are available at local banks, brokerage firms
          and from the Plan Administrator.  See Question 3.

          SALE OF SHARES

             24.  HOW MAY PARTICIPANTS SELL THEIR PLAN SHARES?

   
          Participants may sell their Plan shares by submitting a
          Transaction Request Form to the Plan Administrator.  The request
          should indicate the number of shares to be sold and must be
          signed by ALL account owners.  Shares acquired through and held
          in the Plan, as well as shares surrendered for Safekeeping, may
          be sold in this manner.  A request to sell shares is irrevocable
          after it is received by the Plan Administrator.
    

   
          If a Participant requests that shares be sold, the Plan
          Administrator will aggregate such shares from other Participants
          during that week, and will then place a market order with the
          Independent Agent to sell such shares during the following week. 
          A check will be issued for the proceeds of the sale less any
          brokerage commission, service fee and applicable taxes within
          four Business Days following the date of such sale.  The check
          will be made payable to the registered account owners only.  See
          Questions 28 and 38.
    

                                      -15-
     <PAGE>




          The Independent Agent will have full discretion in all matters
          related to the sale, including the day and time of sale, sale
          price, and the markets or persons through whom the shares are
          sold.  Participants cannot specify a price at which to sell their
          shares.

          Shares held outside the Plan may not be sold through the Plan.

   
          PARTICIPANTS WHO SELL ALL OF THEIR SHARES THAT ARE HELD IN THE
          PLAN AUTOMATICALLY TERMINATE THEIR PARTICIPATION IN THE PLAN. A
          REQUEST TO SELL SHARES IS IRREVOCABLE AFTER IT IS RECEIVED BY THE
          PLAN ADMINISTRATOR. HOWEVER, PARTICIPANTS MAY ELECT TO RE-ENROLL
          AT ANY TIME PROVIDED THAT THEY REMAIN ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE.
          SEE QUESTIONS 4 AND 5.
    

          TERMINATION OF PLAN PARTICIPATION

             25.  HOW MAY A PARTICIPANT TERMINATE PARTICIPATION IN THE
                  PLAN?

   
          Participants may terminate participation in the Plan at any time
          by notifying the Plan Administrator of their intention to
          terminate participation in the Plan, having all account owners
          sign the request and indicating whether they wish to receive a
          stock certificate or to sell their Plan shares.  Proceeds from
          the sale of the shares will be reduced by brokerage commissions,
          a $5.00 service fee and applicable taxes.  Certificates cannot be
          issued for fractional shares; fractional shares must be sold when
          terminating participation.  See Questions 28 and 38.
    

   
          Optional Investments received prior to the request to terminate
          Plan participation will be invested on the next Investment Date
          unless the Participant timely requests the return of that
          Optional Investment.  See Question 13.
    

   
    

             26.  WHAT HAPPENS TO FRACTIONAL SHARES WHEN PARTICIPANTS
                  TERMINATE THEIR PLAN ACCOUNTS?

   
          When Participants terminate their Plan accounts, cash payments
          representing any fractional share held will be mailed directly to
          them as soon as practicable after the settlement for the
          applicable sale less brokerage commissions, taxes and service
          fees. For Participants selling fractional shares, the proceeds,
          if any, of the sale of fractional shares will be the fraction
          multiplied by the whole-share price less applicable brokerage
          commissions.
    

             27.  MAY THE PLAN ADMINISTRATOR TERMINATE A PARTICIPANT'S PLAN
                  PARTICIPATION?

          Yes.  The Plan Administrator may terminate a Plan account for any
          of the following reasons:

             .  The Plan account becomes subject to any unclaimed
                property law;
             .  The Plan Administrator receives proper notification of a
                Participant's death or incapacity;
             .  The Participant does not maintain at least one whole
                share of Common Stock in the Plan account; or
             .  The Plan Administrator believes that a Participant's
                participation in the Plan is contrary to the general
                intent of the Plan or in violation of applicable law.

   
          The Plan Administrator will notify the Participant prior to such
          termination.  The Plan Administrator will issue a certificate for
          whole shares and a check for the net cash value of any fractional
          share in the Plan account less applicable brokerage commissions,
          taxes and service fees.
    

          In the event that the Plan account is terminated for any of the
          foregoing reasons, the account assets will be distributed to the
          appropriate state for unclaimed property purposes, the
          Participant, or his or her beneficiary, as the case may be.



                                      -16-
     <PAGE>


   
          In addition, the Company retains the right, in its sole
          discretion, to terminate or suspend the Plan.  See Question 34
          below.
    

   
          COSTS
    

   
             28.  WHAT COSTS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH PARTICIPATION IN THE PLAN?
    

   
          No broker fees, commissions or other charges will be incurred by
          Participants for shares PURCHASED from the Company for their Plan
          accounts.  The cost to the Participant in administrative service
          fees and brokerage commission for each type of transaction are as
          follows and are considered part of the "Terms and Conditions" of
          the Plan:
    

   
             PURCHASES
             Initial Investments / Enrollment . . . . . . . .  Company Paid
             Optional Investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  Company Paid
             Brokerage commissions - newly-issued stock . . . . . . .  None
             Brokerage commissions - open market purchases  .  Company Paid
               This may result in taxable income and an increase in tax
               basis.  See Question 38.
    

   
             SALES
             Service fee  . . . . . . . . . . . . .  $ 5.00 per transaction
             Plus brokerage commission  . . . . . .  $ 0.10  per share sold
               See Question 38.
    

   
             OTHER
             Deposit of Certificates for Safekeeping  . . . .  Company Paid
             Transfer of shares to another 
             Participant (Book to Book) . . . . . . . . . . .  Company Paid
             Account Termination  . . . . . . . . . . .  $ 5.00 per account
             Issuance of Certificates . . . . . . . . . . . .  Company Paid
    

   
             FEES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE; WRITTEN NOTIFICATION WILL BE
             PROVIDED 90 DAYS PRIOR.
    

   
             MINIMUM INVESTMENTS
             Initial Investment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $250.00
             Optional Investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  $50.00
             Maximum Investments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  None
    

          REPORTS TO PARTICIPANTS

   
             29.  WHAT REPORTS ARE SENT TO PARTICIPANTS?
    

   
          Participants will receive a confirmation following each
          transaction with respect to shares for their Plan accounts. 
          Participants will also receive a year-end Statement of Account
          showing the amount invested, purchase price, the number of shares
          purchased, deposited, sold, transferred, or withdrawn during the
          calendar year and the total number of shares accumulated.
    

   
          EACH PARTICIPANT SHOULD RETAIN ALL CONFIRMATIONS AND STATEMENTS
          OF ACCOUNT FOR THEIR RECORDS SO AS TO BE ABLE TO ESTABLISH THE
          COST BASIS OF SHARES PURCHASED UNDER THE PLAN FOR INCOME TAX AND
          OTHER PURPOSES.
    
   
          A Statement of Account will be provided upon request to the Plan
          Administrator.
    


                                      -17-
     <PAGE>



   
          In addition, Participants will receive copies of any amendments
          to the Prospectus relating to the Plan and will receive copies of
          the same communications sent to all other shareholders, including
          the Company's quarterly reports and Annual Report to
          Shareholders, Notice of the Annual Meeting and accompanying proxy
          material.  All communication from the Plan Administrator to
          Participants will be addressed to the latest address of record;
          therefore, it is important that Participants promptly notify the
          Plan Administrator of any change of address.
    

          OTHER INFORMATION

   
             30.  WHAT HAPPENS IF THE COMPANY DECLARES A DIVIDEND PAYABLE
                  IN COMMON STOCK OR A STOCK SPLIT?
    

   
          Any dividends in the form of shares of Common Stock and any
          shares resulting from a Common Stock split on shares held in a
          Participant's Plan account will be credited to the Participant's
          Plan account.  Notification of a stock dividend or stock split
          will be mailed directly to the Participant in the same manner as
          to shareholders who are not participating in the Plan. 
          Transaction processing may be curtailed or suspended until the
          completion of any stock dividend or stock split.
    

   
             31.  IF THE COMPANY HAS A RIGHTS OFFERING, HOW WILL A
                  PARTICIPANT'S ENTITLEMENT BE COMPUTED?
    

   
          Participant's entitlement in a regular rights offering will be
          based upon his total holdings.  Rights certificates will be
          issued for the number of whole shares only, however, and rights
          based on a fraction of a share held in a Participant's account
          will be sold for his account and the net proceeds will be
          invested.  Transaction processing may be curtailed or suspended
          until the completion of any rights offering.
    

   
             32.  WILL A PARTICIPANT'S SHARES BE VOTED AT MEETINGS OF
                  SHAREHOLDERS?
    

          Participants in the Plan will receive a proxy statement and a
          proxy card representing whole Plan account shares as well as any
          Common Stock held of record.  Shares held in the Plan may be
          voted in person or by proxy, just like any other share.  

   
             33.  WHAT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE COMPANY AND ITS AGENTS
                  UNDER THE PLAN?
    

   
          Neither the Company, the Plan Administrator, nor the Independent
          Agent (nor any of their respective agents, representatives,
          employees, officers or directors) will be liable for any act done
          in good faith or for any good faith omission to act with respect
          to the Plan, including, without limitation, any claim of
          liability arising out of failure to terminate a Participant's
          account upon such Participant's death prior to receipt of notice
          in writing of such death or with respect to the prices or times
          at which, or sources from which, shares are purchased or sold for
          Participants, or with respect to any fluctuation in market value
          before or after any purchase or sale of shares.  This limitation
          of liability will not constitute a waiver by any Participant of
          their rights under the federal securities laws of the United
          States.
    

          THE COMPANY CANNOT AND WILL NOT GUARANTEE A PROFIT, OR PROTECT
          PARTICIPANTS AGAINST LOSS, ON SHARES PURCHASED OR SOLD PURSUANT
          TO THE PLAN.  THE MARKET PRICE OF COMMON STOCK CAN FLUCTUATE
          SUBSTANTIALLY.

   
             34.  MAY THE PLAN BE CHANGED OR DISCONTINUED?
    

          Yes.  The Company may suspend, modify or terminate the Plan at
          any time in whole or in part.  The Plan Administrator will notify
          all Participants of any suspension, modification or termination
          of the Plan.  The Company also reserves the right to interpret
          and regulate the Plan as it deems necessary or desirable in
          connection with its operation.  The Company may register
          additional shares for sale under the Plan from time to time.



                                      -18-
     <PAGE>


   
             35.  MAY COMMON STOCK HELD IN A PLAN ACCOUNT BE PLEDGED AS
                  COLLATERAL?
    

          No.  Common Stock held in a Plan account may not be assigned or
          pledged as collateral.  Participants wishing to assign or pledge
          their Common Stock as collateral must have certificates issued
          for the shares.  The certificates can then be delivered for
          collateral.

   
             36.  HOW MAY INSTRUCTIONS BE GIVEN TO THE PLAN ADMINISTRATOR?
    

   
          All instructions from a Participant to the Plan Administrator
          should be made by using the Transaction Request Form, however,
          the Plan Administrator may in the future allow certain
          instructions to be given by telephone or in any other manner
          agreed to by the Plan Administrator and the Participant.
    

   
             37.  UNDER WHAT STATE'S LAW WILL THE PLAN BE GOVERNED?
    

   
          Arizona law governs the terms and conditions of the Plan.
    

          FEDERAL INCOME TAX INFORMATION

             38.  WHAT ARE THE FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF PLAN
                  PARTICIPATION?

          The Company believes the following is an accurate summary of the
          federal tax consequences of participation in the Plan.  PLEASE
          CONSULT YOUR TAX OR FINANCIAL ADVISOR WITH RESPECT TO FEDERAL,
          STATE, LOCAL AND OTHER TAX LAWS WHICH APPLY TO YOUR SPECIFIC
          SITUATION.

   
          PURCHASES
          ---------
    

   
          Participants who purchase Common Stock through voluntary payments
          to the Plan are not treated for federal income tax purposes as
          receiving income by virtue of the purchase of Common Stock with
          the voluntary payment.  Any brokerage commissions paid by the
          Company upon the purchase of shares in the open market will
          constitute TAXABLE INCOME to the Participant on whose behalf such
          commissions are paid and, accordingly, such Participant will be
          furnished with the appropriate tax form.  The TAX BASIS of shares
          purchased with Initial Investments and Optional Investments will
          be equal to the amount of such investment plus the amount of any
          brokerage commissions, if any, paid by the Company on behalf of
          the Participant and included in the taxable income of the
          Participant.
    

          Employees who purchase Common Stock through automatic payroll
          deductions, should this option become available, will recognize
          the same amount of compensation income (wages) for federal income
          tax purposes which they would have recognized had they not
          purchased Common Stock through automatic payroll deductions. 
          Compensation income exists even though the amount of automatic
          payroll deductions is not paid to the employee in cash but
          instead is applied to the purchase of Common Stock for the
          participant's Plan Account.

   
          SALES
          -----
    

   
          Upon the sale of either a portion or all of shares from the Plan,
          a Participant may recognize a capital gain or loss based on the
          difference between the sales proceeds, net of broker commissions,
          and the tax basis in the shares sold, including any fractional
          shares.
    


   
          For Participants who are subject to U. S. withholding tax, backup
          withholding, or foreign taxes, the Plan Administrator will
          withhold the required taxes from proceeds from the sale of shares
          sold through the Plan.  The proceeds received by the Participant
          will be net of the required taxes.
    


                                      -19-
     <PAGE>


   
          The sale of shares through the Plan will be reported to the
          Internal Revenue Service on the appropriate tax form.
    


                                   USE OF PROCEEDS

             To the extent that shares are purchased directly from the
          Company, the Company intends to use the net proceeds for general
          corporate purposes.  The Company has no basis for estimating
          either the number of shares of Common Stock that will ultimately
          be sold pursuant to the Plan or the prices at which such shares
          will be sold.  The Company will receive no net proceeds from the
          offering of shares which are purchased by the Independent Agent
          in open market transactions.


                             DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

             GENERAL

   
             The authorized capital stock of the Company presently consists
          of 76,000,000 shares, consisting of 75,000,000 shares of Common
          Stock without par value, and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock
          without par value ("Preferred Stock").  As of August 4, 1998,
          there were 32,145,080 shares of Common Stock outstanding and no
          shares of Preferred Stock outstanding.
    

   
             The following is a summary of certain rights and privileges of
          the holders of the Company's stock.  This summary does not
          purport to be complete.  Reference is made to the Company's
          Restated Articles of Incorporation and to the laws of the State
          of Arizona, the following information being qualified in its
          entirety by such reference.
    

             COMMON STOCK

   
             Dividend Rights.  Subject to certain limitations, if any,
          specified with respect to the Preferred Stock, or any series
          thereof, dividends may be paid on shares of Common Stock, out of
          any funds legally available therefor, when and as declared by the
          Company's Board of Directors.
    

             Liquidation Rights.  Subject to the limitations, if any,
          specified with respect to the Preferred Stock, or any series
          thereof, in the event of any dissolution or other winding up of
          the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, the assets of the
          Company available for payment and distribution to shareholders
          shall be distributed ratably in accordance with their holdings to
          the holders of shares of the Common Stock.

   
             Voting Rights.  All voting power is vested in the holders of
          the Common Stock, except as and to the extent otherwise specified
          with respect to the Preferred Stock, or any series thereof.  Each
          holder of the Common Stock shall, in the election of directors
          and upon each other matter coming before any meeting of
          shareholders, be entitled to one (1) vote for each share of such
          stock outstanding in the name of such holder on the books of the
          Company.
    

             The Participant will vote the shares held in the Plan in the
          same manner as shares in certificated form.  Each Participant in
          the Plan will receive a Notice of the Annual Meeting, a Proxy
          Statement, a proxy voting card and the Company's Annual Report to
          Shareholders.  The proxy voting card will solicit proxies for the
          whole Plan shares held in a Participant's Plan account along with
          any certificated shares a Participant may hold in certificated
          form outside of the Plan.

             Miscellaneous.  The Common Stock has no preemptive or
          conversion rights or redemption or sinking fund provisions and
          the outstanding Common Stock is fully paid and non-assessable.


                                      -20-
     <PAGE>


             PREFERRED STOCK

             The Board of Directors of the Company has authority to divide
          the Preferred Stock into series and to determine the designation,
          preferences, and voting powers of the shares of each series so
          established and the restrictions and qualifications thereof, all
          to the extent and in the manner provided by law.

   
             RELATED SECURITIES
    

   
             In December 1992, TEP issued warrants (the "Warrants") for the
          purchase of approximately 2.4 million shares of TEP common stock
          (adjusted for TEP's reverse stock split in 1996).  The exercise
          terms are five Warrants plus an exercise price of $16 for each
          share of TEP common stock.  The Warrants are currently
          exercisable and expire December 15, 2002.  The number and kind of
          shares purchasable upon the exercise of the Warrants and the
          exercise price are subject to adjustment in certain
          circumstances.  The Warrants grant rights to purchase shares of
          TEP common stock, and the consummation of the Share Exchange did
          not convert such rights into rights to purchase shares of Common
          Stock.
    

   
             The Company is offering to exchange (the "Exchange Offer") any
          and all outstanding warrants to purchase shares of common stock
          of TEP (the "TEP Warrants") for Warrants expiring in 1999 to
          purchase shares of common stock of the Company (the "1999 UNS
          Warrants") and Warrants expiring in 2000 to purchase shares of
          common stock of the Company (the "2000 UNS Warrants" and,
          together with the 1999 UNS Warrants, the "UNS Warrants").  For
          each TEP Warrant surrendered to and accepted by the Company
          pursuant to the Exchange Offer, the holder of such TEP Warrant
          will receive 0.20 1999 UNS Warrant and      2000 UNS Warrant.  
                                                 ----
    

   
             Each 1999 UNS Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one
          share of Common Stock at a purchase price of $16.00 through and
          including March 15, 1999 and each 2000 UNS Warrant will entitle
          the holder to purchase one share of Common Stock at a purchase
          price of $16.00 through and including December 15, 2000.  The
          Exchange Offer will commence on        , 1998 and will expire on
                                          -------
          September   , 1998.
                    --
    


                                       EXPERTS

   
             The consolidated financial statements incorporated in this
          prospectus by reference from the 1997 Form 10-K have been audited
          by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors, as stated in their
          report, which is incorporated herein by reference, and have been
          so incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given
          upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
    

   
             With respect to the unaudited consolidated financial
          information of the Company for the three-month period ended March
          31, 1998, incorporated by reference in this Prospectus,
          PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP reported that they have applied
          limited procedures in accordance with professional standards for
          a review of such information.  However, their separate report
          dated May 5, 1998 incorporated by reference herein, stated that
          they did not audit and they do not express an opinion on that
          unaudited consolidated financial information. PricewaterhouseCoopers
          LLP has not carried out any significant or additional audit tests
          beyond those which would have been necessary if their report had
          not been included.  Accordingly, the degree of reliance on their
          report on such information should be restricted in light of the
          limited nature of the review procedures applied.  Pricewater-
          houseCoopers LLP is not subject to the liability provisions of
          Section 11 of the Securities Act for their report on the unaudited
          consolidated financial information because that report is not a
          "report" or a "part" of the registration statement prepared or
          certified by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP within the meaning of
          Sections 7 and 11 of the Securities Act.
    


                                      -21-
      <PAGE>

   
    

   
                               PARTICIPANT INFORMATION
                             UniSource Energy Corporation
    

   
           COMPANY HEADQUARTERS:        UniSource Energy
                                        Corporation
                                        220 West Sixth Street
                                        Tucson, AZ  85701
                                        (520) 571-4000

           ACCOUNT INFORMATION:
             --Stock Transfer           The Bank of New York
                 Requirements,          Shareholder Relations 
                Plan and Account         Dept. - 11E
                 Information:           P.O. Box 11258
                                        Church Street Station
                                        New York, NY 10286-1258


             --Telephone Number:        (888) 269-8845
             --Home page:               http://stock.bankofny.com
             --Email address:           shareowner-
                                        [email protected]

           Plan Transaction Processing  The Bank of New York
              Mailing Address:          Dividend Reinvestment
                                        Department
                                        P.O. Box 1958
                                        Newark, NJ  07101-1958

           OTHER COMPANY INFORMATION:   UniSource Energy
              --Mailing Address:         Corporation
                                        Investor Relations
                                        P.O. Box 711
                                        Tucson, AZ  85702

              --Telephone Number:       (520) 884-3661
              --Home Page:              [http:\\www.UniSourceEnergy
                                        .com]

              --Fax Number:             (520) 770-2015
              --Email address           [email protected]
              
           To Order Company Reports     UniSource Energy
               and Copies of            Corporation
               Incorporated             Records & Library 
               Documents:                Services-DAB03
                                        P.O. Box 711
                                        Tucson, AZ  85702
                                        (520) 884-3781


           Stock Listing Information:
             --Ticker Symbol (NYSE
                 & PEX):                UNS
             --Financial Listings
                (Wall Street Jrnl):     UniSrcEngy

           CUSIP Number:                909205 10 6
    

                                      -22-

     <PAGE>

          =================================================================

   
          NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE
          ANY REPRESENTATION OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED BY
          REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH
          INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING
          BEEN AUTHORIZED BY UNISOURCE ENERGY CORPORATION.  THIS PROSPECTUS
          DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL, OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN
          OFFER TO BUY, ANY SECURITIES OTHER THAN THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED
          IN THIS PROSPECTUS, OR AN OFFER TO SELL, OR THE SOLICITATION OF
          AN OFFER TO BUY, SUCH SECURITIES IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH
          SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS UNLAWFUL.  NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF
          THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY
          CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THE INFORMATION
          CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF
          ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE OF SUCH INFORMATION.
    














          =================================================================




          =================================================================



   
                             UNISOURCE ENERGY CORPORATION
    



                                  -----------------

                                 INVESTMENT PLUS PLAN

                                   ----------------

                                     COMMON STOCK
                                  without par value


                                   ----------------

                                      PROSPECTUS

                                   ----------------



                                   1,000,000 Shares


   
                                  August     , 1998
                                         ----
    





          =================================================================


     <PAGE>
                                       PART II
                        INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

          ITEM 14.  OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION

   
             S.E.C. Filing Fee  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  $  4,425
             Listing Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    17,250
             Printing Expenses* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    22,000
             Transfer Agent Fees* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    70,000
             Accounting Fees and Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . .     8,000
             Legal Fees and Expenses* . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    40,000
             Marketing Fees and Expenses* . . . . . . . . . . . .    25,000
             Miscellaneous* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     1,500
                                                                   --------
               Total  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  $188,175
                                                                   ========
    


             --------------
             * Estimated.


          ITEM 15.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

   
             Article SIXTH of the Restated Articles of Incorporation of the
          Company, as amended provides in pertinent part as follows:
    

   
             SIXTH:
    

   
             (B)  No director of the Corporation shall be personally liable
          to the Corporation or its shareholders for money damages for any
          action taken or any failure to take any action as a Director;
          provided, however, that nothing herein shall be deemed to
          eliminate or limit any liability which may not be so eliminated
          or limited under the laws of the State of Arizona, as in effect
          at the effective date of this paragraph (B) of Article SIXTH or
          as thereafter amended.  No amendment, modification or repeal of
          this paragraph (B) shall eliminate or limit the protection
          afforded by this paragraph (B) to a director with respect to any
          act or omission occurring before the effective date thereof.
    

   
             (C)  (1)  The Corporation shall, to the maximum extent
          permitted by applicable law, as from time to time in effect,
          indemnify any individual who is or was a party to or otherwise
          involved in (or threatened to be made a party to or otherwise
          involved in) any Proceeding (as hereafter defined) because such
          individual is or was a director or officer of the Corporation, or
          is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a
          director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of another
          foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, joint venture,
          trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, against all
          Liability (as hereinafter defined) incurred by such individual in
          connection with such Proceeding.
    

   
             As used in this paragraph (C) of Article SIXTH, (a) the term
          "Expenses" includes attorneys' fees and all other costs and
          expenses reasonably related to a Proceeding, (b) the term
          "Liability" means the obligation to pay a judgment, settlement,
          penalty or fine (including any excise tax assessed with respect
          to an employee benefit plan) and reasonable Expenses incurred
          with respect to a Proceeding, and includes without limitation
          obligations and Expenses that have not yet been paid but that
          have been or may be incurred, and (c) the term "Proceeding" means
          any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding,
          whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative and
          whether formal or informal, including without limitation any
          action, suit or proceeding by or in the right of the Corporation
          and including, further, any appeal in connection with any such
          action, suit or proceeding.
    

   
               (2)  The Corporation shall, to the maximum extent permitted
          by applicable law, pay any Expenses incurred by a director or
          officer of the Corporation in defending any such Proceeding in
          advance of the final disposition thereof upon receipt of any
          undertaking by or on behalf of such individual to repay such
          advances if it is ultimately determined that such individual did
          not meet any standard of conduct prescribed by applicable law and
          upon the satisfaction of such other conditions as may be imposed
          by applicable law.
    

                                      II-1
     <PAGE>

   
               (3)  The Corporation, by resolution of the Board of
          Directors, may extend the benefits of this paragraph (C) of
          Article SIXTH to employees and agents of the Corporation (each
          individual entitled to benefits under this paragraph (C) being
          hereinafter sometimes called an "Indemnified Person").
    

   
               (4)  All rights to indemnification and to the advancement of
          expenses granted under or pursuant to this paragraph (C) shall be
          deemed to arise out of a contract between the Corporation and
          each person who is an Indemnified Person at any time while this
          paragraph (C) is in effect and may be evidenced by a separate
          contract between the Corporation and each Indemnified Person; and
          such rights shall be effective in respect of all Proceedings
          commenced after the effective date of this paragraph (C), whether
          arising from acts or omissions occurring before or after such
          date.  No amendment, modification or repeal of this Article shall
          affect any rights or obligations theretofore existing.
    

   
               (5)  The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on
          behalf of, or insure or cause to be insured, any person who is an
          Indemnified Person against any Liability asserted against or
          incurred by him in any capacity in respect of which he is an
          Indemnified Person, or arising out of his status in such
          capacity, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to
          indemnify him against such liability under this Article.  As used
          in this Section, "insurance" includes retrospectively rated and
          self-insured programs; provided, however, that no such program
          shall provide coverage for directors and officers  which is
          prohibited by applicable law.  The Corporation's indemnity of any
          individual who is an Indemnified Person shall be reduced by any
          amounts such individual may collect with respect to such
          liability (a) under any policy of insurance purchased and
          maintained on his behalf by the Corporation or (b) from any other
          entity or enterprise served by such individual.
    

   
               (6)  The rights to indemnification and to the advancement of
          Expenses and all other benefits provided by, or granted pursuant
          to, this Article shall continue as to a person who has ceased to
          serve in the capacity in respect of which such person was an
          Indemnified Person and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs,
          executors and administrators of such person.
    

   
               (7)  The Board of Directors shall have the power and
          authority to make, alter, amend and repeal such procedural rules
          and regulations relating to indemnification and the advancement
          of Expenses as it, in its discretion, may deem necessary or
          expedient in order to carry out the purposes of this Article,
          such rules and regulations, if any, to be set forth in the Bylaws
          of the Corporation or in a resolution of the Board of Directors.
    

          ITEM 16. EXHIBITS

             Reference is made to the Exhibit Index on page II-6 hereof.

          ITEM 17.  UNDERTAKINGS

             The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
   
               (1)  To file, during any period in which offers or sales are
             being made, a post effective amendment to this registration
             statement (i) to include any prospectus required by Section
             10(a) (3) of the Securities Act; (ii) to reflect in the
             prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective
             date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-
             effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the
             aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information
             set forth in the registration statement; notwithstanding the
             foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities
             offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would
             not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from
             the low or high and of the estimated maximum offering range
             may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the
             Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the
             changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20
             percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set
             forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the
             effective registration statement;  (iii) to include any
             material information with respect to the plan of distribution
             not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any
             material change to such information in the registration
             statement; provided, however, that the registrant need not
             file a post-effective amendment to include the information
             required to be included by subsection (i) or (ii) if the
    


                                      II-2
     <PAGE>


   
             information is contained in periodic reports filed with or
             furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to
             section 13 or section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are
             incorporated by reference in the registration statement;
    

               (2)  That, for the purpose of determining any liability
             under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment
             shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to
             the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
             securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
             fide offering thereof.

               (3)  To remove from registration by means of a post-
             effective amendment any of the securities being registered
             which remain unsold at the termination of the offering; and

   
               (4)  That, for purposes of determining any liability under
             the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant's annual
             report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
             Exchange Act that is incorporated by reference in this
             registration statement shall be deemed to be a new
             registration statement relating to the securities offered
             therein, and the offering of such securities at that time
             shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
    

             Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
          Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and
          controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing
          provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in
          the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such
          indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act
          and is, therefore, unenforceable.  In the event that a claim for
          indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment
          by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director,
          officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful
          defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
          director, officer or controlling person in connection with the
          securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the
          opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
          precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the
          question whether such indemnification by it is against public
          policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final
          adjudication of such issue.


                                      II-3
     <PAGE>

                                  POWER OF ATTORNEY

             Each director and/or officer of the registrant whose signature
          appears below hereby appoints Ira R. Adler, Dennis R. Nelson and
          Karen G. Kissinger, and each of them severally, as his attorney-
          in-fact to sign in his name and behalf, in any and all capacities
          stated below, and to file with the Commission, any and all
          amendments, including post-effective amendments, to this
          registration statement, and the registrant hereby also appoints
          each such agent for service as its attorney-in-fact with the
          authority to sign and file any such amendments in its name and
          behalf.


                                      SIGNATURES

   
             Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933,
          the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to
          believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form
          S-3 and has duly caused this Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to its
          Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the
          undersigned, thereunto duly authorized to sign, in the City of
          Tucson, and the State of Arizona, on August 6, 1998.
    


   
                              UNISOURCE ENERGY CORPORATION
    


   
                              By:   /s/ Ira R. Adler
                                 ------------------------------------------
                                 IRA R. ADLER
                                 Executive Vice President, Principal
                                  Financial Officer and Director
    

             Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933,
          this Registration Statement has been signed by the following
          persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

   
          Date:   August 6, 1998          /s/ James S. Pignatelli
                                        -----------------------------------
                                        James S. Pignatelli
                                        Chairman of the Board, President and
                                        Principal Executive Officer



          Date:   August 6, 1998          /s/ Ira R. Adler
                                        -----------------------------------
                                        Ira R. Adler
                                        Executive Vice President, Principal
                                        Financial Officer and Director


          Date:   August 6, 1998          /s/ Karen G. Kissinger
                                        -----------------------------------
                                        Karen G. Kissinger
                                        Principal Accounting Officer


          Date:        , 1998                               
                  -----                 -----------------------------------
                                        Elizabeth T. Bilby
                                        Director


          Date:   August 6, 1998          /s/ Larry W. Bickle
                                        -----------------------------------
                                        Larry W. Bickle
                                        Director


          Date:   August 6, 1998          /s/ Harold W. Burlingame
                                        -----------------------------------
                                        Harold W. Burlingame
                                        Director


          Date:   August 6, 1998          /s/ Jose L. Canchola
                                        -----------------------------------
                                        Jose L. Canchola
                                        Director
    

                                      II-4
     <PAGE>

   
          Date:   August 6, 1998          /s/ John L. Carter
                                        -----------------------------------
                                        John L. Carter
                                        Director


          Date:        , 1998                                 
                  -----                 -----------------------------------
                                        Daniel W.L. Fessler
                                        Director


          Date:   August 6, 1998          /s/ John A. Jeter          
                                        -----------------------------------
                                        John A. Jeter
                                        Director


          Date:   August 6, 1998          /s/ R. B. O'Rielly
                                        -----------------------------------
                                        R. B. O'Rielly
                                        Director


          Date:   August 6, 1998          /s/ Martha R. Seger
                                        -----------------------------------
                                        Martha R. Seger
                                        Director


          Date:   August 6, 1998          /s/ H. Wilson Sundt
                                        -----------------------------------
                                        H. Wilson Sundt
                                        Director
    

     <PAGE> 


                                    EXHIBIT INDEX
                                    -------------


          Exhibit No.    Description of Exhibit
          -----------    ----------------------

   
          4(a)      --   Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation
                         (filed with the Commission on January 30, 1998 as
                         Exhibit 2(a) to Registrant's Amendment No. 1 to
                         Form 8-A and incorporated herein by reference
                         thereto).

          4(b)      --   Bylaws (filed with the Commission on December 23,
                         1997 as Exhibit 2(b) to Registrant's Form 8-A and
                         incorporated herein by reference thereto).
    

          5(a)      --   Opinion of Dennis R. Nelson, Esq.

   
         5(b) and 8 --   Opinion of Thelen Reid & Priest LLP.

          15(a)     --   Letter of Deloitte & Touch LLP regarding
                         unaudited interim financial information.

          15(b)     --   Letter of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP regarding
                         unaudited interim financial information.
    

       23(a)        --   The Consents of Dennis R. Nelson and Thelen Reid &
                         Priest LLP are contained in their opinions as
                         Exhibit 5(a) and 5(b), respectively.
   
       23(b)        --   Independent Auditors' Consent
    

       24           --   Power of Attorney is contained herein at page
                         II-4.




                                      II-6





                                                               Exhibit 5(a)

                             UNISOURCE ENERGY CORPORATION
                                220 West Sixth Street
                                     P.O. Box 711
                                Tucson, Arizona 85702


                                    August 6, 1998







          UniSource Energy Corporation
          220 West Sixth Street
          Tucson, Arizona  85701



          Ladies and Gentlemen:

                    I am Vice President and General Counsel of UniSource
          Energy Corporation, an Arizona corporation (the "Company"), and
          have acted as such in connection with the filing by the Company
          of a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the "Registration
          Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
          "Act"), relating to the registration of one million shares (the
          "Shares") of the Company's common stock, without par value
          ("Common Stock"), to be issued under its Investment Plus Plan
          (the "Plan").

                    Subject to the qualifications hereinafter expressed, I
          am of the opinion that:

                    (1)  The Company is a corporation duly organized,
                         validly existing and in good standing under the
                         laws of the State of Arizona.

                    (2)  With respect to the outstanding shares of Common
                         Stock to be purchased in the open market for sale
                         pursuant to the Plan, when

                              (a)  the Registration Statement shall have
                                   become effective under the Act, and

                              (b)  such shares of Common Stock shall have
                                   been so purchased,

                    such Common Stock will have been legally and validly
                    issued and will be fully paid and nonassessable;
                    provided, however, that with respect to such Common
                    Stock heretofore issued pursuant to the Plan and other
                    offerings to employees and directors, I have
                    necessarily assumed, without investigation, that the
                    certificates for such Common Stock have been duly
                    countersigned and registered by a transfer agent and
                    registrar and that, upon the issuance of such Common
                    Stock, the Company received the full consideration
                    therefor authorized by the Company's Board of
                    Directors; and provided, further, that this opinion
                    does not extend to Common Stock issued subsequent to
                    the date hereof (except as indicated in paragraph (3)
                    below).

                    (3)  With respect to authorized but unissued shares of
                         Common Stock to be issued and sold pursuant to the
                         Plan, when

                         (a)  the Registration Statement shall have become
                              effective under the Act,

                         (b)  the Company's Board of Directors or a duly
                              authorized committee thereof shall have taken
                              such action as may be necessary to authorize
                              the issuance and sale of the Shares on the
                              terms set forth in or contemplated by the
                              Registration Statement, as to be amended or
                              supplemented, and the exhibits thereto, and
                              to authorize such other action as may be
                              necessary in connection with the consummation
                              of the issuance and sale of the Shares, and 

                         (c)  such Shares shall have been issued, sold and
                              delivered by the Company pursuant to the
                              Plan, all as contemplated by, and in
                              conformity with, the acts, proceedings and
                              documents referred to above and the Company's
                              Amended and Restated Articles of
                              Incorporation,

                    such Common Stock will have been validly issued and
                    will be fully paid and nonassessable.

                    As a member of the Bar of the State of Arizona, I do
          not hold myself out as an expert on the laws of other states.

                    I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the
          Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 5(a) to the
          Registration Statement and the use of my name, as counsel,
          therein.  In giving the foregoing consent, I do not thereby admit
          that I belong to the category of persons whose consent is
          required under Section 7 of the Act, or the rules and regulations
          promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder.


                                        Very truly yours,

                                        /s/ Dennis R. Nelson

                                        Dennis R. Nelson, Esq.
                                        Vice President and General Counsel



                            THELEN REID & PRIEST LLP
                             40 West 57th Street
                             New York, NY  10019

                                                         Exhibit 5(b) and 8

                                                

                                             New York, New York
                                             August 6, 1998



          UniSource Energy Corporation
          220 West Sixth Street
          Tucson, Arizona  85701



          Ladies and Gentlemen:

                    We are acting as counsel to UniSource Energy
          Corporation, an Arizona corporation (the "Company"), in
          connection with the filing by the Company of a Registration
          Statement on Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement") under the
          Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), relating to the
          registration of one million shares (the "Shares") of the
          Company's Common Stock, without par value ("Common Stock"), to be
          issued under its Investment Plus Plan (the "Plan").

                    Subject to the qualifications hereinafter expressed, we
          are of the opinion that:

                    (1)  The Company is a corporation duly organized,
                         validly existing and in good standing under the
                         laws of the State of Arizona.

                    (2)  With respect to authorized but unissued shares of
                         Common Stock to be issued and sold pursuant to the
                         Plan, when

                         (a)  the Registration Statement shall have become
                              effective under the Act,

                         (b)  the Company's Board of Directors or a duly
                              authorized committee thereof shall have taken
                              such action as may be necessary to authorize
                              the issuance and sale of the Shares on the
                              terms set forth in or contemplated by the
                              Registration Statement, as to be amended or
                              supplemented, and the exhibits thereto, and
                              to authorize such other action as may be
                              necessary in connection with the consummation
                              of the issuance and sale of the Shares, and 

                         (c)  such Shares shall have been issued, sold and
                              delivered by the Company pursuant to the
                              Plan, all as contemplated by, and in
                              conformity with, the acts, proceedings and
                              documents referred to above and the Company's
                              Amended and Restated Articles of
                              Incorporation,

                         such Common Stock will have been validly issued
                         and will be fully paid and nonassessable.

                    We are further of the opinion that the statements
          contained in the Prospectus portion of the Registration Statement
          under the caption "FEDERAL INCOME TAX INFORMATION" describing
          certain federal income tax consequences to holders of the Shares
          issued pursuant to the Plan, as qualified therein, constitutes an
          accurate description, in general terms, of the indicated United
          States federal income tax consequences to holders of such Shares.

                    As members of the New York bar, we do not hold
          ourselves out as experts of the laws of other states. To the
          extent the opinions expressed are dependent upon matters governed
          by the law of the State of Arizona, we have relied, with your
          consent, upon the opinion of even date herewith rendered to you
          by Dennis R. Nelson, Esq.

                    We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with
          the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 5(b) and 8 to
          the Registration Statement. In giving the foregoing consent, we
          do not thereby admit that we belong to the category of persons
          whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act, or the
          rules and regulations promulgated by the Securities and Exchange
          Commission thereunder.


                                               Very truly yours,

                                               /s/ Thelen Reid & Priest LLP

                                               THELEN REID & PRIEST LLP




                                                           Exhibit 15(a)



          UniSource Energy Corporation
          220 West Sixth Street
          Tucson, Arizona 85701

          We have made a review,  in accordance with standards  established
          by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, of the
          unaudited  interim  financial  information  of  UniSource  Energy
          Corporation and  subsidiaries (the Company) for  the period ended
          March  31, 1997  as indicated  in our  report dated  February 23,
          1998;  because we  did  not perform  an  audit, we  expressed  no
          opinion on that information.

          We  are  aware  that our  report  referred  to  above, which  was
          included  in your Quarterly Report  on Form 10-Q  for the quarter
          ended  March 31, 1998 is  incorporated by reference  in this Pre-
          Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement No. 333-31043
          of the Company on Form S-3.

          We are  also aware that  the aforementioned  report, pursuant  to
          Rule 436(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, is not considered a
          part  of the Registration Statements  prepared or certified by an
          accountant or  a report  prepared or  certified by  an accountant
          within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of that Act.


          /s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP  

          Deloitte & Touche LLP

          Tucson, Arizona
          August 4, 1998



                                                           Exhibit 15(b)



          August 4, 1998



          Securities and Exchange Commission
          450 Fifth Street, N.W.
          Washington, D.C.  20549

          Ladies and Gentlemen:

          We are aware that  UniSource Energy Corporation has included  our
          report  dated May 5, 1998  (issued pursuant to  the provisions of
          Statement  on  Auditing  Standards  No.  71)  in  the  Prospectus
          constituting part  of its Pre-Effective  Amendment No.  1 to  the
          Registration Statement (No. 333-31043) on Form S-3 to be filed on
          or  about   August  5,   1998.    We   are  also  aware   of  our
          responsibilities under the Securities Act of 1933.


          Yours very truly,

          /s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

          PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP






                                                              Exhibit 23(b)


          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT



          We  consent  to  the  incorporation  by reference  in  this  Pre-
          Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement No. 333-31043
          of UniSource Energy Corporation  on Form S-3 of our  report dated
          February 23, 1998, appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of
          UniSource  Energy Corporation,  as amended  by Form  10K/A, dated
          March 5,  1998, for the year  ended December 31, 1997  and to the
          reference to us  under the heading  "Experts" in the  Prospectus,
          which is part of this Registration Statement.



          /s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

          Deloitte & Touche LLP

          Tucson, Arizona
          August 4, 1998




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