Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

AG Seeks Protections for Some El Paso Electric Customers

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas says he wants to see a decrease in the monthly bills for a majority of residential customers who depend on El Paso Electric.

Balderas made the comments as state regulators weigh a rate hike proposed by the southern New Mexico utility.

A public hearing on the proposal was held last month and briefs are due this week. It's unclear when the hearing officer could make a recommendation to the full Public Regulation Commission.

El Paso Electric is asking for an increase of its base rate for thousands of customers in southern New Mexico. The revenue that would result would pay for infrastructure that already has been built.

Balderas says he wants to ensure that low-income residents don't see increases larger than high-use