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Lyons Refuses to Recuse Himself From PNM Case

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Public Regulation Commissioner Patrick Lyons says he will not recuse himself from the case involving the closure of two units at a coal-fired power plant in northwestern New Mexico.

Lyons denied accusations that he had any improper communication with PNM, the utility that operates the San Juan Generating Station. The environmental group New Energy Economy had sought his recusal.

Lyons said in a filing this week with the commission that he has not prejudged the case and will be able to make a fair and impartial decision.

The commission began taking testimony Monday on a proposal that calls for shutting down part of San Juan to curb haze-causing pollution and replacing the lost power with a mix of coal-fired generation, nuclear power, natural gas and solar.