No specifics on New Mexico utilities company's lawyer fees

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico utilities company doesn't want to disclose specifics about its attorney fees, as it seeks a rate increase. The Albuquerque Journal reports (http://bit.ly/2oW3Lbu ) that the Public Service Company of New Mexico has been pushing to conceal the hourly rates it pays its lawyers. Though it disclosed how much it spends in total, the utility says more specific information will compromise future rate negotiations for its legal services. But multiple environmental groups are pushing back. New Mexico Industrial Energy Consumers, Western Resource Advocates and the Coalition for Clean Affordable Energy have filed counter briefs, saying the public paying for the attorney fees has a right to know about those bills. The utility is seeking an average rate increase of about 14 percent, or about $10 more each month.