Vasquez criticizes proposed EPE rate hike as ‘ridiculously high’
U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez criticized El Paso Electric’s proposed New Mexico rate increase, saying it could cost the average Doña Ana County family up to $42 more per month.
The congressman said the proposal could raise electricity bills for the average Doña Ana County family by up to $42 per month, while El Paso Electric says it needs higher rates to recover investment and operating costs.
Organ Mountain News report
LAS CRUCES - U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez criticized El Paso Electric’s proposed New Mexico rate increase Tuesday, saying the plan could raise monthly electricity bills for the average Doña Ana County family by up to $42 next year.
Vasquez, a Democrat who represents New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District, called the proposed increase “ridiculously high” and said southern New Mexico ratepayers should not be asked to shoulder the full burden of rising utility costs.
“Hardworking New Mexico families are struggling to pay their bills as their costs increase from the gas station to the grocery store — asking them to pay 57% more for electricity in this economy is way, way too much,” Vasquez said. “I have been in contact with El Paso Electric and understand the company’s push to invest in grid modernization and safety, but raising prices over $500 a year is ridiculously high and, frankly, unrealistic.”
El Paso Electric filed its rate case with the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission in March, asking regulators to approve revised New Mexico retail electric base rates. The case is listed as Docket No. 25-00082-UT.
According to a PRC customer notice, EPE says it has a $70.6 million non-fuel base rate revenue deficiency and is seeking a net operating revenue increase of $70.4 million in New Mexico. The utility says the proposed increase is needed to recover costs tied to $408.44 million in investments since its 2020 rate case, including investments in distribution, transmission, nuclear production, local generating plants, general plant, advanced metering and battery storage capacity costs.
The proposed rate changes would increase both customer charges and energy charge rates.
For a residential customer using an average of 750 kilowatt-hours during a summer month, EPE projected a $24.62 monthly increase in Phase 1 followed by an additional $30.38 in Phase 2, totaling $55 per summer month. For a residential customer using an average of 500 kilowatt-hours during a winter month, EPE projected a $10.83 monthly increase in Phase 1 followed by an additional $17.13 in Phase 2, totaling $27.96 per winter month.
The PRC notice says bill impacts are subject to change based on the commission’s findings in the case.
Vasquez’s office said the proposed increase could cost the average family in Doña Ana County up to $42 more per month, or more than $500 per year. His office said EPE has pointed to rising production costs caused by state laws and regulations, rising supply costs and increased demand.
“Everything is already too expensive, with costs continuing to rise from the Trump Administration’s war with Iran and irresponsibly high tariffs, which have caused rapid inflation,” Vasquez said. “This abrupt hike will crush hardworking families who need that money to pay for gas, groceries, rent and healthcare — all of which just keep getting more and more expensive. There must be a more responsible path forward that is not shouldered by New Mexico ratepayers.”
Organ Mountain News
The PRC held a public comment hearing June 22 in Las Cruces on the proposed rate changes. A separate public hearing to hear and receive testimony, exhibits and legal argument is scheduled for Sept. 21 through Oct. 2. The PRC notice says that hearing will be conducted online and can be viewed through the commission’s YouTube channel and website.
Residents who want to submit written comments before the commission makes a final decision should reference Docket No. 25-00082-UT. The PRC says written comments can be submitted through its PRCe360 online docketing system, and registration is not required to submit written public comment.
Vasquez’s office said lowering utility bills is part of the congressman’s Affordability Agenda. His office pointed to several efforts, including the Energy Bills Relief Act, the bipartisan CERTAIN Act, his Waste Heat to Wattage Act, efforts to fund the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program and his membership in the Lowering Utility Bills Caucus.
The office also said Vasquez has criticized the administration’s decision to cut $135 million in Department of Energy funding for projects in New Mexico, including $56 million in canceled investment for oil and gas modernization efforts in the state’s 2nd Congressional District.
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