SUNLAND PARK, NEW MEXICO (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 Sunland Park residents attended a community meeting with El Paso Electric to learn more about a proposed rate increase that could raise monthly bills in New Mexico service areas, leaving some frustrated and others appreciative of the information.<\/p>\n
Tonight\u2019s meeting at the new Sunland Park Sports Complex had a low turnout, but it gave those who attended a chance to ask questions and hear directly from the company. <\/p>\n
Still, as costs continue to rise, not everyone left feeling reassured.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, I’m extremely frustrated with it,\u201d said Patty Cruz, a Sunland Park resident.<\/p>\n
Cruz said the proposed increase comes as many households are already feeling squeezed by higher prices. <\/p>\n
\u201cEverything has gone up tremendously in the last two, three years, right? I mean, we’re talking about two, three and four times. And now you’re also increasing the electric,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
RECOMMENDED: Rising gas prices nearly double costs for local towing company, forcing tough choices<\/a><\/p>\n Another resident, said the meeting was helpful but described the financial strain many families are already under.<\/p>\n The resident said the information provided was \u201cfairly well done\u201d after an initial surprise at the format.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it had great information,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n Still, one resident said higher rates are difficult to absorb when wages are not rising at the same pace.<\/p>\n \u201cOur incomes are not going up,\u201d the Sunland Park resident said. \u201cBut our income is not going up as much as the rates are. So that’s my biggest beef and that’s the biggest problem.\u201d<\/p>\n She adds that pressure forces people to cut back on spending, including dining out and other expenses.<\/p>\n \u201cI cut my gym membership,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n El Paso Electric said the proposed hike would come in two phases, adding about 49 cents a day, which equates to about $15 a month for the first phase. <\/p>\n The second phase will increase to 88 cents a day, adding $27 a month.<\/p>\n Low-income customers will have the opportunity to be charged less than 1 cent a day during phase one of the potential rate increase. <\/p>\n Jennifer Borden, the utility\u2019s strategic rate case director, said the increase is needed after significant spending on the state\u2019s power grid.<\/p>\n \u201cSo we have made many, many investments since our last rate case. We’ve made over $400 million in investments in our grid for New Mexico,\u201d Borden said. \u201cWe have made those investments since the last rate case, which was the end of 2020, all the way through September 2025. So those investments, we need to propose this increase to start recovering those investments that we’ve made, and it’s a filing with the commission of New Mexico.\u201d<\/p>\n