DONA ANA COUNTY, N.M. (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 El Paso Electric customers in New Mexico will have another opportunity to weigh in on a proposed rate increase that could raise average monthly electric bills by nearly $42 by late 2027.<\/p>\n
The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (PRC) is holding a public comment hearing as El Paso Electric seeks a $70.4 million increase to its base rates in the areas it serves in the state. <\/p>\n
RELATED: El Paso Electric seeks to increase rates in New Mexico; about $1 a day hike<\/a><\/p>\n The utility says the request is aimed at recovering more than $400 million it has invested in its New Mexico systems for upgrades, improving reliability and rising costs.<\/p>\n If approved, the increase would be implemented in two phases. <\/p>\n The first would begin Jan. 1, 2027, raising the average household bill by about $15 a month. <\/p>\n A second increase would start Oct. 1 of that same year, adding nearly $27 more. <\/p>\n In total, the average customer would pay almost $42 more per month.<\/p>\n Mark Baugh reports on New Mexico residents getting the chance to weigh in as EP Electric plans to hike rates<\/p>\n<\/p>\n The proposal also includes a low-income discount, time-of-day rates and a pilot program that would reward customers who limit usage during peak demand.<\/p>\n El Paso Electric previously hosted community meetings to answer customer questions.<\/p>\n Now, the PRC \u2014 the agency that would ultimately approve the request \u2014 is taking public comment.<\/p>\n “The commission has the final say. So they’ll look at what our filing is, make sure that they’ll see if our expenditures are prudent and in the best interest of our customers,” said Jennifer Borden, El Paso Electric’s strategic rate case director.<\/p>\n The public comment hearing is scheduled for 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at the Do\u00f1a Ana County Government Center. <\/p>\n Residents can attend in person or online by requesting a Zoom link from the PRC by emailing public.comment@prc.nm.gov.<\/p>\n FULL BREAKDOWN OF RATE CASE<\/p>\n RELATED: Final community meeting on proposed EPE rate hike in New Mexico draws mixed reactions<\/a><\/p>\n