EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 El Paso Electric’s proposed rate increase, which could add over $22 to monthly bills, is facing opposition as Texas administrative law judges recommend modifications to the request. <\/p>\n
The utility company initially sought to raise the average residential bill by about $22 a month, generating an additional $93 million annually to fund new projects. <\/p>\n
However, after El Paso city leaders rejected the proposal in June, the city of El Paso requested a contested hearing with the state.<\/p>\n
Julia Spencer reports on El Paso Electric rate hike (Credit: KFOX14)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
RECOMMENDED: El Paso Water lays out proposed 12% rate increase during City Council work session<\/a><\/p>\n The judges are now suggesting changes, including reducing the company’s requested profit from 10.7% to 9.4%. <\/p>\n Additionally, the recommended proposal would maintain current bills for rooftop solar customers and require New Mexico customers to share the cost of the Newman 6 power plant, rather than placing the burden solely on Texas customers.<\/p>\n Residents have expressed mixed feelings about the proposed rate hike. <\/p>\n One resident said, “Honestly, I don’t like it, but that’s the way everything is going in the world.” <\/p>\n Another added, “People in the economy is not doing good right now and to have a spike in your electricity, you know, a necessity that you need to live.”<\/p>\n