 |
Virus-free. www.avast.com |
No Public Regulatory Commission meeting this Wednesday, but some relevant news:
Case 21=00017-UT
PNM's applications for abandonment of the Four Corners Power Plan
Originally, there were five coal fired plants in the Four Corners, with Arizona Public Service being the largest and dominant owner.
Built starting in the 1960's, the first three units have been closed, Arizona PS said it will close by 2031. PNM has a 13% interest which
it want to transfer to another minority partner, Navajo Generating which will be producing coal fired electricity, Arizona PS needing the plant
as their peak summer load is 2X that of the winter demand level. '
PNM will be able to say that it is not producing power from coal, which will be true, but the plant will be operating for another nine years.
PNM is likely to ask for the ratepayers to absorb its losses on the transfer of its interest in the plant for $1.00 to the Navajo company.
The second matter is case 21.00111-UT which is El Paso Electric's application for its Renewable Energy Plan. El Paso uses a lot of natural gas plants now
and how/when it moves to renewable generated electric power will be interesting to learn.
Item 3 is the Merger of PNM into Avangrid.
All parties, except ONE, have signed off. The one party opposing
wants a government entity, such as the State of NM, City of
Albuquerque, to buy PNM,saying
that some utilities are owned by governments, such as The Los Angeles Department of Water
and Power is the largest municipal utility in the United States,
serving nearly four million residents. It was founded in 1902 to supply water to residents and businesses in Los Angeles and surrounding communities. In 1917, it started to deliver electricity.
As I am not aware that the State of NM or any New Mexico government wants to buy PNM, I say there is NO likelihood of such an event happening, thus the organization that wants PNM to be operated by a government will not be successful.
The PRC Hearing Examiner will release his recommended order in a month or so, then the NM PRC will hold a public hearing and act on the merger application.
I will advise as to timing, in case any of you wish to attend and speak on the matter. Probably November.
Have a great weekend,
George Richmond
Observer, NM PRC, League of Women
Voters Central New Mexico
-- George M. Richmond 152 Juniper Hill Road, NE Albuquerque, NM 87122-1913 C: 505-280-2105 E: geomrich1@comcast.net