[Lwvcnmtopics] NM PRC meeting August 18

[George Richmond]

FY 23 Appropriations
Yes, I know this sounds like a dull topic, but the proposal for FY 23 is 
the first time in 17 years that state agencies can ask for an increase. 
NM PRC is proposing a 12.8% increase which does make sense considering 
that they have a number of unfilled positions. However, on Jan 1, 2023, 
the commission moves from five elected commissioners to three appointed 
commissioners.

The Consumer Relations Division of the PRC has four people to handle 
complaints about service which totaled 748 since the Pandemic started 
about 17 months ago.  Complaints are shared with the utility concerned. 
The moratorium on service shutoffs because of non payment ended about a 
week ago.  Utilities do not want to cutoff service and will work to set 
up nearly any type of payment plan.


Southwestern Public Service, a subsidiary of XCel Energy, which operates 
in Eastern New Mexico around Clovis and into West Texas, will convert 
its Harrington Generation Station from coal to natural gas.  An 
improvement but there is still more to do. (This generating plant is 
near Amarillo, TX so its impact on NM is not very significant.)

The NM PRC has a conference planned for November 1 and 2 in Santa Fe 
dealing with Broadband service in NM.

Because of the order yesterday about Masking and Social Distancing, the 
PRC is considering moving the conference but will wait a month before 
acting.

Much of rural NM does not have broadband service because of the cost of 
building the system and also there are not enough users in a system to 
pay for the cost of building the serive.

Federal grants are the most probably answer to building the systems but 
then operators/service providers will be needed. Schools and businesses 
need the internet to operate successfully.

More on this last point when the PRC decides on its next steps.

The August 25 PRC meeting was to have been held live, but now with the 
new Mask/Social Distancing rules, it will be Zoom as well.  Next Monday 
the PRC opens the doors of its new Santa Fe office.

Your Observer to the NM PRC,

George Richmond

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George M. Richmond
152 Juniper Hill Road, NE
Albuquerque, NM 87122-1913

C: 505-280-2105
E: geomrich1 at comcast.net


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