[Lwvcnmtopics] NM PRC Meeting August 25

[George Richmond]

First No meeting next week.

Issue today on the FY 23 Budget:

New budget years starts July 1, 2022.

BUT, after six months, the five member Elected PRC becomes a three 
member appointed board, by the then Governor.

PRC has been underfunded and thus under staffed.  Proposed budget is up 
about 14% or $ 13.5 M.  LFC is allowing for budget increases.

PRC plans to actively work with Legislature/LFC to get some increase.

PNM cooling tower at San Juan Generating Station collapsed on June 20, 
but PRC not notified until mid July.  No interruption in service, but 
PRC would like to know the cause and what will be done in the future to 
prevent any future such accidents.  PRC also unhappy because of the long 
delay in PNM notifying the Commission.

REAL CONTROVERSY:

PNM wants to abandon its interest in the Palo Verde Nuclear Plant but 
its regulatory filing is unclear about the treatment of the write 
downs.  PRC does not think rate payers should be stuck with the bill.

Also there is an issue of replacement generating sources.

Issue is being sent back to PNM for better disclosure.  (I totally 
concur with the PRC as it is very clear that PNM is not complying with 
PRC rules/regulations.)

Joe Maestas, PRC Commissioner for District 3 (Northern New Mexico) will 
be at a meeting next week of the NM Rural Electric Co Ops.  I have asked 
him to send me his report on the meeting.

George Richmond

Observer, NM PRC

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

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


-- 
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
https://www.avast.com/antivirus