New Mexico customers sound alarm over major utility merger

By SUSAN MONTOYA BRYAN
Associated Press

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Customers are sounding the alarm over a proposed multibillion-dollar merger of New Mexico’s largest electric utility provider with a U.S. subsidiary of Spanish energy giant Iberdrola. They voiced concerns during a virtual hearing Monday as state regulators prepare to hear from Public Service Co. of New Mexico, Avangrid and their experts later this week. The companies have been running TV, radio and newspaper ads in an effort to win more support. Some politicians, environmental groups and union bosses have signed on. But others say regulators need to consider Avangrid and Iberdrola’s sordid histories when it comes to reliability and customer service in other states and parts of Latin America.