08.16.07

LAS CRUCES, N.M. – Electric customers in Southern New Mexico are angryabout rate increases in their electric bills and the seeming confusion the PRC has in explaining those increases.

Thursday, the state Public Regulation Commission heard frustrated customers talk about the confusion in the rate increase in their electric bill.PRC explained the regulation of the new rise in the El Paso Electric bill like this:Everyone’s bill has a base rate that is comprised of both a ‘cost of service’ charge and a ‘fuel surcharge.’

Recently, thePRC approved a2% increase in the ‘cost of service’ charge. Customers knew about this, but in May there was a spike in fuel costs; this increased fuelsurcharge, plus the 2% increasemeant statements jumped well over what customers anticipated. El Paso Electric passed thatincreasedcostonto customers and that’s what angered many customers.

Customers pointed out that neither El Paso Electric nor thePRC ever let them know bills would increase so much later on due to the May fuel increase. PRC District5 Commissioner Sandy Jones says El Paso Electric will have an open forumagain the week of August 20as well to let customers voice their concerns.