Utility Urges Alamogordo, Ruidoso To Conserve

Public Service Company of New Mexico is urging customers in the Alamogordo, Tularosa and Ruidoso areas to cut back electricity use because a transmission line serving those areas was exceeding its capacity Thursday morning.

PNM says the overload occurred because a second line for the area has problems and was out of service.

PNM is working to repair the second line.

The utility says the remaining line usually can serve the area but electrical use is much higher than normal because of extreme cold.

PNM has asked customers to turn off extra lights and postpone unnecessary tasks such as running the dishwasher or washing machine.

Those who heat with electricity are asked to lower thermostats to 65 degrees.