El Paso City Council moves to temporarily halt electric rate hike

EL PASO, Texas -- If you're an El Pasoan concerned about a proposed El Paso Electric rate increase, you can breathe a temporary sigh of relief.

El Paso City Council members on Tuesday afternoon voted unanimously to suspend the date when any proposed rate increase can take effect.

That suspension will run until October.

Had council not acted, a rate increase could have gone into effect anytime after July 6.

The suspension gives the city time to review any proposed rate changes.

It also gives the city tiome to prepare for a public hearing which would determine if the rate increase is fair.

However, the utility company has indicated it will go before the Texas Public Utility Commission to appeal the city's action.

In a statement reacting to the city's action, El Paso Electric said the following:

"The suspension of rates is the first step in a rate case. This action allows for rates to be suspended for 90 days and that allows for municipalities to review the filing. El Paso Electric sees this time period as an opportunity to work collaboratively with the City of El Paso and all other parties on the filing. All Texas municipalities in our service area will be taking similar actions."