Latest news with #ElPasoElectric
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
City to host public hearing on El Paso Electric rate request
Editor's note: Video is from late April when the City decided to intervene a second time into El Paso Electric's rate increase requests. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The City of El Paso will hold a public hearing during its June 24 City Council meeting to discuss El Paso Electric's proposed rate increase. During this public hearing, El Paso Electric will be asked to provide a detailed presentation regarding the proposed rate changes. City 'intervening' in El Paso Electric's rate increase plan In February 2025, the City Council voted unanimously to 'intervene' and suspend the rate increase proposed by El Paso Electric (EPE) for its Texas retail customers. The requested $93 million rate increase consists of two components: an $85.7 million increase for general rates and an additional $7.3 million for a retiring plant rider, which EPE requested separately in the rate case. The 'retiring plant rider' is designed to allow the utility to recover costs associated with older power plants that are no longer in use or are being decommissioned, the City said. Under the proposed rate increase, the typical residential customer would see an average monthly residential increase of $22.39, representing a 23 percent increase to their monthly bill. Given 'the significant financial impact on residents,' the City Council voted to intervene and suspend the proposed rate increase for 90 days, the City said. 'Our priority remains that we ensure any proposed rate changes are fair, transparent, and justified,' City Attorney Karla Nieman said. 'This public hearing provides an important opportunity for residents to understand the impact of the proposed rate increase and for the City to advocate on their behalf.' City 'intervenes' for 2nd time in El Paso Electric's rate increase plan The City is also intervening in five additional El Paso Electric filings including the general rate. The five additional cases could potentially increase rates for Texas retail customers and include the following: EP Electric Fuel Reconciliation EP Electric Newman Buffer Certificate of Convenience and Necessity EP Electric Macho Springs Reallocation EP Electric Amended Generation Cost Recovery Rider (GCRR) for Texas Solar One (creates a new rate for solar users) EP Electric Energy Efficiency Cost Recovery Factor The City says it has a 'strong track' record of advocating for fair utility rates, resulting in significant savings for local residents. Over the last six rate cases, the City's 'proactive interventions' have saved approximately $189 million for El Paso's ratepayers through negotiations and strategic actions, the City said. The El Paso City Council also requested that EPE host a series of community meetings to inform the public and provide an opportunity for residents to ask questions about the general rate case and its potential impact. EPE hosted six community meetings in April, with the last meeting taking place on April 24. The City said it will continue to monitor both rate increase proposals. Final decisions are excpected by the end of the year. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
PRC workshop to explain wildfire power shutoff strategies
This is the area in the East Mountains near Albuquerque where PNM warned in March it would shut off power preemptively to prevent wildfires. (It ended up not doing so.) The Public Regulation Commission is hosting a workshop Thursday with state power utilities to explain the protocol for "public safety power shutoffs." (Map courtesy PNM) As New Mexico electrical companies increasingly consider using proactive power shutoffs as a way to prevent wildfires, the state's utility regulator announced a series of workshops aimed at helping the public better understand why they're necessary and what to expect if they occur. PNM, the state's biggest electrical provider, did its first-ever 'public safety power shutoff' in Las Vegas on April 17, cutting off power to about 2,300 customers amid high winds and dry conditions. Officials said at the time that they'd do so 'only as a last resort to protect lives and property from the threat of wildfire.' On May 8, the PRC is hosting a workshop in Santa Fe with PNM and two of the state's other investor-owned utilities, El Paso Electric Company and Southwestern Public Service Company, to 'present an overview of Public Safety Power Shutoff strategies, customer notification processes, and mitigation planning expenditures,' according to a news release. Also slated to attend are officials from the state energy department, who will provide a breakdown of what state agencies can do to mitigate the threat of wildfire as well as 'lessons learned' in the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire in 2022 and the South Fork Fire in 2024. Attendees will also receive a presentation on legislative actions related to wildfire risk during the most recent session, such as a memorial requesting the creation of a wildfire study group. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham vetoed a bill creating funds for wildfire suppression. In June 2022, as the two biggest wildfires in New Mexico history were burning, the PRC opened a formal inquiry to 'evaluate vegetation management plans and other wildfire protection practices for the purpose of reviewing the assumptions, methods, and standards underpinning these plans, to identify best practices, and to obtain recommendations for best practices in wildfire management.' The forthcoming workshops stem from that case, according to a news release. Also in summer 2022, the McBride Fire in Ruidoso caused the deaths of an elderly couple and destroyed several hundred structures. Investigators later determined the cause to be a tree falling onto an electrical line PNM maintained. Lawyers on behalf of fire victims have sued PNM, alleging it was negligent, though PNM denies any liability. Earlier this year, the Mogote Hill Fire near Wagon Mound burned 21,000 acres. It was also caused by an electrical utility, according to state officials. Read more here about the workshop. The other three are scheduled for July 17, Sept. 15 and Oct. 23.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
City ‘intervenes' for 2nd time in El Paso Electric's rate increase plan
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – The El Paso City Council has voted unanimously to intervene a second time this year in El Paso Electric's plans to raise rates, the City announced Monday, April 28 in a news release. This time, the City is intervening in an amendment made by El Paso Electric to recover the costs of its new Texas Solar One generation facility. City 'intervening' in El Paso Electric's rate increase plan As we previously reported, in February, the City intervened in EPE's proposed $93 million rate increase. If approved, the rate hike would result in an average monthly increase of $22.39 for residential customers, representing a 23 percent increase in their monthly electric bill, the City said. In this latest filing, EPE seeks approval to recover approximately $120.4 million invested in the Texas Solar One facility, a 150-megawatt solar generation project near Fabens, set to begin operations by late August. The City said that if approved by the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT), this new amendment will result in an annual increase of $13.4 million for Texas retail ratepayers, with residential customers seeing an average monthly increase of $2.11. Under the Generation Cost Recovery Rider (GCRR), EPE is allowed to recover the costs of new electricity generation facilities through a separate line-item charge on customer bills, bypassing the general base rate process, the City said. 'Once the new Texas Solar One generation facility begins providing service, EPE intends to file an updated request at the end of 2025 to account for the full cost of the facility. This request will likely further impact rates and will be reviewed by the City and other intervenors to ensure any proposed costs passed on to ratepayers remains fair,' read the news release. 'With the ongoing $93 million rate increase proposal and the new request for the Texas Solar One facility, the combined impact could lead to a total monthly increase of approximately $24.50 for residential customers,' Karla Nieman, City attorney, said. 'Our goal is to ensure any rate adjustments are fully justified, transparent, and in the best interest of the community. We will continue to collaborate with experts to ensure that the utility's investments align with the needs of our residents.' Additionally, in response to concerns from residents, the City Council requested that EPE host a series of community meetings to inform the public and provide an opportunity for residents to ask questions about the general rate case and its potential impact. EPE hosted six community meetings throughout April, with the last meeting taking place on April 24. The City said it will continue to monitor both rate increase proposals, with final decisions expected by the end of 2025. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
El Paso Electric to host community meetings on proposed $93M rate increase
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — After El Paso City Council voted to intervene in El Paso Electric's (EPE) proposed $93 million rate increase in February, the council is encouraging residents to attend community meetings hosted by the utility to be informed of the rate increase, voice their concerns and learn more about the rate case on its possible effects. City 'intervening' in El Paso Electric's rate increase plan According to the City of El Paso, the meetings will include EPE representatives who will provide details about the increase, answer questions, and listen to feedback. Here are the scheduled meetings with times and dates, according to the City: Monday, April 7, at 5 p.m. Don Haskins Recreation Center, 7400 High Ridge Dr. Wednesday, April 9, at 5 p.m. Northeast Regional Command Center, 9600 Dyer St. Thursday, April 10, at 5 p.m. Chamizal Community Center, 2119 Cypress Ave. Monday, April 14, at 5 p.m. Michelle T. Adjemian Recreation Center, 9031 Viscount Blvd. Wednesday, April 16, at 5 p.m. The Beast Urban Park, 13501 Jason Crandall Dr. Thursday, April 24, at 5 p.m. Pavo Real Recreation Center, 9301 Alameda Ave The average EPE residential customer could see a 23 percent increase on their bill, roughly $22.39, if the proposal is approved, according to the City. In addition to the intervention, the proposed rate is temporarily paused for 90 days, according to the City. 'When a proposal has the potential to impact so many families, it's important to create space for open dialogue,' El Paso Mayor Renard Johnson said. 'A rate increase of this size deserves a full public discussion, and I encourage El Pasoans to attend these meetings, ask questions, and make their voices heard.' Before the City Council voted to intervene in the proposed rate increase, Johnson sent a statement to the media in January saying he is 'deeply concerned' about the increase. Mayor 'deeply concerned' about El Paso Electric's proposed rate increase According to El Paso Matters, residential customers, who make up roughly 90 percent of EPE's Texas customer base, would see the biggest percentage increase in bills. Small and large businesses would see increases between 3 to 7.5 percent, while medium businesses will see their bills decline by two percent, according to El Paso Matters. El Paso Electric seeks rate increase that could add $23 a month to average household bill 'The City has also engaged outside legal and technical experts to analyze EPE's filings to ensure that only fair and necessary costs are passed on to ratepayers,' according to the City. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
El Paso Electric expands solar power program in San Elizario
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — El Paso Electric celebrated the expansion of its Texas Community Solar Program with a new 10 megawatt facility in San Elizario. The utility hosted a ribbon-cutting on Tuesday, March 18 to offically christen the expansion. The project will allow an additional 5,000 customers to gain access to solar energy with reduced rates, El Paso Electric said. The new solar facility occupies 70 acres of previously unused farmland, El Paso Electric said, and features nearly 19,000 solar panels. 'El Paso Electric's Texas Community Solar began operating in 2017 with a 3 MW facility located in far East El Paso and was fully subscribed in one month. The first expansion occurred in 2018 bringing a total of 5 MW available to Texas customers. The expansion in San Elizario is expected to be operational by the end of 2024,' El Paso Electric said in its news release. El Paso Electric provides service to about 460,000 customers in West Texas and Southern New Mexico. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
