Law’s provisions tip scales in favor of PNM

… (Sen. Jacob) Candelaria sponsored the PNM-backed Energy Transition Act … a deeply problematic new law enacted in New Mexico’s past legislative session.

The ETA sets New Mexico on the path to 100% renewable energy generation for electric utility companies in the state, a truly great accomplishment, which I applaud. Unfortunately, that is not all the law does.

The ETA prevents the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (PRC) from doing its important job of balancing the interests of monopoly utility companies and their customers. It takes away any meaningful and essential commission review that would help ensure customers are charged only for “prudently” acquired resources.

Under provisions of the PNM/ Candelaria law, in certain circumstances, utility companies actually write PRC “orders” themselves. The law forces the commission to rubber-stamp the utility companywritten finance orders without giving the customary — and previous to this bill, legally required — scrutiny in order to ensure we ratepayers are not overcharged.

Some PRC commissioners have been valiantly fighting back, and should be honored and commended for their efforts to protect us against the ETA’s legislative assault on the PRC’s ability to do its job regulating utility companies.

Commissioners Theresa BecentiAguilar, Valerie Espinoza, Cynthia Hall and Stephen Fischmann — please hold firm on this. PNM customers need you now more than ever. Keep up the good work. MICHAEL SAUBER Silver City