Utility affordability bill has struck the right balance

AS SOME of our friends and neighbors got disconnect notices this week for debt accrued during the utility moratorium, and some took out payday loans at exorbitant interest rates to keep the lights on, HB 206, the Utility Affordability and Relief Act, (became) more important than ever. While I appreciate the dedication of my colleagues and the (letter to the editor) March 16, “Utility relief act has ugly hidden costs,” as they said, the devil is in the details.

The (letter) falls short of providing a full picture of the merits of HB 206. Too many working families live too close to the edge. HB 206 provides immediate solutions to high utility bills for lowincome families. 1) It provides a full and fair way for those who got behind on utility bills to get back on track on their bills, even when they may still be struggling to pay essential bills. 2) It creates a community grant fund we hope will receive federal funds ... so each community can choose how to address energy efficiency for low-income households. 3) It sets a path for every New Mexican to have essential and affordable household utilities by 2050.

The repayment plan for debt accrued during the utility moratorium is fair and balanced. For every month you fell behind, you get two months to pay it back. Partial credit is given for qualifying lowincome families. These credits are repaid to the utilities and co-ops first by federal assistance in the COVID-relief packages and by philanthropy. Co-ops have a cap and an offset available to put against the credits. Assessing the remaining credits to other ratepayers comes last. I’d love to talk to anyone about HB 206 and the benefits it brings. We need it now. The disconnections are coming.

REP. KRISTINA ORTEZ Taos Democrat, Kristina.Ortez@nmlegis.gov