AG fought for New Mexico

As participants in the PNM/Avangrid merger case pending at the Public Regulation Commission, we would like to respond to the claim that Attorney General Hector Balderas shortchanged New Mexicans by settling the PNM/Avangrid case. It is false. From our firsthand observations, the attorney general and his staff vigorously and effectively represented the interests of New Mexicans throughout the settlement process. What is critical to know is that, after and despite many meetings with Avangrid and its lawyers, Balderas nevertheless submitted testimony in the case opposing the merger as presented and hired two of the toughest consumer advocates in the country as witnesses to press for further concessions. Only after this testimony was filed, from a position of strength, did the attorney general along with numerous other parties reach a beneficial settlement for the state.

Even after this settlement was reached, however, Balderas worked to secure a better deal for New Mexico. This resulted in total merger benefits for customers, the economy and the environment well into the hundreds of millions of dollars. The AG’s witness, who originally filed testimony opposing the merger, now supports its approval because of terms Balderas negotiated. In sum, in the case of the PNM/Avangrid merger, Balderas and his staff served New Mexico well.

Cydney Beadles, attorney

Western Resource Advocates

Stephanie Dzur, attorney

Coalition for Clean Affordable Energy