By Hannah Grover
The New Mexico House of Representatives passed legislation that would pave the way for low-income rates for investor-owned utility customers.
HB 91 would let utilities submit applications to the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission for low-income utility rates. It passed the House on a 42-25 vote.
The legislation does not create a low-income rate, but instead would allow investor-owned utilities to craft a rate or develop a program that is then brought to the PRC for approval. The investor-owned utilities include New Mexico Gas Company, the Public Service Company of New Mexico, El Paso Electric and Southwestern Public Service Company, a subsidiary of Xcel Energy.
“The utility is going to determine based on what the needs are, what kind of program they want to design and develop,” bill sponsor Rep. Kristina Ortez, D-Taos, said.
This could be a lower utility rate or it could be a program that assists customers. The House Government, Elections and Indian Affairs Committee amended the bill on Feb. 10 to include programs that reduce the energy burden for low-income households.
Republicans who opposed HB 91 argued the low-income rates will shift the burden from low-income households to middle-income households that may still be struggling to make ends meet.
“I don’t think it’s just for someone to have to pay one rate while someone else pays another rate just based on income,” Rep. John Block, R-Alamogordo, said.
Rep. Mark Duncan, R-Kirtland, highlighted that there are already a variety of organizations and programs to help low-income customers pay their utility bills. Duncan unsuccessfully attempted to amend HB 91 to prevent utilities from raising rates on other customers to subsidize the low-income utility rates.
Ortez argued when low-income households are unable to pay their bills, that expense is passed on to other ratepayers. Additionally, she said subsidies already exist when it comes to utility rates, such as economic development rates.
Once again, the poor in this state will be relieved of experiencing the consequences of their poor decisions and lousy votes that cause them to be poor.