SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) -- Experts continue to give testimony before a Public Regulation Commission hearing examiner on whether New Mexico's largest electric utility should be granted a rate increase.
Public Service Company of New Mexico has proposed a rate hike of nearly 11 percent for its 500,000 customers around the state.
Critics contend that other fees for energy efficiency programs, renewable energy programs and fuels costs are also slated to go up in the coming years. In combination with a rate increase, they say the average PNM customer could see their monthly bills increase by 18 percent, or about $11.
The hearing started last week and continued Monday in Santa Fe.
It's possible the hearing could wrap up Tuesday, but it will be the summer before regulators make a final decision.
(Copyright ©2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
