In New Mexico, pressure is building from some for the state to provide state-run utilities in an effort to make them more affordable and accessible.
A group of 16 state senators and state representatives have asked New Mexico's Public Regulatory Commission (PRC) to perform a "formal, unbiased study" on the practicality of state-controlled utilities, the Associated Press reported. However, according to organizations like the New Mexico Business Coalition is urging New Mexicans to push back on the idea.
The idea has a fair amount of skeptics.
"State-run utilities have not been accomplished in any other state and municipalities seem to be moving away from utility operations as well," New Mexico Business Coalition President Carla Sonntag told the New Mexico Sun. "After the draconian extended lockdown in New Mexico from the governor's COVID response, there aren't many we've found who are in favor of giving the state government any further jurisdiction over us."
New Mexico State Sen. Carrie Hamblen presented before the Public Regulation Commission on Jan. 12 on behalf of a group of 16 joint petitioners. The petitioners include eight state senators and eight state representatives. Hamblen reiterated the request for the commission “to initiate a formal, unbiased study of the benefits and feasibility of a public power path in New Mexico.”
Following Hamblen's presentation, PRC counsel Russell Fisk noted the study may be outside of the commission’s authority and responsibilities. “We have no jurisdiction to create a publicly owned utility, and I don’t think we would have jurisdiction to require utilities to provide information with regard to that possibility when there’s no legislation in place for that possibility,” he said.
At the end of the discussion, the matter was pushed off for a week or two.
The New Mexico Business Coalition put out a call to action urging New Mexicans to “Say NO to more government-controlled utilities in NM!” The petition continues saying, “Our state and some municipalities struggle to manage the assets currently under their purview. Do you think they could handle managing a utility company effectively?”
