Carla Sonntag, President and CEO of the New Mexico Business Coalition (NMBC), expressed concerns regarding House Bill 91 (HB 91) Public Utility Rate Structures. "HB 91 Public Utility Rate Structures will push thousands of New Mexicans who are just above the poverty line," Sonntag said in an email release on March 26.
"It's not fair to make young families and seniors living paycheck to paycheck pay a higher rate to cover the utility bills of others," said Sonntag. "One of the bad bills that passed both chambers and is now on the governor's desk will hurt many New Mexicans if signed into law. You can ask the governor to veto HB 91."
New Mexico House Bill 91, set for implementation in 2025, allows investor-owned utilities to propose low-income rate structures or programs for approval by the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (PRC). According to experts, such measures may shift financial burdens onto middle-income customers who are also struggling, effectively redistributing costs in a manner that could exacerbate financial hardships for this demographic. This reallocation could lead to increased utility rates for middle-income households, driving more families toward poverty as they face higher expenses without corresponding assistance.
According to Energy Sage, New Mexico residents pay an average of $159 per month or $1,908 per year for electricity. While this is lower than the national average, it still represents a substantial ongoing cost for households. Over a span of 25 years, this amounts to more than $60,000 in utility expenses, straining long-term household budgets, especially for working-class families. With electric rates averaging 16¢/kWh and steadily rising at around 1.9% annually, utility costs are expected to increase further burdening residents who may already be struggling with inflation and stagnant wages.
Sonntag advocates for business interests in New Mexico through her role at NMBC. During the COVID-19 shutdowns, she pushed for a reopening plan and drafted legislation aimed at curbing rising unemployment insurance costs, according to ABQ Connect.
