January 22, 2021 • EPE Related News
Why did your El Paso Electric bill rise in January 2021?
Why did your El Paso Electric bill rise in January 2021?
LAS CRUCES – El Paso Electric customers in New Mexico may have noticed a higher-than-normal bill in January.
This is due to an extreme jump in fuel costs.
George De La Torre, manager of Strategic Communications and Community Engagement for EPE explained that in New Mexico, fuel cost fluctuates monthly and is unpredictable. For January 2021, the cost is $0.033659 per kilowatt hour. This is eight times the fuel cost in December 2020. This cost is not controlled by EPE.
“The fuel rate is what went up in January specifically. And that's again market related,” De La Torre said. “That is exactly why people are seeing a higher rate (on their bills).”
EPE has not increased its standard seasonal rates — what it can control — in six years, De La Torre said.
Steve Fischmann, Mesilla Valley resident and commissioner for the New Mexico Public Regulatory Commission District 5, said he could not explain the reason for the large jump in fuel cost, but noted he's received a number of constituent complaints about the inconsistency in the charge. He said in the coming weeks he plans to propose an independent audit be done on fuel and purchased power accounts.
Fischmann said the fluctuating fuel cost will impact about 25% of a customer's bill.
EPE customers may have also noticed a winter charge on their bill, but this is nothing new. De La Torre said the company has a winter rate and summer rate based on kilowatts hours which have not changed since 2015. The winter rate is $0.06528 per kilowatt hour from November through April. The summer rate depends on usage from May to October. If someone uses between 0 and 600 kilowatts, the rate is $0.07528 per kilowatt hour. If the usage is over 600 kilowatts, the rate is $0.09338 per kilowatt hour.
What if I can't pay my bill?
Earlier this month, the PRC extended a moratorium on disconnecting residential utilities due to the inability to pay amid the COVID-19 pandemic and also encouraged the state Legislature to take action on the issue.
El Paso Electric has suspended all disconnections for nonpayment since March 2020. In Texas, the suspension moratorium ends at the end of January. In New Mexico, EPE will begin reaching out to customers with outstanding balances, but cannot turn off utilities because of the PRC moratorium.
EPE does offer payment plans for customers. The company’s Budget Billing payment plan considers the historical average of a customer’s bill for the span of a year to determine the set amount a person will be required to pay each month. This allows a customer to anticipate the cost of their electric bill and budget the amount in their expenses. Payment plans can be tailored on a case by case basis as well.
EPE customers can seek payment help by calling the Customer Care Team at 1-800-592-1635 or by emailing CustomerCare@epelectric.com.
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