El Paso Electric responded on Feb. 19 to recent comments made by the City of El Paso regarding the company’s ongoing rate proceeding.
The issue matters because changes in utility rates can affect both residents and businesses, impacting household budgets and local economic conditions.
In its statement, El Paso Electric said, “It is unfortunate when public messaging is framed in a way that suggests customers need to be protected from the utility responsible for delivering their electric service. El Paso Electric has a duty to serve its 470,000 customers and the more than 1,200 local employees who power this company will continue to do so regardless of the outcome of a rate case filing.”
The company addressed regional growth and increasing energy demand as reasons for ongoing planning efforts. “As El Paso and our larger Texas service region continue to grow and energy demand increases, responsible planning remains essential. Replacing older generation units and incorporating new resources strengthens grid stability and reliability,” the statement said.
El Paso Electric also reaffirmed its commitment to reliability: “El Paso Electric’s mission is to continue to be one of the most reliable utilities in the country and to provide the people it serves with the safety and opportunity they deserve. The Company remains focused on delivering safe, dependable service while preparing the system to meet the region’s long-term energy needs.”
According to information provided by El Paso Electric, it supplies power through generation, transmission, and distribution services for about 465,000 customers across a 10,000 square mile area from Hatch, New Mexico to Van Horn, Texas.
