NM Gas customers complain about payback

Taos, NM (KRQE) - New Mexico Gas Company failed to deliver heat to tens of thousands of New Mexicans during February's deep freeze. Now, some of those customers left out in the cold claim the company is failing to deliver again.

The company has set aside a $1 million relief fund to reimburse customers who suffered losses because they had no heat or hot water.

The company says 660 claims have been paid in whole or in part, with another 820 still being evaluated.

However, a number of customers say they've been unfairly reimbursed only a portion of their claim.

State Sen. Carlos Cisneros of Taos says he's gotten a lot of complaints.

"They are not responding quick enough and adequately enough to meet the requests and demands of those people who were wrongfully shut off during the winter," Cisneros said.

However, the utility defended its payouts through an e-mail by spokesperson Monica Hussey.

"It is not a liability fund, nor is it a compensation fund," Hussey wrote. "Not all customers who seek payments will receive them, and some customers may receive partial or full payment."

New Mexico Gas does say it intends to distribute every penny of the $1 million fund.