PRC Comm. wants PNM investigation

SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) - A Public Regulation Commissioner is calling for a formal investigation into the recent over billing of PNM customers on Santa Fe’s Westside.

Commissioner Douglas Howe said inconsistencies by PNM in figuring out the number of customers affected raised some serious concerns.

“They had originally notified us that there would be about 200 and I think the numbers 288 customers that had been over billed,” Commissioner Howe said.

However, Howe said PNM kept changing that number, it went up to more than 400 then on Friday he was told it was 8,000 customers but over the weekend PNM told a news outlet it was more than 3,200 customers.

“That raises a lot of suspicions and a lot of concerns on our part that PNM may not be forthcoming with all of the numbers on this or that PNM simply doesn’t know themselves,” said Howe.

The problem bills were brought to the PRC’s attention when a number of customers came forward saying their bills were too high for this time of year.

After doing some digging, the PRC’s Customer Relations Division found PNM had been overcharging customers.

PNM said the average overage was $6 a month, the lowest was about $1 and the highest was just more than $58.

A PNM spokeswoman told News 13 over the phone Monday afternoon that the company’s own investigation now puts the final number at 3,280 customers who were over charged.

She said the problem was caused by a meter reader who failed to read his meters properly, that employee is responsible for 8,000 meters all on Santa Fe’s Westside.

PNM could not tell News 13 exactly how long the employee had been reading meters inappropriately but they believe it was at least a few months.

PNM claims the total amount over billed was about $20,000 adding that it will credit customers on their next bill.

The utility said the issue with the meter reader has been resolved, but it would not say how citing personnel issues.

Howe though is not satisfied; he said he will ask for a formal investigation at Thursday’s commission meeting.

“Asking them to provide us detailed information on exactly who was affected, why this situation occurred, exactly how the refunds are going to be calculated for each and every one of the customers who were affected,” the Commissioner said.

PNM said it welcomes the investigation adding it has nothing to hide.