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8/4/10
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Summer 2010 Constituent Update
posted covering Blue Cross rate case, 2010 PNM electric rate
case, PNM fine for gas leak, PNM and EPE solar cases, energy
efficiency "incentive/discincentive" payments
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8/4/10
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PNM Fined $371,000 for gas leak at Montgomery & Carlisle
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8/2/10
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Important Las Cruces-area solar project dies a lonely death; solar
thermal power's key role in our region's renewable energy future. <more> |
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7/16/10
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Statement on PNM's proposed 22% rate increase posted here.
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4/15/10
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Jason discusses the Blue Cross health insurance rate increase and health reform in a alibi guest editorial. (link opens in new window)
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| 2/24/10 |
Stronger federal efficiency standards
for appliances and lighting can save U.S. consumers billions of dollars
on energy bills and eliminate millions of tons of greenhouse gas emissions.
Jason joins leaders from consumer and environmental groups, industry ,
and other regulators to request
the Department of Energy to adopt stronger standards for hot water heaters.
Last year, President Obama announced
stronger standards (external link) for commercial lighting after
a similar letter. |
|
| 2/22/10 |
Legislative wrap-up:
Qwest deregulation bill tabled by Senate Judiciary Committee; Qwest
construction cost surcharge bill and PNM/SPS transmission rider bill
(HB 85) both passed the House, but failed to make it to the floor of
the Senate on the last day of the session. Consumers dodged three bullets
... for now. On a related note, Paul Gessing at the Libertarian-leaning
Rio Grande Foundation asks "Why not deregulate Qwest?" Read
his thoughts any my response here.
Bills sponsored jointly by the utilities and renewable energy industry
to address the PRC's decision approving third-party ownership
of renewable generation passed both houses and are on the Governor's
desk. Under the new law, third-party ownership will be permitted beginning
next year, but utilities will also be authorized to charge a new surcharge
on bills for customers with net-metered renewable energy systems. |
|
| 1/31/10 |
They're back......Qwest deregulation
and construction cost surcharge (i.e., rate increase) bills are back in
the legislature. Read why they are bad for
New Mexico and what can be done. 2/8: I've updated
the post with developments over the wknd. |
|
| 1/12/10 |
January Constituent Update release.
Topics include new Qwest AFOR, PNM 2009 Rate Case, Renewable Energy Cases
Update (including Third Party Ownership), and Propane Regulation. Read
it |
|
| 9/24/09 |
Status
update on PNM's 2010 renewable procurement plan (which had proposed
limits on customer-owned solar) and the third-party ownership case |
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| 5/29/09 |
PNM electric rate increase puts too
much burden on residential and small business rate classes. Jason's
statement on his dissenting votes in both the main
Rate Case and the related Resource Stipulation. |
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| 5/22/09 |
A no vote on an energy efficiency? Jason
explains why he witheld support for PNM's 2009 Electric Energy Efficiency
program over a $1 million expenditure he did not think was justified.
(external link to PRC website) |
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| 3/25/09 |
Jason to speak on energy policy at the
annual breakfast meeting of Rebuild New Mexico
on Friday April 3d. Free and open to the public! |
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| 3/22/09 |
Qwest
Price Deregulation and Construction
Cost Surcharge bills both FAIL to pass in the Legislature. Thanks to many
legislators who stood up for consumers, especially Senators Tim Eichenberg,
Peter Wirth, and Dede Feldman, and freshman Representatives Sandra Jeff
(a former PRC staffer) and Ben Rodefer. |
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| Mar
09 |
Links to useful publications on energy
costs: LBL
Study on Wind Power Costs and Performance, May 2008. GAO
Report on Federal Electricity Subsidies |
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| Feb
'09 |
Public invited to comment on Western
Renewable Energy Zones Phase I report : Read
an overview by Comm'r Marks or jump right to the WREZ
Comment website. |
|
| 1/22/08 |
Albuquerque Public Comment Hearings
set in new PNM Electric Rate Case: March 25 at 3 pm and 6 pm <click
for info> |
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| Dec
'08 |
New Constituent
Update posted. Topics include sale of PNM Gas Utility, Resolution
of Sky Blue Investigation, new PNM Electric Rate Case filed, Qwest Cybercenter |
|
| Sept
'08 |
Energy
Policy Statement posted, discussing the opportunities for addressing
our problems of fossil fuel dependency. Also, slides
from Jason's workshop "New
Mexico's Path to a Sustainable Energy Future" (9/20/08). |
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| 7/31/08 |
PRC Adopts Marks'
plan for conditional approval of Qwest Cybercenter |
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| 6/10/08 |
Read
the Spring 2008 Constituent Update. Topics include PNM Electric Rate
Case, Dutchman's Hill's Water Utility, Title Insurance |
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| 6/7/08 |
Is PNM over-charging Sky Blue subscribers
for fossil-fuel and other purchased power costs? Read
what's behind the coverage on Channel 7 News and in the Journal. |
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| 6/7/08 |
Jason
discusses his vote against PNM's fuel adjustment clause rate increase
and other aspects of this important electric rate case. |
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| 3/7/08 |
PRC/Feldman Health Insurance Bill Makes
New Mexico a Leader in Consumer Protection. Read
Jason's guest blog (external link) |
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| 2/15/08 |
Jason
responds to PNM shareholders' group |
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| 1/25/08 |
Read
the Winter 2008 Constituent Update. Topics include ethics, legislative
initiatives, new inquiry dockets, and prison phone contractor investigation |
|
| 12/14/07 |
Big-Oil Subsidies Aren't Key to Energy
Future - Jason's
Guest Editorial in the Albuquerque Journal [external
link, may require Journal sub.]. - Link
to original text (not as good) |
|
| 8/16/07 |
PRC adopts Marks's proposal to order
$240,00 refund to Clovis customers of New
Mexico American Water company |
|
| 8/10/07 |
I have posted some documents from recent
presentations: 1)revenue stream model of
Gas Combined Cycle vs. CSP 2) Renewable
Energy in New Mexico (ppt) ---- 9/17: More files
and documents: NM Solar Map,
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|
| 8/7/07 |
PRC Adopts Renewable
Energy Rules Proposed by Comm'r Marks, including Solar and Distributed
Gen. Targets. Earlier:
Comments on proposed rules .........also, the explanation
of the rule change that the utility shareholders' association declined
to print. |
|
| 7/2/07 |
"Break the Grip" is off-base
when it comes to the PRC's Regulation of Energy
Efficiency Programs |
|
| 7/1/07 |
PRC Approves Order on Carbon Dioxide
Pricing: Discussion and PRC
Press Release. Santa Fe New Mexican lauds Lujan and Marks for leadership
<external
link> |
|
| 7/1/07 |
Title
Insurance Update. |
|
| Jan
2007 |
Qwest AFOR Issues Settled:
PRC adopts New AFOR II (2007-2009) Plan drafted by Marks, with price
freezes for all basic services, price increases for other services limited
to inflation, and Trouble Isolation Charges Eliminated
AFOR I Investment Shortfall and Quality of Service Dockets "settled"
on terms dictated by PRC. New investment plan for $250 million in targeted
investments, $10 million in customer quality of service credits to be
paid in Spring 2007. |
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| 8/14/06 |
Marks
Op-Ed in Albuquerque Journal puts AFOR Settlement Proposal
in perspective |
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| 6/1/06 |
PNM opens 25 kw Algodones solar facility;
Marks keeps pressure on for true utility-scale solar projects;
also protects ratepayers from additional costs from PNM's
repeated change of plans. <read
full statement>
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|
| 5/22/06 |
PRC's
Agreement Paving Way for Serna Retirement in Public Interest |
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| 5/17/06 |
Marks' comments
on Special Assessment to Rio Rancho to Pay Costs of Undergrounding
Power Lines, Upheld by Supreme Court. |
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| 3/14/06 |
PRC Agrees with Marks, Cuts Albuquerque
Ambulance Service Rate Request in Half. Consumers save $700,000. |
|
| 3/4/06 |
Remarks
on the future of renewable energy at the bill signing ceremony for the
N.M. Solar Tax Credit (w/ photo). |
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| 2/24/06 |
One step closer to a final resolution
of the Qwest AFOR: Federal Court rules in favor of PRC,
Dismisses Qwest Appeal. AFOR enforcement
status update here. AFOR II Status here |
|
| 12/16/05 |
PRC votes 3-2 (Marks & Lovejoy Opposed)
to Amend Telephone USF Rule to subsidize below-market business rates in
selected rural areas through increased USF surcharge on all residential
and business and wireless bills. [PRC Press
Release]. . . [Marks' Dissent] |
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| 11/22/05 |
Telephone Company "Trouble Isolation
Charges" BANNED as part of new "Consumer Protection" rules
enacted by PRC (change to take effect in '06). |
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| 11/19/05 |
PRC
Supports Marks in asking Insurance Division to investigate whether
savings from reduction in uninsured drivers are being passed along to
consumers. |
|
| 11/17/05 |
PNM revises its Renewable Energy RFP
after Marks puts company "on the spot" in PRC public comment
hearing. |
|
| 9/13/05 |
PRC Adopts Marks' Proposal
Ordering Utilities to Explore Large-Scale Solar Projects |
|
| 8/17/05 |
Public Hearing on Telephone
Universal Service Fund Rules in Albuquerque on August 29, 2005.
->Resources: info on hearing,
proposed rule, rule
with "redline", official Notice
of Proposed Rulemaking, background
info on rural telcos, access fees, and USF, HB
776 text |
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| 5/26/05 |
Qwest refuses to "get the message" that
AFOR investment compliance is mandatory. PRC moves forward on possible
credits/refunds |
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| 5/27/05 |
PNM/Texas New Mexico Power Acquition Case -
UPDATE - PRC
Grants Approval <more> |
|
| 5/21/05 |
Transportation enforcement to get beefed-up.
Wreckers operating without PRC authority (or safety inspections) in South
Valley and Valencia County to be initial focus. <report in Abq Tribune> |
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| 3/8/05 |
PRC Orders
Qwest: Invest or Else! PRC Press Release
on AFOR Case
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Insurance Superintendent Serna
Ends Conflict of Interest Arising from Con
Alma Fundraising <more> |
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Jason Marks to have the PRC address
the conflict of interest created by Insurance
Superintendent Eric Serna's fundraising for the Con Alma Foundation
<more> |
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