ABQjournal NM: PNM Hike Hits Families Harder

Link: ABQjournal NM: PNM Hike Hits Families Harder.

PNM's almost 400,000 residential customers will see bigger increases in their electric bills than commercial customers as a result of the rate increase approved last week by the state Public Regulation Commission.     In addition, summer rates for most customers will jump even higher— especially for those using more than 700 kilowatt-hours a month. That probably would be a resident with a large home with refrigerated air conditioning.     All customers could see another bump if regulators approve the company's request to pass along its fuel costs directly— on top of existing rates.     The new charges customers will see in the billing cycle that begins today reflect how PNM will divvy up the $35.2 million revenue increase approved by the commission into electric rates among its different rate classes.     Studies show commercial customers pay proportionately more than residential customers, and PNM has said it is moving, in small steps, toward a more even distribution.     Final figures released by PNM this week show the increase will average 6.3 percent across all rate classes.     Residential customers will get an average 7.8 percent bump in their bills while the biggest commercial users will see an average increase of 5.1 percent.     Two other new factors will affect rates.