Court Upholds PRC's Energy Efficiency Decision - Associated Press
The New Mexico Supreme Court is upholding a decision by state regulators to allow Public Service Company of New Mexico to earn a profit on operating expenses related to the utility's energy conservation programs.
The court issued its ruling Thursday, saying the decision by the Public Regulation Commission was consistent with state law.
The state attorney general's office and a group of industrial customers had argued otherwise. They sought to have the commission's decision overturned.
The court says state law gives regulators the authority to remove any disincentives that might keep utilities from encouraging customers to conserve energy.
The court found that the PRC balanced the interest of the utility's investors with ratepayers' interests in determining reasonable rates instead of adopting the rates initially proposed by PNM.
State Park Upgrades Proposed Along San Juan River - Associated Press
A state agency proposes to improve a park along the blue-ribbon trout fishing water of the San Juan River in northwestern New Mexico.
The State Parks Division has scheduled a public meeting on Sept. 4 in Farmington on a draft park management plan for the river portion of Navajo Lake State Park.
The agency's plan includes a new campground to accommodate larger recreational vehicles, paving a heavily used boat ramp in an area known as the Crusher Hole, and establishing a campground in an undeveloped section of land.
At the existing Cottonwood Campground, the agency proposes upgrading the water and electric systems as well as more spaces for tenting camping.
The public meeting is at the Farmington Civic Center starting at 6:00 p.m.
NM Unemployment Center To Close For Holiday - Associated Press
State labor officials say the unemployment insurance operations center and other labor offices will be closed Monday in observance of Labor Day.
Officials say the online unemployment insurance tax and claims system will still be available Sunday through Friday.
For those needing to talk to a customer service agent, normal business hours for the operations center will resume Tuesday at 8 a.m.
Some banks will also be closed for the holiday and that could result in accounts being funded when those financial institutions reopen. Officials say this may affect some unemployment insurance debit card holders and direct deposit participants.