ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — New Mexico’s attorney general has formally questioned Public Service Company of New Mexico, known as PNM, after customers across the state reported unexpectedly large electric bills following an intense summer heat spell.
Consumers report sudden spikes; AG seeks answers
The Attorney General’s Office sent a letter last week to PNM Chief Executive Officer Don Tarry asking the utility to explain recent billing anomalies and what steps it is taking to help customers who say their costs surged dramatically despite efforts to conserve energy.
Among those affected is Rio Rancho resident Michael Venticinque, who described his family’s bill jumping from $180 in July to $560 in August. Venticinque said he and his family take multiple steps to limit power use, including maintaining their air conditioner, regularly changing pads and keeping the thermostat at about 74 degrees.
"Seeing this almost 400% increase in our bill is just financially a burden," Venticinque said. "And it's been a mental and stressful burden on my wife."
PNM acknowledged customers’ frustration in a statement through spokesperson Eric Chavez, who attributed higher bills largely to the extreme temperatures this summer. "We totally understand that that it's frustrating, right? We get it," Chavez said. "We want to be there to support those who need it."
What the company says and what residents say
PNM told Venticinque’s family that the meter reading was accurate and that nothing could be done. The company and regulators face a common challenge: distinguishing higher usage driven by persistent heat from potential billing errors, rate or charge issues, or problems with meters or billing systems.
State officials have not released the full text of the attorney general’s letter publicly, but the move signals increased scrutiny of utilities after a summer of record-high temperatures across New Mexico that pushed cooling demand — and, in turn, electricity use — to unusual levels.
- Key complaint: Sudden, large bill increases for customers who say they took conservation measures.
- Company response: PNM blames extreme heat and increased usage; says it aims to support customers in need.
- State action: Attorney general has asked PNM for explanations and likely documentation.
Practical implications for customers
For families facing substantial increases, the effects can be immediate and severe. Venticinque said the spike was a heavy financial and emotional burden on his household; he also noted specific needs in his family, including a handicapped son, that make reliable cooling essential.
Customers with concerns about sudden bill spikes should first review their usage history and compare monthly kilowatt-hour consumption, then contact PNM to request a detailed billing explanation. If answers are unsatisfactory, the Attorney General’s Office and the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission are potential next steps for complaints and formal investigations.
| Month | Reported Bill |
|---|---|
| July | $180 |
| August | $560 |
PNM representatives have said that prolonged high temperatures naturally increase electricity consumption as air conditioning runs longer and harder. The utility maintains it is examining ways to assist customers who cannot handle unexpectedly large bills.
The attorney general’s inquiry may lead to additional public reporting requirements for PNM, or to referrals to regulators if the office finds the explanation insufficient. For now, the correspondence underscores how climate-driven demand is complicating household budgets and drawing government oversight.
As winter approaches and temperatures moderate, the immediate pressure on many households may ease. But consumer advocates and some lawmakers have signaled an interest in longer-term reviews of rate structures, billing practices and customer protections as New Mexico adapts to more frequent extreme heat events.
Reporting for this article included interviews with a Rio Rancho resident affected by a bill increase and statements provided by PNM spokesperson Eric Chavez. The Attorney General’s Office confirmed it sent a letter to PNM but has not released additional details as of publication.
