New Mexico PRC approves El Paso Electric’s $1.2M EV infrastructure investment plan
The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (NMPRC) approved El Paso Electric’s (EPE) plan to invest more than $1.2 million in electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure and outreach across its Southern New Mexico service territory.
EPE filed the Transportation and Electrification Plan (TEP) with the NMPRC on Dec. 30, 2020. The primary goal of the two-year plan is to increase the use of electric vehicles (EVs). This will be done by incentivizing the installation and usage of smart charging infrastructure through rebate and pilot rate programs.
“The approval of this plan takes us one step forward in meeting our mission to transform the energy landscape in order to meet the evolving, growing needs of our customers,” EPE President and CEO Kelly Tomblin said. “We celebrate the NMPRC’s authorization of our TEP, and we are excited to provide incentives, benefits, and education to all of our customers that will help support the electrification of transportation and the evolving technology that comes with it.”
The plan will also address the challenges associated with the lack of awareness of both the technology and benefits of EVs. Thus, more than $450,000 will be used for incentives and customer education over the next two years.
“Our TEP also includes an electrification grid impact study that will help guide EPE’s system planning efforts based on projected increase of EV adoption and electricity consumption,” EPE’s Senior Director of Innovation and Sustainability Jessica Christianson said. “Transportation serves as the second-highest contributor to air pollution, and with the proven fact that EVs can save families thousands of dollars in fuel and maintenance costs, this initiative is extremely important in meeting prudent environmental goals to better serve our community.”
