NM utilities must have plans for weather crises
Posted at: 12/02/2012 11:08 AM
By: The Associated Press
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - New Mexico gas and electric utilities are going to be required to have plans in place for severe weather-related crises.
The Albuquerque Journal says the Public Regulation Commission's recent 5-0 vote mandates state-regulated utilities be better prepared.
The new guidelines mean utilities must "explicitly" take into account issues such as backup capabilities and alternate fuel-delivery systems.
The rules stem from recommendations made in a PRC report on the impact of a deep freeze in February 2011.
The freeze caused natural gas outages and loss of service for several days for at least 28,000 customers.
A New Mexico Gas Co. spokeswoman says the utility supports the new provisions.
PNM spokeswoman Valerie Smith says the company may ask for clarification on some of the requirements.
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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