By Mary Alice Murphy
Sandy Jones, Public Regulation Commissioner for the region that includes Grant County, came to Silver City to hear input on a case before the PRC. The governor, PNM and the New Mexico Environment Department had signed an agreement to shut down two coal-powered towers, Nos. 2 and 3, leaving 1 and 4 still operating at the San Juan Power Plant.
The PRC continues to hold hearings on the issue before making its decision.
He introduced Karen Montoya, PRC chairman, who traveled to Silver City for the hearing. A hearing officer was also taking comprehensive typed notes on the comments.
Jones thanked the commissioners for letting the PRC representatives use their chambers.
Grant County Commission Chairman Brett Kasten said: "The thanks come from us. We appreciate your listening to my constituents and Ramos's and Hall's. You will find we have educated people here who will speak."
Sen. Howie Morales echoed the sentiments and said he appreciated Jones and Montoya coming to gather input from "our constituents."
Jones set the ground rules, as no more than three minutes per speaker. "There is a lot of interest in this case and various viewpoints. I ask you to treat each other with respect and dignity. Everything is being put on the record, and I will preside over this hearing."
He gave a synopsis of the case. "This is not a PNM rate case, but strictly on the decommissioning of the two San Juan power plants. We will implement the revised state implementation plan. It will make us compliant in the region with the Air Quality Act, if we close Nos. 2 and 3. The plan requires $91 million in upgrades to units 1 and 4. It also requires using 134 megawatts of energy from the Palo Verde Nuclear Plant in Arizona, adding to the 132 megawatts from Unit 4. PNM owns 195 megawatts in Unit 3."
"It is an old case," Jones said. "And there have been a number of parties opposed to the plan. The Commission held about three weeks of hearings on the stipulations in Farmington and Albuquerque. The hearing examiner will take 1