Courtesy/DPU
Courtesy/DPU
COUNTY News:
The Department of Public Utilities (DPU) is proposing electric rate adjustments to be effective Oct. 1, 2023 and July 1, 2024. Two public hearings for the changes to the existing electric rates are planned.
The first public hearing will take place at the Aug. 16 Board of Public Utilities (BPU) meeting. If the BPU approves the proposed rate ordinance, a second hearing will occur on Sept. 26 at the Los Alamos County Council meeting. The rates must be adopted by the County Council before they can be put into place.
The proposed adjustments cover increases in DPU’s cost to provide electric service in the county and to maintain and update the electric distribution infrastructure. Rate increases will allow the DPU to generate revenues needed for current operations and to build cash reserves necessary for future infrastructure needs.
A residential customer who uses 500 kwh of electricity per month would see an increase of $6.50/month if the ordinance is approved by the County Council. A second increase of $7.15/month would occur on July 1, 2024.
The Aug. 16 public hearing will be conducted at 5:30 p.m. in person in Council Chambers and remotely via Zoom. If the BPU approves the ordinance, the second public hearing will be held in Council Chambers during the Sept. 26 County Council meeting as well as on Zoom. The public may access both meetings via Zoom using the following link: https://ladpu.com/ratehearing.
For DPU customers who are on fixed incomes, DPU has a Utility Assistance Program for qualifying customers. Information can be found at https://ladpu.com/assist or by calling the Customer Care Center at 505.662.8333.
Other organizations offering utility assistance programs in Los Alamos are:
- LA Cares (505.661.8105), Self Help, Inc. (505.662.4666); and
- State of New Mexico with its Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) (505.753.2271).
More information on the rate adjustments can be found at https://ladpu.com/rates under the folder Proposed Rate Changes.
