Most New Mexicans probably don’t spend much time thinking about the state’s Public Regulation Commission.
They should.
The PRC may not generate the same headlines as the Legislature or the governor’s office, but its decisions affect nearly every household and business in the state. The Commission deals with the cost and reliability of essential services and with some of the biggest questions facing New Mexico’s energy system.
And right now, New Mexicans have an opportunity to help determine who will be sitting at that table.
The PRC Nominating Committee is accepting applications for a commissioner, with the current recruitment period running through September 11. The committee will ultimately recommend qualified candidates to the governor for consideration.
The goal of the nominating process is not simply to help fill a seat. It is to help ensure that the Commission has the expertise and perspective necessary to serve New Mexicans well.
That process deserves the attention of more than the people who routinely participate in regulatory proceedings. It deserves the attention of New Mexicans who care about what their utility bills will look like 5 or 10 years from now.
It deserves the attention of businesses trying to plan around energy costs and availability.
It deserves the attention of communities that need reliable infrastructure to attract employers and support growth.
And it deserves the attention of people who believe New Mexico can pursue ambitious energy goals without losing sight of affordability and reliability.
The Commission is being asked to make decisions in an increasingly complicated environment. Consider just some of what is before the agency this year. The PRC is reviewing proposals involving grid modernization, transmission infrastructure, renewable-energy procurement, transportation electrification, rates, and ownership. Utilities are seeking approval for new investments while consumers, businesses and advocates are asking what those investments will mean for their bills and for the reliability of the system.
We encourage anyone with an interest in the state’s utility and regulatory future to learn more about the process, follow the Nominating Committee’s meetings and provide thoughtful input.
The PRC Nominating Committee’s website, www.prc.nm.gov/, provides information about the recruitment process, meetings, application requirements and opportunities for public participation.
Every single Nominating Committee meeting includes a public comment period. People who have a stake in New Mexico’s energy future should pay attention to the applicants, follow the committee’s work and make their views known.
This is a chance for New Mexicans to help make sure the appointed commissioner is ready for the job – not simply the job as it existed yesterday, but the one New Mexico will need tomorrow.