PRC requires utilities to be prepared for winter weather

New Mexico gas and electric utilities are going to be required to have plans in place for severe weather-related crises.  

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.

PRC requires utilities to be prepared for winter weather