Supreme Court denies petition to disqualify PRC Chair from ruling on PNM plan

By NMPRC

An attempt to force Public Regulation Commission (PRC) Chairman Sandy Jones to remove himself from matters pertaining to Public Service Company of New Mexico’s 2017 Integrated Resource Plan was rejected today by the New Mexico Supreme Court.

The PRC has jurisdiction over PNM’s proposed energy resource portfolio which the utility company says will eliminate the company’s use of coal-fired generation by the end of 2031 and create a mix of renewable energy and natural gas to meet consumer demand.

Santa Fe-based New Energy Economy (NEE) alleged Commissioner Jones could not be impartial to the proceeding due to perceived “open hostility” toward NEE executive director Mariel Nanasi and because PNM’s parent company donated money to a political action committee that campaigned for his re-election.

“For months, Ms. Nanasi has viciously smeared my character and credibility and I am pleased the state’s highest court has denied her futile attempt to keep me from overseeing this case,” said Commissioner Jones.  “Her litigious nature is doing irreparable harm to New Mexico.”