PNM WANTED TO INSTALL HALF A MILLION SMART METERS AT CUSTOMERS’ HOMES TO GIVE IT REMOTE ACCESS TO THOSE METERS. BUT THE PUBLIC REGULATION COMMISSION REJECTED THE PROPOSAL. IT WAS A UNANIMOUS VOTE BY THE COMMISSIONERS, WHO SAID IT WOULD NOT BE GOOD FOR PNM CUSTOMERS.
PNM SAID THE ADVANCED METERING SYSTEM WOULD SAVE THE COMPANY MONEY FOR LABOR COSTS. BUT PUBLIC REGULATION COMMISSIONERS DIDN’T AGREE WITH WHAT THE COST EFFICIENCY WOULD BE. IT WOULD ACTUALLY COST ABOUT 121 MILLION DOLLARS TO INSTALL THE SYSTEM, WOULD MEAN LAYING OFF 125 PNM WORKERS AND WOULD HAVE COST CUSTOMERS MORE MONEY PER MONTH.
