EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — After El Paso City Council voted to intervene in El Paso Electric’s (EPE) proposed $93 million rate increase in February, the council is encouraging residents to attend community meetings hosted by the utility to be informed of the rate increase, voice their concerns and learn more about the rate case on its possible effects.
According to the City of El Paso, the meetings will include EPE representatives who will provide details about the increase, answer questions, and listen to feedback.
Here are the scheduled meetings with times and dates, according to the City:
- Monday, April 7, at 5 p.m.
- Don Haskins Recreation Center, 7400 High Ridge Dr.
- Wednesday, April 9, at 5 p.m.
- Northeast Regional Command Center, 9600 Dyer St.
- Thursday, April 10, at 5 p.m.
- Chamizal Community Center, 2119 Cypress Ave.
- Monday, April 14, at 5 p.m.
- Michelle T. Adjemian Recreation Center, 9031 Viscount Blvd.
- Wednesday, April 16, at 5 p.m.
- The Beast Urban Park, 13501 Jason Crandall Dr.
- Thursday, April 24, at 5 p.m.
- Pavo Real Recreation Center, 9301 Alameda Ave
The average EPE residential customer could see a 23 percent increase on their bill, roughly $22.39, if the proposal is approved, according to the City.
In addition to the intervention, the proposed rate is temporarily paused for 90 days, according to the City.
“When a proposal has the potential to impact so many families, it’s important to create space for open dialogue,” El Paso Mayor Renard Johnson said. “A rate increase of this size deserves a full public discussion, and I encourage El Pasoans to attend these meetings, ask questions, and make their voices heard.”
Before the City Council voted to intervene in the proposed rate increase, Johnson sent a statement to the media in January saying he is “deeply concerned” about the increase.
According to El Paso Matters, residential customers, who make up roughly 90 percent of EPE’s Texas customer base, would see the biggest percentage increase in bills.
Small and large businesses would see increases between 3 to 7.5 percent, while medium businesses will see their bills decline by two percent, according to El Paso Matters.
“The City has also engaged outside legal and technical experts to analyze EPE’s filings to ensure that only fair and necessary costs are passed on to ratepayers,” according to the City.
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