SENATE BILL 319

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2009

INTRODUCED BY

Stephen H. Fischmann

AN ACT

RELATING TO UTILITIES; REQUIRING RATE DESIGNS TO DISCOURAGE THE EXCESSIVE USE OF ENERGY, TO DISCOURAGE THE INCREASED USE OF NONRENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES AND TO ENCOURAGE MAXIMUM ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND THE USE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     Section 1. A new section of the Efficient Use of Energy Act is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] ENERGY EFFICIENT RATE DESIGN.--

          A. The commission shall require that a utility‛s rate design:

                (1) discourage the excessive use of energy

consumption by dividing consumption levels into blocks and charging a higher price per unit of energy consumed for each succeeding higher block in each billing period; and

                (2) for new development, discourage the

increased use of nonrenewable energy sources while encouraging

maximum energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy

sources.

          B. The rate design required in Subsection A of this section shall not itself result in an increase or a decrease in the overall revenue received by a utility at the time the rate design is implemented."

     Section 2. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2009.

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