A. Distribution cooperative utilities shall periodically examine the potential to assist their customers in reducing energy consumption or peak electricity demand in a cost-effective manner. Based on these studies, by January 1, 2009, distribution cooperative utilities shall establish energy efficiency and load management targets and begin to implement cost-effective energy efficiency and load management programs that are economically feasible and practical for their members and customers. Approval for such programs shall reside with the governing body of each distribution cooperative utility and not with the commission.

B. Each distribution cooperative utility shall file with the commission concurrently with its annual report, a report that describes all of the distribution cooperative utility's programs or measures that promote energy efficiency, conservation or load management. The report shall set forth the costs of each of the programs or measures for the previous calendar year and the resulting effect on the consumption of electricity. In offering or implementing energy efficiency, conservation or load management programs, a distribution cooperative utility shall attempt to minimize any cross-subsidies between customer classes.

C. Each distribution cooperative utility shall include in the report required by Subsection B of this section a description of all programs or measures to promote energy efficiency, conservation or load management that are planned and the anticipated date for implementation.

D. Costs resulting from programs or measures to promote energy efficiency, conservation or load management may be recovered by the distribution cooperative utility through its general rates. In requesting approval to recover such costs in general rates, the distribution cooperative utility may elect to use the procedure set forth in Subsection G of Section 62-8-7 NMSA 1978.

History: Laws 2005, ch. 341, § 11; 2008, ch. 24, § 9.

The 2008 amendment, effective May 14, 2008, required distribution cooperative utilities to establish energy efficiency and load management targets and to implement programs by January 1, 2009.