PNM Billing Investigation: What Alamogordo Should Know
Published 24 October 2026
On October 22, 2026, the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (PRC) voted unanimously to move ahead with a formal investigation into PNM's estimated and delayed electric bills from this summer. The investigation will focus on Alamogordo and Ruidoso, where complaints were the worst, and the commission is expected to vote on the final order at its November 5 meeting. If your bill jumped this summer, here is where things stand and what you can do now.
What did the PRC decide on October 22?
The three commissioners did not simply approve or deny the investigation. Instead, they voted to send the draft order back for revisions so investigators have clearer direction, according to Source NM's report on the October 22 vote.
Commissioner Greg Nibert was assigned to revise the order so the results of independent meter tests are reported to the commission. 2nd Life Media Alamogordo Town News reported that Commissioner Gabriel Aguilera also asked staff to look at whether large catch-up bills pushed some households into a higher priced usage tier, which would have raised their costs even more.
The case is PRC docket 26-0000176, a petition filed by the commission's own advocacy staff.
Why is the investigation focused on Alamogordo?
Alamogordo is where this started. Customers here began complaining in July that PNM was estimating their usage instead of reading their meters, a problem the utility tied mostly to a shortage of meter readers. At the PRC town hall in Alamogordo on September 29, some residents said bills that normally ran $150 to $200 had jumped as high as $1,700.
The order will focus on Alamogordo and Ruidoso, but it does not stop investigators from checking whether overbilling happened in other parts of the state. Commissioner Nibert said he hopes the problem is not widespread but wants the investigation to find out.
What will investigators look at?
PRC staff and the local group PNM Customers United have laid out four main questions, and staff asked for a few specific steps, according to New Mexico Political Report.
| What staff asked for | Why it matters to you |
|---|---|
| Find out what caused the meter reader shortage | Explains why so many bills were estimated |
| Find out whether customers were overcharged | The key question for anyone with a spike |
| Check whether PNM followed state rules | Rules limit how long a utility can estimate |
| Recommend ways to prevent a repeat | Protects future bills |
| Independent testing of a sample of meters in Alamogordo and Ruidoso, paid for by PNM | Shows whether meters themselves are accurate |
| Monthly status reports and a final public report | Lets the public follow along |
These are what staff requested. The final order on November 5 will set the actual scope.
What happens next?
The PRC is expected to take up the final wording of the order at its next regular open meeting on Thursday, November 5, at 10 a.m. in Room 309 of the State Capitol in Santa Fe, according to 2nd Life Media. The meeting is open to the public and will be livestreamed on YouTube.
PNM Customers United, the grassroots group that formed in August, says that once the final order is approved, PRC staff will have 120 days to complete the investigation and prepare a report. PNM said it welcomes the chance to give the commission information about what happened and will cooperate.
What should you do if your bill still looks wrong?
Start with PNM. If that does not fix it, call the PRC Consumer Relations Division at 1-888-427-5772 to start a complaint. Keep copies of your bills, and check the "Meter read type" on page two of your bill to see whether a reading was estimated.
I walked through how estimated and true-up bills work in my earlier post on high PNM bills in Alamogordo. If you are struggling to keep up with power or gas bills this winter, my guide to help paying heating bills in Otero County lists the programs that can help.
What does this mean for homeowners and people moving here?
Utility costs are a real part of what a home costs each month, so I always suggest asking for a year of utility history when you buy or rent. Not every home around Alamogordo is on PNM, since some areas are served by Otero County Electric Cooperative, so ask which provider serves the home you are looking at.
If you are planning a move, my moving to Alamogordo guide covers the other everyday costs to budget for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the PRC investigating PNM bills in Alamogordo?
Yes. On October 22, 2026, the PRC voted unanimously to move a formal investigation forward and asked for revisions to the order before a final vote.
When will the PRC vote on the final PNM investigation order?
The commission is expected to take it up at its November 5, 2026 meeting at 10 a.m. in Santa Fe. The meeting will also be livestreamed on YouTube.
Why were PNM bills so high in Alamogordo this summer?
PNM estimated many bills because of a shortage of meter readers, and some catch-up bills were very large. The investigation will look at whether customers were overcharged.
How do I file a complaint about my PNM bill?
Contact PNM first. If it is not resolved, call the PRC Consumer Relations Division at 1-888-427-5772.
How long will the PNM investigation take?
PNM Customers United says PRC staff will have 120 days after the final order to finish the investigation and report. The final order will set the details.
Facts are from Source NM coverage published by News From the States, 2nd Life Media Alamogordo Town News and New Mexico Political Report, checked 24 October 2026. Contact PNM or the PRC about your own account.