SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - The New Mexico Supreme Court is leaving it up to state regulators to hash out whether a sweeping new energy law should be considered as they deliberate the closure of a coal-fired power plant.
The court on Thursday denied a request by environmentalists and the utility that operates the San Juan Generating Station to force regulators to abide by the Energy Transition Act.
The law allows Public Service Co. of New Mexico and other plant owners to recover investments by selling bonds that will be paid off by utility customers.
Environmentalists have criticized the Public Regulation Commission for not clarifying whether it will apply the law’s financing mechanism.
The commission is leaving it up to hearing examiners to review. All parties in the case will be able to weigh in.
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