Residents, solar customers urge commissioners to oppose El Paso Electric rate increase

At the July 21 El Paso County Commissioner's Court meeting, residents and rooftop-solar customers urged the court to oppose a proposed El Paso Electric rate increase and asked commissioners to support interveners in the upcoming Public Utility Commission of Texas hearing.

The request came during the public-comment period from speakers who said the utility’s filing would raise bills for households, harm people who depend on powered medical equipment, and penalize customers who installed rooftop solar. Veronica Carbajal, speaking for the Semgrande Esperanza Coalition, said her group's analysis estimates that about 40% of El Paso County households — roughly 118,000 households, or about 341,000 people — would exceed recommended electricity-cost-to-income ratios under the company’s proposal.

Why it matters: Speakers said higher power bills would force some residents to choose between electricity and other necessities. They also argued the company’s proposed small payment for…