EXHIBIT A
BEFORE THE NEW MEXICO PUBLIC REGULATION COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION BY RATON NATURAL GAS COMPANY FOR EXPEDITED APPROVAL OF ITS PLAN FOR RECOVERY OF THE GAS COSTS RELATED TO THE FEBRUARY 2021 SEVERE WEATHER EVENT
Case No. 21-00109-UT
NOTICE TO RATON NATURAL GAS COMPANY’S CUSTOMERS
Notice is hereby given to all Raton Natural Gas Company Customers of the following:
1. On May 3, 2021, Raton Natura l Gas Company (“RNG”) filed with the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (“NMPRC”) an Application requesting approvals and authorizations necessary to implement its proposed plan for recovery of $1,078,322, plus financing costs, through its approved Second Revised Rate No. 5, its Purchased Gas Adjustment Clause (“PGAC”). These costs were caused by an unprecedented increase in gas costs during the February 2021 severe weather event.
2. Specifically, RNG is requesting approval from the NMPRC to collect these costs from all customers over a sixty-month period, beginning with bills rendered after June 25, 2021.
3. RNG’s proposed monthly bill increase will be capped at 12% for all customers. The impact of the RNG proposed recovery plan will vary according to individual customer usage. In addition, the collection of these February 2021 severe weather gas costs ultimately approved by the NMPRC may vary from the Rate No. 5 charges RNG has requested the NMPRC to approve in this case.
4. Sections 62-8-7(E) and (F) of the Public Utility Act, and NMPRC Rule 640, codified as 17.10.640 NMAC, allow RNG to recover its prudent and reasonable gas costs from its customers using its Second Revised Rate No. 5.
5. Any person may examine RNG’s Application, together with any exhibits and related papers that may be filed, during regular business hours at RNG’s office located at 1360 South Second Street, Raton, New Mexico 87740, telephone 575-445-3613; or on the NMPRC’s Case Look Up E-docket on the website at http://www.nmprc.state.nm.us.
6. The NMPRC has assigned Case No. 21-00109-UT to this proceeding, and all correspondence, pleadings, inquiries, written comments or other communications concerning this matter should refer to that case number.
7. The following procedural schedule has been established for this case:
A. Any person who desires to become a party to this case must file a Motion for Leave to Intervene, pursuant to l.2.2.23(A) and (B) NMAC and the NMPRC’s then current Electronic Filing Policy, on or before, May 18, 2021. All motions for leave to intervene, pleadings or testimony shall be served on all existing parties, other proposed intervenors of record and the Hearing Examiner as required by the NMPRC or the Hearing Examiner.
B. All filings shall be filed pursuant to the NMPRC’s current electronic filing policy, a copy of which is available on the NMPRC’s website at http://www.nmprc.state.nm.us.
C. Applicants shall immediately post the approved Notice on its website and shall publish as soon as possible the approved Notice once in The Huerfano World Journal, which is a newspaper of general circulation in the Raton, New Mexico area. Any person may examine RNG’s Application, together with any exhibits and related papers that may be filed, during regular business hours at RNG’s office located at 1360 South Second Street, Raton, New Mexico 87740, telephone 575-445-3613; or on the NMPRC’s Case Look Up E-docket on the website at http://www.nmprc.state.nm.us.
D. The NMPRC Utility Staff shall, and any Interveners shall, file Direct Testimony or a verified statement of position on the Application on or before May 19, 2021.
E. Any Rebuttal Testimony must be filed on or before May 25, 2021.
F. A public hearing shall be held at the Commission’s open meeting on June 2, 2021, to be presided over by the Commission or by a designated presiding officer, so designated by subsequent single signature order of one Commissioner. The Commission may determine, by the Commission or by subsequent single signature order of one Commissioner, that a public hearing is not necessary and vacate the presently scheduled June 2, 2021 public hearing.
G. Regardless of whether or not the Commission determines a public hearing is required, a public comment period shall occur at the beginning of the Commission’s open meeting on June 2, 2021 for members of the public who are not protestors or intervenors to comment on the proposed Application.
H. Public comment taken orally at the commencement of the Commission’s regular open meeting on June 2, 2021. Persons interested in providing public comment must request a Zoom invitation by emailing at Isaac.Sullivan-Leshin@state.nm.us by no later than 5:00 p.m. MT on June 1, 2021. Public comments shall be limited to 3 minutes per speaker unless extended by the Commission.
I. Pursuant to 1.2.2.23(F) NMAC, public comment shall not be considered as evidence in this case. Interested persons may also submit written comments, which shall reference NMPRC Case No. 21-00109-UT, to the Commission via its Records Bureau’s email address at: prc.records@state.nm.us. However, as noted above, pursuant to 1.2.2.23(F) NMAC, such comments will not be considered as evidence in this proceeding.
J. The procedural dates and requirements provided herein are subject to further order of the Commission.
K. Interested persons should contact the NMPRC for confirmation of the hearing date, time and place because hearings are occasionally rescheduled.
8. The NMPRC’s Rules of Procedure found at 1.2.2 NMAC shall apply to this proceeding unless modified by order of the NMPRC or the Hearing Examiner. Such rules are available on line at the official NMAC website http:l/164. 64.110.134/nmac/nmac-titles.
9. Anyone filing pleadings, documents or testimony in this case shall comply with the Commission’s rules of procedure 1.2.2 NMAC. This includes filings in pdf format, with electronic signatures, sent to the Records Bureau’s email address at: prc.records@state.nm.us within regular business hours of the due date, in order to be considered timely filed. Documents received after regular business hours, will be considered as being filed the next business day. Parties shall serve a copy on all parties of record and Staff. All filings shall be emailed on the date they are filed with the Commission.
10. Any person with a disability requiring special assistance in order to participate in the public hearing should contact the director of Administrative Services Jim Williamson at Jim.Williamson@state.nm.us or (505) 467-9116 at least 24 hours prior to the commencement of the public hearing.
11. Any person whose testimony has been pre-filed shall attend the hearing and submit to examination under oath.
