LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KFOX14) — Many borderland residents are upset and confused after seeing higher than normal electric bills.

“I’d really like to see some action on El Paso Electric's part to provide some relief,” Dove Astorga said.

When Astorga checked the mail last week, her grandmother's energy bill was $441, when it’s usually no more than $180.

She posted a question in a popular Facebook Group, Las Cruces Community Watch , asking if anybody was experiencing the same.

“Overwhelmingly I found out there was so many people in the same boat,” Astorga said.

Thousands of people commented, saying they’re experiencing the same, with their electric bills doubling, some even tripling.

“What’s going on here, why is this happening all of a sudden,” Astorga said.

So what’s attributing the uptick? El Paso Electric said, it’s not a rate increase.

“There have been no changes to electric rates in New Mexico as early as since 2016,” Eddie Gutierrez, a spokesperson for El Paso Electric said.

Gutierrez said the increase is due to hotter weather.

“We have really sustained triple degree heat, we’ve had the hottest summer that we’ve had in a very long time and with that comes changes to your bill,” Gutierrez said.

Astorga said the huge increase still doesn’t make sense.

“It was just a huge jump, and nothing’s changed, my grandmother even keeps her thermostat at like 78 to 80 degrees, it’s really uncomfortable in here because she doesn’t want the high bill,” Astorga said. “They’re kinda trying to blame it on mother nature and not accept any responsibility.”

Gutierrez said the pandemic is also playing a role, with more people at home during the hottest part of the day.

“It is summer, people use more electricity and unfortunately this obviously means higher electric bills and we’re cognizant of that.”

He said there are some things you can do to help save energy.

“Closing your blinds and curtains during the hottest part of the day, which is usually between noon about 4 p.m., perhaps cooking and cleaning at later times or early in the morning, and use ceiling fans and portable fans to help keep your house cool,” Gutierrez said. For more energy saving tips, click here.

Some good news, starting this week El Paso Electric customers using 674 kilowatts of energy per month, will see an average monthly bill decrease of 1.76 percent. The $8.7 million of credits will be issued over three years. The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission approved the rate credit during Wednesday’s open meeting.

“This bill credit is one of many benefits created for EPE, our customers, employees and communicates as part of the IIF transaction. As a long-term investor in utility companies, IIF is aligned with EPE and its mission,” said Eddie Gutierrez, Vice President of Customer and Community Engagement.

Gutierrez said he understands the increased bills are challenging, but said El Paso Electric is here to help.

“No one likes to see when their bills go up, a large of it has to do with energy usage, we have both energy efficiency programs that were asking our customers to certainly inquire about,” Gutierrez said.

He said if you still feel like your bill is higher than what it should be, to call the company and they will look further into the issue.

To learn more about the financial assistance programs El Paso Electric is offering, click here.

Amistad's CARES Program is also providing utility assistance after receiving funding from the CARES Act. Click here to learn more.

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