Quick question for the group. PNM is backbilling a residential customer in Albuquerque for 24 months due to a faulty meter. New Mexico PRC rules seem to allow this for "utility equipment failure" but I've seen conflicting interpretations. Anyone know if there's a practical limit PNM follows? The amount is only $1,800 so maybe not worth fighting, but curious about the principle.
New Mexico backbill question - PNM residential customer
Ruben, I don't have New Mexico experience but here in Arizona, APS generally limits residential backbills to 12 months even for equipment failures. The theory is that utilities have constructive notice of problems through their regular meter reading and testing schedules. What was PNM's meter testing interval for this residence?
Carla, PNM tests residential meters every 15 years unless there's a specific complaint or obvious malfunction. This meter was installed in 2010 and failed in 2017, so it was within the normal testing cycle. The customer never complained about unusually low bills, so there weren't obvious red flags.
Update: Spoke with PNM directly and they agreed to limit the backbill to 12 months as a "customer service gesture." Seems like their standard practice for residential accounts when the customer cooperates. Total adjustment came down to $950. Sometimes it pays to just ask nicely before lawyering up.