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Fischmann Announces Run for District 5 Public Regulation Commission

Former state Senator Steve Fischmann has announced he's running for a seat on the Public Regulation Commission.  His campaign issued the following statement:

Steve Fischmann is announcing that he will run for NM Public Regulation Commission, District 5. Fischmann will face current Commissioner, Sandy Jones, in the June 5th, 2018 Democratic Primary Election. Fischmann previously represented State Senate district 37, Las Cruces, in the State Legislature from 2009 to 2013. 

“My goal as a PRC Commissioner will be to transform the PRC from an agency that’s guided by monopoly utility interests, to an agency that guides utilities in the public interest,” Fischmann wrote in an announcement statement. “The motto of this campaign will be ‘Consumers First.’”

Fischmann has a history of civic involvement that focuses on consumer advocacy and transparent government. Fischmann is co-founder and co-chair of the New Mexico Fair Lending Coalition.  The group successfully advocated to end single payment Payday and Title Loans and place a rate cap on store front loans that had been charging up to 2000% annual interest.  He continues to push for even lower interest rate caps below 30%. As State Senator, he sponsored and passed legislation that eliminated high fees for public records requests and supported requirements that all computerized state records be made available for free electronically.

Fischmann has recently focused his efforts on working with a citizen-watchdog group fighting to lower costs and bring more renewable energy to El Paso Electric customers.  Working with the City of Las Cruces and Dona Ana County, the group has helped spare El Paso Electric’s New Mexico customers millions of dollars in annual rate increases.  He continues to fight for long term utility planning and regulation practices that stand to save consumers billions in future electricity costs while protecting the environment.  

“New Mexico has the potential for renewable energy and energy efficiency programs that lower costs for consumers, create well-paying jobs, and improve our ability to attract new businesses.  I will keep an open mind to all proposals that further the public interest” Fischmann wrote.  I’ll ensure that consumers have the same access to commissioners as industry lobbyists and get them equal representation on the PRC’s team of staff experts.

The Public Regulation Commission oversees electric, gas and water utilities; motor transportation, trains, and telecommunications.  It also houses the State Fire Marshall’s department.   PRC District 5 covers the southwest quarter of the state, extending from Los Lunas to the Mexican border and from Ruidoso west to the Arizona border.