Section 62-15-36 - Renewable energy and conservation fee. - New Mexico Statutes

62-15-36. Renewable energy and conservation fee.

A.     A distribution cooperative may collect from its customers a renewable energy and conservation fee of no more than one percent of the customer's bill.  In no event shall a distribution cooperative collect more than seventy-five thousand dollars ($75,000) annually through the renewable energy and conservation fee from any single customer.  Money collected through the renewable energy and conservation fee shall be segregated in a separate renewable energy and conservation account from other distribution cooperative funds and shall be expended only on programs or projects to promote the use of renewable energy, load management or energy efficiency.  A distribution cooperative that collects a renewable energy and conservation fee from its customers shall report to the public regulation commission by March 1 of the following year the following information: 

(1)     the amount of money collected through the renewable energy and conservation fee in the previous calendar year;  

(2)     the programs or projects on which the funds collected were expended; and 

(3)     the determination of the distribution cooperative as to whether and in what amount to assess a renewable energy and conservation fee in the next calendar year.  

B.     Each distribution cooperative that collects a renewable energy and conservation fee from its customers shall deduct from the fees paid to the state pursuant to Section 62-8-8 NMSA 1978 an amount equal to fifty percent of the amount of money collected through the renewable energy and conservation fee during the preceding calendar year.  The money shall be included in the account with other money from the renewable energy and conservation fee and expended only on programs or projects to promote the use of renewable energy, load management or energy efficiency.