The El Paso City Council voted against El Paso Electric’s (EPE) request to increase electricity rates paid by its retail customers in Texas by $93 million.
The proposal, submitted in early 2025, called for a monthly increase of approximately $22.39 for the average residential customer, representing a 23 percent increase in the typical bill. The adjustment included $85.7 million in general increases and $7.3 million for a clause intended to recover the costs associated with the retirement of power plants.
In February, the City Council temporarily suspended the request to allow for a more detailed review. Since then, technical staff, legal advisors, and industry experts have evaluated the proposal, while EPE held six community meetings in April to inform the public and gather comments.
The municipal administration will now begin a negotiation process with the company and other interested parties. If no agreement is reached, the case will be sent to the Texas Public Utility Commission, which would hold a hearing in August and issue its ruling in January 2026.
At the same time, the city continues to participate in five other proceedings that could affect the cost of electricity service. These include EPE’s request to adjust solar power generation rates under the Texas Solar One project, which would mean an additional $2.11 per month for residential users. There are also ongoing proceedings related to fuel cost reconciliation, certification of the Newman Buffer plant, reallocation of the Macho Springs plant, and adjustment for energy efficiency programs.
Local authorities indicated that they will continue to be involved in these processes with the aim of protecting consumer interests.
