N.M. Admin. Code § 17.14.1.9 - INTRODUCTION

NMPSC Rules 910 through 980 [17.13.1 NMAC and 17.13.920 through 17.13.980 NMAC] govern annual reporting; Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity; system design, construction, and operation; customer services; rate filings; and utility accounting for sewer utilities operating under the Commission's jurisdiction.

A. Annual Report Forms are required to be filed for every calendar year by April 30 of the following year. NMPSC Rule 920 [17.13.920 NMAC] provides that sewer utilities shall file Annual Reports in the form provided by the Commission.

B. Under NMPSC Rule 920 [17.13.920 NMAC] regulated sewer utilities are required to maintain financial accounts. Sewer utilities shall keep their financial records according to the NARUC Uniform System of Accounts for its NARUC Classification as prescribed in NMPSC Rule 340 [17.3.340 NMAC]. Upon written request by a sewer utility, the Commission shall provide a copy of the NARUC Uniform System of Accounts.

C. Provision for rate filings is divided into two levels of operation. NMPSC Rules 930 and 980 [17.13.930 NMAC and 17.13.980 NMAC] provide that sewer utilities shall file for rates in one of two formats. Utilities having annual operating revenues averaging over $500,000 for any consecutive three-year period must file the most comprehensive package. Utilities with average operating revenues below $500,000 may file the most abbreviated package.

D. No sewer utility subject to the Commission's jurisdiction shall commence construction or operation without first obtaining a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. NMPSC Rule 940 [17.13.940 NMAC] provides that every filing for a certificate from the Commission shall be made pursuant to NMPSC Rules 110.35 through 110.38 [17.1.2 NMAC] and must demonstrate proposed system and service compliance when operational.

E. The Minimum Standards for Design, Construction, and Operation set forth in NMPSC Rule 950 [17.13.950 NMAC] establish the measurements the Commission will require in connection with questions which pertain to expense, capital, Rate Base, prudence, adequacy, or convenience and necessity. These system standards may reasonably be exceeded in any particular application. The minimum standards apply to all new sewer utilities seeking initial certification after the effective date of NMSA 1978, Section 62-9-2.1, and to new expansion, construction, and repair of existing facilities of already certified utilities.

F. The Customer Service Rules and Regulations, NMPSC Rule 960 [17.13.960 NMAC], establish the responsibilities and rights of jurisdictional sewer utilities and their residential customers in their sewer service relationship. Nothing herein shall prevent any utility from adopting Service Rules and Regulations which do not conflict with but which are additional to those set forth herein to cover special circumstances. Any deviation from the selected customer rules and regulations must be requested from, and granted by the Commission.

Notes

N.M. Admin. Code § 17.14.1.9

Recompiled 12/30/01