State regulators in less than two weeks are to begin deliberating a proposal that calls for shutting down part of an aging coal-fired power plant in northwestern New Mexico.
But one environmental group, New Energy Economy, is calling for Public Regulation Commissioners Pat Lyons and Karen Montoya to recuse themselves from the deliberations.
The group filed its motion Wednesday. It argues that phone calls and emails between PNM and the two commissioners have created an appearance of a conflict of interest.
The commissioners did not immediately respond to email requests for comment.
The proposal for shutting down part of the San Juan Generating Station is aimed at meeting certain pollution standards. However, it has drawn criticism from environmentalists who say PNM's reliance on fossil fuels would still be too high.
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