Business Owner Says Increased Electric Bill May Force Him To Shut Down

A business owner said the El Paso Electric Company has more than tripled his bill after 12 years of keeping the same rate.

Rodolpho Barraza owns Isaron hall, in West El Paso. He rents the hall out for weddings and quinceaneras. Barraza said his electric bill has been $300 to $400 for the last 12 years. In June, his bill was $1,485.

When Barraza approached the El Paso Electric company about the increase, he was told the bill should've been that high all along.

"They said that before I was on a small-business commercial rate,” said Barraza. “They had to raise me to a general service rate."

Evan Evans is the assistant vice president for regulatory rates and services with El Paso Electric Company. Evans said a loophole allowed Barraza to operate at a rate that was too low for his business size, and now that loophole is closed.

"His load is really six times the maximum for that small commercial rate," Evans said.

Barraza said he only uses electricity on the weekends and he doesn't use air conditioning during peak hours. He said he can’t afford the rate change and he may have to close his business.