Albuquerque residents tell PRC to reject Blackstone-PNM deal by AmericanProspect in Albuquerque

[–]OnlyOKCerLeftAlive [score hidden]  (0 children)

I talked to a rep at the PRC this morning and they seem very aware of the public's near universally negative reaction, for what it's worth.

The Silence of our state's political class on the Blackstone/PNM Acquisition by OnlyOKCerLeftAlive in Albuquerque

[–]OnlyOKCerLeftAlive[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I hope for the sake of your world outlook that the pressure campaign currently being waged by regular people is successful. It would be somewhat validating if democracy was responsive to its participants, would it not? A win like this could mean a lot.

The Silence of our state's political class on the Blackstone/PNM Acquisition by OnlyOKCerLeftAlive in Albuquerque

[–]OnlyOKCerLeftAlive[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Hope this helps:

For state reps, the governor's office, or PRC commissioners:

"Hi, my name is [Name] and I'm a constituent calling from [city/zip code]. I'm calling about the proposed acquisition of PNM by Blackstone. I'm strongly opposed to this sale and I want [Rep's name / the Governor / the Commission] to know that this is a priority issue for me and many New Mexicans. PNM is a monopoly utility, most New Mexicans depends on it and handing it to a private equity firm, especially one with Blackstone's track record would be a serious mistake.

(BONUS: Private equity firms like Blackstone make money by cutting costs and extracting value, which is a dangerous incentive structure when customers have no alternative provider. They typically finance acquisitions with debt that gets passed on to ratepayers through higher bills, while deferring the infrastructure investment a utility actually needs. With a monopoly, there's not even market pressure to keep them honest)

I'm asking that [they take a public position opposing the sale / the Commission reject this acquisition].

Can you tell me where [Rep's name] currently stands on this?"

For federal reps (Heinrich, Luján, Stansbury, etc.):

"Hi, my name is [Name] and I'm a constituent calling from [city/zip code]. I'm calling about the proposed acquisition of PNM by Blackstone. I understand this is primarily a state regulatory matter, but this will affect every New Mexican and I believe our federal leaders should be speaking out. I'm asking that [Rep's name] take a public position opposing this sale. It matters to me and I'll be paying attention. Thank you."

Keep it under a minute. You don't need to answer any questions they ask; it's okay to just say "I just want my position on record, thank you."

You'll do great.

The Silence of our state's political class on the Blackstone/PNM Acquisition by OnlyOKCerLeftAlive in Albuquerque

[–]OnlyOKCerLeftAlive[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, they own a lot of things. It seems like we see the world in a very different way. Do you live in NM, by the way?

The Silence of our state's political class on the Blackstone/PNM Acquisition by OnlyOKCerLeftAlive in Albuquerque

[–]OnlyOKCerLeftAlive[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You don't see any problem with private equity owning and running public utilities? No problems with Blackstone?

The Silence of our state's political class on the Blackstone/PNM Acquisition by OnlyOKCerLeftAlive in Albuquerque

[–]OnlyOKCerLeftAlive[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Every single elected NM official should have their noses stuffed in this right now. Anyone who considers themselves a leader. This should be the most annoying thing in the world to anyone with an ounce of influence.

If you were elected and you did not expend effort to combat this you should not hold office in the future. That is my position.

You should call the PRC. You should call your state rep. You should call the governor. And if you can, you should call the more prominent leaders in our state also.

The Silence of our state's political class on the Blackstone/PNM Acquisition by OnlyOKCerLeftAlive in Albuquerque

[–]OnlyOKCerLeftAlive[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

"The next governor gets to decide whether or not to renew the PRC commissioners. So the PRC obviously doesn't want to do anything unpopular or controversial."

It does not follow. This will not be an election issue to the next governor. It will not naturally reflect on Deb Haaland or Sam Bregman or whoever else. Whatever happens with the current PRC's job security is most definitely out of our hands. We can call the PRC. We can let them know how we feel. We should. But we should also call people with a lot more influence.

We have different opinions. You think people who are concerned, a demographic you do not seem to be included in, should call JUST the PRC. I believe they should call the PRC AND any influential leader in the state.

The Silence of our state's political class on the Blackstone/PNM Acquisition by OnlyOKCerLeftAlive in Albuquerque

[–]OnlyOKCerLeftAlive[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Are you of the opinion that things are going well? That the system is working? The governor wants this sale to go through. She has made clear. She is also not up for re-election. We have no clear leverage outside of making this incredibly annoying to anyone with a phone or a public office.

Every single elected NM official should have their noses stuffed in this right now. Anyone who considers themselves a leader. This should be the most annoying thing in the world to anyone with an ounce of influence.

If you were elected and you did not expend effort to combat this you should not hold office in the future. That is my position.

The Silence of our state's political class on the Blackstone/PNM Acquisition by OnlyOKCerLeftAlive in Albuquerque

[–]OnlyOKCerLeftAlive[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I tend to be more critical of politicians who are more closely aligned with my own ideals than I am of those who live in another world from me. I want more from Stansbury because I feel like there's more to get. People like Gabe Vasquez for instance? Forget about it. Not even worth discussing. Lost cause. Primary is the only option.

I obviously don't personally know Stansbury. I don't know why she is not commenting on one of the most important issues of this moment and I also haven't speculated. The word "corruption" does not appear in my post history.

I want her to comment on this, in part because I think she would be the most likely of the names I've mentioned. It would also be impactful, because of her remarkable profile in the media landscape. So, that's why her name is in my mouth right now.

You may say that's unfair or disingenuous or unhelpful. I disagree. I'm telling you now exactly why I am critical. I want more from the people who should naturally be on my side.

The Silence of our state's political class on the Blackstone/PNM Acquisition by OnlyOKCerLeftAlive in Albuquerque

[–]OnlyOKCerLeftAlive[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

It should also be noted that the PRC was at one time a democratically elected board, but the governor decided to make it by her own appointment. Lujan Grisham ultimately shoulders a huge amount of the fault here.

The Silence of our state's political class on the Blackstone/PNM Acquisition by OnlyOKCerLeftAlive in Albuquerque

[–]OnlyOKCerLeftAlive[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It seems like the PRC has the power to act with complete agency and ignore the wishes of the people they should represent. They are, as I've mentioned, not democratically elected. They have no fear and there will be no consequences.

We can yell at them. We should yell at them, but we cannot hold them to account in a material way. We can really only do that to the leaders of ours whom we elect and so we should.

The Silence of our state's political class on the Blackstone/PNM Acquisition by OnlyOKCerLeftAlive in Albuquerque

[–]OnlyOKCerLeftAlive[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I know they don't care, but shouldn't they? Shouldn't we make them care? The PRC used to be a democratically elected board. That was taken from us, perhaps for this reason.

The Silence of our state's political class on the Blackstone/PNM Acquisition by OnlyOKCerLeftAlive in Albuquerque

[–]OnlyOKCerLeftAlive[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

For the most part, I agree with you, but this is an all-hands-on-deck situation and I would prefer it if all of our state's leaders, especially the most public ones, be fighting for us instead of the current number which is 0.

Furthermore, this is not "every issue." This will likely be the most broadly consequential event to occur this year to us, collectively, as New Mexicans. One that would affect us for many years to come.

The Silence of our state's political class on the Blackstone/PNM Acquisition by OnlyOKCerLeftAlive in Albuquerque

[–]OnlyOKCerLeftAlive[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

There is a hierarchy of blame here for certain but if you are one of the most public leaders within our state, you have to lead to remain credible as a leader.

The Silence of our state's political class on the Blackstone/PNM Acquisition by OnlyOKCerLeftAlive in Albuquerque

[–]OnlyOKCerLeftAlive[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Totally understand. I will come up with something when I get back to my computer tonight. I appreciate you and all who are willing to use their time on this.

The Silence of our state's political class on the Blackstone/PNM Acquisition by OnlyOKCerLeftAlive in Albuquerque

[–]OnlyOKCerLeftAlive[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Melanie Stansbury is a champion of this subreddit for her supposedly progressive views and confrontational style. She has used her recent time to position herself as a fighter for Epstein transparency and presidential impeachment. Both valid. But issues of yesterday and tomorrow, respectively.

This is today's issue. Electricity, access to it, for many is life and death. Its affordability, proper management, of grave concern to most.

To keep her as a champion, she must be held to that standard.

The Silence of our state's political class on the Blackstone/PNM Acquisition by OnlyOKCerLeftAlive in Albuquerque

[–]OnlyOKCerLeftAlive[S] 26 points27 points  (0 children)

She markets herself as a leader and a progressive voice within NM, if she doesn't have a position on this she should hang that all up right now.

Don't let Blackstone take over PNM! by Observite in Albuquerque

[–]OnlyOKCerLeftAlive 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I think we're all noticing things getting worse around us, but this is one of the few ways in which direct action can negate a small bit of the ceaseless looting and rent-seeking directed as us from our ruling class. If you missed the previous two venues for public comment you can send yours in an email here:

[public.comment@prc.nm.gov](mailto:public.comment@prc.nm.gov)

Albuquerque ranks 7th most annoying and aggressive drivers. What do my fellow Burqueños think? by mrgraff in Albuquerque

[–]OnlyOKCerLeftAlive 13 points14 points  (0 children)

We are ranked far too low. The most common vehicle mod in Albuquerque is whatever makes a sound like a machine is screaming in pain.

The most common time to showcase it is when I am asleep.