Discontinue Service
The protection of disconnections of utility service for residential customers for non-payment expired on May 5, 2021. For more information call 575-546-8838 or 1-800-950-2667.
Columbus Electric Cooperative urges members directly affected by the public health crisis to contact us to let us know about your individual situation and enter into an installment payment plan regarding any past due utility bills. CEC is ready to work with members on a case-by-case basis to find a payment solution. Member Representatives are available Monday through Friday 8:00 am - to 5:00 pm at 575-546-8838 or 1-800-950-2667. A list of organizations that may be able to assist with past due balances is listed below.
- First United Methodist Church TLC- 575-544-2400
- Human Services Department (HSD) LIHEAP Office- 575-546-0467 or 1-800-283-4465
- Community Action Agency- 575-527-8799 or 1-800-657-8967
- Tierra Del Sol- 575-541-0477
- For New Mexico residents Emergency Rental Assistance Program
- Southern Arizona Community Action Program- 520-384-3120
A utility may discontinue utility service to a residential customer without prior notice in the event of:
- a condition determined by the utility to be hazardous;
- residential customer use of equipment in such manner as to adversely affect the utility's equipment or the utility's service to others;
- residential customer's tampering with, damaging, or deliberately destroying the equipment furnished and owned by the utility;
- unauthorized use of service provided by the utility.
A utility may discontinue service to a residential customer for:
- nonpayment of a delinquent account pursuant to 17.5.410.31 NMAC;
- failure to post a security deposit or guarantee pursuant to 17.5.410.31 NMAC, as applicable;
- failure to comply with the terms and conditions of a settlement agreement pursuant to 17.5.410.42 NMAC.
A utility may discontinue utility service to a residential customer after three (3) days' prior written notice in the event of the residential customer's:
- refusal to grant access at reasonable times to equipment installed upon the premises of the residential customer for the purpose of inspection, meter reading, maintenance, or replacement;
- failure to furnish such service, equipment, permits, certificates, and/or rights of way as shall have been specified by the utility as a condition to obtaining service or in the event such equipment or permissions are withdrawn or terminated;
- violation of and/or noncompliance with the utility's rules on file with and approved by the Commission.
The three-day notice required by subsection C of 17.5.410.29 NMAC shall be in English or Spanish, as may be applicable, and shall include the following:
- a statement of the reason(s) why the utility has issued notice to discontinue utility service pursuant to subsection C of 17.5.410.29 NMAC;
- the title(s), address, telephone number(s), and working hours of utility personnel responsible for carrying out the rights prescribed in 17.5.410 NMAC;
- a statement that the residential customer can obtain a review by utility personnel of the reasons for the proposed discontinuance of service, which shall stay the discontinuance during the review, and a statement that a complaint may be filed with the Commission if the residential customer disagrees with the utility's determination of the facts upon which the proposed discontinuance is based.