New Mexico Statutes Chapter 62. Electric, Gas and Water Utilities § 62-19-17. Utility division

A. The utility division shall serve as staff to the commission in the regulation of electric, natural gas, renewable energy sources, telecommunications and water and wastewater systems as provided by law.

B. The commission shall set minimum educational and experience requirements for the director of the utility division.

C. The utility division shall represent the public interest in utility matters before the commission and may present testimony and evidence and cross-examine witnesses. In order to represent the public interest, the utility division shall present to the commission its beliefs on how the commission should fulfill its responsibility to balance the public interest, consumer interest and investor interest.

D. The utility division shall perform the functions of the telecommunications department of the former state corporation commission and staff functions, not including advisory functions, of the former New Mexico public utility commission.

E. Utility division staff shall not have ex parte communications with commissioners or a hearing examiner assigned to a utility case, except as expressly permitted pursuant to Section 8-8-17 NMSA 1978.