Intense summer heat prompts New Mexico lawmakers, utility companies to take action

Federal lawmakers are looking to protect workers amid a perilous heatwave throughout New Mexico, with temperatures soaring well into the triple digits throughout the state in recent weeks.

Southeast New Mexico could be facing the worst of it, with high temperatures forecast at 105 degree each day this week, according to the National Weather Service, with Las Cruces predicted to heat up to 99 or 100 degrees.

Alamogordo was forecast in the high 90s throughout the week, and further north in Farmington was most predicted to have highs in the 90s and upper 80s.

More: Are pecans driving New Mexico's drought? Heat, lack of rain predicted in coming weeks

To address the seemingly rising summer heat in New Mexico and throughout the American West, U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM) cosponsored a bill introduced in the U.S. Senate July 26 to increase federal protection for workers in “high-heat” conditions.

The Auncion Valdivia Heat Illness, Injury and Fatality Prevention Act was named for a grape farm worker in California who died in 2004 after picking grapes for 10 hours in 105-degree heat.

It would require the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to development federal safety standards for workers in both indoor and outdoor environments.

More: High heat and fire danger close portions of Guadalupe Mountains National Park Wednesday

“As the climate crisis delivers record breaking heat, our country needs better protections for those working in dangerously high heat,” Lujan said. “Farmworkers have the highest rates of heat-related illness. This is especially concerning given that many children work in the agricultural sector."

OSHA reported excessive heat cost the lives of at least 121 workers between 2017, and 2022 and Lujan said the bill would be especially helpful to his state as it grapples with intensifying heat Lujan said was exacerbated by climate change.

“This legislation requires the Department of Labor to establish safety standards such as paid breaks in cool spaces, reliable access to water, and time limitations on heat exposure to ensure the safety of New Mexico’s workers,” Lujan said.

More: Extreme heat and wind cause fire restrictions at Carlsbad Caverns National Park

If passed by Congress, the bill would require workers be given breaks while in high-heat settings, access to water and emergency response if suffering heat-related illness.

The federal government currently lacks such federal standards argued U.S. Rep. Judy Chu (D-Cali.), who sponsored the U.S. House of Representative’s equivalent legislation which was cosponsored by U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-NM).

“The escalating climate crisis has led to sweltering temperatures and to a distressing increase in cases of workers collapsing and even losing their lives due to excessive heat,” she said. “To value our workforce and protect people’s safety and lives, this bill will establish comprehensive and enforceable federal standards addressing heat stress on the job.”

More: Blistering summer heat threatens wildfires, strains power grids in southeast New Mexico

Xcel Energy offers relief for high summer power bills amid intense heat

Aside from physical danger, high heat can also mean bigger electricity bills as air conditioners in New Mexico are on full blast throughout the summer, warned Adrian Rodriguez, president of Xcel Energy’s New Mexico-Texas operations.

The utility serves most of eastern New Mexico and parts of West Texas, a region facing below-average rainfall and higher-than average heat this summer – meaning higher electricity bills as users cool their homes.

Rodriguez said customers facing higher-than-normal bills can apply for payment plans through the company, reporting Roswell had the highest above-average heat at about 5 more than normal, while Lubbock, Texas was 3.7% hotter than average.

More: Want to beat the summer heat? These 10 lakes in New Mexico offer cool water experiences

“We understand our customers are operating on tight budgets, and a high bill can create a lot of anxiety,” Rodriguez said. “This summer has been an especially difficult one because of extreme heat, but our customer care representatives are standing by to discuss these high bills and can provide options that will help customers manage their payments.”

Canda Henry, senior director in Xcel Energy’s Customer Care Group based in Amarillo, Texas said payment plans are made on a case-by-case basis and typically last for three to six months.

“Customers facing loss of income or other hardships that prevent them from making payments can talk with one of our personal account representatives, who can connect them with agencies in their area that offer help with utility bills,” Henry said.

Xcel also recommended customers reduce energy bills by timing air conditioning use to when most people are home, using ceiling fans and opening indoor doors to help circulate cool air.

Closing drapes during the day, turning off electronics when not in use and switching to more energy-efficient light bulbs can also reduce energy use during the summer heat, the utility said.

Adrian Hedden can be reached at 575-628-5516, achedden@currentargus.com or @AdrianHedden on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: Lujan leads bill to protect workers amid intense heat in New Mexico