Resident appeals electric company demand for new pole after city inspection cleared work

During public comment at the June 18 Socorro City Council meeting, Moises Mayes said he obtained city permits and passed the city inspection for electrical upgrades at his mother’s house, but El Paso Electric is requiring installation of a new pole and charging $5,000 to connect power.

Mayes said he hired an electrician who ensured work was up to code and that city inspectors had passed the work. He told the council that El Paso Electric told him the line from the nearest pole to his property exceeded 75 feet and therefore required a new pole; Mayes said his own remeasurement found 49 feet. He also said El Paso Electric asserted two cables come from one pole — which he said was incorrect based on photographs — and that the utility would not offer a payment plan. ‘‘They want $5,000 because of those reasons,’’ Mayes said.

A staff member at the meeting said the council cannot answer questions during public comment and that the correct process is to place an item on a future agenda. The same or another staff member said they had been talking with Mayes and had referred him to the electric company’s customer service so he could pursue the utility’s procedures.

Council did not take formal action on the matter during the meeting; staff advised the resident to follow the utility’s complaint and customer-service process and to request that the issue be posted on a future agenda if council involvement is needed.