News Release

Dec. 2, 2003

PNM Gas-Fired Plants Receive International
Certification for Environmental Standards

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NEWS MEDIA CONTACT Susan Sponar Telephone: (505) 241-2768

Albuquerque: Three of PNM's gas-fired power plants have achieved international recognition for the development of management system procedures and objectives for environmental performance.

After a year of intense planning and documentation, Reeves Generating Station in Albuquerque, N.M., Afton Generating Station near La Mesa, N.M., and Lordsburg Generating Station in Lordsburg, N.M., have achieved international environmental recognition that is assessed and certified to meet ISO 14001 standards.

PNM is one of few utilities nationwide that has achieved the certification for the majority of its power plants. PNM's coal-fired plant, the PNM San Juan Generating Station, became ISO 14001 certified in 2000.

Developed by the International Organization for Standardization in Switzerland, the ISO 14001 certification program sets worldwide standards for management systems used to control environmental performance.

"As part of PNM's continued commitment to environmental stewardship, it is important that all of PNM's generation facilities clearly demonstrate that we are responsible for our impact on the environment and employ a philosophy of continuous improvement," said Pat Goodman, vice president for power production at PNM. "This certification shows that we have a high level of expertise to successfully manage our environmental controls."

To meet the ISO 14001 standards, each plant was required to extensively assess and document all of its significant environmental impacts and associated procedures, specifically focusing on air emissions and water usage and emissions. Using the assessment, each plant must develop annual objectives and targets for improved performance.

As part of the ISO 14001 program, each plant performed an internal and external audit for conformance. The plants will continue to be audited annually by an external accredited ISO 14001 registrar to maintain the registration. During the audits, the registrar will look for an established environmental policy, objectives and targets; assigned responsibilities and accountability for achieving established targets; financial and human resources including work force training to meet targets; and an established structure for reporting environmental performance to upper management.

PNM is the principal subsidiary of PNM Resources, an energy holding company based in Albuquerque. PNM provides electric utility service to 387,000 customers and natural gas service to 450,000 customers in New Mexico. The company also sells power on the wholesale market in the Western U.S. PNM Resources stock is traded primarily on the NYSE under the symbol PNM.

ISO (International Organization for Standardization) is the source of the ISO 9000 and ISO 14000 families of quality and environmental management standards and some 14000 International Standards for business, government and society. ISO is a network of national standards institutes from more than 140 countries working in partnership with international organizations, governments, industry, business and consumer representatives. For more information, visit the ISO Web site at www.iso.org.