News Release

Jan. 17, 2004

PNM Customers Target of Radio Advertising Prank

PNM NEWS News releases Financial news Contact PNM

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

Albuquerque: PNM customers have access to a plentiful supply of electricity, but listeners of Citadal Communications radio stations in New Mexico might question that.

That's because at least two of the stations are airing an ad that warns listeners of a state legislative ban on holiday lights during the non-holiday season due to a shortage of power in the Western United States. The ad warns of a possible per-bulb fine and points listeners to a web site where they can go for more information or to report a neighbor.

The ads are completely false.

"Here's the truth: we have adequate supplies of power to meet customer needs, and there is no ban on holiday lights," said Frederick Bermudez, PNM director of Corporate Communications.

PNM has round-the-clock access to power from eight different power plants, including plants powered by coal, nuclear fuel, natural gas and wind. In addition, PNM can purchase power on the wholesale market from power sources throughout the Western United States.

Bermudez said that to PNM's knowledge, the organization supposedly sponsoring the ads, "Power Cooperative of New Mexico," does not exist.

"This radio advertising prank is similar to one that ran on the East Coast just a few days ago," Bermudez said.

A radio station in Rochester, N.Y., ran a similar hoax this week.

PNM traced the prank by looking at source code on the joke web site, which points directly to KOB-FM, a Citadel station.