Simply Better Recipes Featured in 2006-07 Cookbook

The First Choice Power annual cookbook is a Texas tradition many customers look forward to each year. This year, that tradition joins with a new program to give customers rewards throughout the year.

Just for enrolling in the First Choice Power Simply Better Rewards program, you’ll receive a free cookbook – plus, you’ll begin accumulating points that you can redeem for name-brand merchandise. This offer is good for all enrollments now through Nov. 30, while supplies last. The 2006-07 cookbook features favorite recipes submitted by customers. From savory appetizers to sumptuous desserts, the cookbook features a number of tasty temptations to try in your own kitchen.

Simply Better Rewards lets you earn points just for being a customer. You earn 100 points just by registering, and one point for every dollar paid on your bill from that point forward. You can register online at www.SimplyBetterRewards.com (have your account number handy before logging on). Cookbooks for new Simply Better Rewards members will be mailed in December.

If you’ve already registered for Simply Better Rewards, you can use 100 of your points to order a cookbook. The cookbook will be featured in the Simply Better Rewards catalogue you’ll receive in October, and can be found through the online catalogue at www.SimplyBetterRewards.com.

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PNM Resources Named to List of Top 50 Companies for Hispanics

First Choice Power’s parent company, PNM Resources, recently placed sixth on HISPANIC BUSINESS magazine’s Top 50 Companies for Hispanics list. PNM Resources also owns PNM in New Mexico and has a combined work force of nearly 3,300 employees.

“We actively seek a diverse work force that reflects the communities we serve,” said Alice Cobb, chief administrative officer of PNM Resources. “We believe we get a richer set of business results to the extent that we have a diverse set of voices around the table.”

The survey, which is the second conducted by the magazine, measured corporate commitment to Hispanic hiring, promotion, marketing, philanthropy, minority representation at the board and leadership level and supplier diversity. The magazine contacted Fortune 500 companies, American subsidiaries of Global 500 companies, and other large U.S. public and private companies.

PNM Resources is one of four energy companies to make the Top 50. The magazine specifically singled out the company for its record on minority hiring. Minorities make up 43 percent of the company’s work force; women and minorities are represented in top management and on the board of directors. This is the first time PNM Resources has made the list.

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Free Resources for Teachers

Did you know that First Choice Power publishes a free e-newsletter for educators that shares teaching ideas based on First Choice Power Classroom Innovation Grant-winning projects? Published 10 times during the school year, this newsletter also informs teachers of grant opportunities and deadlines – and provides tips on how to write a successful grant application.

Get your free e-newsletter by visiting www.FirstChoicePower.com/fund. Click on “Educators Newsletter” to sign up. There, you’ll also find more information about First Choice Power Classroom Innovation Grants. Applications will be available online Oct. 5 and need to be submitted online by Feb. 5, 2007. Tell your favorite teacher to apply.

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How to Save on Winter Energy Costs

While it may not feel like it now, winter will be here soon and everyone will have to turn on the heat. For most of us, energy management in the winter is just as important as in the summer. Conserve energy and keep winter heating costs in line by observing the simple suggestions below.

• Most people have heard that raising your thermostat in the summer by just one degree can save 6 percent to 8 percent on cooling costs for the average household, The opposite is true in the winter: every degree you lower your thermostat will save as much as 8 percent on heating costs.

• Energy consumers can save as much as an additional 10 percent by closing off heating in areas that do not require it.

• Use insulating shutters or drapes, keeping them closed at night. Open the drapes on south-facing windows on sunny days. Keep drapes closed on large windows that do not receive direct sun. As much as 16 percent of your heat can escape through unprotected windows.

• Keep your furnace clean, lubricated and properly adjusted, which can save as much as 5 percent of heating costs.

• Seal any leaks in heating system ducts.

• Lower the thermostat when using your fireplace and always close the flue when the fireplace is not in use.

• Install a tight-fitting damper and glass doors on your fireplace. Keep the doors closed when the fireplace in not in use.

• Locate the thermostat on an inside wall away from windows and doors.

• Change furnace filters monthly or bimonthly for efficiency.

• Install a programmable thermostat. This will allow you to select periods of higher and lower temperature settings throughout the day.

For more energy conservation tips, visit us online at www.firstchoicepower.com.

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 PUC REP Certificate # 10008