ARTHUR
                                    ANDERSEN





                                            -------------------------------
August 7, 1998                              Arthur Andersen LLP
                                            -------------------------------
                                            Suite 400
                                            6501 Americas Parkway NE
                                            Albuquerque, NM 87110-5372
                                            (505) 889-4700


Public Service Company of New Mexico:

We are aware that  Public  Service  Company of New  Mexico has  incorporated  by
reference in its Registration Statement Nos. 33-65418, 333-03303,  333-03289 and
333-53367 its Form 10-Q for the quarter  ended June 30, 1998, which includes our
report  dated  August  7,  1998,   covering  the  unaudited   interim  financial
information contained therein. Pursuant to Regulation C of the Securities Act of
1933,  that  report  is not  considered  a part  of the  registration  statement
prepared or certified by our firm or a report  prepared or certified by our firm
within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of the Act.

Very truly yours,



Arthur Andersen LLP