ARTHUR
                                    ANDERSEN





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October 30, 1998                            Arthur Andersen LLP
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                                            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, 333-03289, 333-03303, and
333-53367 its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1998, which includes
our report dated  October 30, 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