{ "id": 5322559, "name": "CITY OF LAS CRUCES, a Municipal Corporation, Plaintiff-Appellee and Cross-Appellant, v. RIO GRANDE GAS COMPANY, a New Mexico Corporation, Defendant-Appellant and Cross-Appellee", "name_abbreviation": "City of Las Cruces v. Rio Grande Gas Co.", "decision_date": "1967-08-28", "docket_number": "No. 8256", "first_page": "350", "last_page": "354", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "78 N.M. 350" }, { "type": "parallel", "cite": "431 P.2d 492" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "N.M.", "id": 8835, "name": "Supreme Court of New Mexico" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 52, "name_long": "New Mexico", "name": "N.M." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "180 So.2d 746", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "So. 2d", "case_ids": [ 9826099 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/so2d/180/0746-01" ] }, { "cite": "74 N.M. 783", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 2799934 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1965, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/74/0783-01" ] }, { "cite": "68 N.M. 467", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 2717610 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1961, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/68/0467-01" ] }, { "cite": "73 N.M. 50", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 5322218 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1963, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/73/0050-01" ] }, { "cite": "77 N.M. 587", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 2809016 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1967, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/77/0587-01" ] }, { "cite": "56 N.M. 415", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 1584796 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1952, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/56/0415-01" ] }, { "cite": "72 N.M. 411", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 2855432 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1963, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/72/0411-01" ] }, { "cite": "39 N.M. 76", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 1573370 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1935, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/39/0076-01" ] }, { "cite": "52 N.M. 415", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 1579503 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1948, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/52/0415-01" ] }, { "cite": "17 L.Ed.2d 433", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "L. Ed. 2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "87 S.Ct. 503", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "S. Ct.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "385 U.S. 969", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "U.S.", "case_ids": [ 11405058, 11405157, 11405128, 11405101, 11405231, 11405270 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/us/385/0969-01", "/us/385/0969-04", "/us/385/0969-03", "/us/385/0969-02", "/us/385/0969-05", "/us/385/0969-06" ] }, { "cite": "76 N.M. 434", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 8502799 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1966, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/76/0434-01" ] }, { "cite": "51 N.M. 150", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 1578310 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1947, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/51/0150-01" ] }, { "cite": "34 N.M. 326", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 1556031 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1929, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/34/0326-01" ] }, { "cite": "131 A.L.R. 1225", "category": "reporters:specialty", "reporter": "A.L.R.", "year": 1940, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "45 N.M. 23", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 1565202 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1940, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/45/0023-01" ] }, { "cite": "140 P. 1051", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "P.", "year": 1914, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "19 N.M. 75", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 4704173 ], "year": 1914, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/19/0075-01" ] }, { "cite": "58 A.L.R. 573", "category": "reporters:specialty", "reporter": "A.L.R.", "year": 1926, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "31 N.M. 641", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 1551441 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1926, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/31/0641-01" ] }, { "cite": "66 N.M. 184", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 2849416 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1959, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/66/0184-01" ] }, { "cite": "50 L.R.A. 224", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "L.R.A.", "year": 1900, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "60 P. 208", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "P.", "year": 1900, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "10 N.M. 6", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 11271953 ], "year": 1900, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/10/0006-01" ] }, { "cite": "76 N.M. 511", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 8503404 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1966, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/76/0511-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 653, "char_count": 13201, "ocr_confidence": 0.675, "pagerank": { "raw": 1.6422149739823207e-07, "percentile": 0.6913074854943281 }, "sha256": "3b32a636e52f5ccd00eeb97b33c05bbb7d8abf7b820698baadad54f190288b7e", "simhash": "1:8f6fd91d34d5dcf1", "word_count": 2219 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T21:27:10.359171+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [ "MOISE and CARMODY, JJ, concur." ], "parties": [ "CITY OF LAS CRUCES, a Municipal Corporation, Plaintiff-Appellee and Cross-Appellant, v. RIO GRANDE GAS COMPANY, a New Mexico Corporation, Defendant-Appellant and Cross-Appellee." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "OPINION\nWOOD, Judge, Court of Appeals.\nThe appeal raises two issues: (1) the authority of a municipality to provide natural gas service more than five miles outside the municipal boundary and (2) the. right to injunctive relief. The cross-appeal raises one issue: the authority of the gas company to operate within territory annexed by the .municipality. The issues on the appeal and cross-appeal are unrelated.\nFacts pertinent to the appeal are: Las' Cruces (City of Las Cruces, a municipal corporation) operates' its own natural gas' distribution system. It provides service to. customers, more .than fiv\u00e9 miles from the. city limits and within territory in which Rio Grande .(Rio Grande Gas Co., a New Mexico corporation) is authorized to operate. -By its counterclaim, Rio Grande sought to enjoin Las Cruces from providing natural gas -service in territory more than five .miles from its municipal limits when that territory is within the area in which Rio Grande is authorized to operate.\nThe trial court denied injunctive reliqf to .Rio Grande. It held that Las Cruces\u2019 natural gas distributipn more than five miles from the municipal limits did not violate any state law and dismissed the counterclaim. Rio Gr-ande appeals.\nLas Cruces\u2019 authority to operate a natural gas utility is derived from the state. Bowdich v. City of Albuquerque, 76 N.M. 511, 416 P.2d 523 (1966). The power to act must be derived from the statute conferring it. Agua Pura Co. v. Mayor and Board of Aldermen of City of Las Vegas, 10 N.M. 6, 60 P. 208, 50 L.R.A. 224 (1900).\n\u2022Rio Grande sought, its injunctive relief in an action commenced in January 1965. At that time,'\u00a7 14-39-327 N.M.S.A. 1953, was, in . effect. With certain exceptions, which are riot involved, here', that, section provides that natural gas distribution lines should not extend more than five miles from the limits of the municipality. Hooker v. Village of Hatch, 66 N.M. 184, 344 P.2d 699 (1959).\nA municipal code was enacted as Laws 1965, ch. 300. Section 14-39-32, N.M.S.A. 1953, was repealed. Laws 1965, ch. 300, \u00a7 595. The municipal code does not affect rights of action against the municipality commenced before the effective date of the code, which was July 1, 1965. Laws 1965, ch. 300, \u00a7\u00a7 592 and 597. Thus, \u00a7 14-39-32, N.M.S.A. 1953, would appear to apply.\nHowever, both parties have presented the issue of Las Cruces\u2019 authority on the basis that \u00a7\u00a7 14 \u2014 24\u20141 and 14 \u2014 24-3, N. M.S.A. 1953, apply. These are provisions of the municipal code enacted in 1965 and appear in N.M.S.A. 1953, vol. 3 (Supp. 1965).\nSection 14-24 \u2014 1, supra, states:\n\u201cA. It is the intent of the legislature to authorize municipalities to:\n\u201c(1) obtain the benefits of a natural gas supply or additional supply for their inhabitants and others within five [5] miles of the municipal boundary;\n\u201c(2) take proper steps and actions necessary to that end by the acquisition of a natural gas system; and\n\u201c(3) finance the acquisition of the natural gas system through the issuance of bonds.\n\u201cB. Sections 14-24 \u2014 1 through 14-24-6 New Mexico Statutes Annotated, 1953 Compilation, shall be liberally construed in conformity with the intent of this section.\u201d\nSection 14-24-3, supra, provides in part:\n\u201cA. The natural gas utility may include, but is not limited to:\n\u201c(1) in the municipality and within fifty [50] miles of the municipal boundary, facilities appropriate to the transportation, pumping, storage or purification of natural gas;\n\u201c(2) in the municipality and within five [5] miles of the municipal boundary, facilities for the distribution of natural gas. The gas utility shall include any land or real estate needed for the location of any such facilities.\u201d\nLas Cruces contends that the five-mile limit of \u00a7 14\u201424\u20141 is removed by the words \u201cnot limited to\u201d appearing in \u00a7 14\u201424\u20143. We disagree. Whatever the meaning of \u201cnot limited to\u201d, these words do not extend the municipality\u2019s authority to distribute natural gas to customers more than five miles beyond the municipal limits. Section 14\u201424\u20141 declares the legislature\u2019s intent that municipalities are authorized to obtain the benefit of a natural gas supply \u201cwithin five [5] miles of the municipal boundary.\u201d Section 14\u201424-1 also provides that \u00a7 14\u201424\u20143 is to be construed in conformity with that intent.\nLas Cruces did not have authority to provide natural gas service to customers more than five miles beyond its municipal boundary. The authority was lacking under \u00a7 14-39-32, N.M.S.A. 1953 (now repealed). It is lacking under \u00a7\u00a7 14-24-1 and 14-24-3, N.M.S.A. 1953 (Supp. 1965). Its distribution of natural gas to customers more than five miles from the city boundary violates state law. In holding to the contrary, the trial court erred. Whether the error is reversible error depends on whether Rio Grande had a right to in-junctive relief.\nInjunctions are granted to prevent irreparable injury for which there is no adequate and complete remedy at law. Asplund v. Hannett, 31 N.M. 641, 249 P. 1074, 58 A.L.R. 573 (1926); La Mesa Community Ditch v. Appelzoeller, 19 N.M. 75, 140 P. 1051 (1914). The question here is whether Rio Grande has demonstrated that it will suffer an irreparable injury.\nIn seeking injunctive relief, Rio Grande did not proceed as a taxpayer. Thus, authorities holding that the requirement of irreparable injury is met by showing a public loss in which the taxpayer shares are not in point. See Shipley v. Smith, 45 N.M. 23, 107 P.2d 1050, 131 A.L.R. 1225 (1940); Ward v. City of Roswell, 34 N.M. 326, 281 P. 28 (1929).\nRio Grande seeks injunctive relief on the basis that Las Cruces is distributing natural gas beyond the five-mile limit and in territory in which Rio Grande has authority to operate. These facts do not establish irreparable injury; they fail to show the action of Las Cruces has harmed Rio Grande.\nIn Sierra Electric Cooperative v. Town of Hot Springs, 51 N.M. 150, 180 P.2d 244 (1947), there was a question as to the authority of the municipality to provide electrical service. Plaintiff was denied in-junctive relief. There it was stated:\n\u201cEven admitting that the defendant\u2019s action in engaging in the public utility business * * * would be ultra vires * * * this could not properly concern such plaintiff \u2014 certainly, does not entitle it to injunctive relief \u2014 unless it can show damage. How can it do so if itself unable to give the service which it claims the defendant threatens unlawfully to furnish? The mere fact that the Town would be engaging in an ultra vires act, if it would, does not alone entitle the plaintiff to complain. \u201c * * * There will be time enough for it to complain when it can show hurt. * * * \u201d\nHere, there was no showing that Rio Grande was able to give the service which Las Cruces is furnishing unlawfully. Thus, Rio Grande has failed to show injury to itself entitling it to injunctive relief. La Mesa Community Ditch v. Appelzoeller, supra. The trial court did not err in dismissing the petition for injunctive relief.\nFacts pertinent to the cross-appeal are: Under a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued by the Public Service Commission, Rio Grande has authority to provide natural gas service to customers in Dona Ana County outside of the municipal limits of Las Cruces. Under a franchise from the Board of County Commissioners of Dona Ana County, Rio Grande has authority to use streets, alleys and public ways in the county outside of municipalities. This use is for the installation of transmission and distribution lines required by Rio Grande to render natural gas utility service.\nIn October 1964, Las Cruces annexed an area in Dona Ana County known as Mesil-la Park. Las Cruces filed a declaratory judgment action asking the court to declare its authority to grant or deny Rio Grande permission to construct or operate a natural gas public utility within the annexed area. The trial court held that Rio Grande had the right to render natural gas utility service in the annexed area and that Las Cruces could not deprive Rio Grande of that right. Las Cruces cross-appeals.\nPrior to the annexation, Rio Grande was authorized to provide natural gas utility service within the annexed area. In providing that service, Rio Grande was authorized to use the streets, alleys and public ways of the annexed area.\nHow was this authority affected by the annexation? The annexation brought the area within the municipal limits. Rio Grande does not have authority to provide service within the municipal limits. Thus, its right to serve tthe annexed area depends on whether the act of annexation cut off its prior right.\nWe determine the issue of Rio Grande\u2019s rights on the basis of its franchise to use the streets, alleys and public ways of the annexed area. No issue is raised concerning \u00a7 68-7-2, N.M.S.A. 1953; we do not consider whether it has application to the facts of this case. See New Mexico Elec. Serv. Co. v. Lea County Elec. Coop., 76 N.M. 434, 415 P.2d 556 (1966), cert. denied 385 U.S. 969, 87 S.Ct. 503, 17 L.Ed.2d 433.\nIf Rio Grande had erected, constructed or, in good faith, commenced the erection or construction of a natural gas utility system within the annexed area prior to the annexation, then Las Cruces was required to recognize Rio Grande\u2019s right-to use the streets; alleys and public ways, of the annexed area in providing natural gas utility service to that area. Such recognition is required by \u00a7 14-21-48, N.M.S.A. 1953 (now repealed) and by \u00a7 14-43-2, N.M.S.A. 1953 (Supp. 1965). Village of Ruidoso v. Ruidoso Telephone Co, 52 N.M. 415, 200 P.2d 713 (1948); Village of Hobbs v. Mann, 39 N.M. 76, 39 P.2d 1025 (1935); see Mountain States T. & T. Co. v. Suburban Telephone Co, 72 N.M. 411, 384 P.2d 684 (1963); Mountain States T. & T. Co. v. Town of Belen, 56 N.M. 415, 244 P.2d 1112 (1952).\nLas Cruces contends that Rio Grande had not commenced construction prior to annexation. It attacks the conclusion of the trial court that Rio Grande had a vested right to use the streets, alleys and public ways of the annexed area. In attacking this conclusion it relies on findings of the trial court to the effect that Rio Grande first entered on the streets and ways of the annexed area some. three hours after the annexation was completed. Las Cruces refers us to decisions of other jurisdictions interpreting the word \u201ccommence\u201d to mean a digging into or actual breaking of ground.\nLas Cruces, however, makes no attack upon findings of the trial court. Findings pertaining to action of Rio Grande prior to the annexation are to the following effect:\n1. A feasibility report for $600,000.00 in financing was based on its right to sell natural gas to all consumers in Dona Ana County outside of the municipal limits of Las Cruces as such limits existed in 1962.\n2. It had -in good faith expended in excess of $600,000.00 in installing and constructing its system within its franchised territory.\n3. It had installed a 4-inch high pressure gas transmission line adjacent'to the annexed area designed to, and adequate to, serve the residents of said annexed area with a. natural gas distribution system from the high pressure line.\n4. It had purchased-and had available all materials necessary to serve consumers in the annexed area.\n5. The annexed area had been included in its overall plan for natural gas utility service; it had in good faith acquired necessary materials to provide such service; was then and now is ready, able and willing to provide such service.\nBeing unattacked, the appeal rests on these facts. Reed v. Nevins, 77 N.M. 587, 425 P.2d 813 (1967). The question then is whether these findings support the trial court\u2019s conclusion that Rio Grande had acquired a vested right prior to the annexation. Kerr v. Akard Brothers Trucking Co, 73 N.M. 50, 385 P.2d 570 (1963).\nState ex rel. Reynolds v. Mendenhall, 68 N.M. 467, 362 P.2d 998 (1961), and McBee v. Reynolds, 74 N.M. 783, 399 P.2d 110 (1965), use the word \u201ccommence\u201d as synonymous with \u201cinitiate.\u201d The undisputed facts show that Rio Grande had initiated construction of a natural gas utility system for the annexed area pri- or to the annexation. Neither \u00a7 14\u201421-48, N.M.S.A. 1953, nor \u00a7 14-43-2, N.M.S.A. 1953 (Supp. 1965), require actual digging in the streets of the annexed area. All that is required is that the utility commence construction in good faith so as to provide utility service for the area. See Hilliard v. Franzheim, 180 So.2d 746 (La. App.1965). The findings support the conclusion of the trial court.\nRio Grande had acquired the right to use the streets, alleys and ways of the annexed area prior to the annexation. Under \u00a7 14-21-48, N.M.S.A. 1953, and \u00a7 14-43-2, N.M.S.A. 1953 (Supp. 1965), Las Cruces is required to recognize that right.\nThe judgment of the trial court is affirmed.\nIt is so ordered.\nMOISE and CARMODY, JJ, concur.", "type": "majority", "author": "WOOD, Judge, Court of Appeals." } ], "attorneys": [ "W. A, Keleher, . John B. Tittman,-\u00c1-lbu-, querque, for. appellant. '", "George Richard Schmitt, Las Cruces, for appellee." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "431 P.2d 492\nCITY OF LAS CRUCES, a Municipal Corporation, Plaintiff-Appellee and Cross-Appellant, v. RIO GRANDE GAS COMPANY, a New Mexico Corporation, Defendant-Appellant and Cross-Appellee.\nNo. 8256.\nSupreme Court of New Mexico.\nAug. 28, 1967.\nW. A, Keleher, . John B. Tittman,-\u00c1-lbu-, querque, for. appellant. '\nGeorge Richard Schmitt, Las Cruces, for appellee." }, "file_name": "0350-01", "first_page_order": 390, "last_page_order": 394 }