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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 TxNMwgG0EeA8HoVQsAqpoqmXgz0aSXX1wuvMBjX+QPZXjk+jOS2EV+X9Yzs60Uam
 AzrODgcuWcAY2fif1QTI4A==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001181431-09-058899.txt : 20091229
<SEC-HEADER>0001181431-09-058899.hdr.sgml : 20091229
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20091229131313
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001181431-09-058899
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20091228
FILED AS OF DATE:		20091229
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20091229

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HIRSCHI NATHAN
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001479540

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-14206
		FILM NUMBER:		091263425

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		100 N STANTON
		CITY:			EL PASO
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			79901

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			EL PASO ELECTRIC CO /TX/
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000031978
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	ELECTRIC SERVICES [4911]
		IRS NUMBER:				740607870
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			TX
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		100 NORTH STANTON
		CITY:			EL PASO
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			79901
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9155435711

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		100 NORTH STANTON
		CITY:			EL PASO
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			79901
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rrd261040.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0203</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-12-28</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000031978</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>EL PASO ELECTRIC CO /TX/</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>EE</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001479540</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>HIRSCHI NATHAN</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>6305 BRISA DEL MAR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>EL PASO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TX</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>79912</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>VP-SPECIAL PROJECTS</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>COMMON STOCK</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>NORMA J. AYOUB AS ATTORNEY IN FACT FOR NATHAN T. HIRSCHI</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-12-28</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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