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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,
 BhBfQdennN+65jgxU2ivpvkMsyJtSPH5rumaDW00wyCQX7PLnOl0Wz+QIUymVAmw
 w1YIQCP4xK/LoGSqJAZEnw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001181431-10-001037.txt : 20100105
<SEC-HEADER>0001181431-10-001037.hdr.sgml : 20100105
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20100105155912
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001181431-10-001037
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20100101
FILED AS OF DATE:		20100105
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20100105

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HEITZ KENNETH
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001186791

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-14206
		FILM NUMBER:		10506730

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		123 W MILLS
		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>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rrd261994.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2010-01-01</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001186791</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>HEITZ KENNETH</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>16848 CHARMEL LANE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>PACIFIC PALISADES</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>90272</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>COMMON STOCK</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2010-01-01</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>875</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>20.28</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>79464</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>NORMA J. AYOUB AS ATTORNEY IN FACT FOR KENNETH R. HEITZ</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2010-01-05</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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