UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):

January 17, 2006

El Paso Electric Company

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Texas	0-296	74-0607870
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

Stanton Tower, 100 North Stanton, El Paso, Texas	79901
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

(915) 543-5711

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

N/A

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

¨ Written communication pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Section 8 – Other Events

Item 8.01 – Other Events

On January 16, 2006, the Company issued a press release regarding certain operations at Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station. A copy of the press release is included as Exhibit 99.01 to this Current Report and is incorporated by reference. The Company does not intend for this exhibit to be incorporated by reference into future filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Section 9 – Financial Statements and Exhibits

Item 9.01 – Financial Statements and Exhibits

(c)  Exhibits

99.01  Press Release dated January 16, 2006

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
By:	/s/ GARY D. SANDERS
	Gary D. Sanders
	Interim General Counsel and Assistant
	Corporate Secretary

Dated: January 17, 2006