8-K

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): June 26, 1996



SOUTHWESTERN PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

       New Mexico                        1-3789                  75-0575400
(State or other jurisdiction of     (Commission File No.)     (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)                              Identification No.)

            Tyler at Sixth, Amarillo, Texas 79101
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant's Telephone Number, including area code (806) 378-2121


ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS

     Reference  is made to the press  release  filed as an  exhibit  hereto  for
information  with  respect  to the  June  26,  1996  Federal  Energy  Regulatory
Commission order setting a schedule for its consideration of the proposed merger
of Southwestern Public Service Company and Public Service Company of Colorado to
create New Century Energies, Inc.

ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

     (c)   Exhibits.      The following exhibit is filed herewith:

            99            Press Release, dated June 27, 1996, of Southwestern 
                           Public Service Company.


SIGNATURES

     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.


SOUTHWESTERN PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY

Doyle R. Bunch II
Executive Vice President
Accounting and Corporate Development


DATE: July 1, 1996

EX-99

June 27, 1996

                          FERC Sets Expedited Schedule
                          For Review of SPS-PSCo Merger

     The Federal Energy Regulatory  Commission  Wednesday announced an expedited
schedule and a date of Jan. 31,  1997,  for an initial  decision on the proposed
merger of Southwestern Public Service Company (NYSE: SPS) and Public Service Co.
of Colorado (NYSE: PSR) to create New Century Energies, Inc.
     Based on that January date, the companies  would expect a final decision by
the commission and completion of the merger in spring 1997. However,  settlement
with all  parties  before the issue goes to hearing  could  result in an earlier
completion.
     SPS  Chairman  and Chief  Executive  Officer Bill D. Helton said the issues
identified  by FERC are those that the companies  expected to be addressed:  the
impact on competition and protection for rate payers.  "We are very pleased with
the  limited  and  focused  scope of the FERC  issues,  and we are pleased to be
moving  forward," Helton said. "We had been working toward a completion as early
as this fall,  but we  understand  the degree of change in the utility  industry
with  which the FERC is having to deal.  Still,  it is  important  to proceed as
quickly as reasonable,  because there are merger cost-savings and other benefits
for our customers that cannot begin until the merger is complete."
     "By terming this an expedited  schedule,  the FERC is  indicating  it wants
this review to proceed quickly," said PSCo President and Chief Executive Officer
Wayne H.  Brunetti.  "We  continue  to make  good  progress  as well in  seeking
required approvals from various other regulatory authorities. Hearings are under
way in  Texas,  and are set to begin  next  month in  Colorado  and New  Mexico.
Approval already has been obtained in Wyoming and Kansas."
     Southwestern   Public  Service  Company  provides  electric  service  to  a
population  of about one million  people in a  52,000-square-mile  area covering
eastern and  southeastern  New Mexico,  the South Plains and Panhandle of Texas,
the Oklahoma Panhandle and southwestern Kansas.  Through its Utility Engineering
Corporation  and Quixx  Corporation  subsidiaries,  the  company  also  provides
engineering and construction  management services to a variety of industries and
invests in non-utility power generation projects.  Corporate  headquarters is in
Amarillo, Texas.

For more information
News Media: Ken Vaughn, Manager of Communication, 806-378-2116
Security Analysts: Jim Steinhilper, Group Manager of Finance, 806-378-2843