<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 23
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
To The Board of Directors of
TNP Enterprises, Inc. and The Trustee
and Thrift Plan Committee of the
Texas-New Mexico Power Company
Thrift Plan for Employees:
As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to incorporation by
reference in the Registration Statement (No. 333-64215) on Form S-3 of Texas-New
Mexico Power Company and Registration Statement (No. 333-38634) on Form S-4 of
TNP Enterprises, Inc. of our report dated June 16, 2000 included in TNP
Enterprises, Inc.'s Form 11-K for the year ended December 31, 1999 and to all
references to our Firm included in this registration statement.
ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Fort Worth, Texas,
June 16, 2000
