By Hannah Grover
East Mountains residents who receive electricity from the Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM) may see an increase in power outages going forward.
PNM announced on Feb. 17 plans to shut off electricity in areas with higher fire risks during high winds. These public safety power shutoffs are intended to reduce the chance that utility lines will spark wildfires.
“The safety of our customers and the communities we serve is our number one priority,” PNM President and CEO Don Tarry said in a news release. “PNM crews work year-around to reduce wildfire risk in our service area but in extreme weather conditions, public safety concerns may require that power be shut off to some customers living near high fire risk areas. We are urging customers to be prepared for that possibility.”
The utility plans to send emails, postcards and bill messages to customers who could be affected by public safety power shutoffs. These notices will advise the customers on how to prepare for a power outage.
PNM said in a news release that it will provide as much advance notice as possible before shutting off power to affected customers.
The East Mountains are among the areas listed as high fire risk places where public safety power shutoffs could occur. Other areas include:
- Clayton
- Cochiti Pueblo
- Las Vegas
- Mescalero Apache Nation
- Ruidoso
- Silver City
- Tesuque Pueblo
PNM customers in those areas will be automatically enrolled to receive urgent public safety power shutoff alerts, however, to make sure they receive those alerts, customers should update their contact details in their account at pnm.com or by calling 888-342-5766. Customers can also sign up by texting #ALERT to 78766 from the mobile phone number connected to their account.
The utility is also encouraging customers in those areas to build or restock emergency preparedness kits. These kits should include essential items such as medications, medical supplies, flashlights, batteries, non-perishable food, water, pet supplies and important documents.
Customers should also ensure that their cell phones or other battery-powered devices are fully charged during wildfire season and they should be familiar with how to use the manual release lever to open their garage door in case they need to leave the house. PNM further encourages people to keep at least half a tank of gas in their car because gas stations rely on electricity to power their pumps.
Customers in areas with high fire risks who rely on medical equipment that requires electricity should consult with their doctor or health-care provider about how to best prepare for power outages. PNM further recommends customers with medical needs register with PNM’s LifeWatch.
The length of the power outage will be determined by factors such as how long the severe weather conditions persist, how many miles of lines PNM workers must patrol, the terrain and the extent of damage the weather conditions cause to infrastructure.
PNM plans to use social media, its website PNM.com and partnerships with local media to keep customers informed during these power outages. It is also partnering with local government agencies and first responders.
Public safety power shutoffs are becoming increasingly common as utilities seek to limit their liability in the wake of deadly wildfires. These shutoffs are currently implemented in California to reduce the chance that utility infrastructure will cause wildfires.The McBride Fire of 2022 was caused when a tree fell on a power line owned by PNM. The blaze killed two people and destroyed 200 homes in the Ruidoso area.
Wow ….. it would be in PNM and the community’s best interest over the long term to run the power lines underground that would be safer and safer for the people so they don’t have to be without power. That is absolutely stupid as many in the east mountain area do not have access to cell service without internet and that requires power as do land line phones! What if one of these people just happen to have an emergency and need to call 911???? And they can’t, say a major heart issue or accident and then what? Is it better this way then if the are affected negatively for the rest of their life or they die all due to a deliberate power shut off? I am sure there are other much safer solutions if the planners would think outside the box for a change! I think if we have to pay the ever increasing high costs of electricity and still be subjected to deliberate power outages, then those affected should be given an alternate temporary power source. Whether in a house or mobile home , own or rent, something like a back up solar or wind generator that kicks on when the regular power goes out! …’Hey PNM….. they have invented small affordable solar and wind generators for single home use …. they are reasonably priced and reliable and small with a very simple installation method!!! I think because they are just now being marketed and released you could likely work out an excellent deal to purchase them in mass bulk! ‘ THIS IS A CALL OUT TO EVERYONE WHO MAY BE DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, OR HAVE FAMILY OR FRIENDS WHO COULD BE DIRECTLY AFFECTED NEGITIVELY BY THIS DELIBERATE POWER OUTAGE, CONTACT PNM, CONTACT THE GOVERNOR DEMAND THAT THEY GIVE A BACK UP ALTERNATE POWER SOURCE FOR RESIDENTS AND BUSINESS ALIKE!!!!!
WE ARE GETTING LESS AND LESS ABLE TO CORECTLY USE OUR CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS!
Excellent ideas!!
Or PNM could do a better job or maintaining the power lines so the risk is less significant.
So we go without because your crap is old? We have special needs children and their equipment needs to be running all the time!
On top of that, if the power is out, we have no electricity. Emails and texts don’t come through without electricity.
Sounds like a stupid bandaid fix.
I am 87 years old. Lived in the Northeast mountains my whole life and just recently purchased a generator. Had a company named Fout Electric come out to install. It has been the best investment of my life I mean especially with all this nonsense going on it’ll be needed. PNM needs to step it up especially for us older folks who can’t get around so easily. This will be a disaster im just glad I got some backup power when all this does go into affect.
I would rather be without power for a while than risk a devastating wild fire. PNM was out here a few years ago trimming trees to decrease that risk. They started by sending helicopters out first to find potential problems. Why helicopters? We are pretty spread out and there are a lot of trees, and not that many roads. But they need permission of owners when the trees are on private property. They don’t always get that permission. I had to give permission when a tree on my property was actually sparking! They hadn’t done that tree earlier due to confusion about who owned it.
Putting the lines underground is a great idea, but very time consuming and expensive. That take years, maybe decades. And, yes, there are some inexpensive power generators out there. So buy one. Whether you pay for it directly, or through higher eletric fees, you will be paying for it. It does seem like a small backup generator should be available through a grant or something for those who medically need them.
I know people who lost homes and pets to wildfires out here. I live in an area that was evacuated during the Doghead fire in 2014. I’ll take safety now vs decades from now. But maybe that’s just me.
Agreed!
I’m one of many who rely on oxygen 24/7. This is a ridiculous and dangerous proposal. Many are correct in saying we will be unable to use our cell phones to call for help or 911. What about the refrigerators and freezers full of food that spoils? Businesses close, no gas,..like really? We are NOT California, nor do we want to follow in their suit.
This is ridiculous as red flag days go on and on in the coming months. Will they turn off our power for days on end? Or do pulse power ups that burn out all our appliances and electronics, computers etc?? Who will pay for all of this??
I totally concur with the previous comments. I don’t want to blame all the workers because the ones who come to my home to read the meter are very considerate and polite and informative on upcoming situations. I appreciate that part but I have always wondered why buried cable was being ignored. You don’t have to do it all at once. Especially when a line is downed. Start there and dig for 100 yards then come back when time permits and do another 100.. You’d be amazed how fast the lines could be covered with a good protective pipe and buried a significant depth below the surface.
I couldn’t swear to it but I believe the costs incurred to bury lines would be paid back many times over because the lines would now be protected from large wind and fire damage.
Don’t misunderstand me, I do think you folks do good work, but always look down the road at the possibility of something occurring. I fully support you.