Xcel Energy trimming trees to prevent tree-related outages

In an effort to prevent tree-related power outages, Xcel Energy announced they’ll be tree trimming in parts of eastern New Mexico and west Texas.

“Trees are valuable assets in our communities, but when limbs grow too close to our lines, they can greatly impact the reliability of service to our customers,” Xcel Energy program manager for vegetation management in Texas and New Mexico Michael Swanson said in an Xcel news release. “We trim branches away from our lines as an effective means of preventing outages.”

Swanson said only company employees and contractors can trim within six feet of energized power lines. The primary contractor is Asplundh, handling the work for Xcel Energy.

“Homeowners planning to trim trees on their property should never hire private contractors to do work near our lines or attempt the work themselves,” Swanson said.

Xcel suggests that homeowners contact their customer information line at 800-895-4999 if they have questions about overgrown trees on their property.

Asplundh crews will knock on doors before starting tree trimming and will continue work if the homeowner is not home.

Each trimming cycle happens every five years, so workers will trim the trees not only enough to stay a safe distance away from power lines, but also enough to last until the next trimming cycle.

More information on siting trees and shrubs near powerlines can be found at xcelenergy.com.