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Utility Arboriculture Working with Your Local Utility
Forester
Anne Beard
Public Service Company of New Mexico
Benefits of Trees
Trees are resources integral to our quality of life.
But they can interfere with another important
resource we all depend on – electricity
At PNM, we strive to balance our commitment to
environmental stewardship, with our responsibility
to provide a safe, reliable source of power for our
customers around New Mexico.
The Land of
Enchantment
Tree / Power Line
Conflict
PNM Resources
Based in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Through its utilities - PNM and TNMP - and energy subsidiary - First Choice Power - PNM Resources serves electricity to 859,000 homes and businesses in New Mexico and Texas.
Generation resources of 2,717 megawatts reflect a balance mix of coal, natural gas, nuclear and wind generation.
50-percent ownership of Optim Energy, formerly known as EnergyCo. Optim Energy owns approximately 920 megawatts of generation in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas market
Utility Vegetation
Management
Largest budget line item - In excess of $2
billion/annually
Typically, #1 cause of power outages
Public safety risk
Fire danger
National Surveys of Laws and Regulations Pertaining to Utility Vegetation Management (UVM) Cieslewicz and Porter
Challenges We Face
Hurricanes
Challenges We FaceSnow / Ice
2003 NE Blackout
Before After
Rules that Guide Us
NESC Rule 218
A. General
1. Trees that may interfere with ungrounded supply conductors
should be trimmed or removed. Note: Normal tree growth, the
combined movement of trees and conductors under adverse
weather conditions, voltage, and sagging of conductors at
elevated temperatures are among the factors to be considered in
determining the extent of trimming required.
Most common in the industry however not very
restrictive
Rules that Guide Us
Distribution -
UVM Reporting
Mandatory Clearances
Mandatory Cycles
Mandatory Notification
Commission Audits
National Surveys of Laws and Regulations Pertaining to Utility Vegetation Management (UVM) Cieslewicz and Porter
Rules that Guide Us
Transmission –
2005 Energy Policy Act – established federal regulatory
responsibilities
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) –
Principal agency in charge of oversight
North American Regulatory Corporation (NERC) –
Enforcement agency
NERC Standard
FAC-003-1
Established the following requirements:
Annual Plans
Appropriate qualifications and training
Plans for mitigating obstacles
Quarterly reporting to Regional Reliability Organizations
Mandatory clearance requirements
Utilities that do not comply face fines up to $1 mil/violation
Fire Regulations
Urban Wildland Interface Code (UWIC) – can
be adopted by any jurisdiction. Contains
provisions: that prohibit planting, require
reviewing of landscape plans, Six-Inch rule,
pole clearance, utility emergency response.
Uniform Fire Code (UFC) – also contains Six-
Inch Rule plus pole clearances rules.
Components of
Successful Programs
Have a professional, qualified team
Utilize vegetation management best practices
Employ a work record and management system
Need for regular performance and compliance auditing
Appropriate funding
Focus and commit to superior customer service
Utility Vegetation Management (UVM) Not Just a Transmission Problem: Helping States with Successful Programs Di Palma
Another Success Factor
Community / Green Industry Involvement
Arbor Day/Earth Day Celebrations
Christmas Tree Chipping
Home and Garden Shows
Community Presentations
Wildlife Habitat Restoration
Arbor Day
Tree Cycling
From Seed To Shade
A Tree Care Guidebook
Proper Tree Care
Right Tree Right Place
Tree Trimming Program
Tree Selection Guide
Right Tree, Right Place
Tree Line USA
Recognition for
commitment to protection
and preservation of
community trees.
Public Education, Tree
Planting and Quality Tree
Care
