Xcel Energy is taking precautionary measures due to critical wildfire risks in our service areas of New Mexico and Texas early this week. Excel is notifying customers in certain regions that temporary Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) will likely be implemented to enhance public safety. Weather forecasts indicate high wind speeds and low humidity in parts of New Mexico on Monday, March 3, and in Texas on Tuesday, March 4. These factors, combined with extremely dry conditions and a large amount of dead or dry brush and grass, are expected to heighten the risk of wildfires.
A Public Safety Power Shutoff is likely to occur for a small number of our eastern New Mexico customers starting Monday, March 3 in the early or mid-afternoon. The number of customers and regions affected could change as conditions evolve.
Power outages are expected in some areas of the Texas South Plains, specifically affecting the communities of Meadow and Wellman in Terry County. This measure is being implemented to reduce the risk of wildfires, starting on the morning of Tuesday, March 4. We will provide updates as conditions may change.
We encourage customers to prepare for potential power outages, particularly those who rely on electric-powered medical equipment. In anticipation of possible Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) in targeted areas, we are positioning our teams to restore power safely if outages occur due to this week’s high winds and heightened wildfire risk. Xcel Energy is also providing tips to help customers stay safe, report outages and stay informed throughout this event.
If a Public Safety Power Shutoff is needed or there are weather-related outages across our system, power restoration efforts will begin after high winds and elevated fire risks have ended. Crews must patrol the entire line during these events to ensure it’s safe, which could take hours or days to return service, and we appreciate customers’ patience.
Important tools for Xcel Energy customers
- Customers can visit our PSPS Event website- Opens in new window to stay up to date.
- The website now includes a PSPS map- Opens in new window that customers can use to look up their address to find out whether they may experience a PSPS.
- The status of current outages is tracked on the electric service outage map- Opens in new window.
“The safety of our customers and communities is our top priority,” said Adrian J. Rodriguez, President, Xcel Energy – Texas, New Mexico. “We are taking proactive measures to mitigate wildfire risks and will maintain close communication with our public safety partners and customers to ensure everyone stays informed as conditions evolve.”
Public Safety Power Shutoffs likely; Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings will be activated
Xcel Energy uses weather forecasts and other data sources to determine the best course of action to protect public safety. High winds, low relative humidity and dry ground conditions are key factors in our risk models. We generate new models regularly and adjust operations accordingly to reduce wildfire risk.
A PSPS is a measure of last resort where power is shut off to a targeted area for a limited time period, used only when the fire risk is exceptionally high, and other methods like Enhanced Power Safety Settings (EPSS) are not enough for public safety. We will work to notify customers who may be affected as soon as possible if a PSPS becomes necessary.
PSPS and EPSS are tools that can reduce wildfire risk and keep our customers safe. In a PSPS event, power is proactively shut off for safety. This is not a step we take lightly. EPSS allows for power lines to remain in service during periods of elevated wildfire risk, with additional protection settings enabled. More background information is available on our website and this EPSS video.
Due to the elevated risk of wildfire, we will activate Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings (EPSS) across our Texas and New Mexico service territory beginning Sunday, March 2.
- When EPSS are activated, power lines can instantly stop the flow of energy if an issue is detected, like a tree branch or other object touching the line.
- EPSS settings do not mean the company has proactively turned off a customer’s power. If there is an outage while these settings are activated, it is the result of an issue on the power line.
- Power will remain off until our crews can visually inspect power lines to make sure it is safe to turn them back on. This may mean that if an outage occurs, it could last longer.
Both EPSS and PSPS are only used when temperature, wind speed, relative humidity and other available fuel sources indicate a high risk for wildfire. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we continue to take steps to reduce wildfire risk and keep our communities safe.
How customers can prepare, stay safe
Stay Informed
If outages occur, it’s important for customers to have access to the most recent updates about their power restoration. Customers should make sure their account information and communications preferences are up to date through the Xcel Energy website- Opens in new window.
The website hosts an outage map that displays information on the number of customers out and anticipated time for restoration when available. Customers can also stay informed by following Xcel Energy on Facebookand X.
Customers can also visit the PSPS Event website for more information.
Build a Home Emergency Kit
Customers are encouraged to be prepared for an electric outage by keeping phones and other devices charged and building an outage kit with items that do not require electricity, including:
- Battery-powered radio
- Flashlights
- Batteries
- Backup phone chargers
- A phone that does not require electricity
- Non-electric alarm clock
- Bottled water and non-perishable food
- Manual can opener
- First aid kit
- Extension cords (for partial outages)
- Manufacturer’s instructions on how to manually open power-operated doors (e.g. garage doors)
- Xcel Energy phone numbers – (800) 895-1999 for residential or (800) 481-4700 for business
As an important reminder to customers who have medical equipment that relies on electric service, please take steps to prepare a backup power supply in case outages do occur. We will be contacting qualifying medical customers- Opens in new window in the area directly to inform them about forecasted severe weather and potential impacts.
We are continually investing in and building out our systems to reduce the risk of wildfire and limit the size, scale and duration of potential power disruptions. More tips for how to prepare for an outage are available here- Opens in new window.
Report an Outage
Customers can help Xcel Energy get a jump on power restoration by reporting outages. Customers have several ways to report outages:
- Through the Xcel Energy mobile app, available in the Apple App Store- Opens in new window and through Google Play- Opens in new window.
- Online at xcelenergy.com/outage.
- Via text by texting OUT to 98936 to report an outage, or text STAT to the same number to check the status of a power outage
- By calling 1-800-895-1999 and following the prompts—the automated phone reporting system lets customers report outages in less than 60 seconds.
