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City manager warns PNM may preemptively shut power; Santa Fe prepares generators and communications
Summary
City Manager Brett Scott told the Quality of Life Committee that PNM may shut power preemptively because of forecast high winds and that a decision was expected by 11 a.m. the next day.
City Manager Brett Scott told the Quality of Life Committee on Wednesday that Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM) is considering a preemptive power shutdown because of forecast high winds and fire risk, and that a final decision was expected by 11 a.m. the following day.
Scott said early forecasts initially suggested nearly the entire city could be affected, but a revised PNM map reduced the area of concern to a large portion of the central city — including downtown and up to Airport Road. Scott warned the utility may need up to 24 hours to inspect infrastructure and restore service if a shutdown occurs.
“We are much happier right now than we were three hours ago,” Scott said, referencing a reduced outage footprint; he also told the committee that PNM “was considering … a power shutdown” and would decide by 11 a.m. the next day. Scott said the city has secured backup generators for at least five locations, and that the emergency operations center does not have a generator so the city will use the police station as its operations hub if power is cut.
Scott told councilors he would email the full council with updates and recommended that council members consider assembling at City Hall if they want to assist in an emergency response; he said the city’s posted social media and website will be the primary public information channels. Councilors urged staff to push alerts directly to affected residents, including reverse calling for people in impacted areas and notification to schools and hospitals.
Councilor Miguel Garcia asked staff to ensure alerts reach every resident in the potential outage area so people who rely on electricity for medical devices, charging phones or evacuation plans can prepare. Scott said the city and PNM would continue coordinating and that the county and state were engaged; he said staff would communicate with the public as the situation develops.
The committee received the update; no formal action was taken.
