Primer: Power Safety Power Shutoff

Published on May 08, 2025

To minimize the risk of wildfires caused at powerlines, the Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM) has implemented a program for its electric customers called Power Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS). While electric customers in Los Alamos are not PNM customers, the electricity that the Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities (DPU) delivers to Los Alamos enters the local system through PNM’s electric transmission lines.

DPU Power System Supervisor Nick Nelson wants to educate the community about PSPS and whether or not they might indirectly impact DPU customers.

“It’s possible that the measures taken by PNM in support of PSPS could affect us here in Los Alamos, but it’s more likely that they won’t,” Nelson said. “However, because PNM has great reach across the whole state, we don’t want our customers to see messaging intended for PNM customers and worry.”

PNM’s shutoffs are a last resort to be implemented under extreme weather conditions that increase wildfire risk. The Los Alamos power system includes redundant feeds that enable DPU to cover the loss of power from alternate transmission lines. Before implementing PSPS actions, PNM would provide advance notice to DPU, allowing time to reconfigure the system to avoid disruption. This situation may slightly increase the chance of a local loss of power, especially in high winds, but Nelson said DPU’s electric staff is confident in the local system’s redundancies and they don’t expect that to happen. While they don’t expect system disturbances, they encourage all customers to be prepared nonetheless.

So what should DPU customers keep in mind about PNM’s program? Nelson has a short, simple list.

• Get your information about PSPS actions from DPU rather than PNM. When we may be impacted within Los Alamos County, DPU will notify customers through news releases and social media
• You may encounter messaging about a PSPS that impacts neighboring communities. If that messaging didn’t come from DPU but you’re still concerned, you can reach DPU through the Customer Care Center at (505) 662-8333 or CustomerCare@lacnm.us.
• Regardless of PNM’s PSPS program actions, warm weather can bring high winds, dry conditions and increased fire risk, all of which drive up the chance of unexpected power disruptions. DPU encourages local residents who rely on electrically powered medical devices to review their backup plans and make sure device batteries are fully charged.
  DPU maintains a voluntary list of customers who rely on medical devices and who would appreciate advance notice of planned outages. To add yourself or a family member to that list, visit ladpu.com/links and scroll to the Customer Resources section.
• Follow DPU on a variety of social media outlets for the latest information on all things utility related. Visit ladpu.com/links for a list of channels.

The DPU is an accredited, community-owned utility provider serving nearly 20,000 Los Alamos County  residents and businesses with electric, natural gas, water and wastewater services. Established under the Los Alamos County Charter, the DPU falls under the jurisdiction of the Board of Public Utilities, a 5-voting-member board comprised of Los Alamos County residents who are also DPU customers.