As many of you are aware, PNM will be installing new power poles along HWY 14 in order to upgrade the local power grid and to replace out of date and deteriorating old power poles.  The next phase of this work will take place along that portion of HWY 14 from the Lone Butte General Store south to Goldmine Road.  You may have noticed red paint markings on trees along this portion of the road indicating which ones are to be pruned or removed.  Some residents have received notices about this work; others have not.  So, there is some confusion.

In an effort to keep the public informed about this project, and to provide the facts as we understand them, SMA contacted staff involved with this work and we have learned the following.

• Work was originally intended to begin today, May 8, 2025, but has been postponed until at least early next week.
• Davey Tree is the company that will be pruning and removing trees; Titan is the company that will install the new power poles. You will see their trucks along the highway as work progresses.
• The new lines to be installed will be 3 phase primary 35 kVA lines – moderately high voltage lines capable of carrying 35,000 volts.
• The reason for clearing these trees is to protect workers installing the new power poles where installation involves working with live electrical wires.
• Clearing is also intended to reduce the fire fuel load and reduce the risk of fires.
• Work has been postponed because:
  • PNM deemed the original plan to be too excessive;
  • Environmental specialists still need to evaluate all trees that will be impacted or cleared.
• The current plan is to fully remove trees for a distance of 15’ from all sides of the to-be-installed poles (i.e. 30 foot diameter).  This is a reduction from the original plan to clear 50’ on all sides.
• Only growth over 4’ is to be cleared along the HWY 14 Right of Way on the side of HWY 14 along which the power poles will be installed.
• The crews plan to chip all brush on site and to haul away the wood and debris generated by this work, but neighbors who wish to have the wood for firewood may contact the work crews while they are working near their property.
• PNM staff will continue to notify customers with door hangers as well.

As The San Marcos Association learns more about this project, and can further clarify PNM’s plans, we will keep the community informed.  If you have questions in the next couple of days, please email them to we will try to get them answered for you.

SMA provides this as information for our community.  By all means, feel free to post this email on social media or to forward it to anyone you think might be interested.

Dennis D. Kurtz
President

mailing sent 5.9.2025 to the SMA mailing list