News Release

March 4, 2002

PNM Tree Crew Named Among Best
by National Arbor Day Foundation

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Albuquerque: For the third year in a row, PNM’s vegetation management department has been recognized by the National Arbor Day Foundation for its tree care practices. PNM is one of only 82 electric companies across the country to receive the award.

"We are proud of our efforts to protect trees and promote healthy growth of trees," said PNM Vice President of Construction and Reliability John Myers. "Proper tree trimming is also critical to providing reliable electric service to our customers."

The award is given by the National Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters. In order to qualify for the award, utilities must meet these three requirements:

• Have in place an active program of quality tree care
• Provide annual training of employees in quality and current tree care practices
• Pursue tree planting and public education programs

PNM’s vegetation management department employs three full-time trained foresters. The company contracts with a number of local professionals on an as-needed basis, but PNM staff always oversee tree-rimming projects.

"We are out trimming trees almost every day of the year," said PNM head forester Bob Bell. "Our goal is to trim trees to promote their long term health, and to follow requirements that keep trees specified distances from power lines." Bell explained that trees growing into power lines can cause real dangers to customers, as well as threats to the reliability of the electric system.

In addition, Bell and his staff provide information to landscapers and developers about which trees to safety plant near power lines. They also participate in tree-planting projects, such as Re-Treeing Los Alamos following the Cerro Grande Fire and providing landscaping to a Habitat for Humanity community.

John Rosenow, president of the National Arbor Day Foundation, said, "The commitment of these utilities to protect community trees while providing reliable electric service not only helps to provide beautiful trees for the future, but also results in long-term operational savings for the utility."

Bell accepted the award at the recent National Arbor Day Foundation’s Trees and Utilities National Conference.