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News Release
March 14, 2003
PNM Recognized by National Arbor Day Foundation
Albuquerque: For the fourth year in a row, PNM’s
vegetation management department earned the utility a Tree
Line USA award for tree care excellence from the National
Arbor Day Foundation. PNM is one of only 97 utilities across
the country to be recognized. New Mexico Arbor Day is today.
"PNM has made a strong commitment to protecting trees
and promoting healthy growth of trees," said John Myers,
PNM vice president of construction and reliability. "Proper
tree trimming is critical to providing reliable electric service
to our customers."
Tree Line USA is sponsored by the National Arbor Day Foundation
in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters.
To qualify, utilities must meet three requirements: have a
program of quality tree care, provide annual employee training
in quality tree care practices and pursue a tree planting
and public education program.
PNM's vegetation management department employs three full-time,
trained foresters. The company contracts with local tree professionals
as needed, but PNM staff always oversee the tree 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 said trees growing into power lines can cause real dangers
to customers, as well as threats to the reliability of the
electric system. Bell and his staff also provide information
to landscapers and developers about which trees to safety
plant near power lines. They are active members of Think Trees
New Mexico, the Utility Arborists Association and the International
Society of Arboriculture.
"The commitment of the Tree Line USA utilities to protect
community trees while providing reliable service not only
helps provide beautiful trees for the future, but also results
in long-term operational savings for the utility," said
John Rosenow, president of the National Arbor Day Foundation.
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