Harlan Vincent, New Mexico State Representative for District 56, said that the Public Service Company of New Mexico's (PNM) planned blackout initiative is designed to prevent wildfire devastation. He added that efforts are being made to support recovery through tax credits for backup generators. Vincent made these remarks in an interview with the New Mexico Sun on February 18.
"I am introducing several initiatives that will provide even further protection and support," said Vincent. "This includes a tax credit for backup generators. Support for recovering small businesses and communities that have been impacted by flooding. Ensuring our community is safe and has the tools and resources to recover."
Planned blackouts, also known as Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS), are employed by utility companies in regions prone to wildfires to prevent power lines from igniting fires during extreme weather conditions. For instance, in California, companies like Southern California Edison and PG&E implement PSPS during periods of high winds and dry conditions. The largest such event in 2019 affected 740,000 customers across 34 counties. These measures aim to reduce the risk of wildfires, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
In 2022, New Mexico experienced a total of 748 wildfires, with six major fires—Calf Canyon Hermits Peak, Black Fire, Cerro Pelado, Cooks Peak, Bear Trap, and Big Hole—burning a combined area of 811,000 acres. These six fires accounted for 90 percent of the state's total burn area. The wildfires occurred between April 6 and August 22, impacting both populated and rural areas as reported by Science Direct.
New Mexico's efforts in wildfire prevention face challenges related to policy and funding. The state does not proactively allocate funds for wildfire suppression but instead relies on emergency funds capped at $750,000 per executive order. This amount is often insufficient for comprehensive mitigation efforts. Additionally, the suspension of federal funds for wildfire mitigation projects has disrupted essential prevention work and increased the state's vulnerability to wildfires according to NMLegis.
Vincent's website notes that he is a former Ruidoso Fire Chief who served for 25 years as a fireman and EMT in Lincoln County. As a small business owner and NRA member, he advocates for gun rights, economic development, and pro-business policies in District 56.
