For several years now, Sangre de Cristo Electric Association (SDCEA), our electric service provider, has been informing us that they intend to remove trees within the power line right-of-way. Just recently, they have reiterated the schedule for that plan and have informed us that they intend to be in Tanglewood either late summer 2023 or early fall.
Bad news for us. I know how everyone loves the trees and will not be happy to learn of this. To clarify exactly the details of the planned tree removal process and to attempt to provide any alternatives that might reduce or eliminate the necessity for this removal, Paul McGrady and I met (through zoom) with Gary Kelly, Director of Operations, Sangre de Cristo Electric Association. Gary is the person who specifies the particular mitigation effort and ultimately directs it.
SDCEA is under great pressure to reduce the fuel load within their right-of-way. They have a great deal of liability for damages caused by wildfires. The massive fires in California are examples of what they are trying to avoid. These fires are causing multimillions of dollars in property loss and loss of life. When the origin can be traced back to a power company, they are held liable. So they want to remove all potential hazards before that happens.
You may refer to the meeting notes attached, but the bottom line is that there is very little that we can do to stop this. The only costs that SDCEA will bear are the costs of tree removal. We suggested repositioning the power lines to impact fewer trees. This cost would be on us. We inquired about burying the lines. This cost would also be on us. The cost in either of these two scenarios is extremely high. I have included some examples.
If the possibility of losing trees is totally unacceptable to you, you might be considering going off the grid and installing solar. This is probably not the solution either. I have included a brief analysis of what it might cost for a typical home in our area in case you are interested.
Whatever we do, we need to consider the fact that we are not the only customers on this distribution line. We have 2 neighbors, Rupps and Puls, who will be affected by some of our decisions.
We welcome any discussion of these issues. If there are any solutions that we have not considered. Please let us know and we will attempt to negotiate with SDCEA.
Tim Wint,
Paul McGrady,
Shari Copeland
Here is a link to the notes of the meeting that we had with SDCEA and a summary of the alternatives that we requested that they consider. We urge you to download and read them. They contain a lot of detail which is too long to include here.
Report on meeting with Sangre de Cristo Electric
Here is a summary:
It appears that SDCEA has decided that they will remove the trees within the power line right-of-way. As a Homeowners Association, we don’t have much say in this. We can make requests, but any possible viable options will cost a great deal of money both as an HOA and as individual homeowners.
| Option | Advantages | Disadvantages |
| 1. We can go all solar | Eliminates SDCEA (for us) Arguably cleaner | Very expensive Will require tree removal anyway on individual properties to make solar work Will require tree removal on SDCEA right-of-way to allow power to our neighbors. Possibly need to reduce electrical requirements Will require secondary sources of power |
| 2. We can bury the lines | Will not require tree removal in the future Safer for us because of wind blown trees Safer due to fewer lightening strikes | Very expensive, we bear all costs Will not save trees because the trees will need to be remove for trenching. Will require owners to run secondary lines to the home Will (possibly) require new service entrances |
| 3. We can reposition the existing lines to a less treed path. | Might reduce tree loss | We don’t have many options here. Open land is scarce Very expensive. Will require owners to run secondary lines to the home Will (possibly) require new service entrances |
| 4. We can allow SDCEA to remove trees as planned | This is done at SDCEA expense. It reduces the risk of fires due to trees blowing over on the lines. |