In the rugged terrain of northern New Mexico, keeping trees and plants away from power lines is a critical part of protecting electric reliability and reducing wildfire risk, especially along the transmission corridors in Carson National Forest. It became clear that without a more precise way to identify and manage incompatible vegetation in this area, efforts to maintain a safe distance between trees and lines would begin to fall behind.

Welcome to The People Behind the Power™, where we showcase the extraordinary work Tri-State employees are doing to keep the lights on for nearly 1 million energy consumers in the rural West. This series pulls back the curtain to share the real stories of the individuals whose dedication powers our communities. Because when you meet the people behind the power, you see the heart, talent, and perseverance that goes into every flip of a switch.