AMARILLO, Texas (Mar. 31, 2025) – Xcel Energy is activating Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings (EPSS) to reduce wildfire risk due to the upcoming weather event. Customers are encouraged to prepare for potential weather-related outages, especially on Tuesday, when high winds are expected.

Xcel Energy does not expect to conduct any Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) due to the upcoming weather event. This decision comes as updated forecasting models indicate decreased windspeeds and increased fuel moisture. However, this is still expected to be a significant weather event, and any outages occurring due to the weather could last for an extended period.

“We are grateful to our customers for their patience and understanding as the dry weather continues in our area,” said Adrian Rodriguez, president, Xcel Energy – Texas, New Mexico. “Thank you for preparing for potential outages and supporting our efforts to protect our communities.”

Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings activated 

Due to the elevated risk of wildfire, Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings (EPSS) are active across our Texas and New Mexico service territory. 

  • When EPSS is activated, power lines can stop the flow of energy if an issue is detected, like a tree branch or other object touching the line. 

  • EPSS does not mean the company has proactively turned off a customer’s power. If there is an outage while these settings are activated, it is the result of an issue on the power line. 

  • Power will remain off until our crews can visually inspect power lines to make sure it is safe to turn them back on. This may mean that if an outage occurs, it could last longer. 

Both EPSS and PSPS are only used when temperature, wind speed, relative humidity and other available fuel sources indicate a high risk for wildfire. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we continue to take steps to reduce wildfire risk and keep our communities safe. 

How customers can prepare, stay safe 

Stay Informed 

If weather-related outages occur, it’s important for customers to have access to the most recent updates about their power restoration. Customers should make sure their account information and communications preferences are up to date through the Xcel Energy website. 

The website hosts an outage map that displays information on the number of customers out and anticipated time for restoration when available. Customers can also stay informed by following Xcel Energy on Facebook and X. 

Customers can also visit the PSPS Event website for more information. 

Build a Home Emergency Kit 

Customers are encouraged to be prepared for an electric outage by keeping phones and other devices charged and building an outage kit with items that do not require electricity, including: 

  • Battery-powered radio 

  • Flashlights 

  • Batteries 

  • Backup phone chargers 

  • A phone that does not require electricity 

  • Non-electric alarm clock 

  • Bottled water and non-perishable food 

  • Manual can opener 

  • First aid kit 

  • Extension cords (for partial outages) 

  • Manufacturer’s instructions on how to manually open power-operated doors (e.g. garage doors) 

  • Xcel Energy phone numbers – (800) 895-1999 for residential or (800) 481-4700 for business 

As an important reminder to customers who have medical equipment that relies on electric service, please take steps to prepare a backup power supply in case outages do occur. We will be contacting known medical customers in the area directly to inform them about forecasted severe weather and potential impacts. 

We are continually investing in and building out our systems to reduce the risk of wildfire and limit the size, scale and duration of potential power disruptions. More tips for how to prepare for an outage are available here. 

Report an Outage 

Customers can help Xcel Energy get a jump on power restoration by reporting outages. Customers have several ways to report outages: 

  • Via text by texting OUT to 98936 to report an outage, or text STAT to the same number to check the status of a power outage 

  • By calling 1-800-895-1999 and following the prompts—the automated phone reporting system lets customers report outages in less than 60 seconds. 

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About Xcel Energy

Xcel Energy (NASDAQ: XEL) provides the energy that powers millions of homes and businesses across eight Western and Midwestern states. Headquartered in Minneapolis, the company is an industry leader in responsibly reducing carbon emissions and producing and delivering clean energy solutions from a variety of renewable sources at competitive prices. For more information, visit xcelenergy.com or follow us on X and Facebook.