Xcel Energy is pushing back against claims from the Lonestar Eleven Coalition that neglected utility poles could increase the risk of wildfires, saying the poles cited by the group are not owned by the company and that its inspection and replacement programs meet established safety standards.
The Lonestar Eleven Coalition, a group that has raised concerns about wildfire risks across parts of Texas and New Mexico, recently pointed to what it described as deteriorating utility poles, arguing that aging infrastructure poses a serious threat, especially in dry and high-risk areas. Salem Abraham, a consultant for the coalition, said firsthand inspections tell a different story than the company’s assurances.
“Xcel can tell that story that everything's fine. But when you go look at poles, you'll start finding rotten poles as we have. And we think it's a big problem,” Abraham said.
Xcel Energy officials responded by emphasizing that responsibility for utility poles is often shared among multiple entities and that not every pole along a roadway or right-of-way belongs to the electric utility. Adrian Rodriguez, president of Xcel Energy of Texas and New Mexico, said the company investigated the specific poles highlighted by the coalition during a recent visit.
Xcel says it checked the poles the Lonestar Eleven Coalition took reporters to see on Thursday and determined that none of the poles belong to Xcel Energy. According to the company, those poles may be owned by telecommunications providers, neighboring electric cooperatives, or other private businesses.
“They might be owned by a telecommunication company. They might be owned by a neighboring co-op. They might be owned by another private business,” Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez also addressed concerns about red-tagged poles, which are often interpreted by residents as signs of unresolved hazards. He said that while tags may still be visible, the underlying issues have already been evaluated and addressed.
In outlining Xcel Energy’s approach to infrastructure safety, Rodriguez said the company operates a formal pole replacement program that relies on trained personnel and independent oversight. “We have a pole replacement program that relies on the experts that we have on our teams. In fact, you see many of them on the poles and wires. They live and work in the communities that they serve, and they have a vested interest in making sure that these poles are safe. We also utilize a third-party evaluator who will also check the poles,” he said.
The company also rejected suggestions that financial or staffing limitations slow down replacements. Rodriguez said timelines are driven by engineering standards and risk-based prioritization rather than budget constraints. “These timelines are based on engineering standards, inspection results, prioritization, including looking at whether or not the pole is in an area that is a wild has a higher wildfire risk exposure,” he explained.
While the coalition remains skeptical, Xcel Energy says it continues to engage with local stakeholders to address concerns. Rodriguez said the company maintains regular communication with communities across its service area, including those involved with the Lonestar Eleven Coalition.
“We're working closely with our communities, including the communities that might be part of the Lonestar Eleven Coalition -- we engage with them on a regular basis,” he said.
The dispute highlights broader concerns about aging infrastructure and wildfire prevention, an issue drawing increasing attention as extreme weather and drought conditions persist across the region.
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