For Immediate Release – April 29, 2022

Contact: Tom Garrity, The Garrity Group Public Relations 505-898-8689

ALBUQUERQUE, NM – SunZia Southwest Transmission Project is the largest clean energy infrastructure project in U.S. history that includes two planned 500 kV transmission lines located across approximately 550 miles of federal, state, and private lands between central New Mexico and central Arizona. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) completed an extensive environmental evaluation and issued a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) which included an updated Preferred Alternative Route (PAR) for the SunZia Southwest Transmission Project. The amended route was proposed by SunZia to parallel with existing transmission lines in order to reduce environmental impacts and resolve issues raised by stakeholders. Full details are available via the BLM National NEPA Register.

The proposed route updates occur in New Mexico. The eastern most substation that will connect to wind farms in central New Mexico will be located north of Corona, New Mexico; previously it was south of the village. The amended route offered by the project sponsor to fully minimize impacts to White Sands Missile Range will also parallel an existing transmission line that was built in 2021. If BLM’s PAR is approved, SunZia will upgrade older, more fragile, transmission infrastructure and improve energy reliability; it is on track to start construction in [2023] and reach commercial operation in [2025].

An investment that will empower our clean energy future, SunZia will create thousands of jobs and enable clean power for up to a million homes. SunZia is enabling more than 4,500 MW of high-value, well-sited American wind to be constructed in New Mexico, which is the largest build out in U.S. history.

SunZia has partnered with Pattern Energy on the development of the SunZia Southwest Transmission project. Pattern Energy is the sole anchor tenant for 3,000 MW of capacity on the first line. Pattern Energy is developing the SunZia Wind projects, a 3,000+ MW facility in New Mexico, which will utilize the SunZia transmission lines to provide enough safe, affordable, and renewable electricity to power the needs of 2.9 million Americans annually.

SunZia’s new route was identified after its March 2020 application to amend an existing ROW grant on BLM land.  Federal law required the BLM to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate the impact this change would have on environmental resources in the project area.  The next step in the federal permitting process is for BLM to host a 90-day public comment period. The BLM will host three virtual public meetings via zoom.  These will be held on:

Tuesday, June 21, 3-5pm (MDT)

Tuesday, June 28, 6-8pm (MDT)

Wednesday, June 29 1-3 PM (MDT)

You can sign up for the public meetings via the BLM ePlanning website: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2011785/510

The DEIS, issued on April 29, 2022, provides the environmental analysis and basis of the PAR.  SunZia received an approved right-of-way in 2015 on a previous EIS that was completed by the BLM.  The new DEIS will focus on evaluating the proposed route changes:

• Segment 4 Reroute: SunZia is seeking a re-route to take advantage of an opportunity to partially parallel the Western Spirit Transmission Project and move the eastern substation closer to proposed wind-generation projects. The SunZia line will co-locate with existing transmission lines through areas of the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge.
• Rio Grande Crossing: The BLM selected a preferred route that would parallel the existing Western Spirit Transmission Line that was built in 2021 and is located north of the original route.
• Localized Route Modifications: Five route modifications in southern New Mexico and one modification in Pinal County, Arizona. These modifications are being proposed to address landowner preferences.
• Optional location for SunZia West Substation: SunZia applied for an optional location for the High Voltage Direct Current Converter Station in Arizona.

The route through federal lands located in Arizona remains consistent with the 2015 selected alternative route and will not change except for the potential relocation of the SunZia West Substation.

Additional insight and resources about this process can be found on the Bureau of Land Management’s project management page:

SunZia Project Page (BLM)

SunZia Overview (BLM)

Frequently Asked Questions (BLM)

SunZia Maps (BLM)

About The SunZia Southwest Transmission Project

The SunZia project consists of two electric transmission lines spanning parts of New Mexico and Arizona. When completed, the 550-mile transmission project will provide an opportunity to deliver up to 4,500 MW of renewable energy from New Mexico and Arizona to homes, offices and communities in the Southwestern United States. For more information visit https://szt.patternmicro.site.