The SunZia Project consists of two bi-directional extra-high voltage electric transmission lines and substations that will transport energy from Arizona and New Mexico to customers and markets across the Desert Southwest. SunZia’s total transmission capacity has an approved rating from the Western Electricity Coordinating Council of 3,000 megawatts across its entire length for two single-circuit 500 kV AC lines. SunZia is solely an electric transmission project, and is not a power generation facility. Click here for a more detailed description of the project.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), along with several cooperating agencies, is leading the effort to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
On May 25, 2012, the BLM released the SunZia Draft EIS for public review and comment. The BLM conducted a 90-day public review period to accept comments on the Draft EIS and hold public meetings.
SunZia is anticipated to be in-service and delivering energy by 2016. Project Schedule
View documented support for the SunZia Project.
Benefits of the SunZia Southwest Transmission Project:
Provides an option to develop power generation resources, including renewable resources, located in Arizona and New Mexico that currently do not have nearby access to transmission service; and
Delivers these generation resources to customers along SunZia’s alignment and western markets; and
Increases reliability of the existing extra-high voltage transmission system in southern Arizona and southern New Mexico; and
Greatly improves power transfer across the Desert Southwest electricity grid; and
Generates jobs and wage income in addition to revenues for state and local governments through property, state and local taxes paid by the SunZia Project and generation projects that may utilize SunZia’s new transmission capacity. An Economic Impact Assessment was prepared by the University of Arizona and New Mexico State University.
Use the following links to learn more about:
Environmental Impact Statements and the National Environmental Policy Act
New Mexico - Luna and Grant counties continue to Support SunZia
February 2013
The chairmen of Luna and Grant counties, Javier Diaz and Brett Kasten (respectively) and the Mayor of Deming, Andres Z. Silva, have written letters to Interior Secretary Salazar urging the department to move forward with the environmental analysis for the SunZia Project. These elected officials favor expedient issuance of the Final Environmental Impact Statement. Achievement of this milestone will evidence that the BLM continues to make progress in complying with the National Environmental Policy Act and bring the SunZia Project, and it's associated economic benefits, closer to fruition.
