BLM approves renewable energy transmission line in Maricopa County
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PHOENIX — The Bureau of Land Management has issued a final decision on a proposed 500-kilovolt transmission line crossing public lands about 60 miles west of Phoenix in Maricopa County. When completed, the transmission line will support the delivery of utility-scale solar energy from the 150-megawatt Harquahala Sun solar generation facility into the grid.
HV Sunrise, LLC requested a 30-year right-of-way grant to construct, operate and maintain the transmission interconnection line. The BLM evaluated several routes in the environmental assessment and chose the preferred route that crosses about 1.14 miles of BLM lands. Gen-tie lines like the one approved today are vital to help connect clean energy projects on non-federal land into the grid.
“This project facilitates the transmission of renewable energy in Arizona,” said Phoenix District Manager Leon Thomas. “Approving this project allows the BLM to support responsible renewable energy development.”
When complete, the transmission line will connect the Harquahala Sun solar generation facility, a 150-megawatt hybrid solar photovoltaic and battery storage power plant located on approximately 1,000 acres in west Maricopa County, to the existing Delaney substation, both of which are on private lands. Construction on BLM land is expected to take about three months.
The BLM manages vast stretches of public lands that have the potential to make significant contributions to the nation’s renewable energy portfolio. To promote the development of these energy sources, the BLM provides sites for environmentally sound development of renewable energy on public lands. The efficient deployment of renewable energy from our nation’s public lands is crucial in achieving the Biden-Harris administration’s goal of a carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035, as well as Congress’ direction in the Energy Act of 2020 to permit 25 gigawatts of solar, wind, and geothermal production on public lands no later than 2025.
The decision record, final environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact are available on the BLM National NEPA Register.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.