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BLM seeks public input and will host public meetings on the environmental impacts for the SunZia Southwest Transmission Project

Organization:

Bureau of Land Management

BLM Office:

Socorro Field Office

Media Contact:

SANTA FE, N.M. – The Bureau of Land Management has opened a 90-day public comment period to collect public comments on the potential environmental impacts associated with proposed amendments to the SunZia Southwest Transmission Project authorized by the BLM in 2015. The BLM will also hold three virtual public meetings on the proposal.

The proposed project consists of two planned 500 kV transmission lines that would cross approximately 520 miles of federal, state, and private lands between central New Mexico and central Arizona. This project would transport up to 4,500 megawatts of clean energy from New Mexico to homes and businesses in Arizona and California. The comment period will end on Aug. 1, 2022.

“We are pleased to give the public an opportunity to provide their input on this project.  We invite all interested parties to attend the virtual public meetings to learn about the project and provide comment,” said BLM New Mexico Acting State Director Melanie Barnes. 

The public meetings will be held via the Zoom virtual platform. The dates and times of these meetings will be announced at least 15 days in advance through local media, newspapers, and the BLM website at: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2011785/510.  

The BLM encourages substantive comments concerning the proposed SunZia Southwest Transmission Project, meaning comments that are factual and specific; describe the significance of the impacts and how they affect you, others, places, and activities; provide any new information that is relevant to the project (e.g., potential affected resources); and discuss modifications to existing alternatives or suggest other reasonable alternatives with justification.   

To have your comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement considered for inclusion in the Final Environmental Impact Statement, the BLM must receive them by Aug. 1, 2022. Comments can be provided in the following ways:

  • Submit a verbal comment via the hotline: 1-888-959-2510
  • Submit your comments electronically via the ePlanning site: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2011785/510
  • Mail your comments to BLM New Mexico State Office at the below address, Attention: SunZia Southwest Transmission Project

Documents pertinent to this proposal may be viewed on ePlanning or examined at the BLM New Mexico State Office, 301 Dinosaur Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87508 and BLM Arizona State Office, One North Central Ave., Suite 800, Phoenix, AZ 85004.

For further information, contact BLM Project Manager Adrian Garcia by phone at 505-954-2199.

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.