The 550-mile transmission project is expected to deliver up to 3,650 megawatts of clean energy across the Southwest.

Organ Mountain News report

WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich said Wednesday that the SunZia Transmission Project is fully operational after nearly two decades of advocacy, permitting and construction.

SunZia is a major clean energy transmission project designed to move electricity across the Southwest. Heinrich’s office described it as one of the largest energy infrastructure projects in the Western Hemisphere.

The project includes a 550-mile transmission line spanning New Mexico’s Torrance, Lincoln and San Miguel counties. It is expected to deliver up to 3,650 megawatts of clean energy and generate an estimated $20.5 billion in economic benefits for New Mexico and the Southwest, according to Heinrich’s office.

The project supported more than 2,000 construction jobs and is expected to create more than 100 permanent jobs as it begins full operations.

“SunZia becoming fully operational is a milestone more than 18 years in the making,” Heinrich said in a statement.

Heinrich, D-N.M., is the ranking member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. His office said he has worked on the project since its federal permitting process began in 2009, including efforts to resolve disputes involving the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, the Department of Defense and White Sands Missile Range.

According to a timeline released by Heinrich’s office, White Sands Missile Range raised concerns in 2011 and 2012 that portions of the transmission line could interfere with missile-testing operations. The project later moved forward after federal agencies and project developers reached compromises, including route changes and mitigation measures.

The Bureau of Land Management approved the project in 2015. SunZia later revised its route, and BLM approved the updated project through an amended record of decision in 2023.

Heinrich’s office said the project also connects to New Mexico’s wind energy economy, including wind towers manufactured at Arcosa Wind Towers in Belen.

Heinrich said the length of time required to complete the project shows the need for a faster federal permitting system.

“If we want more projects like SunZia that lower costs, strengthen our energy security, and create good-paying jobs people can build their families around, we need a permitting system that gets to yes — or no — faster while maintaining strong environmental standards and meaningful community engagement,” Heinrich said.