SunZia Transmission Project halted in Arizona
A temporary suspension sparks consultations as the Bureau of Land management responds to cultural concerns, impacting a segment of the transmission project.
Image for illustration purposes.
USA, Arizona: A temporary suspension sparks consultations as the Bureau of Land management responds to cultural concerns, impacting a segment of the transmission project.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has ordered an “immediate temporary suspension” of the SunZia Transmission Project, affecting an approximate 50-mile segment in Arizona, “located entirely on non-federal land.” The suspension occurred following the letter received from the Tohono O’Odham Tribal Chairman Verlon Jose, representing the Tohono O’Odham Nation, San Carlos Apache Tribe and Archaeology Southwest on Oct. 31.
He raised concerns about the potential interference with Traditional Cultural Properties (TCP) in the San Pedro Valley area. The letter addressed to Secretary of the Interior, Deb Haaland called for a withdrawal or suspension of the limited notice to proceed (“LNTP”), which was issued on Tuesday, Sept. 26, by the New Mexico State Office of the BLM.
On Wednesday, Nov. 8, BLM Director, Tracy Stone-Manning wrote a letter to Jose stating that BLM has temporarily suspended operations and requested a meeting at his earliest convenience within the next five days. In a statement, the BLM clarified that the temporary suspension does not impact other SunZia segments in progress. It also announced its intention to conduct government-to-government consultations on the matter.
The SunZia Transmission Project is a 3,500 MW wind energy project developed by San Francisco-based renewable energy company, Pattern Energy, initially approved in May 2023. It comprises two planned transmission lines that span across over 500 miles of state, federal and private lands between central New Mexico and central Arizona. The project’s purpose is to deliver renewable energy from New Mexico to markets in Arizona and California.
Source: AZPM
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