SunZia Receives Key Federal Permit to Build MMR-Backed Transmission Project
March 3, 2015
PHOENIX, AZ (January 24, 2015) The SunZia Southwest Transmission Project received a Recordof Decision (ROD) today from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for its proposedtransmission project covering 515 miles between New Mexico and Arizona. The ROD concludes thefederal permitting effort, which officially began in May 2009, under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
We are excited to reach this milestone and to be one major step closer to unleashing the renewableenergy potential of the southwest and creating jobs said Tom Wray, SunZia Project Manager.Reaching an agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense to take measures to preserve and protectthe current and future missions of the White Sands Missile Range was the final hurdle in this processand a huge accomplishment in itself. And none of this would have been possible without theexhaustive and thorough environmental review and analysis conducted by BLM.Development efforts will now turn towards seeking state and local siting approvals in New Mexico andArizona.
SunZia reached a number of milestones during its federal permitting efforts, including designation bythe White House as one of only seven transmission projects in the country to receive acceleratedpermitting treatment, formal sponsorship by the New Mexico Renewable Energy TransmissionAuthority and initial agreement with Boston-based First Wind Energy to receive anchor tenant status.SunZia will have additional announcements as other developments currently underway reachcompletion.
About SunZiaSunZia Southwest Transmission Project is an extra-high-voltage transmission project that will helpenable the delivery of energy, including renewable energy, to customers in the Desert Southwest, whilegreatly improving the reliability of the existing high voltage electrical grid. The system will span 515miles between Arizona and New Mexico. It includes up to two new 500kV transmission lines and fiveelectrical substations that will provide up to 3,000 megawatts of new capacity. Once all local, stateand federal permits have been obtained, final design and engineering, acquisition of rights-of-way,and construction are scheduled to begin in 2016, with operation scheduled by 2020. www.SunZia.net
About MMR GroupMMR Group is the world leader in electrical and instrumentation construction, maintenance,management, and technical services. MMR is leading the permitting and development effort of theSunZia Southwest Transmission Project through its wholly owned Phoenix-based subsidiarySouthWestern Power Group (SWPG). The company is based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. For moreinformation, please visit www.mmrgrp.com
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