Developers of a $350 million project in northern New Mexico have been cleared to start selling transmission rights and services to energy developers on what would be 93 miles of beefed-up power lines.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has signed off on Colorado-based Lucky Corridor's request to sell up to 70 percent of the proposed project's capacity.
The project would be able to funnel 1,100 megawatts of electricity to existing customers and hubs that connect other western markets.
Under the project, lines would be upgraded to accommodate more electricity generated from the region's wind, solar and natural gas resources.
Lucky Corridor president Lynn Chapman Greene says the project is aimed partly at easing a transmission gridlock that has stalled energy development in New Mexico.
The decision comes a week after FERC turned down a request to fast-track another New Mexico transmission project.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.