New Mexico State Land Commissioner Aubrey Dunn today announced his decision to grant a right-of-way for a 345-kilovolt (kV) double-circuit electric transmission line to the Southline Transmission Project, a proposed transmission line designed to collect and transmit electricity across southern New Mexico and southern Arizona. The project is sponsored by Southline Transmission, L.L.C., a subsidiary of Hunt Power, L.P.
“The Southline Transmission Project will improve New Mexico’s electric grid and support the transmission of electricity to key western markets while also generating over $10 million in revenue to our State Land Trust over the next 35 years,” said Commissioner Dunn. “In addition to the economic benefits, we appreciate Southline’s efforts to utilize existing corridors and minimize the overall footprint of their transmission project on State Trust Lands.”
The project proposes to enable bidirectional use of power both west and east along its route, which will relieve congestion, strengthen the existing electrical system, and improve transmission access for local renewable and other energy sources.
“The Southline Transmission Project has been designed to minimize land and resource impacts by developing a route along existing corridors, as well as by upgrading existing transmission lines where feasible — an innovative approach that respects the region’s communities and natural and cultural resources,” said Hunter Hunt, President of Hunt Power, the parent company of Southline Transmission, L.L.C. “We appreciate Commissioner Dunn’s support in helping to move the Southline Transmission Project forward.”
The State Land Office has already executed a right-of-entry with Southline, allowing them to complete all surveys along the proposed route – including cultural and cadastral. The right-of-way for the project is anticipated to be finalized by the end of 2016.
The State Land Office is responsible for administering 9 million acres of surface and 13 million acres of subsurface estate for the beneficiaries of the state land trust, which includes schools, universities, hospitals and other important public institutions.
About Southline Transmission, L.L.C.
Southline Transmission, L.L.C., a subsidiary of Hunt Power, L.P., is the sponsor of the Southline Transmission Project. Hunt Power develops and invests in entrepreneurial electric opportunities, and is part of a larger privately-owned group of companies managed by the Ray L. Hunt family that engages in oil and gas exploration, refining, power, real estate, ranching, and private equity investments. For more information, please visit www.southlinetransmissionproject.com.