BLM Approves El Paso Electric Project
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LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The BLM Las Cruces District today approved the El Paso Electric Project, which will upgrade and improve energy transmission in an area east of Interstate 25. The approved decision amends existing rights-of-way (ROWs) to allow El Paso Electric to add an additional permanent substation to the electrical grid, maintain distribution lines, and upgrade infrastructure. The company will rebuild more than 10 miles of distribution lines and construct 2.2 miles of new lines.
The amended ROWs on BLM-administered public lands will help El Paso Electric meet the growing energy demands of Las Cruces and surrounding southern New Mexico communities.
“This project is a great example of working collaboratively with industry and local communities to stabilize our power grid and strengthen America’s energy infrastructure,” said Brian Steed, BLM Deputy Director of Policy and Programs. “President Donald Trump and Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke have made infrastructure projects like this one a priority. The BLM is proud to play a role.”
All of the documents (environmental assessment, finding of no significant impact, and decision record) and maps related to the El Paso Electric Project are available on the BLM ePlanning site. From the ePlanning Project Search page, select NEPA under the Project Search heading. Then click on the Text Search tab. Next, select Advanced Search. Scroll down and enter DOI-BLM-NM-L000-2017-0008-EA in the NEPA# field and click Search. Please be sure to use all caps when entering the NEPA number. After clicking Search, please scroll to the very bottom of the page to see the search results and access the documents.
For additional project-related information, please contact BLM Las Cruces District Realty Specialist and Project Lead Paula Montez at 575-525-4387 or via email atpmontez@blm.gov.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.