BLM approves renewable energy generation tie line construction in Maricopa County
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PHOENIX — The Bureau of Land Management has approved construction of a 500-kilovolt generation tie line (gen-tie) about 60 miles west of Phoenix in Maricopa County. A gen-tie line connects the facility where energy is generated into the larger transmission system. This project will support the delivery of solar energy from the 150-megawatt Harquahala Sun solar generation facility to the grid.
HV Sunrise, LLC requested a 30-year right-of-way grant to construct, operate, maintain and eventually decommission the gen-tie line. The final route crosses about 1.14 miles of BLM land. High voltage gen-ties like the one approved today are vital to connect clean energy projects on non-federal land into the grid.
When complete, the line will connect the Harquahala Sun solar generation facility, a solar photovoltaic power plant located on about 1,000 acres in west Maricopa County, to the existing Delaney substation, both of which are on private lands. BLM has issued notice to proceed and construction on BLM land is expected to take about three months.
BLM analyzed the proposed line in 2022 and issued a final decision record, environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact. These documents are available on the BLM’s National NEPA Register.
BLM manages vast stretches of public lands that have the potential to make significant contributions to the nation’s renewable energy portfolio. To promote the development of these energy sources, BLM provides sites for environmentally sound development of renewable energy on public lands. The efficient deployment of renewable energy from our nation’s public lands is crucial in achieving the Biden-Harris administration’s goal of a carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035, as well as Congress’ direction in the Energy Act of 2020 to permit 25 gigawatts of solar, wind and geothermal production on public lands no later than 2025.
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.