Back

Director's Picks

SunZia Southwest Transmission Project Receives Final Federal Approval

Summary

The SunZia Southwest Transmission Project, the largest clean energy transmission project in the United States, has received its final federal approval after more than 15 years of planning. The project aims to transmit up to 4,500 megawatts of primarily renewable energy from New Mexico into Arizona and California. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) issued its record of decision, a precursor to the final right-of-way grant required for construction on federal lands. The transmission line will span approximately 520 miles, crossing federal, state, and private lands. Pattern Energy Group LLC, the owner of the project, intends to deliver clean energy that is affordable and helps meet air quality standards in the lower Southwest. The project includes the installation of over 900 wind turbines in New Mexico. Despite facing challenges from concerned environmental groups, the company has made efforts to mitigate environmental impacts and involve stakeholders in the process. Construction is expected to be completed by the first half of 2026.

discover more

April 24, 2024
Climate Change
Climate Change

Laura Hautala explores how climate change is reshaping the urban landscape, prompting cities like Tacoma, Washington, to seek drought-tolerant trees from regions like Northern Cal

April 24, 2024
Energy Justice
Energy Justice

Emily Jones reports on the appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court by Black voters challenging Georgia's elections for utility regulators, known as the Public Service Commission (PSC).

April 24, 2024
Energy Justice
Energy Justice

The Department of Energy's advisory committee presents a concerning assessment of the progress of the "clean" hydrogen industry, suggesting it's insufficient to meet U.S. climate

April 24, 2024
Climate Change
Climate Change

The latest State of the Air report by the American Lung Association reveals that over one-third of Americans, approximately 130 million people, regularly inhale unhealthy air

April 23, 2024
Climate Change
Climate Change

The Biden administration's announcement of $7 billion worth of project support through the Solar for All program, part of the Inflation Reduction Act

April 23, 2024
Climate Change
Climate Change

Maureen Penjueli, an Indigenous advocate from Fiji, voices skepticism about the concept of "clean energy" amidst concerns about deep-sea mining's impact on her people and the envi

April 22, 2024
Environmental Racism
Environmental Racism

Environmental racism remains a pressing issue in the United States, highlighted by a series of modern-day examples that underscore systemic inequalities.

April 22, 2024
Climate Change
Climate Change

A lawsuit filed by a coalition of advocates and inmates against the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) over extreme temperatures in state prisons

April 22, 2024
Climate Change
Climate Change

President Joe Biden has announced the opening of applications for the American Climate Corps, aiming to enlist 20,000 individuals in its inaugural year.

April 19, 2024
Energy Justice
Energy Justice

Reuters reports that the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) will announce its plan on May 13 to expedite the development of long-distance transmission lines to accom

April 19, 2024
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice

Over $300 million is being directed towards addressing the migrant crisis while longstanding issues of poverty in their communities have been overlooked for decades.

April 18, 2024
Climate Change
Climate Change

Newsweek reports that the National Weather Service (NWS) Climate Prediction Center forecasts a months-long drought in western Texas, exacerbating concerns about water scarcity.

April 18, 2024
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice

The activism of Black-led environmental organizations, such as Outdoor Afro and Justice Outside, in combating environmental racism and advocating for marginalized communities

April 17, 2024
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has granted Houston an extension to utilize or reimburse $5.7 billion earmarked for Hurricane Harvey housing recovery

April 17, 2024
Climate Change
Climate Change

Efforts by the Texas Land Office and Houston City Council to locate 900 households owed relocation assistance due to the buyout of four low-income housing complexes following Hurr