The Western Spirit high voltage transmission line, one of two such projects planned to carry wind generated power from Torrance County to the southwest grid, received approval of a newly created, high voltage, wind energy tariff by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, July 9.

Transmission New Mexico

The new “high voltage, wind energy tariff,” means Pattern would pay for the line as a “separate and discrete class of ratepayer,” apart from commercial and retail ratepayers, Casana said. “The cost for the line will be entirely borne by the wind farm.” The Western Spirit line would transmit 1,300 megawatts of electricity at 345-kilovolts of AC, according to project data.

Transmission New Mexico

TORRANCE COUNTY, N.M. – A New Mexico county is taking advantage of being one of the windiest parts of the state, and it’s bringing in millions.

General New Mexico

Although no more regulatory hurdles remain, Pattern and RETA must finish negotiating right-of-way agreements with landowners along the transmission line route, which will run in a U-shape that begins at PNM’s existing main line near Clines Corners in Torrance County. From there, it runs south toward Corona, then west to the Rio Grande, and finally back north again to PNM’s Pajarito substation on the West Mesa, west of Albuquerque.

Transmission New Mexico

Right before the summer season officially began along the lakefront, U.S. Rep. Tom Reed made a stop at the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club in Dunkirk. Though the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative was a key part of his agenda, he also wanted feedback from the charterboat captains who were in attendance on that June Friday afternoon. One of the greatest worries for these navigators in the future: the potential of turbines being placed in Lake Erie.

General New Mexico

For nearly 200 years, the Dunkirk Lighthouse has protected Lake Erie, and last week, board members continued to protect this valuable asset and its surrounding community. In an overwhelming majority, members voted against the installation of a wind monitoring station on the lighthouse’s property, a proposal that was introduced by a representative from Diamond Offshore Wind at the board meeting on May 15.

General New Mexico

“There is no way you can ever restore mother nature the way she was created – never. I understand the financial impacts this is supposed to have on surrounding municipalities and schools and everyone involved. I want you all to remember when all those turbines are put in place, it will never, ever again be the way it once was.” “You’ve crossed your ‘i’s and dotted your ‘t’s. I don’t care (about Pattern’s scientific research), there is no way you can ever restore mother nature the way she was created – never. 

General New Mexico

Garner didn't speculate on what caused the wind turbine to fall over. However, other turbine mishaps that have occurred during high winds were because the turbine's braking system failed. Modern wind turbines are designed to shut off or slow their blades during high winds. If the blades turn too fast, it can cause the entire structure to become unstable and then disintegrate.

Safety Structural Failure New Mexico

New Mexico regulators approved construction this month of what could be the Western Hemisphere’s largest wind farm, capable of generating as much power as a mid-sized nuclear power plant. But whether all that energy will have a way to reach the load centers of California and the Southwest remains unclear after the regulators denied approval for new transmission lines meant to link the wind project to urban areas.

Transmission New Mexico Texas

Corona landowners group argues for larger share because of years of effort to bring in wind turbines

Taxes & Subsidies New Mexico

In a unanimous vote on a motion by County Commissioner Tom Stewart last month, the commission decided to end negotiations with representatives from the Corona School District and to stick with a three-phase percentage division of payments in lieu of taxes from Clean Line Energy Partners for a wind turbine project. 

General New Mexico

New Mexico regulators on Wednesday approved a $1.6 billion plan that calls for building two massive wind farms along the Texas-New Mexico border.

General New Mexico

A blow has been struck against two wind farm projects in eastern Torrance County.

General New Mexico

The U.S. Air Force determined 61 of the proposed 114 turbines would get in the way of military training flight paths could not be completed. The conclusion irked New Mexico State Land Office Commissioner Aubrey Dunn, who called the decision "military tyranny." Dunn was told just a few weeks ago that nearly half the turbines could not be built.

Safety New Mexico

Decrying “military tyranny,” New Mexico Land Commissioner Aubrey Dunn is asking the Air Force to pay the state $25 million he says it will lose due to military flight training plans that threaten to dramatically downsize a deal to bring more than 100 wind turbines to Torrance County.

Safety USA New Mexico

But Hurst said it would violate legal principles that prohibit “retroactive rate making,” since it establishes an “interim rate” for the wind farms before the commission has actually approved new rates.

General New Mexico

“If you put a wind farm down here in New Mexico, you might not only be whacking New Mexico breeding birds, but you might be whacking birds that are breeding in Alaska or the Canadian Arctic,” Roemer said. 

Impact on Birds New Mexico

Indeed, the Sagamore project, for all its heralded economic benefit, has faced headwinds. And as the parties prepare to go before a hearing examiner later this month, the utility has offered revisions to its ambitious proposal, hoping to allay regulatory staff reservations and conservationist concerns and ultimately gain approval for what would be the largest wind farm in New Mexico.

General New Mexico

The company says the project could save customers of Xcel subsidiary Southwest Public Service Co., about $2.8 billion in electric costs over 30 years by offsetting higher fuel costs from natural gas and other sources. But PRC utility staff say the projected savings aren’t guaranteed. T

General New Mexico Texas

County sought balance between wind development and concerns of residents

Zoning/Planning New Mexico