Transmission project developers to survey state trust land

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico State Land Commissioner Aubrey Dunn has granted permission for developers of a planned $2 billion transmission line between Arizona and New Mexico to survey state trust land. The Santa Fe New Mexican reports (http://bit.ly/2fln1K4 ) that the right-of-entry approval allows the developers of the SunZia Southwest Transmission Project to survey 89 miles of state trust land, the nest step toward the power line. Once the surveys are complete, SunZia can request a rights-of-way agreement from the State Land Office that would allow them to build the transmission line. The SunZia project aims to tap into wind resources in New Mexico as well as solar and geothermal potential in New Mexico and Arizona. The line will export electricity to markets in the West.