BernCo pushes $110 million compromise for $35 million PNM vs neighborhood substation fight

Bernalillo County commissioners unanimously delayed a decision Tuesday on a proposed $35 million Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM) substation, directing the utility to study burying transmission lines, with cost estimates reaching up to $110 million.

The commission voted to continue the case for 120 days and ordered three analyses: the cost of underground lines, a supplemental routing study, and alternative substation locations.

With an overflow crowd from Sandia Heights and North Albuquerque Acres in attendance. 

Commissioners declined to approve the project after residents argued 90-foot transmission towers along Tramway Boulevard would damage Sandia Mountain views and increase wildfire risk.

Commissioner Eric Olivas challenged the county legal staff’s claim that the board lacks authority over transmission lines, saying, “You can’t build a substation without lines running to it.”

Olivas championed the undergrounding analysis, citing visual impact as a main opposition driver. He also questioned the fairness of countywide customers subsidizing a project that mainly benefits one area.

Sandia Heights resident Paul Karas reinforced this authority, arguing the county has sole purview over 115-kilovolt transmission lines, which fall below the state Public Regulation Commission’s 230-kilovolt threshold.

Russell Brito, PNM land use and permitting administrator, stated the local power grid is operating near capacity, increasing the risk of blackouts. PNM Transmission Engineering Director Jesus Flores said burying the lines would be unprecedented in New Mexico, could cost up to $110 million, and the study alone would take four to six months.

“Undergrounding a high voltage transmission line with this length and extent would be unprecedented in the state of New Mexico,” Brito said.

Forty-eight people testified during the nearly 5-hour hearing. The county, which will hire an independent third party to verify PNM’s data, now sets a 120-day report-back period. 

This process will include independent experts reviewing alternative sites, routing, and cost sharing among ratepayers before a final decision. The Planning Commission had previously approved the substation in December after a 6-hour hearing.