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Bernalillo County commissioners will decide Tuesday whether to uphold a controversial $35 million Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM) substation approval. Several resident groups appealed the Planning Commission’s December decision.
The appeals are among six scheduled for a special 1 p.m. zoning meeting Tuesday. Groups, including the Sandia Heights and High Desert homeowner associations, challenge the proposed substation site near Bernalillo County Fire & Rescue Station 35 on Paseo del Norte.
The Planning Commission unanimously approved both a special use permit and a sector plan amendment for the project Dec. 3, following a six-hour public hearing.
PNM spokesman Eric Chavez said the project is needed to keep up with growth and reduce power outage risk because existing substations are strained. The new substation would serve North Albuquerque Acres, Sandia Heights and nearby neighborhoods.
Opponents argue the approval improperly includes transmission infrastructure. Sandia Heights resident Paul Karas told City Desk the permit application covers both the substation and its transmission lines, even though PNM and county officials said they will decide the transmission route later.
Karas also said project documents submitted to the county identify the transmission line route as part of the special use permit. “If the County abdicates their authority to review and approve the transmission corridor location, the public will have no other opportunity for redress,” Karas said.
Public opposition has been substantial. The Sandia Heights Homeowners Association reported residents submitted 485 letters opposing the project between September and November, compared with 78 letters in support.
Opponents also say PNM failed to complete adequate siting studies and raised concerns about wildfire risk and potential impacts on nearby properties. Bernalillo County previously rejected PNM substation proposals at other locations in 2020 and 2021.
While some North Albuquerque Acres residents filed appeals, the neighborhood’s community association supports the project.
If commissioners uphold the approval, construction will begin in 2026 and service will start in 2027. PNM will spread the $35 million cost among its roughly 525,000 customers statewide.
Get involved:
Attend the meeting
The Bernalillo County Board of Commissioners will decide on appeals of PNM’s substation approval:
When: Tuesday, Jan. 27
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Where: Ken Sanchez Commission Chambers, 415 Silver Ave. SW
Participate:
- Attend in person or via Zoom: bernco.gov/live
- Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/user/BernalilloCounty
- Submit written comments: bernco.gov/boards-commissions/speak-at-a-meeting
- Public comments limited to 2 minutes per speaker
Learn more:
- Meeting agenda and appeal documents: bernalillocountynm.iqm2.com
- PNM project information: pnm.com/naa
- Sandia Heights HOA opposition: sandiahomeowners.org/stop-pnm-towers
North Albuquerque Acres Community Association: naaca.info
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