Sandia Heights Residents oppose siting overhead 115 kV transmission towers along Tramway Blvd when an alternative route exists!
A Call to Action: What you Can Do
- Attend the County Planning Commission hearing at 9AM on December 3, at Ken Sanchez Commission Chambers, 415 Silver Ave SW
Facts
What PNM is proposing
Building a new substation on the Paseo del Norte Frontage Road adjacent to Bernalillo County Fire Station #35
Placing 90 ft transmission poles with 115 kV transmission lines along Paseo del Norte to Tramway and then south Tramway to Academy (see red line on the map below)
Stringing the transmission lines along the east side of Tramway, adjacent to the running and biking paths as well residents in Quail Ridge, Tramway Terrace and other Sandia Heights communities.
Why Sandia Heights Residents Oppose the Tramway Blvd Transmission Line Route
Tramway poses higher wildfire and environmental risks
PNM originally proposed routing the new transmission lines south from the intersection of Paseo del Norte and Eubank to the existing power station near Eubank and Academy (the Eubank route) (see purple line on map). PNM has now decided to place the substation on the Paseo del Norte substation near the Bernalillo County Fire Station #35, and route the transmission lines along Paseo del Norte and down Tramway (the Tramway route) (red line on map). As the Tramway route runs alongside several neighborhoods, it presents much greater wildfire and environmental risks for Sandia Heights residents than the residents near the Eubank route. Sandia Heights’ landscaping requirements preserve natural terrain and native vegetation, which—combined with ongoing drought— create elevated fire danger. Any electrical fault or accident along the proposed Tramway route (such as arcing from transmission lines or a downed tower) could quickly ignite vegetation and spread through the neighborhoods and into the open space. The Eubank route does not carry this same level of risk.
PNM’s evaluation criteria appear biased toward selecting the Tramway route
PNM hired consultants to determine the best route for this project, and the consultants determined that the Eubank route was the best choice. PNM has chosen to disregard these recommendations based on subjective criteria that appear biased toward the Tramway route and that contradict PNM’s own findings. SHHA has made several recommendations to more objectively identify the best route.PNM changed course under pressure from North Albuquerque Acres (NAA)
After years of resistance from NAA residents to the original Eubank route, PNM reversed its plan and now supports the Tramway route. PNM acknowledges that Sandia Heights residents were not engaged in their plans until very late in the process. Sandia Heights residents deserve the time to have a fair hearing about our position.
PNM has stated that the new substation and transmission lines are primarily intended to serve growth in NAA. Rather than opposing PNM’s original plan, NAA should be willing to accommodate the infrastructure needed to ensure reliable power for its own area. In addition, the new substation and transmission lines are primarily intended to serve growth in North Albuquerque Acres. Rather than opposing PNM’s original plan, NAA should be willing to accommodate the infrastructure needed to ensure reliable power for its own area.
Higher cost
PNM’s original proposal to locate the substation at the southwest corner of Paseo del Norte and Eubank (see purple lines on the map above) would reduce project costs by about $3 million compared to the fire station location. Any increase in cost from the longer route would ultimately be borne by all PNM ratepayers.
Fire risk is real!
See the 2018 GRIT documenting three wildfires that summer.
See another picture of the 2018 fire caused by a bird on a power line.
Process & Timeline
- Applications filed: August 28, 2025
(Cases CSU2025-0009 and SPR2025-0006) - September 3, 2025 — Initial County Planning Commission (CPC) hearing
PNM presented its proposal to build a new substation and associated transmission lines in North Albuquerque Acres. The preferred substation site is adjacent to Fire Station #35 on the Paseo del Norte frontage road. An alternative route would run west on Paseo del Norte and south on Eubank.
The CPC voted to continue both cases to December 3, 2025 to allow further review.
All documents and staff reports from the September 3 hearing can be viewed in the County’s September 3 Agenda Packet, under cases CSU2025-0009 and SPR2025-0006. - November 13, 2025 — SHHA Community Meeting about this issue
5:00 PM at St. Chad Episcopal Church, 7171 Tennyson St NE - November 17, 2025 — Deadline for comments to be included in staff report update
Written comments submitted by end of day on November 17 will be forwarded to the CPC and summarized in the staff report update. - November 18 – November 25 (noon) — Comments forwarded as “Additional Documents”
Comments received during this window will be sent to the CPC but not included in the staff report. - After noon on November 25, 2025 — Comments not forwarded
Comments received after this deadline will not be provided to the CPC prior to the hearing. - December 3, 2025 — Continued CPC hearing
9:00 AM, Ken Sanchez Commission Chambers,
415 Silver Ave SW, 1st Floor, Bernalillo County @ Alvarado Square.
The CPC will decide whether to accept new testimony and evidence from PNM and the public and may allow oral comments at the hearing. - Next steps:
Following the CPC decision, the Bernalillo County Board of Commissioners will consider the CPC’s recommendation.
If approved, PNM’s projected schedule is to begin construction in 2026 and place the new system in service in 2027.
Links and Resources
- PNM's project website: https://www.pnm.com/naa
- A sample letter that you can send in opposition to the power lines.
- A detailed analysis by community member D.N. Jenkins.