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 community meeting with PNM representatives on November 5th at 5pm at the Church of the Good Shepherd.
- Send a protest letter to the County Planning Commission.
- Attend the County Planning Commission hearing on Dec 3.
Facts
What PNM is proposing
Build a new substation on the Paseo del Norte Frontage Road adjacent to Bernalillo County Fire Station #35
Place 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)
String the transmission lines along the east side of Tramway, very close 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
Sandia Heights’ landscaping requirements preserve natural terrain and native vegetation, which—combined with ongoing drought—creates a unique fire hazard. 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 neighborhood into the open space. The Eubank route does not carry this same risk.
PNM’s criteria unfairly disqualify the Eubank route
PNM developed a set of evaluation criteria that disproportionately favor the Tramway route. Some of the supposed “risks” along Eubank are contradicted by PNM’s own findings, suggesting that the process was designed to justify a preselected outcome rather than to objectively identify the best route.
PNM changed course under pressure from North Albuquerque Acres (NAA)
PNM originally proposed routing the new transmission lines south from Paseo del Norte and Eubank to the existing power station near Eubank and Academy. After years of pressure from North Albuquerque Acres residents, PNM reversed its plan and now supports the Tramway route. The North Albuquerque Acres Resident Association (NAARA) has reportedly promised to support PNM’s proposal in exchange for a guarantee that Tramway would be used.
Higher cost — unless the substation is located on the southwest side of Eubank
If PNM locates the new substation on the southwest corner of Paseo del Norte and Eubank, as they originally recommended, the overall cost of the transmission lines would be substantially shorter. Added costs are ultimately borne by all PNM customers, including Sa ndia Heights residents.
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: Aug 28 (CSU2025-0009, SPR2025-0006).
Last hearing: Sept 3 — PNM presented its plan to the County Planning Commission seeking authority to build the substation; preferred site next to Fire Station #35; alternative line west on Paseo del Norte and south on Eubank.
- SHHA Community Meeting with PNM Representatives — November 5th, 5PM, Church of the Good Shepherd
Next hearing: Dec 3 — County Planning Commission (recommendation to Board of Commissioners).
Approvals required: County Planning Commission and Bernalillo County Board of Commissioners.
PNM projected schedule (if approved): start construction 2026, in service 2027.