New Mexico
Meet GE Vernova. It’s supplying wind turbines to $11 billion project in New Mexico.
A Massachusetts-based company will supply hundreds of wind turbines to the SunZia Wind project in central New Mexico, an array touted as the largest in the western hemisphere.
GE Vernova was contracted by SunZia owner Pattern Energy to provide 674 turbines, the largest in the company’s history, estimated to generated 2.4 gigawatts of power.
The contract included the equipment and a long-term services deal, according to a company announcement.
More: $11B wind power project is being built in southern New Mexico
GE Vernova is a subsidiary of General Electric, headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts designed to build and service renewable energy projects throughout the U.S.
In 2021, the company then named GE Renewable Energy supplied 377 turbines producing 1,050 megawatts to Patterns Western Spirit Wind farms in Guadalupe, Torrance and Lincoln counties.
In total, SunZia will produce about 3.5 GW of energy at the wind farm in Lincoln, Torrance and San Miguel counties, bring the companies’ total capacity to about 4 GW of wind power in New Mexico.
More: Will ‘environmental rights’ slow renewable energy? Democrats say no, reintroduce bill
Internationaly, GE Vernova on Jan. 16 announced its power conversion business was equipping ships owned by the United Kingdom with hybrid engines as a means of decarbonizing the UK Ministry of Defense and on Jan. 15 said was hired to modernize gas plants in Kuwait – reducing carbon emission equivalent to 16,000 cars on the road.
SunZia project in New Mexico moves forward amid energy transition
The SunZia project also included a 550-mile transmission line sending the energy through southern New Mexico to a termination point in Pinal County, Arizona where it will then be sent into urban markets of southern California.
Pattern recently announced it received final approvals and investment funding to begin construction at the end of 2023, with it expected to go into service in 2026.
More: Do New Mexicans want solar? Lawmakers want to bet $110 million on local energy demand
Vernova Chief Executive Officer Scott Strazik said the project was bolstered by federal funding available through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), a signature package of environmental and infrastructure legislation signed into law by President Joe Biden in August 2022.
Strazik said the bill created the “certainty” needed to increase investments in large-scale renewable energy projects like SunZia.
“We are pleased to support Pattern Energy on this monumental project that reinforces the key role wind power has in delivering renewable energy to meet the growing demand for power in the Western U.S. and in accelerating the energy transition,” he said.
“The project is a great example of how the policy certainty created by the IRA is helping to drive significant investments in the U.S. wind power market.”
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The turbines will be supplied using Vernova’s tower manufacturing facility in Belen, along with others in Pueblo, Colorado and Amarillo, Texas.
How will wind power project benefit New Mexico?
In total, Pattern estimated the wind and transmission projects will produce about $20.5 billion in economic benefits for New Mexico communities on a $16 billion investment in the state.
It will bring 100 permanent, and 2,000 temporary construction jobs to the state at the wind farm and along the transmission line’s route.
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Pattern CEO Hunter Armistead said the project would generate enough renewable energy for three million Americans, and that the manufacturing work was being completed in the U.S., driving domestic jobs.
“Nacelles and towers for the GE turbine are being domestically produced right here in the United States, helping SunZia create thousands of new jobs in manufacturing and construction,” he said.
Vic Abate, Vernova chief technical officer and CEO of its wind business said the project and others like will aid the U.S. in reducing pollution created by energy production.
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“These investments are aiding the country’s efforts to decarbonize the electric grid in support of climate change goals,” Abate said. “Mega projects like SunZia, coupled with the IRA, are enabling our continued investments in wind technology, domestic manufacturing, and product quality.”
Owners hope to allay conservation concerns of SunZia line’s route
The SunZia project was not without controversy since its design and federal review began in 2006.
The project went through several route adjustments, regulatory changes and shifted ownership to Pattern Energy in 2022.
More: How would the State of New Mexico spend $250 million on solar power?
Concerns were raised chiefly for the transmission lines route through a river crossing near Socorro, which critics said could imperil migratory birds as it would cross the Rio Grande between the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge to the north and Bosque del Apache to the south.
Similar fears were voiced in Arizona and a crossing through the San Pedro River Basin.
In 2020, the project’s route was adjusted to avoid crossing through White Sands Missile Range, a move that appeared to alleviate some of the concerns in New Mexico.
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In August 2023, the Audubon Society released a report detailing the impacts of transmission lines on migratory birds, specifically mentioning SunZia as a “case study” in how developments can benefit conservation.
The reported noted the change to the line’s route to avoid the missile range also moved it out of the Rio Grande crossing, which the Society believed would risk collisions with migrating Sandhill Cranes.
Other technologies were also used like ultraviolet light-based systems to prevent collisions by making the line more visible to the birds, the report read.
It noted Pattern and other developers of SunZia collaborated with the Audubon society and conservation groups to address such concerns for the project.
“This approach is essential to optimize mitigation for birds, ensure the best data and science are used, and make projects into long-term successes worthy of Audubon’s support,” the report read.
Adrian Hedden can be reached at 575-628-5516, achedden@currentargus.com or @AdrianHedden on the social media platform X.
New Mexico
Ruidoso’s Water Park Ready to Kick Off Summer with a Splash
Good news for those looking to beat the heat this summer, a unique floating water park is just a short drive away in Ruidoso, New Mexico!
Ruidoso is already among the favorite nearby spots for El Pasoans to cool off from the desert heat, but did you know it is also home to this unique water attraction?
The Ruidoso Parks and Recreation department just announced that Wibit will make a return his summer to Grindstone Lake! And the update they shared will have you thinking of spending your entire summer there!
Wibit Water Park at Grindstone Lake is an inflatable platform made up of giant slides, towers, trampolines, ramps, and wiggle bridges. Adventurous kids of all ages can bounce, slide, climb, jump and splash in the water.
Wibit Water Parks are typically found in tourist destinations, public beaches, resorts, and aquatic centers, offering a fun and interactive experience for visitors of all ages. They are designed to be safe, with rigorous safety standards and supervision often provided by trained lifeguards.
Ruidoso is situated in the south-central part of New Mexico, nestled in the Lincoln National Forest. The area is characterized by its alpine environment, with lush forests, clear streams, and impressive mountain views. The elevation ranges from 6,920 feet in the village to over 12,000 feet at the peak of Sierra Blanca, which provides a cool climate and ample opportunities for outdoor activities. You can get more info, and find out about more summer activities in Ruidoso, here.
10 Tourist Traps to Avoid in New Mexico
Are you visiting New Mexico for the first time or simply exploring the state you call home? Either way, you probably will want to avoid thee tourist traps:
10 of the Most Haunted Locations to Check Out in New Mexico
Gallery Credit: Daniel Paulus
New Mexico
Stay Safe: Don't Breathe Too Deeply in These Cities in Texas, New Mexico, & Arizona
It doesn’t matter if you travel to Texas, New Mexico OR Arizona, all 3 states have problems with air pollution. Some cities have more issues than others, but which ones are the worst when it comes to air pollution? Well, we know exactly which ones to be extra careful when outside.
Which cities have the highest amount of air pollution in Texas, New Mexico & Arizona?
In a recent study by the American Lung Association (ALA), they went to over 200 different cities in the entire United States. Each city was ranked based on the average of days with high ozone, how many particles of pollution were in the air for a single day & all year round.
They found that while 1 city from Arizona made their rankings, Phoenix ranked high in ALL 3 lists. There were 2 major cities from New Mexico & a whopping 5 cities from Texas found on their ozone list; one actually made 2 lists of theirs (that honor goes to Houston).
Granted they weren’t THE worst cities according to the ALA; those honors all go to various cities in California like Bakersfield & Los Angeles. But it IS clear that if you live or travel in Texas, New Mexico or Arizona, you’ll want to be extra careful because the air can be quite tainted with pollution.
If you want to see which cities ranked amongst the worst, we did the research for you so you can find out which ones made the cut. I’m hoping some of these cities WON’T
LOOK: Texas, New Mexico & Arizona Cities With the Worst Air Pollution
Gallery Credit: Daniel Paulus
The Top Causes of Death in New Mexico
Death isn’t something most people want to ponder over for long periods of time. Regardless, it is something that will happen to everyone one day. These are the top 10 causes of death in New Mexico.
Gallery Credit: Maleri McHam
9 Creepy Bugs Found in Arizona
There are over 900 insects that call Arizona home. With that many, there are bound to be some creepy ones. Check out these 9 bugs that might just give you nightmares.
New Mexico
Federal agency takes control of fiery train derailment investigation near Arizona-New Mexico border
MANUELITO, N.M. (AP/AZFamily) — The Federal Railroad Administration is now leading the investigation of last month’s fiery train derailment near the Arizona-New Mexico border.
National Transportation Safety Board officials said Thursday that the FRA will determine the probable cause of the April 26 derailment.
NTSB investigators have examined the track and derailed tank cars and will focus on the performance of the tank cars and emergency response actions.
The derailment of an BNSF Railway freight train forced a 50-mile stretch of Interstate 40 to close and led to two days of precautionary evacuations for 52 Manuelito residents who lived within a two-mile radius of the derailment site.
No injuries were reported, McKinley County officials said.
The train had left Belen, New Mexico, and was headed to Phoenix and was traveling about 53 mph at the time of the derailment, well below the maximum authorized speed of 70 mph near the derailment site, NTSB investigators said.
Of the 35 cars that derailed, six tank cars were carrying non-odorous propane, the NTSB said.
Four of the six tank cars were breached and released their contents, which ignited, investigators said. New Mexico State Police Lt. Phil Vargas said some rail cars caught fire and burned for hours after the derailment.
Initial passersby posted video and photos on social media of crumpled train cars and billowing, black smoke.
A fifth tank car carrying propane — a type of liquefied petroleum gas — was exposed to the flames and released vapor through its pressure relief device, investigators said.
Each derailed tank car was carrying about 30,000 gallons of liquefied petroleum gas, according to investigators.
The derailment also led Amtrak to cancel some passenger travel, including on the route between Los Angeles and Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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