Petition To Oppose PNM’s Proposed Power Substation Location and Towers/Powerlines Impacting Sandia Mountains/City Views And Property Values

PNM, with the endorsement of the North Albuquerque Acres Community Association (NAACA), has submitted an application to Bernalillo County to build a power substation at Paseo del Norte and Lowell (west of the fire station). From this substation, 90+ foot 115kV transmission lines would extend east along Paseo to Tramway, then south on Tramway (Sandia Heights) to connect with an existing tower near Albertson’s.

Most residents who live near the site location, east up Paseo, and those in Sandia Heights are unaware of this project and the consequences for their views, property values, and community character.

IMMEDIATE ATTENTION NEEDED – Bernalillo’s County Planning Commission (CPC) will review PNM’s application 9AM on WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3rd (Ken Sanchez Commission Chambers, Bernalillo County @ Alvarado Square building, 415 Silver SW). This petition will be presented to the CPC (must be completed by TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2ND). If you personally wish to speak at the meeting, YOU MUST SIGN UP IN ADVANCE OF THE MEETING (no impromptu speeches/questions are allowed).

We urge you to review the facts and sign this petition in opposition to the project as currently proposed.

PNM’s Claimed Justifications for A Substation in North Albuquerque Acres (NAA):

• Capacity – NAA needs more electricity due to continued projected growth. Existing substations that feed NAA are at max capacity. To meet the NAA’s future power needs and avoid potential outages, a substation is needed.
• Usage Patterns – PNM proclaims that NAA residents have higher incomes, larger homes/pools/hot tubs, and greater numbers of electric vehicles (EVs), driving higher electricity demands.
• Cost-Benefit Claim – PNM indicates that the value of having reliable power outweighs the impact the proposed substation/powerline project on NAA home values.

Why The Paseo/Lowell Site Was Selected

• PNM initially targeted Eubank & Paseo del Norte sites, the most economical options with a wide corridor and powerlines running south.
• After opposition from nearby residents and NAACA, those sites were dropped.
• PNM's attention then shifted east, where — working with NAACA — the Paseo/Lowell site was chosen. NAACA further proposed routing the lines east up Paseo and south on Tramway (instead of west down Paseo to Eubank), a plan it endorsed at its April 2025 meeting.

Selection Process – Unequitable and Biased

• NAACA successfully opposed the original Eubank/Paseo sites on behalf of nearby residents but then worked with PNM to select the Paseo/Lowell site without involving those who would be most affected.
• At the April 2025 NAACA meeting, NAACA announced their joint decision with PNM, declaring the Paseo/Lowell site and the eastward powerline run as the only option, despite resident objections and with no alternative considerations.
• Afterward, only a few residents west of the dam—directly south of the proposed substation—were invited to provide limited input on landscaping of the substation.
• At no point were the most-affected groups consulted:
  • Residents directly across the street from the substation site (to the north).
  • Homeowners east/west of Lowell along Holly and Paseo, where towers with high voltage powerlines would rise beside their homes.
  • Residents whose mountain or city views would be obstructed.
  • Sandia Heights residents, whose HOA had to submit a separate opposition.
  • Nearby neighborhoods like Primrose Point that value NAA’s open, rural character.
• A resident survey conducted 8/23/25 confirmed widespread exclusion: none had been asked for input, many were unaware of the plan, and all expressed strong opposition citing property value loss, view destruction, rural character loss, and safety concerns.
• Many believe NAACA acted in bias, protecting NAA residents further west while sacrificing far northeastern NAA.
• PNM was also not transparent with affected residents. Postcard notifications went out only after the site was chosen and County application submitted – leaving affected residents with no real opportunity to provide input or oppose the project.

This Proposal Should Be Rejected Because:

• Wrong Location Chosen
  Far northeastern NAA is the wrong place for this project. Nearly all the growth and higher electricity demand comes from the western, northwestern, and southern portions of NAA and surrounding communities, where higher-density housing and businesses are concentrated – all high electricity usage. The far northeastern section of NAA is not driving this growth. With one home per acre, limited development potential, and far lower power usage per acre, it makes little sense to burden this area with a massive substation and transmission project. Doing so is both inefficient and unfair.
• Expensive Option
  The proposed $124 million substation and long powerline run is far costlier than western alternatives requiring shorter lines. These unnecessary costs will ultimately be passed on to all PNM customers.
• Damage to Views, Property Values, and Community Character
  The proposed substation and 90ft powerline towers would permanently scar the scenic views of the Sandia Mountains and Albuquerque cityscape—views that are a defining feature of this area and a key reason people choose to live here. Homes within sight of the substation and towers will likely lose value, even as property taxes continue to rise. Beyond economics, the project would erode the rural, open character of northeastern NAA, replacing it with industrial blight.
• Lack of Transparency and Fair Process
  The selection process was exclusionary and biased. NAACA opposed western sites but then endorsed PNM’s Paseo/Lowell option —while consulting only a few residents on San Bernardino (south of the project). The homeowners most directly impacted—those across from the site, along Paseo, in nearby neighborhoods, and in Sandia Heights – were excluded from meaningful participation, even though they would bear the greatest burden. Claims of local support are misleading, given the lack of broad awareness or genuine input.

Our Position

This project should not move forward as proposed.
We call on Bernalillo County to reject the current application https://www.bernco.gov/planning/planning-and-land-use/upcoming-county-planning-commission-cases/ and require PNM to:

• Identify a more appropriate substation location aligned with actual demand.
• Avoid towers and powerlines placement near homes.
• Conduct a transparent, inclusive process that ensures all affected residents are aware of the impacts of PNM’s plans.

We, the undersigned, oppose PNM’s proposed power substation project at Paseo del Norte and Lowell and transmission lines towards Sandia Mountains and along Tramway.