PNM will pay $285 million for the purchase of the 165-mile long Western Spirit transmission line to begin delivering wind generated power to residential customers in 2021. The NM PRC approved the acquisition Wednesday, and in doing so eliminated the last major regulatory hurdle for construction to move forward.

This decision by the PRC opens the door for the energy company Pattern Development to begin building $1 billion in planned wind farms throughout the Estancia Valley in central New Mexico that will generate 800 megawatts of electricity for the Western Spirit transmission line.

Although there are no more regulatory burdens for the project, there is still the issue of negotiating right-of-way agreements with landowners along the planned route for the transmission line. Pattern Development and the state’s Renewable Energy Transmission Authority will be tasked with negotiating agreements with landowners to allow the substantial transmission line to snake through Valencia, Torrance, Bernalillo, Socorro and Sandoval Counties 

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