Department of Energy February 22, 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

On February 12, 1999, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced its intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) for the Public Service Company of New Mexico's (PNM) request for a Presidential permit for proposed international electric transmission lines. The proposed Federal action in this EIS was to grant PNM a Presidential permit for the construction, operation, maintenance, and connection of two 345,000-volt electric transmission lines originating at the switchyard of the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station (PVNGS) near Phoenix, Arizona, and extending approximately 160 miles to the south, crossing the United States border with Mexico in the vicinity of Nogales, Arizona. The EIS would have evaluated the potential environmental impacts associated with the proposed Federal action and reasonable alternatives. In a letter dated November 16, 2004, PNM notified DOE that it no longer finds the proposed project viable and withdrew its application for a Presidential permit. Therefore, further preparation of an EIS is not necessary. The notice of intent to prepare an EIS is withdrawn and the NEPA process is hereby terminated.