Frequent Questions

The RioSol route will parallel the SunZia route. It is largely determined by governmental agencies to minimize impacts to the environment and surrounding communities. The federal process is guided by the Bureau of Land Management. At the state level, New Mexico’s Public Regulation Commission and the New Mexico State Land Office have jurisdiction over the project. In Arizona the Arizona Corporation Commission and the Arizona State Land Department have jurisdiction over the project.

Based on the route, largely determined by governmental agencies, RioSol’s real property team works respectfully with landowners to discuss specific site concerns or other issues in order to determine the best path forward to secure the necessary access. RioSol strives to negotiate truthfully and honestly and to arrive at compensation agreements with owners that are reasonable, fair and equitable.

Transmission lines carry electricity from one location to another enabling power needs to be met throughout the country. Transmission lines provide the opportunity for renewable energy to be transported from rural areas to cities and urban areas where energy is in high demand.

Transmission lines simply carry electricity over large distances with minimum loss or disruption. Without transmission lines, the energy has no way of connecting from the wind farm to an outlet in your home.

The RioSol project will benefit communities by providing:

• Construction jobs
• Full-time operations and maintenance jobs
• Part-time operations and maintenance jobs
• Many indirect effects such as the impact of buying local goods and services
• Tax revenue generated from this project
• The opportunity for communities to benefit from renewable energy through construction of substations along the route.

Once in operation, renewable wind and solar energy does not release greenhouse gasses, and the energy cannot be depleted over time; however, renewable energy can be replenished in a short amount of time. By carrying clean energy, RioSol provides communities in New Mexico and Arizona a renewable energy alternative which benefits our environment.

The New Mexico Renewable Energy Transmission Authority (NMRETA) was established by lawmakers in 2007 to facilitate the development of renewable electric transmission and storage projects. Their team enables the development of relevant transmission projects through a variety of means

By partnering with NMRETA, RioSol will complete a project that will advance renewable energy in New Mexico with a partner that has experience in this area. Their team offers to RioSol expertise in transmission projects related to financing, partnering with state and federal government on regulatory issues.