Summary

DOE prepared an environmental assessment (DOE/EA-2042) for the Nogales Interconnection Project. Nogales Transmission, L.L.C. applied to DOE for a Presidential permit to construct, connect, operate, and maintain an approximately 5-mile-long, 138-kilovolt (kV) and 230-kV, alternating current (AC) electric transmission system that would cross the international border between Nogales, Santa Cruz County, Arizona and Sonora, Mexico. The proposed Nogales Interconnection Project would be constructed on 150-foot-wide right-of-way (ROW) and would consist of the following components: a new, approximately 3-mile-long, overhead 138-kV AC transmission line between the existing UNS Electric, Inc. Valencia Substation and a new Gateway Substation; a new, approximately 11-acre Gateway Substation, with capacity for direct current (DC) interconnection of up to 300 megawatts (MW) constructed on land currently owned by Tucson Electric Power; a new, approximately 2-mile-long, overhead 230-kV AC transmission line extending south from the new Gateway Substation to the proposed international border crossing; and associated access roads. Minor modifications within the existing footprint of the Valencia Substation would also be made. A portion of the proposed ROW for the new line from the new Gateway Substation to the proposed U.S.-Mexico border crossing would be adjacent to the Coronado National Forest and would not be located directly on U.S. Forest Service land. The Final Environmental Assessment (EA) addresses the potential environmental impacts of the proposed Project and the No Action Alternative.

Question or requests for more information, please contact: nogalesinterconnectionea@hq.doe.gov