The dispute over the proposed SunZia Southwest Transmission
Project shouldn't be a choice between a valuable economic
development project and the historically vital importance of
White Sands Missile Range and other regional military
installations.  SunZia proposes to build more than 500 miles of
distribution lines to move wind- and solar-generated energy. The
proposed route would bisect much of New Mexico, including
running more than 40 miles through WSMR's Northern Extension
Area that abuts the range. The Defense Department, concerned
that the route favored by SunZia and the Bureau of Land
Management would impact on White Sands' mission, favors a more
northerly route that that would stay clear of the extension
area. That would undoubtedly add extensive cost to the project.
Rep. Steve Pearce, R-N.M., shares the military's concern, as do
Texas Democratic Reps. Beto O'Rourke and Pete Gallego and the
Greater El Paso Area Chamber of Commerce.  They all fear that
SunZia's plans could adversely impact the missions