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Albuquerque: PNM, Public Service Co. of New Mexico, today said the electric system serving Santa Fe and Las Vegas needs enhancement by the winter of 2003-04, prompting the company to seek public input this year on new system options that could be in place by that time. The company will seek public help in the search for the best possible option, said Melvin Christopher, PNM vice president. “The process we’re embarking on actively involves the citizens of Santa Fe and Las Vegas,” he said. “We hope early participation and input will help us arrive at a solution that is both acceptable and cost effective.” The effort, known as “Project Power,” will include a collaborative, decision-making conference with selected citizens from both Santa Fe and San Miguel counties in May, followed by public open houses and meetings this summer and later this year. The project has established a Web site, which will be online in early May. Christopher said reliable electric service for Santa Fe and Las Vegas is not immediately at risk – but that action must be taken this year because of the long lead times associated with electric infrastructure projects. “We have an excellent record of reliability, and we will maintain it,” he said. The Santa Fe and Las Vegas area is served by three high-voltage transmission lines, which are each rated to carry 115,000 volts (or 115kV). The lines were built in the early 1950s and 1960s. “This project is not about power supply or local distribution infrastructure; it’s about getting power to Santa Fe and Las Vegas for distribution in the communities,” Christopher said. PNM engineering studies show that because of moderate but sustained growth in recent decades, the existing 115kV lines may soon reach the limits of their capacity in the event the system loses a transmission line or other critical equipment. This leaves both Santa Fe and Las Vegas more vulnerable to electric system problems than before. These possible problems could include low voltages, excessive drops in voltage, and, similar to recent problems in California, loss of power. Aware of growing constraints on the system, PNM invested about $36 million between 1993 and 2000 to stabilize and expand the general transmission system as well as local distribution capacity. However, more significant corrective action is now needed, Christopher said. The company estimates it needs to increase its load-serving capability by about four megawatts of electricity per year, for the next ten years, to meet projected customer needs in the area.
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