A recent legal development has brought attention to a $10 billion transmission line under construction in a remote southeastern Arizona valley, designed to transport wind-powered electricity to distant customers, including those in California. The 32-page lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Tucson, accuses the U.S. Interior Department and Bureau of Land Management of neglecting the “cultural significance” of the San Pedro Valley to Native American tribes for nearly 15 years.

Cultural Significance and Legal Action

The lawsuit emphasizes that the Tohono O’odham, Hopi, Zuni, and Western Apache tribes have deep historical ties to the valley. Despite the “overwhelming evidence of cultural significance,” the project received approval to transmit electricity from the SunZia Transmission wind farm in central New Mexico through the San Pedro Valley. The lawsuit labels the valley as “one of the most intact, prehistoric and historical landscapes in southern Arizona.”

Environmental Impact and Opposition

The legal action seeks restraining orders or permanent injunctions to halt construction, claiming irreparable harm to the San Pedro Valley if construction proceeds. Plaintiffs, including the Tohono O’odham Nation, the San Carlos Apache Reservation, and nonprofit organizations Center for Biological Diversity and Archaeology Southwest, argue for the protection of the valley, referred to as “Arizona’s last free-flowing river.”

Project Overview and Environmental Concerns

The transmission line, part of the SunZia Wind and Transmission project, aims to cover a 50-mile stretch of the planned 550-mile conduit, connecting wind farms in central New Mexico to existing transmission lines in Arizona. The project is considered a crucial component of President Joe Biden’s goal for a carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035. However, it has faced challenges, including concerns from the U.S. Defense Department, leading to modifications in the New Mexico route due to potential impacts on radar systems and military training operations.

Construction Halts and Continued Controversy

Construction began in September in New Mexico after years of negotiations and approval from the Bureau of Land Management. However, work briefly stopped in November amid pleas by tribes to review environmental approvals for the San Pedro Valley. Despite this, construction resumed, prompting criticism from tribal leaders.

Future Implications and Project Timeline

SunZia expects the transmission line to commence commercial service in 2026, delivering over 3,500 megawatts of wind power to approximately 3 million people. Project officials claim to have conducted surveys and collaborated with tribes to identify cultural resources. The project’s significance extends beyond its scale, contributing to the broader goal of achieving a carbon pollution-free power sector.

Balancing Progress and Cultural Preservation

As legal battles unfold, the dispute over the transmission line reflects the ongoing challenge of balancing infrastructure development with the preservation of culturally significant landscapes. The outcome of this case will not only impact the San Pedro Valley but also set a precedent for similar conflicts arising between development initiatives and environmental or cultural preservation efforts.