Ciscomani Joins Energy Secretary Granholm for Visit to Southline Transmission Project in Cochise County
The Arizona representative sent a letter to Secretary Granholm advocating for federal funding for the project in September.
COCHISE COUNTY, AZ – U.S. Congressman Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06) joined Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Jennifer Granholm for a visit to the Southline Transmission Project (Southline) yesterday in Cochise County.
During the visit, Secretary Granholm announced that Southline is one of three projects nationwide to receive funding through the DOE’s Transmission Facilitation Program (TFP). Southline is a proposed 175-mile, 748 MW transmission line from Arizona to New Mexico that will help unlock renewable energy resources, specifically wind and solar energy, across the region. Ciscomani, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, sent a letter to DOE in September advocating for the project’s inclusion in TFP, helping to secure the selection of this project nationally.
Click here for more photos and videos from the visit.
“The Southline Transmission Project will be transformative in accessing clean and reliable energy in our region,” said Congressman Ciscomani. “I am pleased to see the federal government prioritize this project as one of three nationwide and recognize that Cochise County is the best place for this investment. I was proud to play a role alongside local mayors and county supervisors in securing these funds and look forward to our continued partnership to ensure its success.”
“We are grateful to Congressman Ciscomani for his support and advocacy for Southline's selection by the Department of Energy's Transmission Facilitation Program,” said Al Vickers, Chief Operating Officer for Grid United, a co-developer for the project. “Southline's development will provide electricity when it’s needed, where it’s needed to ensure that all communities in the Grand Canyon State have access to reliable, resilient and affordable electricity.”
This project is aimed at enhancing grid reliability and resiliency in the southwest region. It will create nearly 2400 new jobs and invest approximately $4 million into the community. Learn more about Southline here.
Congressman Ciscomani and Secretary Granholm were joined at yesterday’s visit by state and local leaders including Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, Benson Mayor Joe Konrad, and Cochise County Supervisor Peggy Judd.