MEETING NOTICE
The New Mexico State Land Office (NMSLO) hereby gives notice, pursuant to NMSA 1978, Section 19-7-9.1, that it will hold an in-person public meeting regarding a state land right-of-way amendment and substation application for Southline Transmission Project. The meeting will be held on Monday, November 9, 2026, from 6:00-8:00pm Mountain Time, at the James H. Baxter Civic Center in Lordsburg, New Mexico.
There will be a virtual Zoom option available at the same date and time for those unable to attend the meeting in person. For those who wish to participate in the meeting via Zoom, the web address is as follows: https://zoom.us/j/96887586451
Public Meeting Description
The purpose of this meeting is to receive public comments regarding a proposed right-of-way amendment and substation site application submitted by Southline Transmission Project. Southline Transmission Project (Southline) is a high-voltage transmission line planned between Arizona and New Mexico. In New Mexico, Southline routes through the southern counties of Hidalgo, Grant, Luna, and Doña Ana.
The amendment seeks updated rights-of-way from the NMSLO for Southline’s proposed project across state lands in Hidalgo, Grant, Luna, and Doña Ana counties of New Mexico. The site application for the substation is part of a competitive bidding process administered by NMSLO.
Hatchet Substation Application
Hatchet is Southline’s planned 345 kV substation in Grant County, New Mexico; Southline is applying for its substation site with the NMSLO.
The proposed Hatchet substation siting is on state trust land in Section 4, T23S/R16W, about 5.3 miles north of US-70. In total, Hatchet is about 35.2 acres and is proposed for a 75-year lease. The application for the Hatchet site is still in progress, and there is a competitive bidding process required for the site. Details for that process will be shared by NMSLO when available. The bidding process for the Hatchet site is separate from the right-of-way amendment application.
Right-of-Way Amendment
Southline’s New Mexico state land right-of-way across Hidalgo, Grant, Luna, and Doña Ana counties was approved in 2018; the application seeks an amendment to that approved right-of-way. The requested right-of-way for Southline is 200 feet wide, being 100 feet on each side of the transmission line’s centerline.
The right-of-way amendment adds approximately 37 acres of land in the Phase I portion of Southline’s 2018 right-of-way granted by the NMSLO, and reduces the Phase II portion of the project by 0.62 acres. Across both phases after the amendment, the right-of-way would cross 96 tracts of state trust land, totaling approximately 22,209.905 rods (approximately 69.4 linear miles) and approximately 1,682.6 acres.
Public Meeting Information
Staffed information stations will be available at the in-person meeting to answer questions on Southline and the amendment onto New Mexico State Land. Individuals participating virtually will also have an opportunity to ask questions and provide comments regarding the project.
Any change to the meeting time, along with the final agenda and Zoom link, will be posted on the State Land Office webpage (http://www.nmstatelands.org) at least seventy-two (72) hours prior to the date and time specified above.
In-Person Meeting Time:
Monday, November 9, 2026, 6:00-8:00pm Mountain Time (US and Canada)
James H. Baxter Civic Center
313 E 4th St, Lordsburg, NM 88045
Virtual Meeting Time:
Monday, November 9, 2026, 6:00-8:00pm Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/96887586451
Contact
If you have any questions, please contact:
Joey Keefe
New Mexico State Land Office
505-827-5760
www.nmstatelands.org
Southline Transmission Project may also be contacted at:
connect@southlinetransmission.com
(877) 359-1610