DEMING – Luna County residents will have an opportunity later this month to learn more about, and comment on, a proposed multibillion-dollar natural gas pipeline that would cross southern New Mexico as part of a major energy expansion connecting West Texas to Arizona.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has begun the public scoping process for the proposed Desert Southwest Expansion Project, submitted by Transwestern Pipeline Company, LLC, an Energy Transfer company. The project calls for construction of approximately 526.5 miles of new 48-inch-diameter interstate natural gas pipeline, 181.5 miles of lateral pipelines, eight compressor stations, 26 meter stations, and other related facilities across Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. If approved, the pipeline would be capable of transporting approximately 2.3 billion cubic feet of natural gas each day.
The natural gas would originate primarily from the Permian Basin, one of the nation’s largest oil and natural gas producing regions located in West Texas and southeastern New Mexico. The proposed pipeline would begin near Winkler County, Texas, travel across southern New Mexico—including Luna County—and continue west into Arizona.
While the pipeline would cross Luna County, it is not intended to provide new natural gas service to Deming or other local communities. Interstate transmission pipelines are designed to transport large volumes of natural gas between producing regions and utility distribution systems. The current proposal does not include new local distribution lines or service connections for Luna County residents or businesses.
According to Energy Transfer, the project is designed to meet rapidly increasing demand for natural gas in Arizona and portions of the Southwest. The fuel would primarily be used by electric utilities to generate electricity, helping meet growing energy needs while supporting grid reliability. Natural gas is also commonly used to heat homes and businesses, fuel industrial manufacturing, and supply large commercial facilities, including data centers and other energy-intensive industries.
Before any construction can begin, FERC must complete an environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act. The agency is currently gathering public comments to help determine what environmental issues should be studied before deciding whether to approve the project.
Among the issues expected to be evaluated are impacts to groundwater and surface water, wildlife habitat, threatened and endangered species, cultural and archaeological resources, air quality, noise, land use, pipeline safety, emergency response planning, and other environmental concerns identified by the public.
To gather public input, FERC will hold a public scoping session in Deming on Wednesday, July 29, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Mimbres Valley Special Events Center, 2300 East Pine Street.
Unlike a traditional public hearing, there will not be a formal presentation. Instead, residents may stop by at any time during the two-hour session to ask questions and provide comments directly to a court reporter for inclusion in the official record. Representatives from both FERC and Transwestern Pipeline Company will also be available to answer questions about the proposed project and the environmental review process. Written comments will also be accepted through August 5.
FERC emphasized that the Desert Southwest Expansion Project has not been approved or authorized. Comments received during the current scoping process will help determine the scope of the environmental review before the Commission considers whether to grant approval for construction.
By John Krehbiel | Bravo Mic Communications, LLC | john@bravomic.com
