A US district judge dismissed a legal challenge by Native American tribes and environmental groups to a portion of the $10 billion SunZia transmission line project in Arizona.
The project will carry wind-generated electricity from New Mexico to customers in states like California. The disputed section passes through land of cultural significance to tribes.
The tribes and groups had sued to halt construction in a 50 mile stretch, arguing more needed to be done to identify culturally significant sites. But the judge said they were too late, as the Bureau of Land Management fulfilled its obligations.
An earlier ruling also dismissed requests to preliminarily block construction, finding BLM met cultural and historic review requirements.
The developer of the project, Pattern Energy, said the ruling provides assurance that properly approved projects will not face belated legal challenges.
However, the tribes plan to appeal, and environmentalists say the developer is trying to render the case moot by rapidly destroying sites before adequate review.
The transmission line is part of Biden administration plans to boost renewable energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Source: AP
