Albuquerque, N.M. — The Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) has issued a formal Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) Electrical Power Capacity Upgrade Project, clearing the way for construction to move forward. The project, documented under DOE/EA-2199, will add a new 115-kilovolt (kV) transmission line to strengthen LANL’s aging electrical infrastructure.

The project route crosses lands managed by the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), requiring extensive interagency coordination.

“Our Los Alamos Field Office worked very closely with SFNF and BLM to assess the impacts of this project,” said Ted Wyka, NNSA Los Alamos Field Office Manager. “Over the five years since we started looking at this project, we engaged often with our Tribal neighbors for input and made changes as a result. I cannot overstate the importance of this project to our national security mission, which increasingly relies on sufficient and reliable energy sources and energy transmission infrastructure.”

According to federal forecasts, existing transmission lines serving LANL and Los Alamos County will reach maximum capacity by 2027. Without intervention, the electrical shortfall would compromise the lab’s ability to meet its research and national security mission requirements, including critical nuclear security work.

The Environmental Assessment (EA) reviewed potential construction and operational impacts, ultimately finding that the project would not cause significant harm to the environment. As part of the process, the NNSA worked with the U.S. Forest Service, SFNF, BLM Taos Field Office, and regional Tribes to identify and mitigate potential impacts.

A key component of the plan includes amendments to the 2022 Santa Fe National Forest Land Management Plan, designating a new utility corridor and granting a permanent easement for the transmission line. The agencies also developed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with neighboring Tribes and stakeholders to avoid or reduce impacts on culturally sensitive areas and wildlife habitats.

With the environmental review complete, the project can advance to construction phases, which are expected to begin in the coming years. The upgrade is considered vital not only for LANL but also for regional grid stability, ensuring reliable electricity delivery in northern New Mexico.

The official FONSI and supporting documents for the LANL Electrical Power Capacity Upgrade Project are available on the DOE website: DOE/EA-2199 Project Page.

Originally reported by U.S. Department Of Energy.