Arizona needs affordable power that stays on in the heat. Here’s how we get it

Arizona and New Mexico share not just a border but common values, including a deep appreciation for our environment and the magnificent natural beauty of our surroundings.

And this summer, we once again share a common foe: extreme weather — particularly extreme heat — that will put our electric grids to the test.

The irony is, our region is not lacking in resources to power our grid.

The Southwest is rich in renewables. The sun burns hot during the day, and the winds blow strong at night.

The problem we collectively face is that we’re lacking enough poles and wires to move the electricity these renewables produce to where it’s needed.

The West’s power grid has long been neglected

High-voltage electric transmission is the backbone of our electricity system, and as our energy needs grow, the transmission grid needs to grow with it.

The West’s electric grid has been neglected for decades, and our families and businesses are paying the price.

Particularly with the rising threat of extreme heat, we need a transmission grid that can provide our homes, businesses and our flourishing manufacturing facilities with consistent and dependable energy.

Thankfully, the West is in the midst of two processes to address our urgent need.

The Western Transmission Expansion Coalition is developing a regionwide solution to meet rapidly changing energy and grid needs.

Similarly, the Committee on Regional Electric Power Cooperation is working to make the shared costs of transmission more equitable. That is essential for securing support and funding for the critical, regional infrastructure projects.

New transmission lines will better connect states

Ten West Link, a transmission line connecting Arizona to California, just became operational in June. The Western Spirit transmission line has been delivering New Mexico wind energy onto the western grid since 2021.

And the SunZia transmission line will connect our two states, which, when combined with the SunZia Wind project, will be the largest clean energy infrastructure project in U.S. history.

The SunZia project will provide up to 3,500 megawatts (MW) of mostly renewable energy, or the power for about 1 million households every year.

Together, we are proving that America can still build big things. And with the increased federal investment in infrastructure, there is more to come.

We have a lot on the line.

With industry flocking to the Southwest to build the manufacturing plants and semiconductor facilities that will power America’s 21st century, we have an extraordinary opportunity to create exciting and fulfilling careers and grow our economies.

These industries are attracted to our region in part because they’re looking to invest in a place where energy is abundant, reliable and affordable in a way that only renewable energy can be. Transmission delivers electricity, and it can also deliver on the promise and potential of our communities.

The result: Cheaper, more reliable electricity

Building transmission lines is difficult and takes a long time.

But if we do this right, if we work together to build a transmission grid that’s more efficient and interconnected across the West, we have the potential to diversify our economies, create hundreds of thousands of new jobs and save our residents billions of dollars annually in energy costs.

The goal, in part, is to create an electricity system that’s bigger than the weather, with transmission lines stretching across multiple states and regions.

When the Southwest grid is feeling the heat, we can get extra low-cost electricity from elsewhere if needed. And at other times of year, we can sell our extra electricity to other regions of the country.

What’s needed now to realize this future of abundant, reliable and affordable energy is a shared resolve to collaborate and create win-win solutions.

Federal rule, Arizona laws help our work

Recently, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in Washington issued new rules aimed at empowering states to forge regional solutions to our transmission grid challenges.

In the West, we didn’t wait for Washington to act. New Mexico created a state transmission authority, and 14 years later, Colorado followed suit.

In Arizona, Gov. Hobbs recently signed House Bill 2003 and HB 2004, streamlining the replacement process for cables and structures on transmission lines and revising procedures for constructing utility facilities.

Why Arizona needs:A truly regional power market

FERC’s guidance is important, but some of us are already working together, confident in our ability to develop solutions tailored to the unique challenges and opportunities of our region.

Our message to the rest of the West is clear: By working together, we can break ground on the transmission projects that will fortify our grid — ensuring reliable electricity for our homes and businesses — and power our region’s economic growth.

Every state in the West must join this effort

We urge our fellow Western governors, legislators and citizens to support regional transmission projects and advocate for policies that promote collaboration and investment in our shared grid.

Together, we can create a more resilient and prosperous future for the West — one with thriving economies, abundant jobs, lower energy costs, healthy communities and a secure, sustainable energy supply.

Through collaboration, we can withstand the challenges posed by extreme weather and emerge stronger and better prepared to seize the opportunities that lie ahead.

The time to act is now, and we invite all Westerners to join us in the effort.

Michelle Lujan Grisham is the governor of New Mexico. Katie Hobbs is the governor of Arizona. On X, formerly Twitter: @GovMLG, @GovernorHobbs.