California regulators opened environmental review of the 500-kilovolt Ironwood line between Arizona and California. The Fort Yuma Quechan Tribe opposes its preferred route through the Cargo Muchacho Mountains, citing their cultural and spiritual significance.
Horizon West Transmission, a NextEra Energy subsidiary selected to build and operate the line, says it is intended to ease strain on the grid serving Los Angeles and San Diego and improve reliability around Yuma. The route would run from the North Gila Substation near Yuma, cross the Colorado River near Imperial Dam, then pass north of the reservation through the mountains and Imperial County. The company’s study identified cultural resources along parts of the preferred route.
Horizon West says it considered alternatives through or south of Yuma, along the Colorado River and near Interstate 8, but dropped them citing nearby development, airport and transportation restrictions, and difficulty securing land. Protect Kw'tsán, a group led by Quechan members, wants regulators to study those routes and give the Tribe a formal role in the review. A draft environmental impact report is due in the third quarter of 2027, with a final report due in early 2028; Arizona and federal approvals are also required.
