Potter-Crossroads-Phantom 765-kV Transmission Line Project
Project Overview
Southwestern Public Service Company (SPS), a subsidiary of Xcel Energy Inc., is proposing to construct and operate the Potter-Crossroads-Phantom 765-kV project (Project) to enhance electric reliability across Texas and New Mexico. The proposed Potter-Crossroads-Phantom 765-kV transmission line will extend from Amarillo, Texas, to south of Portales, New Mexico, and continue to the southern part of Lea County in southeastern New Mexico. SPS also plans to construct six additional 345-kV transmission lines and two new substations – one in southeastern New Mexico and the other in western Texas.
This project was identified by the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) as part of its 2024 Integrated Transmission Plan Assessment, a study performed to identify projects to enhance reliability and expand the grid across the 14 states that comprise the SPP footprint. The Project is essential to ensuring electric reliability as the region continues to grow and will be particularly critical in meeting the demands of new load growth.
The Project will require approvals from both the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) and the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (PRC). It will cross privately owned land as well as land managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the New Mexico State Land Office (NMSL). Because portions of the Project will cross federally administered land, SPS will submit a right-of-way application to the BLM for authorization to construct and operate the Project on these lands. In response, the BLM will initiate environmental reviews and prepare documentation in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
Project Resources
Potter-Crossroads-Phantom Information Sheet (PDF) (Opens in a new window) Virtual Open House Meeting Q&A (PDF) (Opens in a new window) Birds and Power Lines (PDF) (Opens in a new window) Easement Acquisition and Right-of-Way Process (PDF) (Opens in a new window) Power Lines and Electric and Magnetic Fields (PDF) (Opens in a new window) Safety Around Power Lines (PDF) (Opens in a new window) Siting and Permitting (PDF) (Opens in a new window) Transmission Line Construction Process (PDF) (Opens in a new window) Working with Landowners (PDF) (Opens in a new window) FAQ (PDF) (Opens in a new window) Open House Display Boards (PDF) (Opens in a new window)Project Updates
There have been several updates to the Project. The Project includes the following components:
| Segment Number | Segment Name | Description |
| 1 | Potter-Tecovas 345-kV | 345-kV tie lines from existing Potter Substation in Potter County, Texas to planned Tecovas Substation in Randall County, Texas |
| 2 | Tecovas-Crossroads 765-kV | Single-circuit 765-kV transmission line that crosses the Texas/New Mexico State Line between the planned Tecovas Substation in Randall County, Texas, and the existing Crossroads Substation in Roosevelt County, New Mexico |
| 3 | Crossroads-Bandit 765-kV | Single-circuit 765-kV transmission line from the existing Crossroads Substation in Roosevelt County, New Mexico to SPS’s planned Bandit Substation, in Eddy County, New Mexico |
| 4 | Bandit-Phantom 345-kV | 345-kV tie lines from the planned Bandit Substation in Eddy County, New Mexico, to the Phantom Substation in Eddy County, New Mexico |
Segment 1: Potter-Tecovas 345-kV
Per landowner feedback collected at the public meetings in October 2025 and February 2026, SPS is considering three potential right-of-way (ROW) widths for Segment 1 of the Project. There will be a public meeting on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, to review the proposed ROW widths and updated preliminary route links. Maps are available for review.
Public Open House Meeting
Date: Tuesday, August 25, 2026
Time: 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Location: Amarillo Civic Center – Regency Room B
Address: 401 S. Buchanan Street
Amarillo, TX 79101
Segment 2: Tecovas-Crossroads 765-kV
A Certificate of Convenience and Necessity (CCN) for Segment 2 was filed with the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) on June 12, 2026, under Docket Number 59818.
Segment 3 and Segment 4: Crossroads-Bandit 765-kV and Bandit-Phantom 345-kV
SPS is working with State and Federal agencies to review the preliminary links.
Virtual Open House Meetings
Virtual Open House meetings were held on October 30, 2025, and February 17, 2026. The recordings of these meetings are below, and upon availability, the Q&A portions of the presentations may be found in the Project Resources section above. The Q&A portion of the Virtual Open House meeting held on February 17, 2026, will be uploaded to the Project Resources section soon.
Project Need
The Potter-Crossroads-Phantom 765-kV line project is needed to support new load growth in the SPS region. SPS’s Texas and New Mexico service territory is seeing unprecedented demand due to new manufacturing, oil and gas growth and the increasing needs of existing customers and communities. The Project will not only make the electric grid more reliable but also support the growing economy in the SPS service territory. The Project ensures that SPS can meet customers energy needs and contribute to the economic development of the region.
Project Details
| Segment Number | Segment Name | Description |
| 1 | Potter-Tecovas 345-kV | 345-kV tie lines from existing Potter Substation in Potter County, Texas to planned Tecovas Substation in Randall County, Texas |
| 2 | Tecovas-Crossroads 765-kV | Single-circuit 765-kV transmission line that crosses the Texas/New Mexico State Line between the planned Tecovas Substation in Randall County, Texas, and the existing Crossroads Substation in Roosevelt County, New Mexico |
| 3 | Crossroads-Bandit 765-kV | Single-circuit 765-kV transmission line from the existing Crossroads Substation in Roosevelt County, New Mexico to SPS’s planned Bandit Substation, in Eddy County, New Mexico |
| 4 | Bandit-Phantom 345-kV | 345-kV tie lines from the planned Bandit Substation in Eddy County, New Mexico, to the Phantom Substation in Eddy County, New Mexico |
Timeline
- Routing & Siting Studies: Q1 2025 - Q1 2028
- Public and Agency Outreach: Q4 2025 - Q3 2028
- Land Acquisition: Q3 2026 - Q1 2029
- Construction: Q1 2029 - Q2 2031
- In Service: Q2 2031
Contact Us
Have questions or want to provide comments? Send an email to potter-crossroads-phantom@xcelenergy.com, leave a message on the project phone line at 1 (512) 500-0948, or fill in and submit the comment form below.