Carlsbad’s (almost) Nuclear Power Plant
The history of the proposed nuclear power plant near Carlsbad, NM is a long and complex one, with multiple phases and locations involved.
In the early 1970s, the Public Service Company of New Mexico proposed the construction of a nuclear power plant near Queen, NM, which is located approximately 30 miles northeast of Carlsbad. The proposed site was adjacent to the Pecos River and near the Texas border. This location was selected for its proximity to major transmission lines, which would allow for the efficient distribution of the electricity generated by the plant.
However, the proposed site near Queen faced significant opposition from local residents and environmental groups. Many were concerned about the potential for accidents and the long-term impact on the local ecosystem, including the Pecos River, which was a major source of water for the region. Additionally, the site was located near the Carlsbad Caverns National Park, which is a popular tourist destination known for its natural beauty and geological wonders.
As a result of the opposition, the Public Service Company of New Mexico eventually decided to relocate the proposed nuclear power plant to another site near the Pecos River, just north of what is now Brantley Lake State Park. The new site was selected in part because it was further away from Carlsbad Caverns National Park and because it was on land owned by the Bureau of Land Management, which made the permitting process somewhat easier.
Despite the change in location, the proposed nuclear power plant continued to face opposition from local residents and environmental groups, who were concerned about the potential risks associated with nuclear power. In response to these concerns, the state of New Mexico eventually passed legislation that required the Public Service Company of New Mexico to transfer the land to the state, which would use it to create Brantley Lake State Park.
The land transfer was completed in the late 1980s, and Brantley Lake State Park was officially established soon thereafter. Today, the park covers more than 4,000 acres and is a popular destination for camping, boating, fishing, and other outdoor activities.
While the proposed nuclear power plant was never built, its legacy lives on in the form of Brantley Lake State Park. The park is a testament to the power of community activism and the importance of considering the long-term impacts of our energy decisions. Despite the challenges that we face in creating a sustainable energy future, the creation of places like Brantley Lake State Park offers a glimpse of what is possible when we work together to create a better world for ourselves and future generations.
Sources:
"From Queen to Brantley: The Story of a Nuclear Plant Site." Carlsbad Current-Argus, September 28, 1986.
"Brantley Lake: A Dam, a Power Plant and a State Park." Carlsbad Current-Argus, May 26, 2017.
"The Nuclear Future of New Mexico." New Mexico Historical Review, vol. 91, no. 4, Fall 2016, pp. 435-468.
"Nuclear power plant once considered for Queen, now Brantley Lake State Park." Roswell Daily Record, November 7, 2019.