Demolition at PNM San Juan generating station nearing site-grading stage, county project manager says

Demolition at the PNM San Juan generating station is largely complete and crews are moving into site cleanup, sorting recyclable materials from rubble and completing groundwater monitoring, according to the county project manager’s update.

Project manager Porter Smith said most large structures have been brought down to near ground level and the remaining tasks include sorting demolition debris, final grading and closing remaining water-retention ponds. Smith said groundwater monitoring will continue for about 10 years as part of the site-closure work; most ponds have been backfilled but one remains open to support monitoring. He said contractors expect to bring site elevations down to the tops of buried foundations and complete major grading work in 2026.

Commissioners asked about fencing and future uses; Smith said the site is private property, that solar developers are using switchyard connections in the area and he expected the owner or future developer to maintain protections to keep the public off the site. No formal county action was taken.