🏗️ Overview
On January 15, 2025, the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) unanimously approved the Salt River Project's (SRP) South Mountain Transmission Project (SMT), granting a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility (CEC). This pivotal infrastructure initiative is designed to bolster the electrical grid's capacity and reliability in the rapidly developing Laveen area of Phoenix, particularly along the Loop 202 corridor.
Rick Hernandez, SRP's Power System Program Manager, emphasized the project's significance:
“The South Mountain Transmission project represents an important milestone for the Laveen community, and we appreciate the consideration of the ACC to approve this plan. The project will help SRP support the Valley’s economic and residential growth with affordable, reliable, and sustainable power.”
🔌 Project Details
The SMT Project encompasses the construction of:
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A new 500/230/69-kilovolt (kV) substation in Laveen.
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Two new overhead double-circuit 230 kV transmission lines, each spanning approximately 2–3 miles, depending on the selected route.
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Less than 1 mile of two new overhead 500 kV transmission lines.
These enhancements are crucial for accommodating the anticipated surge in electrical demand due to Laveen's ongoing residential and commercial development.
🌆 Supporting Laveen's Development
The City of Phoenix has identified the area around Loop 202 in Laveen as a prime location for significant growth, including plans for:
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Industrial and technology parks.
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Retail centers.
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Hospitals and healthcare facilities.
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Hotels and resorts.
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Residential communities.
This development is part of the city's broader strategy to establish the South Mountain Technology Corridor, aiming to attract high-wage jobs in sectors like technology, bioscience, light manufacturing, and finance.
📅 Public Involvement and Approval Process
SRP engaged in an extensive public outreach campaign to gather feedback and ensure community involvement. Key milestones included:
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Multiple open houses and public meetings held throughout 2024.
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Filing the CEC application with the ACC on September 26, 2024.
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Approval by the Arizona Power Plant and Transmission Line Siting Committee on November 14, 2024.
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Final unanimous approval by the ACC on January 15, 2025.
🔍 Environmental and System Benefits
The SMT Project is designed to:
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Enhance the reliability and resilience of SRP's transmission system.
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Provide an additional 1,200 megawatts (MW) of load-serving capability.
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Reduce the need for immediate upgrades at existing high-voltage substations.
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Mitigate voltage issues and thermal overloads under outage conditions.
Environmental assessments concluded that the project would not have significant detrimental effects on local ecosystems, water quality, or cultural resources.
📍 Route Planning and Flexibility
SRP developed multiple routing options for the new transmission lines, considering factors such as:
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Minimizing impacts on residential areas.
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Utilizing existing corridors and rights-of-way.
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Accommodating future land use and development plans.
The preferred routes primarily run west of Loop 202, with contingency plans in place should adjustments be necessary based on further studies and stakeholder input.
📝 Conclusion
The approval of the South Mountain Transmission Project marks a significant step forward in ensuring that Laveen's infrastructure keeps pace with its rapid growth. By enhancing the area's electrical capacity and reliability, SRP is laying the groundwork for sustainable development and economic prosperity in the region.
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