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Courtesy Illustration

APS is proposing the construction
of a substation in north
Peoria, and the utility company
is studying several options for
how a new 25-mile 500/230-kV
transmission line would run
through north Phoenix and
connect to the existing substation
near Pinnacle Peak Road
and 64th Street.
(Click picture to see larger image)

APS routes future power line corridor alternatives
by Ambria Hammel

NORTH VALLEY – As part of Arizona Public Service Company efforts to meet increasing demands for electricity in the north Valley, the utility’s siting team has determined possible routes and alternatives for a new 25‑mile high‑voltage transmission line. The corridor stretches from a proposed Peoria substation near Carefree Highway west of Lake Pleasant Road through north Phoenix and along Pinnacle Peak Road to an existing substation at 64th Street in northeast Phoenix.

Project Manager Mike DeWitt outlined preliminary plans for connecting the transmission line from the north Peoria substation (TS‑9) to the Pinnacle Peak substation for members of the Desert View Village Planning Committee. The April 4 presentation was part of APS’ community outreach efforts regarding the planned 500/230‑kV transmission line project. Outreach efforts continue later this month during an open house to discuss resident concerns and gather input.

“This transmission line will bring a significant amount of electrical import to the metropolitan area,” DeWitt said. He added that it will maintain system reliability and support growth without having to build a power plant. The line can service roughly 225,000 homes but the figure varies based on usage and time of year.

DeWitt said members of the public typically ask three questions concerning new projects, beginning with: Why it is needed? For the past several years, the peak Valley electrical load has met or exceeded growth projections and is expected to increase four percent each year through 2014.

Residents also ask about the route. “There isn’t any power line that you can site that doesn’t have impacts,” DeWitt pointed out. An environmental consulting firm analyzes factors such as existing and planned land uses, landscape views, historic and archaeological features, and plant and wildlife species. The analysis is still under review.

The siting team is looking to combine the benefits of a previously certificated North Valley 230kV project in the same area with the proposed one. In other words, one structure could support two lines. Both corridors begin near the Raceway substation in Peoria north of Carefree Highway, travel east along the Dove Valley Road alignment and turn southeast approaching I‑17. Both will end at the Pinnacle Peak substation near Scottsdale, but the route east of I‑17 may vary.

Preliminary plans suggest several alternatives for navigating through the north Phoenix area roughly bounded by 27th Avenue and Seventh Street and south of Pinnacle Peak Road north past Patton Road. “Those are the areas that have seen the most amount of change in the study area,” DeWitt explained. Most of the remaining land remains vacant.

The final public question DeWitt typically hears relates to structure design. The double‑

circuit steel monopole structures will stand between 130 feet and 150 feet tall and sport two

triangular‑shaped conductors. APS will space the poles approximately 600‑800 feet apart.

DeWitt announced at the meeting that APS was ready to mail 48,000 newsletters providing a project overview to residents in the affected areas. To further communicate with the public, APS will hold two informational open houses April 25 and 26 from 6 to 8 p.m. to answer remaining questions and collect feedback. The meetings will be held at the Goelet A.C. Beuf Community Center, 3435 W. Pinnacle Peak Road.

APS anticipates finishing the outreach component of the project by this summer. Information detailing the project’s needs, description, cost, environmental issues and outreach efforts will go into an application for a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility filed with the Arizona Corporation Commission, which must approve the final route.

During the last five years, APS has successfully sited and received ACC approval for more than 150 miles of new high‑voltage power lines and seven substations. The new line will be in service by 2010.

For more information, call (602) 493‑4446 or go to http://siting.aps.com.

Reach the reporter at ambria@thedesertadvocate.com.

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