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Study backs utility's Santa Cruz County power-line plan
Dana Cole/Wick communications
An independent study finds a controversial power line is the most cost-effective way to boost electric service reliability in the Elgin, Sonoita and Patagonia areas.
The study, conducted by Navigant Consulting of Massachusetts, reviewed 20 alternatives, including other routes for the new line and developing renewables like wind or solar energy, or using fossil fuel generators. According to a report summary by SSVEC, "The study ruled out the (alternatives) that are not feasible and tallied the environmental risks and overall costs and benefits of the feasible options." Additionally, the report found many of the alternative solutions "simply are not workable with today's technology or would provide only partial or short-term solutions."
The utility was ordered by the Arizona Corporation Commission to conduct the independent, third-party study. The order came during an SSVEC rate case hearing in Tucson after a number of residents voiced their objections to the 69kV transmission line. While the utility's plan was to start construction of a new substation and transmission line in fall 2009, the commission prohibited the cooperative to start the project after listening to public outcry. The utility was ordered to conduct the third-party, independent study and investigate alternatives to the power line.
Opponents of the Sonoita Reliability Project fear the line's route, which follows easements within the San Ignacio del Babocomari Land Grant on the Babocomari Ranch, could create serious environmental impact to the area, known for its rolling grasslands and rich biodiversity. In addition, there are concerns the line could be a detriment to the research efforts of the Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch, which borders the Babocomari Ranch.
In a summary of the study's findings, the utility submitted the following statement regarding environmental concerns: "The study found only minor visual, environmental and wildlife issues with our proposed line and suggested effective and affordable ways to deal with them."
Additionally, the study reports that construction of the line along the ranch is on easements that are owned by the utility and that the "route has the least visual constraints due to its relatively low exposure to residential and roadway views."
On Thursday, the utility submitted a motion to the commission to amend its decision to stop the line's construction and has requested authorization to begin the Sonoita Reliability Project.
"This study was ordered by the corporation commission and paid for by SSVEC customers at a cost of $360,000," said Jack Blair, the utility chief member services officer. "Our position is that the study looked at all the alternatives and considered all the options proposed by the project's opponents. It's come to the conclusion that our proposed line is the best option, and that it needs to be built immediately because the existing line is functioning near capacity, with no room for future growth."
Blair pointed to two outages that occurred in the affected areas on Dec. 8 and Dec. 23.
"Our concern is that we're going to have a major, catastrophic failure," he said.
Creden Huber, the cooperative's chief executive officer, stated that the study reaffirmed the work of the utility's engineers and staff.
Asked about a possible timeline for the project, Rebecca Wilder, the commission's public information officer, said there are several layers to the process.
The project
The following information has been provided by Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative:
The Sonoita Reliability Project proposes to construct a new substation in Sonoita and approximately 24 miles of new 69kV sub-transmission line along new and existing rights-of-way, along the San Ignacio del Babocomari Land Grant.
Easements on the Babocomari Ranch that Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative would be using for the line are owned by the utility.
The entire feasibility study has been posted on the utility's Web site, www.ssvec.org.
An independent study finds a controversial power line is the most cost-effective way to boost electric service reliability in the Elgin, Sonoita and Patagonia areas.
The study, conducted by Navigant Consulting of Massachusetts, reviewed 20 alternatives, including other routes for the new line and developing renewables like wind or solar energy, or using fossil fuel generators. According to a report summary by SSVEC, "The study ruled out the (alternatives) that are not feasible and tallied the environmental risks and overall costs and benefits of the feasible options." Additionally, the report found many of the alternative solutions "simply are not workable with today's technology or would provide only partial or short-term solutions."
The utility was ordered by the Arizona Corporation Commission to conduct the independent, third-party study. The order came during an SSVEC rate case hearing in Tucson after a number of residents voiced their objections to the 69kV transmission line. While the utility's plan was to start construction of a new substation and transmission line in fall 2009, the commission prohibited the cooperative to start the project after listening to public outcry. The utility was ordered to conduct the third-party, independent study and investigate alternatives to the power line.
Opponents of the Sonoita Reliability Project fear the line's route, which follows easements within the San Ignacio del Babocomari Land Grant on the Babocomari Ranch, could create serious environmental impact to the area, known for its rolling grasslands and rich biodiversity. In addition, there are concerns the line could be a detriment to the research efforts of the Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch, which borders the Babocomari Ranch.
In a summary of the study's findings, the utility submitted the following statement regarding environmental concerns: "The study found only minor visual, environmental and wildlife issues with our proposed line and suggested effective and affordable ways to deal with them."
Additionally, the study reports that construction of the line along the ranch is on easements that are owned by the utility and that the "route has the least visual constraints due to its relatively low exposure to residential and roadway views."
On Thursday, the utility submitted a motion to the commission to amend its decision to stop the line's construction and has requested authorization to begin the Sonoita Reliability Project.
"This study was ordered by the corporation commission and paid for by SSVEC customers at a cost of $360,000," said Jack Blair, the utility chief member services officer. "Our position is that the study looked at all the alternatives and considered all the options proposed by the project's opponents. It's come to the conclusion that our proposed line is the best option, and that it needs to be built immediately because the existing line is functioning near capacity, with no room for future growth."
Blair pointed to two outages that occurred in the affected areas on Dec. 8 and Dec. 23.
"Our concern is that we're going to have a major, catastrophic failure," he said.
Creden Huber, the cooperative's chief executive officer, stated that the study reaffirmed the work of the utility's engineers and staff.
Asked about a possible timeline for the project, Rebecca Wilder, the commission's public information officer, said there are several layers to the process.
The project
The following information has been provided by Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative:
The Sonoita Reliability Project proposes to construct a new substation in Sonoita and approximately 24 miles of new 69kV sub-transmission line along new and existing rights-of-way, along the San Ignacio del Babocomari Land Grant.
Easements on the Babocomari Ranch that Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative would be using for the line are owned by the utility.
The entire feasibility study has been posted on the utility's Web site, www.ssvec.org.
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