The following is the opinion and analysis of the writer:
Todd Hixon
Tucson Electric Power’s proposed Midtown Reliability Project would add up to 12 miles of overhead power lines to a local grid that includes more than 3,000 miles of them.
But by modernizing the systems serving central Tucson, the planned 138-kilovolt (kV) upgrade will allow TEP to remove 19 miles of older 46-kV lines in the same area. So, a project that has drawn attention for adding poles and wires to midtown streets would, in fact, result in at least seven fewer miles of overhead power lines in midtown.
The project will provide many other benefits, including fewer and shorter power outages, and more energy capacity to accommodate rooftop solar arrays, battery storage systems and electric vehicle chargers. It also will complete a long-planned 138-kV loop through the city that will help TEP satisfy growing energy needs throughout our community.
On May 24, TEP applied for state approval of a route for the transmission line, which will link substations at South Kino Parkway/East 36th Street and East Grant Road/Interstate 10 to a planned substation near Banner-University Medical Center. After considering comments from four public open houses, 13 listening sessions and 21 different midtown neighborhoods, we developed a preferred route that follows 36th Street west from Kino, then Euclid Avenue north to Speedway before heading east and north via Park Avenue, Adams Street and Vine Avenue to the substation site. The line would then double back along Vine and Adams before heading north along Park and west along Grant Road.
Our application includes other potential routes, including a more direct path along Kino and Campbell Avenue. But the City of Tucson has said above-ground construction cannot occur along those roads because they are “gateway” arterials, a designation given to major traffic routes.
TEP has challenged this determination, which represents a change from the city’s previous practice. You’ll find TEP’s poles and wires along many “gateway” arterials, including Broadway, Golf Links and Valencia, as these large, wide roadways are well suited to such development. Our challenge remains pending in Pima County Superior Court and might not be resolved before a route for this project is approved.
Many residents of neighborhoods near the University of Arizona campus have called for underground construction in their area. But the cost of doing so would be overwhelming, adding at least $67 million to the price of a project that, in total, would otherwise cost between $16 million and $24 million.
TEP avoids such unnecessary expenses because they drive bills higher for all our customers — not just those who live near a project. That’s why we build above ground when underground construction is not required for reliability or safety unless a customer or developer pays the cost difference. This longstanding position is aligned with an Arizona Corporation Commission policy that states such costs should be covered by the cities, customers and neighborhood groups who request underground construction. Those who have said such costs are routinely added to rates charged by other regulated Arizona utilities are incorrect, particularly about transmission lines — which cost much more to install underground than lower-voltage distribution lines.
TEP has tried to help stakeholders who want the line underground find the necessary funding. But last year, city voters rejected a proposal put forth by TEP and the City of Tucson to fund underground construction through a higher fee on monthly electric bills. Area residents also have declined to pursue funding for underground construction themselves through a local improvement district.
We must move forward with this project now to reliably serve growing energy needs in central Tucson. While some stakeholders will continue advocating for underground installation, we believe most people would conclude, as we have, that a cost-effective overhead project simply makes more sense — particularly one that results in a net reduction of power lines in central Tucson.
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