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current siting projects

The Phoenix metropolitan area continues to be a fast-growing urban area, with an ever-increasing demand for electricity. We’re developing power lines and siting new facilities to help meet this demand.

69kV project
69/12kV project
115kV - 230kV

Arizona Public Service Company (APS) is in the process of determining a location for a new 69 kilovolt (kV) electric substation in downtown Phoenix.

Voltage: 69/12kV

Estimated completion date: Site location 2018, substation complete 2021

Location: Downtown Phoenix

project need

Ensure reliable and adequate power for the vibrant and growing downtown Phoenix community.

project description

The electric system serving downtown Phoenix is made up of multiple substations and power lines. These substations are located in residential and commercial areas. The loss of any one of the 69kV lines or substations may result in power outages in the area until repairs can be made. Outages are often a result of powerful storms in the area or even vehicle accidents. Adding new facilities will improve reliability and help ensure APS has adequate power available to meet the electrical needs in the vibrant and growing downtown area.

To maintain reliable electric service and accommodate future load growth, APS plans to add a few new substations in the downtown area over the next several years. APS’s initial and more immediate need is to acquire a one-acre property for a new substation in the area roughly defined as 7th Street to Central Ave, Fillmore Street to Moreland Street. This new substation will require new 69 kV power lines to connect into the existing electrical system currently serving the area. These power lines will connect the new substation to the existing 69 kV overhead power lines along Roosevelt Street.

your input is important to aps

An important component of this process is to gather input from residents, tenants, property owners, businesses, and community organizations within the study area. Three open houses were held on February 27th, March 9th and March 15th to allow members of the public and all interested parties to join APS, talk one-on-one about the need and benefits of the project, and provide input on potential sites for the project as well as architectural design elements.

Input gathered at the first set of meetings has been evaluated and analyzed. When developing alternatives APS evaluates many criteria including; environmental impacts, engineering and construction feasibility, land acquisition timing and costs, regulatory approvals, potential impacts to existing and planned neighborhoods and developments, and input from the public and agencies. Numerous sites have been evaluated and APS has now reduced the number of available options to two sites. APS plans to share this information with the public at an open house scheduled for October 10th from 3:30 pm to 6:00 pm at the Roosevelt Community Church located at 924 N. 1st Street in downtown Phoenix. APS will share the latest information, discuss remaining alternatives, and receive further input and feedback from the public. APS will continue to meet with local jurisdictional leaders and affected stakeholders as the project progresses. APS anticipates having a final site selection towards the end of 2018.

public open house events

APS has scheduled its next public open house for October 10th from 3:30 pm to 6:00 pm at the Roosevelt Community Church located at 924 N. 1st Street in downtown Phoenix. Local residents and stakeholders have been notified by mail of this important meeting where they can learn about the potential sites, our site selection process and provide valuable input on possible architectural designs. Please continue to check this web page for further information as the project moves forward.

project updates

Throughout the planning process, this webpage will be maintained with the latest information. Question or comments on the Project can be directed to Kendra Lee, APS Program Manager at 602-371-7872 or by email at downtown.substations@aps.com. We look forward to your feedback.

related documents

Potential Substation Sites

Architecture Elements Board for substation

Downtown Substation Open Houses Mailing

Open House #1 Display Boards

October Open House Mailing

project need

Connect the Perryville Substation to the Valencia Substation. Ensure a reliable power source for the future.

project description

The electric system serving the central Buckeye area is made up of multiple substations and power lines. These substations are located in residential and commercial areas. The loss of any one of the 69kV lines or substations may result in power outages in the area until repairs can be made. Outages are often a result of powerful storms in the area or even vehicle accidents. Adding new facilities will improve reliability and help ensure APS has adequate power available to meet the electrical needs in the area.

To maintain reliable electric service and accommodate future load growth, APS plans to add a new substation near 239th Avenue and Southern Avenue. This new substation will require new 69kV power lines to connect into the existing electrical system currently serving the area. These new power lines will connect the new substation with both the Perryville Substation, located at Jackrabbit Trail and Lower Buckeye Road, and the Valencia Substation, located at Miller Road and Maricopa Road. The resulting project will create a continuous 69kV line between the Perryville and Valencia substations, with an interconnection at the new substation.

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project planning

The new segments of the 69kV power line will be built on steel poles and will be either a single 69kV circuit configuration (three wires per circuit) or a double 69kV circuit configuration (six total wires on the same pole). The new 69kV power lines may be constructed in a new alignment or added in areas where some lines already exist. In most cases the existing facilities would be rebuilt on the new poles to consolidate structures. It is anticipated that any new poles would be approximately 65 feet in height. The line segments would require a right-of-way or easement approximately 30 to 40 feet in width to construct, operate, and maintain the facility. APS plans to have the first new 69kV power line (Valencia segment) in service by approximately late 2018.

In early 2017, APS hired Environmental Planning Group (EPG) to assist in evaluating route alternatives, to assess potential environmental impacts, and to support the public outreach process. Baseline information about land use, visual, biological, cultural, and recreational resources for the area has been collected. This information, along with engineering and construction studies performed by APS, was used to develop preliminary route alternatives within the study area.

When developing route alternatives, APS evaluates many criteria, including: environmental impacts, engineering and construction feasibility, land acquisition timing and costs, regulatory approvals, potential impacts to existing and planned neighborhoods, and input from agencies and the public.

Preliminary Routes, including eliminated segments

Initial briefings were held with representatives and officials from the City of Buckeye to inform them of the proposed project, and to solicit input. The public was notified of the project with our first newsletter mailing in March 2017 and a public open house on March 22, 2017. A second newsletter was mailed in July to announce the second public open house that was held August 2, 2017. At these meetings the public learned about the project need, how the siting process is carried out, and provided their input on possible line route locations. Throughout this process we have received numerous comments about the project through the web, mail, email, and by telephone.

All comments, input, and data gathered have been analyzed and evaluated and the results were used to identify potential power line routes. These potential routes were further evaluated using the siting criteria mentioned above and several different alternatives were carried forward for public input (see map below).

Route Segment Alternatives

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freedom substation to willis substation 69kV power line project

voltage	estimated completion date	location
69 kV	4th quarter 2019	Liberty and Rainbow Valley communities within the cities of Buckeye and Goodyear

project need

Connect the Freedom Substation to the Willis Substation with a new 69,000 volt (69kV) power line. Improve reliability and strengthen the regional electrical system.

project description

APS continually monitors its electrical system and, when necessary, adds or upgrades facilities. These improvements enhance reliability and help ensure that an adequate supply of electric power is available to customers.

The purpose of this project is to increase the reliability and strengthen the electrical system in the region by connecting the Freedom Substation (currently under construction at South Tuthill Road and West Broadway Road) to the Willis Substation (located at South Rainbow Valley Road and West Willis Road) with the new 69kV power line. The increased reliability would help minimize outage occurrences and durations.

The new segments of the 69kV power line will be built on steel poles and will be a single 69kV circuit configuration (three wires per circuit). The new 69kV power line may be constructed in a new alignment or added in areas where lines already exist. Some portions of the line, depending on routing, may consolidate with existing single circuit poles creating a double 69kV circuit configuration (six total wires on the same pole). If built within existing overhead 12kV alignments, the new 69kv line would also consolidate the 12kV lines onto the new 69kV poles. It is anticipated that any new poles would be approximately 65 feet in height, similar to existing 69kV lines in the area. The line would span approximately 10 to 13 miles, depending on routing, and would require a right-of-way or easement approximately 40 to 60 feet in width (20-30 feet each side of the line) to construct, operate, and maintain the facilities.

project maps

preliminary route groups

project planning

APS has hired SWCA to assist in evaluating substation sites and route alternatives, to assess potential environmental impacts, and to support the public outreach process. Baseline information about land use, visual, biological, cultural, and recreational resources for the area has been collected. This information has been used to develop route alternatives within the study area.

When developing alternatives, APS evaluates many criteria, including: environmental impacts, engineering and construction feasibility, land acquisition timing and costs, regulatory approvals, potential impacts to existing and planned neighborhoods, and input from agencies and the public.

APS and SWCA have identified a project study area and have held briefings with representatives and officials from local, state, and federal agencies, including Maricopa County and the cities of Buckeye and Goodyear, to inform them of the proposed project and to solicit input from them.

public input is important

An important component of this siting process is to gather input from residents, tenants, property owners and businesses within the study area. Members of the public and all interested parties are invited to join APS for an open house on July 11th to learn about the purpose and need for the project, the project siting process, the development of preliminary route alternatives, and to ask questions and provide input.

Following the public open house, APS, with SWCA's assistance, will evaluate the input gathered and review all additional public comments submitted. After consideration of the additional comments and a more detailed engineering evaluation, APS will select the final power line route. A second and final newsletter will be prepared and distributed to the public to illustrate the selected final power line route and the anticipated schedule for construction.

Project updates

Throughout the planning process, this webpage will be maintained with the latest information. Comments can be submitted with a comment form, or directly to Stephen Eich, APS Siting Consultant, at FreedomWillis@aps.com. Comments also can be provided by phone at 1 (800) 680-3484.

related documents

Newsletter #1

Open House Display Boards

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oak creek substation to mcguireville substation 69kV power line siting project

voltage	estimated completion date	location
69 kV	summer 2019	oak creek/mcguireville area

project need

Connect the Oak Creek Substation to the McGuireville Substation. Ensure reliability for customers throughout the Oak Creek and McGuireville area.

project description

The purpose of this project is to increase the reliability in the area by connecting the McGuireville Substation (located near Cornville Road and Restoration Loop) and the Oak Creek Substation (near Highway 179 and Jacks Canyon Road) with a new 69kV sub-transmission line. This will minimize the loss of the ability to serve customers in the Oak Creek area, McGuireville, and Cornville in the event of outages on either the existing Verde to Capital Butte 69kV line, and/or the Quail Springs to McGuireville 69kV line.

The primary reason for connecting the project at both the Oak Creek and McGuireville substations is that the substations are each at the end of long radial segments of line. A radial line is a line that serves a substation without a redundant or backup power line from another source. By connecting Oak Creek and McGuireville substations, it connects the radial power lines at each substation, and provides backup for each line as described above.

The new segments of the 69kV power line will be built on steel poles and will be a single 69kV circuit configuration (three wires per circuit). Some portions of the line, depending on routing, may consolidate with existing single circuit poles creating a double 69kV circuit configuration (six total wires on the same pole). The new 69kV power line may be constructed in a new alignment or added in areas where some lines already exist. It is anticipated that any new poles would be approximately 65 feet in height, similar to existing 69kV lines in the area. The line segments would require a right-of-way or easement approximately 30 to 40 feet in width to construct, operate, and maintain the facility.

project maps

preliminary route groups

project planning

In mid 2018, APS hired Environmental Planning Group (EPG) to assist in evaluating route alternatives, to assess potential environmental impacts, and to support the public outreach process. Baseline information about land use, visual, biological, cultural, and recreational resources for the area has been collected. This information has been used for the development of preliminary route alternatives within the study area. Because the route alignment will cross U.S. Forest Service land, we are coordinating with the Coconino National Forest Red Rock Ranger District, and will move forward with future permitting efforts in the next phases of the siting process.

When developing route alternatives, APS evaluates many criteria, including: environmental impacts, engineering and construction feasibility, land acquisition timing and costs, regulatory approvals, potential impacts to existing and planned neighborhoods, and input from agencies and the public.

APS and EPG have identified a project study area and have held briefings with jurisdictional representatives including the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors, Yavapai County Public Works Department, the Big Park Regional Coordinating Council, and the Beaver Creek Community Association, about the proposed project, and to solicit input from them.

public input is important

An important component of this siting process is to receive input from residents, tenants, property owners, and businesses within the study area. Members of the public and all interested parties are invited to join APS for an open house on (Date and location to be determined) to learn about the purpose and need for the project, the project siting process, the development of preliminary route alternatives, and to ask questions and provide input.

Following the public meeting, APS, with EPG's assistance, will evaluate the input gathered and will analyze and further develop line route alternatives.

After the data has been analyzed, APS will move forward in coordination with the Coconino National Forest Red Rock Ranger District into the federal permitting phase of the process. As directed by the Red Rock District, additional outreach materials will be distributed showing final line route alternatives and ways for the public to continue to stay involved with the project.

As the process moves forward, the Coconino National Forest Red Rock Ranger District, along with APS and EPG, will evaluate all the information received throughout the process. Based on these evaluations, the Red Rock District, in coordination with APS and EPG, will select the final preferred route. Information from the Red Rock District will follow sharing information about the selected alternative.

project updates

Throughout the planning process, this webpage will be maintained with the latest information. Comments can be submitted with a comment form, or directly to Kevin Duncan, APS Senior Siting Consultant, at oakcreekmcguireville@apsc.com.

related documents

Newsletter #1

Open House #1 Display Boards

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project description

Arizona Public Service Company (APS) is developing a plan to build new energy facilities to better serve the growing population in the northern region of Peoria. APS continually monitors its electrical system and, when necessary, adds or upgrades facilities. These improvements enhance reliability and help ensure that an adequate supply of electric power is available to customers.

To maintain reliable electric service and accommodate future load growth, APS has determined the need to build new substations and associated 69 kilovolt (kV) power lines in the North Peoria region, as shown within the study area on the map below. These facilities would generally be located within or adjacent to the new Vistancia North, Lake Pleasant Heights, and Saddleback Heights developments. A network of 69kV power lines would be constructed to bring power from existing substations and power lines near the east side of the study area to new substations located near developing communities to the west and north side of the study area.

A total of four new substations and interconnecting 69kV power lines are included in this siting process. APS anticipates the first substation (Substation W03) and related 69kV lines to be in service in mid-to-late 2021, located near the Vistancia North and Lake Pleasant Heights developments (see Phase 1, Substation W03 Siting area on the map below). Although the remaining three substations and interconnecting lines are part of this siting effort, it is anticipated that these facilities would not need to be constructed for 5 to 10 (or more) years, based on current housing development projections.

project planning

In early 2018, APS hired Environmental Planning Group (EPG) to assist in evaluating substation sites and route alternatives, to assess potential environmental impacts, and to support the public outreach process. Baseline information about existing and planned land use, visual, biological, and recreational resources for the area were collected and analyzed early in the process.

When the alternatives were developed, APS evaluated many criteria, including: environmental impacts, engineering and construction feasibility, land acquisition timing and costs, regulatory approvals, potential impacts to existing and planned neighborhoods, and input from agencies and the public.

Briefings were held with various stakeholders throughout the process, including local developers, and representatives and officials from state and federal agencies and the City of Peoria, to inform them of the proposed project, followed by two rounds of newsletter mailings and public open houses. At each open house, the public was able to learn about the project need as well as how the siting process is carried out, and had the opportunity to provide their input on possible line routes and substation locations. We have received hundreds of comments concerning the project through the open houses, the project website, mail, email, and by telephone.

Using the siting criteria mentioned above, including the public input, potential power line routes were developed and evaluated. All comments, input, and data gathered to date has been logged and the results were used to identify the Selected Routes (see map below). City officials have been briefed on the status of the project and informed about the Selected Routes.

The new segments of the 69kV power lines will be built on steel poles, capable of a double 69kV circuit configuration (each circuit consists of 3 wires). It is anticipated that the new poles would be approximately 65 feet in height. The line segments would require a right-of-way or easement approximately 40 to 60 feet in width to construct, operate, and maintain the facilities. Each 69/12kV substation is expected to be built within a 3- to 5-acre site, and the 230/69kV substation (TS14) will require approximately 15 to 20 acres.

Final Substation Site and Line Route for Phase 1

APS has identified Substation Site No. 2 and the “North” route alignment, as presented at the November open houses, as final facility locations for Phase 1. The new power line will begin at the existing 69kV power line located on the west side of Highway 303, near the Central AZ Project (CAP) canal. The power line will proceed westerly, parallel the CAP canal right of way, and cross over the [CAP aqueduct] mountain to a point near the base of the mountain where it will then cross over the CAP canal to the south and into the new substation (see map below). Access roads will be necessary for construction and maintenance of these lines, and reasonable efforts will be made to mitigate visual impacts to the nearby residents. With the final route selected, APS will begin to acquire land rights, complete design, and obtain permits for construction of Phase 1. We anticipate construction of the substation and power line to begin early-to-mid 2020, and the project is planned to be complete and energized by mid-to-late 2021.

north peoria siting map - phase 1

Final Substation Sites and Line Routes for Phase 2

APS has identified the power line routes and substation sites shown for Phase 2, per the attached map. Most routes will parallel roadways of future developments, based on current land-use plats. Route option 4 (shown on previous maps) was proposed to run parallel with the CAP canal near the current and future Vistancia developments, but has been removed from the final routes. As a result, the line connection between substation sites W04 and W05 will be necessary, and largely follow future road alignments as shown on current city plans. Phase 2 of the Project has an identified need of 5-10 (or more) years out, depending on the timing of the future regional developments, but identifies conceptual Phase 2 alignments/locations now to allow for the integration of this information into pertinent agency or private development plans. This includes two 69kV substations (W04 and W05) and one 230kV substation (TS14). Although the final substation size will be much smaller than the Phase 2 Substation Siting Areas, as currently identified on the map, these large areas (ranging in size from approximately 50 acres to 130 acres) allow for some flexibility in integrating a substation site into future development plans. APS recognizes that development plats sometimes change prior to their final recording, and any changes made would account for and accommodate these power lines and substations prior to the city approval and recording of said plats.

north peoria siting map - phase 1 and 2

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cyclone and wildcat 230kV transmission line projects

voltage	estimated completion date	location
230 kV	2020	South Goodyear area

project need

Connect two new customer-driven projects into the existing 230kV transmission line located south of Broadway Road between Litchfield Road and Bullard Ave.

project description

The Greater Phoenix region has emerged as one of the top markets in the western U.S. for attracting high-tech companies, including data center or cloud storage companies. Goodyear, in particular, is benefiting from economic development activity that will bring jobs and revenue to the area. Arizona Public Service (APS) is dedicated to providing high-quality, reliable electrical service to support this growth.

With the arrival of these high-tech companies comes a need for new electrical infrastructure in the area. APS has begun studies to determine what electrical facilities are needed and to find appropriate locations for two customer-driven projects located northwest of the intersection of W. Broadway Rd. and S. Litchfield Rd. in Goodyear. APS is working to identify electrical facility locations that are acceptable to the public, regulatory agencies, and meet customer requirements.

project planning

In early 2019, APS hired Environmental Planning Group (EPG) to assist in evaluating route alternatives, to assess potential environmental impacts, and to support the public outreach process. Baseline information about land use, visual, biological, cultural, and recreational resources for the area is being collected. This information will be used for the development of preliminary route alternatives within the study area.

APS and EPG have identified a project study area and have held briefings with jurisdictional representatives including the City of Goodyear, City of Avondale, Phoenix Goodyear Airport, the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), and others to provide information about the proposed project and to solicit input from them.

public input is important

An important component of this siting process is to receive input from residents, tenants, property owners, and businesses within the study area. Members of the public and all interested parties were invited to join APS for an open house on June 19, 2019, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm, at Desert Star Elementary School (2131 S. 157th Ave, Goodyear, AZ). Attendees were able to talk one on one with the project team to learn about the purpose and need for the project, the project siting process, the development of preliminary route alternatives, ask questions and provide valuable input on the alternatives presented.

If you were unable to attend the open house you can still provide input by viewing the preliminary alternatives and providing comments on which alternatives you would prefer as well as those you do not prefer. You can view the alternatives map here.

APS, with EPG's assistance, will evaluate all the input gathered from the open house, online comments, emails and calls. Along with the public comments, APS and EPG will evaluate the alternatives based on environmental factors, regulatory and permitting, engineering constraints and other factors to arrive at the preferred line routes and corridor widths.

At the conclusion of the environmental studies and public process, APS will present the results and the preferred locations for new facilities to the Arizona Power Plant and Transmission Line Siting Committee (Committee). A public hearing will be held and will conclude with the Committee deciding whether to issue a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility (CEC) for the line locations. If the Committee approves the proposal, the Committee will then submit the CEC to the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) which will then decide whether to grant the CEC, modify or deny it. Please check this page in the coming months for updates on dates and times of the upcoming public hearings.

Project Updates

Throughout the siting process, this webpage will be maintained with the latest information.

August 14, 2019: An application for a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility (CEC) was filed today at the ACC Docket Control. The docket number for this Project is L-00000D-19-0196-00183. A PDF of this document can be accessed here and is also attached below. It is a large file and may take some time to download.

You may also view our proposed transmission line routes here.

The Arizona Power Plant and Transmission Line Siting Committee (Committee) will hold a hearing on this project starting on September 24, 2019 at 1:00 pm. Public comments will be taken starting at 5:30 pm on September 24, 2019. Hearings will take place at the Goodyear Comfort Suites Hotel, 15575 W. Roosevelt Road, Goodyear, AZ. 85338. You can download the Notice of Hearing here.

A Pre-Filing Conference was held with the Chairman of the Committee on August 6, 2019. Exhibits discussed during the conference and full are attached below under CEC Filing Documents.

Comments can be submitted online with a comment form. You may also print a comment form for mailing or submit comments to Brad Larsen, APS Senior Siting Consultant, at GoodyearSouthSiting@apsc.com. You may also provide comments or ask a representative to call you back by calling 877-841-9851.

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