After a call to the public that ran more than two hours, the Arizona Corporation Commission approved construction of a controversial power line that Sulphur Springs Valley Electric wants to build from Huachuca City to Sonoita.

During an open meeting at the commission hearing room in Phoenix on Tuesday, Commissioners Kris Mayes, Bob Stump and Gary Pierce voted in favor of constructing the 69 kilovolt power line, while Sandra Kennedy voted against it. Commissioner Paul Newman recused himself from voting.

“The call to the public went 21⁄2 hours,” said Jack Blair, the utility’s chief member services officer. “About 40 percent of the people who spoke at the meeting were in support of building the line and about 60 percent were against it.”

About 26 people made the trip to Phoenix to let the commission know how they feel about the project. The utility wants to build the new power line to replace an existing V-7 feeder line, which is operating at capacity. The goal is to improve service in Whetstone, Elgin, Rain Valley Sonoita and Patagonia.

Most of the people who spoke against the project at Tuesday’s meeting were from the Sonoita, Elgin and Patagonia areas, said Blair. Supporters came from Sierra Vista, Willcox and Benson, along with a handful from the affected areas.

“People who live on the end of that feeder line are tired of the blinks and outages,” Blair said. “I was a little surprised the meeting lasted as long as it did, but we’re all glad the vote has finally been taken and we can commence with construction of the line. We want to bring reliable, safe electric power to the affected communities, along with the room for future growth.”

Tuesday’s vote came after the commission ordered the utility to delay construction after hearing arguments from people who opposed its route across the Babocomari Ranch due to environmental concerns. After listening to the residents’ concerns, the commission had ordered the utility to stop construction and conduct an independent, third-party feasibility study. The study supported the utility’s plans.

THE PROJECT

Background

The opponents called for Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative to investigate renewable energy options more thoroughly and wanted the utility to come up with an alternate route for the line, suggesting it be placed along Highway 82.

What’s next

Now that the project has the Arizona Corporation Commission’s approval, Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative’s Jack Blair says construction will begin fairly soon. “We’ll start ordering equipment and supplies immediately, and hope to have this project completed sometime during the winter of 2011,” he said.THE PROJECT

Background

The opponents called for Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative to investigate renewable energy options more thoroughly and wanted the utility to come up with an alternate route for the line, suggesting it be placed along Highway 82.

What’s next

Now that the project has the Arizona Corporation Commission’s approval, Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative’s Jack Blair says construction will begin fairly soon. “We’ll start ordering equipment and supplies immediately, and hope to have this project completed sometime during the winter of 2011,” he said.