A judge has given the Salt River Project the green light to expand capacity at a controversial Pinal County power plant, ruling in a two-year legal battle.
Maricopa County Superior Court on January 22 upheld the Arizona Corporation Commission's approval of SRP to add capacity using natural gas generators at the Coolidge Power Plant. The plant is located just east of Randolph, which has historically been home to a low-income black community.
The Sierra Club and some Randolph residents initially opposed the expansion, and the Corporation Commission initially refused to issue a certificate of environmental compatibility for the project.
However, the commission later agreed to a revised plan in which SRP reduced the number of new generators from 16 to 12, added no more generators, installed new generators away from the area, and It was agreed that production capacity would be limited to 30 units. Average value (%) across new units.
The utility will also fund the construction of a new community center in the community of several hundred residents, establish a fund to restore Randolph's home, provide additional scholarships to residents and provide other benefits. He also agreed to provide.
Judge Randall Warner disagreed with the Sierra Club's argument that the commission rushed to approve the downsizing proposal. Instead, it ruled that the commission acted appropriately in approving SRP's revised plan.
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Environmental groups called the result “disappointing” but did not say whether they would appeal.
The organization is considering additional options, spokeswoman Amy Dominguez said in an email to The Arizona Republic.
He also cited the region's general exhaust gas hazards, including the F grade the American Lung Association gave Pinal County last year for air quality.
“ACC approved the revised project without holding public hearings or obtaining evidence regarding the impact of these changes.” The environmental group said in a prepared statement.. “The Commission should have held a new evidentiary hearing to allow the Commission, stakeholders, and the public to understand and assess the need for and environmental impact of the remediation project.”
The court disagreed, finding that the commission had produced sufficient findings and collected substantial evidence to support its decision. The court also found that the commission failed to comply with the Sierra Club's due process policy, despite the Sierra Club's argument that it could have questioned SRP officials at the June 2023 meeting when the project was approved. The court also ruled that there was no infringement of rights.
The Sierra Club said the expansion project could contain decades of new air pollution.
“Today's decision is deeply disappointing and means Randolph residents will have to deal with Coolidge's choking exhaust every day,” Randolph resident Jeff Jordan said in a statement released by the Sierra Club. “This has serious implications for public health.” “Our health is at risk and we will live with the decisions made by the commissioners and county courts while they are not in charge.”
Sandy Bahr, director of the Sierra Club's Grand Canyon Chapter, said the court gave SRP “permission to go beyond procedures and procedures,” and the ruling “sets a precedent that utilities don't have to follow the rules.” He said he made it.
She also cited health concerns.
Expansion will enable power supply to 139,000 homes
SRP said it is pleased with the court's ruling, which allows the utility to construct and operate a significant generation expansion facility and supports SRP's continued efforts with Randolph residents.
SRP said in a statement that the expansion will provide enough energy to power more than 139,000 average-sized homes, and will support solar power generation, including new large-scale facilities being built nearby. , said it will support the integration of wind power and battery storage complexes.
“As with all of SRP's power generation facilities, we comply with all local, state and federal air quality regulations that protect human health and the environment,” the company said.
Contact the author at russ.wiles@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-8616.
