AriSEIA Wins UNSE CEC Line Siting Case

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Autumn Johnson
520-240-4757
[email protected]

Phoenix, AZ: Today, the Arizona Power Plant and Line Siting Committee (Committee) voted overwhelming in support of AriSEIA's position in opposition to Unisource Electric's (UNSE) application for a disclaimer of jurisdiction for its Black Mountain Expansion Project. The Committee voted 9-2 to deny UNSE's application and agreed with AriSEIA, Sierra Club, Western Resource Advocates (WRA), and Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP).

UNSE requested the Committee interpret Arizona law in a way it had never done in its 53 year history. ARS 40-360 was enacted by the legislature in 1971 as a means to "provide a single forum for the expeditious resolution of all matters concerning the location of electric generating plants and transmission lines in a single proceeding to which access will be open to interested and affected individuals, groups... to enable them to participate in these decisions." The statute applies to thermal plants (gas, coal, nuclear, hydro) 100 MW or greater. For the first time, UNSE argued the statute should only apply to turbines greater than 100 MW, regardless of how big the plant as a whole is. This would have eliminated regulatory review for all new gas and small modular nuclear plants in Arizona, significantly disadvantaging renewables in any kind of request for proposal process.

AriSEIA argued this interpretation was both illogical and also incorrect under the facts of the case. "Reason prevailed today when the Line Siting Committee told one of Arizona's largest utilities that it also must abide by the law," said Autumn Johnson, Executive Director of AriSEIA. "UNSE has knowingly been violated Arizona law for 16 years and it is time it is held accountable."

The Committee will issue a formal Order denying UNSE's request for a disclaimer of jurisdiction in the coming weeks. The full docket can be found here.

About AriSEIA

AriSEIA is the leading voice of the solar industry in Arizona, dedicated to advancing solar energy through advocacy, education, and collaboration. With a commitment to promoting sustainable energy solutions, AriSEIA serves as a catalyst for the growth and development of Arizona's solar industry.