To Our Community of Sun Lakes,

I attended the Arizona Corporation Commissions meeting yesterday, representing Sun Lakes as a member of the Sun Lakes Communities SRP legal Fund Committee. The Commission did not hear SRP's application that had been submitted by the Arizona Siting Committee; Noted on the Commissions agenda as #25, Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement & Power District (L-00000B-15-0059-00170).

The "Price Road Corridor" project under consideration by The Arizona Corporation Commission was put on hold and the Commissioners took no vote. SRP has waved the Commissions, mandatory timetable allowing SRP to keep the CEC's approved application intact while SRP regroups and attempts to negotiate with GRIC's Tribal Council. As announced, GRIC's Tribal Council, their Governing Body, in a 5 to 3 vote, dismissed the proposal presented by SRP.

What does this mean?

The proposal that was in front of the Corporation Commission consisted of the non-tribal land that the Transmission lines would need to occupy and cross. This consisted of Transmission lines traveling south from the Schrader Sub-station (Schrader sub-station is located south of Ocotillo Road on the railroad corridor) along the railroad corridor that intersects with the reservation at Hunt Highway. The next section of land under the Commissions jurisdiction is the east, north route the transmission lines take from the junction of reservation land onto Intel property.  This section comes back on Intel's property just north or Oakwood's north wall.

Given the outcome of the vote against by the Tribal Council, SRP will, if GRIC does not come back to the table, have to start over.

Here in-lies the problems.

What was in place?

The Sun Lakes Community SRP Legal Fund Committee, on which I serve, fought for and agreed with the CEC, approved application. Why, because the impact was reduced to only the 17 homes on Old Price Road just north of Teakwood Drive in Oakwood. The rest of Sun Lakes would be spared, Sun Lakes Country Club, Cotton Wood/Palo Verde, Ironwood and the majority of Oakwood. In our negations, we obtained commitment in writing from SRP concerning placement of poles along Old Price Road where in the view of our gates. They will place the pole outside of the view of an exiting vehicle, approximately 50 feet either side. We also have the commitment to provide trees to the 17 homes located on the western boundary.  SRP committed to managing the construction project to eliminate the dust issue during this phase.  I am pursuing a permanent solution for the dust issue on Oakwood's west boundary. I have discussed this in depth with SRP's project management team, SRP's Attorneys and your Commissioners and Siting Committee Members.I will continue to pursue a solution to end the constant environmental issue that these homeowners are living with. I have received a commitment from Intel that the centerline of the poles will be a minimum of 650 feet from Oakwood's north wall. Intel has agreed to work with me and the our General manager to mitigate the view shed issues that will arise from the placement of the transmission lines along Oakwood's north wall. This is in writing and was submitted as part of the application to the Corporation Commission. This will stay in place in any case, if the lines are place in the route that is proposed.

Where can it go?

This rejection by GRIC, if permanent will put all of the routes back in play.  Although we believe the first choice will be: leave the South route from Schrader in place and route the western route down Hunt Highway.  More than likely the North route would align on the western wall of Sun Lakes Country Club, crossing Riggs and proceeding down Old Price Road, west of Oakwood.

This would surround Sun Lakes. In addition, SRP could route the South bound transmission lines along Arizona Ave. to avoid the issues that are arising from the communities to the east of Palo Verde.  In this case, it completely surrounds Sun Lakes.

Looking at the above, we did win in the battle to protect our Sun Lakes Communities. Any change will negatively impact our community.  

I'm sure you are thinking, why not Germann or Queen Creek or Ocotillo? Or why not underground? These options are fraught with issues or SRP would have taken one of those paths.  

Underground works...costs are higher...but the impact to our communities disappears.  I am a supporter of the underground option but it will not play in this scenario.  If the public officials in Chandler would have assisted by associating some of the costs to the Corporations that will benefit from the dependable power supply we would have had the lines buried on Ocotillo when the water and sewer project had the road excavated.

Why are we not joining the group that is formed on east along the Railroad corridor?  They are promoting burying the lines. The communities most affected are those south of Riggs Road along the Railroad corridor.  They do not have any transmission lines presently along the tracks.  

A win to this group would be the move to Arizona Ave running south from Riggs Road.  We did not support this through the Siting Committee. We continue to support the application as approved by the Siting Committee to follow the Railroad bed to the intersection of Hunt Highway onto GRIC land.

Under-grounding needs to be fought outside of this project. Sun Lakes along with our Eastern Communities will need to band together as one voice and promote this. The current battle has neighborhoods battling neighborhoods. Let's win the current battle before we attempt to build a consortium.

Communications;

We will continue to present our position and support the application as approved by the CEC.  It is in our best interest.  We will continue to manage any agreement that is in place and persist in keeping these attached to any new or revised agreement. We will keep our Sun Lakes residence informed as this proceeds.

Support;

I know that the announcement of this Public Comment opportunity was communicated with little notice.  It was obvious in the Commissions Hearing room in Phoenix yesterday.  Our Community, Sun Lake, made up of over 11,000 homes was represented by: our Attorney, Patrick Black ESQ, John Porter and Mr. Jack Cook a resident of Oakwood.  Mr. Cook took the opportunity to speak to the Commissioners, expressing our concerns and displeasure with the process.  I believe they were listening.

We need your support. We will make every attempt to give notice of any upcoming meeting.  

Remember, just because you do not see the lines out through our windows or over your back fence, it will impact you.  Don't ignore your neighbors' plight!

John Porter

Resident of IronOaks at Oakwood

President of IronOaks Board of Directors

Executive Committee Member, Sun Lakes Communities SRP Legal Fund Committee

Intel Community Advisory Committee 

SRP Community Working Group

jporter8838hoa@gmail.com