Transmission & Facility Siting
For three decades Southwest Transmission Cooperative’s members have utilized its existing system to meet its member load requirements. In today’s world, however, SWTC is facing the need for additional transmission capacity. It should be noted, Southwest Transmission is not alone with this issue, most of the United States is facing a significant transmission shortage.
SWTC member distribution cooperatives continue to experience substantial growth in their service territories, both in population and the need for additional energy. SWTC’s main challenge is to meet its members’ immediate needs while also making long-term plans to strengthen its backbone system, thus ensuring reliable service well into the future.
Arizona State Law requires utilities to file applications prior to building power plants (of 100 megawatts or more) or transmission projects (of 115,000 volts or more) in the state. The applications are reviewed and evaluated by the Arizona Power Plant and Transmission Line Siting Committee. This committee votes to either issue or deny a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility. In addition, the Arizona Corporation Commission must either confirm, deny or modify the certificate granted by the Committee or if the Committee refused to grant a certificate, the Commission may issue a certificate.
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UPDATE: Marana to Avra Valley Transmission Line Rebuild Project as of Nov. 23, 2011
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Project Overview: Marana to Avra Valley Transmission Line Rebuild
