TEP Midtown transmission line approved
The Arizona Corporation Commission has approved a route for TEP’s transmission line which could help serve increasing energy needs in central Tucson.
Image for illustration purposes.
USA, Arizona: The Arizona Corporation Commission has approved a new route for Tucson Electric Power’s transmission line which could help serve increasing energy needs in central Tucson. Called TEP’s Midtown Reliability Project, the line is meant to upgrade the local grid by replacing older, lower-voltage equipment with a new 138 kV transmission line, substation, and other improvements. The line and substation are set to be completed by the summer of 2027.
The unanimous vote from the ACC authorizes TEP to build the line above ground, despite calls from some area residents that the project should be built underground. The route follows West Grant Road, North Park Avenue, Euclid Avenue and East 36th Steet to link two TEP substations to the planned Vine Substation. The vote endorsed a decision by the Arizona Power Plant and Transmission Line Siting Committee, which voted unanimously to issue a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility for above-ground construction. Partial underground construction would have added significant cost, while the project will already cost an estimated $22 million to build above ground.
TEP plans to relocate existing lower-voltage distribution lines below ground along the selected route. The project will also allow the company to retire up to eight existing lower-voltage substations and 19 miles of existing lower-voltage line within ten years of completion.
Source: KGUN 9
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