Transmission project advances with potential federal grant
A new transmission line aimed at enhancing reliability in Santa Cruz County could receive $75 million from the Department of Energy (DOE).
Image for illustration purposes.
USA, California: A new transmission line aimed at enhancing reliability in Santa Cruz County could receive $75 million from the Department of Energy (DOE). The DOE announced that UNS Electric, Inc. has been selected to proceed with negotiations for federal funding through its Grid Resilience and Innovations Partnerships (GRIP) program.
The funding would support the Santa Cruz Reliability Project, which seeks to upgrade the existing single transmission line to a looped system, improving reliability and increasing capacity to foster economic growth. If the grant is approved, it could cover over 40% of the project’s costs.
“We’re excited about the opportunity to advance in the grant review process. Every dollar we receive would reduce the costs ultimately reflected in our future rates, supporting long-term energy affordability,” said Susan Gray, President and CEO of UniSource.
The project will benefit various sectors, including the fresh produce industry, mining operations, and businesses in the electric vehicle supply chain, while also stimulating private sector investments in the region. The application for the grant was developed together with local leaders and the Greater Nogales-Santa Cruz Port Authority. The project will be executed in partnership with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW).
Maria Robinson, Director of the Grid Deployment Office at the DOE, commented, “The new UNS Electric transmission line will enhance reliability and facilitate the integration of clean energy resources to protect underserved communities.”
The negotiation is expected to take at least 120 days. The project is in the planning phase, with public outreach initiated for the first of three phases, which will strengthen the local grid by constructing a second 138 kV line to connect the Kantor Substation in Santa Cruz County to the Canoa Ranch Substation in Pima County. The project is expected to be completed by 2030.
Source: renews.biz
#Department of Energy#Santa Cruz County#Santa Cruz Reliability Project#transmission line#USA