PUBLIC COMMENT for the ACC line siting committee
A few more days to make your comments known - Deadline for comments - Sept 8
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For Line-siting Committee comments you file on line:
Use this the link https://efiling.azcc.gov/online-services/utilities-public-comment-external A form comes up, * fill in all of your pertinent info, *name of Company - Tucson Electric Power, * Docket number L-00000C-21-0288-00192, * and if you are for, against, or neutral, * then you fill in the comments section, which could actually be selected from parts of the letter below. Every comment that supports undergrounding is important. |
LINE SITING SAMPLE LETTER WITH OPINION/ISSUE POINTS
YOU MAY COPY AND PASTE FROM THIS DOC
Date:
Docket Control Center
Arizona Corporation Commission
1200 West Washington
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Docket number: L-00000C-21-0288-00192
RE: Tucson Electric Power, TEP Kino to DeMoss-Petrie Transmission Line Project
My name is ________and I am a resident of and/or homeowner in the ________ neighborhood, situated along the route of the proposed TEP overhead transmission lines project. I live at____address, Tucson, AZ ____. (Might add another personal note such as, I am a board member, etc., or how long you’ve lived in the neighborhood.)
First, let me state that I am not against the utility fulfilling its responsibility to supply power to its customers. However, I profoundly object to the line siting routes and the proposed overhead lines selected by TEP as part of the Kino to DeMoss-Petrie Transmission Line Project for the following reasons:
For Tucson Electric Power to continue to insist on routes and overhead lines that clearly have long-term injurious effects on many citizens and, ultimately, to the entire city, is intolerable.
It is critical that the very real concerns of the literally thousands of residents who will be affected by this project be taken into consideration. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Very Truly Yours,
YOU MAY COPY AND PASTE FROM THIS DOC
Date:
Docket Control Center
Arizona Corporation Commission
1200 West Washington
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Docket number: L-00000C-21-0288-00192
RE: Tucson Electric Power, TEP Kino to DeMoss-Petrie Transmission Line Project
My name is ________and I am a resident of and/or homeowner in the ________ neighborhood, situated along the route of the proposed TEP overhead transmission lines project. I live at____address, Tucson, AZ ____. (Might add another personal note such as, I am a board member, etc., or how long you’ve lived in the neighborhood.)
First, let me state that I am not against the utility fulfilling its responsibility to supply power to its customers. However, I profoundly object to the line siting routes and the proposed overhead lines selected by TEP as part of the Kino to DeMoss-Petrie Transmission Line Project for the following reasons:
- An overhead project along a gateway corridor, namely Kino and Campbell Avenue, is expressly forbidden by Tucson city ordinances.
- An overhead project conflicts with the UA Area Plan (UAP) and Plan Tucson, both adopted plans governing the development and growth of the Tucson region.
- Some affected neighborhoods are designated as a National Historic Districts and two neighborhoods are Neighborhood Preservation Zones (NPZ’s). Citizens worked for years to actuate these safeguards to protect the unique historic Tucson neighborhoods.
- The presence of residential neighborhoods adjacent to or directly within the proposed route will lead to loss of property value. TEP cites studies that show the devaluation of private property from overhead lines can reach 10% when within 500-1,000ft of the proposed right-of-way.
- Tucson values its unique character, vibrant city neighborhoods, and thoughtful growth, as reflected in numerous development codes, ordinances, and area and neighborhood plans and by scenic gateway routes such as Kino/Campbell. To allow an unprecedented invasion of the massive overhead lines runs completely against these longstanding values.
- The suggestion that affected residents form an Underground Utility Assessment District is unacceptable. Individuals should not have to pay special higher rates in order to avoid TEP damaging their property values, reducing property values by $70 million.
- The cost to TEP to underground is negligible, estimated to be 2/100th of the most current 6.8 % rate increase, about 14cents/month per customer.
- There has been strong and very vocal disapproval from many neighborhoods of the selected route since its initial proposal. A coalition comprised of nine neighborhoods and two other interest groups, representing some 20,000+ residents, have formed an alliance to protest the overhead lines.
- The placement of the substation, (whose permit is currently denied by the Zoning Examiner) guarantees that the overhead lines will pass through numerous “sensitive receptors”, and through neighborhoods, if the project is allowed to move forward with overhead lines.
- One of the current “selected routes”, 1B, exiting the substation, is next to a hospital, near churches, and a school, directly bisects a historic district - the heart of a residential neighborhood, and runs right next to a long-term care facility, all “sensitive receptors” as defined by TEP.
- No neighborhood should bear the brunt of providing an upgraded electrical system to the urban core, nor be expected to shoulder the enormous needs of large entities, such as The University of Arizona, Banner Health, and other buildings which continue to be erected in the surrounding areas.
- The latest, eleventh hour added “alternate route”-5A, was long ago rejected due to the number of “sensitive receptors” and neighborhoods it would damage. The exit route, A, proceeds right down a neighborhood street between homes. The eleventh-hour community input meetings in August will be fraught with controversy. TEP has not been consistent with its process.
For Tucson Electric Power to continue to insist on routes and overhead lines that clearly have long-term injurious effects on many citizens and, ultimately, to the entire city, is intolerable.
It is critical that the very real concerns of the literally thousands of residents who will be affected by this project be taken into consideration. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Very Truly Yours,
Beliefs and Goals of the underground coalition
Beliefs of the Underground Coalition The following is to clarify the position of the members of the Coalition as it relates to the proposed TEP 138kV poles line siting from Kino to DeMoss-Petrie project.
1. Tucsonans have the right to expect consistent access to electricity.
2. Overhead power lines have significant negative effects on our community.
3. No residential areas, including their borders, are suitable for high voltage power lines of the type proposed in the Kino to DMP project.
4. Property value reduction caused by overhead lines amount to approximately $5-to-$10 million per mile, a conservative amount based on estimates in TEP-cited studies. Property owners should not be placed in a position of having to pay higher rates in order to avoid damage a TEP project does to the value of their property.
5. The City of Tucson invested $100M+ to build Kino Parkway as a scenic gateway to our city, promoting economic growth and investment. The city needs to protect its investment.
6. The reduction in property taxes due to the loss of property values for Pima County would be conservatively $500k per year.
7. Undergrounding the lines is technically feasible, affordable, and can be done as demonstrated in municipalities/cities across the country. TEP absorbs costs of this magnitude routinely for community benefit.
8. The issue of over heading large 138kV lines, if approved, could eventually affect any neighborhood in Tucson, now and in the future, thus neighborhoods must now cooperatively work together on this issue.
Goals of the Underground Coalition
Members/Supporters of the Underground Coalition: Catalina Vista, Feldman’s, Iron Horse, Jefferson Park, Mountain/1st, Pie Allen, Rincon Heights, Sam Hughes, Samos, Sugar Hill, and West University, the Historic Fourth Avenue Coalition, and the Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation.
1. Tucsonans have the right to expect consistent access to electricity.
2. Overhead power lines have significant negative effects on our community.
3. No residential areas, including their borders, are suitable for high voltage power lines of the type proposed in the Kino to DMP project.
4. Property value reduction caused by overhead lines amount to approximately $5-to-$10 million per mile, a conservative amount based on estimates in TEP-cited studies. Property owners should not be placed in a position of having to pay higher rates in order to avoid damage a TEP project does to the value of their property.
5. The City of Tucson invested $100M+ to build Kino Parkway as a scenic gateway to our city, promoting economic growth and investment. The city needs to protect its investment.
6. The reduction in property taxes due to the loss of property values for Pima County would be conservatively $500k per year.
7. Undergrounding the lines is technically feasible, affordable, and can be done as demonstrated in municipalities/cities across the country. TEP absorbs costs of this magnitude routinely for community benefit.
8. The issue of over heading large 138kV lines, if approved, could eventually affect any neighborhood in Tucson, now and in the future, thus neighborhoods must now cooperatively work together on this issue.
Goals of the Underground Coalition
- The lines should be constructed underground.
- Undergrounding the lines will protect property values of homes and businesses in the proposed area as well as protect the scenic gateway to Tucson, the Kino Parkway.
- TEP should either absorb the cost or seek a rate increase with the ACC. If it seeks a rate increase, then the cost of lines would be shared by all, not just by nearby property owners.
- Should TEP seek a rate increase, TEP’s assistance for low-income ratepayers should be raised to cover cost increase (possibly 50 cents per month, likely less).
- Collaborate with neighborhoods city-wide to ensure the undergrounding of power lines in residential areas, now and in the future.
Members/Supporters of the Underground Coalition: Catalina Vista, Feldman’s, Iron Horse, Jefferson Park, Mountain/1st, Pie Allen, Rincon Heights, Sam Hughes, Samos, Sugar Hill, and West University, the Historic Fourth Avenue Coalition, and the Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation.
Meetings & Minutes
Underground Coalition Meeting #3
TimeThursday: Jul 1, 2021 06:30 PM
TimeThursday: Jul 1, 2021 06:30 PM
6/9/2021 Underground Coalition Meeting #2
Underground Coalition Mtg 2
Wednesday, June 9 ⋅ 6:30 – 8:30pm
Underground Coalition Mtg 2
Wednesday, June 9 ⋅ 6:30 – 8:30pm
6/9/2021 Minutes - Underground Coalition #2 Meeting Minutes
5/10/2021 Minutes - Underground Coalition #1 Meeting Minutes
5/13/2021 Zoning Examiner Denies TEP request for Substation
138Kv Vine Avenue Substation, A.K.a. UA Substation
Association Letter: Sent April 13, 2021. Printed here to inform our neighbors and community.
Sample letter for individual neighbors
Copy, paste, and edit to your specifications. You too can make your opinions known.
Association Letter: Sent March 22, 2021 Initial letter sent to the zoning examiner. Printed here to inform our neighbors and community.
UNDERGROUNDING PROPOSAL
The Underground Coalition is comprised of 11 Tucson neighborhoods, Historic Preservation Society, and 4th Avenue Historic District. The proposal below was researched by the listed authors and presented to TEP as an alternative to overhead 138Kv poles. As of January 2021, TEP has not responded and continues with the three options, two of which bisect Jefferson Park. No other neighborhood has been projected for poles through the neighborhood.
WHY TEP SHOULD NOT IMPACT ANY HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOOD
1 – TEP has other options along major thorough-fares (or underground?)
• Neighborhood streets are generally narrower and designed to accommodate slow car, pedestrian and bike flow within the neighborhood.
• Right -of -ways are not large enough. Poles would be too close to residences.
• Visual blight – non-conforming with the intent of historic districts.
2 – TEP itself has designates Historic Neighborhoods as “sensitive receptors”
“sensitive receptors,” are factors which would have impact on placement, and would be taken into consideration. They include aspects, such as historic status, impact on the affected area, such as schools, nursing homes, hospitals and the like.
WHY JEFFERSON PARK IS ESPECIALLY IMPACTED
1– Jefferson Park already bears the burden of an ENLARGED substation at its southern border-complete with SF-6 gas, a greenhouse gas, which has been discontinued in CA and Europe.
2- JP is not only an Historic District but also a Neighborhood Preservations Zone, one of two in the city. It has special provisions to protect the integrity of the Historic District.
3 – Vine or Park BISECT the neighborhood
JP includes three churches, a long term care nursing home and rehab facility, The International School of Tucson, which serves students from preschool through eighth grades, and Banner Hospital, which is located on our southern border.
These kinds of poles should not be sited through any residential neighborhood. Jefferson Park happens to meet several of the "sensitive receptor" criteria which makes the Vine or Park options especially controversial. On an additional note, several neighbors believe that the EMFs from the larger Kv Poles are dangerous and they are not convinced otherwise by the current arguments.
1 – TEP has other options along major thorough-fares (or underground?)
• Neighborhood streets are generally narrower and designed to accommodate slow car, pedestrian and bike flow within the neighborhood.
• Right -of -ways are not large enough. Poles would be too close to residences.
• Visual blight – non-conforming with the intent of historic districts.
2 – TEP itself has designates Historic Neighborhoods as “sensitive receptors”
“sensitive receptors,” are factors which would have impact on placement, and would be taken into consideration. They include aspects, such as historic status, impact on the affected area, such as schools, nursing homes, hospitals and the like.
WHY JEFFERSON PARK IS ESPECIALLY IMPACTED
1– Jefferson Park already bears the burden of an ENLARGED substation at its southern border-complete with SF-6 gas, a greenhouse gas, which has been discontinued in CA and Europe.
2- JP is not only an Historic District but also a Neighborhood Preservations Zone, one of two in the city. It has special provisions to protect the integrity of the Historic District.
3 – Vine or Park BISECT the neighborhood
- and are narrow residential streets heavily traveled by bikers to and
- and have especially narrow right of ways placing poles too close to residences
- and Vine is a watershed management area for neighborhood with stormwater basins along right-of-ways to address flooding issues.
JP includes three churches, a long term care nursing home and rehab facility, The International School of Tucson, which serves students from preschool through eighth grades, and Banner Hospital, which is located on our southern border.
These kinds of poles should not be sited through any residential neighborhood. Jefferson Park happens to meet several of the "sensitive receptor" criteria which makes the Vine or Park options especially controversial. On an additional note, several neighbors believe that the EMFs from the larger Kv Poles are dangerous and they are not convinced otherwise by the current arguments.
TUCSON ELECTRIC PROJECT AND JEFFERSON PARK
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Jefferson Park Neighborhood Association has consistently, with other historic neighborhoods , rejected the placement of 75-100 ft 138Kv electric poles in historic neighborhoods.
TEP lists historic neighborhoods, school, hospitals as sensitive areas, yet continues to suggest the possibility of using Park or Vine south to north from the Banner northwest corner. Read the newsletters below. |
Jefferson Park Neighborhood continues to advocate regarding the pathway of the proposed 138Kv poles and the creation of a 138Kv substation on the southern border of the neighborhood on Vine Avenue. We ask for no poles through this Historic neighborhood---2 of the 3 pathways proposed by TEP bisect the neighborhood. We raise concerns about the SF6 gas used in the substation and its siting next to residential areas and Banner hospital. Further we support the Underground Coalition which asks for undergrounding of the poles.