Arizona utility regulators reconsider previously rejected expansion of generating station near Coolidge

State utility regulators are reconsidering a previously rejected proposed power plant expansion project that pitted environmental justice concerns against metro Phoenix’s increasing electricity demands during Arizona’s summer heat.

PHOENIX - State utility regulators are reconsidering a previously rejected proposed power plant expansion project that pitted environmental justice concerns against metro Phoenix’s increasing electricity demands during Arizona’s summer heat.

The Arizona Corporation Commission’s 4-1 vote on April 12 was a victory for residents of Randolph, a small historically Black community near Coolidge in Pinal County. Citing concerns about emissions and air quality, residents opposed the Salt River Project’s nearly $1 billion project to add 16 more quick-start units to its nearby natural gas-fueled generating station.

Resident Jeff Jordan said he was pleased but shocked by the vote.

"This certainly would have impacted our community tremendously. So, the commission today did the right thing. They really did," Jordan said. The Sierra Club also opposed the project, which SRP officials said was urgently needed to reliably augment other sources of power.

Commissioner Anna Tovar voted against the expansion, saying it would increase emissions that "with the preexisting environmental and air quality issues will result in an unacceptable total environment for the Randolph community."

State utility regulators have rejected a proposed power plant expansion project that pitted environmental justice concerns against metro Phoenix’s increasing electricity demands during Arizona’s summer heat.

On June 6, the commission is now reconsidering the plan and the Salt River Project (SRP) is ready to drop a billion dollars on the project.

It was a packed room as the commission met to reconsider the expansion project in Coolidge. Residents filled the room, disappointed to be once again talking about this costly project.

"It is horrifying in all honesty because again, I just don’t trust the political system because it didn’t serve us," says Darnell Sells, a resident in the area.

"Because it is a David and Goliath battle. Goliath of course being SRP and David being the people of color, predominately live in Randolph, who have been abused with the environmental injustice for decades," says Warren H. Stewart.