Unisource, our electricity provider, is proposing to construct a 138KV transmission line in the I 19 corridor through Tubac.  The poles would be 75 to 85 feet tall and be 600 to 1,000 feet apart.  To see how they appear, look to the right around Exit 34 as you travel north.  We have asked Clem Shute, Santa Cruz Valley Citizens Council Board member, to answer several questions that will help explain the impacts and what you can do to express your opinion.

Question: What are some of the impacts of this proposal on Tubac?

Answer: The power lines would be in the freeway right of way which includes the east and west frontage roads.  These are some consequences:  

1. The power line  would pass close to residences with homes close to the frontage roads and have tremendous negative visual impact.  The line would pass by the Tubac Village and adversely affect the businesses there through reduced tourism.

2. The Santa Cruz County Comprehensive Plan identifies our Valley as a scenic area which should be protected from development that would degrade its scenic character.  High voltage power lines would destroy the scenic values of our area and be contrary to the provisions of the County Plan.

3. There are public safety issues.  The tall poles could impede emergency vehicles from accessing people injured on the freeway or frontage roads.  Medical helicopters could be hindered in reaching accident victims.

4. Wildlife and natural vegetation would be disrupted by construction and maintenance of the power lines.

5. For more detail, go to yourscvcc.org and look at "Current Issues".

Question: What are the alternatives?

Answer:  There is an existing 138 KV transmission line on the east side of the Santa Cruz River which is out of sight from Tubac.  It was designed to allow for construction of a second line on the existing poles.  It would not have the impacts discussed above and would be significantly less expensive to construct.  That is the option favored by the Santa Cruz Valley Citizens Council

Question: What can I do about it?

Answer: You can submit a comment to Unisource by email or US mail.  You should express your opinion in your own words.  You should ask that your comment be recorded verbatim.  You should also do this soon as Unisource is making decisions right now that will affect our future. Here are the ways you, can submit comments to Unisource:

Address:  

ATTN: Santa Cruz Reliability -South.                                                                                         . P.O. Box 711  -  Mail Stop CB200   

Tucson,  AZ. 85702

Filing an online comment:

scrsouth@uesaz.com

A note from Unisource:

Public input is an important part of UniSource’s planning process.

UniSource will host several open houses and other public engagement opportunities throughout the year.  The first of these opportunities will occur in May.

Identifying a suitable location for new transmission facilities involves several phases, each informed by public input. Area residents and other stakeholders can provide insight to help UniSource identify opportunities and constraints, areas to avoid and specific route segments.

Residents and other stakeholders can also help UniSource to evaluate and prioritize the importance of the criteria used to assess potential routes. Alternative route segments will be identified using multiple criteria, including some required by law and others deemed important by area residents and other stakeholders. These criteria will support the development of a preferred transmission line route.