In addition, through existing plant improvements and other local offsets, the new facility will result in a net reduction in local air emissions. This site already is connected to the transmission grid that is needed to deliver electricity to customers. At a remote site, we would have to build not only natural gas lines and water delivery mechanisms and extensive transmission lines to bring the electricity back to the East Valley where it is needed. These are important considerations because SRP recovers the costs of capital expenditures through pricing, and we want to maintain low-cost, reliable service to our customers. Siting new generation to match the location of load growth enhances electric service reliability and maintains power quality.
Local generation provides a more reliable and efficient source of electricity.
There is no state in the U.S. that has mandated major transmission lines be installed under ground. In addition, the environmental effects of burying major transmission can be substantial, and the cost of developing underground transmission lines is up to 10 times higher than overhead lines. SRP analyzed a number of different alternatives that could address the need for additional electric generating capacity. Two of those alternatives were to expand generating capacity at existing generating stations in the metropolitan area-Kyrene and Santan. The other alternatives involved building new generating stations outside of the Valley.