The battle over a high-voltage line to connect substations in Peoria and Buckeye, began nearly five years ago.
The plan to build the 38-mile power line on federal land north of Arizona 74 still draws debate between environmentalists and northwest Valley residents and those who favor the plan because it moves the proposed APS lines away from the high-end Vistancia community in north Peoria.
The Arizona Republic today reports the latest round of public meetings revolve around a draft environmental impact report from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, (BLM) which owns some of the open desert land now proposed for the lines.
BLM officials had initially rejected the proposed lines because its land management plan didn’t allow for utility use, but they reconsidered under pressure from residents and U.S. Rep. Trent Franks, a West Valley Republican.
The BLM’s preferred alignment would use 9 acres of federal land and pass through Peoria, Surprise and Buckeye.
Donald Begalke said putting the power line on federal land would ruin the opportunity to explore it that people have enjoyed for 55 years.
But Vistancia resident Lynda Reithmann praised the move.
“Because of the poor economy, our property values have already seen a decrease,” she said.
The final public hearing is 5:30 p.m. today at the BLM National Training Center, 9828 N. 31st Ave., Phoenix.
