By Michelle Mitchell | The Arizona Republic
Hundreds of Chandler residents flocked to public meetings Tuesday, concerned that proposed power lines might run through their neighborhoods.
“To put power lines, huge power lines, through this community … I think would be a big mistake,” said Janet McDonald, who hopes to maintain the aesthetics of the Ocotillo community where she lives.
“I’m supportive of Intel and bringing jobs to the area, but not at our expense.”
Salt River Project scheduled three public meetings this week to collect public input on the route that new above-ground transmission lines could take to bring more power to south Tempe and southwest Chandler.
“These maps reflect every alternative that was given to us” in earlier public meetings, said Scott Harelson, spokesman for SRP.
These options will be evaluated based on cost and construction, feasibility for SRP, and public input, Harelson said.
One route, which travels parallel to Loop 202, was suggested as a potential option that avoids many neighborhoods. After SRP engineers began to study it, it appeared there would not be enough room to construct the poles, SRP Project Manager Tom Novy said.
