SunZia Southwest Transmission Project involving 500kV transmission lines from
New Mexico to Pinal County Arizona
San Manuel Project for 115kV transmission lines to direct power to southeastern
Pinal County
Pinal Central Sundance 230kV transmission line to serve increasing load demand
in Pinal County
Pinal Central / Abel 500kV line to improve delivery services
The Pinal County 2015 Updated Comprehensive Plan includes a goal / objective to
“Identify and protect potential sites and corridors for new energy generation and
transmission facilities.” In the supporting policies there is an emphasis to work with
energy providers to plan and locate facilities and transmission lines, however there is no
mention of ensuring compatibility with AZARNG and other military operations in the
county. Coordinating the siting and construction of new high voltage transmission lines
with the AZARNG will help prevent incompatible land use and ensure the success of
current / future missions within Pinal County and the TFTA.
Issue:
ED‐3
AZARNG Site: There is potential for wind turbine impacts.
Entire JLUS
Project Area Wind turbines can interfere with radar systems by
inhibiting target detection, generating false
positive readings, and interfering with target
detection. In addition, the turbines can become
vertical obstruction hazards to safe aircraft
operations. These and other impacts can affect
military operations and must be considered
during the planning and siting phases for wind
energy development. There are currently no
commercial wind energy projects planned within
the JLUS Project Area.
Compatibility Assessment
Arizona has some wind potential, mainly along and just north of the steep wall of the
Mogollon Rim that begins in Yavapai County and stretches across the central part of the
state, north of Pinal County. The first commercial‐scale wind farm in Arizona became
operational in 2009. According to the American Wind Energy Association, Arizona had
268 MW of installed wind capacity at the end of 2017 accounting for less than one
percent of the state’s net electricity generation. The Dry Lake Wind Power Project in
Navajo County, approximately 100 miles north of the JLUS Project Area, is the largest
wind energy facility in the state at 128 MW.
5-36
Compatibility Assessment