April 15, 2022: Earlier this week, the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) voted to reject the Salt River Project’s (SRP) proposal to expand the gas-fired Coolidge Generating Station. SRP had sought environmental approval for an 820-megawatt expansion of the Coolidge plant, which would have constructed 16 new gas turbines at the facility at a cost of up to $950 million.
The ACC’s denial of the Coolidge expansion is a major victory for clean energy and environmental justice in Arizona. The Coolidge plant is located next to the historic Black community of Randolph, which has long suffered environmental and health impacts from the plant. The expansion would have increased air pollution, health impacts, noise, and light impacts on the Randolph community, generated significant greenhouse gas emissions, and increased costs for Arizona ratepayers. Moreover, SRP failed to consider viable alternatives such as solar power and battery storage before pursuing the gas plant expansion.
Last year, Sierra Club, a group of Randolph residents, and Western Resource Advocates intervened before Arizona’s Power Plant and Line Siting Committee to oppose the Coolidge expansion. Sierra Club presented witness testimony describing the significant air quality and health impacts of the plant and demonstrating that cheaper clean energy alternatives were available. After the Committee voted to approve the expansion in February, Sierra Club and the Randolph residents challenged that approval before the ACC, again highlighting the harmful effects of the project. The Beyond Coal Campaign, Sierra Club’s Grand Canyon Chapter, and our environmental allies did extensive organizing work to raise public awareness about the expansion’s impacts, working with Randolph residents, local activists and community leaders.
This week, the ACC voted 4 to 1 to reject the Coolidge expansion in a notable bipartisan decision. The four-Commissioner majority cited concerns about the project’s environmental and health impacts on the Randolph community, and SRP’s failure to consider alternatives like renewables or storage. The ACC’s decision is a significant win for clean energy, environmental justice, and Arizona ratepayers.
Sierra Club’s Environmental Law Program, Beyond Coal Campaign, and Grand Canyon Chapter coordinated closely on this matter. Sierra Club was represented in the proceedings by Court Rich of Rose Law Group.