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Utility poll: Survey finds favor for SSVEC electric line
By Dana Cole/Wick communications
SIERRA VISTA - Based on a survey conducted by an independent company, SSVEC members strongly favor constructing a subtransmission line from Whetstone to Patagonia.
The 69kV subtransmission line has been the subject of heated debate in recent months.
Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative is proposing to construct the 23-mile power line to improve service to the Sonoita, Elgin and Patagonia areas. Opponents of the line object to its proposed route, which would follow easements on the Babocomari Ranch, an area rich in biodiversity.
The random public opinion poll - conducted by RBI Strategies and Research and compiled by Severson and Associates - was a phone survey performed from Jan. 18 through Jan. 20.
SSVEC's summary report of the survey states: "By landslide margins, the member-owners of SSVEC favor building the 68kV line to the Sonoita, Elgin and Patagonia area. Within that area itself, ground zero for the opposition, the new line is favored by 70 percent (of those polled) with 18 percent opposed and 11 percent undecided."
Among the cooperative's entire membership that had been polled, "63 percent favor the line while 8 percent oppose it and 29 percent are undecided," the survey stated.
"We want to thank Transworld Network for conducting the survey without charging SSVEC, which means it doesn't impact our members," said Jack Blair, SSVEC chief member services officer.
The poll's results, Blair added, reaffirm what SSVEC already believed, based on "many conversations and meetings with our members."
The survey comes on the heels of a recently completed feasibility study that the Arizona Corporation Commission ordered SSVEC to conduct. The independent, third-party study was ordered after commissioners heard objections from a number of people who oppose the line. During an SSVEC rate case hearing in Tucson, the opponents addressed the commission and expressed concerns about the line's potential environmental impact to the Babocomari Ranch and surrounding area. The commission ordered the feasibility study and told SSVEC to stop the line's construction. In addition, the cooperative is to hold a number of public forums to discuss the study's findings and answer questions.
SSVEC argues that the line's opponents are mainly residents who purchased property along the proposed route after SSVEC had purchased the
easements almost 30 years ago.
The 69kV subtransmission line has been the subject of heated debate in recent months.
Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative is proposing to construct the 23-mile power line to improve service to the Sonoita, Elgin and Patagonia areas. Opponents of the line object to its proposed route, which would follow easements on the Babocomari Ranch, an area rich in biodiversity.
The random public opinion poll - conducted by RBI Strategies and Research and compiled by Severson and Associates - was a phone survey performed from Jan. 18 through Jan. 20.
SSVEC's summary report of the survey states: "By landslide margins, the member-owners of SSVEC favor building the 68kV line to the Sonoita, Elgin and Patagonia area. Within that area itself, ground zero for the opposition, the new line is favored by 70 percent (of those polled) with 18 percent opposed and 11 percent undecided."
Among the cooperative's entire membership that had been polled, "63 percent favor the line while 8 percent oppose it and 29 percent are undecided," the survey stated.
"We want to thank Transworld Network for conducting the survey without charging SSVEC, which means it doesn't impact our members," said Jack Blair, SSVEC chief member services officer.
The poll's results, Blair added, reaffirm what SSVEC already believed, based on "many conversations and meetings with our members."
The survey comes on the heels of a recently completed feasibility study that the Arizona Corporation Commission ordered SSVEC to conduct. The independent, third-party study was ordered after commissioners heard objections from a number of people who oppose the line. During an SSVEC rate case hearing in Tucson, the opponents addressed the commission and expressed concerns about the line's potential environmental impact to the Babocomari Ranch and surrounding area. The commission ordered the feasibility study and told SSVEC to stop the line's construction. In addition, the cooperative is to hold a number of public forums to discuss the study's findings and answer questions.
SSVEC argues that the line's opponents are mainly residents who purchased property along the proposed route after SSVEC had purchased the
easements almost 30 years ago.
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jana wrote on Feb 3, 2010 2:59 PM:
thank you "