Project Description
The transmission line will extend from the existing Sonoran Substation on Swan Road, south of Old Vail Connection Road to the proposed Santa Rita Substation on Corto Road south of Santa Rita Road. The Santa Rita Substation will support service reliability for homes, businesses and other customers in the area.
TEP will conduct its final project open house meeting on March 4th to share the results of the transmission line siting study. We will present alternative routes that could be used to connect the Sonoran and Santa Rita substations. Input received from this round of outreach will inform TEP’s preferred alternative route to be requested as part of the application for a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility.
If you have questions about the project, please send an email to SantaRitaConnection@tep.com or call 520-770-7520.
Public Open House
Wednesday, March 4 | 6-8 p.m.
Light refreshments will be provided
Desert Diamond Casino - Sahuarita
1100 W Pima Mine Road
Sahuarita, AZ 85629
Project Benefits
Planning and Siting Process
TEP’s Planning and Siting process is designed to be transparent and instill trust from the public that we are doing our due diligence, that we listen to feedback and that we incorporate that feedback honestly to build the most environmentally compatible project we can.
This comprehensive process involves five phases. Where at each phase we either seek public and stakeholder input, or we are incorporating the input received into our analysis. Every step in the process is about learning from the community, refining our understanding of the project and finding the best solutions to the challenges presented.
To learn more about the results of the suitability Assessment conducted as part of phase 3 of the Planning and Siting Process, please watch this short video:
Required Approvals and Timeline
Under state law, TEP must secure a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility (CEC) to build the transmission line. TEP plans to file a CEC application in the spring of 2026 with the Arizona Power Plant and Transmission Line Siting Committee, which reviews CEC applications in a public process that allows neighbors and others to provide comments. The Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) must review and approve the CEC before TEP can begin construction.
October 2025 to March 2026
Transmission Line Siting Process
April 2026
CEC Application Filing
May 2026
Line Siting Hearing
July 2026
ACC Open Meeting
Outreach Materials
March 2026
February 2026
January 2026
November 2025
Public Participation
TEP encourages residents, property owners and other stakeholders to participate in the line siting process by:
- Attending public open houses
- Filling out an online comment form below
- Sending email comments to SantaRitaConnection@tep.com
- Calling 1-520-770-7520 and leaving a voicemail message to offer comments and ask questions
- Mailing a letter with comments to:
TEP Santa Rita Connection Project
P.O. Box 711
Mail Stop CB200
Tucson, AZ 85701-0711