Project Description
A new 138 kilovolt transmission line will connect 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.
On April 17, 2026, TEP filed an application for a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility (CEC) with the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC). The CEC describes two possible routes for the construction of a transmission line. These routes can be viewed below or on our interactive map. The Arizona Power Plant and Transmission Line Siting Committee will consider TEP’s application at an upcoming hearing, which is open to the public.
If you have questions about the project, please send an email to SantaRitaConnection@tep.com or call 520-770-7520.
Certificate of Environmental Compatibility Hearing
Tuesday, May 26, 2026
A public hearing before the Arizona Power Plant and Transmission Line Siting Committee will begin on Monday, May 26 at the Desert Diamond Casino - Tucson, 7350 S Nogales Hwy, Tucson, Ariz. Public comment will be taken in person and virtually during a special evening session on May 26 beginning at 5:30 p.m.
The hearing schedule is as follows
- Tuesday, May 26: 1 p.m. with public comment session starting at 5:30 p.m.
- May 27-29 as necessary from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Hardcopies of the application can be viewed at:
- Sahuarita Library, 670 W. Sahuarita Rd., Sahuarita, AZ 85629
- Conrad Joyner-Green Valley Library, 601 La Cañada Dr., Green Valley, AZ 85614
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.
Required Approvals and Timeline
Under state law, TEP must secure a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility (CEC) to build the transmission line. TEP filed a CEC application on April 17, 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