TEP Santa Rita Connection Project
Summary
Tucson Electric Power wants to build a 138 kV line and new substation to boost local capacity for growth — and confirmed it has nothing to do with the mine. Council may formally back a preferred route later; public open house is March 4.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 4
- Last 30 days
- 0
Last discussed Jun 22, 2026.
Impact analysis
Route 1 is estimated at $16.5 million versus $18 million for Route 3, borne by TEP and ultimately ratepayers.
Sahuarita residents and future development gain reliable electrical capacity.
Residential electric ratepayers could subsidize the mine's power connection, speakers warned.
Mentions & discussions (4)
Town Council Meeting
TEP presented its power line project and ~13% rate request, insisting both are unrelated to Copper World. Skeptical residents and council members pressed on cost allocation and whether ratepayers subsidize the mine.
Town Council Meeting
Save the Scenic Santa Ritas leaders revealed a March 12 email showing town staff knew TEP and Hudbay plan to jointly build the Santa Rita substation serving the mine — and said the mayor had told the public in January it had no Hudbay connection. They demanded a full public accounting before the June 22 meeting.
Town Council Meeting
TEP plans a new 138kV transmission line and substation to add reliability and capacity for Sahuarita's growth, retiring two old 46kV substations. The council endorsed Route 1, the cheaper ($16.5M vs $18M) and publicly favored route.
Town Council Meeting
Tucson Electric Power wants to build a 138 kV line and new substation to boost local capacity for growth — and confirmed it has nothing to do with the mine. Council may formally back a preferred route later; public open house is March 4.
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