The Middle San Pedro River Valley is Arizona’s largest unfragmented ecosystem after the Grand Canyon National Park, and the most important bird migration corridor in the American Southwest. In November 2022 the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) approved the construction of the massive SunZia power transmission line through the heart of this integral watershed and wildlife corridor—when established routes already exist.
We do not need to make this irresponsible false choice between renewable energy development and protecting our last remaining major wildlife-supporting landscapes. For 14 years, everyday people have been fighting SunZia and working to protect the San Pedro River Valley. Peter Else has engaged the highly reputable Phoenix law firm Tully Bailey LLC to force the ACC to reconsider this ill founded decision. Here is what you need to know to help us achieve the correct decision.
Renewable Energy (without the damage)
We are not against renewable energy. Renewable energy is an imperative foundation to the future of energy generation in this country, and around the world. But it should not come at the cost of the very land, the integrity of the ecosystems we are working to protect. Pattern / SunZia can use existing routes that do not cut through 45 miles of the San Pedro River Valley, 33 miles of which are not co-located with any infrastructure, but they are pressing ahead for short-term profit, not long-term sustainability. And the land will be irreversibly impacted. Action must be taken!
Litigations
Since June 2023 Tully Bailey LLC representing Peter Else, has been engaged in a law suit against the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC), demanding the ACC to reconsider their ill-founded approval of a new utility corridor when existing, viable utility corridors already exist.
As of January 17, 2024 Native American Tribes, Archaeology Southwest, and the Center for Biological Diversity are suing the BLM and US Secretary of the Interior for failure to comply with established laws that protect Tribal cultural sites and sacred lands.
In the news …
- Federal court to determine halt to SunZia Contruction, March 13
- Multiple parties file complaint against ACC, February 5
- Tribes, ASW, CBD sue BLM, Haaland, January 17
- Attorneys for Else file opening brief in the Arizona Court of Appeals, December 14
- Tohono O’odham, San Carlos Apache notify ACC, December 8
- Tribe calls for halt to powerline through San Pedro, November 2, 2023
The Damage Report
As of October 2023 Pattern Energy initiated construction of the SunZia power transmission project in the San Pedro River Valley. It is no coincidence that this is one of a half dozen initial, high-speed build efforts across the 550 mile corridor, as Pattern works to undermine any effort to halt construction. Miles of roads are bulldozed with nearly one acre clear-cut for each of the more than 2000 towers along the route. Saguaro and agave transplanted, the rest destroyed.
What you can do
It’s an uphill battle, we know! But every voice raised, every letter written, every dollar contributed does add up. For the past three decades the Cascabel Working Group and several committed organizations have worked to protect this unique wildlife corridor. We need your support. Spread the word! Raise awareness for this and other, similar situations. And never give up.
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