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Residents in the Oracle and Mammoth area finally got some answers as to how the local inadequacy of their electrical service could be cured during a recent meeting staged at the Oracle Fire Station.
Both the San Carols Irrigation Project (SCIP), the current electric utility serving the area, and APS, which serves the adjacent community of San Manuel, made presentations as to what they could do to improve service and allow for additional real estate development. And while community residents in attendance were generally pleased with the presentations, they noted that both proposals had their positive and negative features.
Sponsored by the Oracle Women’s Network (OWN), the meeting was attended by landowners, business owners, realtors, and elected officials concerned that SCIP in the past had been unable to provide electric service for new construction.
In answer to these concerns, Art Johnson, electrical engineering technician with SCIP, presented a detailed response titled, “Proposed Scope of Work and Cost to Add Electrical Capacity to Oracle and the Campo Bonito Area.” In this document, SCIP laid out five proposed upgrades, one involving a substation and four involving distribution lines. This would bring electricity to some areas of the Campo Bonito area and increase electrical reliability (much fewer power outages) to areas already serviced by SCIP. Cost of the upgrades would exceed $3 million.
SCIP would be able carry out the five proposed upgrades on its own within six to nine months, provided SCIP gets cooperation from landowners on easements and rights-of-way and if there are no storms or other events that would draw SCIP resources away from the projects to carry out repairs, Johnson said.
For its proposal, APS said it could supply electricity to sections T10 R16 S15 and S16 for $1.7 million, and this would include a $10,000 electrical-hookup-to-the-meter allowance for each household. However, APS only would have legal access only to blocks S15 and S16 in and around Oracle. The APS representatives also stated that the $1.7 million would have to be paid in advance. Developers are accustomed to paying these upfront costs stated Adrian Darimont, a local realtor.
Everyone at the meeting agreed that single residents would not be willing to pay this amount upfront.
While some citizens wondered if another electric utility could buy out all or part of SCIP’s infrastructure to upgrade and expand it. But Blanca Varela, an aide to Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick who represents the area on Congress, this is not possible at this time. She was adamant that divesting SCIP had been tried in Congress some years ago and that it was not a direction for the foreseeable future.
To be better able to relay to Rep. Kirkpatrick the size of the electric problem faced by Oracle residents, Varela asked attendees if they knew how many people were affected by the lack of electricity in this area. Attendees agreed that it is hard to determine because land is often bought as investment or for retirement, and homes are not built immediately.
Taking a question from one of the attendees, SCIP’s Johnson explained that the utility does allow solar energy systems tie to its grid, but that they do not have the ability to pay residents for their excess solar-generated electricity.
No proposal was made by Trico Electric, as the utility said the SCIP territory was too far from its system.
Pete Rios, Pinal County District 1 Supervisor, found the proposals a mixed bag.
“While both proposals would have been would be adequate for the Campo Bonito area near Oracle, the APS proposal would have been more expensive because of the longer distance. And while the SCIP proposal would also be adequate for Campo Bonita area, it may not be adequate for the whole Oracle area,” Rios said
“But thanks to the Oracle Community Group progress is beginning to be made down a road to possible resolution of adequate power supply for the community,” he added.
Alicia Bristow, a local business owner and president of OWN, agreed with Rios.
“The APS option for the Campo Bonito area was too costly given that residents would need to upfront the cost of electricity. And SCIP’s proposal does not resolve all problems, but it is a breath of relief for many in the area,” she said.
OWN has prepared a fact sheet to help people better understand the issues and the proposed upgrades. Information can be obtained at the Tri-Community Center across from the Oracle Fire Station. The fact sheet clarifies earlier reports, noting that there are no new subdivisions planned in Campo Bonito or the immediate area.
“This has been verified with Pinal County and two of our realtor companies. The only existing subdivision is for 55 homes between SaddleBrooke and the Biosphere 2,” Bristow noted.
SCIP’s service area includes land near Highways 79 and 77, Biosphere 2, Mammoth, Aravaipa Canyon, some of Catalina and areas like Coolidge and Casa Grande. The immediate Oracle area has suffered maintenance issues and outages caused by storms, large birds building nests in equipment, among other issues. The situation is compounded by electric lines and equipment being very old.
“Hopefully the current proposals can be a beginning toward providing the area with the modern and reliable electrical service the area deserves,” Bristow said.
James J. Hodl is a career journalist who has worked for newspapers, magazines and trade journals. A graduate of Southern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism, Hodl began his career as a reporter with the Palatine (IL) Herald and the Morton Grove (IL) Review before becoming editor of the trade publication Appliance Service News. In recent years, Hodl has had articles published in Consumers Digest, Good Housekeeping, Home Remodeling, Kitchens & Baths and Salute; and has contributed to trade publications serving the home furnishings, restaurant and casino markets. A native of Chicago, Hodl relocated to San Tan Valley in 2013.
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