WINCHESTER TRANSMISSION project
This website provides information and updates on the development of the Winchester Transmission Project.
The proposed Transmission Project will interconnect the Winchester Energy Facility to the Winchester Substation in Cochise County, AZ.
Project summary
The Winchester Transmission Project is a proposed 345kV transmission line that will connect the Winchester energy facilities to the Tucson Electric Power’s Winchester substation in Cochise County. The proposed transmission line can carry up to 1 gigawatt of power and will initially be used to connect 160 megawatts of solar photovoltaic electricity. The proposed 345-kilovolt transmission line is approximately 15.2 miles long and will run from the Project substation to the Winchester Substation. The Winchester Transmission Project will be located almost entirely on right-of-way owned by the State of Arizona and managed by the Arizona State Land Department.
Winchester Transmission, LLC is the applicant for, and will be the owner of, the Certificate of Environmental Compatibility. Winchester Transmission, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Torch Clean Energy, LLC, a privately held renewable energy company with extensive experience developing, permitting, designing, and building renewable energy and battery storage projects. To date, Torch has completed 18 projects that are currently operating or under construction, representing over 5GW of generating capacity. Included in Torch’s portfolio of developed projects is the Red Horse Wind and Solar facility in Cochise County.
The following sections provide additional information about the Project, how to reach the Torch Project team, and information on an upcoming open house in Willcox, AZ.
Project Map
Certificate of environmental compatibility
A Certificate of Environmental Compatibility (CEC) from the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) and Arizona Power Plant and Transmission Line Siting Committee (Committee) is required to allow for construction and operation of the Transmission Project. On June 29, 2023, Winchester Transmission, LLC filed an application for a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility (CEC) with the ACC requesting approval to construct the Transmission Project. A public hearing for the CEC application is scheduled with the Committee Chairman on Wednesday August 16, 2023 starting at 9:00 AM. Public comment will be taken in a special session on Wednesday, August 16, 2023, beginning at 5:30 p.m., via telephone, virtually, or in person. Public comment may be taken at other times during the hearing at the discretion of the chairman of the committee or the hearing officer.
The hearing and public comment session will be held in the Commissioner Conference Room on the second floor of the Arizona Corporation Commission (“ACC”), located at 1200 W. Washington Street, Phoenix, Arizona, 85007. Any updates to the hearing schedule will be posted on this website and on the ACC website at https://www.azcc.gov/arizona-power-plant/meeting-schedule. Instructions for remote participation (e.g., WebEx link and phone number) will be posted on this website at least 24 hours before the start of the hearing. See the “CEC Hearing Links for Remote Participation” section below.
During the hearing(s), the Chairman will consider the matters contained in the application. The full Committee will vote on whether to recommend that the ACC approve, approve with conditions, or reject the CEC. The ACC will make a final determination on the CEC during an open meeting.
This website will be continuously updated to reflect the most recent information regarding the Transmission Project and the public will be invited to attend hearings in-person, online, or via telephone.
The CEC Application and documents related to the public hearing are available below.
Application for a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility, Winchester Transmission Project
Pre-filing conference transcript and exhibits
Notice of Public Hearing
Hearing Agenda
The official record for the Winchester Transmission Project CEC may be reviewed here.
Prehearing Conference
Hearing Transcript (before the Chairman of the AZ Power Plant and Transmission Line Siting Committee)
Notice of Open Meeting of the Arizona Power Plant and Transmission Line Siting Committee
Open Meeting Transcript (before the AZ Power Plant and Transmission Line Siting Committee)
Certificate of Environmental Compatibility (as approved by the AZ Power Plant and Transmission Line Siting Committee)
Certificate of Environmental Compatibility (final signed and docketed version by the Arizona Corporation Commission)
The Committee will meet to deliberate and vote on a proposed CEC for the Winchester Transmission Project at the following date, time, and location:
Tuesday, September 26th
9:30 am
Commissioner Conference Room, 2nd Floor
1200 West Washington Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85007
The public is welcome to attend the Committee meeting online or virtually. Remote participation links are included below. Any revisions to the hearing schedule will be noticed on this website and on the Arizona Corporation Commission website at: https://www.azcc.gov/arizona-power-plant/meeting-schedule.
CEC Hearing Links for Remote Participation
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Date: 8/16/23
Time: 9:00 AM
Link: https://azgov.webex.com/meet/communications
Phone: 1-877-309-3457, enter passcode 808262284#
Note: View-only link for the public to watch the CEC hearing. -
Date: 8/16/23
Time: 5:30 PM
Link: https://azgov.webex.com/meet/communications
Phone: 1-877-309-3457, enter passcode 808262284#
Note: For the public to participate in the comment session. -
Date: August 16th, 2023
Time: 9:30 am -
Date: Tuesday, September 26th, 2023
Time: 9:30 am
Link: https://azgov.webex.com/meet/Communications
STATUS OF FACILITY
On May 10th, 2023, the Cochise County Planning and Zoning Commission conditionally approved a Special Use Permit (SUP) to allow construction and operation of the solar generation and battery energy storage facility in conformance with the Cochise County Zoning Ordinance. On July 12th, 2023, the Cochise County Planning and Zoning Commission conditionally approved a request to modify the previously approved SUP to include two additional parcels. Torch is currently working with ASLD on the right-of-way for the Gen-Tie.
PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT
As part of the public outreach process for the Transmission Project, Torch will hold an open house at the Elks Lodge to present information about the project, answer questions, and receive feedback. The meeting will be held at the following location, date, and time.
Elks Lodge
247 E Stewart Rd, Willcox, AZ 85643
June 19, 2023
5:30 – 7:00 PM
We welcome your input and questions. You may submit feedback or questions directly through this website (at the bottom of the page), by email at rtaylor@torchcleanenergy.com, by voicemail at (405) 570-3807, or by mail to Rachael Taylor, Torch Clean Energy, LLC, 929 Pearl St, Suite 300 Boulder, CO 80302. The Project team will promptly respond. We look forward to hearing from you.
You may also submit your comments via mail to: Rachael Taylor, Torch Clean Energy, LLC, 929 Pearl St, Suite 300 Boulder, CO 80302
The Project team will promptly respond. We look forward to hearing from you.
Project Benefits
Allows for new renewable energy to be interconnected to the grid
Increased local and state tax revenue
Employment opportunity
Site Selection Factors
Torch performed a thorough site selection process for the Project. Factors which were considered included:
Environmental Considerations – site studies were performed to avoid or mitigate impacts to sensitive resources
Topography – the site is relatively flat, allowing minimal ground disturbance
Technical Feasibility – the Project is located in proximity to existing electrical infrastructure, including the Winchester Substation
Visual Simulations
