Residents in industry-choked Randolph renew efforts to block the power company’s plans near their fragile town
Last year, the community celebrated a historic win when the state regulator rejected a proposal by the public utility Salt River Project to more than double the size of its power plant, ruling that it would cause further harm to Randolph residents and was not in the public interest.
“We’re not giving up no matter what they offer,” said Guadalupe Felix, 45, whose family have lived in Randolph for three generations. “This plant is going to kill us, we’re already suffocating.” Today, only 150 or so residents live in an area the equivalent of seven football fields long by three fields wide, some in houses or plots purchased by their ancestors. There’s no store, no bar, no gas station and no park, just the church with a single lofty palm for shade.
‘We’re not giving up no matter what they offer,’ said Guadalupe Felix, pictured with her husband, Esteban Valencia.The ACC is the state utility regulator responsible for approving the SRP’s power plants and transmission lines, as well as rate hikes and new energy projects for private energy, water and telecommunication utilities. Every state has a version of the ACC, most commonly referred to as a public utilities commission .
The SRP requested a new hearing, which the ACC denied. The utility then filed – and lost – a lawsuit at the Maricopa county superior court. “The [ACC] determined that the need for the proposed project is outweighed by its environmental impact. SRP has not shown that decision to be unlawful or unreasonable,” the court ruled in January 2023.
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Residents want better security, but some say surveillance trend in homes is alarmingDemand is strong for high-tech surveillance systems in Queensland as worried residents try to deter break and enters and car thefts. But there are concerns that privacy laws aren't keeping up and civil liberties are being compromised.
Read more »
‘They’ll have to carry me out’: The residents fighting to save their public housing estateThe question of what will replace Barak Beacon, a public housing estate nestled among multi-storey apartment blocks in Port Melbourne, remains a mystery.
Read more »
Flood-hit residents 'suffering' as they enter second month without workResidents cut off by major floods in parts of the Gulf of Carpentaria are facing another month without work while businesses grapple with mass cancellations for the tourist season.
Read more »
'Security of Crimea top priority': Putin tours annexed Black Sea peninsulaRussian President Vladimir Putin travels to Crimea to mark the ninth anniversary of the Black Sea peninsula's annexation from Ukraine.
Read more »
How John Boyega's Black Lives Matter speech connected him with late actor Michael K WilliamsWhen John Boyega gave an impassioned speech at a Black Lives Matter rally in June 2020, he worried it would ruin his career in movies. Instead, it led him to his latest project, Breaking.
Read more »
California city still without power following windstormResidents in Saratoga, California, remain without power after a windstorm battered the city. Heavy snow and gusts of wind have impacted visibility causing hazardous travel conditions. Crews are now cleaning up downed trees from Tuesday’s intense windstorm. Residents are hopeful but sceptical power will be restored by Saturday night.
Read more »