APS approved for permit that may deliver more reliable services

The utility company, Arizona Public Service, is prepared to build a new electrical substation just south of the Ocotillo and Mesa View neighborhoods in Yuma.

Arizona Public Service (APS) was approved for a special use permit from the Yuma County Planning and Zoning Commission. The electric company plans to keep on deck to build a new substation just in case the need arises.

In Yuma, growth projections are currently predicting future development in the eastern region.

Anticipating that growth, APS has already bought up 20 acres of land at the corner of County 14th Street and Avenue 5 1/2 E.

Eventually, when land in the area is turned into housing developments or commercial property, the company will be ready to supply the need for electricity.

However, some people who live nearby don’t see the value in bringing a substation to their backyard.

Local resident, Shawn Devoe, said, ” It’s definitely going to be an eyesore. I don’t see the reason for them putting a substation out here. It’s not a whole lot of power draw. And everybody [has] farm animals out here. It’s going to be some kind of risk to them. It’s going to depreciate the land value. ”

But Anna Chaulk , the Community Affairs Manager for APS, said it’s all part of a greater plan for the city.

“Even though it’s not specific necessarily to that area, which it is, but it’s also part of the greater plan to make sure we have reliable electricity around throughout the city,” said Chaulk .

According to Chaulk , APS is working closely with the city and the county to make sure its customers have reliable and clean electricity.

That means making sure their infrastructure is in tack for the demand.

In addition to their expectations of growth and development, APS believes this substation would also increase its redundancy when monsoon season sweeps through the summers.