electricity pole

Lava Run Interconnection Project

The proposed Interconnection Project is a generation-tie transmission line intended to connect the Lava Run Wind Project and the Lava Run Solar Project to Tucson Electric Power Company’s existing Springerville 345 kilovolt (kV) Substation.

The Interconnection Project consists of a 345 kV single-circuit generation tie line. The line will be approximately 29 miles in length, traversing Arizona State Trust land in unincorporated areas of Apache County, Arizona.

Benefits

  • Supports Arizona’s Energy Needs: Connects the Lava Run Projects to the grid, delivering reliable electricity to southern Arizona, where demand is high and growing
  • Boosts Local Employment: Generates construction job opportunities for local workers, supporting the regional workforce and economy
  • Drives Long-Term Economic Growth: Unlocks local economic benefits, including almost $75 million in property tax revenues over 35 years of operations, helping fund crucial public services
  • Provides Clean, Renewable Power: Supplies pollution-free energy to the grid, helping to preserve regional air quality for future generations

Certificate of Environmental Compatibility

The Interconnection Project requires the approval of the Arizona Corporation Commission.  On September 15, 2025, Applicants filed an Application for Environmental Compatibility (CEC) to construct and operate the generation-tie transmission line.

Public Hearing

A public hearing will be held before the Arizona Power Plant and Transmission Line Siting Committee regarding the Application of CG Apache County Wind LLC and CG Apache County Solar LLC, for a CEC to authorize construction of the Lava Run Interconnection Project.

The hearing on the CEC Application will be held at the Hon-Dah Resort Casino, 777 Highway 260, Pinetop, AZ 85935. The hearing will begin on Monday, October 20, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. and will continue as necessary through Friday, October 24, 2025, commencing at 9:00 a.m. each day at the same location as necessary through the completion of the hearing.

Public comment will be taken in a special evening session on October 20, 2025, at 5:30 p.m., via telephone, zoom, or in-person at Hon-Dah Resort Casino. Public comment may also be taken at the beginning of each hearing day, or, at other times during the hearing at the discretion of the Committee Chairman.

The public has the option to watch or participate in the public comment session at Hon-Dah Resort Casino. The public also has the option to watch the hearing online or listen to the hearing via telephone. All hearing access links are provided below. Please note that virtual links will remain inactive until the scheduled hearing dates.

ProjectEventDatesLinkNotes
Lava Run Interconnection CEC HearingHearing Vimeo link for live feed10/20/2025 - 10/24/2025https://vimeo.com/event/5128411For the public to view CEC hearings
Public comment Zoom link10/20/2025

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87847914635

Meeting ID: 878 4791 4635

Passcode: NONE

Call In Number: +1 669 444 9171

For the public to participate in the comment session starting at 5:30pm on 10/20/2025
Public comment Vimeo link10/20/2025https://vimeo.com/event/5128446For the public to view the Public Comment Period

 

Maps of the proposed Interconnection Project and detailed information about the Interconnection Project facilities are contained in the CEC Application, which is available to download here. Physical copies of the CEC Application are also available for review at the following locations:

  • ACC Docket Control Center, Phoenix Office, 1200 West Washington Street, Suite 108, Phoenix, AZ 85007
  • Round Valley Public Library, 179 South Main Street, Eagar, AZ 85925
  • St. Johns Public Library, 35 South 3rd West, St. Johns, AZ 85936

Public Outreach and Engagement

This specific milestone is to receive a Certificate of Environmental Clearance (CEC) in accordance with Arizona Corporation Commission regulations.

In-Person Open House

An in-person open house was held on Monday, June 9, 2025, from 4:30PM to 7:30PM at the Round Valley High School Gymnasium. Residents and members of the public were invited to come meet our team to learn more about the proposed Interconnection Project.

Virtual Open House

Additionally, a virtual open house was available at lavarunopenhouse.com beginning on June 9, 2025, for individuals who were not able to attend in-person. This virtual open house included a digital version of the informational boards from the in-person open house.

Public Comment

We solicited public input on the Interconnection Project requesting that it be provided by July 7, 2025, for inclusion in the CEC application.

Proposed Interconnection Project

The proposed Interconnection Project will be up to 29 miles in length. The map to the right illustrates the proposed transmission line route, as well as the 1-mile radius study area for the CEC application.

interconnection project map

Key Environmental Studies

Biological and Water Resources

  • Desktop and field surveys, including native plants and two years of raptor nest surveys, have been completed; evaluation of the results is ongoing
  • Ongoing coordination with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Arizona Game and Fish Department for compliance with the Threatened & Endangered Species Act and state wildlife concerns
  • Will comply with Avian Powerline Interaction Committee guidelines
  • Aquatic resources delineation has been conducted to evaluate and ensure compliance with the Clean Water Act

 

Visual Resources

  • Visual simulations were presented during both the in-person and virtual open houses. Digital copies are now available on the Materials page of our website or directly accessible via this link.

Cultural Resources Inventory

  • A Class I cultural resources inventory has been completed for the Interconnection Project, and portions of the CEC Corridor have been documented in a Class III cultural resources survey report. Additional Class III surveys and reporting is ongoing
  • Ongoing coordination with Arizona State Historic Preservation Office and Arizona State Land Department
  • Ongoing coordination with potentially affected tribes

Interconnection Project Application Timeline

Public Comment

Questions?

We welcome feedback or questions from the community regarding the proposed Interconnection Project. Please direct your questions via mail, email, or voicemail using the contact information below.

Mail

ATTN: Jeremy Casteel
CG Apache County Wind LLC; CG Apache County Solar LLC
c/o SWCA Environmental Consultants
1750 S. Woodlands Village Boulevard, Suite 200
Flagstaff, AZ 86001

Email: lavarun@swca.com
Voicemail: (928) 222-0084

Additional opportunities for public comment will be available during the Line Siting Committee CEC hearing in October 2025. Additional information regarding the hearing, including virtual access to the hearing, will be posted here prior to the event.