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SRP board member wants utility to push for clean energy development

Salt River Project’s board recently voted to install two gas turbines at its Copper Crossing solar facility in San Tan Valley, but some board members would like to see the utility try harder to develop renewable energy.

The decision came after the Arizona Corporation Commission ruled against an expansion at SRP’s gas plant near Coolidge.

SRP board member Randy Miller said the Copper Crossing expansion would likely sidestep oversight from the Corporation Commission.

He said that although the utility has a number of challenges when it comes to shifting from fossil fuels to renewable energy, it needs to address those challenges.

"Our greenhouse gas emissions went up last year," Miller said. "Like, we cannot continue to do this and just continue to burn greenhouse gasses.

The utility says it is concerned that the Valley’s growing population will increase demands on the power grid.

Ron Dungan was a senior field correspondent at KJZZ from 2020 to 2024.