The Chandler City Council approved an agreement with Salt River Project on June 24 to fund a portion of a proposed transmission line project that would provide power to the recently announced expansion of Intel, according to a news release from the city and SRP.

To avoid a standard overhead transmission power line, the City Council approved an agreement that would have the city funding the difference between building the lines overhead and the added cost of putting them underground. The city is funding 2.65-mile segment of a 230kV transmission system in south Chandler. Council also approved the transfer of $4.35 million from the city's contingency fund to the city's water operating fund and $10.15 million from contingency to the wastewater operating fund to fund the utility line relocations needed for the project.

"SRP works closely with all our customers and cities to support growth as part of our economic development goals and objectives," SRP Program Manager Zack Heim said in the release. "This transmission project will secure reliable power to Intel as the company continues to invest in Arizona."

SRP will hold open houses, both virtually and in person, as part of the public process. Residents and stakeholders who participate in the open houses will have the opportunity to provide comments on the proposed routes for the new transmission facilities, according to the release.

"This agreement provides the means to minimize impacts on residents by building infrastructure underground where no transmission lines exist today," Mayor Kevin Hartke said in the release.

The public process will culminate with a hearing before the Arizona Power Plant and Transmission Line Siting Committee. A final decision on whether to grant a certificate of environmental compatibility for the project will be decided at an open meeting of the Arizona Corporation Commission, according to the release.