The Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) hosted a town hall meeting in Holbrook last Wednesday, May 25, regarding the closure of the Cholla Power Plant, which is projected to occur in 2025. Commissioners Lea Marquez Peterson and Sandra D. Kennedy were present at the Machusak Center to hear from residents regarding the anticipated impact on the community and any hopes for compensation. The ACC represents the ratepayers and all requests by coal impacted communities and APS for compensation must be approved by the commission as the power plant closes. This ACC is making the rounds to all communities in Navajo and Apache counties that will be impacted by the closure through job loss and property taxes. Those present at the meeting included Mayor Merrill Young, mayoral candidate Kathleen Smith and Chamber of Commerce Director Cindy Tafoya. Also in attendance was Dr. Coral Evans representing Senator Mark Kelly, members of the Boilermakers Union, Amanda Ormond with the Just Energy Transition Center at Arizona State University and representative of Arizona Public Service (APS). One other resident, Ted McNabb, a former employee of Cholla Power Plant was also present. Tafoya addressed the commissioners, stating she is a fifth-generation resident of the area with family residing or having business in Joseph City, Holbrook, the reservation north of Joseph City and now Sun Valley. “Like those who were before us who worked so hard to build a future for us here, we have the same passion to do the same for our children and grandchildren,” she stated. She thanked APS for their partnership and support of the City of Holbrook. “They have been active in all aspects of our community from community events, COVID recovery, entrepreneurship programs, economic development and more.” She went on to state that she realized the impact of the closure will be greater on Joseph City. “We are rallying behind their efforts to maintain a quality of life that the community has been afforded by having the plant in their town. However, we will feel the trickle-down effect of the closure.” She later stated, “The impact is felt because we are so close in proximity to Joseph City. They’re not only our neighbors but in many cases our family and friends. We value their business here in Holbrook. They are part of our customer base.” Tafoya provided insight as to what local businesses felt as a result of the impending closure of Cholla Power Plant. A survey was conducted of 83 businesses with an 18% response rate. The survey revealed that those participating felt that the initiated closure impacted their business was between 25% and 50%. The impact on revenues was highest on customer-based profit revenues and hiring, with the amount of hours being offered to employees. Regarding the anticipated impact on businesses within the first year of closure and five years after closure, the results indicated it would impact up to 25% of their overall business. An open-ended question on the survey asked if what would be one wish regarding the closure of the power plant. The overall response was to not close the plant, followed closely by repurposing it for renewable energy uses. Two other speakers addressed the commission including Ted McNabb of Holbrook, a former employee of Cholla Power Plant and Jess Edmonton of Page who spoke on behalf of boilermakers. Both individuals expressed their opposition to the closure of the plant and coal fired plants in general, citing numerous reasons why it was important to keep them online. The commissioners traveled to Springerville the following day and other communities in the area. The responses gathered in all the meetings will be taken into consideration as the commissioners make their decision regarding compensation for communities.
