Topics covered on this page:

• APS' “Ecological Footprint”
• Wildlife Protection
• Vegetation Management
• Decommissioning of the Childs-Irving Hydroelectric Power Plants
• Transmission and Distribution Line Siting

APS has a large number of facilities located throughout Arizona and in the Farmington, New Mexico area that generate, transmit and distribute electricity to our customers. One of our highest priorities is to operate these facilities in a safe, sustainable and environmentally conscious manner. 

Our Redhawk Power Plant, for example, won an Award of Merit in the Livable Communities category from Valley Forward Association last year. Red Hawk was recognized for its efforts in creating a sustainable environment. From the re-vegetation of the arid land it occupies, to its commitment to a zero-liquid discharge site, to its employees creating habitats for local burrowing owls, the plant was cited as a prime example of industry working in concert with the community and the environment.

APS was also named the 2005 “Conservationist of the Year” by the Arizona/New Mexico chapter of the American Fisheries Society for its work on the decommissioning of the Childs and Irving Power Plant completed in 2005.

APS’ leadership in urban forestry and environmental stewardship was recognized in 2005 by the Arizona Community Tree Council and the National Arbor Day Foundation, which presented APS with the Tree Line USA Award - the ninth consecutive year the company has received this award.

APS "Ecological Footprint"

In this year’s Report, we will begin to introduce the concept of the Ecological Footprint as it applies to our facilities. The Ecological Footprint is an emerging concept in sustainability, in that it offers communities, businesses and individuals an innovative way to evaluate the resource requirements of their lifestyle and then manage ecological assets more carefully to improve long-term sustainability. If a population is using more resources than the natural environment can continue to provide, then that lifestyle is not sustainable.

The Ecological Footprint concept is still in development and we do not believe that consistent standards and definitions currently exist to allow a meaningful use of the tool in this current Report. However, we wanted to introduce the concept and begin communications with our stakeholders on this issue. Various sections of this report provide details on the footprint from our operations, such as water use, emissions, waste streams and fuel consumption

An important part of the footprint is land use. Listed below is an initial listing of major APS facilities and land uses.

Power Plants

Transmission and Distribution

In 2005, APS’ distribution system featured 5,038 miles of electric transmission lines and 26,839 miles of electric lines. Most of these lines are located on rights-of-way easements. At the end of the year, APS had 400 electric substations located across Arizona. Because of the significant growth of our customers, we anticipate continued growth of transmission and distribution lines and substations to meet this demand.

While the majority of APS’ customers reside in the metropolitan Phoenix area, we serve a large portion of the rest of Arizona, which is largely rural. APS averages 23 customers per square mile of service territory.

Office and Support Facilities
At the end of 2005, PNW owned or leased 106 facilities to support our operations, with a total of 1,558,073 square feet of building space. This included 18 APS Service Centers and 32 APS Customer Service Business Offices located across the state of Arizona.

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Wildlife Protection

APS and Liberty Wildlife share a long-standing partnership having worked together on award winning projects such as APS’ Raptor Protection and Wildlife Management initiatives. In 2003, the Arizona Quality Alliance chose APS’ Wildlife Protection Program as a winner of the first annual Showcase in Excellence Award.

This award centered on APS and Liberty Wildlife’s work to prevent birds of prey and other wildlife from contacting electric lines. APS also partners with other non-profit wildlife rehabilitation and governmental organizations to handle specific issues and help keep our wildlife protection programs up to date and effective.

The APS Forestry and Special Programs Department is responsible for managing the company’s line-clearance vegetation management and wildlife protection programs. The department provides services throughout the state of Arizona, with offices located in Phoenix, Prescott, Yuma, Cottonwood, Payson, Show Low and Flagstaff.

APS helps protect wildlife in our areas of operation, while improving electrical reliability for our customers. Raptors are drawn to power poles because they offer a high place to perch, roost, nest and hunt. However, the large wing spans of raptors make them vulnerable to being hurt by the electricity being carried on the power lines. The most common raptors affected in APS territory are harris hawks, red-tailed hawks and great horned owls. 

The APS Forestry and Special Programs Department, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, developed an Avian Protection Plan to further expand the scope of the Wildlife Protection Program. As a result of the partnership, all new power poles are installed with specially-designed rubber and plastic phase covers, cutout covers and lightning arrestor covers. 

In 2005, APS also helped the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s California Condor Restoration Project by installing several special mildly electrified poles at the projects location near Lee’s Ferry, at the upper end of the Grand Canyon. These poles are used to train young condors to avoid electric lines before they are released.  Power poles and lines pose a significant hazard to condors, with their nine-foot wingspan. Training young condors to avoid the poles and lines is a significant contribution to the programs efforts in condor restoration.

In addition, APS is committed to retrofit 850 existing poles with bird-guard equipment each year. In cases where a bird is injured or killed, the pole is retrofitted within 60 days. To date, APS has retrofitted more than 1,000 poles statewide and relocated dozens of active nests. On new substation installations, wildlife protective covering is also installed. APS Substation Maintenance has committed to retrofit four substations each year in our northern divisions and 120 units each year in our southern divisions.

By insulating electrical equipment, APS also increases safety for members of the cat family, raccoons and other wildlife whose curiosity and foraging habits draw them to climb power poles and other electrical facilities. 

To protect wildlife, APS modifies its equipment in specific areas: 

• Customized perches are installed to accommodate Harris’ Hawks, which perch and hunt in groups rather than alone                           
• Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) triangles are mounted on pole crossarms between insulators to discourage raptors from landing in dangerous areas                           
• Plastic devices are used to prevent raptors from perching on perilous crossarms                           
• Rubber hose-like “bird guards” are placed over wires entering into transformers      

APS is also a member of the National Wild Turkey Federation and has made a commitment to work with the Federations’ Energy for Wildlife program to help manage our power line rights of way in a consistent manner that benefits wildlife and plant communities. In particular, Energy for Wildlife's goal is to help utilities:

• Develop credibility for vegetation and wildlife management programs
• Receive technical assistance with vegetation and wildlife issues
• Receive assistance with state and federal lands issues
• Help raise public awareness on related issues

As part of our partnership with the Federation, APS maintains a low growing vegetation management plan in our rights-of-ways, which will improve habitat for wild turkeys and other wildlife. APS is completing a written plan for submission to the Federation for accreditation in 2006. APS is also currently partnering with the Federation and the Arizona Game and Fish Department on a wild turkey restoration project on Mingus Mountain in Arizona, which will use the APS rights-of-way as a habitat.

APS and its employees also are involved in many other environmental and wildlife efforts, many at the local level. For example, in 2005 our Prescott Customer Construction group assisted the non-profit organization Wild at Heart in the construction of new homes for burrowing owls, an endangered species in Arizona. APS provided the equipment and people necessary to build the burrows that held the entire colony of burrowing owls. 

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Vegetation Management Program

The Vegetative Management Program includes the maintenance and control of trees, shrubs and brush growing around APS facilities and equipment – including overhead power lines, poles, guys and underground electrical equipment. Our Vegetation Management program follows industry tree trimming standards to limit damage and improve overall tree health. We follow the Edison Electric Institute’s (EEI) strategy on minimizing pesticide use.

A staff of six arboricultural professionals including both degreed Foresters and Arborists direct these programs. All crew operations are performed in accordance to ANSI A-300 Standards for Tree Care. All supervisors and crew leaders are required to earn and maintain certification as International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborists. Crew members are required to earn and maintain certification as ISA Tree Workers and APS provides an extensive amount of ongoing arboricultural training. 

The high-quality standards of the Forestry and Special Programs department have been recognized with the “Tree Line USA Utility” distinction. The department was lauded for administering a superior program of professional tree care, providing annual worker training, as well as implementing tree planting and public education programs related to proper tree care.

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Decommissioning of the Childs-Irving Hydroelectric Power Plants

The flow of Fossil Creek was diverted in 1909 when the Childs plant commenced operation, with Irving beginning operation in 1916. These plants were among the first generating facilities of any type in Arizona and, even today, are considered engineering marvels.   Initially providing energy to support the state’s mining industry, Childs-Irving later played a critical role in the growth of burgeoning communities like Phoenix and Payson.

Although Childs-Irving remained profitable and reliable almost 100 years later, APS’ strong environmental commitment led to the decision to retire the plants and restore Fossil Creek’s natural flow. When first approached by several environmental groups about the potential to retire the plants, APS involved a diverse group of organizations and interests to ensure all had a voice in the project.

Organizations that signed the initial agreement were: Yavapai-Apache Nation; America Rivers; Arizona Riparian Council; Center for Biological Diversity; The Nature Conservancy; and Northern Arizona Audubon Society. Other stakeholders in this project include: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; U.S. Department of Interior; U.S. Forest Service/Coconino and Tonto National Forest; U.S. Bureau of Reclamation; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Arizona Game and Fish Department; State Historic Preservation Office; Sierra Club; Northern Arizona University and many local government jurisdictions and public individuals.

Fossil Springs, which feeds Fossil Creek, is a unique Arizona water source – with a year-round flow of 43 cubic feet per second. The high mineral content forms large travertine formations that native fish use for shelter and spawning. Preparations for restoration of the lush riparian area included a Native Fish Restoration Project conducted by federal and state agencies. APS provided essential adaptive management, coordination and support for the project and NEPA process. APS received the American Fisheries Society Conservation Achievement Award in recognition of its support of the project, expected to yield one of the state’s largest natural native fish hatcheries.

Decommissioning will take several years and will include the partial deconstruction of Fossil Creek Dam and removal of an estimated 630 tons of flume wood, 1,200 tons of flume steel and pipe, and 1,300 cubic yards of concrete. Other than some historical elements which will remain at Childs, virtually all structures associated with Childs-Irving will be deconstructed and removed.

By voluntarily closing Childs-Irving and restoring full water flow to Fossil Creek after nearly 100 years of restricted flows, APS has given Arizona 14 miles of wetland ecosystem valuable for wildlife habitat and creek-side recreation.

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Transmission and Distribution Line Siting

APS conducts extensive environmental reviews for siting new transmission and distribution systems. For new power lines greater than 115 kW, the state of Arizona requires a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility (CEC) be issued by the Arizona Corporation Commission prior to construction. APS conducts a thorough siting process covering a broad range of environmental issues and factors including, land use, cultural resources, biological resources and habitat studies for rare and endangered species. 

APS also conducts a multifaceted public process which consists of direct mailings, open houses, a project Web site, newspaper advertising and multiple jurisdictional, governmental and public meetings.

Beyond the regulatory programs, APS has a voluntary siting process for new transmission lines that are less than 115kV and are not required to follow the state process. This voluntary process is much like the CEC process where numerous environmental factors are evaluated and the public participation process seeks to communicate transmission line siting information to local citizenry to obtain their input. This allows APS to site transmission lines in the most sustainable manner that meets project requirements.

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