News

Five empty chairs in a Sonoran desert setting with a data center in the background with a magnifying glass and some icons indicating search for water, infrastructure, location and other items.

Florence Data Center Committee: Council Seeks Members

Jul 1, 2026
Florence Council will advertise for a Florence data center committee to review environmental, infrastructure, public service, and economic impacts.
Florence Memorial Park Cemetery with American flag in the middle with gravestones behind it.

Florence Cemetery Water Overhaul Ahead of Cremation Garden in Memorial Park Master Plan

Jun 30, 2026
Florence Town Council reviewed the Florence Memorial Park master plan and put cemetery water repairs ahead of a proposed cremation garden.
Carollo Engineers' integrated water cycle diagram, presented to the Florence Town Council on June 16, 2026, maps the connections among surface water, groundwater, treatment, distribution, wastewater, and reuse systems. (Image: Carollo Engineers)

Florence Council Acts on Water Plan, Backflow, PFAS

Jun 29, 2026
Florence Water Master Plan update approved with $390,820 Carollo contract. Council also passed backflow ordinance and PFAS litigation action.
Illustration of the Arizona nuclear plant site search: a magnifying glass over a state map marked with candidate locations, framed by transmission lines, battery storage, solar panels, and a natural gas plant.

SRP, APS, TEP look for nuclear plant site, study due late 2026

Jun 26, 2026
SRP, APS, and TEP are evaluating Arizona nuclear plant site locations statewide, with study results expected by late 2026.
Aerial site map of SRP's Copper Crossing Energy and Research Center in northern Florence, color-coded for three development phases: Phase 1 flexible gas turbines in blue, Phase 2 next-generation solar in yellow, and Phase 3 long-duration energy storage pilots in green.

Copper Crossing Battery Storage Land Use Change Wins Florence Approval

Jun 25, 2026
Florence Council unanimously cleared a Copper Crossing energy battery storage land use change Tuesday, paving way for non-lithium battery research.
Engineering site plan of the Sunridge Power natural gas plant showing the Phase 1 and Phase 2 development areas, a proposed retention basin to the northwest, perimeter fencing, 50-foot building setbacks, parking, and entry signage along the southern property boundary

Sunridge Power Natural Gas Plant Near Red Rock Approved by Supervisors

Jun 24, 2026
Pinal supervisors approved the Sunridge Power natural gas plant, a 1,360-MW combined cycle facility near Red Rock targeting 2032 commercial operation.
County approves Copper Basin battery storage in San Tan Valley

County approves Copper Basin battery storage in San Tan Valley

Jun 20, 2026

The Pinal County Board of Supervisors voted 4-0 on June…

Draft rendering of rows of white ESS iron flow battery units with orange storage tanks at a Copper Crossing battery storage site.

Florence Battery Storage Research Site Advances With Land Use Change

Jun 13, 2026
Florence planners backed a Copper Crossing battery storage land change for SRP's non-lithium pilots. The Town Council decides June 16.
Commission Denies 400-Megawatt Valley Farms Battery Project near Coolidge

Commission Denies 400-Megawatt Valley Farms Battery Project near Coolidge

Jun 9, 2026
Pinal County Planning Commission voted 6-3 to recommend denial of the Valley Farms Energy Center, a 400-megawatt battery storage project near Coolidge.
Two photos of Plus Power battery storage facilities. The top photo shows a ground-level view down a corridor between two long rows of white battery cabinets. The bottom photo shows an aerial view of a walled facility with battery cabinets arranged in a grid, a substation in the foreground, and farmland visible beyond the perimeter wall.

San Tan Valley Council Addresses Copper Basin Battery Storage Questions

Jun 6, 2026
Resident questions on cost, safety, and ownership led the San Tan Valley Council to address Copper Basin battery storage before endorsing it.
Copper Basin Energy Storage Project vicinity map.

Copper Basin Battery Energy Storage Advances in San Tan Valley

Jun 3, 2026
Pinal County's P&Z recommended approving the Copper Basin Energy Storage project in San Tan Valley. The 250 MW battery would support SRP's grid by 2031.
Pinal County Delays La Osa Data Center Vote; Residents Call for Regulations

Pinal County Delays La Osa Data Center Vote; Residents Call for Regulations

Jun 1, 2026
Pinal County delayed the La Osa data center vote to August 26. Many residents called for a moratorium and regulations before any approval.
Sunridge Power: 1,360-MW Natural Gas Plant Clears Commission

Sunridge Power: 1,360-MW Natural Gas Plant Clears Commission

May 27, 2026
Pinal County planners back Sunridge Power, a 1,360-MW natural gas project near Red Rock. The permit now heads to the Board of Supervisors.
San Tan Valley Incorporation Reshapes Pinal County TIMP; Public Comment Opens Through May 27

San Tan Valley Incorporation Reshapes Pinal County TIMP; Public Comment Opens Through May 27

May 20, 2026
Pinal County's draft 2026 TIMP shows a revenue drop tied to San Tan Valley incorporation. Public comment is open through May 27.
Arizona Wallet App Now Holds Vehicle Registration and Title Documents

Arizona Wallet App Now Holds Vehicle Registration and Title Documents

May 18, 2026
Arizona Wallet now lets residents store vehicle registration and title documents digitally, with renewal alerts.
Casa Grande Adopts Effluent Policy to Guide Recycled Water Use

Casa Grande Adopts Effluent Policy to Guide Recycled Water Use

May 6, 2026
Casa Grande City Council adopted the Effluent Allocation Strategy on May 4, setting a 20/40/40 split for reserve, industrial, and residential uses.
SRP, NextEra Strike 3,000 MW Solar Deal to Power Arizona Growth

SRP, NextEra Strike 3,000 MW Solar Deal to Power Arizona Growth

May 1, 2026
The SRP NextEra solar agreement will deliver 3,000 MW of new solar generation across Arizona by 2034, powering about 595,000 homes.
San Tan Valley Seeks MAG Membership for Road Funding

San Tan Valley Seeks MAG Membership for Road Funding

Apr 27, 2026
San Tan Valley Town Council voted to seek MAG membership, a step toward access to federal transportation funds and regional planning.
Ore Town Solar Advances on Old San Manuel Mine Site

Ore Town Solar Advances on Old San Manuel Mine Site

Apr 20, 2026
Pinal County P&Z recommended approval of the Ore Town Solar Project, a 145MW solar farm plus 145MW battery storage on the former San Manuel mine site.
Commission Advances La Osa Data Center Rezoning and Development Plan

Commission Advances La Osa Data Center Rezoning and Development Plan

Apr 18, 2026
Pinal County commissioners recommended approval of the La Osa data center rezoning 7-2, advancing a 3,385-acre project south of Eloy to supervisors.
Public Hearing Set for San Manuel Solar and Battery Storage Project

Public Hearing Set for San Manuel Solar and Battery Storage Project

Apr 14, 2026
The Pinal County Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing April 16 on the Ore Town Solar Project near San Manuel. Here's what residents need to know..
3,385-Acre La Osa Data Center and Power Complex Faces Rezoning Vote on April 16

3,385-Acre La Osa Data Center and Power Complex Faces Rezoning Vote on April 16

Apr 13, 2026
La Osa Energy Center rezoning goes before Pinal County Planning and Zoning Commission April 16. The 3,385-acre data center project seeks Industrial zoning.
Florence Lays Out 10-Year Road Plan Backed by New Sales Tax

Florence Lays Out 10-Year Road Plan Backed by New Sales Tax

Apr 7, 2026
Florence Town Council reviewed its 10-year transportation project plan on March 30, 2026, outlining road priorities backed by the new 1.5% sales tax increase.
Pinal Partnership Warns of Energy Shortfall, Outlines Options for Pinal County

Pinal Partnership Warns of Energy Shortfall, Outlines Options for Pinal County

Apr 4, 2026
The Casa Grande Planning and Zoning Commission heard a presentation on Pinal County energy development, warning that solar, batteries, and gas projects are urgently needed to support Arizona's economic growth.
Casa Grande Approves Samba Energy Center Battery Storage Facility

Casa Grande Approves Samba Energy Center Battery Storage Facility

Apr 3, 2026
Casa Grande's Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved the Samba Energy Center battery energy storage facility on April 2, 2026. The 36-acre BESS will support APS grid operations and generate up to $14 million in local tax revenue.
San Tan Valley Roads: Funding Gaps, Developer Deals, and What’s Next

San Tan Valley Roads: Funding Gaps, Developer Deals, and What’s Next

Apr 2, 2026
San Tan Valley road improvements lag growth due to underfunded impact fees and past developer agreements. Council hears what the town can — and cannot — do about it.
Casa Grande Releases Draft Effluent Allocation Strategy for Council Review

Casa Grande Releases Draft Effluent Allocation Strategy for Council Review

Mar 25, 2026
Casa Grande City Council reviewed a draft effluent allocation strategy on March 16 that would divide treated wastewater 40/40/20 among industry, housing, and a strategic reserve.
New Cell Tower Design, Residential Concerns in San Tan Valley

New Cell Tower Design, Residential Concerns in San Tan Valley

Mar 23, 2026
Pinal County commissioners voted 5–2 to recommend a San Tan Valley wireless tower, with Verizon as the first tenant. Eight residents opposed. The Board of Supervisors decides next.
SRP and Invenergy Partner on 400MW Solar and Battery Storage Project in Pinal County

SRP and Invenergy Partner on 400MW Solar and Battery Storage Project in Pinal County

Mar 17, 2026
SRP and Invenergy announce the SunDog Energy Center, a 200MW solar and battery storage project in Pinal County set to power up to 45,000 Valley homes.
Arizona Water Company Earns First Assured Water Supply Designation in Pinal County in Over Two Decades

Arizona Water Company Earns First Assured Water Supply Designation in Pinal County in Over Two Decades

Mar 7, 2026
Arizona Water Company became the first utility in over 20 years to earn a 100-year assured water supply designation in Pinal County, clearing the way for 80,000 new homes.