Unisource Energy
Submitted by:
James S. Pignatelli, Chairman, President and CEO of Tucson Electric Power Company
I urge you to vote “Yes” on Questions 1 and 2 on Pima County’s May 16 special election ballot. Approval of the regional transportation plan and the associated funding mechanism would provide much-needed relief from traffic congestion, that hinders TEP’s ability to maintain our local electric system.
When a monsoon storm or traffic accident causes a downed power line, TEP crews much reach that location as quickly as possible to protect public safety and restore service to local customers. The proposed transportation plan will help reduce the time our crews spend working their way through traffic to respond to such emergencies. Reduced travel time also results in less fuel consumption, labor cost and other expenses that are built into the rates customers pay for our service.
The proposals contained in Questions 1 and 2 would make critical improvements across the Tucson metropolitan area, delivering significant benefits not only to TEP crews, but also to more than 900,000 Pima County residents who rely on our service. No plan can eliminate traffic entirely. But the Regional Transportation Authority worked closely with citizens, neighborhoods, and our local governments to produce a balanced portfolio of projects that will work together to relieve the stress on our regional transportation system.
If you value TEP’s prompt response to problems that threaten safe, reliable electric service – and if you just want to cut your own commute time and improve the air quality – please vote “Yes” on questions 1 and 2.
