Queen Creek solar-plant plans: Economic benefits questioned

Queen Creek has proposals for three solar power plants within its limits, and another is being planned for just outside the community. But town officials are questioning whether the plants, which require substantial acreage and produce few jobs, offer the best use of the town's industrial zone from an economic development standpoint. Pinal County has similar issues with solar power-generation plants in relation to its economic development goals. In the planning stages is a 45-50-megawatt solar plant at Pima and Schnepf roads, about three miles east of Queen Creek. The Pinal County Board of Supervisors recently approved a major comprehensive plan amendment for a 570-acre parcel of land at the southeastern corner of Germann and Schnepf roads, which in part paves the way for the proposed Aurora photovoltaic power-plant project. The other three proposed facilities are in various stages of planning, but none has been approved. "We're still trying to arrive at an answer on this," said John Kross, Queen Creek town manager, adding that one company "has asked for substantial subsidies from the town and the plant would employ less than three people." Iberdrola Renewables, Inc., headquartered in Portland, Ore., is proposing the Aurora project east of Queen Creek and another solar plant on 160 acres at the southwestern corner of Germann and Crismon roads within the town.

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