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Salt River Project representatives met with the community on Sept. 24 at the St. Johns High School Auditorium to present the latest updates on the future of the Coronado Generating Station. The two-hour meeting provided detailed information about the approved plan to convert the coal-fired facility to natural gas, as well as the steps SRP is taking to support Apache County communities through the transition.
The session was part of SRP’s ongoing commitment to hold public forums following its June board decision to retire coal at CGS no later than 2032 and move forward with natural gas conversion. Four presenters from SRP spoke, each focusing on different aspects of the transition.
The CGS plant, located just east of St. Johns, has supplied power to SRP customers since the late 1970s and currently operates two coal units. Under the new plan, the plant will transition to natural gas, which SRP officials said will significantly reduce emissions while maintaining reliable baseload power.
The conversion requires construction of a new lateral natural gas pipeline, to be built and operated by an outside company. SRP representatives noted that negotiations are underway with potential suppliers and that community updates will be provided once a partner is selected.
