BNSF Committee May 2026 News

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From the PORA BNSF Committee – PORAs leadership in keeping community informed

May, 2026

BNSF Railroad is proposing an intermodal rail facility, logistics park, and logistics center on more than 4,000 acres near Wittmann, Arizona, just 15 minutes from Sun City West. This is not a minor project. It is a massive industrial development that could permanently change the character of nearby communities and place significant new pressure on roads, infrastructure, and quality of life in the West Valley.

At the June 16, 2025 PORA General Membership meeting, PORA took action by forming a five-person committee (BNSF sub-committee) to gather facts, answer questions, and help residents understand what is at stake with the proposed BNSF facility near Wittmann. PORA also adopted an opposition letter, giving residents a direct way to make their voices heard through signatures collected at public events, PORA office and online at porascw.org.

Since then, PORA’s sub-committee has worked steadily to inform and mobilize the community through handouts, newsletters, the PORA website, and public events. Volunteers have devoted countless hours to distributing information, answering questions, and collecting signed opposition letters for presentation to the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors. These efforts reflect the depth of concern across our community, with thousands of letters submitted in opposition.

In 2025, the PORA Board met with District 4 Supervisor Debbie Lesko to formally express concern about the project and present a resolution.

Later, the PORA BNSF Committee and Board met directly with BNSF representatives and made PORA’s position unmistakably clear: this facility does not belong at the proposed location.

On November 5, 2025, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted against the White Tank Grand Avenue comprehensive plan amendment. While important, that vote did not end the matter.

BNSF has also raised the issue of federal preemption as a method to override local and county regulations, at present, the only application from BNSF to Maricopa County is a zoning change request for the remaining 4000 acres. PORA continues to monitor Planning and Zoning and Board of Supervisors activity closely because residents deserve transparency and accountability at every stage of this process.

In May 2026, Supervisor Lesko asked the Surface Transportation Board for clarification on BNSF’s claim of preemption. The response from the STB indicated that preemption for an intermodal facility in Wittmann would have to be obtained through a declaratory order proceeding. To our knowledge, BNSF has not yet requested that determination. In PORA’s view, that means significant legal and regulatory questions remain unresolved.

BNSF has begun work on about 350 acres of the 4,321-acre site, describing it as a scaled-down facility intended to relieve capacity issues at Glendale. According to county planning information, a permit has been issued for stormwater discharge tied to this construction through Ames Construction. Based on BNSF’s own estimates, even this smaller phase will add roughly 1,200 to 1,500 truck trips per day to the already strained Highway 60/303 corridor, potentially beginning as early as winter 2026. For PORA and many residents, that raises serious concerns about congestion, safety, air quality, and the long-term impact on nearby communities.

This project is not a done deal, and PORA remains firmly opposed to this location. Our concerns are not about rail or responsible economic development in general. Our concern is that a project of this size and intensity should not be forced into an area where it threatens surrounding communities and major transportation corridors already under strain. PORA believes West Valley residents deserve a meaningful voice and that developments of this magnitude belong in areas already planned and zoned for heavy industrial use.

For these reasons cited, PORA has reached out to the respective Chambers of Commerce and the NW Alliance asking them to reconsider their stance on supporting this project at the Wittmann location.

What can the public do? Stay informed by reviewing the Community Concerns document at PORA or online at porascw.org, and take the next step by writing Supervisor Debbie Lesko, the Board of Supervisors, and your state legislators. Public involvement matters, and continued community action will be critical in the decisions ahead.

Attached contact information referenced above.

Community Fund of SCW

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The Sunrise Lions Club of Sun City West recently presented a check in support of the Community Fund of SCW in recognition of the continuing work with low-income residents in our community.  Pictured is Lion Phil and Arlene Peterson of the Community Fund of SCW.
If you are interested in more information about the Community Fund, please check out our website at: https://www.communityfundsuncitywest.org or call 623-546-1122 and leave a message on our hotline.  The CF is a 501(c)3 charitable organization established in 1982.

PORA CREATES GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE WITH FOUR FOCUS AREAS

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Sun City West Property Owners and Residents Association (PORA) has formed a new Government Affairs Committee with four subcommittees to strengthen our community’s voice.

County: Works with Maricopa County officials at all levels—Board of Supervisors, Transportation, Planning, Air Quality, Public Health, Human Services, and the Sheriff’s Office—on the issues residents feel every day.

State: Monitors legislation at the Arizona Capitol and meets with our State Senator and House Representatives on bills affecting seniors, transportation, water, and safety.

MAG: Follows the Maricopa Association of Governments to track regional planning, transportation, and air‑quality decisions that impact Sun City West.

Surrounding Cities: Builds relationships with Surprise, Peoria, El Mirage, Youngtown, and Glendale on traffic, emergency response, and regional growth.

PORA’s new structure ensures Sun City West stays informed, represented, and heard.

To sign up for this committee contact Cindy Putman at 1-850-217-5101 or email her at: cputman@cox.net.

APS Rate Hike Meeting May 18th

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Background on the APS rate case. The last APS rate case resulted in an average 8% rate increase or $10 each month, and was decided by the Arizona Corporation Commission, APS’s regulators, in 2023.

APS is now seeking:

  • An average rate increase of approximately $20 month (or 14.58% on average for residential customers), net of adjustors[1], for a total net increase of $579 million.
  • An increase in the basic service charge[2] to $15 a month.
  • A doubling of the grid access charge for the average solar customer to nearly $6 each month.
  • Formula rates, which would allow for annual increases to customer bills based on the formula to be created and approved in this case. If formula rates and the proposed rate get approved, the average 14% rate increase would likely be a baseline for the next five years.
  • An increase — bringing to over 10% — the amount that shareholders make off capital investments, meaning that if the Commission approves APS’ request, more money for shareholders and less money for ratepayers.
  • Continuation of support to limited-income bill assistance programs at $2.5 million a year, and maintaining their tiered discount rate for income-eligible customers.

APS has stated that high inflation and interest rates, system investment needs due to growth in their service territory, and supply chain issues are among the reasons they need this increase. While the utility is entitled to recover prudent costs in areas such as load growth and supply chain shortages, their shareholders have recently yielded hundreds of millions of dollars in profits to the detriment of their customers.

1.  Provide comment during the public comment session:

Mon., May 18. There is a public comment session scheduled to start at 10:00 a.m. and end by 1:00 p.m., or until the last person has provided comment, whichever comes first. If you are going in person, we encourage you to arrive at least 15 minutes before the comment period starts. If you are calling in, the call-in line should be open 15 minutes before the comment period starts. Comments are usually taken in order of requests to speak on that day. The number to call is 1 (877) 309-3457; Passcode 801972877#

Information and tips on providing public comment.

  • Sign in to speak when you get to the Commission or call in early.
  • Listen for the prompt of when to speak. You may need to press a number on your phone to unmute yourself.
  • Feel comfortable knowing that a very nice Administrative Law Judge for the Arizona Corporation Commission (regulators of APS) is running the public comment session. It is extremely rare that you will be asked a question. Typically, questions are only asked if clarification is needed – e.g., seeing if you are an APS customer.
  • Prepare your comments, knowing you likely will have no more than 3 minutes to speak. The most effective public comments are those that speak from your experience/concern and are respectful, stick to the topic, and make your point(s) clear. It is helpful to note how long you have been an APS customer and it is nice to thank the Commission for the opportunity to provide comments.
2. Submit a letter to the Arizona Corporation Commission. While the opportunity to submit a letter will continue to exist for months, it is very helpful to provide comments in writing as soon as possible.

Tips on writing a letter. The Arizona Corporation Commissioners will decide whether or not APS gets the full rate increase they are seeking. Writing a letter is one of the most effective ways for Commissioners to know ratepayers are paying attention and don’t want to pay for unfair rates and fees. IF possible, please email your hand-written or typed letter to Diane at dbrown@arizonapirg.org with subject line: Letter on APS rate case. We will make sure your letter is properly submitted to the Commission. If you prefer, you can instead submit through the Commission’s online form: https://efiling.azcc.gov/online-services/utilities-public-comment-external or call the Commission at (602)542-4251.

1.   Add Docket Number: E-01345A-25-0105 near the top of your letter. For example:

Arizona Corporation Commission

1200 W. Washington St.

Phoenix, AZ 85007

Docket Number: E-01345A-25-0105

2.   Address the Chair, Vice-Chair and Commissioners. For example:

Dear Chair Myers, Vice-Chair Walden, and Commissioners,

Note if you are an APS customer, especially if you have been an APS customer for years. If you aren’t you can still write a letter, as the Commissioners are elected by Arizona voters.

State why you are writing – mentioning the main point(s) you want to get across in the first paragraph.

*Keep your comments tied to your utility bills/the rate case.

*Fine to be passionate but please be respectful.

*You aren’t expected to be an expert, what is important is providing your thoughts.

      *Write one paragraph or one page or something in between.

      Pick an item(s) APS is proposing and provide your thoughts such as:

      *How another approximate average $20 a month would impact you/your household

      *How you feel about the proposed various bill increases

      *What ‘just and reasonable’ utility bills mean to you

      *How you think Commissioners should stand up for ratepayers

      *What APS expenses you think are reasonable and what are unreasonable

5.   Restate your main thought and thank Commissioners for considering your views.

6.   Put your first and last name, address, and city or town and zip code on the bottom.

Sample letter (please do not copy the language)

Arizona Corporation Commission

1200 W. Washington St.

Phoenix, AZ 85007

Docket Number: E-01345A-25-0105

Dear Chair Myers, Vice-Chair Walden, and Commissioners,

I’ve been an APS customer for close to 10 years.

I’m writing today to urge you to look closely at what APS has proposed in their rate case and to make sure you are putting ratepayers before shareholders as you look at what they are requesting.

While $20 more a month for customers may not seem like a lot to APS, it is a lot to me and my family. I understand APS also has bills to pay but I’m counting on you to make sure they are fair. Right now, it seems like APS spends quite a bit of money on advertising and lobbying and not enough on programs to reduce energy waste.

Please carefully review APS’ proposal and put everyday consumers first.

Thank you for taking my views into account.

Sincerely,

Your first and last name

Your street address

Your city or town and zip code

Debbie Lesko BNSF Letter to STB and STB Response

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In response to the many calls and emails I’ve received regarding BNSF Railway’s current construction activity for their planned intermodal facility in Wittmann, I sent a letter to the Federal Surface Transportation Board (STB) on March 30, 2026, to request information about federal permitting, approval, and environmental review requirements. During a recent meeting with BNSF officials, they told me that no federal approval is required for this type of project due to federal preemption rights. I wrote to the Federal STB to verify if that was correct. While the STB did not formally respond to my letter, additional information was provided and can be viewed by clicking the link below.

Sup. Lesko Letter to STB

STB Response to Sup. Lesko

ACC Rate Hike – It’s not too late!

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Arizona seniors cannot afford another rate hike. APS is asking for a massive increase that will hit fixed‑income households the hardest, especially in dangerous summer heat. Every resident in Sun City West must speak up now. The Arizona Corporation Commission reads and counts every public comment, and large senior communities have real influence. Tell them this increase is unaffordable, unsafe, and unfair. Tell them we need protection, not higher bills. Your voice matters. Write to the ACC today at UtilitiesDiv@azcc.gov  and make your opposition part of the official record.