Earlier this year, the Arizona Corporation Commission denied a request by Salt River Project to expand a gas-fired plant near Coolidge, a decision the utility has appealed.

Although SRP has committed to reducing its carbon footprint significantly by 2035, it wants to expand the gas-fired plant to meet projected growth and power demands of the Valley.

The utility has appealed the decision in Superior Court, and the Sierra Club recently filed a motion in support of the commission.

Sandy Bahr of the Sierra Club says the expansion would have environmental consequences.

“We would like to see Salt River Project focus on clean energy," she said. "Solar, and storage, and certainly some wind, and really double their investments in energy efficiency.”

The plant is located near Randolph, a historic African-American neighborhood.