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NEWS..............2 Congressional candidates make closing arguments
NEWS..............6
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July 30, 2020
Peoria’s Hometown Newspaper
APS releases report on explosion cause BY TOM SCANLON
Peoria Times Managing Editor
A chain reaction “cascading thermal runaway” led to an explosion that injured four Peoria firefighters, according to an Arizona Public Service (APS) report. The report, released Monday, July 27, lists “five main contributing factors that led to the explosion.” Among the five factors: An explosion at an APS solar battery facility caused by a “cascading thermal runaway” chain reaction injured Peoria • “The fire suppression system was firefighters Matt Cottini, Justin Lopez, Jake Ciulla and Capt. Hunter Clare. (Photos courtesy Peoria Fire-Medical) incapable of stopping thermal runaway.” • “Emergency response plan did not have Mayor Cathy Carlat. “On the day of the event, the BESS was an extinguishing, ventilation and entry The 78-page APS report is filled with performing a solar smoothing function, procedure.” engineering and chemical details regard- which involved charging during daytime Mario Bravo, a Peoria Fire-Medical ing the April 19, 2019, explosion at the (absorbing solar energy produced from spokesman, directed queries on the report McMicken Battery Energy Storage Sys- rooftop solar on the circuit) and dischargto the city of Peoria. tem (BESS) in Surprise. ing through the evening,” the report states. “With this horrific event behind us, we The report described how intense heat At 4:54 p.m., a battery cell “experienced are left with lessons learned and the per- spread from one lithium-ion battery cell to a sudden drop in voltage,” quickly followed sonal stories of strength, bravery and heal- another, filling the unmanned facility with by a “thermal runaway” that generated gas ing of our firefighting heroes,” said Peoria smoke and gas. SEE APS PAGE 5
Meet the District 22 candidates
Payne, Gray face challengers
OPINION...................8
BY TOM SCANLON
BUSINESS...............10
Peoria Times Managing Editor
FEATURES...............12 RELIGION................14 YOUTH....................15 CLASSIFIEDS...........15
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RICK GRAY
RYAN ELDRIDGE
Peoria voters will consider the field of candidates for state Senate and House of Representatives positions at the Aug. 4 primary. For the Arizona House of Representatives in District 21, incumbent Kevin Payne of Peoria and challengers Beverly Pingerelli of Peoria and Randy Miller of Sun City filed as Repub-
lican candidates, while Kathy Knecht of Peoria was the lone Democrat to file. Incumbent Tony Rivero of Peoria did not file. Incumbent Rick Gray of Sun City is on the ballot for the District 21 Senate as a Republican, with Ryan Eldridge of Peoria a Republican write-in candidate. Brian Whitman of Peoria was the lone Democrat to file for the SEE DISTRICT
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