ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

57th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session

Majority Research Staff

 

☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal Note

HB 2494: certificate; environmental compatibility; zoning; exemption

Sponsor: Representative Taylor, LD 29

Committee on Natural Resources, Energy & Water

Overview

Prohibits an ordinance from regulating the utilization of land, and operation of a thermal or nonthermal electric generating unit, if the owner or operator possesses a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility.

History

The Board of Supervisors (Board) of a county is required to plan and provide for the future growth and improvement of the county's area of jurisdiction by forming a planning and zoning commission to consult with, and advise regarding, matters of planning, zoning and subdivision platting. The Board must adopt and enforce rules, regulations, ordinances and plans as apply to the development of its area of jurisdiction (A.R.S. § 11-802).

The Power Plant and Transmission Line Siting Committee (Committee) exists to provide a single forum for the expeditious resolution of all matters concerning the location of electric generating plants and transmission lines in a single proceeding to which access will be open to interest and affected individuals, groups, county and municipal governments and other public bodies to participate in decision-making. The Committee receives all applications for a Certificates of Environmental Compatibility (CEC) by utilities that intend to construct power plants or transmission lines and makes recommendations to the Arizona Corporation Commission (Commission) after considering relevant factors. The Commission then considers and votes on the CEC matter in a public open meeting and may accept, reject or modify the Committee's recommendations before issuing a written decision on the CEC application (AZCC).

Provisions

1.   Prohibits a county zoning ordinance from regulating the utilization of land or improvements for the construction and operation of a thermal or nonthermal electric generating unit if the owner or operator possesses a CEC. (Sec. 1)

2.   Permits the owner or operator of a nonthermal electric generating unit to voluntarily apply for a CEC. (Sec. 1)

3.   Makes technical changes. (Sec. 1)

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7.   Initials CW/RS                HB 2494

8.   1/29/2026  Page 0 Natural Resources, Energy & Water

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