The proposed bill, if enacted, would amend current statutes by allowing utilities to construct new plants without obtaining a certificate of environmental compatibility under certain conditions. Specifically, it would permit a utility to proceed with construction after providing 30 days' written notice to the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) and holding at least one public comment session in the relevant county, provided that the new plant is colocated with a large industrial energy user that has received all necessary zoning entitlements, and that the utility is a public service corporation or public power entity operating in Arizona.

Additionally, the bill mandates the ACC to adopt rules to implement these provisions, including definitions for key terms such as "colocated with" and "large industrial energy user." The definitions must clarify the distance or nature of electrical interconnection between the plant and the industrial user, as well as specify energy demand metrics without discrimination among different industries or users. The bill also allows the ACC to create definitions for any other terms deemed necessary for implementation.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 40-360.14