Bill Text: AZ SCR1012 | 2013 | Fifty-first Legislature 1st Regular | Engrossed
Bill Title: EPA actions; haze
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 9-0)
Status: (Passed) 2013-05-21 - Transmitted to Secretary Of State [SCR1012 Detail]
Download: Arizona-2013-SCR1012-Engrossed.html
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Senate Engrossed |
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State of Arizona Senate Fifty-first Legislature First Regular Session 2013
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SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1012 |
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A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
supporting the state implementation plan to reduce regional haze.
(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)
Whereas, in July 2012 the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its rejection of the State of Arizona's federally mandated State Implementation Plan (SIP) for regional haze; and
Whereas, the EPA specifically rejected Arizona's plan to reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions at three coal-burning power plants near Holbrook, St. Johns and Benson, Arizona; and
Whereas, the EPA put forward a Federal Implementation Plan in place of the State Implementation Plan and mandated that the three coal-burning plants reduce their emissions of NOx to unprecedented levels; and
Whereas, the EPA plan will require the installation of selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology, costing three Arizona utilities hundreds of millions of dollars; and
Whereas, the EPA justified its new regulations by claiming that the regulations were necessary to reduce regional haze; and
Whereas, Arizona utilities had already agreed to implement the state plan, including installation of low-NOx burners and other technology that would have significantly reduced regional haze at a sustainable cost; and
Whereas, SCR technology makes no visible improvement in regional haze compared to technology the utilities have already agreed to implement under Arizona's plan; and
Whereas, the federal regional haze rule is designed to address visibility objectives and not public health; and
Whereas, in August, the EPA held three public hearings in Phoenix, Holbrook and Benson to solicit feedback on the agency's plan; and
Whereas, hundreds of Arizona residents attended the three public hearings and overwhelmingly voiced their vehement opposition to the EPA proposal; and
Whereas, if the EPA's plan is implemented, the cost of installing new SCR technology may force Arizona's utilities to shut one or more units at their generating facilities, leading to job losses and a reduction in property tax revenue for local schools and public safety; and
Whereas, if the EPA's plan is implemented, the cost of installing new SCR technology may force Arizona's utilities to purchase electricity on the open market at much higher cost to Arizona consumers; and
Whereas, if the EPA's plan is implemented, the cost of installing new SCR technology may force Arizona's utilities to dramatically increase utility rates, putting Arizona at a competitive disadvantage in its effort to attract new employers; and
Whereas, the EPA's plan will negatively affect the economy of the local area and the entire State of Arizona as well.
Therefore
Be it resolved by the Senate of the State of Arizona, the House of Representatives concurring:
That the Members of the Legislature express opposition to the Federal Implementation Plan being forced on the state and we support the State Implementation Plan as a reasonable and viable solution to address and reduce regional haze.
