Bill Text: AZ SCR1033 | 2011 | Fiftieth Legislature 1st Regular | Engrossed
Bill Title: Best available control technology; generation
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 8-0)
Status: (Passed) 2011-04-20 - Transmitted to Secretary Of State [SCR1033 Detail]
Download: Arizona-2011-SCR1033-Engrossed.html
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House Engrossed Senate Bill |
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State of Arizona Senate Fiftieth Legislature First Regular Session 2011
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SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1033 |
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A CONCURRENT resolution
on the use of best available control technology for coal-based electric generation.
(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)
Whereas, the United States environmental protection agency (EPA) is in the process of adopting rules for the regulation of greenhouse gas emissions under the federal clean air act; and
Whereas, if EPA adopts these rules as proposed, major new sources of electric generation will be mandated to obtain prevention of significant deterioration (PSD) permits setting forth best available control technology requirements for greenhouse gases; and
Whereas, major uncertainty exists because trial technologies, such as carbon capture and sequestration or integrated gasification combined cycle power plants, which hold significant prospect to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, are still years away from being proven to be economically practicable or commercially available; and
Whereas, this uncertainty could paralyze the long‑term planning and development of new electric generating units in this state at a time when the economy faces a critical void in the coming years of the electric power needed to support economic recovery and growth; and
Whereas, highly efficient power technologies, such as super‑critical and ultra super‑critical coal‑fired electric generating units, represent a significant advancement over earlier generation coal units in terms of efficient use of coal and in reductions of emissions, and may be compatible with carbon capture and sequestration systems when they become commercially viable, which will lead to even further greenhouse gas reductions; and
Whereas, these super‑critical technologies are already demonstrated to serve the dual purpose of reducing the overall emissions profile of the electricity generation unit while providing efficient, affordable and available power today and into the future; and
Whereas, it is in Arizona's best interest to support the continued use of these advanced and available technologies that take advantage of existing coal reserves to offer this state significant environmental and economic advantages, rather than hampering development of critically needed baseload electricity supply or resort fully to less efficient and more expensive technologies.
Therefore
Be it resolved by the Senate of the State of Arizona, the House of Representatives concurring:
That the members of the Legislature urge the department of environmental quality, in issuing PSD permits for new conventional coal‑fueled electric generating units, and consistent with otherwise applicable law, fully consider:
1. The need to act expeditiously in accordance with the state's need to develop new electric generation; and
2. The use of commercially available technologies that are designed to be as efficient as is economically practicable, including advanced super‑critical pulverized coal, ultra super‑critical pulverized coal, and that are designed to be carbon capture‑compatible and sequestration‑compatible, as potential best available control technology.
