ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-seventh Legislature

First Regular Session

House: NREW DPA/SE 6-4-0-0

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

HB 2774: technical correction; certificate; environmental compatibility

NOW: small modular reactors; co-location

Sponsor: Representative Carbone, LD 25

House Engrossed

Overview

Establishes conditions to construct and operate small modular nuclear reactors.

History

Certificates of Environmental Compatibility

The Arizona Corporation Commission (Commission)'s Power Plant and Transmission Line Siting Committee (Committee) was created to provide a single forum for the resolution of all matters concerning the location of electric generating plants and transmission lines in open processes for all interested and affected parties to participate in relevant decisions (Laws 1971, Chapter 67, section 1). The Committee has jurisdiction over proposed electrical generating plants and above ground transmission lines that meet certain criteria. When a utility plans to build one of these facilities it must apply for a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility (CEC) and after review of designated criteria, public hearings and a vote by the Committee the utility may be granted the CEC for their proposed facility (A.R.S. Title 40, Chapter 2, article 6.2).

Small Modular Nuclear Reactors

Small Modular Nuclear Reactors (SMRs) are nuclear fission reactors that produce electrical energy output and are smaller in both size and output from more traditional, larger nuclear reactors. SMRs vary in size, technology options, capabilities, deployment scenarios and output. These reactors vary in size from tens of megawatts up to hundreds of megawatts, can be used for power generation, process heat, desalination, or other industrial uses. SMR designs may employ light water as a coolant or other non-light water coolants such as a gas, liquid metal, or molten salt (DOE).

Provisions

1.   Prohibits certain counties from regulating the construction or operation of a small modular nuclear reactor if the small modular reactor is collocated with a large industrial energy user that received all applicable zoning entitlements. (Sec. 1)

2.   Permits a utility, after providing written notice to the Commission, to replace an existing thermal electric generating unit with a small modular nuclear reactor without seeking a new CEC and without holding a hearing if certain criteria are met. (Sec. 2)

3.   Allows a utility to construct a new small nuclear reactor without filing for or receiving a CEC if the new small modular reactor is colocated with a large industrial energy user. (Sec. 4)

4.   Requires a new small modular reactor that is constructed to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws and requirements. (Sec. 4)

5.   Mandates the Commission adopt rules that define:

a)   colocated with;

b)   large industrial energy user; and

c) small modular nuclear reactor. (Sec. 4)

6.   Permits the Commission to adopt any necessary additional definitions. (Sec. 4)

7.   States that proposed section, A.R.S. § 40-360.14, only applies in a county with a population of less than 500,000 persons. (Sec. 4)

8.   Makes technical and conforming changes. (Sec. 1, 2 and 3)

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12.                    HB 2774

13.  Initials CW          Page 0 House Engrossed

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