Assigned to NR                                                                                                                       FOR COMMITTEE

ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session

FACT SHEET FOR H.C.R. 2022

nuclear energy; Palo Verde; support

Purpose

Expresses the Legislatures support for the Palo Verde Generating Station and the safe and efficient use of nuclear energy to supply the energy consumption needs of the people of Arizona.

Background

The Palo Verde Generating Station, established in 1988, is located approximately 55 miles west of downtown Phoenix near the community of Wintersburg. The Palo Verde Generating Station has the largest generating capacity of any nuclear power plant in the United States producing a total of 3,810,000 kilowatts. The electricity generated serves portions of Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas (Maricopa County).

In 1969, the Legislature adopted the Western Interstate Nuclear Compact (Compact). The Compact states that party states of the compact recognize that the proper employment of scientific and technological discoveries and advances in nuclear and related fields and direct and collateral application and adaptation of process and techniques, properly correlated with the other resources of the region, can assist substantially in the industrial progress of the west and the further development of the economy of the region. The Compact also states that it is the policy of the party states to undertake such cooperation on a continuing basis and that it is the purpose of the Compact to provide the instruments and framework for such a cooperative effort in nuclear and related fields, to enhance the economy of the west and contribute to the individual and community
well-being of the regions people (A.R.S. § 30-701).

There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.

Provisions

1. Expresses the Legislature's support for the Palo Verde Generating Station and the safe and efficient use of nuclear energy to supply the energy consumption needs of the people of Arizona.

2. Directs the Secretary of State to transmit copies of the Resolution to the President of the U.S. Senate, the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and each member of the U.S. Congress from Arizona.

House Action

NREW            2/4/25        DP          6-4-0-0

3^rd Read          2/20/25                     41-18-1

Prepared by Senate Research

March 7, 2025

SB/slp