The Arizona Corporation Commission Power Plant and Transmission Line Siting Committee at a hearing on Monday took public testimony on the Salt River Project Coolidge Expansion Project (CEP), a natural gas project in Pinal County that supporters say will help meet the region’s growing energy demands in an environmentally responsible way. 

The proposed expansion will enable the addition of more renewable resources while maintaining a reliable power grid. With the expansion project, SRP will be able to meet the objectives while also staying on the path to decarbonize their energy generation processes over the long term. 

SRP is anticipating a 16% increase in peak energy demand by 2025, which the CEP would be able to support. The expansion plans for 16 new natural gas turbines to be installed at the Coolidge Generating Station.

The power that is generated by the plant will go to neighboring cities and towns in Maricopa County, but the benefits will be widespread. The construction will generate jobs for residents and more than $76 million in property taxes from 2024 to 2033.

The Boilermakers 627 chapter had multiple members speak in favor of the project at the hearing, with union representatives conveying to the committee members the importance of the jobs being created by the project. 

James Horcala, one of the members of the union, spoke on the opportunity to remain close to home. 

“Me and my son are going to get hired in Casa Grande,” he said. “We are qualified to do the work. This is the first time that we are going to be at home and be able to be in our community.”

State Rep. David Cook, R-Globe, also spoke in support of the CEP’s benefits for the state. 

“These are the facts: Arizona is one of the fastest and largest growing [states] in our country,” Cook said. “The reality is that customers need electricity and they need it to be affordable electricity. SRP is investing in the infrastructure that is needed for the state. We should be thanking them for looking down the road for the future of the state.”

A representative from the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry also spoke in favor of the CEP.

“The Chamber believes that Arizona’s ability to meet the energy demands of job creators is an essential part of the state’s overall economic development strategy,” said Courtney Coolidge, vice president of government affairs. “We are fortunate that leaders like SRP are meeting industry demands with solutions that not only ensure the affordable delivery of reliable power but are also doing so in an environmentally responsible way that helps wean us off carbon-intensive sources, as SRP maintains its commitment that nearly half of all the retail energy it delivers will come from zero-carbon sources within the next four years.”

The public can learn more about the project at SRP’s .

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After being sidelined by the pandemic last year, Arizona legislators are back in session and moving quickly this week to revive and enact bills to protect water and natural resources to provide for citizens and businesses for decades to come.

There is no time to waste. Arizona is now into its 21st year of a scorching drought that is depleting the most important water resource in the Southwest, the Colorado River.

Ground and surface water are now more important than ever. To that end, state lawmakers are rushing to revive and fast track critical bills that will help protect and conserve both.

“The name of the game this session is companion bills to move them,” state Sen. Sine Kerr, R-Buckeye, said about committee chairs in both houses working in tandem to push through “mirror” bills on water and natural resources that never made it to the finish line last year due to COVID-19. 

Kerr, who is the chair of the Senate Natural Resources, Energy and Water Committee, was one of several lawmakers and state officials who updated the business and manufacturing community last week on the bills they are working on during the virtual Environmental Issues Breakfast Legislative Kickoff hosted by the (AMC) and the . Snell and Wilmer sponsored the event. 

Other speakers included Rep. Gail Griffin, R-Hereford, chair of the House Natural Resources, Energy and Water Committee, and Rep. Tim Dunn, R-Yuma, chair of the House Land, Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee as well as officials from Governor Doug Ducey’s office and the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ).

One of the measures that has been revived and is fast-tracked through committees is known as the “use it or lose” bill that is important to business and manufacturing. 

“Use it or lose it” legislation  

The legislation, HB 2675, would create an important new step to conserve groundwater, the speakers said. 

It would repair a quirk in current law that acts as a disincentive to conserve water. That’s because current state forfeiture law provides that a water right may be lost after five years of non-use.  

That has done little to encourage water holders to conserve supplies, the speakers said.    

HB 2675 would remove that barrier and ensure that water holders’ conservation efforts will not result in the loss of water rights. Under the proposal, a water right holder could file a Water Conservation Plan with the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR). Upon filing a plan, the holder’s water rights would be shielded from a claim of abandonment or forfeiture. 

“If you have five acre feet of water and you only need to use three acre feet, we want you to save and not lose your right to it,” Griffin said. “Right now if you don’t use the allocation you stand the risk of losing that right.”

Surface water protection bill 

Another piece of legislation important to manufacturing and industry is a bill to protect surface water from contamination. It is needed to address changes to the federal Clean Water Act last year that removed federal jurisdiction over certain small bodies of water in states. 

With that federal jurisdiction removed, Arizona needed to add some protections of its own, said Amanda Stone, intergovernmental and community affairs director for the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), who spoke at the event. 

If approved by the Legislature, the bill would provide surface water protections for water that is used for things like recreation, fishing and drinking, Stone said. 

It also provides steps to work with farmers, businesses and other organizations up front to prevent water contamination. 

“It’s not only good for the environment, it’s good for the business community,” Stone said. 

Wildfire prevention, removal of invasive species, nuisance lawsuits

Legislators also talked about a host of other bills the public can expect to see this session, including forest restoration and wildfire prevention to protect watersheds in the northern portions of the state. 

Other measures include funding to remove invasive species like saltcedar that is sapping waters and streams and wildlife habitats across the state, continue a cleanup of contaminated groundwater wells in Tucson, and to enact “nuisance” lawsuit protection for farmers and the agriculture industry from frivolous lawsuits. 

Corporation Commission overstepping its role?

Another issue that is expected to come under debate this session is the role of the Arizona Corporation Commission. Among its many duties is the regulation of public utilities including setting renewable energy requirements and goals for utilities.

Governor Doug Ducey and others are concerned that the commission is overstepping its authority in that area, said Chuck Podolak, the governor’s natural resources policy adviser, who spoke at the event. 

Last summer, the Arizona Supreme Court opened the door to allow state lawmakers to overrule the commission on renewable energy standards. 

“The Governor is essentially in agreement with the Supreme Court,” Podolak said. “When it comes to energy, there’s a role for the ACC and there’s a role for the legislature.” 

About the Arizona Manufacturers Council

The is the official state affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers. AMC acts as the voice for Arizona’s manufacturing industry, which has been a major contributor in keeping Arizona’s economy afloat during the pandemic. Currently, the industry employs about 177,000 workers statewide and pumps about $30 billion annually into the economy.

The Council holds regular meetings to bring together environmental policy experts, industry stakeholders and state legislators to discuss Arizona’s most pressing environmental issues. These events often are free to the public. For more information, visit: .

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“This incredible victory comes after years of bipartisan support and tireless leadership from long-term and recent champions in both the House and Senate, and reminds us that conservation of our shared outdoor spaces is something we can all come together on.“

Jamie Williams, president of The Wilderness Society

President Donald Trump signed long-awaited legislation last week to funnel billions of dollars into America’s national parks to address a massive backlog in repairs, and to make them “greater than they have ever been before.”

“The legislation I’m signing today builds on my administration’s unwavering commitment to conserving and — the grandeur and the splendor of God’s creation,” Trump said in signing the bill Aug. 4. “This is truly God’s creation.” 

Strong bipartisan support finally pushed forward the measure, called the Great American Outdoors Act, which became law Aug. 9. It provides funding to address the $11.6-billion backlog in repairs and maintenance at national parks and monuments, according to the National Park Service. It also provides up to $1.9 billion a year for five years — at little or no cost to taxpayers — for grants to states and tribes to develop outdoor recreation areas, conserve habitat and protect forests. 

Long-awaited investment for Arizona’s national parks 

Arizona is among the most affected by repair backlogs. As of 2018, it had a maintenance backlog totaling $595.1 million, including $313.9 million in needed repairs at Grand Canyon National Park, $91 million at Lake Mead National Recreation Area, and $48 million at Petrified Forest National Park, according to the park service. 

The act is expected to benefit all of Arizona, but particularly rural areas that derive  revenue from visitors to places like the Grand Canyon, the country’s second most popular national park. Last year, 5.97 million people enjoyed the canyon’s 277-mile long view.

Less reliance on taxpayer dollars

The contains two pieces. First, it establishes a fund to direct nearly $10 billion over five years into maintenance projects, repairs, and upgrades to national parks, monuments and historic sites. The fund, the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund, will receive much of its funding from federal revenues generated from the development of oil, gas, coal, or alternative or renewable energy on federal lands and waters. 

Second, the act makes permanent the popular Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). The fund allocates $900 million a year for grants to states and tribes to acquire and develop public parks and recreation areas and protect habitat and forests, without dependence on tax dollars. LWCF draws its money from royalties of companies drilling for oil and gas on the publicly-owned Outer Continental Shelf, according to the U.S. Department of the Interior. 

Funding will be divided between the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management and the Bureau of Indian Education. 

National parks boost economies in rural areas 

The Act is predicted to create over 100,000 jobs nationwide and help clear the maintenance backlog on public lands.

It’s also expected to provide a much needed boost to economies in rural and tribal areas, according to Arizona’s two U.S. senators, Kyrsten Sinema (D) and Martha McSally (R), who were co-sponsors of the bill.

“Arizona is home to diverse public lands and outdoor recreation which draw millions of visitors from across the nation and world,” Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association President and CEO Kim Sabow said. “Our national, state and local parks, trails and public lands are a critical economic driver for communities.”

Before the pandemic, outdoor recreation in the state ge201,000 direct jobs, $21.2 billion in consumer spending, $5.7 billion in wages and salaries, and $1.4 billion in state, county, and local tax revenue annually, according to the Outdoor Industry Association.

Endorsed by businesses, conservation groups

The Great American Outdoors Act was endorsed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry, hundreds of , and more than 800 conservation , including the Backcountry Hunters and Anglers of Arizona, Arizona Sportsmen for Wildlife Conservation, Arizona Trail Association, and more.

“Passage of the Great American Outdoors Act ensures a needed economic shot in the arm for rural Arizona by investing millions in infrastructure upgrades at Arizona jewels like the Grand Canyon and Lake Mead,” Arizona Chamber President and CEO Glenn Hamer said. Members of Arizona’s congressional delegation who championed the bill included House Natural Resources Committee Chair Raúl Grijalva.

An expanded LWCF will, among other things, mean more opportunities to preserve green spaces in currently low-income and “park-poor” communities, Grijalva said. 

“This is truly an investment in our children, our environment and our quality of life, and that’s why we’re seeing such bipartisan support in Congress,” Grijalva said when the bill was passed. “With climate change advancing around the country, this couldn’t come at a better time.”

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