15-03-2025
Bill filed in Arkansas legislature to protect power plants from closure
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Power plants in the state would not be able to be shut down without state approval if a bill filed in the Arkansas legislature on Friday becomes law.
Senate Bill 463 mandates that the Arkansas Public Service Commission approve any power plant targeted for shutdown. In the bill's language, the plant could not be shut down without PSC approval, even if ordered by 'the United States Government, an agency of the United States, or any other third party if the purpose of all or part of the settlement agreement is the closure, deactivation, or decommissioning of an electric generation unit or a transmission asset located in this state.'
Arkansas electric utility bill passes Senate, heads for House
The legislature has discussed plant shutdowns as Senate Bill 307 moves through the legislature to change how utilities can construct new power plants. In presenting the bill, Sen. Jonathan Dismang (R-Searcy) has pointed out that Arkansas will lose two of its five coal-fired power plants in 2030, forcing either new construction or purchasing power from out-of-state sources.
The two plants in Redfield and Newark were slated for shutdown as part of a 2021 settlement between Entergy Arkansas and the Sierra Club after a 2018 suit for violating provisions of the federal Clean Air Act. Entergy maintained that it had complied with the act.
Arkansas bill tightening requirements for gas well operators passes House committee
Sen. Matt McKee (R-Pearcy) is the lead sponsor of SB463. He is also a cosponsor of SB307.
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