Arizona Senate looks to sidestep rural zoning codes for new nuclear generation

The Arizona Senate has approved Senate Bill 1418, legislation designed to strip 13 rural Arizona counties, excluding Maricopa and Pima, of their zoning authority over small "modular" nuclear reactors. This measure, awaiting a House vote, aims to fast-track the placement of these reactors near data centers and former coal sites, leveraging existing infrastructure like high-voltage power lines to distribute energy. The bill specifically targets businesses with an "extra high load energy factor," a characteristic of data centers, allowing reactors to be built without local county oversight.

The proposal has advanced largely with Republican votes, though internal partisan divisions exist. Republican Rep. Walt Blackman of Snowflake, whose district includes parts of Coconino, Gila, Navajo, and Pinal counties, voiced opposition, citing traditional Republican support for local control. Conversely, House Majority Leader Michael Carbone, a Republican from Buckeye, defended state preemption, arguing that cities and counties are subdivisions of the state and that overriding local control is sometimes necessary for worthy causes like rural economic development. Carbone highlighted the significant property tax revenue, potentially $70-90 million annually, that a single data center can generate, which funds essential public services.

Democratic lawmakers and environmental groups have raised concerns about safety, the lack of long-term storage solutions for nuclear waste, and the state's prioritization of nuclear energy over renewables. Senate Minority Leader Priya Sundareshan, a Tucson Democrat, noted that no modular reactors are currently operating commercially in the U.S., despite sponsor Sen. Frank Carroll's assurances about technological advancements. Sandy Bahr, director of the Arizona chapter of the Sierra Club, criticized the investment in nuclear technology, suggesting that funds could be better used for solar with storage, and raised alarms about increased nuclear waste. Sen. Theresa Hatathlie expressed a powerful objection based on the historical health impacts of uranium mining on Navajo Nation land, citing personal family experiences with cancer.

Despite these objections, proponents like Senator Carroll and Senator David Gowan emphasized the bill's role in supporting rural Arizona, enabling smaller towns and cities to compete for economic growth by providing the necessary energy for businesses like data centers. Carbone also linked increased computing power from data centers to national competitiveness against countries like China, stressing the need for reliable energy sources.