AR SB183

Creates new procedures requiring the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality to develop a state plan for regulating carbon dioxide emissions from existing fossil-fuel-fired electric generating units under federal Clean Air Act Section 111(d) guidelines.

Mandates the Legislative Council must approve any state plan through an affirmative majority vote before submission to the EPA, unless the Governor directs submission if sufficient time has passed and delay would result in federal implementation of a plan.

Requires comprehensive impact assessments before rulemaking, including coordination with the Public Service Commission on electricity rates, reliability risks, and affordability, and with the Economic Development Commission on employment, economic development, and impacts on low-income households.

Prohibits submission of a state plan that would result in significant rate increases for any customer class or unreasonable reliability risks, and establishes a "safety valve" procedure allowing reopening of proceedings if approved plans cause significant bill increases or manufacturing greenhouse gas leakage.

Specifies that implementation of any approved state plan is dependent on final adoption of federal emission guidelines, and allows state agencies to suspend or terminate enforcement if guidelines are not adopted, suspended, or held contrary to law.