AR SB555

Creates a waiver mechanism allowing the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality to bypass legislative review procedures for state emission plans if federal EPA guidelines do not require fuel-switching, unit closures, or statewide greenhouse gas goals.

Requires an affirmative majority vote from the Legislative Council to grant the waiver, with the department providing an explanation of how final emission guidelines meet the waiver criteria.

Modifies the state plan approval process by requiring the department to transmit plans to legislative cochairs before sending to EPA, rather than within 15 days after adoption.

Replaces mandatory state plan revision triggers for rate increases with a feasibility study requirement to determine whether alternative approaches comply with the Clean Air Act or would result in federal plan imposition.

Applies only when the EPA promulgates final carbon dioxide emission guidelines for existing fossil fuel-fired electric generating units under Clean Air Act Section 111(d); if a waiver is granted, sections 8-3-203 and 8-3-205 through 8-3-207 are waived.