AR SB65

Amends state emission plan review procedures to assess impacts on rates, reliability, employment, and manufacturing greenhouse gas leakage through a transparent public process.

Requires the Division of Environmental Quality to prepare reports in coordination with the Arkansas Public Service Commission and Arkansas Economic Development Commission assessing effects on electricity affordability, capacity, reliability, rate impacts, employment, economic development, and tax revenues, with both initial and annual reports required.

Changes procedures so emission plans are submitted to Legislative Council after the public comment period concludes, rather than before completing review, and allows the Governor to submit plans to the EPA if sufficient time has passed and delay would cause federal implementation plan imposition.

Replaces "feasibility study" language with "rate and reliability safety valve" provision requiring the Division of Environmental Quality to develop a revised state plan reducing financial impacts to customer classes when significant bill increases occur.

Repeals the waiver of review and approval procedures for emissions plans, eliminating the mechanism that allowed the Division to bypass legislative review under certain conditions.