AR HB1409

Creates the "Electric Reliability Act" prohibiting the Arkansas Public Service Commission from approving retirement of any hydroelectric, coal, natural gas, or nuclear power plant until equal or greater "firm power" replacement capacity is contracted and available on the grid

Defines "firm power" as dispatchable generation with 80% or higher performance standard plus battery storage exceeding 24 hours, explicitly excluding intermittent sources like wind and solar

Requires the Commission to factor in planned power plant closures in other states within regional transmission organizations when calculating Arkansas's replacement power needs

Mandates the Commission seek federal waivers from regulations forcing plant closures, and if denied, pursue court injunctions and litigation to block implementation

Legislative findings cite 230 coal plants targeted for closure nationally, warn that 750,000 additional wind towers would be needed to replace fossil fuel generation, and assert state authority over electric utility regulation under the Tenth Amendment