AZ HB2494

Exempts thermal and nonthermal electric generating units from county zoning restrictions if the owner or operator obtains a certificate of environmental compatibility from the power plant and transmission line siting committee, with Corporation Commission approval.

Allows utilities to replace existing power plants or construct new plants immediately adjacent to existing plants without obtaining a new certificate of environmental compatibility if specific conditions are met.

Requires utilities seeking the exemption for replacement or adjacent plants to provide 30 days' written notice to the commission and hold at least one public comment session in the county where the existing plant is located.

Limits the exemption to sites where plants previously received environmental compatibility certificates or were in use before August 13, 1971, and where the new total nameplate rating equals or exceeds the existing rating.