A bill in the Arizona House would redefine renewable energy to include nuclear power. HB2623, introduced by Rep. Lucy Mason, chair of the House Water and Energy Committee, would also give the Legislature exclusive power to establish statewide renewable energy policy, an authority of the Arizona Corporation Commission at present.
ACC commissioner Paul Newman published an op-ed in today's Arizona Daily Star in opposition to bill, arguing that Arizona should not be the first state in the nation to declare nuclear is renewable. [right, Palo Verder Nuclear Generating Station, west of Phoenix. Credit, Nuclear Regulatory Commission]