Citizen Portal
Sign In

Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!

Committee approves bill preventing local bans on energy sources, citing PSC authority

INSURANCE & COMMERCE - SENATE · February 4, 2021
AI-Generated Content: All content on this page was generated by AI to highlight key points from the meeting. For complete details and context, we recommend watching the full video. so we can fix them.

Summary

SB137 would bar local governments from enacting ordinances restricting residents' choice of energy source; PSC chairman Ted Thomas and sponsors said the PSC's authority over the resource mix and the statewide nature of distribution networks justify the preemption. The committee passed the bill by voice vote.

Senate Bill 137, presented by Senator Irvin, would prohibit local government ordinances that limit a resident's or property owner's choice of energy source. Senator Irvin framed the bill as protecting energy choice for Arkansans, especially those in rural areas that may lack alternatives.

Ted Thomas, chairman of the Arkansas Public Service Commission, told the…

Already have an account? Log in

Subscribe to keep reading

Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.

  • Unlimited articles
  • AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
  • Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
  • Follow topics and more locations
  • 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
30-day money-back on paid plans