certificate; environmental compatibility; factors

HB 2340 amends Arizona law to define factors committees must consider when reviewing applications for environmental compatibility certificates for projects like power plants or transmission lines. It requires evaluation of nine specific factors, including wildlife habitats, historic sites, noise levels, public access, and cost impacts, with special emphasis on protecting areas with rare species or unique biological value. The bill also prohibits committees from requiring labor agreements (like union contracts) as a condition for approval and limits additional pollution standards beyond existing regulations. This directly affects developers seeking project approvals by mandating these environmental and cost considerations during the review process.