Win: Kelly, Gallego Bill to Expand Economic Opportunity in La Paz County Heads to President’s Desk

Bill will enable La Paz County to create hundreds of jobs and power thousands of homes

Last night, the Senate unanimously passed Arizona Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego's La Paz County Solar Energy and Job Creation Act, legislation that will allow La Paz County to purchase 3,400 acres of certain federal lands to drive economic development and expand solar energy generation. The bill now heads to the President desk to be signed into law. The legislation was championed in the House by Arizona Representatives Paul Gosar, Andy Biggs, and David Schweikert.

Under a previous land transfer, La Paz County made remarkable progress in creating a large solar park adjacent to the Ten West Link transmission project through central Arizona. The La Paz County Solar Energy and Job Creation Act will allow La Paz County to continue this project, developing a planned 500 MW of solar capacity and up to 900 MWH of battery storage. The project will create 700 construction jobs and 10 permanent positions.

"This is a big win for La Paz County and for Arizona," said Kelly. "By unlocking this land, the county can power tens of thousands of homes with clean, affordable energy while creating hundreds of good-paying jobs. This project builds on the success La Paz County has already delivered, strengthens Arizona's leadership in solar energy, and puts real economic opportunity to work for local families."

"As the sunniest state in the union, Arizona has massive potential to power homes and create jobs through solar development. La Paz County's solar development is a perfect example of what is possible when we invest in solar, and I am proud to help them continue that work with the passage of this legislation," said Gallego.

Click here to read the full bill text.