Arkansas lawmakers are on a brief recess after a busy two months of legislating in Little Rock, and the Arkansas Times is highlighting some of the most important environment and energy bills in the 2025 legislative session. Wind energy legislation is a major focus, with bills proposing height restrictions on wind turbines and establishing a regulatory framework for future projects. A bill excluding future wind developments from a new funding mechanism has raised concerns among renewable energy advocates.
Data centers, which consume large amounts of energy and water, are also in the spotlight. Bills expanding tax exemptions for large data centers and regulating water and energy usage for crypto mining operations are being considered. Additionally, state environmental groups have successfully pushed back against a bill that aimed to strip protections for the Buffalo National River.
Legislators are also working to promote outdoor recreation and tourism as part of efforts to grow the outdoor economy in Arkansas. This includes the development of mountain biking parks and the establishment of the Office of Outdoor Recreation within the state government. Other bills under consideration include repealing an electric vehicle infrastructure grant program and addressing the state’s used tire recycling program.
As lawmakers prepare to reconvene next week, these environment and energy bills will continue to be a focus of the legislative session, with implications for the future of renewable energy, data center regulation, and conservation efforts in Arkansas.
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