La Paz County Solar Energy and Job Creation Act
Summary
The La Paz County Solar Energy and Job Creation Act authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to convey approximately 3,400 acres of federal land in La Paz County, Arizona, to the county government. The purpose is to facilitate solar energy development and create jobs. The conveyance is subject to fair market value payment, protection of tribal cultural artifacts, and exclusion of land with significant cultural, environmental, wildlife, or recreational resources.
Expected Effects
La Paz County will gain control of the designated federal land for potential solar energy projects. This could lead to increased renewable energy production and new employment opportunities in the region. The Act also stipulates protections for tribal artifacts and requires the county to pay fair market value for the land.
Potential Benefits
- Potential for increased solar energy production.
- Creation of new jobs in the renewable energy sector.
- Economic development in La Paz County, Arizona.
- Protection of Tribal cultural artifacts through required coordination and reburial protocols.
- Revenue generation for the federal government through the sale of the land at fair market value.
Potential Disadvantages
- Loss of federal control over the land.
- Potential environmental impacts from solar energy development if not properly managed.
- Costs to La Paz County for the land acquisition and related expenses.
- Possible disturbance of undiscovered cultural or environmental resources despite the exclusion clause.
- Withdrawal of the land from mining and mineral leasing, potentially limiting other resource development opportunities.
Constitutional Alignment
The Act appears to align with the General Welfare Clause of the Constitution (Preamble), as it aims to promote economic development and job creation. Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2 grants Congress the power to dispose of and regulate territory belonging to the United States. The Act falls within this enumerated power, authorizing the conveyance of federal land to a county government.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).