Determined to bring new jobs and economic development to the region, Supervisor Jason Whiting told state energy regulators last Thursday that Arizona’s next nuclear power plant should be built in Navajo County. “As Arizona plans for future energy demands, nuclear energy should be at the top of the list,” Whiting said. “Nuclear power offers unparalleled benefits, including 24/7 baseload power that ensures unmatched reliability and affordability.”
Whiting argued that Navajo County is the ideal location for a new nuclear power plant, whether it is a small modular reactor (SMR)—a newer, scalable nuclear technology—or a traditional large plant like the Palo Verde Generating Station west of Phoenix, which employs over 2,500 full-time employees. He specifically encouraged commissioners to consider the former Cholla Power Plant near Joseph City, noting that the site’s existing transmission infrastructure and experienced local workforce make it a compelling option for redevelopment.
“My constituents are tired of large-scale solar farms that don’t bring jobs and mar the landscape,” Whiting testified. “They want to see reliable energy projects that create jobs and economic activity for our schools and small businesses. Nuclear power can help deliver that future, and Navajo County is ready to play a leading role.”
The workshop and Whiting’s testimony follow recent announcements by Arizona Public Service, Tucson Electric Power, and Salt River Project that they are evaluating options for new nuclear generation, including possible early site studies at retiring coal plant locations such as Cholla. The utilities have emphasized that any new nuclear project would take several years to develop and construct.
